The Department of Finance in an Access To Information memo says it’s worried over the social cost of legalizing bookmaking in Canada. Staff wrote the memo in response to lobbying by Unifor: “It is important to consider the social costs of gaming.”
At least one department and agency are in breach of the federal government’s own firearms regulations, says an internal audit. The findings come as cabinet proposes another gun bill this spring: “The department is required to comply.”
The central bank estimates as many as a quarter of Canadian companies listed on the stock exchange are “zombie firms” that owe more than they earn. “We find the share of zombie firms in Canada has been increasing since the mid-1990s,” wrote the Bank of Canada.
Cabinet’s leader in the Senate has directly held investments in the stock market while serving as the $239,400-a year Government Representative, records show. Senator Marc Gold of Montréal did not respond to questions: “It would be inappropriate to comment.”
Pierre Trudeau in 1972 sought to rewrite Order of Canada rules to permit group honours, according to Access To Information files from the national archives. The proposal was prompted by Canada’s win days before in the famed USSR Summit Series: ‘It was a remarkable achievement by a national team.’
The Department of Industry in an audit says spending on hospitality is required to conduct public business. Expenses included thousands billed for a Christmas party: “Hospitality expenses often receive high public and media scrutiny but are necessary.”
The beauty of wind farms is in the eye of the beholder, Québec Superior Court has ruled. The court dismissed a class action lawsuit against a $400 million development blamed by landowners for lowering property values: “Some like it, some don’t.”
The Senate’s leading climate advocate billed nearly $17,000 for flights last year, according to records released yesterday. Senator Mary Coyle of Antigonish, N.S. has urged Canadians to take bold action to avert a “climate catastrophe”: “Our house is on fire and something urgently needs to be done.”
The Department of Industry yesterday denied faking job numbers to justify corporate subsidies. Mammoth job creation claims have been contradicted by Access To Information disclosures. “We’re not in the habit of coming and just sort of throwing numbers around,” Deputy Minister Simon Kennedy told the Commons industry committee. MPs demanded the department prove it: “We need to know.”
The Canada Revenue Agency used $73,128 focus group research to ask taxpayers if it should change the colour if its tax notice envelopes. Results were mixed: “One suggestion was to change to a more ‘friendly’ colour.”
The Department of Natural Resources yesterday budgeted $2 million to expand its national network of earthquake early warning sensors. The spending follows an appeal from insurance brokers that Parliament mandate quake coverage for homeowners: “I gather the plan of financial institutions is to hope the government will bail it all out.”
The Senate yesterday voted to censure Senator Lynn Beyak a second time. The order passed on a snap vote. No senator spoke in Beyak’s defence: “This experience has taught me many things.”
Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault yesterday said he will introduce a bill by spring that follows recommendations for mandatory registration of internet news sites. One MP told the Commons heritage committee the proposal would “scare the hell out of me”.
The Department of Canadian Heritage in an Access To Information report predicts a rise in climate change migrants. The forecast follows a Privy Council prediction Canada could become a “preferred destination for climate refugees”.
Dozens of senators yesterday expressed unease with censure of Senator Lynn Beyak (Ont.) for deemed misconduct. Nearly a quarter of the Senate voted for more study of Beyak’s case by the Senate ethics committee: “Be fair.”
