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Deadly Virus Flew From Canada To China On Commercial Flight

Minister Says He Was Taken Aback After Learning Deadly Viruses Were Shipped From Winnipeg Lab to Wuhan

Report first published via friends at The Epoch Times

Minister Says He Was Taken Aback After Learning Deadly Viruses Were Shipped From Winnipeg Lab to Wuhan
Canada Minister of Public Safety Dominic LeBlanc speaks in the Foyer of the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on March 20, 2024. (The Canadian Press/Spencer Colby)

After learning that samples of deadly Ebola and Nipah viruses had been sent from Canada’s top-security lab in Winnipeg to China, Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc said his reaction was similar to that of an MP who expressed incredulity upon learning of the move.

“I’m really concerned about the March 2019 incident where [Winnipeg lab scientists Xiangguo Qiu and Keding Cheng] were implicated in a shipment of live Ebola in Hanipah [Nipah] viruses on a commercial Air Canada flight. How the hell did that happen?” NDP MP Charlie Angus asked during a House of Commons Canada-China committee meeting on April 15.

In response, Mr. LeBlanc said, “When I saw that report, and publicly, I had the same reaction as you.”

A partly redacted national memo sent by the prime minister’s national security advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on June 29, 2017.

The minister deferred Mr. Angus’ question to the Public Health Agency of Canada, saying, “I don’t have any [information], but I had the same reaction as you, Mr. Angus.”

Mr. LeBlanc, who became minister of public safety in July 2023, was previously minister of intergovernmental affairs starting in July 2018.

The National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) in Winnipeg shipped 15 different strains of Nipah and Ebola viruses to the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) in China on March 31, 2019. The package was sent from Winnipeg to Toronto and then on to Beijing via a commercial Air Canada flight.

Timeline: What Declassified Documents Reveal About the Fired Winnipeg Lab Scientists

Ms. Qiu and Mr. Cheng

The request to the NML management for the shipment of the viruses was facilitated by Ms. Qiu. The shipment was eventually approved by the NML management.

Ms. Qiu and Mr. Cheng, a married couple, were escorted out of the NML in July 2019 while under RCMP investigation. The couple were fired from their positions on Jan. 20, 2021, for having undisclosed ties to Chinese regime entities.

In 2021, in response to MPs’ questions about why the NML shipped virus samples to the Wuhan lab, laboratory management said the shipment followed all proper protocols and was in response to a letter from the Chinese lab indicating that they were to be used to understand their pathophysiology—the nature of infection—and the development of antivirals.

Declassified intelligence documents show that Ms. Qiu also sent antibodies and other materials to China without prior approval.

Shipments included antibodies for the China National Institute for Food and Drug Control, as well as small amounts sent to laboratories in the United Kingdom and the United States for testing.

The documents show that Ms. Qiu discussed the shipment of Ebola and Nipah with WIV employees in July 2018, and initially suggested that a formal agreement is not necessary as “no one owns the IP.” She also expressed “hope there is another way around” rather than issuing a formal agreement.

The documents also show that Ms. Qiu signed on to a project at WIV involving research on Ebola, and that some of the virus strains that were shipped from NML were meant for this project. Ms. Qiu had asked that the project remain a secret to her Canadian management as WIV was in the process of requesting the transfer of the virus strains from NML, the documents say.

Researchers work in the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg, Man., where the ZMapp antibody “cocktail” was created to fight Ebola. PHOTO BY HANDOUT

The Wuhan lab has been involved in synthetic biology research on the deadly Nipah virus, according to testimony from a U.S. scientist. Synthetic biology involves creating or redesigning biological entities and systems.

“The Nipah virus is a smaller virus than SARS2 [the virus causing COVID-19] and is much less transmissible,” Dr. Steven Quay, a Seattle-based physician-scientist, told a U.S. Senate subcommittee hearing on Aug. 3, 2022. “But it is one of the deadliest viruses, with a greater than 60 percent lethality” and 60 times deadlier than SARS2, he said. “This is the most dangerous research I have ever encountered.”

Chinese Talent Recruitment

During the April 15 House committee meeting, Mr. LeBlanc acknowledged revelations from the declassified documents that Ms. Qiu was involved in China’s Thousand Talents Program. The program was recognized by U.S. authorities as China’s efforts to “incentivize its members to steal foreign technologies needed to advance China’s national, military, and economic goals.”

It is clear that “elements from a Chinese-sponsored recruitment program were involved” at the Winnipeg lab, Mr. LeBlanc said. “It is well known that such programs are one way that China seeks to incentivize academics to participate in activities that exploit advancements in Canadian technologies.”

China is using the programs “to improve its military and intelligence capabilities, as well as the economic competitiveness all at the expense of Canada’s national interest,” the minister said.

He declined to address concerns raised by Conservative MP Michael Cooper regarding the delay in removing Ms. Qiu from the NML, saying it should be addressed to the health minister whose department is in charge of the Public Health Agency of Canada, which in turn oversees the NML.

Although concerns about the two were first raised in 2018, they weren’t fired until three years later. For The Silo, Andrew Chen. Omid Ghoreishi and Noé Chartier contributed to this report

Supplemental– Bio-warfare experts question why Canada was sending lethal viruses to China.

Supplemental- Canada sent untested ebola vaccine to World Health Organization.

Astrocartography Means Travel Destinations Based On Astrological Sign And Time Of Year

With spring on the horizon,  you may be scratching your head about where to vacation this year. Luckily, according to astrology, your star sign could be the key to whether you are destined for sun or slopes

With this in mind, our friends at BonusFinder Canada sought to discover the ideal holiday destination for each zodiac sign based on their astrocartography lines (a form of locational astrology which allows people to decipher which physical locations are best suited to them based on their birth chart) with the help of celebrity psychic and astrologer Inbaal Honigman.  Do you agree or disagree with these suggestions? Leave us your thoughts at the bottom of the post.

Psychic and Wiccan Priestess Inbaal Honigman.

Your star sign’s dream destination according to astrocartography lines:

  1. Aries (March 21-April 19): Alaska

Active and unusual Aries would be best adventuring through the idyllic landscapes of Alaska. Home to some of the world’s most beautiful views and the largest national park, Aries will always have somewhere to explore here.

Copyright: (Maridav) / Shutterstock.com

  1. Taurus (April 20-May 20): Los Angeles

Great food and extensive views are a true joy to a Taurus, and it doesn’t get bigger and bolder than Los Angeleswith over 30,000 restaurants and stunning wide-open beaches, Taurus will love everything about LA.

  1. Gemini (May 21-June 20): New York

Always awake and ready to party, Geminis will fall in love with the city that never sleeps, New York! From visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art to watching an extravagant Broadway show, Geminis will never be bored day or night. 

  1. Cancer (June 21-July 22): Iceland

For a dreamy and easygoing CancerIceland is the destination of choice. Between magical views of the northern lights and geothermal lagoons, Cancer will never tire of relaxing in one with nature.

Copyright: (Thampitakkull Jakkree) / Shutterstock.com

  1. Leo (July 23-August 22): Bordeaux 

The luxury fiend Leo must visit Bordeauxthe historic capital of Aquitaine, famous for its excellent wine culture. Between scenic beaches and exclusive vineyard tours, Leos will be able to find their true self. 

  1. Virgo (August 23-September 22): Rome 

The ideal destination for the neat and traditional Virgo is Rome, where they will undoubtedly relish an enlightening guided tour of the city’s ancient architecture and feel at home in the chic modern shopping areas.  

Copyright: (AlexAnton) / Shutterstock.com

  1. Libra (September 23-October 22): UAE

Classy and elegant Libras would adore the high rises in the desert of the United Arab Emirates; between luxury hotels and a mass of incredible culture, Libras will love discovering what this country has to offer. 

  1. Scorpio (October 23-November 21): Sri Lanka

Mysterious and original Scorpios can enjoy going off-grid in the temples of Sri Lanka. While exploring the rich heritage of the Gangaramaya Temple or coming up close to wildlife, Scorpios may find a little serendipity. 

Copyright: (Sergii Figurnyi) / Shutterstock.com

  1. Sagittarius (November 22-December 21): Tokyo

The adventurous and well-traveled  Sagittarius will love the unique streets and incomparable cuisine of Tokyo. Between climbing the Tokyo tower and sightseeing Mt. Fuji, Sagittariuses will always have things to explore. 

  1.  Capricorn (December 22-January 19): Melbourne 

Mature and hardworking, a Capricorn likes diversity and friendliness, and the best place for this is Melbourne. Named the friendliest city in the world* and home to the exotic Royal Botanical gardens, a Capricorn will feel right at home here. 

  1.  Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18): New Zealand 

January is the month of Aquarians  – unique and free-thinking, they will want to get truly lost in nature in New Zealand. With luscious open spaces and an abundance of beautiful scenery, Aquarians  can do just that. 

Copyright: (Daniel Huebner) / Shutterstock.com

  1.  Pisces (Feb 19-March 20): Hawaii

Romantic and shy Pisces‘ ideal travel destination is Hawaii, surrounded by water and an expanse of warm beaches. With volcanic national parks and surfing clear waters, Pisces will love getting back in touch with their aquatic roots. 

 Copyright: (photopmh) / Shutterstock.com

Inbaal Honigman, celebrity psychic and astrologer, explains:

“Applying astrology to well-being, romance or shopping is increasingly popular, but astrocartography isn’t often consulted… yet.

“Astrocartography is an extension of each individual’s star chart so that you can find the best locations for yourself worldwide. For example, the ‘Sun Line’ would be where you feel most yourself. Your ‘Venus Line’ is the best place to build your home, and Jupiter is the best place for holidays.”

For the Silo, Eve Loffman.

Explore The Evolution And Creation Of America’s Music On Giant IMAX Screen

America’s Musical Journey follows singer/songwriter Aloe Blacc as he traces the roots of American music and explores the great musical cities- places like New Orleans, Chicago, Nashville, Miami, New York City and more- where such electrifying art forms as jazz, the blues, country, soul and rock and roll were born.

In America’s musical cities, every chord, every riff, every bang of a drum tells a story. In America’s Musical Journey these stories come together to create a soundtrack for the American experience—a soundtrack that showcases the nation’s diversity and its collision of cultures, culminating in a unique blend of sound, music and innovation unlike anywhere else in the world. Click here to read full PDF release.

Aloe Blacc
Singer/songwriter Aloe Blacc tracing the roots of American music.

“There’s something exciting that happens when different cultures come together as they have in America. One of the things that happens is incredible creativity.”

Aloe Blacc US Consulate Toronto
Aloe Blacc- one of the stars of America’s Musical Journey- performing live this month at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto.

America's Musical Journey IMAX

America’s Musical Journey is a MacGillivray Freeman Film produced in association with Brand USA and presented by Expedia.

Director: Greg MacGillivray
Producer: Shaun MacGillivray
Executive Producer: Tom Garzilli
Writer: Stephen Judson
Music By: Steve Wood
Editors: Stephen Judson, Jason Paul and Victoria McGinnis
Director of Cinematography: Brad Ohlund
Aerial Cinematographer: Ron Goodman
Production Manager: Meghan MacGillivray
Production Manager: Kathy Almon
Visual Effects: Alan Markowitz

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