Cabinet today said it will revive a popular 2007 program that offered $5,000 grants to homeowners for energy refits. The program was cancelled in 2012 on complaints over the cost: "It doesn't take much." READ MORE
WE ‘Misunderstood The Law’
We Charity appeared to misunderstand the Lobbying Act in failing to disclose dozens of contacts with federal staff, cabinet and political aides, says Lobbying Commissioner Nancy Bélanger. The charity out-lobbied General Motors in pursuing a $43.5 million grant, records show: "Would that be okay?" READ MORE
Ambassador Holds Pot Stock
Bob Rae, Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations, is the only current federal public office holder with investments in the marijuana trade. Neither Rae nor the Department of Foreign Affairs would comment on the disclosure: "Bob Rae has dedicated his life to serving Canadians." READ MORE
Commissioner Clears Baylis
No rules were broken when the Department of Health awarded a $237.3 million contract to a company chaired by former Québec Liberal MP Frank Baylis, says the Commissioner of Ethics. Baylis was not bound by conflict of interest rules since he’d left Parliament six months before the contract was signed: "Can that be considered a conflict of interest?" READ MORE
Few Flag-Wavers, Gov’t Finds
Few Canadians fly the flag but are quietly proud of their country as strong and free, says a Department of Canadian Heritage study. The research was conducted after the pandemic forced cancellation of Canada Day observances on Parliament Hill for the first time in forty-four years: "This is where they were born, this is their country and they love their country." READ MORE
Seek Disclosure On ID Theft
Parliament should require all banks and telecom companies to publicly disclose accounts implicated in fraud and identity theft, says the Commons industry committee. MPs heard Covid-19 drove a sharp rise in calls by thieves posing as public health officers: "Government should prevent further harm to Canadians." READ MORE
A Sunday Poem: “Other Jobs”
Poet Shai Ben-Shalom, an Israeli-born biologist, examines current events in the Blacklock's tradition each and every Sunday: "In Death of a Salesman, Biff talks about jobs he had, pointing out suffering fifty weeks each year..." READ MORE
Guest Commentary
My first paycheque was $26. I remember one oldtimer telling me, “You don’t have to be smart or know all the answers to work hard. You can compensate for a lot with hard work.” I never forgot that miner’s advice. It is a philosophy that guides me. People recognize effort.
