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 Travelers were four times more likely to use Google than look up a government website: ‘They are vague and out of date.’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.’
The Department of Employment is delaying release of a year-long investigation of migrant farm labour practices. Authorities earlier acknowledged “some criticism” of a federal program in place since 1966: ‘It will be made available at a later date.’
Flu vaccination rates are so low Canada will not meet an 80 percent target set 17 years ago, says the federal Public Health Agency. Influenza is blamed for 12,000 hospital visits a year and an average 5,000 deaths: “There is room for improvement.”
The Department of Canadian Heritage in an Access To Information memo says current copyright policy has let down creators. Witnesses at the Commons industry committee have complained of steep losses due to free photocopying by institutions.
“Copyright is not necessarily supporting them well,” said the 2017 memo Parliamentary Review And Creator Focus; “Cultural stakeholders have expressed the need to ensure Canadian creators share in the financial rewards resulting from increased dissemination of digital cultural content.”
More than a quarter of Canadians, 26 percent, admit to online theft of music, e-books, movies, software, TV shows and video games, according to a May 29 Industry Canada report Study Of Online Consumption Of Copyrighted Content: Attitudes Toward And Prevalence Of Copyright Infringement In Canada. Respondents told federal researchers they stole material because it was “easy to do” (39 percent) and “it’s what everyone does” (24 percent).
“How will the Minister ensure the upcoming parliamentary review of copyright will focus on creators?” staff wrote in the heritage department memo. “Part of a parliamentary committee’s task is to hear from Canadians on their challenges and priorities for action.”
“Throughout consultations on Canadian content in a digital world, we heard from Canadians and Canadian creators in particular,” the memo continued. “We heard that, while copyright remains a vital part of our creative economy moving forward, many creators are struggling to make a return on their creative investments.”
The current Copyright Act includes a “fair dealing” provision that permits free photocopying of works for private study or personal research. The Supreme Court in a 2012 decision Alberta v. Access Copyright expanded private study to include wholesale photocopying of textbooks and literature for classroom use. A federal judge in 2017 faulted York University for using free photocopies in millions of student course packs.
Authors earlier testified at committee hearings they’d suffered serious loss of income due to free photocopying. “My income is down 90 percent to $12,000,” said novelist Sylvia McNicoll of Burlington, Ont. McNicoll published two novels last year.
“I’m trying to make a living. It’s impossible,” said McNicoll; “I am drawing my pension and cashing in my registered retirement funds. After that, I will sell my house. What does that mean for future writers and cultural workers? Your job must become your hobby. You do it on your lunch break.”
Winnipeg novelist Patricia Robertson told the Commons industry committee her 2017 income of $10,353 was comprised mainly of a $10,000 Manitoba arts grant. “Large corporations including universities take all possible steps to protect their own intellectual property, yet apparently Canadian writers – who provide the imaginative and creative work that Canadian students read – are expected to underwrite the educational sector essentially for free.
Copyright hearings will resume after Parliament returns from its summer recess September 17.
By Staff 
