The Department of Public Safety says Canada Post could become a cross-border marijuana distributor without changes in regulations. Current law restricts police and border guards from intercepting mailed cannabis: ‘This allows more or less unimpeded transfer of cannabis through mail outgoing from Canada.’
The Senate yesterday narrowly passed a cabinet motion to restore union card checks in federally-regulated workplaces. The measure survived a vote of 43 to 41 with a single legislator abstaining: “It is not legitimate for us to vote against an electoral promise.”
Another senior Liberal is questioning a cabinet proposal to sanction perpetual user fee increases. A provision of an omnibus budget bill would allow all federal agencies to raise fees yearly: “Perhaps they thought we wouldn’t notice.”
Rideau Hall says it will answer criticism of a $200,000 masquerade party to mark Governor General David Johnston’s retirement this September 9. Senators questioned the Masquerade For Mental Health event, noting there is no actual fundraising for mental health groups: “The Governor General should rethink this.”
Cabinet has no advice for employers on enforcement of workplace drug bans under a legal cannabis regime. Attorney General Jody Wilson-Wilson Raybould told the Commons justice committee she had no answers for industry: “I guess I would say…”
A Senate committee will probe Canadian investments in the munitions industry. Senators gave Second Reading to a Conservative bill to ban Canadian corporations from knowingly investing in foreign firms that manufacture cluster bombs: “They are a poor investment.”
Cabinet faces Senate pressure to rewrite its budget bill if it wants it to pass by Parliament’s summer recess. Conservative, Liberal and Independent senators last evening expressed fears a proposed $35 billion Canada Infrastructure Bank is susceptible to political interference: “Who wants to partner with the government in a business venture? I’ll tell you who.”
Health Canada says it will restrict but not ban farmers’ non-medical use of antibiotics in food production. Officials yesterday told the Commons health committee they have no data on the number of Canadians who die from antimicrobial-resistant superbugs: “The more I read about it, the more scared I get.”
The Department of Employment says it will detail new restrictions on hiring of migrant workers “over the next few months”. Cabinet has proposed that employers give first options to youth, immigrants, women, Indigenous people and applicants with disabilities before hiring temporary foreign workers: “How do they go about doing this?”
In-house research by the Department of Agriculture confirms a majority of Canadians oppose the sale of genetically modified Atlantic salmon. The department commissioned the data before opposing a Commons bill to mandate labeling of engineered fish sold in supermarkets: “There is a fair level of anxiety.”
Industry Canada is awarding a $90,000 sole-sourced contract to a former employee as an advisor on U.S. relations. The contract appeared unnecessary, said an MP: “Mr. Miller is well-positioned.”
A federal judge has upheld a CUPE appeal for review of workplace health complaints at Air Canada. The Court heard crews on some flights were sickened by the stench of burning engine oil. The complaints were earlier dismissed by the Occupational Health & Safety Tribunal: “The entire crew experienced headaches.”
Bank branches award bonuses for reaching annual sales targets, the Commons finance committee has been told. Executives with Canada’s largest banks also acknowledged employees have been fired for sales misconduct, but denied widespread wrongdoing: “The vast majority of fraud cases we would refer to police.”
Environment Canada will not formally respond to a damning UNESCO report on park protection until fall. “There has been no money coming to the department on any of these initiatives,” Carol Najm, assistant deputy minister, yesterday told the Commons environment committee.
MPs have concluded an unwieldy review of the health impacts of pornography with a recommendation for more education. The study by the Commons health committee was prompted by a Conservative motion unanimously passed by MPs: “It was a difficult subject.”
