A federal judge has ruled a billion-dollar class action lawsuit over paramilitary-style abuses in the RCMP may proceed. Federal lawyers sought to dismiss the case involving allegations that predate unionization of the force: “For decades the RCMP has struggled with the problem of workplace harassment.”
Cabinet yesterday re-introduced a bill for independent oversight of the Canada Border Services Agency, the only police force in Canada that is not monitored by a civilian board. Identical bills lapsed in the last Parliament: “I get letters and emails from people who have had tough times at the hands of CBSA.”
A British Columbia senator in an interview with a Hong Kong newspaper complained Canadians don’t like rich Asians. The remarks followed a cabinet proposal to impose a $217 million-a year equity tax on foreign real estate speculators: “For some weird reason we don’t like the rich ones.”
The Privy Council in Access To Information memos proposed to fund large-scale construction of subsidized greenhouses to grow carrots and tomatoes in the Arctic. Staff cited a “potential to launch” in 2020 or 2021: “A broad range of interventions and solutions are required.”
Cabinet will act quickly to introduce another gun bill following today’s resumption of Parliament, said Public Safety Minister Bill Blair. “There is no greater urgency than making sure our community is safe,” he told reporters.
The Canada Border Services Agency has been ordered to rehire an officer dismissed for taking delivery of hashish by post. A federal labour board awarded the employee two years’ back pay with benefits: “Termination was too severe.”
An Ontario court has denied workplace death benefits to a firefighter who dropped dead of a heart attack at 47. Heart attacks are the leading cause of death for fire crew: “Firefighters have a physically active job.”
Albertans believe
they are treated unfairly,
citing job losses,
taxation,
environmental regulations
and difficulty in getting
resources to markets.
A growing number
call for separation
from Canada.
But where would they go?
I turn the page
of my morning paper.
Two Albertans,
Jenni Sidey-Gibbons and Joshua Kutryk,
just graduated
NASA’s Artemis program.
They would be the pioneers
exploring opportunities
on the Moon,
preparing for Mars.
(Editor’s note: poet Shai Ben-Shalom, an Israeli-born biologist, examines current events in the Blacklock’s tradition each and every Sunday)
An internal report cites cronyism in the Department of Public Works. Unnamed employees privately complained to an ombudsman of preferential hiring by managers, including sweetheart appointments of family members: “Many employees are afraid to speak openly.”
Cabinet yesterday said it’s resigned to parliamentary hearings on a continental free trade pact. Two opposition parties questioned the agreement, while the Senate trade committee has asked for greater scrutiny of claimed benefits of all trade deals: “This is way too important to stall.”
Parks Canada yesterday said it’s restoring a decrepit 18th century landmark after auditors faulted the agency for letting the property fall into disrepair. The Auditor General rated Old Montréal’s Joseph-Louis Papineau House in poor condition though Parks Canada has owned it since 1982: “I mean, the government doesn’t look good.”
The Federal Court yesterday opened hearings on a challenge of Health Canada’s continued licensing of a bestselling weed killer. Lawyers for Safe Food Matters Inc. sued to halt the sale of glyphosate marketed under the Roundup brand developed by Monsanto Co.: “We know it’s in lentils, chickpeas and baby food.”
The Supreme Court yesterday without comment dismissed an appeal by the City of Victoria to ban single-use plastic bags. Plastics manufacturers accused the city of trying to demonize their business: “We are doing a job.”
The national archives suffered a “major flood” in 2018 that damaged books and records but withheld information from the public. The agency yesterday denied any parts of its collection were ruined, though an auditors’ report cited “damage” and photos obtained through Access To Information showed an inch of water pooled on the floor: “Water is pouring in.”
Insurers may reject claims by homeowners who fail to report marijuana on the property, the British Columbia Court of Appeal said yesterday. Judges upheld the refusal by Wawanesa Mutual Co. of Winnipeg to honour payouts under a $1.37 million policy to a cannabis grower: “Would it matter if I grew tomatoes or cucumbers?”
