Digital identification is a convenience that will never be mandatory in Canada, says cabinet. The Department of Employment overseeing digital ID development at a cost of billions said it had “no plans” to force Canadians to use the technology: “Using this online will be completely voluntary.”
Cineplex Corporation, the nation’s largest theatre chain, has been ordered to pay $38,987,000 plus costs for breach of the Competition Act. The Federal Court of Appeal upheld the penalty over a $1.50 online booking fee: “We are shocked.”
The Bank of Canada yesterday cut its 2026 growth forecast. Governor Tiff Macklem released a report warning of stubborn unemployment and weak investment: “Between October and now, what has changed?”
Federal managers in the past two years billed taxpayers more than a quarter million for coaching on how to answer questions at parliamentary committees. Disclosure of coaching fees followed complaints from one deputy minister that questioning by MPs was too rough: “One source of harassment stems from short, decontextualized clips of committee appearances by public servants being posted on social media.”
A Crown bank, Farm Credit Canada, yesterday said it is hiring counselors to provide “emotional support” for staff facing layoffs. The notice came as the Treasury Board said it will cut 1,000 executive positions government-wide: “Career transition can be a stressful time.”
Cabinet must detail the full scope of piecemeal service cuts and layoffs, the national president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada said yesterday. “We are putting them on notice,” Sharon DeSousa told reporters.
Less than 16 percent of Canada Pension Plan contributions are paid by Alberta residents, according to figures tabled in Parliament. Cabinet has disputed a 2023 report released by Premier Danielle Smith that Alberta was entitled to more than half of receipts if it pulled out of the national program: “Many contributors have earnings in more than one province.”
The Commons yesterday by a 197 to 137 vote rejected a Conservative motion to repeal select federal regulations deemed anti-development. “What the Conservatives are actually proposing today is a Conservative agenda,” said one Liberal MP.
The Minister of Industry yesterday said cabinet needs new powers to protect Canadians in a “chaotic and dangerous world.” Opposition MPs in response recalled cabinet’s unlawful 2022 crackdown on the Freedom Convoy that saw anti-terrorist laws misused to freeze peaceful protestors’ bank accounts: “Why should Canadians trust you with these extraordinary powers given your government’s record?”
Free counseling, nursing, home visits, transportation, eyeglasses and other “supplemental health services” for illegal immigrants and refugee claimants cost hundreds of millions last year, new records show. Expenses tabled in Parliament followed a Commons health committee vote to audit the $884.6 million a year Interim Federal Health Program: “Six and a half million Canadians don’t have a family doctor.”
Cabinet is developing an auto policy after Prime Minister Mark Carney granted Chinese carmakers broad access to the battery electric vehicle market. The Department of Finance had accused China of predatory trade practices: “I look forward to seeing it.”
Cash grants to Ukraine war refugees cost taxpayers $839 million, says the Department of Immigration. Ukrainians offered free flights from the war zone were paid $3,000 per adult and $1,500 per minor child on landing in Canada: “There is a perception of unfairness.”
Cabinet’s failed Two Billion Trees Program cost nearly a half billion dollars before it was wrapped up last November 4, documents show. The program fell 89 percent short of its tree planting target: “How many trees were planted?”
A majority of candidates questioned following the 2025 general election said they were convinced foreign agents tried to influence voters, says Elections Canada research. And almost half believed illegal money was funneled into the campaign: “Forty-nine percent thought there were problems with foreign money.”
Cabinet yesterday in an abrupt climbdown suspended MPs’ study of what it touted as a key bill to combat anti-Semitism. The quick withdrawal by Liberals on the Commons justice committee came only minutes after the Government House Leader demanded passage of Bill C-9: “This is about making Parliament work.”
