Feds Delete ‘Vax Injury’ Term

The Public Health Agency erased the term “injury” from the name of a $75 million compensation fund for Canadians injured by Covid shots as part of a rebranding exercise, says an internal memo. Staff were assigned to do a Google search on the most appropriate substitute for the “Vaccine Injury Support Program.” READ MORE

Auditors Find Fed IT Failure

Federal managers wasted 15 years and a $120 million budget on a plan to digitize meat inspections, says an internal report. The system was so dysfunctional, auditors discovered employees were put to twice the work: "They did not enjoy using the platform." READ MORE

Calls Rail A Get-Rich Scheme

Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre yesterday described a proposed $90 billion regional high speed rail venture as a costly scheme to reward friends of the Liberal Party. His remarks followed a report by the Crown corporation Alto that acknowledged public wariness over the expense: "Liberal insiders, activists, lawyers will get rich." READ MORE

Exhibit Prompts Resignation

A Liberal-appointed trustee yesterday quit the board of a federal museum with an appeal to Heritage Minister Marc Miller to investigate anti-Israel content. The Canadian Museum for Human Rights on Saturday is to open an exhibit depicting the founding of Israel as a catastrophe: "A Museum that purports to tell stories about history does not get to change history." READ MORE

China Automakers Eager: Joly

State-subsidized Chinese automakers are eager to ship vehicles to Canada, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said yesterday after concluding a trip to the People’s Republic. Joly did not explain how imports would clear a federal ban on slave-made goods: "All the different Chinese electric vehicle automakers I met are interested in having access." READ MORE

Public Is Wary Of China Ties

Canadians call China a greater threat than Iran, says in-house federal research on security. Polling by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service followed Prime Minister Mark Carney’s announcement of a “new partnership” with China: "Half of respondents, 52 percent, feel Canada is more dangerous than it was five years ago." READ MORE

1 In 10 Failure Good Enough

The Canada Revenue Agency rates as a “success” an $18 million chatbot that gives taxpayers wrong answers 10 percent of the time, according to Access To Information records. The Agency’s own Taxpayer Bill Of Rights states all Canadians “have the right to complete, accurate, clear and timely information.” READ MORE

Guest Commentary

Gilles Duceppe

My Country

Canadians would first treat me as a kind of fanatic, as though I ate babies for breakfast, but then acknowledge I was always respectful of the Canadian people. I never denounced Canada, I was for Québec. Canada is a great country, but it is not my country. I respect Canadians, and sense we share more similarities than differences.  We will make good neighbours one day, and would like to know you as friends. In a democracy you face realities. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Nobody is happy in defeat, but we always respect the verdict of the people. I remain convinced I will see a sovereign Québec in my lifetime.