Podcast Summary: Rebel News Podcast – Ezra Levant | Conservative MPs shouldn't be bullied into silence by leftists

Date: January 9, 2026
Host: Ezra Levant
Key Guest: Franco Tarazano (Canadian Taxpayers Federation)

Episode Overview

This episode of The Ezra Levant Show focuses on free speech and political courage within the Canadian Conservative Party, highlighting a recent incident where MP Garnet Genuis canceled his speaking event at York University after the student union rescinded approval. Ezra Levant critiques the Conservative response to what he considers leftist bullying and explores the broader theme of standing up to censorship. The episode also features a discussion with Franco Tarazano on Canadian tax policy and government spending.

Main Discussion Points

1. Garnet Genuis and Free Speech on Campus

• Incident Recap:

  • Garnet Genuis, Conservative MP for Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, had his scheduled public event at York University canceled by the student union.
  • Genuis accepted the ban, announcing it on social media and offering to discuss jobs and unemployment with students via his office instead.

• Ezra’s Disappointment and Analysis:

  • Ezra expresses frustration at Genuis’s response, arguing he should have fought back legally or symbolically.
    • "You're a Member of Parliament. I'll explain what the Member of Parliament should do when some student activist says you're not allowed to come to campus." (Ezra Levant, 00:00)
  • He details multiple alternative actions Genuis could have taken:
    • Take legal action (Charter/contractual rights).
    • Hold the event elsewhere on campus.
    • Leverage the platform and media access inherent to an MP.
    • Go ahead with the event and force escalation.
    • "Most people who are banned from campuses don't have the money, know how or large media presence to fight back. You have all three. I think it behooves you to push back against the censorship, not only for yourself, but to set a legal and political precedent for others." (Ezra Levant, 10:43)
  • Ezra criticizes the notion of avoiding action to spare students ‘indirect consequences,’ arguing that yielding worsens the example for others.
    • "Some loser, left-wing student who says ‘no, you can’t come,’ and you say ‘okay’—anyone can phone me out there in Fort Saskatchewan now." (Ezra Levant, 12:37)
  • Suggests that public confrontation would create vital debate and media attention, rather than allowing censorship to stand.

• Notable Quotes:

  • "[Parliament] comes from ‘to speak out, to advocate.’ Ordinary private citizens can keep their own counsel... But if you positively signed up for the battle... the battle of ideas is actually your job." (Ezra Levant, 06:59)
  • "You can't be the cowardly lion. You got to have some courage—not when you have the power of an MP's office behind you. You have nothing to lose." (Ezra Levant, 12:57)
  • "Why not make this a free speech moment instead of just slinking away?" (Ezra Levant, 13:35)

• Listener Engagement:

  • Ezra invites Garnet Genuis to come on the show, though he expresses doubt that he will respond.

2. Conservative Party: Broader Trends and Concerns

• Expresses concern that under current leadership, the Conservative Party is becoming "gun-shy" and reluctant to take strong stands, referencing past leaders Andrew Scheer and Erin O’Toole as examples of caution and appeasement.
• Notes Rebel News has not been able to secure interviews with party leader Pierre Poilievre, which he sees as indicative of a trend to avoid perceived controversial or non-mainstream platforms.

3. Interview: Franco Tarazano on Canadian Fiscal Policy

[Starts ~18:45]

Federal Debt and Spending

• Canada’s debt has surpassed $1 trillion, costing over $1 billion per week in interest.
• Challenges the idea that Mark Carney (finance minister) is fiscally conservative:
  • "What's fiscally conservative about borrowing $80 billion in one year?" (Franco Tarazano, 20:26)
  • Carney plans to add more to the debt in coming years than Trudeau.
• Income tax cuts are offset by increases in payroll and other taxes.

Tax Burdens and Increases

• Even with a minor income tax cut ($190 savings for most), payroll taxes are rising, negating any benefit.
  • "More than 40% of the average family's budget is going to governments, all levels of government." (Franco Tarazano, 22:07)
• The ‘biggest expense’ for Canadian families is taxes, not housing or food.

The Carbon Tax Debate

• The government repealed the retail carbon tax under electoral pressure but increased industrial carbon taxes.
• These taxes on businesses ultimately pressure consumers via higher prices.
  • "A carbon tax on refineries makes your gasoline and diesel more expensive, a carbon tax on utilities raises your home heating... fertilizer plants—grocery prices go up too." (Franco Tarazano, 23:30)
• Only 12% of Canadians believe businesses bear the brunt of carbon taxes; most believe costs get passed onto them.
  • "It doesn’t matter what lipstick you put on your carbon tax pig. All carbon taxes make life more expensive." (Franco Tarazano, 26:14)

Comparison with International Policy

• Most countries, including major emitters, don’t have national carbon taxes.
• The idea that Canada’s oil won’t sell without such policies is dismissed as a myth:
  • "Countries buy oil from Venezuela, Iran, Russia, Sudan... There is no such thing as an oil buy boycott on Canadian oil for lack of a carbon tax." (Ezra Levant, 27:03)
• Industrial carbon taxes drive businesses out of Canada without impacting global emissions meaningfully.
  • "How much emissions do you reduce globally when a Canadian business moves down to the United States?" (Franco Tarazano, 28:47)

Memorable Quotes

• "Canadians are already way overtaxed... for the average family, their biggest expense is not the house they live in, it's the taxes they pay." (Franco Tarazano, 22:07)
• "It doesn't matter what type of lipstick you put on your carbon tax pig, all carbon taxes make life more expensive." (Franco Tarazano, 26:14)

Notable Moments and Quotes

• On Parliamentary Leadership:

  • "[Being a leader] isn't being a role model, setting an example?" (Ezra Levant, 11:20)
  • "If a member of Parliament can't stand up to censorship at York University Student Union, how is an ordinary student expected to do so?" (Ezra Levant, 11:45)

• Reflecting on Conservative Rhetoric:

  • "We weren't settled through the leveling down of a censorious state. We were built by fearless pioneers... seeking opportunity and freedom." (Unidentified Conservative MP, quoting Genuis, 17:06)

• On Canada’s Defense and International Issues:

  • Ezra weighs in on Canada’s defense posture and political symbolism in military procurement, dismissing the idea of buying non-American jets simply to spite a possible Trump administration. (31:10–32:00)

• On Islamic and "Woke" Extremism in Schools and Public Life:

  • Rebukes the merging of woke politics and Islamic extremism in Canada, noting it’s largely a Western permissiveness issue. (33:40–34:00)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening, Episode Theme – [00:00–02:00]
• Flashback: Compromises on Paris Agreement – [02:14–06:39]
• Ezra’s Analysis of the York University Situation – [06:59–13:35]
• Ezra's Recommendations for Conservative MPs Facing Censorship – [10:40–13:35]
• Franco Tarazano Interview: Federal Debt and Tax Policy – [18:45–29:59]
• Discussion on Carbon Taxes and Business Competitiveness – [23:30–29:00]
• Comparative Analysis: Canadian and Global Carbon Policy – [27:03–28:46]
• Show Wrap-Up and Letters from Listeners – [30:09–end]

Tone and Style

• The episode maintains a confrontational, direct, and unapologetically conservative tone, with Ezra frequently using rhetorical questions, challenges, and provocations to draw out his points.
• Passion and frustration are evident, especially around perceived Conservative timidity and government overreach.
• Use of humor and derision is common, particularly when referencing political adversaries and "woke" campus activists.

Conclusion

This episode delivers a forceful call to action for conservative politicians to resist intimidation and censorship, particularly on university campuses. Ezra Levant calls out what he sees as insufficient backbone among Conservative MPs, advocating for assertive defense of free speech—backed by legal rights, media leverage, and the moral obligation of elected office. The interview with Franco Tarazano reinforces the episode’s recurring theme of government overreach, highlighting the economic and social consequences of fiscal and tax policy decisions. The blend of topical incident, policy critique, and indignant commentary underscores Rebel News' combative advocacy style.