Canada Off Script

Are Canadians forgetting Remembrance Day? Do we still care about the poppy, our veterans, and the traditions that bring us together? Every November, the controversy begins. Who's wearing a poppy? Who isn't? Why are there different versions? And have Canadians lost sight of what that little red flower represents? But after looking into the issue, I discovered something that might surprise y...

What can 20+ years of policing teach you about everyday safety? Here are 3 simple habits police officers learn that you and your family should consider adopting. Want to be a police officer? Get an early jump! From creating escape routes while driving to a simple parking technique used by police officers, these are practical skills that can make a difference in everyday life. And the third one? It...

Canada, we need to talk. 🇨🇦 With all the negativity, political division, and constant criticism surrounding our country, have we forgotten what makes Canada worth being proud of? In this episode of Canada Off Script, Randall Arsenault steps back from the political arguments to have an honest conversation about Canadian identity, national pride, and the everyday people who make this country special...

Canada is proposing tougher penalties for violent home invasions, including a five-year mandatory minimum sentence and the possibility of life imprisonment. But will these changes actually make Canadians safer? I sit down with former police officer and security specialist Ross McLean aka ‪@McLeanChronicle‬ to discuss Bill C-293, the proposed changes to Canada's Criminal Code, repeat offenders,...

America wants Canadian tourists back! After a significant decline in Canadian travel to the United States, are Americans starting to feel the economic impact? From Florida snowbirds to Las Vegas casinos offering Canadian dollars at par, we're looking at how fewer Canadian visitors are affecting American businesses, tourism spending, and the longstanding friendship between our two countries. Wi...

Crime is going DOWN in Canada. According to Statistics Canada, crime severity has declined for two consecutive years. But here's the question: If crime is decreasing, why don't so many Canadians feel any safer? As someone with a background in law enforcement, I take a closer look at the numbers, what they actually tell us, and why the reality in your community might look very different fro...

Is the Canada we remember disappearing? The mountains, forests, lakes, small towns and wide-open spaces that the world associates with Canada are still here. But how many Canadians actually experience that Canada anymore? From the Canadian pavilion at EPCOT to the realities of modern Canadian life, I explore how the world sees Canada, how Canadians see themselves, and whether we've become disc...

Do Canadians really forgive and forget? 🇨🇦We're known around the world for being polite, friendly and always saying sorry - but that doesn't mean Canadians are pushovers. From Billy Bob Thornton's infamous “mashed potatoes without the gravy” comment to a few other memorable shots at Canada, apparently some of us have VERY long memories. So let's hear it: Who's on your Canadian...

Canada now has a record number of licensed firearms holders - nearly 2.5 million - but is Canada's attitude toward firearms changing too? In this episode of Canada Off Script, Randall Arsenault, known as Officer Arsenault, looks at the rise in Canadian firearms licences, the surprising firearm warning signs and stickers appearing at some Canadian homes, and how Canada's firearm culture rea...

Someone is knocking at your door. Do you ignore it? As someone with a background in law enforcement,, I’ve seen how important basic crime-prevention habits can be - and one simple piece of advice I gave in an old YouTube Short made A LOT of people angry. In this video, I explain what I actually meant - and why this has nothing to do with whether you own a firearm, Canada’s self-defence laws, or th...

Every year, tens of thousands of temporary foreign workers come to Canada to work in agriculture - planting, harvesting, picking fruit and vegetables, and doing some of the most physically demanding work on Canadian farms. In this episode of Canada Off Script, Randall Arsenault asks the question: Does Canada actually NEED these workers - or are Canadians simply unwilling to do these jobs? Please c...

A Toronto Police officer is being heavily criticized online after video resurfaced showing a man smashing her cruiser with rocks and throwing them at her while she repeatedly disengages and waits for backup. Some people are calling her weak. Others are saying she should have pulled her firearm. But was disengaging actually the right decision? In this video, I break down what we see, the use-of-for...

Summer brings vacations, BBQs, beaches... and unfortunately, it also brings an increase in certain types of crime. In this episode of Canada Off Script, I break down the 8 crimes that commonly increase during the summer months, explain why they happen, and share practical safety tips that can help you protect yourself, your family, and your property. Topics include:• Assaults• Home break-ins• Vehi...

How do criminals actually choose which homes to target? In this episode, I sit down with Corrie George, founder of Canada First Home Protection, to discuss the simple mistakes that can make your home an easy target - and the practical steps every Canadian family can take to make their home significantly safer. We cover: How criminals really choose a house Why cameras alone aren't enough The hi...

Are we sacrificing public safety for a photo op? Frontline policing is reaching a breaking point. While the public asks "Where are the cops?" when they need help, many departments are doubling down on community outreach and social media PR.In this video, I’m pulling back the curtain on the "hidden" side of the job. As a former Community Engagement Officer, I know the value of b...

Police can find your address, your history, and your associations in seconds. But what happens when the people sworn to protect your data decide to use it for themselves? Across the country, we are seeing a spike in police officers being charged for the exact same thing: using high-level access to the police database to stalk ex-partners, track neighbours, and satisfy personal curiosity. In this v...

Police departments across Canada are being pushed to the breaking point, and the reality is worse than you think: they aren't prepared for the level of violence we are seeing right now. We aren't talking about petty theft or bar fights anymore. Canada is facing a new wave of organized, professional, and "imported" crime that is slipping through the cracks of a system that wasn&#3...

There's a newer crime trend in Canada - a growing underground problem that many aren't talking about: the rise of "Guns for Hire" services operating right here in our neighbourhoods. From coordinated intimidation to violent hits, this criminal infrastructure is evolving faster than our laws. In this episode of Canada Off Script, I’m sitting down with security specialist Ross McLe...

Canada’s proposed social media ban (Bill C-34) is sparking a massive debate. But while everyone is arguing about age limits and government control, we’re missing the real, terrifying symptom of the problem. In the UK, a teen recently admitted that without her phone, she’d literally just "stare at the wall." Think about that. If our kids - and many adults - can’t handle a moment of boredo...

Feeling like you’re "renting" your own life? From hidden subscription fees to death by a thousand cuts, it’s getting harder for Canadians to keep their hard-earned money. In this episode of Canada Off Script, I’m sharing 5 practical, low-effort ways to cut the "invisible" costs draining your bank account. No politics, just real, actionable steps to help us all keep more loonies...

Is Canada's election system actually SAFER than the United States? In this episode of Canada Off Script, we break down the differences in voter ID, mail-in ballots, and who is allowed to vote. Canada requires proof of BOTH identity AND current address - with 40+ ID options. Only Canadian citizens can vote. Mail-in has strict verification. Trust levels are higher north of the border... but are ther...

Summer in Canada is amazing… until common sense takes a vacation. After more than 20 years as a police officer, I saw the same preventable mistakes turn great summer days into really bad ones. In this episode of Canada Off Script, I’m sharing 10 summer safety tips and hacks to help keep you, your family, kids, pets, and even your home safer this summer. Some of these come directly from real things...

I’ve investigated hundreds of "crimes of opportunity" as a police officer. The scariest part? Most of them weren’t planned. They happened because a door was left unlocked, a window was cracked, or someone stepped away for "just a second."In this episode of Canada Off Script, I’m breaking down the reality of how these crimes occur, why they are so dangerous, and the simple, acti...

Tipping culture in Canada has officially gone off the rails. From self-checkouts to liquor stores, we’re being poked at every turn to supplement payrolls for big corporations. 60% of us are feeling the fatigue, and it’s time we talk about the "guilt tax" we’re being forced to pay. In this episode of Canada Off Script, join me and Castor as we look at the data, the corporate "charity...

Everyone is talking about Alberta separation, but what does it actually mean for the average Canadian? In this episode of Canada Off Script, I’m breaking down the "Alberta Separation 101" - from the frustrations behind the movement to the reality of actually leaving. Growing up in Canada, this was a topic that popped up from time to time, but now it’s louder than ever. Is this a real mov...