Episode Overview

Theme:
This episode of the Rebel News Podcast centers on two intertwined themes: the enduring legacy and recent honors of Canadian hockey icon Don Cherry, and the state of public safety, hate marches, and political leadership in Ontario—specifically in relation to anti-Semitic demonstrations and escalating tensions in Toronto. Ezra Levant, David Menzies, and team report both from studio and on the ground, offering commentary on the Order of Canada debate, media bias, and live events surrounding a controversial Al Quds Day protest.

Main Segments & Key Discussion Points

1. Don Cherry and the Order of Canada Debate

[00:55-11:07]

• Introduction to the Controversy [00:55]

  • David Menzies discusses Don Cherry's recent appointment to the Order of Ontario and the subsequent public push for Cherry to receive the Order of Canada.
  • Menzies frames public opinion as split: "normal, decent people" support Cherry, "deranged leftists" oppose.

• Political and Public Reactions [02:00]

  • Conservative MP Andrew Lawton, Pierre Poilievre, and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith all endorse Cherry.
    • Lawton: "For decades, Don Cherry has celebrated hockey, honored veterans and said what millions think without apology." [02:23]

• Bruce Arthur's Critique and Media Framing [02:45]

  • Menzies reads from Bruce Arthur's Toronto Star op-ed critically opposing Cherry's honor.
  • Holds up Arthur as unnoteworthy compared to Cherry: "Everybody knows the always entertaining Don Cherry. Nobody knows the brutally boring Bruce Arthur." [03:10]

• Criticisms Against Cherry Listed

  • 1990: Complained about "foreigners stealing Canadian jobs"
  • 1998: Criticized Canadian Olympian Jean-Luc Brassard
  • Various: Comments on Quebecers, support for Iraq war, antagonism to NHL enforcers, views on female reporters and players from outside Canada.

• Menzies’s Rebuttal and Defense

  • Positions Cherry as an entertainer and sharply criticizes the Toronto Star's racial framing of his fanbase.
  • On the “cancelation” of Don Cherry:
    • Menzies: "Arthur writes, 'in the end, Cherry was fired for questioning the patriotism of visible immigrants.' Cherry never said 'visible immigrants'." [08:29]
    • Plays Cherry's infamous 2019 “poppy” statement, asserts it was factually accurate and not explicitly targeting immigrants. [07:48-08:29]

• Memorable Quote:

  • Menzies on Cherry’s legacy: "Don Cherry is immortal. As for Bruce Arthur, he's not even a footnote to a footnote." [10:30]

2. Live On the Ground: The Al Quds Day Protest in Toronto

[11:07-39:00]

Setting the Scene

• Ezra Levant and David Menzies broadcast live from downtown Toronto during a heavily policed, controversial Al Quds Day rally tied to anti-Israel and anti-Semitic organizations, including the banned group Samidoun. [11:07]
• Ezra: "The three of us are in downtown Toronto...completely locked down. Hundreds of police, ambulances, SWAT teams...they're here because a terrorist group called the Al Quds Day March, they're having a non permitted hate march." [11:08]

Political Leadership and Policy Critique

• Doug Ford's government criticized for last-minute, ineffective attempts to halt the rally.
• Ezra, on Ford’s response: "Ford rushed to court this morning in a show. Oh, I don't stand for this...He absolutely stands for it." [11:22]
• David Menzies: "It is a hate fest. It is anti Jew, it is anti Israel, it is anti Iranian for those wanting regime change...a grotesque violation of public safety...No ambulance can get through here." [12:28]
• Judge questions Ford's use of existing legal tools and Emergencies Act, noting regular powers suffice. [13:12]

Targeting of Journalists and Protest Atmosphere

• Rebel News journalists report active hostility both from protesters and police.
  • "Security are great and I love our security, but they stand down if it's police opposing them." [18:53]
  • David Menzies, on security: "Security guards are fantastic trained professionals, but they can't do anything against the police..." [17:56]
  • Confrontations and aggressive policing described, including an alleged assault on Menzies by Toronto police. [21:47-22:30]

Rise in Anti-Semitism and Government Inaction

• Multiple references to attacks on synagogues, US consulate shooting, and broader societal unrest. [29:50]
• Perceived reluctance by police and political leadership to enforce laws equally.
  • Ezra, on Ford: "Doug Ford has presided over the worst anti Semitic crime wave in Canadian history. These horses asses would make a more honest premier than Doug Ford." [33:15]

Counter-Demonstration and Public Sentiment

• Counter-protesters sing "O Canada" in response to Al Quds Day demonstrators. [38:49]
• Ezra highlights outpouring of public support for U.S. consulate after attack, reading messages left with flowers. [30:13]
• Emphasizes a divide within the Iranian-Canadian community between radical Islamists and secular, pro-freedom groups. [40:08]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |--------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------| | 02:23 | "For decades, Don Cherry has celebrated hockey, honored veterans and said what millions think without apology." | Andrew Lawton, cited by David Menzies | | 03:10 | "Everybody knows the always entertaining Don Cherry. Nobody knows the brutally boring Bruce Arthur." | David Menzies | | 08:29 | "Cherry never said visible immigrants. Secondly, everything Don Cherry in that 45 second clip is 100% true." | David Menzies | | 10:30 | "Don Cherry is immortal. As for Bruce Arthur, he's not even a footnote to a footnote." | David Menzies | | 11:08 | "The three of us are in downtown Toronto...completely locked down. Hundreds of police...they're here because a terrorist group called the Al Quds Day March..." | Ezra Levant | | 12:28 | "It is a hate fest. It is anti Jew, it is anti Israel, it is anti Iranian for those wanting regime change. ... grostesque violation of public safety..." | David Menzies | | 17:56 | "Security guards are fantastic trained professionals, but they can't do anything against the police." | David Menzies | | 18:48 | "This is outrageous. They are actually going out of their way to protect terrorists." | David Menzies | | 24:30 | "I've definitely been roughed up a couple times. And the end of 2023, they broke my finger." | Scarlet Grace | | 33:15 | "Doug Ford has presided over the worst anti Semitic crime wave in Canadian history. These horses asses would make a more honest premier than Doug Ford." | Ezra Levant |

Important Timestamps & Segment Highlights

• 00:55-02:45: Don Cherry’s new honor and the debate over awarding him the Order of Canada.
• 02:45-08:30: Media and political reaction, Bruce Arthur’s criticism, and Menzies’ rebuttal.
• 11:07-13:15: Live from the Al Quds rally—scene-setting, law enforcement, Doug Ford’s performance.
• 17:56-22:30: Journalist safety, confrontations with police, and ongoing security concerns during demonstrations.
• 24:30: Scarlet Grace details prior physical assaults at protests.
• 29:50-33:15: Anti-Semitic incidents in Toronto, political responsibility, and Ezra's direct criticism of Premier Ford.
• 38:49: Counter-protesters sing "O Canada" at the demonstration, symbolizing patriotic resistance.

Tone & Language

• Direct, unapologetic, and combative: Consistent with Rebel News’s branding; language often sharply divides "mainstream media" and "normal Canadians" from progressive critics.
• Irony and derision: Frequent mockery of political opponents, establishment media, and perceived “woke” ideology.
• Blending of reporting and editorializing: Field reporting interspersed with harsh, provocative opinions and rhetorical questions.

Summary

This episode offers a robust defense of Don Cherry’s status as a Canadian cultural icon, sharply rebuking media detractors and “cancel culture.” The debate over Cherry’s suitability for the Order of Canada acts as a springboard for discussing broader issues of patriotism, social change, and identity. Pivoting to on-the-ground coverage, the hosts document a tense, heavily policed Al Quds Day march in Toronto, deploying it as evidence of growing anti-Semitism and political failure in Ontario. The team’s reporting is confrontational, deeply critical of political leadership (particularly Premier Doug Ford), and marked by distrust of mainstream media and law enforcement approaches.

Listeners are left with two primary impressions: the cultural war over traditional Canadian values (as personified by Don Cherry) is far from settled, and the conflict over public safety, free expression, and hate in Toronto’s streets signals deep and lasting divisions within Canadian society.