Federal agencies have spent millions on Facebook ads and other social media sponsorships though government research shows most taxpayers never see them. A defence department study found Canadians were more likely to rely on “word of mouth” than use Twitter and Facebook: “Government advertising shouldn’t be a Wild West Show”.
Mandated cockpit-style recorders in locomotives will impact employees’ right to work free of company surveillance, say Teamsters. Commons New Democrats endorsed the protest against voice and video recorders, recommended by federal crash investigators: “I am deeply troubled by it”.
Cabinet is still weighing an RCMP union bill amended by the Senate to expand Mounties’ bargaining rights. Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said the amendments represented a “big change”.
A federal task force on Canada Post is accused of burying the corporation’s own data in support of postal banking. Union executives yesterday asked a Commons committee to order the release of confidential research that rated post office banks a win-win: “You can see for yourself”.
The average 4-year old watches the equivalent of two hours’ worth of TV daily, says Statistics Canada. Senators who authored research on childhood obesity rates said preschoolers’ TV habits underscore the need for a federal ban on food ads that target children: “We still have a crisis on our hands”.
Rent-to-own retailers gouge consumers and may breach usury laws, says new research. The Consumers Council of Canada surveyed 68 stores in ten provinces: “We’re concerned”.
Railways can’t blame the weather for breaching service agreements, the Federal Court of Appeal has ruled. Judges upheld a complaint by one of the country’s largest agri-businesses that it was shortchanged on service promised by Canadian National Railways: “CN cannot now complain”.
Only two years after ending the nation’s longest overseas combat mission, most Canadians say they can’t recall hearing anything about the military. The findings are contained in new Department of National Defence in-house research: “Canadians pay less attention”.
A DNA anti-discrimination bill faces amendments in the House of Commons. MPs last evening expressed support for the bill but signaled passage will be slow: “It’s vitally important that we get the details right”.
Transport Canada is challenging VIA Rail’s do-or-die claim it requires billions in new investment. The department is hiring consultants on whether a VIA proposal to build its own passenger service track in Ontario and Québec is even necessary: “Who is going to pay for it?”
Growth rates for mid-sized businesses are “anemic” and fewer companies are being created, cautions the federal Business Development Bank. The agency cited new research indicating more legacy enterprises are also getting smaller: “It’s a struggle”.
Parks Canada is reviewing a list of 65 new nominees for UNESCO World Heritage status even as the agency is accused of failing to protect one site already designated. Access To Information records indicate Canadians nominated scores of candidates for UN designation as “unique or exceptional”.
Liberal MPs yesterday moved to kill a private bill advocating a 49 percent tax cut on small distillers. Legislators said the proposal would correct unfair taxation on spirits compared to beer and wine: “We have grave concerns”.
Parliament should enact an Aquaculture Act to correct a “mishmash” of regulations on fish farmers, says the Senate fisheries committee. Cabinet has not committed to legislation: “It would foster public confidence”.
Workers must wait generations to reap maximum benefits from a cabinet proposal to expand the Canada Pension Plan, the Commons finance committee has been told. Finance Minister Bill Morneau acknowledged workers now 16 would have to make decades’ worth of contributions to see the maximum return: “You’re correct”.
