Canadians are so accustomed to gas price fluctuations they’ll never notice a significant increase under new fuel regulations, says a federal briefing note. The agriculture department predicted the Clean Fuel Standard by 2030 will add about 13¢ to a litre of gasoline and 16¢ for diesel: 'Increases in fuel costs may not be noticeable by most consumers.' READ MORE
Record immigration accounts for 11 to 21 percent of inflation in housing prices, says new Department of Immigration research. The report contradicted claims of racism by legislators who dismissed any connection between rising shelter costs and immigration levels: 'We're playing into that kind of racist attitude.' READ MORE
Prime Minister Mark Carney yesterday expanded tariffs on Chinese steel to “protect our market,” he said. Carney did not discuss ongoing Chinese retaliation against billions’ worth of Canadian farm and seafood exports: "We must focus on what we can control." READ MORE
It would be unthinkable for Parliament to renege on trade protection for dairy farmers, Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet said yesterday. Blanchet blamed media for unfairly criticizing the quota system, calling it "a matter of policy." READ MORE
The April 28 general election cost more than half a billion, says Elections Canada. Expenses included the hiring of 250,000 poll workers nationwide: 'That's $19.79 for each registered elector.' READ MORE
A federal immigration museum faces recurring deficits amid rising costs and a “shift in Canadian attitudes towards immigration,” say managers. The Canadian Museum of Immigration noted public opinion had changed since nearly a million 20th century transatlantic immigrants landed at Pier 21 in Halifax: "Economic concerns as well as the housing crisis have contributed to an increase in the number of Canadians who think immigration levels are too high." READ MORE
Postal workers are asking a federal judge to quash a directive by Labour Minister Patty Hajdu as a breach of their constitutional rights. Hajdu yesterday had no comment: "How dare she." READ MORE
We are firmly rooted in tradition and self-reliance. Change has always been vigorously resisted. Our history is rich with examples of challenges to modernism. As a young lawyer in Summerside in the 1950s I discovered many farmers rarely owned a bank account. When I became premier in 1966, eighty-five percent of homes had no indoor plumbing. Prince Edward Island was the last province to enforce prohibition, in 1948. Even rural electrification was opposed by some farmers who refused to permit a public utility to string wires along their property lines.
