The Special Relationship didn’t die of natural causes. It wasn’t a drifting apart of friends or a cooling of tempers. It was a cold-blooded shakedown,… Read more: USA Divergence Manifesto

Jon Liedtke deconstructs Premier Doug Ford’s “Open for Business” branding, exposing a governance style rooted in central planning and interventionism. From “gravy plane” jet purchases to picking winners with corporate subsidies, Liedtke argues Ford’s pragmatic corporatism betrays true small-c conservative principles while shamelessly buying off an increasingly cynical electorate.

Mark Carney’s “Forward Guidance” signals a pivot from Trudeau-era idealism to a technocratic boardroom strategy. As Trump’s tariffs loom, Carney’s majority government positions him as Canada’s “Chief Risk Officer.” While the Conservatives lean into populist theater, Carney’s cold, analytical leverage offers a high-stakes shield for a disaffected generation facing its final buzzer.

Doug Ford’s aborted $28.9M ‘Gravy Plane’ purchase exposes deep hypocrisy in Ontario politics. Echoing the 1981 Bill Davis ‘Two Lists’ scandal, this op-ed highlights the glaring disconnect between executive luxury and the harsh realities of underfunded healthcare, calling out political shell games, wasted taxpayer funds, and an impenetrable political bubble.

The administration’s use of “CSAR 25:17″—a cinematic riff on scripture—has backfired into a PR crisis. By blurring tactical “unit lore” with official policy, they’ve traded international credibility for domestic “trolls.” For allies like Canada, this “memification” of the Pentagon signals a dangerous shift from strategic stability to unhinged political theater.

The 2026 Liberal Convention in Montreal showcased a jarring paradox: Mark Carney’s “sovereign superpower” rhetoric contrasted with Patrick Pichette’s proposed $500,000 exit tax. This “cognitive dissonance” trades core principles for political survival, welcoming conservative floor-crossers while threatening the mobility of the very educated workforce Canada needs to drive growth.

Welcome to the splintered multiverse. It’s a place where the scoreboard is a lie, the players are ghosts, and the spectators are so high on… Read more: The Ghost State and the Death of Shared Reality

Canada isn’t joining the European Union. We aren’t becoming the 51st American state. And no, despite the recurring fever dreams of winter-weary pundits, we aren’t… Read more: The Geopolitical Fan-Fiction Distracting Canada

The federal NDP faces a “severance” from its working-class roots. Under Avi Lewis, the party retreats into academic activism and equity-card optics, while industrial workers in Windsor and Hamilton face economic turmoil. With polling at 9% and provincial wings distancing themselves, the party risks being cannibalized by Mark Carney’s Liberals.

The mystery in Iran is reaching a breaking point. We are nearly a month into a war that has essentially erased the entire top tier… Read more: Weekend at Ayatollah’s: When Iran’s “Jurassic Park” Fences Went Down

Jon Liedtke exposes what he calls a “regulatory red wedding” by the CRA, alleging a high-velocity purge of Jewish charities following October 7th. He argues that the agency has outsourced tax policy to a “digital mob,” using technical “gotchas” and nuclear legal options to bankrupt organizations without due process.

Premier Doug Ford’s proposal to legalize pepper spray and empower private security is a “Mad Max” admission of policy failure. Instead of fixing a broken justice system or addressing bail reform, the government is outsourcing public safety to $18-an-hour guards. We need data-driven policing, not mall-level “Delta Force” fantasies.

Doug Ford’s failed 11th-hour injunction against Al Quds Day 2026 was a masterclass in political theater. Amidst a global week of antisemitic violence and the ongoing Iran war, Ontario’s majority government opted for performative optics over legislative action. Jon Liedtke argues it’s time for the Premier to stop playing Monday morning quarterback.

Canada’s $10 million security funding is “too little, too late” as antisemitism reaches a breaking point. With Jewish Canadians 25 times more likely to be targeted by hate crimes and synagogues facing gunfire in 2026, a partial subsidy isn’t safety—it’s a “Jew Tax” on a community under constant siege.

Jon Liedtke joined The Gene Valaitis Show on Niagara’s 610 CKTB to discuss why The 2026 FIFA World Cup is no longer just a sports… Read more: From Iranian Soccer to the Border: 2026 FIFA WORD CUP’s Geopolitical “Pressure Cooker”

Jon Liedtke joins Gene Valaitis to dismantle a Globe and Mail story comparing Canada’s economy to Alabama’s. Calling the argument “bunk,” Liedtke highlights Canada’s sovereign advantages and contrasts its social safety net and low crime rates against Alabama’s high firearm mortality and lack of universal healthcare protections.

Host Gene Valaitis and guest Jon Liedtke discuss the escalating Middle East conflict, focusing on Iran’s strikes against Israel and neighboring nations. They explore the surprise elimination of Iranian leadership and the unexpected celebration of Iranian Canadians who have adopted the song “YMCA” as an anthem for a free Iran.

As Prince Andrew faces a life sentence for alleged misconduct in public office, Canada faces a constitutional crisis. From the “Epstein Files” to the “Split Crown,” Jon Liedtke deconstructs why the monarchy is a toxic, subprime asset and why the Commonwealth is finally ready to stop being the bag-holder.

The Gordie Howe International Bridge is finished, but “Mr. Hockey” is being held hostage. Between billionaire backroom deals and protectionist shakedowns, our national sovereignty is under fire. It’s time to stop negotiating with a private dynasty, expropriate the Ambassador Bridge, and reclaim the $400-million-a-day “Windsor Wedge” for the public good.

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs an illegal overstep of presidential power. While a victory for international trade law, the ruling notably excludes the auto, steel, and aluminum duties crippling Canada’s economy. As Ottawa responds with standard diplomacy, the core “national security” threat labels remain.

Welcome to Summer Camp 2026, where the most dangerous thing in the woods is a purity test. From doxxing 17-year-old counselors to debating the “colonial” lineage of a chickpea, activists are waging ideological warfare against Jewish institutions. It’s time for leaders to stop acting like bystanders in a horror movie.

As Stellantis divests from the NextStar battery plant, local officials are spinning a corporate retreat as “operational certainty.” It’s a masterclass in economic gaslighting. Windsor isn’t a thriving tech hub; we’re a distressed asset huffing “Hopium” while global giants jettison cargo to stay buoyant. Welcome back to the dumpster fire.

From AI-generated racial tropes on Truth Social to the 25% tariffs strangling Windsor’s manufacturing heartland, the Trump administration is performing a masterclass in cinematic statecraft. It isn’t a glitch; it’s a feature. We’re witnessing a culture of curated cruelty where the “money-shot” matters more than the human cost.

Whether as the messianic killer, the outside agitator, or the racially inferior, each form of antisemitism provided the intellectual fuel to justify the hatred and its ultimate and seemingly inevitable genocidal conclusion. Today, the oldest & most successful virus has mutated again, migrating from the biology of blood to the geopolitics of state.

Windsor’s reliance on the automotive sector has reached a tipping point. As Stellantis divests from the NextStar plant and national strategies shift, the city remains dangerously undiversified. With Canada’s highest unemployment rate and construction booms masking deeper cracks, Windsor is “doubling down” on a volatile future. Is the crash inevitable?

Windsor’s recent psilocybin raid isn’t a victory—it’s a symptom of failed policy. From performative policing to the lack of sensible regulation, we explore why “tough on crime” tactics fall short. It’s time to stop the whack-a-mole strategy and address the drug crisis with backbone, reform, and reality.

Forget the maps you knew. As Alberta courted U.S. capital for a leveraged buyout and the 401 corridor faces a 100% tariff “cyanide pill,” Canada’s sovereignty is at a breaking point. From secessionist proxies to Minnesota’s “Blue Exit,” we are witnessing the terminal instability of the North American dream.

President Trump’s statecraft is driven more by Hollywood plotlines than intelligence briefings. From the annexation of Greenland to “The Purge”-style crime policies, the “Binger-in-Chief” treats the world as a cinematic set. U.S. policy has become a dangerous feedback loop of movie tropes and “Central Casting” optics, leaving the nation trapped in a high-stakes narrative most never bought tickets for.

As Windsor prepares for New Year’s, we reflect on the “Heartbreak Days” of the 1850s. For enslaved Black Americans, the Detroit River was more than a border; it was the perilous terminus of the Underground Railroad. While many celebrate the “Freedom Narrative,” the true history is one of grit, icy crossings, and a desperate race against “Hiring Day” auctions. Discover why we must preserve this vital piece of our collective local history.

Forget the poutine—Santa Claus might be Canada’s greatest strategic asset. Beyond the red suit and reindeer, Ottawa has executed a brilliant “soft power” play by naturalizing Saint Nick as a citizen. From issuing official ePassports to establishing the H0H 0H0 postal code, Canada is using holiday whimsy to stake a serious claim in the high-stakes battle for Arctic sovereignty. Discover why the North Pole is officially True North Strong and Free.

What started as a Cold War misprint in 1955 has evolved into a global, AI-enhanced phenomenon. On its 70th anniversary, the NORAD Santa Tracker remains a fascinating blend of military precision and holiday whimsy. From a “red phone” accident to a corporate-sponsored operation utilizing 1,500 volunteers and generative AI, discover how a cynical PR flex became the world’s most beloved Christmas tradition—and why the mission matters more than ever in 2025.

“Globalize the intifada” isn’t a slogan; it’s a target placed on Jewish journalists. Yet, Canadian media advocacy groups remain deafeningly silent. The industry has decided Jewish safety is a “liability” not worth the risk. This isn’t just cowardice; it’s a betrayal. We aren’t waiting for permission to exist. If you won’t defend the truth, get out of the way.

Hanukkah 2025 has been a battle between light and darkness. From the horrific tragedy in Bondi Beach to thwarted terror plots in Toronto, the threat of antisemitism has never felt more immediate. Yet, Windsor’s community gathered at the riverfront to light the menorah in defiance. This post reflects on a week of grief, resilience, and the urgent need to confront rising hate in Canada before it’s too late.

Toronto police arrested three ISIS-linked men—Waleed Khan, Osman Azizov, and Fahad Sadaat—for attempted abductions targeting Jewish women, seizing an AR-style rifle and high-capacity magazines. Khan faces terrorism charges, including conspiracy to commit murder. Amid soaring antisemitism, Jews—less than 1% of Canada’s population—endured nearly 70% of religious hate crimes in 2024.

Tonight’s celebration was a welcome solace. Amid a heightened police presence—a sad reality for Jewish events today—our community gathered to kindle the lights, defy darkness, and honor our faith. Heartfelt thanks to the local leaders who stood with us in solidarity. Chag Chanukah Sameach! 🕎

11 Jews dead (so far…) simply for being Jewish. I woke up to this horrific news on the same day my community lights Hanukkah candles. I hate that there hasn’t been a celebration—THAT I CAN REMEMBER—without fear. Tragic. Bleak. Reality. We have been screaming about this. Our leaders fail us.

Canadian medical schools prioritize Saudi Arabian cash over domestic access, selling 1,000 residency spots annually to foreign governments while thousands of qualified Canadians each year are forced to train abroad. Our public institutions have created a “First Class” tier for the highest bidder while leaving Canadian taxpayers in waiting rooms. It’s time to end the sell-out.

“The Road Between Us” is a necessarily hard watch, intercutting live-streamed Hamas GoPro footage from October 7th with one family’s harrowing fight for survival. The film centers on a retired colonel and grandfather who risked everything to save his loved ones, creating an unforgettable portrait of terror and tenacity that is as unflinching as it is ultimately uplifting.

Donald J. Trump announces a breakthrough peace plan, with Israel and Hamas agreeing to release all hostages soon. The plan aims for a lasting peace, involving Arab nations, the U.S., and more. Trump credits mediators like Qatar and Turkey, citing it as a historic step. Read more!

Two years on from October 7’s Black Sabbath—Hamas’s bloodbath claiming 1,200 Jewish lives, the deadliest since the Holocaust. Gaza’s crisis deepens amid human shields; regional fires rage with Hezbollah, Houthis, Iran. Trump’s peace plan: demilitarize, hostages home, or face obliteration. Yet Western antisemitism surges—Canada’s hate crimes explode, “vigils” glorify murder. Time to heal our divides with empathy.

### Our Holiest Day, Their Vile Hatred: A Synagogue Under Siege It was Yom Kippur—the Day of Atonement—when Jews bare our souls in prayer. Yesterday, that vulnerability became a target at Manchester’s Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation. A terrorist’s car-ramming and stabbing spree turned sanctity into slaughter. Two dead, more fighting for life. This isn’t shock; it’s the predictable poison of unchecked antisemitism exploding 147% in the UK. We’re heartbroken, furious—but unbreakable. Am Yisrael Chai.

This Yom Kippur, like every Yom Kippur, all Jews stand together, carrying the profound weight of the past year. The memories of those lost on… Read more: You Won’t Believe What The Shofar Really Means For Us This Year

Join Jon Liedtke for a witty kvetch on the weekend’s chaos: debunking Canadian healthcare myths, mocking Trump’s medbed fantasies, suspected Russian drone chicken games, & calling out David Hogg’s antisemitic AIPAC trope.

As we welcome Rosh Hashanah 5786, we reflect on the remarkable 200-year journey of Windsor’s Jewish community. From its beginnings with pioneers like Moses David to its formal establishment in the 1890s, our history is one of resilience and strength. This New Year, we honour that legacy by praying for peace, remembering those lost, and reaffirming our commitment to fighting antisemitism. Shanah Tovah U’Metukah to our community and all Jews worldwide.

ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! after Kimmel’s monologue on Charlie Kirk’s murder, criticizing the “MAGA gang.” Trump administration pressure and FCC threats reportedly drove the decision, alarming free speech advocates. This precedent threatens media and satire. Will it spark a backlash or more censorship? The stakes for 2025’s discourse are high.

Ari Aster’s 2025 bleak satirical Western “Eddington” is a must-see. Set in pandemic-era New Mexico, it masterfully explores COVID-19’s local disruption, BLM protests, Antifa fears, extremism, and unraveling community trust. Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal star as opposing officials. With stellar performances (Stone, Butler), it’s a resonant, urgent look back. See it ASAP! (Beware the headfuck ending).

Mark Carney’s promise to recognize a Palestinian state based on “preconditions” is cynical political theater, designed to appease progressives while ensuring no change. His conditions—Hamas’ exclusion, Gaza’s demilitarization, and free elections—are unachievable, rewarding terrorism and betraying both Palestinians and Israelis. Canada deserves principled leadership, not performative gestures.

At Windsor’s Breakfast for Israel, former Hamas hostage and Time 100 Most Influential People 2025 Noa Argamani, shared her 245-day captivity ordeal and advocated for the release of remaining hostages, including her partner. Despite protests, some antisemitic, the event raised funds for Israel’s Ashdod Rehab Centre, supporting trauma victims, children with disabilities, and pediatric cancer patients.

On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we honor the six million Jews & countless others lost, & remind that Never Again is an ongoing endeavor for all.

Kingsville’s Deputy Mayor says the public school board’s suggested – & chosen – new school name is worse than prior choice due to another vulgar acronym.

Every day there’s more antisemitism being spread across Canada & the casualness it’s deployed, often by those who know better, leaves me uneasy & concerned.

It’s 2024 in Canada, but because of the vile antisemitism going unchecked, it sounds and looks more like 1938 in Germany.

The gaslighting is overwhelming. No, the convoy & blockades weren’t peaceful, democratic, or just, & weren’t as Canadian as Nanaimo bars or Butter Tarts…

Are Windsor’s only options to deal with vandalism & homelessness either tough on crime or path of atonement. What does your compassionate Windsor look like?

Mayor Drew Dilkens is accusing the health unit of bait-and-switch and in doing so is attacking his council colleagues. Let’s get real about the facts.

Jewish thoughts on Holocaust Remembrance Day: I won’t know the family I lost. This will never change. They aren’t even dust in the wind; dust can be seen.

Last year Windsor City Council approved the location and kicked the implementation process into high gear for a Safe Consumption Site. Today a newly elected city councillor is seeking to undo that progress and restart the process.

Hamilton issues bids for a $300mil transit “Bus Barn” garage that Mayor Dilkens calls a “Garage Mahal” for Windsor. Transit Windsor needs it; so what gives?

For January 2022, three of the panelists take a look backwards, rather than forward, to provide a retrospective on 2022 before moving ahead to what 2023 will bring.

In Windsor there are two groups fighting to make a better city and community for us to live in: those who want to confront reality and those who want to hide from it.

Everyone here is a Republican. There was almost a fist fight in the US House of Representatives in 2022. The first priority of this party was to remove the magnetometers that were installed after the insurrection to detect guns. Good luck, USA

Jon Liedtke joins Kyle Horner on AM800 CKLW’s LIVE AND LOCAL to call out antisemitic garbage after Donald Trump dined with antisemites Kanye West and Nick Fuentes.

Rose City Politics outlines what the priorities of the next city council should be.

Rose City Politics outlines what the priorities of the next city council should be.

Rose City Politics was invited by AM800 CKLW’s Dan MacDonald to talk about the 2022 Windsor Municipal Election.

Rose City Politics received press credentials for the Detroit Auto Show. This is our story.

Drew Dilkens’ campaign manager suggested someone ask LG & Stellantis their preference as to the mayor of Windsor. Rose City Politics did just that.

For September 2022, the Rose City Politics panel asks Biz X readers if they know who they are voting for and why? With the municipal election next… Read more: BIZ X Magazine: WINDSOR 2022 ELECTION

Yesterday I posted on social media that I was faced with an internal debate after coming into possession of video footage of an altercation between… Read more: What is the line between newsworthiness and exploitation?

While walking to and from the riverfront today I noticed something interesting at the intersection of Ouellette and Riverside Drive. It might not be obvious… Read more: Riverside DRIVE isn’t for pedestrians, and it shows

Not quite sure how I feel about 20 people in Windsor blocking two exit lanes of the Ambassador Bridge and having the Ford Government fold under that pressure and offer to negotiate directly with them…

Premier Ford announced this week he would introduce strong mayor legislation for both Ottawa and Toronto in 2023 and other Ontario cities in 2024. Like a bull in a china shop, the 800 pound gorilla is again chest beating and charging our democracy during ongoing municipal elections. All that’s old is new again.

Summer is a glorious season in Windsor for residents, and for our Summer 2022 Biz X Magazine column, the Rose City Politics panel opines on what Windsor can do to make summer living better?

For June, the Rose City Politics panel opines on the provincial election and what the next government must focus on. The election’s over and it’s… Read more: BIZ X MAGAZINE: Here’s what Ontario’s next government should focus on

For May 2022, the Rose Rose City Politics panel opines on the recently announced Stellantis-LG EV battery plant and what it means for Windsor Essex.… Read more: BIZ X MAGAZINE: Windsor’s EV Battery Plant

The snow is melting, and with that comes hidden potholes and an annual conversation: cars versus bikes. Rose City Politics dives into the war on… Read more: BIZ X MAGAZINE: War on Auto or Bikes?

The City of Windsor’s Council Compensation Review Committee reviews remuneration/compensation and benefits paid to the Mayor and City Councillors, as well as equipment and staffing… Read more: BIZ X MAGAZINE: Windsor’s Council Compensation Review Committee

Jon Liedtke is an On-Air Fill-In Host at AM800 CKLW and provides commentary and opinion about the latest news of the day.

The year is 2022. The next municipal election in Windsor is scheduled for October 24. Do you know what your elected representatives’ grades are? In… Read more: BIZ X MAGAZINE: 2021 City Council Report Card

For November and December, the Rose Rose City Politics panel opines on the proposed redevelopment and completion of the riverfront festival plaza: Finish the damn… Read more: BIZ X MAGAZINE: Festival Plaza Development and Completion

For September 2021, the Rose Rose City Politics panel answers “How should Windsor prepare for population growth as projected by Statistics Canada?”: With up to… Read more: BIZ X MAGAZINE: How should Windsor prepare for population growth projected by StatCan?

Am800’s Dan MacDonald invited Jon Liedtke to join him on The Dan MacDonald show to discuss the City of Windsor holding back on whether to address backyard cannabis smell concerns following a Health Canada pubic input period.

here are many different strategies that governments of all levels will take to deal with the impacts of Covid-19. Windsor City Council is tasked with coming up with a strategy for all Windsorites.

COLORADO JUST PASSED A SLEW OF GROUNDBREAKING DRUG REFORM LAWS. Is this where Ontario is heading?

For March 2021, the Rose Rose City Politics panel opines on the Windsor City Council endorsement of the Public First report on economic diversification, with recommendations to come from administration on implementation. The City of Windsor has seen many economic diversification strategies over the years and the Rose City Politics panel (each in their own individual opinions) breaks down what, if anything, is different about the situation now.

This month, the Rose City Politics panel is considering how the City of Windsor should address the costs imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic in its 2021 budget. The year 2020 brought with it unexpected municipal expenses and revenue shortfalls and the Rose City Politics panel breaks down the situation.

AM800 CKLW’s The Dan MacDonald Show Friday Roundtable with Ward 3 Councillor Rino Bortolin, Wetech CEO Yvonne Pilon, and Jon Liedtke

Jon Liedtke joins Dan MacDonald to talk about Ontario government cannabis lounge consultations which could allow onsite cannabis edible sale & consumption.

Tonight on the show, we welcome our new panelist, Jon Liedtke! We get to know his background in politics and then jump into a discussion… Read more: Rose City Politics: 2020 Episode 1: A New Host

John Ibbitson’s biography of Stephen Harper, *Stephen Harper*, offers an insightful and comprehensive look into the former Prime Minister’s life, from his formative years to his decade in office. Far from a polarizing account, Ibbitson’s work aims to understand the man behind the politician, drawing on extensive research and interviews with those close to Harper. The book delves into the influences that shaped him, including his father, and explores the defining characteristics that propelled him to the highest office. It’s a compelling read for anyone seeking to understand not only Harper but also the entrenched legacy of his time in power, as evidenced by the platforms of other political parties today.

Hannukah, at Higher Limits, brings lots of L’Chiams!

Trudeau’s government announced on 420 they will legalize cannabis, and considering this, it made sense to explain summarize where cannabis policy stands in Canada.

The 1% megahospital levy has been approved and Jon Liedtke says it’s time Windsor gets a state-of-the-art hospital, and the location can prompt more regionalism.

Jon Liedtke, owner of Higher Limits, offers his thoughts on the Smoke Free Ontario Act and its assault on the rights of medical marijuana users

Jon Liedtke – Guest Column – Windsor Star “These proposals are arbitrary, discriminatory, and serve only to intentionally harm and forcibly segregate some of the… Read more: Windsor Star: Liberals discriminate against marijuana users

Jon Liedtke set up an unprompted one-on-one interview with the mayor of Halifax, Michael Savage, to discuss Halifax, its economy, and politics.

Only in Ontario would people get excited about driving out of the way to purchase warm beer, while inconvenienced. From Windsor to London there is ONE grocery store selling beer, on two end aisle displays, non-refrigerated, and much to the convenience of no-one, you’re forced to purchase the beer immediately as there is a cash register obtrusively in the middle of the aisle. Beer sales in grocery stores aren’t impressive or anything to champion; they’re a half step and it’s laughable to see Ontarians, the media and government alike acting like impressed school children gazing upon a window display of Christmas toys for the first time.

Students should vote no on an unfair sports & recreation complex referendum designed to impact future students.

The City of Windsor needs to allow more competition in the cab industry argues Jon Liedtke of The Urbanite.

The 2014 Windsor election is over. Thank God.