A federal tribunal says sharp comments in the House of Commons are no cause for human rights complaints. The ruling came in the case of an MP accused of hurtful remarks in debate: “Freedom of speech is not confined to popular points of view.”
Statistics Canada has released a catalogue of public complaints against some of its 25,000 Census enumerators. Records detail home visits that “did not go well”, including allegations part-time staff drove across lawns and threatened householders with fines or jail time: “I’m from the Census and I can stay if I want.”
Taxpayers face a multi-million dollar bill after a federal landlord yesterday was cited by auditors for failing to maintain properties, including the Prime Minister’s home. The National Capital Commission would not disclose the cost of needed repairs: “I can’t give you a total number.”
The Senate is in Federal Court to block disclosure of minutes of confidential meetings sought by an ex-employee. The former Senate human resources director, Darshan Singh, was fired in 2015: “Disclosure would constitute a breach of parliamentary privilege.”
The Department of Canadian Heritage ordered up recordings of a rewritten O Canada six months ago though a bill to change the lyrics never passed Parliament. Staff yesterday did not comment: “New recordings of the Canadian national anthem are required in anticipation.”
Department of Public Safety planners say a major quake in British Columbia could close ports and airfields, destroy dams, roads and railways and lead to food shortages. Staff in Access To Information documents plotted scenarios involving a major quake not seen on the Pacific coast since 1964: “An earthquake event in western Canada could result in numerous casualties and damage to hospitals.”
Fisheries Minister Dominic LeBlanc is named in a federal lawsuit by a Québec Indigenous group over protection of fishing grounds. An attorney who filed the case said it is raises crucial questions on Fisheries Act enforcement: “There is a principle here.”
The Department of Social Development plans continuous polling of job seekers after a study found its Employment Insurance website is so convoluted, 1 in 4 had trouble filing a claim. Staff called the exercise a client experience survey: “Smooth movement is inhibited.”
The hiring of migrant labour lowered wages for Canadians in some jobs, says a government report. The 2016 Employment Canada research was obtained through Access To Information: ‘Temporary foreign workers had a negative effect on wages for a few occupations across the country.’
Environment Canada in confidential memos says it has no intention of banning toxic lead in retail products after decades of research. Staff blamed costs and jurisdictional issues with provinces: “Why has it taken so long?”
A group of 174,500 federal retirees has lost a Charter challenge of health plan cutbacks. A federal judge ruled former public servants had no claim to keep premium rates clawed back in 2014: ‘It was not guaranteed as a term of employment.’
The Standards Council of Canada says poor indoor air quality is costing employers billions a year in lost productivity. Researchers said sick leave attributed to allergies, headaches and other ailments is expensive: ‘It’s amazing that small improvements can make a difference.’
Parks Canada is to unveil a commemorative plaque to former Governor General John Buchan, a Nazi appeaser who described critics of Neville Chamberlain as “donkeys” and said Hitler’s 1938 occupation of Austria was “very largely our own blame”. Members of the Historic Sites & Monuments Board that approved the honour yesterday could not be reached for comment: “It is possible to overdo it.”
Department of Public Safety roadside tests for drug-impaired drivers failed 13 percent of the time, according to in-house research obtained through Access To Information. Even police officers tested positive for drugs. Authorities withheld the data in touting the program as a success: “Malfunctions were reported.”
A Court has ruled travelers who suffer lost luggage cannot sue for the loss of vacation time. The judgment came in the case of a St. John’s couple that accused Air Canada of spoiling a ski holiday: ‘Damages for loss of enjoyment are not recoverable.’
