Federal measures to protect endangered birds, fish and wildlife must recognize landowners’ rights, say national farm groups. MPs conducting hearings on the Species At Risk Act were told to avoid “confrontation” with ranchers and growers. “If a species at risk is viewed as a liability to the land manager, it will always be at risk,” testified one cattleman.

Regulators are proposing a warning label on garlic powder. Vinegar is also under scrutiny, as Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency puts kitchen staples under the microscope.

Questions are being raised over a federal program to draw private investment into public works. “This is an ideology, not a business plan,” said Paul Moist, president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees. The union cited a privatized Ontario toll road that charges drivers up to 28¢ a kilometre in rush hour.

Billions of dollars budgeted for 9/11 security were never spent for their intended purpose and cannot be traced, says the auditor general. Michael Ferguson warned, despite the investment, Canada still appears ill-prepared for cyber threats with a Response Centre that keeps shorter hours than a fire hall.

The Department of Finance is repealing tariffs on water skis and trampolines in a “healthy living” campaign. Authorities also promised tax relief for archers, curlers and trapshooting enthusiasts. The amusement tariff cuts were detailed for the first time in a budget bill tabled in Parliament.

Reliability of the nation’s search and rescue service is threatened by aging aircraft, deficient computer systems and looming personnel shortages, says the auditor general. Defence Minister Peter McKay told the Commons, “We have to do more.”