Blacklock's Reporter

Canadians oppose cabinet’s “safe supply” drug policy, says in-house Privy Council research. The experimental decriminalization of opioids, cocaine and other narcotics for personal use in British Columbia only led to more drug addiction, said federal focus groups: “Many were of the view that rising rates of addiction had contributed to increased crime.”

The CBC does not track corrections to its news stories despite a stated commitment to transparency. CBC News in a statement said only corrections considered “notable” are acknowledged under a 2021 policy: “We need the public to feel safe, that we are a beacon for that truth.”

Small businesses took an average of more than a quarter million in debt financing last year, says a Department of Industry report. Borrowing occurred as insolvencies rose with the reopening of bankruptcy courts: “How many businesses appear and disappear each year?”

The fine print in Air Passenger Protection Regulations saved WestJet $500 at a British Columbia tribunal. Compensation for poor service by its subsidiary Swoop Inc. was payable at a lesser “small carrier” rate, an arbitrator ruled: “I do not agree an airline having a subsidiary is a ‘malicious loophole.'”

Nearly half of mortgage holders are going deeper in debt to keep up home loan payments after ten interest rate hikes, says a federal agency. “Two thirds of mortgage holders report having trouble meeting their financial commitments,” said the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada: “Homeowners with mortgages are stressed.”

Liberal MP George Chahal (Calgary Skyview) yesterday did not comment after the Commissioner of Elections confirmed voting irregularities in his riding in the 2021 campaign. Scofflaws casting illegal ballots included a Liberal aide from the Prime Minister’s Office: ‘The failure of those involved can contribute to a loss of public confidence in the political class.’

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau yesterday said Facebook was “bad for democracy” for refusing to provide free links to Canadian news publishers. Trudeau did not explain why his own Party and members of caucus continue to advertise with Facebook or hold shares in its parent company: “This is not the time.”

Recovering nearly $2 billion from job quitters who cheated the Canada Emergency Response Benefit program would create an “undue burden” for investigators, says a federal memo. More than 190,000 claimants quit work to take a “CERB vacation.”

Employment Insurance premiums are at a “historical low” and must rise again to cover pandemic cost overruns, says the Department of Employment. New premium rates are due to be detailed by month’s end: “Rates are expected to continue to increase in 2024.”

The Prime Minister’s snap 2021 election call disrupted a crucial Covid relief program, says a federal audit. Justin Trudeau left no one to approve payments for mercy flights carrying essential food and medicine to 140 remote hamlets: “That did not happen.”

Only a “small portion” of millions in federal grants to a foreign aid group went to “critical nutrition needs,” say auditors. Taxpayers are the largest single donors to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank Program: “There were shortcomings.”

Cabinet says it must continue to subsidize development of small modular nuclear reactors though none are in use to date. “The federal government acknowledges it has a role to play,” said Energy Minister Jonathan Wilkinson: “Canada will need to act boldly.”

The number of air passenger complaints at the Canadian Transportation Agency has grown to more than 55,000, by official estimate. The Agency responsible for handling complaints of poor service typically manages 10,000 a year: “Customers? Always dead last.”

In-house research by a federal agency settles longstanding disagreements over the most popular pets. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency was conducting surveys on animal diseases when it compiled new data on who owns which pets, from turtles to livestock.