Podcast Summary
Podcast: Rebel News Podcast
Episode: Does Mark Carney change his story because he’s lying, or does he actually believe both versions?
Date: March 21, 2026
Host: Ezra Levant
Overview of the Episode’s Main Theme
This episode centers on the political inconsistencies and alleged dishonesty of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Ezra Levant scrutinizes several recent examples where Carney and key figures in his government appear to contradict themselves on critical issues — from foreign policy and military interventions to human rights and immigration. The episode questions whether Carney’s shifting narratives are evidence of deliberate lying, self-deception, or political maneuvering. It also explores the broader implications of these behaviors for Canadian democracy and international reputation.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Mark Carney’s Changing Narratives (01:03–16:55)
- Introduction to the Theme:
- Levant argues that Carney habitually says contradictory things and wonders aloud:
"Are some of them lies or does he actually believe all of them at once?... I think there's something broken with this guy." (00:00)
- He promises to lay out several examples, accompanied by video proof, to establish the pattern.
- Levant argues that Carney habitually says contradictory things and wonders aloud:
The Strait of Hormuz & Canada’s Waffling Position (01:03–07:44)
- Background:
- The Strait of Hormuz as a vital oil chokepoint, with Iran threatening actions that could disrupt oil shipments primarily destined for Asia.
- Trump’s demand that U.S. allies assist in protecting the strait, noting that only a fraction of Gulf oil goes to America.
- Levant highlights the symbolic nature of allied help, arguing that NATO’s military capacity pales next to the U.S.
- Canadian Response:
- Canada’s position changed repeatedly:
- Initial statement, apparently written by NATO, said Canada supported military actions.
- Subsequent positions called for a diplomatic solution, then a ceasefire, then fluctuated further.
- Levant’s assessment:
"The Canadian government went through five different positions, including we will never help to yes, we'll help in a defensive way to we will de escalate things... It was sort of crazy." (06:33)
- Canada’s position changed repeatedly:
- Canada’s Navy Limitations:
- Expert from the Navy interviewed by CBC admits Canadian warships lack effective air defenses and would need protection from allied ships.
"Our ships…don't have very sophisticated high end air defence aspects." — Military Expert (07:20)
- Expert from the Navy interviewed by CBC admits Canadian warships lack effective air defenses and would need protection from allied ships.
Double Talk on Security and Defense (07:44–11:48)
- NORAD and Airspace Security:
- Story of a disturbance on a Montreal-bound flight. Media credits NORAD and Canadian jets for intervention, but U.S. F-35s were also involved.
- Levant accuses Canadian media and officials of minimizing U.S. involvement to avoid embarrassment.
Carney’s Stance on Human Rights: Words vs. Reality (11:48–16:55)
- Carney’s Statements in China:
- Publicly claims to have raised human rights with Chinese officials:
"We fundamentally stand up for human rights... We will engage with coalitions on those issues because that has more influence." — Mark Carney (12:41–13:33)
- Specifics questioned by media; Carney asserts he led a G7 statement on Jimmy Lai and discussed Taiwan and human rights with Xi Jinping (13:57).
- Publicly claims to have raised human rights with Chinese officials:
- Privy Council Contradicts Carney:
- Privy Council records, unearthed by Blacklock’s, show Carney did not proactively raise human rights or foreign interference during his China trip:
"Topics of human rights and foreign interference were not brought up proactively by the Canadian Prime Minister..." — Privy Council, cited by Levant (15:14)
- Levant:
"That is a deliberate, complex lie that even his own aides couldn't bear." (15:34)
- Privy Council records, unearthed by Blacklock’s, show Carney did not proactively raise human rights or foreign interference during his China trip:
Confusion Over Canadian Oil Reserves (16:55–18:25)
- Carney Claims Canada Will Release Oil Reserves:
- In response to Trump’s call for global oil reserves to stabilize markets, Carney claims Canada will release millions of barrels from reserves.
"Canada does not have oil reserves...we're a net exporter. So the idea of releasing — we don't have those reserves." — Ezra Levant (18:25)
- Levant argues Carney knowingly makes statements that are factually untrue.
- In response to Trump’s call for global oil reserves to stabilize markets, Carney claims Canada will release millions of barrels from reserves.
The Pattern at the Top: A Culture of Contradiction (18:25–20:33)
-
Defense Minister McGinty’s Flip-Flops:
- Contradictory statements on when he learned of an Iranian strike on Canadians.
- Levant observes Carney’s irritation at being questioned and reviews the lack of Canadian government response to such incidents.
-
Comparing Carney and Trudeau:
- Levant:
"Mark Carney actually lies more than Trudeau did, and he lies more naturally than Trudeau did... Mark Carney is different. He actually doesn't evade. He answers. He just outright makes things up and says them while looking you in the eyes." (20:33)
- Levant:
Protest, Immigration, and Free Speech: Case Study (23:29–39:55)
Scarlet Grace Investigates Pro-Iran & Anti-Israel Protests
- On the Ground at Toronto Rallies:
- Scarlet Grace interviews a man dressed as a mullah at the Al Quds Day hate march.
- Exchanges cover religious justifications for various policies in Iran, gender inequality, and human rights abuses.
"You think that God wants women to be killed for showing their hair in public?" — Scarlet (24:16) "God doesn't want anybody to be killed." — Mullah Interviewee (24:21) "Ali Khamenei never killed anybody." — Mullah Interviewee (24:44)
Viral Incident at Pearson Airport: Immigration Tensions
- Bahar Bahari’s Viral Tweet:
- Iranian-Canadian Bahar Bahari tweets at Carney asking why mullahs from Iran can enter Canada while ordinary Iranians face visa barriers.
- Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) threatens her on social media, warning about legal consequences for spreading 'false claims.'
- Bahar's response:
"If you had done your job properly, I wouldn't have needed to ask any questions... One of your responsibilities is to prevent dangerous people from entering Canada, not to target a political refugee..." — Bahar Bahari (30:56)
- Bahar shares personal stories of persecution by Iranian regime, her experience as a refugee, and fears about Canada repeating Iran’s mistakes.
"This is a dangerous religion... I learned that in Canada people avoid talking about politics and religion... You have to know what's your country going through." — Bahar Bahari (32:12–33:24)
- She warns Canadians against complacency regarding radical Islam and immigration policy.
Audience Interaction & Political Commentary (39:55–end)
- Levant on By-Elections and Media Suppression:
- Rebel News is registered as a third-party campaign group in response to government threats over their journalistic activity.
- Audience comments discussed, especially regarding political patronage and the expulsion of dissenting MPs by Carney.
- Levant likens the current government to an oligarchy using fiscal and regulatory levers to suppress opposition and reward allies.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Carney’s Contradictions:
"Say one thing, do another, or say both things and do neither." — Ezra Levant (15:38)
- On Canadian Defense Capabilities:
"Our ships...would need to be protected by the other ships because our Canadian warships do not have the anti missile and anti drone technology." — Military Expert (07:20)
- On Human Rights with China:
"We fundamentally stand up for human rights...We do engage with countries. We calibrate that engagement depending on our values and our interests..." — Mark Carney (12:42–13:33)
- On Patterns of Political Behavior:
"Mark Carney actually doesn't evade. He answers. He just outright makes things up and says them while looking you in the eyes." — Ezra Levant (20:33)
- Scarlet’s Confrontation:
"Ali Khamenei never killed anybody." — Mullah Interviewee (24:44)
- Bahar Bahari’s Warning:
"You have to know what's your country going through...I don't want Canada to end up like Iran." (32:56–34:08)
Important Timestamps
- 00:00–01:03: Introduction to Carney’s contradictory statements
- 01:03–07:44: Strait of Hormuz context; Canada’s shifting positions
- 07:44–11:48: NORAD incident; American military aid downplayed
- 11:48–16:55: Carney’s statements on China and human rights questioned
- 16:55–18:25: The myth of Canada’s oil reserves
- 18:25–20:33: Carney vs. Trudeau: Styles of dishonesty
- 23:29–24:51: Scarlet Grace’s on-the-ground interview with a mullah
- 26:47–34:08: Bahar Bahari’s viral tweet, experience as a refugee, and warnings for Canada
- 39:55–End: By-election plans, commentary on Carney’s patronage, and closing remarks
Summary
Ezra Levant’s episode is a pointed critique of what he sees as systemic dishonesty and political gaslighting by Mark Carney and his administration. Through multiple case studies—ranging from foreign policy flip-flops to misleading statements on human rights and resource management—Levant builds a case that Carney routinely says what is expedient rather than what is true, sometimes contradicting the facts or even his own officials. The episode is interspersed with real-world activism and grassroots testimony highlighting concerns over unchecked immigration and political suppression. In the host’s view, the sum total is a government rapidly losing credibility, evading accountability, and undermining Canadian values.