The foreign ministry told staff to stress “prudent financial management” even as it concealed records on expensive real estate holdings from taxpayers, records show. Documents obtained by Blacklock’s indicate the Department of Foreign Affairs went to intricate lengths to justify its realty portfolio, even hiding details from the public and media after it was ordered to cut back on spending.

A vague definition of what defines the word “serious” has prompted a national petition. Thirteen of the country’s largest conservation groups have appealed to cabinet for clarification of amendments to the Fisheries Act. “It’s kind of strange, really,” said one petitioner.

The Department of Finance is spending $10 million to promote its 2013 budget, though research shows two-thirds of Canadians cannot recall seeing the TV or internet ads. One official acknowledged data show the ad blitz appeared to have little impact on Canadians’ habits.

RCMP say they are being silenced from testifying before a parliamentary committee on new disciplinary legislation. “The fact I am speaking here to you, I am placing my own career in peril,” one Mountie told reporters on Parliament Hill.

The Department of Foreign Affairs ran up a property bill of $208 million a year to maintain overseas homes and offices for diplomats, including a $15 million mansion in Oslo and five apartments in Brussels, according to records obtained by Blacklock’s. Access to Information documents show the foreign ministry was perplexed when ordered to downsize its real estate holdings.

In a case that exposed the finances of parking, B.C.’s Simon Fraser University has successfully fought Canada Revenue in a dispute over taxes on fines. The University reports it actually loses $100,000 a year on enforcement, but convinced a judge it should not collect GST on fines to scofflaw drivers.

A Commons committee on income equality is being urged to reform or repeal two popular family tax credits if it wants to help the poor. The $220 million credits for children’s sports and arts programs “make no sense at all” for families that don’t earn enough to pay income tax, said a McMaster economist.

A British Columbia skier who claimed a hillside condo as a residence for tax purposes has hit icy conditions at the Supreme Court of Canada. Justices declined to hear an appeal by a Kelowna skier who claimed his condo was just like home and GST exempt.

Health Canada, farmers and the Sierra Club are clashing over the environmental danger of insecticides blamed for killing bee hives. A federal agency is urging caution in use of the chemicals cited in severe damage to the $151 million-a year honey industry .

Chinese in the People’s Republic “now want to work less and earn more,” according to a report from a parliamentary group that spent a week touring the country. Legislators interviewed by Blacklock’s could not recall the source of the commentary. “I think that got lost in translation,” said a senator.

The Department of Foreign Affairs stands to lose more than a million dollars on diplomatic housing that was supposed to be sold at a profit. Documents obtained through Access to Information showed foreign ministry staff were confident they could make money in real estate in Buffalo, N.Y. “Did they ask if this was a good time to sell?” said one MP.

In a little-noticed regulatory change, the Department of Northern Development has clawed back a requirement for public hearings on dumping toxic waste in the Northwest Territories. New rules allow oil and gas companies to dump waste on-site without public notice, rather than transport it to Alberta and B.C.

The Crown agency that produces the nation’s coins admits it made a seven-figure arithmetic error in its accounts. The Royal Canadian Mint acknowledged it mistakenly inflated the profit it reported to taxpayers. “This is ironic,” one MP told Blacklock’s.

Canada will battle any U.S. attempt to collect fees on goods or vehicles crossing the 49th parallel, says International Trade Minister Ed Fast. “We will certainly fight this,” he told reporters. The remark followed a U.S. agency’s musing it might charge border fees as a cost-recovery measure.

Taxpayers stand to gain new powers to take Canada Revenue to court over small disputes. A Commons bill raises the allowable limit of Tax Court claims that can be filed without a lawyer, up to $25,000. “This is progress,” Finance Minister Jim Flaherty told Blacklock’s.