Complaints of fraud prompted changes to the multi-million dollar Canada Student Loan program, says an internal federal memo. No schools were named: “There have been growing concerns around certain educational institutions related to fraud, integrity and growing financial risk.”
The Department of Health has a total 67 federal inspectors to monitor diversion of legal marijuana into the black market nationwide, says a report. The disclosure followed allegations that tonnes of cannabis have been diverted since Parliament legalized recreational marijuana eight years ago: “That is illicit cannabis.”
Authorities yesterday confirmed Prime Minister Mark Carney is permanently closing the federal consumer affairs’ office, the last remnant of the old Department of Consumer and Corporate Affairs. One association called it “the death knell for nonprofit consumer protection.”
Millions in funding for the Kids Help Phone counseling service will be cut, the Public Health Agency said yesterday. Then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the funding during Covid lockdowns after telling children on TV: “We’re here for you.”
Canada Post in a report to Parliament says it is compiling data to decide which of 3,361 rural outlets will close due to ongoing losses. Management has denied it is developing an internal list of offices to be shuttered in advance of community surveys: “We have not made any decisions even internally on which post offices we think should stay or go.”
The Public Health Agency erased the term “injury” from the name of a $75 million compensation fund for Canadians injured by Covid shots as part of a rebranding exercise, says an internal memo. Staff were assigned to do a Google search on the most appropriate substitute for the “Vaccine Injury Support Program.”
Federal managers wasted 15 years and a $120 million budget on a plan to digitize meat inspections, says an internal report. The system was so dysfunctional, auditors discovered employees were put to twice the work: “They did not enjoy using the platform.”
Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre yesterday described a proposed $90 billion regional high speed rail venture as a costly scheme to reward friends of the Liberal Party. His remarks followed a report by the Crown corporation Alto that acknowledged public wariness over the expense: “Liberal insiders, activists, lawyers will get rich.”
A Liberal-appointed trustee yesterday quit the board of a federal museum with an appeal to Heritage Minister Marc Miller to investigate anti-Israel content. The Canadian Museum for Human Rights on Saturday is to open an exhibit depicting the founding of Israel as a catastrophe: “A Museum that purports to tell stories about history does not get to change history.”
State-subsidized Chinese automakers are eager to ship vehicles to Canada, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said yesterday after concluding a trip to the People’s Republic. Joly did not explain how imports would clear a federal ban on slave-made goods: “All the different Chinese electric vehicle automakers I met are interested in having access.”
Canadians call China a greater threat than Iran, says in-house federal research on security. Polling by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service followed Prime Minister Mark Carney’s announcement of a “new partnership” with China: “Half of respondents, 52 percent, feel Canada is more dangerous than it was five years ago.”
The Canada Revenue Agency rates as a “success” an $18 million chatbot that gives taxpayers wrong answers 10 percent of the time, according to Access To Information records. The Agency’s own Taxpayer Bill Of Rights states all Canadians “have the right to complete, accurate, clear and timely information.”
Another stamp hike is near after cabinet on Saturday waived a requirement that it approve Canada Post rates. The post office has complained the regulation led to months-long delays in adjusting prices: “The stamp rate in Canada has not kept pace.”
The Department of Immigration will speed processing of illegal immigrants and refugee claimants in a bid to clear a four-year backlog. Cabinet in a legal notice Saturday proposed strict new deadlines following a dramatic increase in claims: “How did we arrive at this point?”
A 2026 tax cut is a net benefit despite any corresponding reductions in credits for the poorest tax filers, says a Department of Finance report. Critics had warned of “unintended consequences” in lowering benefits for the elderly and disabled: “For nearly all Canadians who pay tax, savings from the middle class tax cut will outweigh the reduction.”
