A Crown agency blames the economy for higher tolls on some of the nation’s busiest cross-border bridges. Fees must offset revenue lost from traffic declines of as much as 20 percent, said the Federal Bridge Corporation Ltd: “Major challenges are being faced.”
Air passenger complaints to federal regulators have tripled since cabinet promised to introduce a travelers’ rights bill. Complaints to the Canadian Transportation Agency skyrocketed even as the tribunal ruled it would no longer accept general complaints from consumers’ advocates: “Canadians will know what their rights are.”
The Information Commissioner has filed a lawsuit to end a nine-year search for Access To Information records held by a federal agency. The dispute over disclosure – the longest to date – targets the St. John’s Port Authority.
“I’d like to see an investigation into the whole works,” said Charles Anonsen, owner of Adventure Tours Inc. of St. John’s. “This has been a long battle, and a very expensive battle, but I’ve pursued it.”
The Commissioner in a Federal Court application filed on Anonsen’s behalf asks that the Authority be compelled to release 33 pages of records sought since 2008. Correspondence between the Commissioner and the Authority continued from 2009 to last May 12, according to the Court documents.
Sean Hanrahan, CEO of the Port Authority, in a May 12 email cited in Court records complained of “delay, discourtesy and general incompetence on the part of the Office of the Information Commissioner over nearly a decade.” The Commissioner’s office declined comment.
Anonsen’s Adventure Tours operated tour boats from St. John’s harbour from 1978. The Authority in 2006 denied the company a license, prompting five years of litigation.
“I started my business years ago and now I’m not allowed to operate,” said Anonsen. “They changed the rules to get rid of me, then the Port went ahead and gave a market I developed over 35 years to a new guy who just pulled into the harbour.”
Anonsen in an October 1, 2008 Access To Information request wrote the Authority seeking “information from all meetings of the board of directors, management and staff of the St. John’s Port Authority regarding me, Charles Anonsen, and Adventure Tours Inc. This would include emails, minutes of meetings, letters, recordings, audio and video, and legal opinions. Further, I am requesting copies of commercial leases and contacts with other Port users and operators to examine the lease history of the St. John’s Port authority.”
The Authority replied within six months “disclosing some records” but withheld 132 pages of files, according to Court documents. Other files were released piecemeal with some 33 crucial pages of records still withheld.
Anonsen said he sought details of Authority minutes in which directors voted to deny his license. “It’s unfair,” he said. “They say I can’t operate because I spoke out against them.”
Delays of two to three years in releasing federal records are now commonplace. Agencies would gain new powers to conceal records under legislation introduced in the Commons on June 19.
Bill C-58 An Act To Amend The Access Information Act proposes two new grounds to refuse requests, as “vexatious” or involving “such a large number of records” it would be too onerous for staff.
By Jason Unrau 
In-house research by a federal tribunal concludes service to the public is slow and mediocre. The Social Security Tribunal commissioned the survey after MPs urged reforms: “None of them are very satisfied.”
Health Canada says it will complete by year’s end its special reviews of three common pesticides. The department’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency has already proposed to phase out one pesticide, imidacloprid, as an environmental risk: “We must protect biodiversity.”
Blacklock’s reporters and contributors pause to wish you a happy Canada 150th. We’re back on July 4 — The Editor.
A federal judge has issued an injunction against an air passenger complaints’ website. The Court ruled parody is no defence against breach of the Copyright Act: “Like all free speech, it is not unrestricted.”
Airlines have joined a list of Canadian employers seeking exemptions from the national carbon tax. An industry group said the tax, to take effect in 2018, will result in higher fares: “There is no evidence it will reduce emissions in our industry.”
Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly is declining comment on a media creators’ appeal to overturn a costly regulatory decision. Joly’s office yesterday refused to say if the ruling by the CRTC will be overturned: “The impact will be huge.”
RCMP are launching an extraordinary mental health study of members. The initiative was detailed as cabinet struck a review panel to hire a new commissioner: “Examples of operational stress injuries are depression, anxiety, phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder or substance abuse.”
A federal agency has again been cited for imposing arbitrary fines on scofflaws. The critical ruling is the fourth since 2014 against the Financial Transactions & Reports Analysis Centre: “It is impossible.”
Cabinet has ordered the Royal Canadian Mint to strike a commemorative loonie for the hard-luck Toronto Maple Leafs. The new executive order leaves a single Canadian charter member of the NHL to be denied a coin: “Its a blessing and a curse.”
Transport Canada yesterday enacted new climate change controls on diesel locomotives. Regulators were silent on railways’ request for a cut in the national carbon tax. Operators of the nation’s few remaining steam locomotives were exempted from greenhouse gas regulations: “In those days nobody was thinking of the environment.”
The Senate banking committee warns cabinet should beware of the impact of any U.S. corporate tax cuts. Finance Canada currently taxes corporations at a rate not seen in the U.S. in 80 years: “I doubt if it will get down to 15%.”
A Canada Revenue Agency guide on dealing with “difficult” clients and tax protesters recommends auditors be polite and avoid being videotaped. The Agency released the internal employee manuals through Access To Information: “I’ll uphold your Charter rights if you’ll uphold mine.”
