Transport Canada says it’s at a loss to account for warnings from a whistleblower that it allowed an insolvent airline to keep flying. A passengers’ advocate described the department response as evasive: “I don’t think these people are stupid”.
A new trade agreement to eliminate dairy export subsidies should have little direct impact but compounds far-reaching concessions affecting the industry, say Dairy Farmers of Canada. Cabinet has five years to comply: “The most recent subsidy issue was hard-fought”.
Federal anti-spam rules have “significantly” damaged digital publishers, says a confidential Department of Canadian Heritage report. The study released through Access To Information concluded rules are so onerous they impact companies’ daily business: ‘Laws restrict interaction with consumers’.
The union representing thousands of flight attendants is pressing a three-year legal challenge of Transport Canada’s arbitrary powers to regulate staffing. A federal judge citing procedural issues dismissed one lawsuit by the Canadian Union of Public Employees: ‘There’s a right to be heard’.
Government lawyers continue to fight a federal lawsuit on Senate vacancies though cabinet has said appointments are imminent. A Vancouver lawyer who launched the 2015 court challenge said the Department of Justice has yet to throw in the towel on the case: “The path to constitutional disobedience is paved with good intentions”.
One of the country’s largest realtors has won a six-figure Federal Court judgment over misuse of its trademark. A British Columbia firm was ordered to pay $218,930 including punitive damages after replicating the Re/Max balloon on its promotional pens, calendars and other paraphernalia: ‘It’s famous’.
The Department of Canadian Heritage, fearing public complaints, ordered army reservists to wear skidoo helmets in a $775,000 video celebrating the nation’s 150th birthday. Authorities noted while the army had no rule on snowmobile helmets per se, “we want to be politically correct”.
Federal regulators are stepping up monitoring of sulphur dioxide linked to acid rain. Environment Canada will expand its air quality surveillance program this year following earlier cuts, the department said: ‘We put this off for years’.
Tax scams detailed in federal court point to millions in false claims over fictitious business accounts. The Canada Revenue Agency would not disclose the amount of claims it’s faced through so-called business agent losses: “You may accuse me of being silly or reckless”.
Farm groups are appealing for specific regulatory details of any federal climate change initiative. The Department of Agriculture earlier forecast global warming will likely result in better harvests and more varied crops for growers: ‘It depends on the rules’.
The Department of Canadian Heritage has written off hundreds of thousands in unpaid loans after missing deadlines on collections, records show. In two cases the department allowed debts to go unpaid for years before the statute of limitation expired: ‘Internet research indicates the company ceased operations’.
Regulators must prepare for dumping of used batteries in anticipation of an electric car boom, says an international panel. Environment Canada should draft regulations to ensure safe disposal and recycling of auto power packs, said the Commission for Environmental Cooperation: “The biggest challenge for electric cars is the battery”.
A Tax Court judge has dealt a costly blow to service companies that pool customers’ tips. The Court ruled a restaurateur that collected and redistributed $1 million a year in gratuities is liable for federal Canada Pension Plan and employment insurance deductions: ‘The test is not who the tips belong to, but who paid them’.
Natural Resources Canada has awarded another six-figure research contract on wind energy, the second in five weeks. The department proposes to study reliability of electricity generation from a wind farm in Prince Edward Island: “It is critical to have that information”.
Warmest wishes to all friends and subscribers for a safe and happy holiday. Blacklock’s reporters, contributors and shareholders pause to bid you all the best in 2016. Thank you for another tremendous year! — The Editor
