Podcast Summary: Rebel News Podcast – April 13, 2026

Episode Title: EZRA LEVANT | Would Canadians really join the EU just to spite Trump?
Host: Ezra Levant
Main Theme:
Exploring new polling that claims Canadians want to join the European Union—largely, host Ezra Levant suggests, to show disapproval of Donald Trump—and deep-diving into the political climate in both Canada and Ireland, with a focus on rising populist protests and anger over carbon taxes.

Overview

In this episode, Ezra Levant tackles recent polling that found a surprising number of Canadians support the hypothetical idea of joining the EU, arguing that the sentiment is less about affinity for Europe and more a reaction against the United States and especially Donald Trump. Alongside this, he parallels current farmer-led fuel protests in Ireland with Canada’s own trucker convoy movements, tying both to rising frustration with high fuel costs, carbon taxes, and out-of-touch political elites. Levant also interviews Irish protestors and reflects on what these movements suggest for conservative politics in Canada.

Key Discussion Points

1. The EU Poll: Canadians and "Spite Trump" Sentiment

• Polling Findings

  • Two recent polls show a majority of Canadians would support joining the European Union.
  • Levant questions the validity:

    “I actually don't think Canadians really know that much about the European Union... It's like asking people a poll about Bigfoot or UFOs. It's purely hypothetical.” (10:22)

• Ezra’s Interpretation

  • Levant suggests the desire to join the EU is less about policy and more about an anti-American, anti-Trump posture:

    “They would literally join a foreign empire if it meant they disparaged Donald Trump.” (01:22)

  • Argues such polls are “BS”—for banter and not serious policy discussion.

• Mark Carney & Liberal Elites

  • Carney, former Bank of Canada governor, is cited for championing EU-like values over traditional North American (i.e., U.S.-linked) ones.

    “Mark Carney is trying to denigrate Canada as a North American country… trying to undo our ties with America and here he is saying that Canada is the most European country around. That's not in Europe.” (08:38)

2. Ireland’s Farmer Protests: Parallels to Canadian Truckers

• Levant’s On-the-Ground Perspective

  • Describes field reporting with Irish farmers protesting high fuel taxes and carbon levies.
  • Draws direct similarities to Canada’s 2022 Trucker Convoy:

    "I just couldn't help but see so many similarities between the Canadian trucker convoy from 2022... and what’s going on in Ireland. It just feels so similar.” (02:02)

• Fuel Prices as the Core Issue

  • Farmers and truckers relay that surging fuel prices, driven partly by government taxes, are crippling their ability to work.
  • Interview excerpt (Dylan, Irish protester):

    “The fuel crisis is crippling our sector and the haulage sector… We are paying for 3,000 liters of diesel four and a half thousand euro where we used to only pay about two and a half thousand. Our diesel bill… has nearly doubled.” (25:15)

• Protest Strategy and Police Response

  • Blockades across Dublin and Ireland, buses off the roads, mass solidarity.
  • Police (“Guardi”) are largely sympathetic:

    “The police are 100% on our side. There has been no issues with guards since we came here Tuesday.” (26:51)

• Public Support

  • Over €47,000 raised via GoFundMe to support protesters (27:00).
  • Protesters claim to have broad national solidarity.

• Grievance with Political Elite

  • Aliens and guests repeatedly mention a political class “out of touch with grassroots people” and using “rough language” for dissenters (27:37).

3. Carbon Tax Anger and Populist Sentiments

• Environmental Rhetoric vs. ‘Pure Greed’

  • Protesters and Levant both question whether taxes are about the environment or just state revenue.

    “Oh, it's pure greed. It is pure greed because they're getting their 60% tax on the diesel and the petrol and the home heating oil…” (28:40)

• Climate Policy Skepticism

  • Protesters downplay Ireland’s emissions and global impact:

    “Ireland is responsible for a sliver of a fraction… China in one day makes more emissions... The whole thing is a joke.” (33:44/33:53)

  • “It's free fascism. Sit down, shut your mouth and pay the bill.” — Liam (35:02)

• Media and Government Disconnect

  • Harsh criticism of Irish media as government “mouthpieces” unwilling to air dissent or support for protests (37:26-38:10).
  • Protesters and Levant both argue for the critical role of independent, citizen journalism.

4. Canadian Political Landscape & Conservative Strategy

• Conservative vs. Liberal Strengths in Polling

  • Ezra presents a poll from Abacus showing Conservatives lead on:
    • Cost of living (43% vs. 39%)
    • Crime (55% vs. 38%)
    • Immigration (61% vs. 25%)
  • Liberals dominate on “hating Trump” (61% vs. 20%)
  • Levant’s advice to Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre:

    “This is so obviously the roadmap for Pierre Poliev to get back on track—to take bold, controversial stands on immigration, crime and the cost of living...” (19:13)

• Difficulties for Conservatives

  • Challenge: How to campaign on “Trump-like” issues (immigration, crime) without being branded as “Trumpy.”

    “How do you say Trumpy things without sounding like Trump? That's the hard part.” (21:29)

5. Memorable Exchanges & Notable Quotes

• On EU Polling

  “If you want to be a minority partner in the European project and have a European Parliament and European Court, that's so cool. But if you're an Albertan who thinks, well, maybe if we are independent… that's disloyal.” (16:11)

• On the Fuel Tax Crisis

  “We've been taxed into extinction. That's the only way I can put it.” — Dylan (31:34)

• On the Media

  “Our main problem here in Ireland is… we have the worst media in the world.… most of our tv, radio and print media are supported by the government.” — Liam (37:26)

• On Globalist Governance

  “We have illegitimate government here in Ireland… puppet government from EU von der Leyen. All the WEF globalist interests, you know, Davos. All of the secret interests.” — Liam (43:40)

Important Timestamps

• 02:02-04:37 – Ezra discusses trip to Ireland, parallels with Canadian trucker protest.
• 07:45-10:22 – EU poll breakdown, criticism of Canadian elite Europhilia.
• 19:13-21:29 – Canadian polling: issues where Conservatives lead; panel analysis.
• 23:51-44:41 – Extended interviews with Irish farmers and protest supporters: causes, political opinions, government/media criticism.
• 31:34 – “Taxed into extinction” quote from Dylan.
• 35:02 – “It's free fascism. Sit down, shut your mouth and pay the bill.” —Liam
• 37:26-38:10 – Media bias and suppression in Ireland.
• 43:40 – Claim of illegitimate, EU-controlled government in Ireland.

Tone & Language

• Outspoken, populist, and adversarial to establishment (political and media class).
• Ezra Levant is frank, frequently sarcastic, and unapologetically partisan.
• Interviews are informal, personal, and supportive of protest movements.

Key Takeaways

• The supposed Canadian enthusiasm for joining the EU is more about identity politics and “dunking on Trump” than any interest in EU membership’s realities.
• Irish farmer protests against carbon taxes parallel past Canadian protest movements, reflecting growing populist anger at disconnected, globalist-minded elites.
• Conservative political opportunity lies in real-world economic and social issues (cost of living, crime, immigration), not culture-war posturing.
• Both in Canada and Ireland, disaffection with mainstream media and political leaders is at a high, fueling support for citizen journalism and grassroots activism.