Business and labour executives yesterday appealed to the Commons trade committee for immediate federal aid from U.S. tariffs. One MP described the prospect of a prolonged trade war as surreal: “We’re boiling to death here.”
An average 89 federal employees are fired annually for misconduct or incompetence, according to Treasury Board figures. Release of Access To Information data followed a Board proposal to study ways of making it easier to dismiss staff: “It would be very messy and controversial.”
About 1 in 4 homeowners face mortgage renewal risk this year, according to the Bank of Canada. The estimate follows a warning from the Parliamentary Budget Office that 2018 household debt will reach unprecedented levels: “The financial vulnerability of the average Canadian household would rise to levels beyond historical experience.”
The Department of Employment is accused of gagging free speech in a second lawsuit over its Canada Summer Jobs program. The department to date has rejected 1,559 applications from employers who refused to sign a government oath: “We will not take it lightly.”
The National Energy Board is placing a rush order for security consultants amid ongoing protests against the Trans Mountain oil pipeline. The Board in a notice said it needs “protective measures” to safeguard employees: “This is unnecessary but not surprising.”
Federal researchers predict a major earthquake off the British Columbia coast could trigger a 16-foot tsunami that would destroy the provincial legislature. Tsunami modeling was done for the Canadian Coast Guard that operates a Victoria station 1.5 kilometres from the B.C. assembly: “The region is now considered under high risk.”
The Department of Natural Resources spent $62.5 million on 112 green vehicle charging stations, the equivalent of $558,000 each, says Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr. “We’re on a trajectory of growth,” Carr told the Commons natural resources committee.
Health Canada faces a consumer pushback with a proposed campaign to have Canadians drink less soda pop. In-house research found most consumers don’t believe sweetened beverages like soda, fruit juice and chocolate milk are the leading source of sugar intake in the nation’s diet: “They do not feel compelled.”
The Department of Finance proposes new anti-fraud rules on federal safekeeping of unclaimed cash after Blacklock’s uncovered $7 million in suspicious payments from dormant savings accounts. No police were called after Bank of Canada staff admitted to paying millions in “high risk” claims: ‘How could an amount that size be paid out without an audit?’
Finance Minister Bill Morneau has vetoed a Commons trade committee proposal to charge GST on Canadian sales by foreign-based internet retailers like eBay. Small businesses complained tax-free electronic retailing hurt local storekeepers: “We need a taxation system that is fair.”
Canadians flooded the Prime Minister’s Office with more proposed changes to O Canada after MPs voted for gender-neutral lyrics. Critics had warned of endless pleas for revisions once the anthem was opened to amendment: “Can’t you leave well enough alone?”
A planned 6 percent rise in stamp prices will cost Canadians, mainly small business, a total $26 million next year, says the post office. The Crown corporation noted mail volumes fell by millions the last time it raised prices in 2014: “It makes no sense at all.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been fined $100 for another breach of Parliament’s ethics code, this time involving a gift from the Premier of Prince Edward Island. Neither the breach nor fine were disclosed until Parliament prepared to adjourn for summer recess.
“The Prime Minister has great respect for the work of the Commissioner’s office and will continue to follow his advice and guidance,” said Eleanore Catenaro, press secretary to the Prime Minister. The Commissioner did not comment.
Trudeau was censured for failing to disclose a 2017 gift from P.E.I. Premier Wade MacLauchlan, two pairs of leather-covered aviator sunglasses valued at some $700. The glasses were donated by an Island manufacturer, Fellow Earthlings Co. of Guernsey Cove, P.E.I.
Under the Conflict Of Interest Act all public office holders must disclose within 30 days any gifts valued at $200 or more. The Prime Minister paid his fine on June 18, nearly a year after skipping the deadline.
Trudeau was photographed wearing the handout eyewear on a subsequent 2017 visit to Vietnam. Staff blamed a clerical mistake for the breach of the Act.
“This was a gift from the Premier of Prince Edward Island,” said Secretary Catenaro. “As a result of administrative error, the proper forms were not completed and the gift was not declared within 30 days.”
Catenaro declined further comment. Premier MacLauchlan’s office did not elaborate. “The Premier is always pleased to showcase locally-made products,” said Mary Moszynski, spokesperson.
The Act permits modest fines up to $500. Penalties are typically nominal. Finance Minister Bill Morneau in 2017 was fined $200 for failing to disclose all his corporate directorships.
James Fitz-Morris, a former CBC reporter now director of communications for the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Affairs, was fined $200 for failing to sell penny stock in a Peruvian potash company. Dan Brien, communications director for the Minister of Public Safety, was fined $100 for ignoring repeated requests from the Ethics Commissioner to sell investments in a U.S. real estate fund. “I told them, ‘Oh, gosh, I’m sorry,'” Brien said in an earlier interview.
Commissioner Mario Dion in a March 7 letter to the Commons ethics committee sought amendments to the Act that would allow for stiffer penalties. “This would help to build trust with the Canadian public,” wrote Dion.
Trudeau’s sunglasses fine came six months after he was cited for accepting a $215,000 vacation on a private Bahamian island owned by the Aga Khan. The Prime Minister apologized for the holiday with family, staff and friends over Christmas 2016.
The Conflict Of Interest Code For MPs prohibits legislators from accepting gifts that “might reasonably be seen to have given to influence them in the exercise of an official power, duty or function.” The Aga Khan Foundation has received $330 million in federal grants since 1981.
“Neither Mr. Trudeau nor his family should have vacationed on the Aga Khan’s private island,” said the December 20 Trudeau Report by the ethics office; “Mr. Trudeau has a number of official dealings relating to the Aga Khan and his institutions where he was exercising an official power, duty or function.”
By Tom Korski 
Canada Post is raising stamp rates 6 percent in a hike originally vetoed by cabinet three years ago. The rate increase would see consumers pay up to $1.05 to mail a domestic letter that cost 54¢ as late as 2010: “It hurts small business more than others.”
Federally-regulated employers are liable for compensation payments of up to $20,000 to individuals who suffer discrimination on the basis of ability. A cabinet bill says offences would include “attitudinal” barriers to the disabled: “The legislation has to have teeth.”
