An Access To Information memo says federal agencies have simply ignored a 2004 law requiring transparency on user fees. A former MP who wrote the Act said non-compliance was inexplicable: “How can you not comply with an Act of Parliament?”
Canadians will pay more for home heating, driving and air travel under a federal carbon tax, says a Technical Paper. Only “certain farming activities” – not specified – will be exempt from the tax. Environment Canada said details will be spelled out in pending legislation: “Canadians across this country support action on climate change.”
MPs yesterday made short work of a Conservative bill on border regulations prompted by an international incident. The Commons took just 36 minutes to approve the bill in principle at Second Reading and refer it to committee: “Canadians are kind, welcoming and fair; we are not aggressors.”
A former Parks Canada CEO says zoos and aquariums help bring Canadians back to nature. The retired executive appealed to the Senate fisheries committee to be wary of a bill banning the sale and breeding of whales in captivity: “They can ignite that spark and excitement in young Canadians to care for nature.”
In an unprecedented lawsuit, a former Conservative attorney general is challenging a decision of the Ethics Commissioner. Under federal law, the Commissioner is shielded from criminal or civil court action: “We have an ethics czar.”
MPs last evening voted 212 to 79 to restore card checks in certifying new unions in federally-regulated industries. Liberals cut short debate on the motion out of fear of a Conservative filibuster: ‘It would never see the light of day.’
MPs last evening by a vote of 216 to 67 rejected a New Democrat bill to mandate labeling of genetically-modified foods. Twenty Liberal MPs supported the private bill: “It seems so clear to so many people that this would be easy to do.”
Parks Canada says it’s issued national directives to staff after an internal audit found numerous irregularities in contracting. Members of the Senate environment committee cited a “culture of sloppiness” at the agency: “Everyone knows what the rules of the games are.”
A Senate bill to ban the sale and breeding of whales in captivity would devastate Canada’s largest private aqua theme park, say operators of Marineland. The Niagara Falls, Ont. park is home to 50 whales and five dolphins: “Can you tell me how much money you make?”
Health Canada will not adopt a European-style ban of antibiotics in livestock and poultry production. Physicians and a Senate panel had sought tighter restrictions on non-medical use of drugs as a threat to consumers’ health: “That’s got to change.”
Auditors are faulting Employment Canada for weak investigations under its migrant labour program. Investigators rarely conduct surprise inspections of worksites or interview migrants, an audit disclosed: “Most activities consisted of reviewing documents.”
Cabinet has introduced legislation promising more competitive rail service for shippers. The bill follows a 2016 Supreme Court ruling upholding shippers’ rights to bypass Canada’s two largest railways in contracting for service: “These are surrogates for real competition.”
A new air passenger rights’ bill should not levy steep penalties on carriers, says Transport Minister Marc Garneau. Critics yesterday described the promised legislation as mild: “It’s a pass.”
Transport Canada will mandate the use of cockpit-style recorders in locomotives. The legislation follows the 2012 crash of a speeding VIA Rail train that killed three crewmen and injured scores of passengers: “This new tool will provide essential information.”
Parliament has again bypassed combat veterans in hiring a chief of security, despite a bill on preferential hiring of ex-military. Authorities declined comment. Past security chiefs included two Victoria Cross winners: “These are men and women who served our country.”
