About 20 percent of the nation’s roads are in poor or “very poor” condition, says a first-ever Statistics Canada infrastructure survey. Researchers did not estimate the value of unfunded repair bills facing taxpayers: “It may not ever be possible to eliminate the infrastructure ‘deficit’.”
The Department of Finance in a secret Access To Information memo proposes to widen its surveillance of cash transactions in Canada. Staff complained of gaps in reporting by auto dealers, auctioneers and others, and again suggested lawyers report cash dealings despite a 2015 Supreme Court ruling that the practice is unconstitutional: ‘The department is working toward next steps in due course.’
Alberta’s highest court has overturned a one-year license suspension for a dentist who called colleagues “veneer Nazis” who gouge the public. The self-described whistleblower criticized cosmetic dentistry as a “maze of slick marketing” with inflated prices: “Docs have dollar signs in their eyes and can be very smooth operators.”
Few Canadians ever consult federal travel advisories when flying abroad, says research by the Department of Foreign Affairs. Travelers were four times more likely to use Google than look up a government website: ‘They are vague and out of date.’
The Federal Court in an unusual case has rejected a claim of wrongful conviction. Advocates petitioned Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould to reopen an investigation into a 1979 murder that saw one man jailed, and another claim responsibility in a deathbed confession: ‘He knew he was dying when he made his statement.’
Vancouver International Airport continues to have the longest lineups in the country, according to the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority. The agency in an Access To Information report estimated nationwide about 1 in 5 travelers complain they wait too long to pass through security: ‘Canadians already pay one of the highest aviation security fees in the world.’
Canadians last year spent $16.8 billion on patented medicines including drugs sold at higher prices here than in select European countries, a federal agency yesterday reported. The Patented Medicine Prices Review Board described the growth in sales of high-priced drugs, those costing $10,000 or more, as “remarkable”.
Cabinet yesterday detailed new regulations to detain and deport foreigners with a marijuana conviction even after Canada legalizes recreational cannabis. Lawyers have warned of “severe immigration consequences” for people confused by the new marijuana law: “They could bar you for life.”
Canadians give the Department of Veterans Affairs a poor rating in caring for ex-military, according to in-house research. “There is a strong sense that Veterans Affairs Canada should be doing more,” wrote pollsters hired by the department.
About 1 in 4 small business owners, accountants and tax lawyers consider the Canada Revenue Agency unfair and inefficient, says in-house research. Taxpayers accused auditors of hectoring small players while avoiding big-ticket tax evaders, and were so cynical they would not report an acquaintance they knew was cheating on their taxes: “They would not ‘rat’ on a person.”
Senators yesterday said they will review the Broadcasting Act ahead of a cabinet-appointed study. Members of the Senate transport and communications committee have been critical of the CBC as a subsidized competitor for struggling daily newspapers: “I’d certainly be upset.”
The Treasury Board faces a federal lawsuit over alleged bias in hiring of Black job-seekers. A government employee cited Access To Information records indicating few Blacks are hired for public service positions: “What is the problem?”
Environment Canada in an Access To Information memo warns of “strong opposition” from gun owners if it restricted lead ammunition as an ecological hazard. The department since 2013 has reviewed regulation of lead shot used by hunters and gun club members: ‘It is framed as an attack on hunting and guns in general.’
The Department of Justice in an Access To Information memo says checks on workplace drug impairment are “under consideration” with legalization of marijuana effective October 17. Parliament and the courts to date have rejected random tests without cause or consent: “The issue of impairment by cannabis in safety-sensitive positions is important and is under consideration.”
The Canada Border Services Agency is ordered to pay $10,000 for discrimination under the federal Human Rights Act. A labour board ruled managers unfairly treated a job applicant with disabilities who missed a filing deadline by 3 hours and 53 minutes: ‘It had a profound negative impact.’
