Recidivism rates in federal prisons have remained unchanged for more than a decade despite evolving crime legislation, records show. Correctional Service documents indicate 26 percent of new inmates already served time, unchanged from 2000: “The rate is not as high as we’ve been led to believe.”
Parliament is reviewing legislation to tighten scrutiny of funds used to restore and maintain the nation’s forts, canals and other historic sites. Bill C-528 requires that Parks Canada and registered charities keep careful accounting of restoration budgets and donations they receive: “There is no way of defining where your donation is going to go.”
Advocates are protesting a multi-million dollar increase in fees by a federal grain agency. The Canadian Grain Commission has doubled and tripled inspection fees that were frozen since 1991, as MPs broke for summer recess: “What we want to know is why.”
Canada’s banks are now forbidden from mailing unsolicited credit card cheques to customers. It comes more than two years after the Department of Finance said it would ban the practice: “These cheques were ubiquitous.”
A senator says he has now waited two years for a reply to a routine question on government policy, setting a new standard for inertia and “lack of disclosure” in Parliament. “Canadians have a right to know what the government is doing,” said Sen. Percy Downe, who asked June 23, 2011 for details of decentralization — and is still waiting.
Canada is introducing first-ever federal regulations on icewine in a bid to curb counterfeiting. Winemakers praised the initiative though it calls for federal-provincial consensus, and one province — Quebec — is improperly freezing grapes: “Establishing these standards is critical.”
Port officials say coordinated policies, not more federal regulations, have reduced crime. Authorities speaking at a Port Secure conference said they curbed contraband with common-sense precautions. The remarks came as the Canada Border Services Agency proposed new regulations creating cordoned “controlled areas” at ports and airfields.
The Department of Justice has banned six more obsolete models of breathalyzer machines on the advice of forensic scientists. Authorities did not comment on the order, the second in six months. The department earlier cited “human error” as cause for banning certain blood-alcohol instruments.
Official job figures are skewed by counting 300,000 unpaid interns as members of the workforce, says a Liberal senator. “It is almost incomprehensible,” said Senator Grant Mitchell of Edmonton. Statistics Canada confirmed it does not remove free volunteers from its monthly job calculations.
Canadian travellers face new security cordons at major airports and marine ports. The Department of Public Safety said anti-smuggling regulations will bring more restricted areas beginning at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport, Trudeau International at Montreal, and Vancouver International Airport.
One of the nation’s largest fisheries should not expect taxpayers to “bail them out” without concessions, says the parliamentary secretary for fisheries. MP Randy Kamp said he questions aid for the $1 billion lobster fishery without new measures: “We’ve been sort of nibbling around the edges of this individual quota…”
Cabinet is extending a freeze on new immigration sponsorships for families. A freeze in place since November 2011 will continue till year’s end, with a quota of 5,000 applicants annually after that: “It doesn’t take too long for a backlog to build up.”
Conservative senators are being pressured to quickly pass a labour bill, sources tell Blacklock’s. Parliamentary contacts said three Conservatives were threatened with removal from the Senate trade and commerce committee if they failed to ensure passage of Bill C-377. The committee expressed its concerns over the bill’s “constitutional validity”.
MPs have given speedy final passage to a landmark bill permitting seismic exploration and horizontal drilling in a national park. The measure permitting “low impact” oil and gas exploration at Sable Island, N.S., southeast of Halifax, was signed into law.
RCMP members attempting to unionize the force predict more lawsuits with the enactment of new legislation. “Members have no recourse but to go to court,” said Rae Banwarie, national president of the Mounted Police Professional Association. Bill C-42, extending powers to fire or demote members, was signed into law in the Senate chamber.
