Day 9
Note: I am a poor note-taker and these summaries will contain errors and omissions which will reflect my limitations. My intention is to report on the facts as accurately as possible although a subconscious bias may creep in. I can only provide glimpses into what I see as relevant and interesting events. My goal is to capture the essence of the day’s events rather than be comprehensive.
Read the reference documents: The Legal Case and Events Leading to Trial to obtain an understanding of the case and its history. Names and terms are abbreviated and defined in Glossary.
Cross‑Examination of Caylan by Mr. Mack, Counsel for the Broadbent Institute
Philosophical and Political Concepts
• Q&A covered racial identitarianism, identity politics, metaphysics, genocide, racial identity, feminized society, toxic masculinity, demographic replacement, culture, white nationalism, and white supremacy
• Caylan provided definitions and intellectual explanations of these concepts
• She denied being a white supremacist or white nationalist
Accuracy of the Press Progress Article
• She agreed some quotes were accurate but selectively bolded and underlined
• One quote omitted her statement, “I would reject that appellation”
• Another omitted her words to the effect of, “but who agrees with you, I think is unlikely”
• She testified that the final quotes were “not reproduced with fidelity”
• She explained how the omissions altered the meaning of the quotes
Cross‑Examination by Mylene Tiessen, Second Counsel for the Broadbent Institute
Calgary Classical Academy (the “School”)
• the charter school was Caylan’s idea and her creation; she applied for a charter in 2021, and it was approved in January 2022
• The application required extensive work: drafting the charter, determining student numbers, explaining the School’s uniqueness, preparing a budget, obtaining 100 parent signatures, drafting bylaws, creating a website, and identifying potential locations
• She completed most of the work herself
• Initial enrollment was 300; current enrollment is approximately 1500
Medical Treatment
• Her family doctor referred her to Dr. Lucido
• She received psychodynamic therapy in summer 2023
• Pharmacological options were discussed during intake
• She declined medication because she believed science does not understand the mechanisms by which such drugs work
• Dr. Lucido advised that severe depression can impair brain function
• She believed her depression was situational and medication was not the solution
Cross‑Examination by Matthew Woodley, Counsel for CBC
Background Context
• Caylan understood that a politician’s conduct is a matter of public interest
• She was aware of 2019 debates about gay‑straight alliances and related LGBTQ issues
• Jivraj provided CBC the same defamatory material he gave Press Progress regarding the October 1 “fraudulent resident” letter
• CBC contacted her but did not publish anything about that material
• By late 2018 she feared Jivraj would not stop attempting to destroy her
• She did not inform CBC of her concerns
Events of March 18
Lebrun Email
• Defendant Lebrun emailed Caylan stating Press Progress would publish quotes attributed to her within two hours
• The email caused a crisis because she had deleted her copies of the FB Messages and could not confirm or deny the quotes
• She knew Press Progress was collaborating with Jivraj
CBC Contact During the Crisis
• Two CBC journalists repeatedly called during the crisis
• Ms. Ward discussed whether their call should be recorded and whether it was “off the record”; Caylan agreed to have it recorded
• CBC sought a full oral interview for broadcast the next day
• She declined due to the ongoing crisis
• She told CBC that Press Progress was not credible, was collaborating with Jivraj, and had refused to correct past false statements
• She explained that she lacked the FB Messages and could not verify the quotes
• She told Ms. Ward the quotes sounded “odd” and she doubted she had said them
Eye Opener Invitations
• CBC invited her to appear on the Eye Opener the next morning
• She asked about CBC’s purpose and the intended line of questioning
• A CBC journalist referenced an alleged quote about gay pride parades
• Ms. Ward said the Eye Opener would need to address the racism allegation
• Caylan feared the interview would be framed as “why did you say these things”
• Uncertain of CBC’s intentions, she declined the invitations
• The invitations were repeated several times
• She felt the journalists’ questions were loaded and did not answer them
Source of the Quotes
• She told CBC that Jivraj was the source of the quotes
• She described him as reviled in Alberta politics despite having lived in Calgary only two years
CBC’s Position vs. Caylan’s Position
• CBC maintains it could not publish her comments about Press Progress and Jivraj because the call was “off the record”
• Caylan maintains she informed CBC about Jivraj and that they should have investigated further
CBC Publication
• She understood CBC would not publish anything based on the Press Progress Article until she had an opportunity to comment
• CBC published its first article seven hours later without obtaining her comment
• On March 20 CBC emailed saying they remained open to hearing from her
• She named persons who CBC could contact to learn more about Press Progress and Jivraj
Questions on Pride Parades and Gay Marriage
• She explained that attendance at pride parades should be voluntary and that people should not be condemned for not attending
• She stated she prefers sexual modesty
• She explained that gay marriage redefined the term “marriage”
• She also said gay unions should have official recognition and rights
Comment
• The events of March 18 destroyed Caylan’s political career
• the CBC offered Caylan the opportunity of an oral interview and several times offered an appearance on Eye Opener
• she suspected CBC would not treat her fairly in an interview or on the Eye Opener
• Subsequent CBC conduct confirmed those suspicions