Canada’s scandals range from shocking political corruption to bizarre crimes, revealing a side of the country that isn’t often featured in travel brochures. Each scandal rocked the country in its own way and had Canadians talking for years afterward. The details of these events often seem too outlandish to be real, yet they happened within Canada’s borders.
Here are 12 of the most interesting ones.
The Maple Syrup Heist
Thieves stole approximately $18 million worth of maple syrup from Quebec’s strategic reserve between 2011 and 2012. The robbers gradually replaced barrels of syrup with water in what became known as the largest agricultural theft in Canadian history. Police eventually arrested 16 people connected to the scheme. The bizarre nature of the crime attracted international attention and even inspired a Netflix documentary.
The Airbus Affair
Former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney accepted envelopes of cash totaling $225,000 from German businessman Karlheinz Schreiber after leaving office. These payments were allegedly connected to the purchase of Airbus planes by Air Canada during his time as leader. Mulroney initially denied any business dealings with Schreiber under oath, but a public inquiry found he had acted improperly by failing to disclose the payments. While no criminal charges were laid, the affair raised serious questions about political ethics and transparency.
The Great Canadian Sponsorship Scandal
The Liberal government under Jean Chrétien created a sponsorship program to promote Canadian unity in Quebec after the 1995 referendum. Government officials funneled approximately $100 million to advertising firms with Liberal connections for little or no work. A public inquiry found that money meant for national unity was instead used to benefit the Liberal Party. The scandal contributed to the fall of the Liberal government in 2006.
The Rob Ford Crack Video
During his tenure, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford was filmed smoking crack cocaine. Initially denying the claims, Ford later admitted to the act after police confirmed the video’s existence. His refusal to step down thrust Toronto politics into the global spotlight. Ford’s eccentric antics and press conferences became a recurring theme on late-night comedy shows across North America.
The Bre-X Gold Mining Fraud
Bre-X Minerals claimed to have discovered a massive gold deposit in Indonesia, causing their stock to skyrocket from pennies to over $280 per share. The gold samples had been tampered with by adding outside gold dust in a process called “salting.” When the fraud was discovered, investors lost billions and the company collapsed overnight. The geologist at the center of the scandal mysteriously fell to his death from a helicopter in the Indonesian jungle.
The Tunagate Scandal
In 1985, the “Tunagate” scandal erupted when the federal government approved the sale of canned tuna deemed unfit for consumption by inspectors. This marked the first major controversy of Brian Mulroney’s administration, raising doubts about his cabinet’s competence. Public outrage forced the resignation of the fisheries minister and spurred reforms to prevent political interference in food inspections. The scandal also led to stricter food safety regulations and the closure of Canada’s sole tuna canning plant.
The Shafia Family Murders
Mohammad Shafia, along with his wife and son, was convicted of murdering his three daughters and first wife in a case labeled an “honor killing.” The victims were discovered in a submerged car in the Rideau Canal near Kingston, Ontario. This tragedy deeply unsettled Canadians, igniting conversations about cultural integration and violence against women. Prosecutors relied heavily on phone recordings where Shafia expressed that his daughters deserved to die for bringing shame to the family.
The Somalia Affair
In 1993, Canadian peacekeepers tortured and killed a Somali teenager during a humanitarian mission. The military’s attempt to conceal the incident unraveled when photos and details surfaced, causing national outrage. This scandal led to the disbandment of the Canadian Airborne Regiment and a major overhaul of military leadership. It also highlighted deep-seated issues of racism and discipline within the Canadian Armed Forces.
The Mike Duffy Expense Scandal
Senator Mike Duffy claimed housing expenses for a residence in Prince Edward Island while actually living in Ottawa. When the impropriety was discovered, the Prime Minister’s chief of staff secretly gave Duffy $90,000 to repay the expenses. The scandal implicated high-level members of Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s staff and dominated Canadian politics for months. Duffy was ultimately acquitted of all charges, but the affair damaged public trust in the Senate.
The BC Legislature Spending Scandal
In 2018, Craig James, Clerk of the B.C. Legislature, and Gary Lenz, Sergeant-at-Arms, faced accusations of using public funds for personal luxuries like trips and tailored suits. Holding key administrative and security positions, their actions sparked outrage. Lenz resigned without charges, while James was convicted of fraud and breach of trust. The scandal prompted the introduction of stricter rules on expense oversight.
The Justin Trudeau Blackface Photos
Multiple photos surfaced showing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wearing blackface and brownface makeup on different occasions before his political career. The images contradicted Trudeau’s carefully crafted image as a champion of diversity and inclusion. Trudeau apologized repeatedly while facing intense criticism from across the political spectrum. The scandal forced Canadians to confront issues of racism and privilege in their society.
The SNC-Lavalin Affair
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his staff faced allegations of pressuring Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould to grant a deferred prosecution agreement to SNC-Lavalin Group Inc., an engineering firm. Wilson-Raybould refused and was subsequently removed from her role. The controversy exposed a clash between political priorities and the rule of law in Canada. It also led to the resignation of two cabinet ministers and an ethics commissioner’s finding that Trudeau had breached conflict of interest rules.
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