Environment Minister Catherine McKenna yesterday dismissed carbon tax critics as liars. McKenna said cabinet must “push back against inaccuracies” over the fuel charge, then repeated a disputed claim that 30° temperatures are killing people: “It is difficult.”
The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls says it is accepting rush orders for grants in the final weeks of its mandate. Mid-March is traditionally the period when federal agencies distribute unspent funds before the fiscal year expires: “Events may include feasts.”
Generic drug manufacturers gave pharmacists untraceable travelers’ cheques and cash-filled envelopes to boost sales, Tax Court has heard. The case of an Ontario druggist who admitted to receiving cash payments is the first detailed in Court since the 2014 launch of a mammoth audit of the pharmacy trade: “What do they want with us?”
A federal judge has faulted the Canada Revenue Agency for refusing to accommodate a company that mistakenly paid too much tax. Auditors refused a refund since reassessment deadlines had expired: “The decision is unreasonable.”
Federal in-house research shows weak support for cabinet’s 2018 purchase of the Trans Mountain Pipeline. A third of Canadians nationwide supported the $4.5 billion purchase while 27 percent opposed it, according to Access To Information records: ‘It is expected that protests will continue.’
The Department of National Defence recommended troops receive standard training in crowd control after the 1970 October Crisis. The department in newly-released Access To Information files said soldiers must show “unflinching discipline” in confronting street protests: “You must challenge in a firm, distinct voice: ‘Halt – hands up’.”
Health Canada is tightening maximum recommended limits on lead in tap water. The department noted homes and schools with original plumbing installed prior to 1975 are at greatest risk: “It’s still there.”
Transport Canada is promising “seamless service” for travelers with disabilities at a $7 million annual cost to airlines, airports, interprovincial bus and ferry operators. A British Columbia lawyer challenging a breach of existing regulations said new rules are no remedy for poor enforcement of policies already in place: “You can have all the regulations you want.”
The Privy Council Office yesterday released social media posts cited as intimidating by Clerk Michael Wernick. The Clerk earlier brandished a half-inch pile of what he called cyberbully messages. They contained Facebook posts from eight people. None made physical threats: “What the hell?”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau yesterday said his leadership is “about transparency” but would not commit to disclose all records concerning SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. MPs’ attempts to obtain emails, texts and letters have failed to date: “You didn’t really address the point of my question.”
A Québec judge has approved the use of Google Maps in a traffic case, the first of its kind. Allowing Google to be entered as evidence saved the time and expense of having a police officer testify, the Court ruled: “Society evolves.”
Federal Court has rejected an appeal by an astrologer charged a 50 percent penalty for failing to pay his taxes. Claims of financial hardship to void tax bills are rarely upheld by courts or the cabinet: “Although he might not be personally wealthy, he has assets.”
Canada’s senior public servant yesterday claimed to be a victim of cyberbullying. Michael Wernick, $326,000-a year clerk of the Privy Council, waved a half-inch pile of what he depicted as hurtful social media comments in an appearance at the Commons justice committee.
“I would like to present these to the committee,” said Wernick: “I believe you will want to discuss this as the intimidation of a witness before your committee and a breach of the committee’s privileges. You can take that up in camera if you wish. I will be distributing these to the media.”
Wernick and his office declined to release the Tweets and Facebook posts despite multiple requests from Blacklock’s. However, numerous social media commentators using the hashtag #MichaelWernick yesterday wrote fresh posts describing the Clerk as a “liar”, “joke”, “pinhead”, “wimp”, “traitor to the nation”, “condescending bastard” and other insults. “He’s the reason why bureaucrats have a bad name,” read one Tweet.
“I am never accepting that we would normalize the cyberbullying of political officials,” said Wernick. “I have been exposed to it. It upsets me and it angers me.” Replied New Democrat MP Murray Rankin (Victoria): “What that has to do with this matter is a little unclear.”
Wernick appeared for more questioning on allegations he hectored then-Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould to quash a 2018 criminal prosecution of SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. Wernick denied misconduct but could not recall details of key meetings with Wilson-Raybould or others.
“I do not have an independent recollection,” said Wernick, who cited a poor memory 10 times under questioning: “I do not remember”; “That is not my recollection,” he repeated.
“I state categorically that I have never given advice or done anything for partisan purposes which would suggest to advantage one political party versus another,” said Wernick. Replied Green Party MP Elizabeth May (Saanich-Gulf Islands, B.C.): “I would never suggest for a moment that you were a strong lifetime Liberal or a strong lifetime Conservative. I think your evidence is consistent with being willing to interfere in partisan fashion for whoever is in power.”
Wilson-Raybould in earlier testimony recounted a December 19, 2018 phone call with Wernick in which the Clerk pressed for an out-of-court settlement for SNC-Lavalin, and warned the Prime Minister “is going to find a way to get it done one way or another”: “I warned the Clerk in this call that we were treading on dangerous ground here.” New Democrat MP Charlie Angus (Timmins-James Bay, Ont.) yesterday questioned Wernick on his recollection of the phone call:
Wernick continued there was no evidence he obstructed justice, a criminal act. “I note many members of this committee have said they believe every word of the former Attorney General’s testimony,” said Wernick. “Part of what she testified is she does not believe that any behaviour crossed the threshold of criminal behaviour.”
“That’s the bar? It’s not criminal?” replied MP Angus.
Wernick in February 21 testimony at the same committee similarly said he could not recall details of meetings on SNC-Lavalin, stating “I don’t know” or “I don’t recall” five times under questioning.
By Staff 
The Commons justice committee by a 5 to 4 vote yesterday rejected a Conservative motion to release all emails, texts and letters concerning SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. held by the Prime Minister’s Office. The Liberal majority vote came as former PMO aide Gerald Butts denied trying to block a criminal prosecution of the company to save Liberal seats in Québec: “Why should Canadians believe your version?”
A federal panel yesterday endorsed national pharmacare in principle but did not explain what kind of program should be introduced or when, or how Parliament would pay for it. The report echoed earlier findings of a Commons committee and federal drug price agency: “No, we are not doing a very good job.”
