An MP who yesterday pleaded guilty to breach of the National Defence Act does not face automatic expulsion under Commons rules. Independent MP Kevin Vuong (Spadina-Fort York, Ont.) may only be stripped of his seat by a House vote: “I am proud to have served seven years now in our country’s largest naval reserve division.”
An Ontario labour arbitrator has recognized National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a paid holiday under a municipal union contract. Arbitrators across Canada have issued conflicting decisions on whether the federal holiday applies to others: “The matter was tried as a straightforward question of contract interpretation.”
Bus ridership nationwide remains below pre-pandemic rates despite record high gas prices, Statistics Canada data showed yesterday. The trend contradicts the rationale for a carbon tax that was to encourage commuters to burn less fuel, said the Canadian Taxpayers Federation: “They need to drive to support their families and the carbon tax makes that more expensive.”
A Department of Justice report blames Canadian slavery and colonialism for anti-Black racism though no Canadian Parliament legalized slavery and no Father of Confederation was a slaveholder. Canada remains the only G7 country never to maintain overseas colonies: “The oppressed status of Black people persisted long after slavery was abolished.”
A Calgary judge has convicted a drunk driver though he was identified at trial while wearing a face mask in the prisoner’s box. “It was a fact known by everyone in the courtroom,” said the Court: “The person who answered the charge and entered the prisoner’s dock from the public gallery was wearing a face mask.”
Canadians are divided over treatment of drug addiction, says in-house research by the Department of Health. A report summarizing new public opinion surveys was completed weeks before cabinet announced it was lifting a 1911 criminal ban on opioids and cocaine in British Columbia: “I don’t have much sympathy.”
Governor General May Simon yesterday in a 1,300-word letter to Canadians said she has an important job. The letter addressed “Dear Canadians” comes ahead of Commons committee hearings into Simon’s expenses: “I think we all find it absurd.”
A billion-dollar program launched five years ago by then-Industry Minister Navdeep Bains did not come close to creating the 50,000 jobs it promised, says an internal audit. Even a lower estimate of 11,000 jobs was unverifiable, said auditors: “You’re claiming it. Where can we find that?”
Canadians rate foreign demand for our plentiful fresh water as one of the biggest threats to sovereignty, according to Department of National Defence research. Parliament eight years ago passed a private Conservative bill banning the bulk export of Canadian water: “Fresh water could make the country a target for future conflict.”
A cabinet bill on paid sick leave that was pushed through Parliament as a Covid emergency will not fully take effect for 17 months. Hurried passage prompted Senate grumbling that scrutiny of pandemic measures had become a “rubber stamping process.”
Public hearings of the Freedom Convoy inquiry will be livestreamed on the internet for all Canadians to see regardless of whether TV networks broadcast proceedings. Internet publication of cabinet secrets is still under review, said the Public Order Emergency Commission: “Yes, the Commission plans to stream all its public hearings.”
Covid lockdowns sharply cut church attendance, Statistics Canada said yesterday. The Public Health Agency within days of the pandemic’s outbreak recommended cancellation of masses and prayer meetings: “Some people reported that because of the pandemic they prayed more or their faith got stronger.”
Prosecution of tax cheats takes too long, says a Canada Revenue Agency report. Auditors warned the Agency runs a risk of seeing scofflaws beat criminal charges due to lengthy delays: “Cases rarely go to trial within eighteen months.”
Elections Canada paid researchers more than $84,000 for personality profiles of federal voters. Working-age women are typically “planners” while rural Canadians are “in control as opposed to stressed,” said a report: “Personas were born out of conversations with Canadians who shared their opinions.”
The next three years will determine whether the Canadian TV system survives, says a CRTC report. Research pointed to loss of viewership and advertising to internet broadcasters like Netflix and YouTube: “How much time do we have? Best guess given current trends: three years.”
