Police warn a marijuana legalization bill intended to fight crime contains a loophole that facilitates drug trafficking. Law enforcement told the Senate legal and constitutional affairs committee the bill should be amended: “There is nothing a police officer could do.”
The Commons has given approval in principle to a cabinet bill restoring Fisheries Act protections amended by the previous Conservative cabinet six years ago. One MP described the 2012 changes as environmental vandalism: “What happened in 2012 was a travesty.”
Municipalities complain they’ll do most of the work for less of the tax revenue from legal marijuana. Councilors from British Columbia to Nova Scotia told the Senate social affairs committee the federal plan was rushed and poorly costed: “If you make us do it, we have to, but are we ready? No.”
Easter greetings to our friends and subscribers. Blacklock’s pauses for the federal holiday, and will return April 3rd — The Editor
Federal lawyers will not challenge any province that bans home marijuana cultivation, Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould yesterday told the Senate legal and constitutional affairs committee. Two provinces to date – Manitoba and Québec – will prohibit home-grown cannabis, a ban endorsed by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police: ‘It is not our intention to challenge provincial laws.’
A Department of Finance proposal to cut tax benefits for small business owners with income from savings unfairly penalizes farmers, restaurateurs and others, say advocates. The plan would see taxes rise $43 million this year and another $305 million in 2019, by official estimate: “It just created a new group of losers in the system.”
A court has dismissed a used car dealers’ claim for more than $10,000 in costs for financing a $7,000 car. Nearly a third of Canadians with car loans borrow more than vehicles are worth, according to a 2016 survey by the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada: “She signed everything that was put in front of her.”
Canadian cities would see designated cannabis smoking areas under cabinet’s legalization bill, Department of Health staff yesterday told the Senate social affairs committee. Marijuana use on street corners and outside buildings will be regulated the same as cigarettes, officials said: “How is that picture going to look?”
A federal report acknowledges sales of electric cars in Canada remain marginal despite millions in cabinet support for the industry. Researchers counted a 0.59 percent market share for electrics nationwide: ‘It remains low.’
The Senate transport committee yesterday vetoed a cabinet proposal to grant railways random access to everyday surveillance video of train crews. Opponents called it a clear breach of privacy rights that set a precedent for workplace monitoring by Canadian employers: ‘It is a violation of railway industry workers’ right to privacy.’
Environment Commissioner Julie Gelfand says auditors may examine cabinet’s carbon tax to determine its actual impact on emissions. The Department of Environment has failed to say what reduction it expects from a $50 per tonne tax on carbon: “It’s quite clear there is a gap.”
Shippers would gain new rights on railways under amendments to a cabinet bill yesterday approved by the Senate transport committee. Senators voted to compel railways to disclose confidential cost data in answering shippers’ complaints: “Well, who wouldn’t?”
Canada should brace for a renewed flood of dumped Asian steel this summer, say the United Steelworkers. Cabinet yesterday promised new measures to block the transshipment of unfairly-priced steel imports through Canada to the U.S.: “We need to act quickly.”
A federal judge has overturned the suspension of two St. Lawrence River captains who refused to pilot an oversized container ship by night. The ruling follows a Transport Canada review on expansion of the 1959 seaway to accommodate modern vessels: ‘The captain was willing to sail at night only with authorization in writing.’
The Senate yesterday opened final debate on a Conservative bill to make Canada the first industrialized country to ban shark fin imports. The Commons narrowly defeated a similar New Democrat bill five years ago: “Stop the carnage.”
