Federal chemists, biologists and other scientists say their work has become subordinate to public relations, according to a union study. Ninety percent say they are unable to speak openly about their research: “Muzzling of scientists is an issue that affects us all.”
Counterfeiting crimes account for less than 1% of federal prosecutions despite a five-fold increase in seizures of fake goods, records show. The Prosecution Service reported “about” 100 individuals and companies were charged for intellectual property crimes last year: “Are we giving prosecutors the tools?”
A Prairie case cited as a “fundamental question” of labour rights is bound for the Supreme Court. Justices agreed to hear an appeal of a Saskatchewan law that designates virtually all government employees as essential workers: “They have to grapple with the question.”
Business is pressing the Department of Finance to regulate $5 billion in credit fees in the wake of a federal anti-trust ruling. Merchants propose a rewritten Code of Conduct that would limit the ability of Visa and MasterCard to levy fees: “Time and patience are running out.”
VIA Rail Inc. is hiring a new $241,000-a year CEO after reporting a pre-tax loss of more than a third of a billion dollars last year. Chief executive Marc Laliberté will not seek reappointment on the expiry of his term Jan. 4: “It was a difficult decision for him to make.”
Canadian furniture manufacturers, ice-cream makers and other industry leaders say they are uneasy over the signing of an unseen trade pact with the European Union. Executives expressed qualms with the process that would repeal thousands of tariffs on imports from 28 countries: “There should have been some public discourse before this deal was signed.”
A promise to open all government contracting to European bidders is drawing cautious scrutiny. Cities had sought a cap to save the trouble of trans-Atlantic procurement processes on every tender: “Sometimes the devil is in the details.”
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz says dairy farmers should not “hold back the day” for free trade with Europe. In an interview, Ritz acknowledged E.U. cheese producers stand to gain a larger market share under a pact, but said cabinet remains committed to supply management. Dairy farmers called the treaty “unacceptable”.
The Supreme Court has ruled against narrowly defining mandatory disclosure of environmental damage as required by law. The unanimous 7-0 judgment came in the case of a road contractor who failed to report fallout from a rock blast: “This is a very important decision.”
Union organizers say they are bracing for unspecified amendments to the Public Service Labour Relations Act including feared repeal of their right to strike. Government employees said they were neither consulted nor provided drafts of any proposed changes: “We are pretty shocked.”
Cabinet leadership is required to address failings of Canada’s Access to Information system, says a federal commissioner. Suzanne Legault said cabinet must ensure compliance with federal law, as in the case of one department that improperly withheld documents for three years.
Nearly 1 in 4 small businesses forecast poor sales through to 2014, according to Industry Canada data. Research determined the outlook is so uncertain that small business now rates financing a minor problem: “If your business isn’t growing your demand for capital is not there.”
Water quality in one of Canada’s most famous lakes has declined over a decade despite efforts to reclaim the landmark. Satellite imagery confirms that algae growth spiked by farm chemical runoff and urban waste has worsened in ten years: “The entire lake is a concern.”
The Canadian Transportation Agency is extending a certificate of fitness for the bankrupt railway implicated in the fatal Lac-Mégantic wreck. The railway meets liability insurance requirements, but only because its freight business is down 70% and it no longer ships crude oil.
Cabinet proposes to renew grants to the auto and defence industries amid a slump in manufacturing sales. Authorities called it an investment in “proven” job creation. The pledge followed new data confirming another drop in manufacturing sales: “It’s really taking a beating.”
