Right-wing group gathers controversial figures in Kelowna to cast doubt on food safety

A right-wing non-profit organization gathered in Kelowna this week to question the safety of Canada’s food supply following the controversial ostrich cull in Edgewood.

The National Citizens Inquiry’s “special public hearing” — called “Are Farmers Safe in Canada?” — was held this week to discuss concerns about food regulations. But some of the presenters have been known to promote conspiracy theories.

The group was founded to question the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including vaccines and mandates, but has since expanded to numerous other issues.

“Canada’s farmers play a critical role in ensuring the stability and security of our food supply,” the inquiry’s chair Ted Kuntz said in a press release. “These hearings provide a public forum where evidence can be presented and Canadians can better understand the policies and decisions shaping the future of agriculture in our country.”

One of the speakers was the president of the Kelowna Citizens Safety Association Lloyd Manchester. The association advocates on a number of issues, like concerns about adverse health effects of 5G cell towers, concerns which have been debunked.

At the event Manchester expressed concerns about the possibility that the government is secretly altering the aerial spray pesticide BTK which is commonly used to combat invasive species like spongy moths.

“BTK is not an innocuous organic pesticide. It’s something that can be altered genetically. We have no idea what they’re doing,” Manchester said at the event, March 11.

Another speaker at the event was BC Conservative leadership candidate and former Conservative MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay. Findlay has previously promoted conspiracy theories like a link between former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and billionaire George Soros, for which she later apologised.

The controversial Universal Ostrich Farm cull in Edgewood, which prompted the event, was mentioned throughout.

The ostrich farm’s spokesperson Katie Pasitney gave a presentation at the inquiry to cast doubt over the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s handling of the bird flu outbreak on her farm.

The CFIA became the target of outrage and death threats online, even though culling flocks that are infected with bird flu is common across Canada.