The Lies We're Sold
By Les Mottosky
Canada is perceived as one of the planet's nice guys. Over the decades, peace keeping has been a persistent trait of 'Brand Canada'. Add to that, the historic commercial juggernauts of the (now defunct) Hudson Bay Co. and Tim Horton's and Canada appears as a welcoming wool blanket and a steaming cup of coffee. Pretty appealing right? Who doesn't want a piece of that?
Such a reputation creates comfort and confidence. Nothing inherently wrong with that but it can create conditions for shenanigans and worse. Much worse. One of the unfortunate consequences is Canada's also becoming known as the state version of a con-man. ('Con' is short for 'confidence', btw.)
Internationally, it's gaining reputational traction as a wee-bit of a sanctuary for activities like organized crime, fentanyl production, money laundering and more. And that's not even the most shocking part: this has occurred with Federal and Provincial authorities choosing not to acknowledge it despite significant evidence that it's happening.
In his book 'Wilful Blindness', Sam Cooper argues that Canada has become a global hub for transnational crime because Federal authorities continue to ignore clear warning signs. Drawing on intelligence leaks, police files, and court records, Cooper traces how Chinese Communist Party–linked networks, triads, and drug cartels moved billions through Vancouver’s casinos, real estate, and financial system— often using fentanyl profits.
Cooper outlines the “Vancouver Model,” where cash from crime is laundered through gambling and reinvested into property, to distort the economy. The book contends that fragmented enforcement, political caution, and deference to powerful interests is allowing these systems to persist. This also raises concerns about foreign interference and national security risks tied to financial crime.
The central claim of this book is not a single conspiracy, but a pattern of institutional reluctance —“wilful blindness”— that's let organized crime embed itself in Canada’s economy and public life.
Cooper's exhaustively researched book is a chilling alarm that sweet, little-old Canada is anything but the thing it presents to the world.
What does it say about corporate Canadian media if an author has unearthed a credible nightmare scenario (plus a massive news story) that puts citizens in danger and no news network is reporting on it?
For Canadians, this lax attitude towards larger syndicates of organized crime is mirrored on the streets of our communities. On a near weekly basis, we can read about major crimes – often violent ones – committed against civilians, that go through court without appropriate justice being levelled against the offender.
Canadians got a revealing peek at the dangers of a Government with a relaxed approach to the law. The Supreme Court of Canada recently ruled that the use of the Emergencies Act in 2021 was unreasonable and violated Charter Rights. Should this ruling withstand the current appeal, perhaps a broader conversation will begin.
For now Canada's peace-maker identity is slipping into one of crime-tolerance and injustice at home. This isn't a theory, nor a conspiracy, and it's happening.
Would it continue if Canada had a meaningful national identity beyond hockey, maple syrup and bacon? We can't know that for sure.
But it's evident the performative Mr. Nice Guy shtick is becoming a swindle.
TAGS: #The Lies We're Sold
Les Mottosky
Adaptation Strategist // I help organizations turn creativity into their competitive advantage by aligning leadership, culture and strategy to unlock adaptive innovations.
Ask about the Clarity Engine Process.
Members Discussion