The Andrew Lawton Show

As the United Kingdom moves to lift nearly all Covid restrictions, most Canadians are still living with vaccine passports, mask mandates, and a range of other public health measures. The worst part is that some Canadians are all too happy living with indefinite restrictions, True North's Andrew Lawton says. Also, a Quebec television cheers on children who want the unvaccinated jailed, and a new poll shows 27 per cent of Canadians actually want that too. Plus Irvin Studin of the Institute for 21st Century Questions joins to discuss a new committee dedicated to getting the country reopened for good. Support the show: https://tnc.news/lawton-heritage-club/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The bulk of Canadian mainstream media outlets have moved to subsidy models through which government funding has become essential to their survival. Canada is home to a number of scrappy independent start-ups, who are not only challenging mainstream narratives, but also innovating new media business models. In this edition of The Andrew Lawton Show, Andrew shines a light on the independent media landscape in Canada through a lengthy discussion with Western Standard publisher Derek Fildebrandt, Rebel News chief reporter Sheila Gunn Reid, and Roberto Wakerell-Cruz, Canadian editor for The Post Millennial. Support the show: https://tnc.news/lawton-heritage-club/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Quebec Premier François Legault is trying to boost vaccine uptake by charging anyone who doesn't have three doses of Covid vaccine a "health contribution." True North's Andrew Lawton says the policy is a backdoor vaccine mandate which targets people with lower incomes and makes bodily autonomy – which is supposed to be a fundamental freedom – a privilege you must purchase. Also, former Conservative MP Kenny Chiu joins the show to discuss foreign interference in Canada's political process. Support the show: https://tnc.news/lawton-heritage-club/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Federal health minister Jean-Yves Duclos said population-based vaccine mandates are inevitable, but that it's the provinces who will have to impose them. Days later, Quebec announced a "healthcare charge" for anyone who doesn't have three vaccine doses – a policy True North's Andrew Lawton predicts will only be the beginning. While Alberta's and Saskatchewan's premiers have rejected the idea of a vaccine mandate, the Quebec and New Brunswick premiers haven't ruled it out, and other provinces' leaders have said nothing at all. Also, Ontario Families Coalition founder Bronwen Alsop joins the show to talk about the need to get kids back into the classroom. Support the show: https://tnc.news/lawton-heritage-club/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The shuttering of schools once again has pushed numerous Canadians – even those who've dutifully gone along with vaccine mandates and lockdowns up to this point – to a breaking point. The latest round of restrictions is seemingly being received differently, but that doesn't mean it's any less dangerous to the country's economy and its citizens well-being. True North's Andrew Lawton says lawmakers have started to demonize the unvaccinated to cover up for their own failings, and all Canadians – even the fully vaccinated – have to take a stand for their freedoms. Support the show: https://tnc.news/lawton-heritage-club/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just four days into the new year and Canadians are seeing how it's just as locked down – and more – as the last two. Ontario has shut down restaurants, gyms and cinemas for "at least 21 days," while Quebec has put its province in lockdown complete with a curfew subjecting anyone out at night to a stiff fine. In this episode of The Andrew Lawton Show, True North's Andrew Lawton says the pandemic is over when you decide it is, and the latest lockdowns prove that governments have no interest in science or civil liberties. Also, Westphalian Times senior editor Marie Oakes joins the show to discuss Quebec's extreme restrictions, and why Canadians are heading for the border in droves. Support the show: https://tnc.news/lawton-heritage-club/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An Alberta government report into environmental activist groups found that foreign donors have poured $1.3 billion into Canada to fight oil and gas development. The Canadian Energy News Network strives to tout the sector's positive and counter the negatives from those well-funded activists. Cody Ciona from the Canadian Energy News Network joined The Andrew Lawton Show to discuss some of the bigger picture challenges the sector is facing, but why he's optimistic about the year ahead. Support the show: https://tnc.news/lawton-heritage-club/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms has been at the forefront of several of the legal fights over lockdown restrictions and vaccine mandates over the last couple of years. The pandemic has not only revealed the importance of civil liberties litigation, but has also created a workload the JCCF has had to keep hiring lawyers to keep up with. In this wide-ranging Andrew Lawton Show interview, JCCF president John Carpay talks about his organization's genesis and vision, as well as the major cultural and legal battles afoot over free speech, individual choice, and healthcare conscience rights. Support the show: https://tnc.news/lawton-heritage-club/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Andrew Breitbart famously said, politics is downstream of culture. Yet at times it feels like conservatives are losing the big cultural and political battles. In this edition of The Andrew Lawton Show, Andrew talks to pro-life activist Jonathon Van Maren about social conservatism, pro-life politics, and Erin O’Toole’s leadership as well as the state of the Conservative Party of Canada. Support the show: https://tnc.news/lawton-heritage-club/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's been an expensive year for taxpayers with an increase in the carbon tax, an unnecessary federal election, and a hike in alcohol taxes among other expenditures. Franco Terrazzano of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation put together a wishlist for taxpayers with a dozen items ranging from ending the gas tax-on-tax to ending automatic pay increases for members of parliament. He joined The Andrew Lawton Show to discuss his list, and also the stories he'll be watching out for in 2022. Support the show: https://tnc.news/lawton-heritage-club/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the last two years, pastors have been jailed, church doors have been locked, and Canadians of faith have been denied the right to worship because of pandemic restrictions. In this special edition of True North's The Andrew Lawton Show, we explore this ongoing assault on religious freedom through a discussion with Libertas Law lawyer and founder Lisa Bildy, Pastor Henry Hildebrandt of the Church of God in Aylmer, Ontario, and Pastor Aaron Rock of Windsor's Harvest Bible Church. Support the show: https://tnc.news/lawton-heritage-club/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After reports that the federal government was considering re-introducing mandatory quarantine and other travel restrictions, Trudeau's cabinet ultimately settled on telling Canadians they shouldn't travel if it's non-essential. True North's Andrew Lawton says Canadians should do what they want and not let the merchants of doom continue to create a new normal. Also, a Conservative MP takes a stand against vaccine mandates, plus former Manitoba PC leadership candidate Shelly Glover joins to discuss her legal challenge against her party's leadership race. Support the show: https://tnc.news/lawton-heritage-club/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Huron University College ethics professor Julie Ponesse went viral in September for a video explaining how her refusal to comply with a vaccination mandate was threatening her job. Now fired, Prof. Ponesse is speaking out about her story and vaccine mandates more broadly in a new book, "My Choice: The Ethical Case Against COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates." Prof. Ponesse joined The Andrew Lawton Show to discuss personal choice, academic freedom, and the politics of liberty. Support the show: https://tnc.news/lawton-heritage-club/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Survival used to be an admirable trait, but in recent years victimhood seems to have eclipsed it in virtue. In "The Victim Cult: How the Culture of Blame Hurts Everyone and Wrecks Civilization," author Mark Milke writes about the dangers of grievance culture throughout history and the contemporary era. In this wide-ranging interview on The Andrew Lawton Show, Mark and Andrew talk about identity politics, cultural appropriation, and the left's blame game. Support the show: https://tnc.news/lawton-heritage-club/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just as it looked like things were starting to (albeit slowly) get back to normal, governments are using their omicron fears to justify more restrictions, more lockdowns, and more vaccine mandates. The Czech Republic has implemented mandatory vaccination for everyone over the age of 60. Germany is also contemplating a sweeping vaccine mandate. In Canada, travel restrictions that only just started being eased are being reimposed. True North's Andrew Lawton predicts Canadians won't tolerate another lockdown. Also on the show, a teen-led lawsuit calling on the government to lower the voting age from 18, plus People's Party of Canada leader Maxime Bernier joins to discuss his performance in the PPC's first leadership review. Support the show: https://tnc.news/lawton-heritage-club/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the last two federal elections, the Conservatives have advocated pursuing a CANZUK alliance with Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom which would open up trade, movement and enhanced security cooperation between the four like-minded nations. In this edition of The Andrew Lawton Show, Andrew discusses the proposed partnership in-depth with CANZUK International executive director James Skinner, Europe Economics chairman Dr. Andrew Lilico, and Conservative member of parliament and former diplomat Stephanie Kusie. Support the show: https://tnc.news/lawton-heritage-club/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A poll finds that a majority of Canadians do not want unvaccinated friends and family members in their homes. True North's Andrew Lawton says even if the government's vaccine segregation measures end, the social stigmatization will remain. Also, CBC is trying to police your language, plus D. Jared Brown joins to discuss how Canadian lawyers are taking a stand for civil liberties with the Free North Declaration. Support the show: https://tnc.news/lawton-heritage-club/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greece is forcing all of its residents aged 60 and older to get vaccinated against COVID or pay a 100 euro per month "health tax." Austria is on track to fine any unvaccinated people 7,200 euros and throw them in jail if they don't pay. True North's Andrew Lawton said when Austria first introduced its mandate that it would quickly be adopted elsewhere – and now Greece is joining the club. Also, The Simpsons and the Greek alphabet both get censored to appease China, plus Sen. Leo Housakos joins the show to discuss his bill to ban imports from Xinjiang, where China's persecuted Uyghurs live. Support the show: https://tnc.news/lawton-heritage-club/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From a lack of clean drinking water in some Indigenous communities or lingering anger about residential schools, Canada's relationship with its Indigenous citizens needs to be fixed. Symbols like lowering the Canadian flag or declaring a national holiday may score political points, but they don't address any of Indigenous Canadians' core concerns. One proposed solution is to remove Ottawa from the equation and let Indigenous communities govern themselves. Another is to open the doors to economic development – both resource and otherwise. In this edition of The Andrew Lawton Show, we discuss the economic and political climate surrounding Canada's First Nations. Joining the discussion are public policy expert Melissa Mbarki, an Indigenous veteran of the oil and gas industry, and researcher Dr. Heather Exner-Pirot, both of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute. Support the show: https://tnc.news/lawton-heritage-club/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Australia's Northern Territory has imposed a sweeping vaccine mandate for customer-facing workers, and its chief minister, Michael Gunner, says anyone who opposes it is an anti-vaxxer, even if they're fully vaccinated. True North's Andrew Lawton points out the ridiculousness of the claim that someone could be triple-Pfizered with a side of Johnson and Johnson and still be "anti-vax" if they support personal choice. Plus, Franco Terrazzano of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation joins to break down the Liberals' throne speech. Support the show: https://tnc.news/lawton-heritage-club/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Austria has become the first western country to mandate vaccination against COVID, threatening unvaccinated citizens with fines and even jail time while implementing a sweeping nation-wide lockdown. True North's Andrew Lawton, who just returned from a pre-lockdown holiday in Austria, says once government has decided citizens don't have rights, what they do is just a matter of degrees, arguing there's no reason the same thing couldn't happen elsewhere, including in Canada. Also, SecondStreet.org president Colin Craig joins to explain why carbon dioxide might not be the bogeyman it's made out to be. Support the show: https://tnc.news/lawton-heritage-club/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After kicking Senator Denise Batters out of the Conservative caucus for calling for a referendum on his leadership, Erin O'Toole has said he'll do the same to any MP "who's not putting the team and the country first." True North's Andrew Lawton says O'Toole needs member support as well as caucus support to stay on as leader, which means he should be welcoming a review. Also, a municipality tries to ban an anti-Trudeau banner, plus Libertarian Party of Canada leader Jacques Boudreau joins to talk about liberty, pensions, and free speech. Support the show: https://tnc.news/lawton-heritage-club/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Canada's inflation rate has risen to a 20-year high, affecting the price of everything from to groceries are families and small businesses are already grappling with the pandemic's financial toll. Despite this, Justin Trudeau infamously said he doesn't think about monetary policy, and the government's response has been virtually non-existent. In this edition of The Andrew Lawton Show, we do a deep dive into inflation, debt and spending – and impact they have on Canadians. Joining this discussion are Macdonald-Laurier Institute senior fellow Philip Cross, Working Canadians president Catherine Swift, and Canadian Taxpayers Federation federal director Franco Terrazzano. Support the show: https://tnc.news/lawton-heritage-club/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Conservative senator Denise Batters says her petition for a referendum on Erin O'Toole's leadership is about giving members – rather than simply caucus members – a say in the party's future. She joins True North's Andrew Lawton to explain why. Plus, Andrew says Erin O'Toole needs to defend his decisions in September's elections to members and conservative Canadians if he wants to remain the leader – but he hasn't done this. Note: After recording this, Erin O'Toole removed Sen. Batters from the Conservative caucus. Support the show: https://tnc.news/lawton-heritage-club/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For years, Canada's healthcare system has been plagued by long wait times, high costs, and uneven access, with few bold solutions on offer because of politicians' and governments' ideological commitment to the status quo, even in the face of facts. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated some of these issues, in particular surgical backlogs and cancellations. In this special edition of The Andrew Lawton Show, we do a deep dive into the problems facing Canadian healthcare – and some solutions – with a panel of experts who know the system well. Joining the discussion are Dr. Shawn Whatley, author of "When Politics Comes Before Patients" and former Ontario Medical Association president; Medpoint Healthcare Centre president Alex Hanham; and Joanna Baron, executive director of the Canadian Constitution Foundation, which is representing Vancouver's Cambie Surgery Centre in an ongoing healthcare access lawsuit. Support the show: https://tnc.news/lawton-heritage-club/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It seems as though fewer and fewer people are wearing poppies, which are increasingly difficult to find in stores. On the 100th anniversary of the poppy campaign, True North's Andrew Lawton says we're facing a crisis of remembrance, with indifference plaguing Remembrance Day commemoration. Also, almost all of the Conservative MPs excluded from Erin O'Toole's shadow and deputy cabinet are pro-life, plus the UN is upset countries aren't taking its climate agenda seriously at COP26 in Glasgow. Support the show: https://tnc.news/lawton-heritage-club/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Even with a vaccine mandate for air passengers and the US limiting entry at the land border to the fully vaccinated, the Canadian government is still demanding costly PCR tests for travelling Canadians returning home. True North's Andrew Lawton was nearly stranded abroad last week after a false positive on a $150 government-approved test. Also, Conservative MPs opposing vaccine mandates have been excluded from Erin O'Toole's shadow cabinet, plus a BC doctor diagnoses a patient with a bad case of "climate change." Support the show: https://tnc.news/lawton-heritage-club/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Liberals' 2021 election platform commits to banning online "hate speech" in the first 100 days of Justin Trudeau's reelected government. This will likely be a revival of Bill C-36, which died when the election was called. In this special edition of True North's The Andrew Lawton Show, we talk about why the government's efforts to go after so-called hate speech are actually restrictions on free speech. Joining the show are lawyers Lisa Bildy of Libertas Law and Sarah Miller of JSS Barristers, as well as Quillette editor Jonathan Kay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Albertans have voted to remove equalization from the constitution, though now it's up to Alberta's government to make the case to a federal government that hasn't generally cared about the west. Premier Jason Kenney will have to deliver to quell the growing Alberta independence movement, True North's Andrew Lawton says. Andrew sits down with Wildrose Independence Party leader Paul Hinman and Economic Education Association chairman Danny Hozack to talk about what comes next. Also, 30,000 people are flying to Glasgow for COP26 to tell you to fly less and stop eating meat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Patty Hajdu is out as health minister, Harjit Sajjan is gone from defence, and Bill Blair has lost his public safety portfolio – but all three remain in cabinet. Despite changes in Justin Trudeau's cabinet, it's clear the government is not interested in a course correction, but rather more of what they were doing before the election, True North's Andrew Lawton predicts. Also, a shout-out to a couple of Conservative MPs who are speaking out against vaccine mandates, plus former BC Liberal leadership candidate Aaron Gunn joins the show to discuss his disqualification from the leadership race for allegedly being insufficiently committed to "reconciliation, diversity, and acceptance." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Calgary’s new mayor-elect Jyoti Gondek says her first order of business is to declare a “climate emergency” and work to “move past” oil and gas. True North’s Andrew Lawton says Gondek’s comments amount to a declaration of war on the energy sector, and a huge flip flop from her previous comments about the importance of that industry to Calgary.Plus, Tk’emlups Chief Rosanne Casimir dresses down Trudeau for his Tofino vacation, plus a look at the House of Commons’ undemocratic vaccine mandate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Justin Trudeau's government seeks to "decarbonize" Canadian industry, the Liberals are advancing what they call a "just transition" devoted to "helping workers and communities thrive in a net-zero carbon economy." While it sounds noble, it's an initiative based on the idea of phasing out jobs in Canada's oil and gas sector. Moreover, it neglects to recognize the work being done by the energy industry, such as investing in carbon capture and storage, which reduce emissions without punitive carbon taxes. In this edition of True North's The Andrew Lawton Show, we do a deep dive into the so-called just transition, and shine a light on what the sector is doing outside the government. This panel features Alberta Enterprise Group president Danielle Smith, Modern Miracle Network founder Michael Binnion, Carbon Upcycling CEO Apoorv Sinha, and Avatar Innovations co-founder and CEO Kevin Krausert. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In an effort to bolster vaccine uptake, Saskatchewan's public health agency is saying that age and fitness have no bearing on your COVID risk – only vaccination status. For all the things about COVID we don't know, we do know that this simply isn't true, True North's Andrew Lawton points out. Also, Saskatoon police have invested 160 hours in tracking down attendees of a PPC election night event last month. Plus, former Newfoundland premier Brian Peckford, the last living premier involved in the creation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, joins The Andrew Lawton Show to discuss the dismal state of rights and freedoms in Canada. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As China ramps up its aggression and threats against Taiwan, the Canadian government has not budged position of maintaining the status quo. In this special edition of True North's The Andrew Lawton Show, Andrew shines the light on Canada's relationship with Taiwan, asking how Canada and Canadians can support Taiwan in its pursuit of independence from China. Joining this panel discussion are Conservative member of parliament Michael Cooper, York University professor Jung-Chin Shen, and Taiwan Watch Canada founder Yuehying Tseng. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"We're all in this together" is but a distant memory now, as provinces make it easier to report "non-compliance" with COVID-19 measures. A number of provinces with vaccine passports are maintaining web portals to invite complaints about supposed public health rule-breaking. The Manitoba and Saskatchewan government websites even let you report someone for not wearing a mask. True North's Andrew Lawton says it's impossible to take things like "community" and "society" seriously when government pits people against each other. Also, some cringe-worthy political theatre, plus Canada is once again cozying up with the Chinese regime. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Justin Trudeau's vaccine mandate for federal public servants is so broad, it even applies to employees who do their jobs remotely from their own homes. This mandate proves what's become increasingly apparent in recent months, that the federal government is more interested in control than public health, True North's Andrew Lawton says. Also, Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes joins the show to explain why Albertans need to vote 'yes' in the October 18 referendum to end equalization payments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chinese regime was spending millions of dollars on PCR tests in Wuhan as early as May 2019, seven months before China announced the "first" instance of what would later be called COVID-19. True North's Andrew Lawton says China has not earned the benefit of the doubt, yet Justin Trudeau and Patty Hajdu were running interference for the Chinese regime throughout the pandemic, and have been silent on these latest findings. Also, universities are forcing students to choose between their values and their education with vaccine mandates, plus Franco Terrazzano of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation joins to discuss Conservative leader Erin O'Toole's credibility problem. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Canada had its first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation this week, a new federal holiday aimed at honouring victims and survivors of Canada's Indian residential schools. While there's nothing wrong with setting aside such a day, it's clear that the Trudeau government's approach to reconciliation is only about platitudes and symbolism, which is why the Canadian flag has been at half mast for four months now. True North's Andrew Lawton says the flag needs to come up, and the government needs to focus on concrete action on the Indigenous file, such as securing safe drinking water and reforming or scrapping the Indian Act. Note: This episode was recorded before the news broke that Justin Trudeau spent the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on a beach in Tofino. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Canadian Association of Journalists is calling on the RCMP to investigate Maxime Bernier for hate speech because he tweeted a few reporters' work email addresses and asked his supporters share what they think with them. While this move may not have been the nicest thing to do, it's not hate speech and to suggest otherwise is responsible and antithetical to the free speech principles the media should be upholding, True North's Andrew Lawton says. Also, SecondStreet.org president Colin Craig joins the show to discuss the growing disparity between private and public sector pay, plus why Jason Kenney thinks Erin O'Toole should get to stay on as Conservative leader. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alberta Pastor Artur Pawlowski was arrested on the tarmac after landing at Calgary airport on what his lawyer says are outstanding contempt of court charges. True North's Andrew Lawton says Pawlowski's arrest and crackdowns on businesses not complying with vaccine passports are further reminders that enforcement is the new norm, with governments having long abandoned the "we're all in this together" routine. Also, Canadian Taxpayers Federation Alberta director Kevin Lacey joins the show to talk about Alberta's upcoming equalization referendum. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The People’s Party of Canada tripled its vote share from the 2019 election, and is facing accusations of being a “spoiler” in a number of Conservative ridings. True North’s Andrew Lawton says the PPC support was much broader than just traditional Conservative voters, so this narrative doesn’t hold up. Also, Conservative activist and former campaign manager Fraser Macdonald joins to discuss his petition supporting Erin O’Toole’s continued leadership of the Conservatives. Plus, the perils of identity politics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Conservative leader Erin O'Toole gambled on a centrist strategy being the key to dethroning Justin Trudeau, but it didn't work. A Conservative Party of Canada national councillor has initiated a petition to recall O'Toole, which has been signed by thousands of Conservative members and activists. True North's Andrew Lawton lays out a few critical flip flops from the campaign. Also, Canadian Center for Bio-Ethical Reform spokesperson Jonathon Van Maren joins the show to discuss the social conservative effect in Monday's election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Issues germane to western Canada have been all but ignored by most political parties and the media during the federal election, with little to no discussion about western alienation, which continues to grow as Alberta heads towards a referendum on equalization in October. In this edition of the Andrew Lawton Show, True North's Andrew Lawton spotlights western voices, including entrepreneur and investor W. Brett Wilson, Maverick Party interim leader Jay Hill, and Banff–Airdrie Maverick candidate Tariq Elnaga. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After spending a few days on the road covering the Conservative campaign, last weekend True North's Andrew Lawton became the first and only journalist in the election so far to follow the People's Party of Canada campaign tour. Andrew followed PPC leader Maxime Bernier on a swing through Alberta, reporting on the PPC's message and events, as well as the unique coalition of supporters behind the upstart party that's been polling in the double digits – significantly above its 2019 vote share. In this episode, Andrew unpacks what's behind the PPC's rise and sits down with PPC leader Maxime Bernier as well as Banff–Airdrie PPC candidate Nadine Wellwood. Next episode, we'll spotlight the western-focused Maverick Party. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After weeks and months of saying no to vaccine passports and a society segregated based on vaccination status, the Ontario government is now making vaccines mandatory to go to restaurants, gyms, and other locales. Canadian Constitution Foundation litigation director Christine Van Geyn joins The Andrew Lawton Show to explain why this mandate is unconstitutional and simply unnecessary. Also, we look at some gaffes from the campaign trail, as well as the latest in Liberal desperation, as seen on last night's TVA debate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Conservative campaign hit six provinces in four days this past weekend, with a couple of stops in Quebec, where leader Erin O'Toole laid out his proposed "contract" with the Quebecois. True North's Andrew Lawton joined the Conservative tour as a journalist, putting questions to O'Toole on free votes in caucus, foreign interference in Canadian elections, free speech, and other issues the mainstream media hasn't been covering. Also, Conservative candidate Pierre Poilievre sits down to talk about corruption, inflation, and skyrocketing debt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Liberal Women and Gender Equality Minister Maryam Monsef's "our brothers, the Taliban" line is just the latest in a string of gaffes in a Liberal campaign without a message. True North's Andrew Lawton says it was clear Monsef's faux appeal to the Taliban was to give the illusion to Canadians that the government is handling the situation – but it isn't. Also, Maxime Bernier is excluded from the leaders' debates, and one city's debates are barring unvaccinated local candidates from attending. Plus, Maverick candidate Tariq Elnaga joins the show to talk about how he fell in love with the west, and why the west needs a better deal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After failing to gain traction from the the "lurking Stephen Harper" and "scary social conservative" tropes, the Liberals are now accusing Erin O'Toole of planning to privatize healthcare based on a video clip so deceptively edited even Twitter has labeled it "manipulated media." True North's Andrew Lawton says this is a sign of a Liberal campaign lacking a clear and coherent message, or even any message at all. Also, Conservative leader Erin O'Toole is facing criticism after backtracking on his pledge to protect conscience rights for healthcare practitioners. Dr. Shawn Whatley joins the show to explain why conscience rights matter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Conservative leader Erin O'Toole says he's pro-choice, but because he says he also supports conscience rights for healthcare practitioners, the Liberals have unleashed a wave of attacks accusing him of being a pro-lifer in disguise. True North's Andrew Lawton says Justin Trudeau's "evil, scary social conservative" attacks against O'Toole, who agrees with the Liberals on social issues, reeks of desperation. Also, Conservative candidate and Afghanistan veteran Alex Ruff joins the show to discuss Canada's hands-off approach to the Afghanistan crisis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While Canadians are focused on the repercussions of lockdowns, an uncertain economic future, and a potential Afghanistan refugee crisis, Justin Trudeau is taking aim at Conservatives for not talking enough about the "she-covery" from the "she-cession." In this election kickoff edition of the Andrew Lawton Show, True North's Andrew Lawton talks about some of the key platform announcements and messages from several of the parties and leaders, as well as some of the looming questions of the campaign, such as whether Maxime Bernier will get into the debates, how much of an impact the Mavericks will make out west, and whether Trudeau will find a coherent message after a rocky first few days. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices