Overdose deaths went up with decriminalization of narcotics in British Columbia, then fell once police resumed enforcement of drug laws, federal Department of Health figures confirmed yesterday. Cabinet has denied the B.C. experiment was a failure: "We need to leave aside dogmatism." READ MORE
A newly-declassified 1992 federal memo predicted Islamic extremists would attempt to bypass federal security checks by filing refugee claims in Canada. The memo to the Department of Foreign Affairs complained that refugee claimants were “extremely difficult to control." READ MORE
Statistics Canada yesterday revised its benchmark inflation calculator to more accurately account for rising costs of auto insurance and other necessities, and reduce the “basket weight” given to the price of books and cigarettes. Adjustments to the Consumer Price Index take effect June 22: 'It must reflect how Canadians are spending their money." READ MORE
Senators yesterday were urged to pass what one proponent called an "easy, beautiful" bill to promote organ donation. The Commons has already given unanimous consent to the proposal by Conservative MP Ziad Aboultaif (Edmonton Manning) to award a federal medal to living donors: "How about the hundreds and thousands of lives we can save?" READ MORE
Cuban repression remains strictly enforced even as the nation’s economy grinds to a standstill, a Commons subcommittee on international human rights was told yesterday. Prison rations were down to 300 calories a day, testified one human rights advocate: "Do Cubans have a real chance against this tyranny? None." READ MORE
Cabinet would gain exclusive powers to exempt China from a slave labour ban under a new Commons bill. Prime Minister Mark Carney has already guaranteed Chinese automakers market access for 278,989 vehicles with slave-made parts."Do you believe there is forced labour in China?” READ MORE
Suppliers submitting bids under cabinet’s Buy Canadian program must promise not to hire foreign subcontractors, says the Department of Public Works. The new paperwork followed MPs’ complaints of numerous loopholes benefiting foreigners: "A new Declaration Form has been introduced." READ MORE
Anti-Semitism was not uncommon in those days. The worst MP I ever saw? Social Credit’s John Blackmore of Lethbridge. People couldn’t understand how he kept getting elected in Alberta. He was a kook, just out of control, and a blatherskite. He was once cited for using his House mailing privileges to distribute anti-Semitic literature. In 1954, Blackmore sought a federal commission to probe an “imperialist conspiracy of Eastern European Reds of Mongol and Turkic affinities.” He became a figure of fun in the Press Gallery because of the silly things he did, but with a dark, racist tone.
