Communications staff for the Senate leadership met confidentially with a lobbyist on labour legislation before the Upper House, records show. Non-union contractors with Merit Canada last year held 97 meetings with MPs, senators, cabinet members and staff – including 15 meetings with advisors in the Prime Minister’s Office.
Proposed new $7 billion Arctic offshore patrol ships are fit neither for the Arctic, nor offshore patrols, according to a study by think-tank researchers. Construction of the vessels is now five years behind schedule: “They will be the laughingstock…”
In a policy called “odd,” the Department of Finance proposes to have two agencies, both funded by banks, investigate public complaints against — banks. The system will be supervised by the Financial Consumer Agency, which receives 85% of its funding from bankers.
Amid budget cuts, Parks Canada is licensing more private tours of national sites by commercial operators. Tour companies may now charge their own entrance fees for guided visits to a pair of federal attractions in the Yukon: “We are pleased to be working with businesses.”
2012 was a dismal year for the trade balance, final data show. Industry groups contacted by Blacklock’s described it as the poorest performance since the recession of 1991, and cited worrying trends: “Our exports have been pretty flat over the last decade.”
Federal regulators are declaring a “milestone” victory over the Asian long-horned beetle. The Department of Agriculture confirmed some 30,000 trees had to be destroyed in Toronto and Vaughn, Ont. to stem the spread of the insect that thrived on maples.
Federal regulators are re-examining the status of a whale population in British Columbia shipping lanes. The humpbacks of the North Pacific, previously categorized as strengthening in numbers, are now being reassessed by a national panel amid increased traffic by oil tankers: “This is nerve-wracking.”
The minister of agriculture vows again cabinet will consider “all options” in a threatened trade war with the United States over meat labeling. The U.S. has till May 23 to comply with a free trade arbitrator’s ruling: “They are not going to give up easily.”
A Canadian truck manufacturer, inspired by a private bill in the Commons, is offering clients an accessory credited with preventing accidents: “The private sector is not waiting for the government to act.”
Cabinet in a secretive order has granted U.S. law agents on “routine operations” permission to carry weapons across some of the busiest points along the border, including Detroit and Buffalo, New York. Officials confirmed to Blacklock’s that American authorities asked for the exemption under federal law.
Canada’s “very sophisticated” oil spill surveillance program will continue with three aircraft spying three oceans, the Great Lakes and 243,000 kilometres of coast line, says Transport Canada: “One is located in Moncton and one is located in Ottawa; that takes care of the Great Lakes and the Arctic.”
The Senate is again debating a proposed national registry of medical implants, an initiative that was tried and failed twice before since 2003. Advocates count 1.4 million medical devices on the Canadian market: “This is becoming a huge problem.”
The federal health department plans a new “outreach campaign” on smoking after it revoked funding for anti-tobacco advertisements for the past six years. Figures show the number of women smokers in Canada has risen since 2010: “We need an ongoing tobacco campaign.”
Telecom giant Rogers Inc. proposes to trademark a full range of financial services as “Rogers Bank” including mortgages, deposits and chequing accounts, according to federal filings. Rogers originally spoke of “niche” credit offers in applying for a bank license in 2011.
Canada grades an A for general education and workplace skills but fails to meet its potential in higher math and science, analysts say. The Conference Board rated Canada 2 out of 16 nations on education and skills; Italy was dropped altogether.
