The Canada Dental Care Plan will go billions over budget for years to come, says the Department of Health. Patient fees will cost taxpayers more than $18 billion over five years, a third more than cabinet’s original estimate of $13 billion: "We have just no clue." READ MORE
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne yesterday expressed indignation over criticism of his wife's hiring by a Crown corporation seeking budget concessions. “I am an honorable member of this House, not you,” he told one MP on the Commons ethics committee. READ MORE
Most Canadians now get their news from government-paid press, the chief lobbyist for subsidized dailies yesterday told the Commons finance committee. Subsidized media were “foundational,” testified Paul Deegan, CEO of News Media Canada: "The Government of Canada, I have to say, has been terrific." READ MORE
Rail and port workers would lose the right to strike under a proposal yesterday by the Senate transport committee. “The status quo is not a viable option,” wrote the Liberal-dominated panel. READ MORE
Cabinet confirms a lengthy backlog of labour complaints against Canadian companies operating abroad. The position of Ombudsman to investigate allegations of exploitation and forced labour has been vacant for more than a year: "A decision regarding the future of the Ombudsman for Responsible Enterprise and the position of the Ombudsman will be taken in due course." READ MORE
Social media posts deemed to undermine “social stability” would be subject to blocking orders by a federal censor under a cabinet bill introduced yesterday. “The law applies as soon as it comes into force,” said Heritage Minister Marc Miller. READ MORE
More than 19,000 new Covid ventilators, all purchased through sole-sourced contracts, were sold as scrap at pennies a pound, new documents show. The 19,000 figure detailed in a Public Health Agency memo is the highest yet on confirmed waste under the $1.1 billion pandemic ventilator program: "Consider an audit." READ MORE
Defenders of the Senate often use that phrase about “sober second thought.” It is no joke. Senators should be chosen, not as beneficiaries of taxpayer largesse but because they have the brains and the practical experience to see the flaws in proposed laws. Voter anger and outrage at the Canadian Senate is not new. From the outset, prime ministers used their power to appoint to the Red Chamber as a reward for party supporters and faithful allies in the cabinet and caucus.
