Podcast Summary: Rebel News Podcast

Episode: EZRA LEVANT | Scotiabank fires vile antisemite following Rebel News exposé

Date: November 14, 2025
Host: David Menzies (on the Ezra Levant Show)
Featured Guest: Salman Seema
Main Theme:
This episode examines accusations of hypocrisy and double standards at Scotiabank, particularly in light of the bank’s handling of a senior executive’s antisemitic social media activity. It also explores wider issues of censorship, ‘woke’ corporate behavior, and the response to contemporary antisemitism in Canada’s institutions.

Episode Overview

David Menzies leads a critical examination of Scotiabank’s recent firing of senior credit manager Rayan Malak after Rebel News exposed his history of antisemitic social media posts. The episode juxtaposes Scotiabank’s stated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) with its treatment of customers and employees expressing minority opinions or bigotry. The show also features an interview with activist Salman Seema about the normalization of antisemitism and foreign interference in Canadian public life, particularly in the context of official and grassroots tolerance for hate speech and pro-Hamas activity.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Scotiabank’s Double Standards and ‘Woke’ Censorship

• Menzies introduces Scotiabank as possibly “the most hypocritical bank in our dominion,” noting the bank’s tendency to only act righteously when caught in wrongdoing (00:15).
  • He cites examples where the bank debanked (closed accounts of) customers for views or questions not in alignment with their DEI policies:
    • Gary Duke’s story (02:08–04:28): Lost his Scotiabank account for asking about removing Pride symbols from the banking app.
      • Quote (reading branch manager’s response):
        “Your request/complaint will not be entertained as it does not align with our principles. Your comments are not appreciated, nor will they be tolerated, which is why we have chosen to terminate our relationship with you.” (03:20)
    • Jane’s experience (06:09–06:48): Debanked for suggesting seniors should be included in DEI initiatives; receives generic, unhelpful communication from the bank.

2. The Bank’s Historic Compliance with Government Crackdowns

• Freedom Convoy (07:33–08:37): Menzies and a Rebel News team member recall the bank’s compliance in freezing accounts of those who supported the convoy, suggesting Scotiabank acted as an instrument of government censorship with no due process.
  • Menzies: “You know, this is the kind of crap that happens in a banana republic. ... So just call our once great dominion a maple syrup republic.” (08:37)

3. Rayan Malak Controversy: Tolerance of Antisemitism vs. Swift Censorship of Dissenters

• Malak’s Social Media Posts (08:22–13:00):
  • Menzies details antisemitic statements by Malak, including Holocaust denial, conspiracy theories about Jewish power, and open desire for violence against Israel, all made publicly.
    • Quote:
      “For example, that Toronto synagogue I mentioned that’s been vandalized 10 times in 18 months. [Malak] says it’s a false flag done by Jews and that they play victim all the time.” (09:15)
    • Quote:
      “Here’s where I think Malak crosses the line. … his desire that meteors fall on Israel, killing its civilian population. And he also goes on to celebrate the October 7th massacre…” (10:30)
  • Menzies accuses Scotiabank of inaction and only acting once the story went public, not out of principle but to avoid negative publicity.
    • Quote:
      “If Rebel News had not exposed Rayan Malak publicly … I dare say that Rayan Malak would still be gainfully employed at Scotiabank.” (19:39)
  • Scotiabank's official response only arrives after pressure:
    • Bank: “As of the date of this communication, the referenced employee is not a Scotiabank employee. As a bank, we are unequivocally committed to being a provider of financial services that is inclusive and respectful. We condemn all forms of racism and discrimination as outlined in our code of conduct …” (23:54)

4. Corporate Priorities and Public Relations Over Principles

• Scotiabank’s firing of Malak is described as PR-driven, not a moral stance.
  • Menzies:
    “Scotiabank did the right thing for the wrong reason. Scotiabank didn’t fire Malak because of his ongoing anti Semitic posts … Rather, Scotiabank fired this hater because Scotiabank received a major PR black eye.” (24:51)
• Menzies predicts he will be “debanked” for his exposé, as “shoot the messenger” is the bank’s method of damage control.

5. Wider Societal and Political Context: Antisemitism, Policing, and Protest

Interview with Salman Seema (26:55–44:50):

• Toronto Antisemitism & Pro-Hamas Activity (27:33–32:51):

  • Seema describes the indifference or complicity of city officials and police in the face of open antisemitic demonstrations, including swastikas and chants for genocide.
    • Seema:
      “This is not a hate crime. This is a matter of terrorism. This is a matter of foreign interference in our democracy, in our streets.” (27:33)
  • Criticism of Mayor Olivia Chow’s actions and lack of support for Jewish communities (30:11–31:14).

• Police and Political Response

  • Seema and Menzies bemoan Toronto Police’s failure to enforce laws prohibiting hate speech and protecting Jewish citizens.
    • Menzies:
      “Why is there this laissez faire attitude? … If this was a bunch of proud boys going into a Muslim neighborhood in Toronto and harassing Muslim homeowners, I don’t think it’d be tolerated for one minute.” (32:51)
    • Seema:
      “Toronto police acting like our new age brown shirt. They are not just refuse to apply current existing law. They are very actively keeping Jihadi safe, supporting them, delivering coffee with them.” (38:41)

• Foreign Interference & Ideological Collusion (32:51–43:13):

  • Drawing parallels between Iranian revolutionaries and contemporary political shifts in Canada, Seema claims that leftist and Islamist coalitions pose a grave threat to Canadian freedoms.
    • Seema:
      “This is a matter of elite, corrupt elite and ordinary Canadian. … The unity of leftists and Jihadists ruined my first country, my beautiful country, Iran. The same forces of evil is actively working in Canada.” (32:51–35:00)

• University Radicalism and Indoctrination (40:43–41:40):

  • Menzies:
    “Whether you’re a Marxist or an Islamist, it’s all about tearing down Western society and rebuilding it as a Marxist utopia or a nation run under Sharia law. None of which is ever successful...”
  • Seema’s response highlights hope in Canadian immigrants’ respect for veterans and the possibility of reclaiming values through political courage (41:40–43:13).

• Impending Palestinian Flag Raising & Final Message (43:13–44:50):

  • Seema plans to demonstrate against the flag raising, arguing that Palestine is “not a country” and drawing a line against what he sees as continued appeasement of anti-Western forces.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Scotiabank’s Standards:

  “So much for that old chestnut, the customer is always right.” – David Menzies (04:28)

• On the Double Standard:

  “Gary Duke and Grand Prairie and Jane in Toronto were debanked in a nanosecond just for asking Supposed insensitive queries vis a vis the Rainbow Mafia. And when the federal government told Scotiabank…to freeze bank accounts of those donating to the Freedom Convoy, the bank slavishly did so. As in immediately.” – David Menzies (18:55)

• On Scotiabank’s PR Motivation:

  “Scotiabank did the right thing for the wrong reason. ...The termination of Malak had nothing to do with decency. It had everything to do with Scotiabank trying to cover its corporate ass...” – David Menzies (24:51)

• On City Policy and Hate:

  “This is not a hate crime. This is a matter of terrorism. This is a matter of foreign interference in our democracy, in our streets.” – Salman Seema (27:33)

• On Institutional Failure:

  “Toronto police acting like our new age brown shirt... They are very actively keeping Jihadi safe, supporting them, delivering coffee with them.” – Salman Seema (38:41)

• Societal Parallels:

  “The unity of leftists and Jihadists ruined my first country, my beautiful country, Iran. The same forces of evil is actively working in Canada.” – Salman Seema (35:00)

• On Protest and Hope:

  “If Conservative Party stand unapologetically on Canadian value, if Liberal Party ... value your own country. … this is the last hope for me. I don’t want to lose my freedom here.” – Salman Seema (42:10, 43:36)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:15: Menzies introduces the topic, outlines Scotiabank’s hypocrisy.
• 02:08–04:28: Interview highlights: Gary Duke on being debanked for questioning Pride symbols.
• 06:09–06:48: Story of Jane, debanked for advocating senior inclusion in DEI.
• 07:33–08:37: Discussion of Freedom Convoy account freezes.
• 08:22–13:00: Rayan Malak’s antisemitic activity, Scotiabank’s delayed response.
• 14:01–19:39: Menzies elaborates on Scotiabank’s hypocrisy; compares to mass layoffs and PR strategy.
• 23:54: Scotiabank’s official statement on Malak’s termination.
• 26:55–32:51: Salman Seema segment begins: Toronto antisemitism, protests, flag controversies.
• 38:41: Seema criticizes Toronto police’s protection of hate activity.
• 40:43–43:13: Radicalization on universities, Seema’s defense of Canadian civic values.
• 43:13–44:50: Plans to protest Palestinian flag raising; closing remarks.

Final Notes and Tone

The episode maintains a forceful, provocative, and satirical tone, with Menzies' rhetoric highly critical of Scotiabank and Canadian institutions. The host leverages vivid language (“woke bullies”, “Maple Syrup Republic”), direct quotations, and sarcasm to highlight perceived hypocrisy and degradation of Canadian civic norms. Guest Salman Seema lends a deeply personal, cautionary perspective based on his experiences in Iran, warning of parallels in Canada.

The episode is a call to vigilance and activism, characteristically combative and urgent, urging listeners to challenge what the hosts see as dangerous, politically correct double standards in Canadian public life.