A social media post by the publisher of Rebel News Network prompted federal managers to launch an immediate search for a security guard wearing a Palestine pin, Access To Information records show. The search followed a Twitter comment last December 18 by Ezra Levant at the Calgary International Airport: “This needs to be addressed as soon as possible.”
The Competition Tribunal has dismissed a constitutional challenge by Google Canada Corp. in a long-running dispute over marketing practices. Google complained federal investigators were after billions in damages for alleged breach of the Competition Act: ““Google claims the requested administrative monetary penalty may exceed $90 billion.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs liberalized drinking rules for diplomats in the name of “improving efficiency,” Access To Information records show. Repeal of strict controls on embassy liquor cabinets came under a 2025 order to cut red tape: “We believe these changes will significantly reduce the administrative workload and improve efficiency in our operations.”
War in the Middle East “is an opportunity for us,” Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson said yesterday. Speaking to reporters, Hodgson said while violence was distressing it could be good for exports: “Wow, Canada’s got its act together.”
Women over 65 were the most enthusiastic voters in the 2025 general election with 77.6 percent turnout, new Elections Canada data showed yesterday. Young men under 24 had the lowest turnout, 53 percent, despite a social media campaign targeting campuses nationwide: “Turnout among all voters is a complex phenomenon.”
Vancouver activist Avi Lewis is the odds-on favourite to win the New Democrat’s March 29 leadership race, according to wagering on the gaming site Polymarket. More than $45,000 in bets were placed to date, a heavy volume by Canadian standards: “The campaign exposed a growing operational, political and cultural distance between the Party and working people.”
The Parliamentary Budget Office yesterday suspended all new scrutiny of federal spending after cabinet failed to nominate an appointee to lead investigations. The vacancy follows a seven-month standoff with Opposition MPs over the appointment of a “neutral, unbiased and impartial” Budget Officer: “As soon as we publish a report that sets the record straight there are accusations we have not understood the problem or have a bone to pick.”
Most Canadians questioned in federal focus groups predict the country will fall into recession. The Privy Council had researchers poll the public on fears of rising unemployment and whether Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government was “headed in the right direction.”
Liberal MP Randeep Sarai (Surrey Centre, B.C.) has been cited for breach of the Conflict Of Interest Act. He is the 10th current and former member of the government caucus to be found in violation: ‘The current regime is naming and shaming.’
Cabinet’s proposed regional high speed rail venture faces its first organized opposition since Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon announced a construction date. Thousands of opponents signed a Commons petition asking that Parliament “cease further advancement of the Alto high speed rail project.”
Diversity and equity criteria for federal appointees became so onerous the Privy Council required customized software for “applicant tracking,” according to Access To Information documents. Federal executives withheld the fact for 11 months: “Information collected in a tracking system database is used for screening applicants.”
The Department of Employment yesterday said it is hiring a consultant to teach employees how to write. Federal employees typically email each other up to 100 times a day, by official estimate: “They send and receive too many emails.”
Chief Electoral Officer Stéphane Perrault declined to register an Alberta sovereignty party after staff carefully scrutinized membership rolls for technical disqualification, Access To Information records show. Elections Canada admitted registering other parties that failed to meet the letter of the Elections Act: “I definitely feel they were giving us a hard time.”
Defence Minister David McGuinty fell billions short of promised spending on military preparedness equivalent to 2 percent of GDP in 2025, new figures confirm. Cabinet has promised to try again this year: ‘We are making reliable contributions to our allies.’
The Department of Employment in Access To Information research compiled a first-ever demographic profile of debtors under the Canada Student Loan Program. Tradespeople and engineers were most likely to meet their payments, said a report: “Borrowers who studied humanities or social sciences were generally most likely to report using repayment assistance.”
