Finance department executives would be shielded from legal liability for costly errors, incompetence or negligence under a clause inserted in Minister François-Philippe Champagne’s latest budget bill, the Senate banking committee was told yesterday. Senators expressed alarm: "At what point does this legislation place the civil servants above the law?" READ MORE
Newly-declassified records show cabinet in 1996 agreed to buy four used diesel submarines after Defence Minister David Collenette said the United Kingdom cut its price 4 percent in what he called “a very good” deal for Canada. Subsequent maintenance and refits cost taxpayers more than $3 billion and kept most vessels out of regular service. READ MORE
Cabinet’s $90 billion regional high speed rail venture will never be built, a Conservative MP yesterday told the Commons. MP Roman Baber (North York, Ont.) said based on staggering cost overruns in municipal rail projects, it would “cost a trillion” to run an electrified commuter rail service from Toronto to Québec City: "Ninety billion? Are you kidding me?" READ MORE
Federal regulators yesterday fined four credit unions in two provinces a total $816,750 for breach of the Proceeds Of Crime And Terrorist Financing Act. Breaches ranged from paperwork errors to conducting business with a suspected criminal: "We will take firm action when it is required." READ MORE
Canadians under 35 typically have yet to recover from high pandemic-era inflation, the Bank of Canada said yesterday. Worries over a permanent increase in the cost of living were “valid and reflect an important reality,” said a Bank report: "Many Canadians still feel affordability pressures even after inflation has slowed." READ MORE
Cabinet last year sent nearly twice as much foreign aid to Palestine as it sent to Ukraine, totaling nearly a quarter billion. New figures were tabled in Parliament as Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged another $100 million in aid: "I am speaking for Canada now." READ MORE
The nation’s largest internet service providers agreed to a rare, two-year Court order blocking pop-up websites by anti-Israel activists targeting Indigo Books & Music Inc. Lawyers for the bookseller spent years tracking anonymous activists who called themselves “your friendly faceless internet trolls.” READ MORE
Some MPs come to Ottawa driven by passion for public affairs, others arrive by mishap. I’d worked as an educator for 30 years, teaching English, history and social studies. Current events were always very important in my class. Then I saw how Parliament works. I was shocked at the process. Debate is limited by closure. Many MPs are indifferent and never participate. There is no attempt at thoughtful analysis. Legislation is hastily passed and dissent is not tolerated. Is this too cynical?
