Instead of spending $12.3B we don’t have on so-called “grocery rebates,” why not cut the GST on food altogether? That would directly help singles, seniors, and low-income households—right away. cbc.ca/news/politics/grocery…

This year, my birthday is filled with confusion and deep frustration. Personally, I lack nothing. Yet living in Canada—a country that has long prided itself on upholding democracy and freedom—I find myself witnessing our democratic system being openly disregarded and attacked in broad daylight. Politicians have publicly abandoned their voters, cast aside the principles they once claimed to uphold, and behaved as though their actions carry no consequences. Without consulting constituents, without regard for public opinion, and without any prior notice, under the solemn institution of the House of Commons, a decision was made to publish the following statement on the Liberal Party’s official website: “After listening carefully to the people of Markham–Unionville in recent weeks and reflecting with my family on the direction of our country, I have informed the Speaker and the Leader of the Opposition that I will be joining Prime Minister Mark Carney in the government caucus.” Because I believe deeply in and respect democracy, I also respect every individual’s right to make their own choices—each person must ultimately be accountable for their decisions. However, this act of crossing the floor is not merely a personal choice. You represent the voices and aspirations of more than 27,000 Conservative voters in Markham–Unionville. Every ballot is sacred. Voters entrusted you with their votes and sent you to the House of Commons to speak on their behalf. This announcement is not simply a matter of switching parties; it is a complete betrayal of the trust placed in you by your constituents and a betrayal of the democratic system that this country is duty-bound to respect. Even without invoking broader national principles, “integrity toward voters and accountability to voters” should be the most basic requirement of anyone who chooses to enter politics—from the very first day—toward themselves, their constituents, their party, and Canada. As a Member of Parliament, you did not uphold the commitment you swore to when taking office—to represent voters and defend democracy. Instead, you chose to ignore the democratic system, failed to close its loopholes, and actively trampled on the democracy Canadians hold dear. I write with such gravity because I have been a victim myself. In 2024, when I announced my candidacy in the same Markham–Unionville riding, throughout the nomination contest and until the conclusion of the 2025 federal election, the RCMP confirmed—supported by findings from the SITE Task Force—and the Department of Foreign Affairs publicly condemned acts of Foreign election interference directed at me, my family, overseas relatives, my campaign volunteers, and the entire election operation. These included threats to our safety, online defamation, surveillance, intimidation, and attacks. Because I chose to participate in a democratic election and speak for voters in Parliament, my family and I were forced to endure daily isolation, fear, and pressure that outsiders can scarcely comprehend. To this day, the trauma remains. After experiencing Foreign election interference, I now find myself witnessing people once again placing personal interests above those of citizens and the nation. On my birthday, I and many voters in Markham–Unionville are simultaneously subjected to Internal election interference and betrayal. For my family and me, this constitutes a second psychological injury. In your announcement on the Liberal Party’s official website, you claim that your decision was supported by your family and constituents. If that is truly the case, why did all of your social media accounts disappear immediately afterward? During the nomination period, former Liberal MP for Markham–Unionville Paul Chiang—now retired—publicly aligned himself with a Hong Kong national security arrest warrant by calling, at an election press conference, for anyone who turned me over to the Chinese Consulate to receive a 1million-dollar bounty

HODGSON: It's called Zoom. I think that's what we're using. COCHRANE: I understand. But I'm also not a Coastal First Nation Chief.