Canada is represented in Taiwan by the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei. This is a locally-incorporated
entity staffed by Canadian and local Taiwanese personnel. Consistent
with its One China policy, Canada maintains unofficial but valuable
economic, cultural and people-to-people ties with Taiwan.
Trade and investment
The
latest data indicates that in 2024, Taiwan was Canada's 15th largest
trading partner and sixth largest in Asia. Total merchandise trade with
Taiwan in 2024 was $6.0 billion, with Canadian merchandise exports of
$2.1 billion, and imports from Taiwan at $4.0 billion. Canada's priority
sectors for business development in Taiwan are aerospace, information
and communications technology, agri-food and seafood products,
biotechnology and life sciences, clean technologies, education, and
energy.
In 2024, Canada’s two-way services trade with Taiwan was
$1.9 billion. Services exports to Taiwan were $668 million and services
imports from Taiwan were $1.3 billion. Top sectors for service exports
include transport, travel, research and development services, financial
services, and intellectual property.
On an immediate investing
country basis, the total stock of Canadian direct investment in Taiwan
in 2024 stood at $105 million, and the total stock of Taiwan direct
investment in Canada stood at $7.3 billion over the same period (7th
largest in the Indo-Pacific).
Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Arrangement
On December 22, 2023, the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Ottawa signed a foreign investment promotion and protection arrangement. This Arrangement is designed to help protect and promote Canadian investments in Taiwan, and Taiwanese investments in Canada.
Science, Technology, and Innovation Arrangement
On
April 15, 2024, the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei and the Taipei
Economic and Cultural Office in Canada signed a Science, Technology, and
Innovation Arrangement. This Arrangement will enable opportunities for
business-led co-innovation partnerships in high tech sectors under the
Canadian International Innovation Program as well as expanded research
collaborations across the Canadian and Taiwanese ecosystems.
Collaborative Framework on Supply Chains Resilience
At
the 2023 Canada-Taiwan Economic Consultations, the Canadian Trade
Office in Taipei and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Canada
endorsed the Collaborative Framework on Supply Chains Resilience. Taiwan
is an important regional partner in Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. The
framework aims to build sustainable and diverse trade among reliable
partners to mitigate supply chain disruptions and increase resiliency.
Avoidance of Double Taxation Arrangement
On
January 15, 2016, the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei and the Taipei
Economic and Cultural Office in Canada signed an Arrangement on the
Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with
Respect to Taxes on Income. The Arrangement limits the rate of
withholding tax to 10% on dividends paid to a company that holds
directly or indirectly at least 20% of the capital of the company that
pays the dividends, and 15% on dividends paid in all other cases; and to
10% for payments of interest and royalties. The Arrangement also
exempts from withholding tax certain payments of interest.
Subject: Automatic reply: Methinks David Lametti should go back to law
school too N'esy Pas Pierre Poilievre?
To: motomaniac333@gmail.com
Thanks very much for getting in touch with me!
This email is to acknowledge receipt of your message and to let you
know that every incoming email is read and reviewed. A member of my
Wellington-Halton Hills team will be in touch with you shortly if
follow-up is required.
Due to the high volume of email correspondence, priority is given to
responding to residents of Wellington-Halton Hills and to emails of a
non-chain (or "forwards") variety.
In your email, if you:
* have verified that you are a constituent by including your
complete residential postal address and a phone number, a response
will be provided in a timely manner.
* have not included your residential postal mailing address,
please resend your email with your complete residential postal address
and phone number, and a response will be forthcoming.
If you are not a constituent of Wellington Halton-Hills, please
contact your Member of Parliament. If you are unsure who your MP is,
you can find them by searching your postal code at
http://www.ourcommons.ca/en
Any constituents of Wellington-Halton Hills who require urgent
attention are encouraged to call the constituency office at
1-866-878-5556 (toll-free in riding). Please rest assured that any
voicemails will be returned promptly.
THIS MESSAGE IS ONLY INTENDED FOR THE USE OF THE INTENDED RECIPIENT(S)
AND MAY CONTAIN INFORMATION THAT IS PRIVILEGED, PROPRIETARY AND/OR
CONFIDENTIAL. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby
notified that any review, retransmission, dissemination, distribution,
copying, conversion to hard copy or other use of this communication is
strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient and have
received this message in error, please notify me by return e-mail and
delete this message from your system.
Conservative
MP Michael Chong rises during question period in the House of Commons
on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Oct. 3, 2024 (Patrick Doyle/The Canadian
Press)
Conservative
MP Michael Chong says his trip to Taiwan this week is meant to exercise
Canadian sovereignty and defy the Chinese government's warning to
Canada not to send parliamentarians to the region.
"The goal was twofold," Chong said in an interview with CBC's The House.
"First, it was to stand in solidarity with a democracy that's on the
front lines of threats coming from an authoritarian state.
"The
second purpose was to clearly state that MPs do not take direction from a
foreign government as to where they travel internationally," Chong told
host Catherine Cullen.
In April, China's Ambassador to Canada
Wang Di told the Globe and Mail that he's optimistic about warming ties
between Ottawa and Beijing, but warned that "official engagement" by
parliamentarians with Taiwanese officials "will be hurtful."
Chong dismissed concerns about damaging Canada's economic relationships.
"The
key thing for trade and investment is stability," he said. "You have to
have peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region."
WATCH | Recent military drills near Taiwan:
China launches military drills, putting Taiwan on alert
December 29, 2025|
Duration 2:12
The
Taiwanese government says it has placed its forces on alert as China
intensifies its military presence in the Indo-Pacific Ocean and launches
air, navy and rocket drills around the island.
"We've
not had that disruption in the Indo-Pacific region, but I think it's
something that we need to be mindful of, and we have to ensure China
does not take unilateral action against Taiwan," Chong said.
Taiwan
considers itself an independent nation, but China views the island as
its territory and has not ruled out taking it by force.
The
Conservative MP added that in order to ensure peace and stability, China
must understand that unilateral action against Taiwan will come with a
steep price, assured by Taiwan's relationships with many Western
democracies.
Chong
met with Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te on Wednesday. He has said the
federal government was aware of his travel plans ahead of time.
Also
on Wednesday, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand did not directly
answer a reporter's question about whether the federal government
supports Chong's trip, but noted there's a long history of parliamentary
delegations travelling around the world.
She reiterated Canada's
long-standing "one China policy" under which the country maintains
unofficial but significant relations with Taiwan in economic and
cultural exchanges.
Foreign
Affairs Minister Anita Anand wouldn't say directly if the federal
government supports Chong's trip. The Conservative MP says the
government was aware of his travel plans ahead of time. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)
"Those
are the main points that we consider from a foreign policy perspective
when thinking about the Indo-Pacific region, and in particular our
relationship with Taiwan," Anand said.
A spokesperson for the
Chinese Embassy denounced Chong's trip in a statement, saying "his
meetings with officials of the Taiwan region authorities gravely
contravene the one-China commitment" and sends an implicit message of
support for Taiwanese independence.
"China firmly opposes this.
The Taiwan question is the core of China's core interests, which brooks
no external interference," the spokesperson said.
Canada's current ties with China
Ties
between Canada and China have warmed somewhat since Prime Minister Mark
Carney's high-profile meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping in
January.
That meeting ended with a tariff deal. Canada agreed to
let in 49,000 Chinese-made EVs at a lower tariff rate in exchange for
China cutting duties on Canadian canola seed, lobsters, crabs and peas.
China also decided to allow Canadian passport holders to travel to the country without needing a visa. That exemption lasts until December 2026.
WATCH | Carney meets with Xi Jinping:
Carney meets Xi Jinping, hails progress in resetting trade with China
January 15|
Duration 2:04
After
years of strained relations, Prime Minister Mark Carney has met Chinese
President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Carney hailed a tentative agreement
with China to co-operate more on clean and conventional energy, but the
Canada-China tariff dispute remains unresolved.
Ahead
of Carney's meeting with the Chinese president, Liberal MPs Helena
Jaczek and Marie-France Lalonde cut short a sponsored trip to Taiwan.
The
MPs said in a statement that their decision was informed by advice from
the government and aimed to "avoid confusion with Canada's foreign
policy."
Conservative MPs Melissa Lantsman, Adam Chambers and
Shelby Kramp-Neuman continued with the trip after their Liberal
counterparts left. At the time, Chong criticized the government members
for choosing to return to Canada.
Chong has been targeted by China in the past. Canada expelled a Chinese diplomat in 2023 for targeting the Conservative MP's family, and he was later the target of a disinformation operation on Chinese social media platform WeChat.
Chong told Cullen he doesn't think about the personal risk with his trip.
"At
the end of the day, I've got the privilege of being elected to office
in Canada, giving me a pulpit essentially to fight against transnational
repression, fight against the intimidation and threats that are coming
from Beijing," he said.
"There are many Canadians out there ...
who don't have a voice and who suffer in silence, and so I feel a strong
obligation to speak up on these issues to ensure that their points of
view are being heard loud and clear."
Benjamin
Lopez Steven is an associate producer for CBC's The House and a digital
writer with CBC Politics. He was also a 2024 Joan Donaldson Scholar and
a graduate of Carleton University. You can reach him at
benjamin.steven@cbc.ca or find him on X at @bensteven_s.
---------- Original message --------- From: Office of the Premier<scott.moe@gov.sk.ca> Date: Wed, Jun 3, 2026 at 2:03 AM Subject: Thank you for your email To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
This is to acknowledge that your email has been received by the Office of the Premier.
We appreciate the time you have taken to write.
NOTICE: This e-mail
was intended for a specific person. If it has reached you by mistake,
please delete it and advise me by return e-mail. Any privilege
associated with this information is not waived. Thank
you for your cooperation and assistance.
Avis: Ce
message est confidentiel, peut être protégé par le secret professionnel
et est à l'usage exclusif de son destinataire. Il est strictement
interdit à toute autre personne de le diffuser, le
distribuer ou le reproduire. Si le destinataire ne peut être joint ou
vous est inconnu, veuillez informer l'expéditeur par courrier
électronique immédiatement et effacer ce message et en détruire toute
copie.
Merci de votre cooperation.
---------- Original message --------- From: Ministerial Correspondence Unit - Justice Canada<mcu@justice.gc.ca> Date: Wed, Jun 3, 2026 at 2:03 AM Subject: Automatic Reply To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Thank you for writing to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.
Due
to the volume of correspondence addressed to the Minister, please note
that there may be a delay in processing your email. Rest assured that
your
message will be carefully reviewed.
We do not respond to correspondence that contains offensive language.
-------------------
Merci d'avoir écrit au ministre de la Justice et procureur général du Canada.
En raison du volume de correspondance adressée au ministre, veuillez
prendre note qu'il pourrait y avoir un retard dans le traitement de
votre courriel. Nous tenons à vous assurer que votre message sera lu
avec soin.
Nous ne répondons pas à la correspondance contenant un langage offensant.
---------- Original message --------- From: David Amos<david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> Date: Wed, Jun 3, 2026 at 2:00 AM Subject: Re: YO David Hawkins I just called and left a message about KPMG etc More info To:
<elie@emcnmedia.com>, <David.Eby.MLA@leg.bc.ca>,
<Premier@gov.bc.ca>, <John.Rustad.MLA@leg.bc.ca>,
<Steve.Kooner.MLA@leg.bc.ca>,
<Peter.Milobar.MLA@leg.bc.ca>,
<financialagent@petermilobar.ca>,
<Tara.Armstrong.MLA@leg.bc.ca>,
<Amelia.Boultbee.MLA@leg.bc.ca>,
<Dallas.Brodie.MLA@leg.bc.ca>, <media@teamyurifulmer.ca>,
<Elenore.Sturko.MLA@leg.bc.ca>,
<Jordan.Kealy.MLA@leg.bc.ca>, <Hon.Chan.MLA@leg.bc.ca> Cc:
<Frank.McKenna@td.com>, <scott.moe@gov.sk.ca>,
<premier@ontario.ca>, <premier@gnb.ca>,
<mcu@justice.gc.ca>, <andrew.scheer@parl.gc.ca>,
<pm@pm.gc.ca>, <David.Coon@gnb.ca>,
<ministre@justice.gouv.qc.ca>, <PABMINMAILG@cra-arc.gc.ca>,
<jan.jensen@justice.gc.ca>
---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Premier of Ontario | Premier ministre de l’Ontario<Premier@ontario.ca> Date: Wed, Jun 3, 2026 at 1:23 AM Subject: Automatic reply: YO David Hawkins I just called and left a message about KPMG etc More info To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Thank you for your email. Your thoughts, comments and input are greatly valued.
You can be assured that all emails and letters are carefully read, reviewed and taken into consideration.
There may be occasions when, given the issues you have raised and the
need to address them effectively, we will forward a copy of your
correspondence to the appropriate government official. Accordingly, a
response may take several business days.
Thanks again for your email.
______
Merci pour votre courriel. Nous vous sommes très reconnaissants de nous
avoir fait part de vos idées, commentaires et observations.
Nous tenons à vous assurer que nous lisons attentivement et prenons en
considération tous les courriels et lettres que nous recevons.
Dans certains cas, nous transmettrons votre message au ministère
responsable afin que les questions soulevées puissent être traitées de
la manière la plus efficace possible. En conséquence, plusieurs jours
ouvrables pourraient s’écouler avant que nous puissions
vous répondre.
Frank McKenna, former Premier of New Brunswick and Canadian Ambassador to the United States, joins Steve for this special edition of The Paikin Podcast in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. They discuss McKenna's experience as ambassador, dealing with George W. Bush, how he would deal with Trump, whether Trump's unpredictability is constrained by markets, and whether we live in a more dangerous time than the height of the Cold War.
They then discuss Brian Mulroney's Meech Lake Accord, how McKenna regrets not supporting it, whether he regrets not running for the federal Liberal leadership, his $20-million donation to St. Francis Xavier University, and the world young people are confronting today.
May 19, 2026 Prime Minister Mark Carney’s private Toronto meeting with Barack Obama and Alex Soros is raising major questions, including why such a high-profile gathering took place behind closed doors and why so little has been publicly disclosed about what was discussed.
Independent journalist Dan Dicks joins Marc Patrone to unpack what’s known about the secretive meeting, why it has sparked backlash online, and what it could signal about Carney’s political priorities just months into his leadership.
Dicks connects the meeting to Carney’s longstanding ties to global institutions like the World Economic Forum, arguing the optics reinforce concerns that Canada’s prime minister is more closely aligned with international elites than with ordinary Canadians.
He says the meeting raises broader questions about Canada’s sovereignty, its relationship with the United States, and whether Carney’s vision for the country is being shaped more by global power brokers than by the voters who elected him.
McKenna Scholars Program: A Transformative Investment
On
May 2, 2026, StFX announced a historic $20 million dollar commitment to
StFX from the Honorable Frank McKenna ('70), Julie McKenna ('72), and
their family.
On May 2, 2026, StFX announced a historic $20 million dollar commitment to StFX from the Honorable Frank McKenna ('70), Julie McKenna ('72), and their family. Watch the full announcement with introduction by StFX President Dr. Andy Hakin and speech by Frank McKenna.
The McKenna Centre supports and champions all
those whose ideas, research, and actions lead the way to developing bold
and creative solutions to the most pressing problems of our time.
St.
Francis Xavier University receives the largest single private
philanthropic gift in its 173-year history from The Honourable Frank
McKenna and his family
Back
row: Chair of the StFX Board of Governors, The Honorable Lisa Raitt and
StFX Chancellor, Mila Mulroney. Front row: StFX President &
Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Andy Hakin, the Honorable Frank McKenna, and Julie
McKenna
This
year’s spring convocation weekend at StFX is sure to go down in
history—and not just for the graduates and their families. On Saturday
afternoon, a large crowd of excited Xaverians and distinguished guests
filled the Frank McKenna Centre for Leadership for the announcement of
the largest single private philanthropic gift the University has ever
received.
“The legendary Xaverian spirit is fueled by a community
that never stops giving back,” said David Graham, Vice-President of
Advancement, in his opening remarks. “Today we are here to witness an
unprecedented milestone that sets a new gold standard for our future.”
President
and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Andy Hakin then delivered the historic
announcement: a $20 million dollar commitment to StFX from the Honorable
Frank McKenna ('70), Julie McKenna ('72), and their family.
“This
transformative gift will change the lives of hundreds of students and
fortify our university for generations to come,” said Dr. Hakin. “It
will also ensure that StFX remains a true national destination.”
He
described Frank and Julie McKenna as “one of Canada’s most influential
couples, recognized for their commitment to public service, to
community, and to family.” Chair of the StFX Board of Governors, the
Honorable Lisa Raitt ('89) added that the McKenna’s commitment to their
alma mater is “nothing short of extraordinary.”
L to R: Chair of the StFX Board of Governors, The Honorable
Lisa Raitt, VP of Advancement, David Graham, StFX President and
Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Andy Hakin, Linda Hakin, and StFX Chancellor Mila
Mulroney.
Introducing Canada’s most prestigious and lucrative undergraduate scholarships
The
extraordinary investment in StFX will establish The McKenna Scholars
Program, a groundbreaking new undergraduate scholarship initiative
designed to attract the very best and brightest young people to StFX.
These bold, new awards will not be tied to a specific field of study and
will recognize academic excellence and community-based leadership in
Arts, Science, and Business.
At the highest level, the McKenna
National Scholars—valued at $125,000 over four years—will be the most
prestigious and lucrative undergraduate scholarships in Canada.
Supporting these top awards are the McKenna Order of Merit scholarships,
valued at $40,000, and the McKenna Scholars of Distinction, valued at
$20,000.
A crucial part of the program will be a term dedicated
to working and studying abroad to allow students to gain a global
perspective.
Watch the full announcement:
Remote video URL
“One of the proudest days of our lives”
Taking
the stage, Frank McKenna reflected on his first memories of arriving at
StFX. He had never been to Antigonish—or Nova Scotia—but fell in love
with the campus immediately. “I was smitten with StFX,” Mr. McKenna
said. “And I’ve been smitten ever since.”
He also shared with the
crowd that for him and his wife, Julie, the day was “one of the
proudest days of our lives.” Not only were they announcing the gift but,
more importantly, they had not one but two members of the McKenna
family—their granddaughter, Ella, and their grandson, Noah—graduating at
StFX’s spring convocation.
Frank spoke about what he feels is so
uniquely powerful about a StFX education and the sense of community that
is formed during one’s time on campus.
“At StFX, you not only get
a globally recognized ring and a degree, but you get a master’s degree
in civility and a PhD in character,” Mr. McKenna said. “And in a world
of chaos, we could use more of both.”
Watch Frank McKenna's address:
Remote video URL
Investing in tomorrow’s leaders during a time of uncertainty.
Immediately
following the announcement, the campus community was joined by Canadian
journalist, author, and documentary producer, Steve Paikin, for a live
taping of The Paikin Podcast. Steve Paikin invited Chancellor Mila
Mulroney, Dr. Andy Hakin, and Frank McKenna to the stage for a
wide-ranging discussion about both the role of universities in today’s
rapidly changing world, and Mr. McKenna’s illustrious political career.
The
conversation began with Chancellor Mila Mulroney’s reflections on her
late husband, the Right Honorable Brian Mulroney’s love of StFX and the
inclusive, generous community he found on campus as an undergraduate
student. It was at StFX that his intellectual curiosity and love of
politics first developed, which helped propel him forward in his career.
Steve Paikin interviews the Honorable Frank McKenna during a live taping of The Paikin Podcast
This topic of broadening one’s thinking returned throughout the
discussion. “We need broad minded citizens.” Mr. McKenna explained.
“People who aren’t only capable of linear thinking, but who are capable
of bringing all of the pieces together.”
It's for this reason that the new McKenna Scholars program is “agnostic” when it comes to a particular field of study.
“We have to be a haven for the brightest minds on the planet,” Mr. McKenna said.
The inaugural cohort of McKenna Scholars will arrive on campus for the 2027-2028 academic year.
About the Honorable Frank McKenna
Frank
McKenna is one of Canada’s most respected political and business
leaders. He has been an executive with TD Bank Group since 2006 and
joined TD Securities in January 2020. As Deputy Chair, he is focused on
supporting the continued expansion of TD Securities’ global footprint.
He
is a graduate of St. Francis Xavier University, Queen’s University and
the University of New Brunswick Law School. He was awarded a prestigious
Lord Beaverbrook Scholarship in Law and has practiced in courtrooms all
the way up to the Supreme Court of Canada. He achieved widespread
acclaim for his successful defence of Canadian boxing legend, Yvon
Durelle.
He was elected Premier of New Brunswick in 1987 in a
historic victory that left him with all 58 seats in the legislative
assembly.
His time as a Premier was marked with widespread acclaim
for balanced budgets and unprecedented job creation. He was the only
politician in Canadian history to ever be named as Economic Developer of
the Year and was inducted into the Canadian Technology Hall of Fame.
He
retired ten years ago to the day of his original election, keeping his
promise to the people of New Brunswick that he would only serve ten
years. Since leaving public life, he was in widespread demand as a
Corporate Director and acted as Counsel to two national law firms. He
was named by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien to the Security Intelligence
Review Committee. He was also inducted into the New Brunswick Business
Hall of Fame and the Canadian Business Hall of Fame. In 2005 he accepted
an invitation from Prime Minister Paul Martin to become Canadian
Ambassador to the United States of America.
Upon completing his
time as Ambassador, he resumed his corporate career with TD Bank Group,
one of North America’s largest banks. He also became the Chairman of
Brookfield Asset Management, a global asset manager with $750 billion in
assets. Additionally, he became a Director of Canadian Natural
Resources (CNRL), Canada’s largest oil and gas producer.
Mr.
McKenna has a School of Public Policy named in his honor at St. Thomas
University and the Frank McKenna Leadership Centre at St. Francis Xavier
University. Also bearing his name are the Frank McKenna School of
Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Mount Allison University and the
Frank McKenna Leadership Centre - L’alUMni at Université de Moncton. In
2021, Mr. McKenna established The McKenna Institute at University of New
Brunswick.
His charitable work, particularly in Haiti, was
rewarded with the Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year award. Mr. McKenna
is a King’s Counsel, Member of the King’s Privy Council, a Fellow of the
Institute of Corporate Directors, a Member of the Order of New
Brunswick and a Member of the Order of Canada. He is the recipient of 15
Honorary Degrees. He is a recipient of the Symons Medal, the Queen
Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal, and a recipient of the King Charles
III Coronation Medal.
---------- Original message --------- From: Office of the Premier<scott.moe@gov.sk.ca> Date: Wed, Jun 3, 2026 at 2:03 AM Subject: Thank you for your email To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
This is to acknowledge that your email has been received by the Office of the Premier.
We appreciate the time you have taken to write.
NOTICE: This e-mail
was intended for a specific person. If it has reached you by mistake,
please delete it and advise me by return e-mail. Any privilege
associated with this information is not waived. Thank
you for your cooperation and assistance.
Avis: Ce
message est confidentiel, peut être protégé par le secret professionnel
et est à l'usage exclusif de son destinataire. Il est strictement
interdit à toute autre personne de le diffuser, le
distribuer ou le reproduire. Si le destinataire ne peut être joint ou
vous est inconnu, veuillez informer l'expéditeur par courrier
électronique immédiatement et effacer ce message et en détruire toute
copie.
Merci de votre cooperation.
---------- Original message --------- From: Ministerial Correspondence Unit - Justice Canada<mcu@justice.gc.ca> Date: Wed, Jun 3, 2026 at 2:03 AM Subject: Automatic Reply To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Thank you for writing to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.
Due
to the volume of correspondence addressed to the Minister, please note
that there may be a delay in processing your email. Rest assured that
your
message will be carefully reviewed.
We do not respond to correspondence that contains offensive language.
-------------------
Merci d'avoir écrit au ministre de la Justice et procureur général du Canada.
En raison du volume de correspondance adressée au ministre, veuillez
prendre note qu'il pourrait y avoir un retard dans le traitement de
votre courriel. Nous tenons à vous assurer que votre message sera lu
avec soin.
Nous ne répondons pas à la correspondance contenant un langage offensant.
---------- Original message --------- From: David Amos<david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> Date: Wed, Jun 3, 2026 at 2:00 AM Subject: Re: YO David Hawkins I just called and left a message about KPMG etc More info To:
<elie@emcnmedia.com>, <David.Eby.MLA@leg.bc.ca>,
<Premier@gov.bc.ca>, <John.Rustad.MLA@leg.bc.ca>,
<Steve.Kooner.MLA@leg.bc.ca>,
<Peter.Milobar.MLA@leg.bc.ca>,
<financialagent@petermilobar.ca>,
<Tara.Armstrong.MLA@leg.bc.ca>,
<Amelia.Boultbee.MLA@leg.bc.ca>,
<Dallas.Brodie.MLA@leg.bc.ca>, <media@teamyurifulmer.ca>,
<Elenore.Sturko.MLA@leg.bc.ca>,
<Jordan.Kealy.MLA@leg.bc.ca>, <Hon.Chan.MLA@leg.bc.ca> Cc:
<Frank.McKenna@td.com>, <scott.moe@gov.sk.ca>,
<premier@ontario.ca>, <premier@gnb.ca>,
<mcu@justice.gc.ca>, <andrew.scheer@parl.gc.ca>,
<pm@pm.gc.ca>, <David.Coon@gnb.ca>,
<ministre@justice.gouv.qc.ca>, <PABMINMAILG@cra-arc.gc.ca>,
<jan.jensen@justice.gc.ca>
---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Premier of Ontario | Premier ministre de l’Ontario<Premier@ontario.ca> Date: Wed, Jun 3, 2026 at 1:23 AM Subject: Automatic reply: YO David Hawkins I just called and left a message about KPMG etc More info To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Thank you for your email. Your thoughts, comments and input are greatly valued.
You can be assured that all emails and letters are carefully read, reviewed and taken into consideration.
There may be occasions when, given the issues you have raised and the
need to address them effectively, we will forward a copy of your
correspondence to the appropriate government official. Accordingly, a
response may take several business days.
Thanks again for your email.
______
Merci pour votre courriel. Nous vous sommes très reconnaissants de nous
avoir fait part de vos idées, commentaires et observations.
Nous tenons à vous assurer que nous lisons attentivement et prenons en
considération tous les courriels et lettres que nous recevons.
Dans certains cas, nous transmettrons votre message au ministère
responsable afin que les questions soulevées puissent être traitées de
la manière la plus efficace possible. En conséquence, plusieurs jours
ouvrables pourraient s’écouler avant que nous puissions
vous répondre.
Is Mark Carney making a dangerous foreign policy mistake that could seriously damage the Canada-U.S. relationship?
In
this episode, I’m joined by Matthew Boyle, Washington Bureau Chief for
Breitbart News and one of the most connected journalists in the
Republican and MAGA world. Boyle has interviewed President Donald Trump
multiple times and has deep insight into how influential figures in
Washington view Canada.
We discuss Mark Carney’s approach to Canada-U.S. relations, his comments
about building new strategic partnerships with China, how the Trump
administration views Canada, and the biggest mistakes Canada could make
heading into critical trade negotiations with the United States.
This
is a conversation many Canadians are not hearing — and it may change
how you think about Canada’s most important international relationship.
Trump Was Clear And
Told Americans That Their
Deals Were About A-I
China Buying US Planes
Soybeans and Other
US Commodities
About Iran And Xis Visit
To The United States.
NO SECRET DEALS
WERE MADE BETWEEN
US AND CHINA.
Everyone of Those
Billionaires Were
The 10 Top CEOs In
The World And
ALL American
Who XI Invited.
Perks of Being
The Worlds Greatest
Superpower..🇺🇸
Cry Harder..
Kerry-Lynne Findlay has won the Conservative Party of British Columbia leadership race, defeating Caroline Elliott and the other candidates.
And now, the BC NDP is having a complete meltdown on social media as they realize that David Eby’s worst fear may have just come true.
Is the clock now ticking on the NDP’s decade-long hold on power in British Columbia?
In today’s episode of my podcast, I break down Kerry-Lynne Findlay’s victory, react to the BC NDP’s response to the news, and explain why this was ultimately Caroline Elliott’s race to lose, and how she managed to lose it.
Well put but Kerri Lynne is just another sneaky lawyer IMHO the DISENCHANTED MLAS in all parties should run as independents next time. Then if there is another minority government perhaps the folks in BC will get the democracy they deserve.
May 26, 2026 I’m joined by Brian Lilley, columnist with the Toronto Sun and one of Canada’s best-known political commentators.
We discuss Alberta independence, Mark Carney’s response, the shocking CBC scandal, an Ontario court ruling that has sparked major backlash, and the growing debate over whether judges have too much power in Canada.
Brian also shares details about a story he broke on Mark Carney that is eye-opening, shocking, and largely ignored by much of the media amid what looks like a broader media love affair with Canada’s prime minister
Full Press explains why a new publicly funded CBC prank show is luring unsuspecting conservatives into embarrassing exchanges, asks if the noble pursuit of objectivity in Canadian journalism is dead and buried, and welcomes an American invasion in the form of The New York Times sending more and more journalists to our shores.
Carney asked Ford 'a couple of times' to pull anti-tariff ad, Ont. premier says
Ford says he remembers conversations about the ad different than how Carney described them
Allison Jones and Liam Casey · The Canadian Press ·
Posted: Nov 03, 2025 2:40 PM AST
753 Comments
David Amos
I was talking to Ford yesterday and told him him the real reason Trump became upset about the ad and he did not disagree. Nor did he care. That fact told me that there was even more to this story so I have stayed tuned and made a lot of calls.
Elie Cantin-Nantel is political journalist based in Ottawa. He is the founder and publisher of EMCN Media, an independent digital media venture covering politics, public policy, industry, energy, the media, and culture from a free-market conservative perspective. You can find his work at eliecantinnantel.com. He previously served as The Hub’s Ottawa Correspondent.
True North Breaking Canadian News and Opinion
Home Authors Posts by Elie Cantin-Nantel
Elie Cantin-Nantel
485 POSTS 0 COMMENTS
Ottawa based journalist.
Surrey-Cloverdale MLA Elenore Sturko booted from B.C. Conservative caucus
Former B.C. Conservative public safety critic Elenore Sturko says she was 'absolutely blindsided'
CBC News ·
Elenore
Sturko speaks to reporters outside the B.C. Legislature in Victoria on
Monday evening. Sturko says she was 'absolutely blindsided' by her
removal from the B.C. Conservative caucus. (Justin McElroy/CBC)
B.C. Conservative MLA Elenore Sturko says she was "absolutely blindsided" by her removal from caucus Monday evening.
Sturko's
removal was confirmed by caucus chair Jody Toor just hours after a B.C.
Conservative leadership review of John Rustad, though no reason was
provided for her removal.
Speaking to reporters outside
the B.C. Legislature in Victoria, the Surrey-Cloverdale MLA said she is
unsure of her next steps but promised to keep representing her
constituents.
"My office will be open to handle their
concerns in the constituency and I'll find a path forward, whatever that
looks like. I'm not sure right now, but there'll be a path forward,"
she said.
Sturko,
the outspoken former public safety critic for the party, said Rustad
accused her of plotting against his leadership — a charge she denies.
She acknowledged having conversations with other MLAs about the
leadership review, but said she was not organizing against him.
She also suggested Rustad may have been worried she would raise questions about the review,
but said, "If he was worried about that coming forward, there's other
people in that room that will be asking those questions, I'm sure."
The
former public safety critic says it's time for Rustad to resign as head
of the party and Official Opposition leader, and her former caucus
colleagues should have the courage to put pressure on him because he has
failed to lead the party.
WATCH | Sturko kicked out of B.C. Conservative caucus:
MLA Elenore Sturko kicked out of B.C. Conservative caucus
September 23, 2025|
Duration 1:45
Surrey
MLA Elenore Sturko has been kicked out of the B.C. Conservative caucus,
following the results of John Rustad's leadership review, in which he
maintained support from a majority of those who cast votes. As CBC's
Katie Derosa reports, Sturko says she did not see her removal coming.
"I think there are people from all parts of the right of centre who would like to see John Rustad resign today," she said.
Sturko,
who plans to sit as an independent, says she feels a "deep sense of
hurt" because she worked hard to bridge the gap between those who are
socially liberal but fiscally conservative.
Earlier in
the day, Rustad said his party members have given him a "mandate to
lead" with 71 per cent of party members voting to support his
leadership.
The party said in a statement Monday that
1,268 members voted in the review, where Rustad secured support in 78
out of the 93 ridings.
Elenore
Sturko was first elected in a 2022 byelection in Surrey South as a
member of the B.C. Liberals, later renamed B.C. United. As B.C. United
support collapsed, she crossed the floor to join the Conservatives in
June 2024. (Ben Nelms/CBC)
Rustad
and the Conservative Party of B.C. came very close to winning the
October provincial election, with 44 of 93 seats, but some controversies
have dogged his leadership, starting in March when three of his caucus
members left or were removed from the party.
Dallas
Brodie was kicked out by Rustad for "mocking" testimony of survivors
from residential schools, and Tara Armstrong and Jordan Kealy defected a
short time later. Brodie and Armstrong have since formed a new party.
With files from Katie DeRosa and The Canadian Press
Independent
MLA Tara Armstrong withdrew her comments after using the term 'blood
and soil' to describe a First Nations treaty. The Kelowna-Lake
Country-Coldstream MLA avoided a censure motion, prompting calls for
change. (B.C. Legislature)
Politicians in B.C.'s
legislature say they are looking into whether they can close a loophole
that has allowed a member to avoid a censure motion after she used a
slogan associated with Nazi Germany.
Independent MLA Tara Armstrong, late last month, used the term "blood and soil" in her attack on a First Nations treaty, a phrase frequently used by German fascists before and during the Second World War.
But an attempt by the B.C.
Greens to censure Armstrong and force her to apologize failed because
she, along with another member of the legislature, prevented the motion
from coming up for debate.
Government house leader Mike Farnworth said he is working with the official Opposition Conservatives and B.C. Greens to deal with Armstrong's "abhorrent" comments inside and outside the legislature.
The B.C. NDP house leader, Mike Farnworth, called Armstrong's comments abhorrent. (Mike McArthur/CBC)
Parliamentary
procedure orders don't allow legislators to censure one of their own,
because that has never been part of B.C.'s political traditions.
He
said this is why staff are scanning the standing orders of other
parliaments to see how they deal with "vile comments" like Armstrong's.
She
first made her statement on April 23, then withdrew it on the same day,
following a ruling by Speaker Raj Chouhan, after Independent MLA
Elenore Sturko and B.C. Finance Minister Brenda Bailey flagged it.
Green
house leader Rob Botterell then tried to introduce a motion this week
that would have forced her to apologize, saying Armstrong had crossed
the line that separates free speech from "hateful, racist and
discriminatory speech."
Green house leader Rob Botterell attempted to move a motion that would have forced Armstrong to apologize. (Chad Hipolito/The Canadian Press)
But
the legislature could not take up the motion, because Armstrong and
Independent MLA Jordan Kealy denied the unanimous consent that was
needed for Botterell's motion.
Kealy said he has never heard the
Nazi term before, but Armstrong should not have to apologize for it
regardless of its meaning because she had already retracted her
statement, which also accused First Nations of "cannibalism" prior to
the arrival of Europeans.
LISTEN | Jewish group leader reacts to comments:
Daybreak South 8:14
Kelowna-area MLA Tara Armstrong used Nazi rhetoric to argue against treaty legislation
Nicolas Slobinsky is the Pacific vice-president with the Centre for Jewish and Israel Affairs.
Kealy
said that if the censure motion had made it to a vote, it would have
opened the door to a majority of MLAs forcing other MLAs to apologize
for "anything that somebody in the house might be offended about."
"One of the most important things about this house, is that you have a free speech," Kealy said.
Recall campaign
While Armstrong withdrew her comments inside the legislature, they continue to circulate outside of it on social media.
Farnworth
said the survey of standing orders elsewhere will also look into what
can be done to deal with such comments when they continue to exist
outside parliamentary chambers.
"Today, you have social media, and
you can put something out," he said. "So, does the legislature require
the ability, for example, to be able to tell somebody to take down
offending remarks they may have posted?"
Farnworth
said if Armstrong had not withdrawn the comments, the legislature's
sergeant-at-arms would have removed her from the chamber until the
offending remarks were retracted.
He said he could have also moved
a motion to suspend Armstrong from the legislature, until she had done
what the Speaker had asked of her.
Farnworth said the
"jurisdictional scan" now underway will look into "additional changes,
if they are needed" to be able to deal with what happened in the days
following Armstrong's comments.
"I will also remark that at the
end of the day, there are other things here that can be done outside of
the house," he said. "One, is recall, and then of course, there is the
ultimate one, which is at election time."
LISTEN | Campaign to recall Armstrong:
Daybreak South 6:28
Nazi rhetoric comments intensify calls to recall MLA Tara Armstrong
John
Plant is a Lake Country resident who is the spokesperson for the group
advocating to recall Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream MLA Tara Armstrong.
Recall
campaigns require signatures from more than 40 per cent of registered
voters in the member's riding, and none of the 31 previous recalls
campaign have yet been successful.
Armstrong declined to comment, saying she did not have time to answer questions.
Kealy is a farmer and mechanic by profession.[1] Prior to his election, he served as a regional director on the Peace River Regional District Board from 2022 until his resignation on November 6, 2024 after his election as an MLA.[3][4]
Kealy made multiple social media posts in support of the chemtrail conspiracy theory.
A post made by his farm's Facebook account claimed that the government
was using the "chemtrails" to control the weather. The day before the
election, Kealy noted that aviation is under federal jurisdiction in response to questions if he was going to "stop the chemtrails"
In 2026, the Conservative Party of British Columbia held a leadership election to choose a permanent leader to replace Trevor Halford, who became leader on an interim basis following the resignation of John Rustad. Rustad announced his resignation after a caucus revolt and internal party disputes on December 4, 2025.[1][2] The election was won by former Conservative MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay by a narrow margin over Caroline Elliot, winning 51% of the vote.
Background
Rustad, who was acclaimed leader in 2023, led his party into the 2024 British Columbia general election as the principal opposition party following BC United's decision to suspend its campaign and endorse Rustad's party.
Preceding this, several BC United MLAs had defected to the
Conservatives as opinion polls showed the party, which had no
representation in the Legislative Assembly
in decades, gaining momentum. The Conservatives won 44 seats, the
party's best showing in over 70 years; the party hadn't won more than
two seats in an election since 1953. On November 20, Rustad established
his Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet, in which every Conservative MLA received a portfolio.[3]
Following the election, Rustad passed his leadership review with 70.66%
support in 2025. His leadership in Opposition was marked by internal
strife, with the departures and expulsions of many MLAs and the
formation of a splinter party named OneBC.
On December 3, 2025, 20 caucus members signed a letter calling
for Rustad to resign his position as leader. The party's board of
directors passed a resolution ousting him as leader, and appointed Surrey-White Rock MLA Trevor Halford as interim leader. In a statement, the party said that Rustad was too "professionally incapacitated" to continue as leader.[4]
However, in the immediate aftermath, five Conservative MLAs refused to
acknowledge the board's decision and said that Rustad remained party
leader,[5][better source needed] and Rustad himself rejected the board's decision and declared that he was still the leader of the party. The next day, the Western Standard reported that Rustad would step down as leader, and shortly after he announced his resignation.[6] During his resignation speech, he announced that he would also not stand for re-election at the next election.[7][8]
Rules
Candidates
were required to pay a $5,000 application fee, a mandatory $20,000
refundable rules compliance deposit, and a total of $110,000 in
non-refundable fees to remain in the race. The deadline to submit
candidacy applications was February 15; they required 250 member
signatures from at least five of the province's regions. Once approved,
candidates were required to pay a second $10,000 fee, followed by
$40,000 by April 1, and $60,000 by April 18. There was a $2,000,000
spending limit, with 20% of all monthly donations going to the party.
The election itself was held using a weighted electoral district system,
with each provincial riding allocated 100 points; ridings with fewer
than 100 ballots were allocated points equal to the number of votes
cast. The winner must receive more than 50% of the vote, as there will
be candidate eliminations in every round of counting held. In order to
be eligible to vote members must have been signed up by April 18.
Members must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident normally residing in British Columbia and at least 14 years of age.[9][10]
Campaign
Rules and finances
The
Leadership Election Organizing Committee (LEOC) established a strict
financial framework for the race, setting a spending limit of $2,000,000
per candidate and requiring that 20 percent of all monthly campaign
donations be directed back to the party coffers.[11]
To maintain ballot eligibility, contestants faced a total entry cost of
$135,000, which included a $5,000 initial application fee, a mandatory
$20,000 refundable compliance deposit, and $110,000 in staggered
non-refundable fees paid throughout the spring.[9]
Voting was conducted entirely online through the Simply Voting system from May 23 until May 29, 2026, using a preferential ranked ballot.[12]
The election rules utilized a weighted point allocation system where
each of British Columbia's provincial ridings carried 100 points, with
the final scores adjusted for ridings capturing fewer than 100 cast
ballots.[11] To secure the leadership, a candidate needed to cross a 50 percent threshold under consecutive rounds of ballot counting.[13]
To qualify for a ballot, members were required to sign up by April 18,
2026, and clear a mandatory identity verification process via the online
vendor Persona between April 27 and May 20, 2026.[14][15]
Candidate platforms and messaging
Policy
debates during the campaign centered primarily on the balance between
social conservatism and fiscal management. Caroline Elliott oriented her
platform around cultural issues alongside traditional fiscal policy,
advocating for the repeal of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) and criticizing the governing New Democratic Party (NDP) over public school curriculum standards.[16]
Her campaign drew national attention for its organizational structure,
securing an external advisory team led by veteran political consultants Kory Teneycke and Nick Kouvalis.[17]
Yuri Fulmer focused his campaign on public safety and economic
growth through resource sector expansion. Addressing the province's
projected $13.3 billion deficit, Fulmer rejected severe spending cuts in
favor of corporate efficiencies and natural resource development in the
energy and forestry sectors.[18]
Fulmer also proposed local coordination with the minor party OneBC,
suggesting that the Conservatives could selectively decline to run
candidates in certain ridings to prevent right-of-centre vote splitting.[11][19]
Field consolidation
The
candidate field consolidated heavily following the February 15 entry
deadline. On February 27, Richmond-Queensborough MLA Steve Kooner
withdrew from the race and endorsed candidate Kerry-Lynne Findlay.[20]
In mid-March, MLAs Bruce Banman and Harman Bhangu simultaneously
suspended their campaigns; Banman directed his supporters to vote for
Fulmer, while Bhangu endorsed Elliott.[21]
On March 28, former grocery executive Darrell Jones also exited
the race to back Elliott, endorsing her focus on small business relief
and tax relief measures for younger workers.[22]
Following these candidate withdrawals, five candidates remained on the
final electronic ballot: Iain Black, Caroline Elliott, Kerry-Lynne
Findlay, Yuri Fulmer, and Peter Milobar, running to manage a total party
membership that reached a record 42,000 by the close of the sign-up
window.[23][19]
Timeline
2025
December 3 – The party's board of directors passes a resolution ousting John Rustad as leader, and appoints Surrey-White Rock MLA Trevor Halford as interim leader. Rustad rejects the board's decision and declares himself still the leader of the party.[2]
December 4 – Rustad announces his resignation as party leader, and Halford officially becomes interim leader.[1]
December 15 – Businessman Warren Hamm announces his candidacy.[24]
2026
January 3 – The leadership election organizing committee, the body that governs the contest, is formed.[25]
January 16 – Party announces leadership race date for May 30 and the rules of the race.[30]Peter Milobar, MLA for Kamloops Centre, announces his candidacy.[31]
January 27 – Former president of the Pattison Food Group Darrell Jones announces his candidacy.[32]
February 15 – Deadline to submit candidacy applications. Former Party Leader John Rustad announced he would not enter the leadership race after previously requesting and receiving a leadership application.[36]
February 27 – Clare and Kooner drop out of the race and endorse Findlay.[38][better source needed]
February 28 – Banman, Bhangu, Black, Elliott, Findlay, Fulmer, Hamm,
Jones, and Milobar are officially approved as candidates having paid
the $5,000 preliminary entry fee and collected signatures from at least
250 party members across the province, and had their application
approved.[39]
British Columbia is the province that should be Canada's economic engine. It has natural gas, minerals, forestry, agriculture, and some of the best Pacific gateway geography on earth. It has also spent the better part of a decade becoming, in Iain Black's words, the business prevention team. Black joined Jim Csek and Iain Burns on The Really Big Show days before the BC Conservative leadership convention for a conversation that covered everything from mining permits to DRIPA to what he would say to Elon Musk on the tarmac at YVR.
In this exclusive interview on The Really Big Show, Black makes the case for his candidacy with the precision of someone who has led six companies, served as a cabinet minister, been president of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, and chaired federal Conservative campaigns for 25 years. He is direct about what makes him different from the other candidates. He is the only one in the race with all three of the critical attributes he argues a premier needs: demonstrated leadership of large complex organizations, command of economic public policy, and direct cabinet and treasury board experience. He knows not only where the premier's office is but what it does.
On energy, Black is unambiguous. He was the president of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade when he chartered an Air Canada flight with 200 business, labor, and indigenous leaders to fly to Edmonton to convince an NDP premier that British Columbians wanted their natural resources at tidewater via pipelines. He proposes using BC's natural gas not just for export but to power co-generation electricity in struggling forestry communities sitting on mineral deposits, turning them into mining communities and rethinking what BC's resource economy could look like if it actually utilized what is beneath the ground.
On major project approvals, his commitment is specific. Once all the required work has been done, a 120-day clock starts. If the government has not said no by day 120, the answer is yes and the project moves forward. A reverse onus on government to act. Forestry companies that used to wait four to six months for cutting permits are now waiting 24 to 36 months because the NDP keeps changing the regulatory regime. Every rule change costs businesses money to understand before they can even attempt to comply. That stops under a Black government.
On DRIPA and land acknowledgements, Black does not hedge. He rejects the land back philosophy, rejects the weaponized language of settlers and colonizers and stolen land, and says there is no other subnational government on the planet that has attempted to adopt the UN declaration on indigenous rights except British Columbia, a declaration that was written for countries that do not already have indigenous rights in their constitution. He calls it nonsense driven out of the NDP premier's office and says David Eby has set legitimate reconciliation back fifteen years. Unwinding it will be messy. There is no alternative.
On accountability to independent media, the answer is an unqualified yes. Black says the game has changed and that long-form journalism like The Really Big Show is providing a service that mainstream media no longer offers. He commits to engaging on difficult questions and says the ability to say we did not get that one right is what maintains the trust of the electorate past the first term.
On Elon Musk landing in Bella Coola: if he was there on business rather than fishing, Black says he would have been on the tarmac. You separate the economic opportunity from your opinion of the person.
Walking over broken glass for a cup of coffee with someone who wants to invest in British Columbia is the job.
The BC Conservative leadership race is on. Five candidates.
Whatever happens, the question Black has been asking throughout this campaign is the right one: who do you want negotiating British Columbia's future with the world?
Let us know what you think in the comments.
The Really Big Show: The thinking Canadian's daily briefing, independent and informed.
Last night my Smart TV playing in the background picked this to watch as I playing hard ball politicking as usual. I paid it no never mind at first because the dude had already lost.
However his bragging made me sit up and pay attention and caused me to call his campaign office and have a rather enjoyable recorded conversation with his AI Assistant
Iain James Stewart Black (born 1967) is a Canadian politician and business executive who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia (MLA) from 2005 to 2011, representing Port Moody-Westwood and later Port Moody-Coquitlam as part of the British Columbia Liberal Party caucus.[1] He served in cabinet under Premier Gordon Campbell
as Minister of Labour and Citizens' Services from 2008 to 2009, as
Minister of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development from
2009 to 2010, and as Minister of Labour from 2010 to 2011.
Black
spent most of his professional career in the technology sector, where
he held senior management and executive roles prior to and following his
time in public office. He began his career with IBM Canada Ltd., working in sales and marketing.[1]
In 1995, he founded E-Z Net, a company that provided services to
Internet service providers during the early growth of commercial
internet access.[2] He then joined Axion Communications as vice-president of corporate sales, later becoming chief operating officer.[2]
He became president and chief executive officer of The Electric Mail
Company Inc. in 1999, later serving as a director, during a period in
which the company expanded its business email services.[2]
He went on to serve as president of the Banking Solutions Group at Open Solutions Canada (formerly Datawest Solutions Inc.),[2] a provider of banking systems and outsourcing services for Canadian credit unions.
Black was part of the senior management team involved in the merger
between Open Solutions and Datawest Solutions, prior to his election to
the Legislative Assembly in 2005.[10]
Political career (2005–2011)
Black was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in the 2005 provincial election as a BC Liberal candidate, succeeding Christy Clark in the electoral district of Port Moody-Westwood.[1]
During his time in the legislature, Black served in several
parliamentary and cabinet-related roles, including as member of the
British Columbia Treasury Board. He also chaired the Select Standing
Committee to Appoint a Conflict of Interest Commissioner and, in
December 2006, was appointed chair of the Government Caucus Committee on
Natural Resources and the Economy, which reviews legislation and
provides recommendations to cabinet.[1]
Prior to his appointment to cabinet, Black was the lead architect
for the 2007 legislation that made booster seats mandatory for children
between the ages of four and nine, or until reaching a height of 4 ft 9
in (140 cm).[11] He also led the International Business Hosting Program for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.[2]
He was named Minister of Labour and Citizens' Services in June 2008, replacing Olga Ilich.[12][13] After winning re-election in 2009 for the redistributed riding of Port Moody–Coquitlam,[14] Black was re-assigned as Minister of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development.[12] With the Liberals losing support following the introduction of the harmonized sales tax, Premier Gordon Campbell shuffled his cabinet in October 2010, with Black once again handling the labour portfolio.[12][15]
Campbell announced his resignation as premier and BC Liberal leader in November 2010; Black supported Kevin Falcon in the ensuing leadership election.[9] He was excluded from cabinet after Christy Clark was sworn in as premier in March 2011, and was instead named parliamentary secretary for public transportation.[9]
Return to business (2011–2025)
Black resigned as MLA in October 2011 to become president and chief executive officer of the Vancouver Board of Trade.[2][16] During his tenure, the organization eliminated its operating deficit and underwent internal restructuring,[17] and re-branded as the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade (GVBOT) in 2016.[18]
It also expanded its programming and membership base, and by 2015 its
board of directors included more women than men, a distinction among
major Canadian business organizations at the time. The organization
hosted more than 1,000 events during Black's leadership.[19]
Under Black's leadership, the GVBOT took public positions on a
range of economic and policy issues. The organization supported
increasing Canada's access to international oil markets, including
through the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion.[20] In 2018, the GVBOT organized a delegation of supporters to Alberta to demonstrate support for pipeline development.[21]
The organization also publicly opposed proposed federal tax changes
affecting small businesses in 2017, which were later modified by the
federal government.[22]
After leaving GVBOT in April 2019,[23]
Black returned to the technology sector. In 2019, he was appointed
president and chief executive officer of Maximizer Software, a company
within the Concord Group of Companies, and later served as vice chair
and board advisor to the Concord Group.[8]
In 2025, he founded Black Ink Advisory, an advisory firm providing
guidance in executive leadership and governance, operational
effectiveness and strategy development.[24]
Conservative
MP Michael Chong rises during question period in the House of Commons
on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Oct. 3, 2024 (Patrick Doyle/The Canadian
Press)
China launches military drills, putting Taiwan on alert
Foreign
Affairs Minister Anita Anand wouldn't say directly if the federal
government supports Chong's trip. The Conservative MP says the
government was aware of his travel plans ahead of time. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)
Carney meets Xi Jinping, hails progress in resetting trade with China
Steve Paikin interviews the Honorable Frank McKenna during a live taping of The Paikin Podcast 
MLA Elenore Sturko kicked out of B.C. Conservative caucus
Elenore
Sturko was first elected in a 2022 byelection in Surrey South as a
member of the B.C. Liberals, later renamed B.C. United. As B.C. United
support collapsed, she crossed the floor to join the Conservatives in
June 2024. (Ben Nelms/CBC)
The B.C. NDP house leader, Mike Farnworth, called Armstrong's comments abhorrent. (Mike McArthur/CBC) 
Green house leader Rob Botterell attempted to move a motion that would have forced Armstrong to apologize. (Chad Hipolito/The Canadian Press)
.jpg)
72 Comments