The Liberal Party yesterday did not comment after an Atlantic candidate was quoted as warning cabinet “unfortunately” will have to tax home equity. Jason Hickey, Liberal candidate in New Brunswick Southwest, made his remarks in a video recording distributed by the Conservative Party: “It’s what we have to do.”
New data by Statistics Canada yesterday confirmed most pandemic victims were over 85. The figures mirror research by other groups indicating a majority of deaths occurred among octogenarians: “The Covid-19 mortality rate for the 85 and older age group outpaced the overall increase in the mortality rate.”
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland yesterday appealed to Québecers to “make the right choice” after Premier François Legault publicly opposed the Liberals’ re-election. The Party won 35 of 78 seats in Québec in the last campaign: “It’s a tough situation.”
The Conservative Party yesterday said if elected it expects ongoing deficits to be about thirteen percent below the Liberal cabinet’s own forecasts over the next three years. Leader Erin O’Toole has said he would not advocate deeper cuts to federal spending: “That is our plan.”
The Federal Court for the second time in two years has struck down a media blacklist by the Leaders’ Debates Commission. The Commission had attempted to block Rebel News Network Ltd. from attending tonight’s English-language telecast: ‘It is is attempting to regulate the media.’
Billionaire Elon Musk’s Tesla Motors Canada Inc. received more than $125 million in federal subsidies in the past two years, accounts show. The California carmaker was the largest beneficiary of $5,000 federal rebates for electric car buyers: “Tesla has received the most.”
Operators of Canada’s oldest nuclear reactor knew of contaminated water leaks for decades before a 2009 accident forced a costly shutdown. Management of the Chalk River, Ont. plant by Atomic Energy of Canada Limited is detailed in Court records in an insurance dispute: “This was monitored over a 35-year period.”
Cabinet quietly petitioned the United Nations to water down a pledge for climate change aid to poor countries, according to documents. “Must assist” was changed to “should assist” only weeks after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly promised billions in funding at a G7 summit: “Urgent action is needed.”
Any re-elected Liberal cabinet will never tax Canadians’ home equity, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau yesterday told reporters. Trudeau said he recognized ownership represented lifetime savings by homeowners to finance their retirement: “We want to protect people who have equity in their house.”
The Department of Public Works in internal emails acknowledged a mistake in shipping $655,501 worth of Covid shelters to a Manitoba hamlet that never asked for them, but said the community “can keep the tents.” Public Works Minister Anita Anand had said she was shocked to learn of a contractor’s conflict of interest in the case: “How is it your office was not aware?”
New Democrats will “do whatever it takes” on climate change, leader Jagmeet Singh yesterday told reporters. Singh would not comment when asked if the Party supported an increase in the federal carbon tax beyond cabinet’s current target of a 40¢ per litre charge on gasoline: ““I really want to be clear on this.”
The Department of National Defence next month will launch a marketing campaign promising “purpose” and “empowerment” for women enlisting with the Canadian Armed Forces. It follows a criminal charge against the former commander of the Armed Forces in an ongoing sex scandal: “The intent is to demonstrate what life in the Canadian Armed Forces is like for women.”
The Department of Public Safety expanded tax-free grants to families of fallen first responders after the program came 35 percent under budget, according to an audit. Grants were extended to families of prison guards and probation officers, but not doctors or nurses: “I think we have put our front line health care workers in harm’s way.”
Nursing home operators pleaded with federal agencies to ship Covid masks within days of the pandemic’s outbreak, according to internal emails. Minister of Seniors Deb Schulte was “upset” cabinet had no help to offer as the Prime Minister’s Office referred calls to the provinces: “Every government has a responsibility to protect Canadians.”
A Liberal candidate’s “Jew” insult on Twitter was online hate, says Green Party leader Annamie Paul. “It happens all too often,” said Paul, the only Jewish party leader at this week’s campaign debates: “I hope everyone will call out hate when they see it.”
