Ezra Levant

Ezra Levant

Credentials

Background

Ezra Levant is a Canadian television and radio personality, conservative political activist, and author of Ethical Oil: The Case for Canada’s Oil Sands, the book that popularized the phrase “Ethical Oil,” which is now being used by the conservative government in Canada as justification for the expansion of the Athabasca tar sands.

He is the founder and former publisher of The Western Standard, and formerly ran his own Sun TV program “The Source.” Sun News shut down in 2015 after failing to find a new owner. After Sun Media shut down, Levant moved his reporting to Rebel Media where he is “Rebel Commander.” iPolitics described the site as “the de facto epicenter of Canadian right-leaning political discourse.”3Sun News Network to shut down: sources,” CBC News, February 12, 2015. Archived July 17, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/ol2i6 4Ezra Levant: REBEL COMMANDER,” The Rebel. Archived July 14, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/RhbjM#selection-483.0-489.15 5From Rebel to Rabble,” iPolitics, July 14, 2017. Archived July 14, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/50Vg7

In his early years, Levant undertook an internship with the Charles G. Koch Foundation’s Summer Fellowship program in 1994, and then proceeded to work for the Fraser Institute in 1995 where he wrote Youthquake, which argued for smaller government and privatization of the Canada Pension Plan.6Klein, Naomi. “It’s the ‘Youth for Fraser Institute’ movement,” Toronto Star, November 25, 1995.

According to a search of the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada, from 2009 until 2010, Levant worked as a lobbyist for Rothman’s Incorporated, a manufacturer and distributor of tobacco products.7Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada. Search performed October 19, 2016. View archived .pdf here.

Charlottesville Controversy

Controversy hit shortly after The Rebel’s Faith Goldy’s broadcast from the alt-right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. According to The National Post, Goldy “had spoken sympathetically of a rising ‘white racial consciousness’ and dispassionately about the ‘JQ’ or Jewish question, a longtime obsession of white nationalists.” Maclean’s noted that Goldy repeatedly called marchers on the side of white nationalists “patriots.” She was still broadcasting when a car rammed into the protesters behind her.8Richard Warnica. “Inside Rebel Media,” National Post, Aug 18, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/lgnNK 9Jason Markusoff. “The Rebel’s steady spiral downwards,” Maclean’s, August 16, 2017. Archived August 22, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/iIwcB 10RAW: Driver Mows Down Antifa, BLM at Unite The Right Charlottesville,” YouTube video uploaded by user “Rebel Media,” August 12, 2017. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.

After Goldy’s coverage, Rebel cofounder Brian Lilley quit and a number of contributors walked away. Lilley announced on a Facebook post that he no longer felt “comfortable” being part of the organization. Levant claimed that he had fired Levant last year.11Co-founder of The Rebel, Brian Lilley, leaves the conservative media website,” The Star, August 15, 2017. Archived August 23, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/ogjNw 12Richard Warnica. “Inside Rebel Media,” National Post, Aug 18, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/lgnNK

“What may have started as a concern over the (Rebel’s) harsh tone taken on some subjects came to a head with this weekend’s events in Charlottesville, Virginia,” Lilley said in a Facebook post. Lilley said the protest “was really an anti-Semitic white power rally.”13That’s just racist’: Ezra Levant distances The Rebel from alt-right as contributors resign,” National Post, August 15, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/hoTAE

Levant said he had no choice but to fire Goldy after she went on a podcast from the white supremacist news site Daily Stormer, which he wrote “was just too far. So we said goodbye.”14Ezra Levant. “Why we had to say goodbye to Faith Goldy,” The Rebel, August 18, 2017. Archived August 23, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/kJ8s0

After the events, a number of conservative politicians in Canada including Jason Kenney, Brian Jean, and Andrew Scheer publicly distanced themselves from The Rebel.15Brent Bambury. “The Rebel Media’s terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week,” CBC Radio, August 18, 2017. Archived August 23, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/I5Myi

Later that week, Caolan Robertson, formerly one of The Rebel’s U.K. correspondents, posted a YouTube video titled “Why I Left The Rebel Media,” where he played recordings of what he claimed was Levant offering “hush money” to stay quiet regarding aspects of The Rebel. Robertson criticized The Rebel further in the video, saying “The Rebel takes its money from ordinary hardworking people […] But, it also quietly takes a lot of money from less ordinary, more wealthy people.” Note that the original video is no longer on YouTube.16WHY I LEFT THE REBEL MEDIA.” YouTube video uploaded by user “Caolan Robertson,” August 17, 2017. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.

Levant responded to Robertson’s video, claiming that Robertson and another man were blackmailing him:17Ezra Levant. “Blackmail: Setting the record straight,” The Rebel, August 17, 2017. Archived August 23, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/Nu9Qe

The Washington Times reported on August 21 that the Rebel Media website was “was abruptly terminated for roughly half of his global audience.” A technology company, which Levant did not name, stopped directing traffic to some users internationally. Levant said he was given 24 hours notice and no explanation for the action.18Douglas Ernst. “Rebel Media website shut down; founder says he was given 24-hours notice,” The Washington Times, August 21, 2017. Archived August 22, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/4jkWl

“If this was a political censorship decision, it is terrifying – like a phone company telling you it is cancelling your phone number on 24 hours notice because it doesn’t like your conversations,” Levant told Reuters.19Alastair Sharp. “Canada’s conservative Rebel Media site down after service cut,Reuters, August 21, 2017. Archived August 23, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/aNMi8

During the same week, the advocacy group Press Progress released a report claiming that Levant had received an undisclosed amount of funding from the Middle East Forum in 2015.20Exclusive: Rebel Media’s Ezra Levant Received Foreign Funding from ‘Anti-Muslim’ Think Tank,” Press Progress, August 17, 2017. Archived August 23, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/EX3bC

After the events, Levant said the site would not necessarily shut down:21Ezra Levant. “SPECIAL: The future of The Rebel — Will you stand with us?The Rebel, August 23, 2017. Archived August 23, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/PAWKC

“I’m a flawed leader who has made mistakes,” he wrote in a post on The Rebel. “But as long as you stand with me, I will still stand.” He added, “I think we need more oversight — not more censorship — just to make sure we’re really being on brand with what we believe, what we stand for.”22Ezra Levant. “SPECIAL: The future of The Rebel — Will you stand with us?The Rebel, August 23, 2017. Archived August 23, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/PAWKC

Rebel News & Extremist Groups

The Proud Boys have been described as an extremist group by the Southern Poverty Law Center and in Feb. 2021 were labeled a terrorist group in Canada.23PROUD BOYS,” Southern Poverty Law Center. Accessed Feb 12, 2021. 24Canada Labels Proud Boys A Terrorist Group. What Are The Consequences?NPR, February 6, 2021. Archived Feb 12, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.vn/aNzJE

McInnes founded the Proud Boys in 2016. In 2018, McInnes publicly stated that he was “officially disassociating” himself from the far right group shortly after the FBI had categorized the Proud Boys as “an extremist group with ties to white nationalism” in a briefing to Washington state law enforcement.25Mike Wendling. “US Election 2020: Who are the Proud Boys – and who are antifa?BBC News, September 30, 2020. Archived February 12, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.vn/riDgl 26Jason Wilson. “Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes quits ‘extremist’ far-right group,” The Guardian, November 22, 2018. Archived February 12, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.vn/FFrkO

In a September 2019 interview with Ezra Levant, Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes said that his early relationship with Rebel News was what helped him become famous. Levant said he had also benefited from that relationship:27Gavin McInnes: ‘I was never recognized before The Rebel’ | Ezra Levant,” YouTube video uploaded by user “Rebel News,” September 3, 2019. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.

Ezra Levant: [00:00:03] “You really helped build The Rebel in a number of ways. I want to tell you that. I think you know that. You helped us reach beyond guys like me who came up through politics.” [00:00:11]

Gavin McInnes: [00:00:11] “You made me famous, unfortunately, which I don’t like.” [00:00:14]

Ezra Levant: [00:00:15] “Weren’t you famous before?” […]

Gavin McInnes: [00:00:17] “No, I was never recognized before Rebel.” [00:00:19]

Ezra Levant: [00:00:19] “Well, I mean, you did hundreds of videos and you were the star of all the videos. So I guess you became famous.” [00:00:24]

Gavin McInnes: [00:00:24] “No. Yeah, I did hundreds of videos for you, you mean?” [00:00:26]

Ezra Levant: [00:00:26] “Yeah.” [00:00:26]

Gavin McInnes: [00:00:26] “Yeah, yeah, yeah. Before that I did some comedy sketches. I’d get recognized maybe once a week. After the Rebel videos blew up, I am stopped by millennials, mostly white millennial men, five times a day. And they all want a selfie, which is infuriating because what are you doing with that selfie? Like we’re not friends.” [00:00:45]

A search for “Gavin” in Rebel Media’s YouTube page returns over 300 videos.

Gavin McInnes left the Rebel in August 2017.28Jonathan Goldsbie & Graeme Gordon. “Gavin McInnes Leaving The Rebel,” Canadaland, August 17, 2017. Archived February 12, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.vn/PInvX

“Gavin’s a great friend and a great talent,” Rebel Media founder Ezra Levant told Canadaland in an email. “We tried to keep him, but he was lured away by a major competitor that we just couldn’t outbid.”

According to Canadaland: “McInnes was one of The Rebel’s earliest hosts, joining the company in April 2015, shortly after it launched.”

McInnes published a video titled “10 Things I Hate About Jews”on Rebel News in March, 2017.29Jonathan Goldsbie. “Here’s What Happens When Rebel Hosts Get Drunk And Talk About Jews,” Canadaland, March 16, 2017. Archived February 12, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.vn/3lVwp

Two days earlier, Rebel News published a video on YouTube titled “What Gavin McInnes really thinks about the Holocaust.”

According to Canadaland, Levant changed the title to “10 Things I Hate About Israel” within 12 hours. “I chose both headlines,” Rebel head Ezra Levant told Canadaland in an email. “I liked the first one because it was provocative; but then I changed it to the second one because it was more descriptive. I should probably have stayed with my first instincts.”30Jonathan Goldsbie. “Here’s What Happens When Rebel Hosts Get Drunk And Talk About Jews,” Canadaland, March 16, 2017. Archived February 12, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.vn/3lVwp

Rebel reporter Sheila Gunn Reid also appeared on a 2019 podcast alongside a representative from the Calgary chapter of the Proud Boys to discuss “the Antifa and leftist history of assault.”31Ep. 21 – Antifa’s Violence On The Rise,” Anchor.fm/PrairieProudcast via Stitcher.

This isn’t the only time staff for the Rebel have been tied to far-right extremist groups. Keean Bexte, a journalist at Rebel News was previously found to have worked for the “white supremacist web store” Fireforce Ventures by investigative reporters.32Erin Seatter and Jon Milton. “Rebel Media reporter worked for white supremacist web store,Ricochet, November 13, 2018. Archived February 12, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.vn/HHQeq

According to an investigation by Ricochet, the online military surplus store’s “primary focus is the white-minority-rule state of Rhodesia, and its flagship product is a reproduction of the Rhodesian brushstroke, a camouflage pattern developed during Rhodesia’s dirty war against indigenous Africans.”33Erin Seatter and Jon Milton. “Meet the Canadian soldiers behind a white supremacist military surplus store,” Ricochet, October 29, 2018. Archived February 12, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.vn/R9BZ2

“Fireforce personnel use pseudonyms when engaging in company affairs, but a Ricochet investigation has revealed ties to both the Canadian military and the far right,” Ricochet reported.

Bexte confirmed he had worked at the company “doing graphic design and shipping orders” until resigning “a few months” prior to the November 2018 piece.34Erin Seatter and Jon Milton. “Rebel Media reporter worked for white supremacist web store,Ricochet, November 13, 2018. Archived February 12, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.vn/HHQeq

Bexte attended the Capitol insurrection in the US on behalf of the Rebel, In a Jan. 11, 2021 video, Bexte calls the insurrection a “disaster, by every measure,” claiming that “99.99 percent” of the protesters had been peaceful.35Capitol Hill: How a protest turned deadly and changed America for the worse | Keean Bexte,” YouTube video uplaoded by user “Rebel News,” January 11, 2021. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.

In a February 5, 2021 Rebel News podcast, Bexte defended the Proud Boys following the group’s classification as a terrorist group by Canada.36The Proud Boys are terrorists — and not a single Conservative objected,” Rebel News via PlayerFM. Archived .mp3 on file at DeSmog.

Stance on Climate Change

June 2017

After Donald Trump announced U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, Ezra agreed with his decision, but said he didn’t go far enough when he mentioned there was room to renegotiate.37Why Trump was right to reject the ‘Global Warming Scam‘,” YouTubve video uploaded by user “Rebel Media,” June 3, 2017. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.

“”Global warming is designed to scam America, more than any other country,” Levant said in a TheRebel.media video. “That’s not my opinion. That’s a fact.”38Why Trump was right to reject the ‘Global Warming Scam‘,” YouTubve video uploaded by user “Rebel Media,” June 3, 2017. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.

2016

“The world is over 400 parts per million of carbon dioxide and global warming has stopped … it’s paused. There is no correlation between carbon dioxide and global warming. If there was, you would sure see it. But there isn’t, so you don’t.”39Best of 2015: Climate change hysteria and failed predictions,” The Rebel, December 29, 2015. Archived November 2, 2016. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/E3WIn

2012

Ezra describes man-made global warming as “a theory that has been cast into disrepute through not only the misconduct of its high priests but by scientific observation itself: There has been no measurable global warming since 1998, according to satellite weather data.”40Ezra Levant. “It ain’t feasible being green,” Ifp, March 20, 2012. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/cZKUe

Key Quotes

August 2017

After controversy surrounding The Rebel‘s coverage of events in Charlottseville, among other issues, Levant wrote at The Rebel:

“I’m a flawed leader who has made mistakes. But as long as you stand with me, I will still stand.” He added, “I think we need more oversight — not more censorship — just to make sure we’re really being on brand with what we believe, what we stand for.”41Ezra Levant. “SPECIAL: The future of The Rebel — Will you stand with us?The Rebel, August 23, 2017. Archived August 23, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/PAWKC

July 2016

“I don’t know if Donald Trump will be the next president. I do know that our key allies are walking away from the global warming mania of the past decade.

Only Trudeau is stupid enough and ideologically malicious enough to destroy our own economy — and Alberta, the province that he and his father have always despised — by using global warming as an excuse…”42‘Global warming’ SPECIAL: Trump is a skeptic — Is Canada the world’s last ‘climate change chump’?The Rebel, July 28, 2016. Archived November 2, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/7E0S5

March 2014

“I’m a commentator, I’m a pundit,” he said to the judge. “I don’t think in my entire life I’ve ever called myself a reporter.”43Christie Blatchford: Ezra Levant insists he’s not a ‘reporter.’ On this, everyone agrees,” National Post, March 7, 2014.. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/B0Rgu

March 2012

“It is a perverse faith, in that it reveres the “environment” ahead of people who live in it. It is a most ascetic superstition, in that it demands we live less happily and less freely and with less prosperity– the opposite of, say, the Protestant work ethic that helped build Ontario.”44Ezra Levant. “It ain’t feasible being green,” Ifp, March 20, 2012. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/cZKUe

September 2010

“And if our goal as moral citizens is to make the world a better place, then there is only once choice: to pump as much oil as we possibly can out of Fort McMurray. Pump and steam and dig and drill and get that oil out of the sand in any and every way we can. Every drop of oil from Alberta is one less drop from some fascist theocracy, or some brutal warlord; one less cent into the treasuries of Russia’s secret police and al-Qaeda’s murderers.”45Ethical Oil: The Case for Canada’s Oil Sands by Ezra Levant. McClelland & Stewart; First Edition Thus edition (Sep 14 2010). p. 234.

“The famous statue of Christ the Redeemer that overlooks Rio de Janeiro is only 130 feet tall. McGuinty’s eco-idols [Wind Turbines] will be three times that height, but will serve the same imposing purpose.

“Do not confuse McGuinty’s belief system with a true faith. It is a superstition, the tenets of which are capable of being scientifically disproven.

Ezra Levant’s Social Media Posts on US Insurrection

Levant was among dozens of the individuals and organizations profiled in DeSmog’s Disinformation Database who posted online or gave interviews about the events surrounding the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection. Some posted claims of election fraud, similar to those that drove the Stop the Steal rally on Jan. 6. Some circulated dubious information about the insurrection itself. DeSmog has preserved a selection of notable posts related to the events of Jan. 6, 2021, including some that were later deleted or removed.

For example, on Jan. 10, 2021, Levant retweeted a tweet by @Cernovich that compared the Capitol insurrection, where five died, to a 2017 attack where a gunman opened fire on a congressional Republican baseball team practice, striking Rep. Steve Scalise in the hip and wounding several others before being fatally shot himself. Mike Cernovich’s Southern Poverty Law Center’s profile describes him as “one of America’s most visible right-wing provocateurs, known for boosting or generating massively successful conspiracy theories like #Pizzagate. He made his career on trolling the liberal establishment by accusing people of pedophilia or child sex trafficking.”46Kenya Evelyn. “Capitol attack: the five people who died,” The Guardian, January 8, 2021. Archived February 12, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.vn/FSRZS 47Michael D. Shear, Adam Goldman, and Emily Cochrane. “Congressman Steve Scalise Gravely Wounded in Alexandria Baseball Field Ambush,” The New York Times, June 14, 2017, Archived February 6, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.vn/P0K2s 48MIKE CERNOVICH,” Southern Poverty Law Center. Archived February 3, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.vn/upHJN 49Alexander Nazaryan. “Why Is the Alt-Right Obsessed with Pedophilia?Newsweek, November 7, 2017. Archived February 12, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.vn/kkqZX

Levant retweeted a claim by Andy Ngo that John Earle Sullivan, one of the participants in the Capitol insurrection was a Black Lives Matter activist. On Jan. 16, 2021, the Washington Post published a profile reporting that Sullivan had been disavowed by left-wing organizers long before the insurrection. “Activists in Utah have spent months condemning Sullivan, who has at turns identified himself as a racial justice protester and leftist documentarian, and they have warned others to be leery of his motives and any events he sponsored,” the Post wrote, adding that Sullivan has a history of “alienating activists on both ends of the political spectrum” and had organized a demonstration that “featured members of the Proud Boys, an all-male extremist group with ties to white nationalism.”50Man who shot video of fatal Capitol shooting is arrested, remains focus of political storm,” The Washington Post, January 16, 2021. Archived February 13, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.vn/EVwWQ

Key Actions

September 14, 2021

Following Patrick Moore‘s claims he was “deplatformed” from a speech in Regina, Canada, Ezra Levant booked the Conexus Art Center to feature Moore for his cancelled talk.51Rebel News presents: Dr. Patrick Moore’s de-platformed speech in Regina,” Rebel News, August 12, 2021. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.

Speaking of the event Moore was originally set to speak at, Levant commented:52Rebel News presents: Dr. Patrick Moore’s de-platformed speech in Regina,” Rebel News, August 12, 2021. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.

“He would have been definitely the star speaker at the conference, but then a cancel culture mob, including city officials and frankly, the local left wing media, they whipped up a fake frenzy and the city absolutely disgraced themselves by reneging on their invitation to him.”

In addition to basic event tickets, Levant also said they were selling an “exclusive VIP wine and cheese reception” as well as a “private dinner with Dr. Moore after the speech.”

August 22, 2017

Ezra Levant interviewed ClimateDepot’s Marc Morano on The Ezra Levant Show. During the interview, Morano said that Steve Bannon’s departure from the White House was a huge loss for climate change deniers.53Marc Morano: Bannon’s departure ‘bad news for climate skeptics‘,” The Rebel, August 22, 2017. Archived August 24, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/KL2st

Morano: “We’ve lost a major voice. Now, you’re right, Scott Pruitt’s a great voice. Energy Secretary Rick Perry has been a great voice, but it doesn’t change the fact we’ve lost a major skeptic in the White House with influence and power. You guys remember, personnel is power.”

Levant: “That’s a good point. And, as you they say, personnel is policy as well. […]”54Marc Morano: Bannon’s departure ‘bad news for climate skeptics‘,” The Rebel, August 22, 2017. Archived August 24, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/KL2st

Morano also described his experience while working in the U.S. Senate for Senator James Inhofe. Morano said that he was told by members of his own staff in the Environment & Public Works Committee to “lay off” of pushing climate change skepticism because it was affecting their ability to get jobs, “because Inhofe was being painted as an extremist for denying global warming.”55Marc Morano: Bannon’s departure ‘bad news for climate skeptics‘,” The Rebel, August 22, 2017. Archived August 24, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/KL2st

“It matters. People don’t want to stand up to the Washington establishment because it means jobs, it means money, it means reputation. And that is why the loss of someone like Bannon has a big impact.”56Marc Morano: Bannon’s departure ‘bad news for climate skeptics‘,” The Rebel, August 22, 2017. Archived August 24, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/KL2st

June 3, 2017

Shortly after Donald Trump announced he would be withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris Climate agreement, Ezra Levant reported at TheRebel.media that Trump “was right to reject the ‘Global Warming Scam’.” Video below.57Why Trump was right to reject the ‘Global Warming Scam‘,” YouTubve video uploaded by user “Rebel Media,” June 3, 2017. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.

Levant said that Trump “doesn’t go quite far enough in my books,” given his mention of a potential of renegotiating the agreement. “Either the whole thing’s a scam, or it isn’t,” Levant adds. “Global warming is designed to scam America, more than any other country. That’s not my opinion. That’s a fact.”

November 2016

The Financial Post reports that Ezra Levant was successful in his battle with the United Nations to have his staff members accredited to cover the climate change conference in Morocco. While he was granted two spots, Ezra continued to push for a third.58Sean Craig. “UN offers The Rebel press accreditation for climate conference after environment minister’s intervention,” Financial Post, October 31, 2016. Archived November 2, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/1LtWo

DeSmog notes that during Levant’s campaign for accreditation, he has repeatedly shown footage from the last major climate change talks in Paris to bolster his case. He claims that the footage shows journalists in the Paris media room “jumping for joy”:59Graham Readfearn. “About Ezra Levant’s Clip of Cheering Journalists at UN Climate Talks. Those Aren’t Reporters and That’s Not The Press Room,” DeSmog, November 1, 2016.

Levant has told viewers: “Here’s a clip from the UN global warming convention last year showing journalists in the press room cheering.”60Ezra Levant goes to the UN!” YouTube Video uploaded by user Rebel Media, October 28, 2016. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.

In another Rebel video, Levant says: “The most striking video clip of the entire Paris conference last year was when an international agreement was finally announced and the media room burst into applause and cheering. Some actually jumping for joy – you know, the way objective reporters do.”61The UN is blacklisting The Rebel’s journalists!” YouTube Video uploaded by user Rebel Media, October 17, 2016. Archived .mp4 on file at Desmog.

However, DeSmog found that the video shown was not of journalists, and was not filmed in “the media room,” as Levant claimed. Instead the clip shows a side room apart from the media center where civil society groups who campaigned for action on climate change were watching the final moments of the climate talks.62Graham Readfearn. “About Ezra Levant’s Clip of Cheering Journalists at UN Climate Talks. Those Aren’t Reporters and That’s Not The Press Room,” DeSmog, November 1, 2016.

The clip was originally shared by a passing journalist, Miranda Johnson of The Economist, who confirmed that the Rebel did not seek permission to use her footage, and if it had, would have been refused. Original video below:63Graham Readfearn. “About Ezra Levant’s Clip of Cheering Journalists at UN Climate Talks. Those Aren’t Reporters and That’s Not The Press Room,” DeSmog, November 1, 2016.

The Rebel is crowfunding its trip to Marrakech. The Rebel writes: “One thing we won’t scrimp on is security, though — especially in a place like Morocco. So we need a driver/handler to make sure we get to and from the conference site each day safely.”

COP22’s website notes that visitors have access to official shuttle buses running 12 routes, each route covered from 6am until midnight and, in peak hours, running every 15 minute. Levant is trying to raise more than CA$27,000 for the India trip, including $14,000 to hire a private security firm.64Help The Rebel crowdfund our trip to Marrakech!The Rebel. Archived November 2, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/BNtSF 65My stay in Marrakech,” cop22.ma. Archived November 2, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/UR69v

October 2016

After the United Nations declined accreditation to three of The Rebel’s journalists who planned to cover the climate change conference in Marrakech, Morocco. Ezra Levant launched a petition titled ”Tell the UN to stop blacklisting our journalists!” and argues that the ban is an attack on free speech.66Tell the UN to stop blacklisting our journalists!The Rebel. Archived November 2, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/fQpfL

The journalists Levant planned to send included Sheila Gunn Reid, Alberta bureau chief, Meaghan MacSween, a producer, formerly with Global News and Sun News Network, and Alex Jones also formerly of Sun News Network. According to screenshots shared by Levant, the UN has declined the application because “advocacy media outlets do not qualify for media accreditation.”67Tell the UN to stop blacklisting our journalists!The Rebel. Archived November 2, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/fQpfL

Earlier in September, Desmog attended a screening of Marc Morano’s Climate Hustle in Edmonton, Alberta, where Ezra Levent outlined some of his plans for the upcoming conference in Marrakech. Levant told the audience that “we will be asking questions and turning the camera around to show the other journalists,” to ridicule reporters who he describes as “cheerleaders” for the UN. Answering questions later, Levant said he planned to “put on a disguise” at the conference.68Graham Readfearn. “Revealed: What Ezra Levant Wanted His “Banned” Reporters To Do At Marrakech UN Climate Talks,” DeSmog, October 18, 2016.

During a Q&A session following the Climate Hustle screening, Levant says that climate change denier Marc Morano will be an “honorary Rebel journalist” in Morocco. Gunn Reid, one of Levant’s proposed Morocco team, described people who believe in global warming as a “doomsday cult.”69Graham Readfearn. “Revealed: What Ezra Levant Wanted His “Banned” Reporters To Do At Marrakech UN Climate Talks,” DeSmog, October 18, 2016.

Levant has described his attempts to get accreditation as a “fight for press freedom.” In an October 19 episode of The Ezra Levant Show, Levant said “There’s no bigger bully than the U.N.”70SPECIAL report: The real reason a UN censor blacklisted Rebel reporters — and why we’re STILL going to Marrakech,” The Rebel, October 20 , 2016. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/tWVBi

December 29, 2015

In an episode of The Ezra Levant Show titled “Best of 2015 – Climate change hysteria,” Levant goes on to show “some of the most inaccurate global warming predictions ever.” Guests include Lorrie Goldstein of the Toronto Sun and prominent climate change denier Marc Morano of ClimateDepot.com.71Best of 2015: Climate change hysteria and failed predictions,” The Rebel, December 29, 2015. Archived November 2, 2016. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/E3WIn

“The world is over 400 parts per million of carbon dioxide and global warming has stopped […] it’s paused,” Levant said. “There is no correlation between carbon dioxide and global warming. If there was, you would sure see it. But there isn’t, so you don’t.”72Best of 2015: Climate change hysteria and failed predictions,” The Rebel, December 29, 2015. Archived November 2, 2016. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/E3WIn

March 7, 2014

Ezra Levant testified in his defense in his libel suit. The National Post reported that “His evidence-in-chief was part soliloquy, part lecture and all theatre, as befits the man who begins his prime-time, five-days-a-week show on Sun TV with a monologue which, as he told Judge Wendy Matheson, once went on so long ‘we had to cancel the commercials’ because it had morphed into a ‘rant’ of an hour.”73Christie Blatchford: Ezra Levant insists he’s not a ‘reporter.’ On this, everyone agrees,” National Post, March 7, 2014.. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/B0Rgu

The Post notes that Ezra, by his own admission, is not a journalist: “I’m a commentator, I’m a pundit,” he said to the judge. “I don’t think in my entire life I’ve ever called myself a reporter.”74Christie Blatchford: Ezra Levant insists he’s not a ‘reporter.’ On this, everyone agrees,” National Post, March 7, 2014.. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/B0Rgu

Levant is alleged to have libelled Khurrum Awan, a Saskatchewan lawyer who had been part of a group of Osgoode Hall law students that had made formal hate-speech complaints regarding a Maclean’s magazine cover story bout Muslims. Levant had live-blogged at Awan’s human rights hearing in Vancouver, calling Awan a liar.75Christie Blatchford: Ezra Levant insists he’s not a ‘reporter.’ On this, everyone agrees,” National Post, March 7, 2014.. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/B0Rgu

In court, Levant repeated the alleged libels and “used the word ‘liar’ because ‘that’s what it was.’”76Christie Blatchford: Ezra Levant insists he’s not a ‘reporter.’ On this, everyone agrees,” National Post, March 7, 2014.. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/B0Rgu

April 2012

Ezra Levant’s EthicalOil.org, which some argue is a lobby organization for the oil industry, accused the David Suzuki Foundation of “Partisan and Political activity,” and demanded that the foundation’s charitable status be reviewed.

The complaint was made in a 44-page letter to the CRA.

March 9, 2011

Ezra Levant and Alykhan Velshi worked together to form the Ethical Oil Institute and its website EthicalOil.org.

DeepClimate prepared an in-depth report on the formation of the “grassroot” organization, and also reveals that both Levant and Velshi shared involvement with the Harper-led conservatives.77The Institute,” Deep Climate, September 1, 2011. Archived July 14, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/u1Jan

Levant’s other partner at the Institute is Calgary lawyer Thomas Ross, who is a partner at the law firm McLellan Ross and one of the leaders of the firm’s OilSandsLaw.com initiative (“dedicated to working with those operating in the Canadian oil sands”).

The same search lists him as a past lobbyist for “Achieve Energy Services,” a construction management company that specializes in pipeline construction.

DeSmog also reported connections between EthicalOil.org, oil interests, and the Harper Government, as well as other conservative leaders and groups. At the core is “GoNewclear,” a communications agency run by Hamish Marshall, husband of former Ethical Oil spokesperson Kathryn Marshall and a former Conservative campaigner.

EthicalOil.org has been a strong proponent of the Northern Gateway Pipeline Project, and launched the website OurDecision.ca to push for the project’s approval.

EthicalOil.org’s former manager Kathryn Marshall refused to answer the question of whether the Ethical Oil Institute received funding from Enbridge, which many viewed as suggesting a possible connection.

December 2011

Ezra Levant featured well-known climate change skeptic Lord Christopher Monckton, whom Ezra describes as “a bit of a hero of mine” as a guest on his show, The Source. Ezra later describes Monckton as “a bit of a scientist,” not mentioning Monckton’s primary background is in journalism.78Ezra Levant Interviews Lord Monckton On Climate Change Chicanery,” YouTube video uploaded by user “blazingcatfur,” December 23, 2011. 79Komorowski’s Korner – Ezra Levant Attacks Ontario’s Future,” Cornwall Free News, April 5, 2012. Archived July 14, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/N6mrd

Ezra asks Monckton about Britain “foolishly signing on to these foreign treaties like Kyoto…” and goes on to mention a “socialist experiment” and “junk science” in the same statement. He later refers to Monckton’s skepticism of the “pagan faiths of environmentalism.”

Monckton describes the implementation of climate change policies as “taking away our democracy little by little so no one notices until suddenly it’s too late … and that is what I’m trying to stop.”

Monckton is not the only climate change skeptic that Ezra has interviewed on his show. In January, 2012, Levant featured Timothy Ball on his show and discussed Ball’s belief that there has been no global warming since 1998, a debunked argument that has long been popular with climate change skeptics.80Cooling climate change concerns,” SunNews, January 31, 2012. Archived September 5, 2014. Video no longer available. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/eeI7K

Levant also featured skeptic Tom Harris, previous director of the High Park Group lobbying firm, who believes that the sun is behind climate change (another popular, and largely debunked climate change skeptic talking point).81Climate change culpability,” Ezralevant.com. From The Source, September 5, 2011. Archived May 10, 2012. Video no longer available. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/8ERAJ

September 2010

Ezra Levant published Ethical Oil: The Case for Canada’s Oil Sands, which makes a case for further developing Alberta’s tar sands and sister projects. His book has popularized the concept of “ethical oil” which has been used by the the Conservative government of Stephen Harper and provided the inspiration behind Alykhan Velshi’s “Ethical Oil” campaign in the United States and Canada.

Levant’s basic thesis is that the Canadian petroleum industry is “heads above other crude producers like Saudi Arabia, Libya, Nigeria and Venezuela” which is the equivalent of conflict oil.

According to Levant, “If we actually want to make the world a better place, a more moral place, the ethical thing to do is to pump as much oil as we possibly can out of the oil sands, knowing that every barrel we produce in Canada displaces a fascist barrel from Saudi Arabia, a misogynist barrel from Iran and a dictatorial barrel from Venezuela.”82Nathan Vanderklippe. “Blood diamonds, blood oil?The Globe and Mail, September 13, 2010. Archived July 14, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/Dcqrl

Levant also said that “if they [Liberals] believe global warming is an issue, then oilsands oil is superior to other sources of oil, such as California or Venezuela, which both have heavy oil that requires a lot of energy to refine.”83Ethical Oil debuts at #4 on Amazon.ca non-fiction best-seller list!”, Ezralevant.com, September 14, 2010. Archived April 20, 2015. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/Ft6Kp

In response to the book, David Suzuki described Levant as an apologist for the oil industry and argued that “the logic is faulty. Just because a country or society is considered ‘ethical’ does not mean everything it produces or exports is ethical.”84David Suzuki. “Canada’s Ethical Oil: A Contradiction in Terms,” The Mark News, February 2, 2011. Archived March 27, 2012. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/S84F6

In the Winnipeg Free Press, John Collins criticized some of Levant’s sources, noting the presence of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) in the footnotes.85John K. Collins. “Levant’s oil polemic witty, but that doesn’t make it right,” Winnipeg Free Press, September 18, 2010. Archived July 14, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/UXFJt

Patrick Brethour, writing in the Literary Review of Canada, said that Levant “fails to make the case for ethical oil” due to two of his key claims.

First, Levant claims that the environmental footprint of the tar sands is shrinking:

“In reality, the oil sands are more environmentally progressive and emit less waste than all sorts of other common industries in Canada and around the world. In just nineteen years, from 1990 to 2009, the intensity of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from the oil sands has plummeted by 38 per cent.”

Second, he claims that the oil sands are less damaging than other kinds of oil:

“Alberta’s so-called carbon footprint is actually less of an issue than many other kinds of oil being produced around the world. Relative to other sources of petroleum, the oil sands look better and better all the time.”

Neither of these claims is entirely true, as the oil sands generate more carbon emissions than comparable sources of crude oil, and its emissions are expected to rise in the decades to come.86A Slippery Debate,” Literary Review of Canada, October 2010 issue. Archived July 14, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/jwk1N

An “Ethical Oil Echo Chamber” has developed since the book was published in 2010. It started with Sun Media which featured excerpts from Levant’s book which gave it national exposure.87Ezra Levant. “America over a barrel,” The Toronto Sun, September 14, 2010. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/zsZgy

Then bloggers like Alykhan Velshi spread the message. Velshi also partnered with Levant in forming the Ethical Oil Institute and the Ethicaloil.org website. The concept then reached politicians like Stephen Harper.

The Ethical Oil campaign has become so pervasive that their advertisements have even appeared on Oprah Winfrey’s television network.

November 2010

Ezra Levant was ordered by a judge to pay $25,000 to Giacomo Vignal, a Canadian Human Rights Commission lawyer, for libeling him with “reckless indifference” to the truth in blog posts about a major hate speech case.88Joseph Brean. “Judge orders Ezra Levant to pay ,000,” National Post, November 20, 2010. Archived November 25, 2010.

September 2010

Levant wrote a column for Sun Media that strongly attacked George Soros’s character and alleged that as a child he collaborated with the Nazis.89Steven Chase. “Billionaire Soros threatening to sue Sun Media,” The Globe and Mail, September 17, 2010. Archived July 14, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/Qsiv0

Soros threatened to sue Sun Media for libel, and on September 18 they issued a retraction and apology to Soros.

February 2006

Ezra Levant’s Western Standard published the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons depicting Muhammad.

The Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission received complaints from the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada and from the Edmonton Council of Muslim Communities regarding the publication, and a hearing was scheduled for January, 2008.

On the day of the hearing, Levant republished the cartoons on his website.90Keith Bonnel. “Defiant Levant republishes cartoons,” National Post, January 12, 2008. January 16, 2008.

Both complaints were eventually dropped.91Syed Soharwardy. “Why I’m withdrawing my human rights complaint against Ezra Levant,” The Globe and Mail, February 15, 2008. Archived July 14, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/7rBLs

Affiliations

Social Media

Publications

According to one profile, Levant has written six books:96Joanne Richard. “Pumping up the volume; SUN NEWS PRESENTS EZRA LEVANT,” The Calgary Sun, December 26, 2011. Republished by ezralevant.com. Archived October 12, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/tgTGr

Other Resources

Resources

Related Profiles

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