Sales of heat pumps grew sixfold nationwide even before cabinet launched a costly subsidy program to promote their use, new figures from the Canada Energy Regulator showed yesterday. The devices were most popular in Atlantic Canada where oil furnaces had been a mainstay of home heating: "Once you make the switch to get off oil and gas you can save hundreds." READ MORE
A federal judge has upheld the Canada Border Services Agency’s confiscation of thousands in Vegas winnings from a cross-border traveler deemed improbably lucky. Under the Proceeds Of Crime And Terrorist Financing Act, Canadians returning home must account for all cash holdings over $10,000: "This can hardly be characterized as unreasonable." READ MORE
A federal delegation on tour in China urged battery electric car makers to increase Canadian demand for their vehicles, according to a report to Parliament. Automakers with assembly plants in Canada have warned a guaranteed five-year quota of 278,989 Chinese imports will cost jobs here: "Unfettered access, even if limited by quotas, will weaken Canada’s ability to protect its people." READ MORE
The Assembly of First Nations says it rejects any fixed deadline under Prime Minister Mark Carney’s legislated plan to speed approval of “nation building” projects. The group in a report to parliamentarians dismissed Carney’s deadlines as a pressure tactic: 'It is aggressive.' READ MORE
Many Ukrainian war refugees let into Canada are expected to return home “when it is safe to do so,” says a Department of Immigration briefing note. The document set no quota but estimated over 308,000 Ukrainians arrived in Canada under a special aid program: "Temporary in-Canada measures remain in place until March 31, 2027." READ MORE
A third of affordable housing in Canada is in poor or fair condition, CMHC said yesterday. Problems identified by the federal insurer included plumbing, electrical and roofing in need of repair: "1 in 3 units are in fair or poor condition." READ MORE
A Nova Scotia jail guard has been sentenced to three years in a federal penitentiary for smuggling marijuana for inmates. The fact Parliament legalized recreational marijuana in 2018 was no excuse, the Court ruled: "Our community does not accept this type of behaviour." READ MORE
I was representing a person who won a $2,000 award in Small Claims Court. The other side appealed. The judge heard the case, required us to make a full presentation over this $2,000 and reserved judgment, that is, took it under consideration. Years later, the judge had still not issued his judgment on this $2,000 claim. I waited. The judge died. It was unbelievably unfair to the client.
