Canadians spend more on taxes than food, clothing, and housing combined

·38 min·3 clips

Andrew Lawton announces this is the last episode as he leaves True North to seek a Conservative nomination.

The episode begins with Andrew Lawton welcoming listeners and noting it is the last show for the foreseeable future as he goes on leave from True North. He mentions a special announcement later. Lawton first discusses Israel's assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, criticizing media reactions and highlighting Pierre Poilievre's comments. He then pivots to taxes, introducing a Fraser Institute study that finds Canadians spend more on taxes than on necessities like food, clothing, and housing. Chris Sims, Alberta director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, joins to unpack the study, explaining that taxes consume nearly half of household income and discussing tax freedom day. Sims also talks about government debt, noting Canada pays $54 billion in interest annually, equivalent to GST revenue. Lawton transitions to education, interviewing James Pugh, publisher of Woke Watch Canada, about critical theory in schools. Pugh describes critical theory as a neo-Marxist framework that opposes Western institutions and discusses its implementation in classrooms, including issues with library books and activist teaching materials. Lawton then makes his announcement, revealing he is seeking the Conservative nomination in Elgin—St. Thomas—London South, citing a desire to champion conservative values. He reflects on his time at True North, thanks the team and listeners, and encourages followers to stay connected via his website. The episode ends with a farewell and a call to support True North.

As heard by us

A brisk political episode links classroom theory, Canadian media frustration, and a personal farewell.

Critical theory's place in Canadian classrooms gives this episode its clearest thread: how a university-born framework can become a way of teaching.

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Why you'd press play

You want a direct route from critical theory in Canadian schools to Andrew Lawton's personal farewell note.

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