Canadians want nothing to do with a federal election, Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne yesterday told reporters. Cabinet faces a non-confidence motion next week: “It’s already difficult to be governing.”
Three contractors accused of millions in fraudulent billings are named in a federal document. Cabinet earlier told reporters all three were referred to the RCMP but would not identify the suppliers: “This is the first wave of fraudulent billing cases the department has identified with more expected to be announced in the coming months.”
MPs yesterday took a step to censuring Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault’s business partner for contempt of Parliament. Stephen Anderson, an Edmonton importer, ignored an ethics committee order that he identify a mysterious executive named “Randy.”
A total 344 federal employees have been fired as CERB cheats, the highest figure disclosed to date, cabinet confirmed yesterday. The count is expected to rise with ongoing investigations: “We know in times of crisis the risk of fraud is heightened.”
Radio commentator Charles Adler yesterday took his seat as a Manitoba Senator after refusing comment on past broadcasts in which he called Indigenous constituents lazy “boneheads.” The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. opposed his appointment: “The vile words and contempt he has spoken are so vicious and racist.”
Cabinet yesterday expressed shock and surprise over the loss of a must-win Liberal byelection in the Prime Minister’s hometown. Justin Trudeau and 15 cabinet ministers personally canvassed in the Montréal riding of LaSalle-Émard-Verdun: “We need people to understand.”
MPs are vulnerable to electronic surveillance by foreign agents, the chair of the Commons national defence committee said yesterday. Testifying at the Commission on Foreign Interference, Liberal MP John McKay (Scarborough-Guildwood, Ont.) said Chinese hacking of his own cellphone may have exposed contacts he built up through nine terms in Parliament: “Maybe I am just being paranoid.”
The Liberal Party last night lost a byelection Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called “an important moment” for Canada. Montréalers voted Bloc Québécois in a once-safe Liberal seat: “I can’t wait for the conversations we’re having in LaSalle-Émard-Verdun.”
Opposition parties seek a wider ethics probe of political appointees to federal boards. Conservative MP Rick Perkins (South Shore-St. Margarets, N.S.) yesterday told the Commons industry committee there was a “culture of conflict” as shown by dozens of breaches of the Conflict Of Interest Act at a single agency: “Expose them and let the public and parliamentarians decide what should happen.”
China inquiry chief Marie-Josée Hogue yesterday said she is restricted by the Inquiries Act from unmasking foreign spies on Parliament Hill. The Commission on Foreign Interference must not “jeopardize any other investigation,” said Hogue: “I am aware of the political climate.”
Subsidized media must scrutinize the Conservative Party, Government House Leader Karina Gould yesterday told reporters. Her remarks followed a colleague’s comment that cabinet was “happy to help” CBC-TV counter Conservative criticism: “Make sure we are holding (Pierre Poilievre) to account.”
Tariffs on Chinese electric cars, steel and aluminum offer only a “short reprieve” for industry, the Commons trade committee was told yesterday. The tariffs take effect October 1: “This is basically a short reprieve, a temporary reprieve.”
A federal judge has upheld one of the steepest fines ever levied for breach of migrant labour regulations. An Alberta contractor was fined $153,000 and banned from the Temporary Foreign Worker Program for five years after failing a spot inspection: “The process was fair.”
Federal auditors cite Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault’s department for poor oversight of millions spent on green subsidies. Management of taxpayer funds was so sloppy it represented “potential legal and reputational damage,” said a report: “We observed significant issues.”
The judge leading the China inquiry has disclosed she held 22 secret meetings with immigrant communities “willing to share their experience” on intimidation by foreign agents. Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue said she could not give public notice of her meetings for fear of endangering informants: “For security reasons these meetings took place in private at undisclosed locations.”
