Muslim groups yesterday in a report proposed regulation of parliamentary “disinformation” against Arab Canadians. Amira Elghawaby, cabinet’s $191,000-a year Special Representative on Combating Islamophobia, said immediate action was required: “How would that work?”

Scotiabank yesterday declined comment on its refusal to make even small change for walk-in customers unless they open an account. The Bank’s new policy follows introduction of a cabinet bill abolishing cash transactions of $10,000 or more regardless of the source or circumstances, the first restriction of its kind: “We don’t have comment at this time.”

Canadians surveyed by the Department of National Defence rate Russia as the leading threat to national security. Other responses included China, the U.S.A. and “immigration policies.”

Federal election managers knew the approximate date of the 2025 campaign call months before it was public, Access To Information records show. Elections Canada to date has not explained numerous irregularities in the vote given the ample warning: “It appears we will have an election call on March 25 or 26.”

Prime Minister Mark Carney yesterday reiterated his pledge to double housing starts to 500,000 per year though federal figures show the target is impossible to achieve. Carney offered no explanation: “We build bigger and faster.”

The Department of Social Development yesterday said it is hiring researchers to study actual impacts of its $200 million-a year school lunch program. Then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the program 16 months ago on claimed benefits that appeared to be inflated: “The goal is to build a strong, evidence-based program.”

Mounties should conduct themselves with more “humility,” says a federal report. The RCMP acknowledged it was not obvious what the reference meant in practical policing: “The status quo isn’t working.”

Immigration Minister Lena Diab yesterday said she was extending special permits for Gazan refugees but would not specify if a cap of 5,000 will remain unchanged. Diab’s department also declined to discuss costs of tax-free grants that pay $3,000 per adult and $1,500 per minor child: “The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is devastating.”

The Commons transport committee by a 5 to 4 vote has summoned all confidential records detailing $1.1 billion in federal financing to buy Chinese-made vessels for British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. “We can stop this loan,” said Conservative MP Dan Albas (Okanagan Lake West-South Kelowna, B.C.), sponsor of the motion.

A lawyer at the Department of Finance in Ottawa, Timothy Huyer, is the first federal employee to withdraw tweets under a new Treasury Board policy prohibiting vulgar and partisan social media posts. Huyer tweeted 9 to 10 times in a typical workday including messages ridiculing Conservatives and profane posts like one that boasted: “The nice thing about being in government is being able to introduce laws that allow you to f—k up without people being able to sue you for it.”

New Democrat MP Gord Johns (Courtenay-Alberni, B.C.) complained of “an affront to democracy” after being sidelined at a Commons committee hearing. Other parties signaled they had no interest in making concessions to New Democrats after they were reduced to seven seats in the April 28 election: “I think I have a lot to offer.”

The federal prison system now has more employees than inmates, according to Correctional Service figures. It follows a finding by the Correctional Investigator that Canada has one of the costliest prison systems in the world: “In some institutions the number of correctional officers alone exceeds the number of inmates.”

Cabinet expects the post office and its largest union to come to terms “as soon as possible,” says Labour Minister Patty Hajdu. One business group proposed Parliament impose back-to-work legislation on the Canadian Union of Postal Workers for the third time in 14 years: “The government is monitoring this situation closely.”

Blacklock’s pauses for the August bank holiday with warmest regards to subscribers. We wish you a safe, happy holiday. We’re back tomorrow — The Editor.