Industry Canada loans and grants to corporations have cost taxpayers billions though subsidy rates have declined since the 1980s, according to a think tank. The Fraser Institute calculated subsidies totaled $22.1 billion since 1961: “This is a lousy way to spend tax dollars.”
A confidential report for the Department of Public Safety contemplates federal regulation of the internet, likening computer networks to “the American Wild West”. The report said internet control “enhances its value to the community.” No public official would comment.
An advocacy group claims widespread opposition to new legislation giving cabinet authority to direct union contracts at Crown corporations. Opponents predicted the rules will turn CBC into “the kind of thing you would associate with Russia”.
A federal department has compiled a blacklist of nearly 100 Canadian companies it suspects are fronts for the “sex trade”. Authorities confirmed the existence of the list to Blacklock’s, and acknowledged the information was never shared with law enforcement: “There is a significant concern.”
Household composing is at a postwar high with a majority of Canadians now sorting organic waste, according to federal data. Yet analysts noted rates vary widely by province, and the nation ranks poorly compared to other industrialized countries: “Canada doesn’t have a national strategy.”
Advocates are appealing for changes to federal regulations that permit livestock to be shipped in blistering heat without water for days at a time. Authorities confirmed there is no requirement to prevent the transport of animals in temperatures above 30 Celsius: “Behaviour that causes needless suffering is unacceptable.”
A judge has dismissed a challenge to one of the most famous trademarks in the nation. Federal Court gave a final “no” to a six-year campaign by an Ontario man to sell Asian food under the registered name “McDimSum.” McDonald’s Canada, which fought the application, would not take Blacklock’s questions: “We don’t traditionally comment on these.”
A federal judge has criticized Canada Revenue Agency for failing to get “clued in” to its own tax regulations. But the court could give only sympathy to a B.C. woman “flabbergasted” after the government failed to return $90,200 she mistakenly mailed the tax department: “I don’t think a human being ever looked at those returns.”
Research shows reported hate crimes in Canada typically involve mischief and teenage vandalism, with more than a fifth of police-noted incidents never confirmed as actual Criminal Code offences: “You’ve got a lot of graffiti artists out there.”
Regulators have rejected another bid by Bell Media Inc. to broadcast more American programming on a specialty channel, this time amid complaints of low ratings. The ruling comes as the CRTC proposes a complete review of television policy in Canada.
The Canadian Transportation Agency has denied compensation to an Air Canada passenger who had her ticket cancelled for late check-in, though the airline made her late in the first place: “This unfortunate decision underscores the need for legislation.”
A bill to end a 172-year tradition of notifying Canadians of changes to federal regulations will perish with expected prorogation of Parliament this summer. No government member would take Blacklock’s questions on S-12, the bill to alter a disclosure practice that pre-dates Confederation. “S-12, what’s that?” said the bill’s sponsor in the Commons.
One of the largest lawyers’ groups in the country has trademarked a motivational slogan to counter a “negative picture” of barristers and solicitors. “It shows lawyers are people,” said a Hamilton, Ont. litigator who promoted the campaign to “humanize” the profession.
Small business advocates are endorsing a Competition Bureau ruling on changes at Interac though higher fees will result. Interac won approval to raise penny and nickel fees charged retailers: “If Interac succeeds, small businesses will continue to have some competition.”
Telecom commissioners have denied a bid to double payphone charges from 50¢ to a dollar. Advocacy groups cheered the decision by the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecom Commission on behalf of users of the nation’s 167,000 payphones: “Denying the rate increase was a good thing.”
