Cabinet says it has calculated the cost of illegal immigration, but yesterday would not disclose the figure at hearings of the Commons immigration committee. One province, Ontario, says it faces $199 million in extraordinary expenses for border-crossers: “The problems seem to be spreading without any light at the end of the tunnel.”
The National Energy Board is asking staff to take Indigenous language training and attend classes on First Nations rights. The initiative follows a 2016 cabinet directive that the oil and gas regulator acknowledge the “essential role of Indigenous people”.
A federal judge has upheld an Employment Canada blacklist of employers found in breach of migrant labour regulations. The court dismissed a protest from a Nova Scotia coal mine fined $54,000 under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, the biggest fine issued last year: “The posting of a company’s name is obviously meant to serve as a deterrent.”
A British Columbia judge has convicted a CPR railway manager with breach of a Lac-Mégantic-inspired safety directive. It’s the first verdict of its kind under a 2013 order by Transport Canada: “Just leave it in emergency, right?”
Health Canada in a new guide for marijuana users says effects of cannabis may last “as long as 24 hours”. Authorities had no advice for motorists to determine when they are legally fit to drive after consuming the drug: “It may be challenging.”
Federal scientists are re-examining 1929 records of Atlantic Canada’s worst earthquake to determine the probability of another disaster. The 7.2 quake off Newfoundland & Labrador triggered a killer tsunami that snapped undersea Western Union Telegraph cables: “This is a pilot test to compile historical data.”
The health department yesterday reported insufficient gains under an 11-year program to save billions in medicare costs by cutting salt in processed foods. The average Canadian still consumes 38 percent more sodium than is recommended by the World Health Organization: “I’m concerned.”
VIA Rail in a report is praising itself for “warm, friendly” accommodation of disabled passengers. The Crown railway made no mention of a 2017 ruling by federal regulators that faulted VIA on its treatment of the disabled: “They still get it wrong.”
Federal managers are hiring a private investigator to probe alleged misconduct by Crown attorneys. The Public Prosecution Service confirmed the unusual investigation of Human Rights Act complaints at one of its largest offices: “The Law Society is aware of the allegations.”
An Ontario college has registered “Cannabis 101” under the Trademarks Act and launched the nation’s first post-secondary program on marijuana growing. The eight-month, $10,000 course opens weeks ahead of cabinet’s October 17 deadline to legalize recreational cannabis: “We are responding to market demand.”
Air Canada is challenging a compensation order to pay $1,812 for misplacing a passenger’s luggage for nearly a month. A Belgian traveler said his visit to Canada was spoiled by the incident: “I emailed them many, many times.”
Court records show a federal agency had staff pose as visitors and buy tour boat tickets to monitor industry practices. A judge ruled the practice by the Transportation Safety Board is legal, and does not breach privacy: “Investigators bought tickets for tours.”
You told me
your friend lives nearby.
You meant
eight hours away on gravel roads
through forests and jagged peaks,
crossing creeks and rugged canyons
on narrow wooden bridges,
encountering a grizzly or two
and next service 366 km.
Welcome to the Yukon!
(Editor’s note: poet Shai Ben-Shalom, an Israeli-born biologist, examines current events in the Blacklock’s tradition each and every Sunday)
The Department of National Defence polled Canadians on whether they consider the U.S. or its president as security threats, records show. Donald Trump was rated a bigger threat to the nation than North Korea or natural disasters: ‘It’s to understand the views, perceptions and opinions of Canadians.’
Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould yesterday said cabinet does not plan legislative changes to the jury system despite an appeal by the Commons justice committee. Witnesses told MPs low pay, lack of support and one provision of the Criminal Code compromise jurors who attend gruesome criminal trials: “I had no way to fully comprehend how bad it would be.”
