Canada’s Muslim population will total 2.8 million within twenty years, says Statistics Canada. And the number of francophones outside Québec will decline by as much as 10 percent: ‘Canada can be described as a nation of great diversity.’
Railways have no duty to make promised deliveries to shippers without a signed contract, the Federal Court of Appeal has ruled. Judges dismissed a complaint Canadian National Railway Co. shortchanged shippers under a “flexible” policy on car rationing: “A railway company is not obliged.”
Southern Ontario continues to have the worst air in the country despite closure of the province’s last coal-fired power plant, says an Environment Canada report. The region has higher levels of sulphur dioxide than any other part of Canada: “We need to do a better job.”
Border guards should beware of stereotyping minorities, say training guides and manuals for new Canada Border Services Agency staff. The Access To Information documents follow complaints of racial profiling at the Agency: “The OK sign has the same meaning in some countries as the middle finger.”
Many Canadians are unaware of cabinet’s plans to introduce a national carbon tax, according to in-house government polling. Even fewer are interested in two key 2017 cabinet initiatives, said the $122,859 research: ‘Thinking of the issues presently facing Canada, which one do you feel should receive the greatest attention?’
The Government of Canada is still selling VHS films though the world’s last manufacturer of exclusive Video Home System recorders halted production last year. Walmart has not sold VHS titles since 2005: ‘It’s a captivating 24-minute video on unapproved aircraft parts.’
A retired Canada Revenue Agency auditor cited for “unreliable” testimony has lost a federal lawsuit over a tax reassessment. It is the second case in two years involving former auditors faulted for incorrectly claiming business expenses: “He had kept all his business receipts in a shoe box.”
Cabinet faces a last-ditch federal lawsuit to rescue a Conservative bill mandating disclosure of confidential union finances. A “public interest litigant” filed the Federal Court suit to save Bill C-377: “It was flawed legislation.”
Cabinet will not fix a date to pass legislation creating a first-ever RCMP union despite missing two Supreme Court deadlines. The bill has yet to be taken up by MPs seven months after Senators broadened its terms: “How long does it take?”
Statistics Canada privately opposed the 2016 repeal of a law threatening jail for Census scofflaws out of concern it would “create confusion” during last year’s national count, say Access To Information memos. Prosecution of Census boycotters must continue, wrote then-Chief Statistician Wayne Smith: ‘It reinforces the importance of the Census.’
The industry department in a secret 2016 memo discussed a “Buy Canada” policy to aid the steel industry. The Access To Information memo cited “near-crisis conditions” due to dumping of China-made products: “Conditions are not expected to improve.”
Pay and benefits for federal employees will be scrutinized under a new Treasury Board study. The Board will spend $1.9 million to review civil servants’ salaries as collective agreements expire, and compare costs to private employers: “There’s some tension there.”
Ottawa could sue any province that mandates labeling of the first genetically modified animal, say Access To Information memos to Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay. Memos said cabinet may launch a constitutional challenge, though government research shows most Canadians favour mandatory labels: ‘It may revive domestic pressures to change Canada’s labeling regime for GM foods.’
Canada’s Public Sector Integrity Commissioner breached a whistleblower’s rights in dismissing claims of reprisal, a federal judge has ruled. Commissioner Joe Friday did not comment. The case followed allegations the government in 2013 told staff to deny legitimate Employment Insurance claims: ‘The Commissioner violated procedural fairness rights.’
Federal regulators are detailing the first new rules under a food safety bill that passed Parliament five years ago. Processors, importers and retailers would be required to buy $250 permits and keep electronic records to more quickly trace tainted products: “It’s not acceptable.”
