Health Minister Marjorie Michel yesterday waived repayment of nearly a half billion owed taxpayers from people who falsely claimed free dentistry under a federal program. The Department of Health to date has yet to explain steep cost overruns in the Canada Dental Care Plan: "Costs associated with pursuing and managing recovery may be disproportionate." READ MORE
Retaliatory tariffs imposed by cabinet September 8 are costing Canadian consumers $100 million a week, an economist and former federal consultant yesterday told the Commons foreign affairs committee. Cabinet said the point of retaliation was to punish Republican voters in the United States: "These are taxes and they are paid by Canadians." READ MORE
Parliament should ban targeted advertising by social media platforms, says the Commons heritage committee. MPs in a report also sought new controls on legal internet content similar to measures outlined in a cabinet bill, C-34: "The committee heard about the increasing use of social media." READ MORE
The public is owed answers from Canada Post over the fate of 3,361 rural outlets now subject to closure, the Commons was told yesterday. Conservative MP Brad Vis (Mission-Matsqui, B.C.) tabled petitions from constituents alarmed over the suspension of a 1994 moratorium on rural closures: "Canadians are worried." READ MORE
The Commons yesterday by unanimous vote passed into law a private bill proclaiming each September as Ukrainian Heritage Month. The ceremonial observance was timely, said the House sponsor: "We must stand with the Ukraine people now until they win." READ MORE
The Budget Office yesterday said “the deficit is broadly unchanged” despite claims by Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne that cabinet found $60 billion in savings. Budget analysts predicted cabinet will add a third of a trillion in new debt by 2030, a total $333,400,000,000: "This reflects the pace of federal borrowing." READ MORE
Provinces will be consulted on a level of immigration that “works for Canadians,” Prime Minister Mark Carney said yesterday. His comments followed Alberta voters’ approval of four referendum questions to limit access to health, education and welfare by foreigners in Canada on temporary permits: "It’s very important to do our jobs." READ MORE
I have served in the legislature, provincial cabinet and House of Commons but none are as maligned as the Senate. Many Canadians do not understand or appreciate what the Senate does or why, or the importance of its work. The scandals don’t help. Yes, the Senate has made mistakes. Canadians are questioning why the Senate is even necessary. There’s no question Canadians have lost confidence in the accountability of Senators.
