Cabinet is legislating itself “practically unlimited” powers to redefine regulations on federal prisoners. The new measures come as Parliament struggles with a crisis in the sustainability of policing costs, according to Public Safety Canada: “We keep passing new laws.”
Ottawa must brace for environmental protest in boosting Arctic oil and mining development, according to documents. A cabinet-level memo warns of public criticism once Canada uses the Arctic Council to promote industry: “I find this reprehensible.”
Simpler regulations are being sought by cider makers who complain their product is subject to odd categorization as a wine, which it isn’t, and rules that it cannot be transported in a beer truck: “We are at a challenging state in the industry.”
The Commons finance committee is being cautioned to prepare for challenges on job training, an aging workforce and low productivity leading to what was originally forecast to be higher growth in 2014: “There is a huge public policy issue here.”
Federal inspectors plan a mammoth spot-check of grocery items in 11 cities nationwide in a hunt for “hazards” to public health.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency will hire contractors to conduct an audit of 21,545 food and drink samples to be tested at federal labs for bacteria, illegal additives and contamination. Authorities said the inspections will occur between December 1 and next September 1.
Rona Ambrose, health minister responsible for the agency, did not take Blacklock’s questions.
“The Canadian Food Inspection Agency needs to conduct surveys to determine the background levels of contamination in certain targeted food areas,” the agency reported; “Each hazard represents a survey. A hazard is a source of potential damage, harm or adverse health effect.”
However inspectors did not divulge what foods were “targeted” for suspected health violations under the Food and Drugs Act. Two items cited as examples for sampling procedures were imported organic leafy greens and a Swiss-made Lindt hazelnut chocolate bar.
“If you’re trying to assess risk to protect people, does a brand-name chocolate bar pose the same risk as lettuce picked in Mexico?” said Christopher Kyte, president of the Food Processors of Canada. “Our members already exceed minimum standards because their names are on the package. Wouldn’t you gravitate to products that are not made in licensed food plants in Canada or the United States?”
The inspection agency proposes to collect lab samples from grocery stores, “ethnic stores”, specialty food outlets, coffee and tea houses, juice bars and U-pick farms. Sampled goods include any processed food and drink products, including chewing gum, as well as dairy, eggs and meat, honey, fresh fruit and vegetables.
An industry group Food & Consumer Products of Canada noted spot checks by federal inspectors are commonplace but “this would definitely be considered a robust review.”
“It’s important to identify outlying grey market and improperly labelled products,” said Adam Grachnik, senior communications director.
The eleven cities targeted for inspection are Metro Toronto (with 6,052 food samples to be lab tested); Montréal (3,887 samples); Vancouver (3,185); Ottawa (2,407); Calgary (2,367); Québec City (1,125); Halifax (1,058); Winnipeg (450); Saskatoon (338); Kelowna, B.C. (338); and Saint John (338).
Inspectors did not explain what criteria were used in targeting cities for inspections.
“These numbers are provided as estimates only for planning purposes,” the agency said. “They should in no way be construed as final.”
The inspection agency did not say if it intended to publish the findings of its audits.
By Tom Korski 
MPs are cautioned that a vaunted crackdown on counterfeiting will see property owners pay costs and court fees while thieves “seem to be getting off scot-free”. The Canadian Anti-Counterfeiting Network told a Commons committee that Bill C-8 puts onus and expense on piracy victims who press claims against bootleggers: “Where are the perpetrators?”
Public employees must face “restructuring” if cabinet is to balance the federal budget as promised in 2015, says Treasury Board President Tony Clement. The senior minister told reporters a new round of contract negotiations with civil servants in 2014 will see strict terms: “We have to tackle the issues”.
MPs propose that a select parliamentary committee gain oversight of all federal police and surveillance agencies, including a secretive spy group that’s become one of the fastest-growing federal bureaucracies: “The necessity of this legislation has been evident for more than a decade.”
Cabinet is considering new, unspecified measures on rail safety following the Lac-Mégantic wreck that killed 47 people, says the Leader of the Government in the Senate. Opponents noted no specific new regulations were detailed in either the Throne Speech of cabinet’s first major omnibus bill: “There’s inertia somewhere.”
The Department of Public Safety cautions it faces a “crisis” on ballooning criminal justice expenses without new methods to control costs. The warning came as the Commons public safety committee resumed hearings on how to curb the expense of policing. ‘This is crucial.’
The head of a Finance Canada-friendly think tank has again been hired to moderate meetings on the government’s austerity budget at thousands of dollars per appearance.
Brian Lee Crowley, managing director of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, confirmed he is contracted to appear at budget roundtable meetings at a five-figure talent fee.
“I don’t host the meetings, I moderate the discussion,” Crowley said. “It’s purely a chairing role.”
Crowley was paid $13,257 to host budget roundtable sessions with business groups last winter, according to accounts tabled in Parliament. The payments included $1,500 for a single appearance at a half-day meeting in Ottawa; $3,526 in fees and expenses to moderate a meeting in Burlington, Ont.; and $2,755 for a one-day appearance in Montréal.
The Department of Finance said Crowley’s flat fee for a teleconference was $1,500. “Mr. Crowley is uniquely qualified to carry out this assignment,” a finance spokesperson said.
In an email exchange with Blacklock’s, Crowley said he expected to be paid the same talent fees this winter.
“This is a personal contract and has nothing to do with the institute,” said Crowley, who added that as a former visiting economist with the department he “designed this format of consultation” with Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.
“It arises from a longstanding connection with the Minister,” Crowley said.
Flaherty’s office declined comment.
Crowley’s Macdonald-Laurier Institute has published documents and opinions in support of Department of Finance policies, including a recent study endorsing Flaherty’s refusal to regulate $5 billion in credit card fees paid by Canadian merchants.
By Tom Korski
Regulators report a growing tide of complaints over telecom with 13,693 consumer grievances in 2013, many involving disputes over wireless usage: “Customers are not willing to take their service providers’ word.”
Canada Revenue continues to unravel a tax fraud that saw crooked preparers claim over $9 million in phantom charity credits. Tax Court in the latest case dismissed testimony of a man who insisted he gave $30,000 to help Africa’s poor: “Simply not credible.”
Canadian performers and other talent are pressing Parliament for expanded intellectual property rights. Members of ACTRA asked for recognition of copyright on images. The alliance estimated, film, TV and radio production comprise 7% of Canada’s economy.
Proposed tax credits for travelling tradespeople are a “lifestyle” perk too open to abuse by dishonest workers, says Canada Revenue’s parliamentary secretary. MP Gerald Keddy likened the credits to “chocolate cake with a lot of icing” that would prove irresistible to dishonest tax filers.
