In an estate settlement legal analysts describe as unusual, a frugal hermit who spent his life in a tumble-down Prairie cabin without indoor plumbing left $2 million at his death. Details of the Dickensian case emerged in Court of Queen’s Bench documents: “It’s kind of sad”.
Millions of cable and satellite TV customers will see little first-hand impact from a new federal consumer code to take effect in 20 months, say telecom firms. Rogers Communications and Bell said they already meet most requirements of the code to mandate plain-language contracts and greater fee disclosure: “This was a key area of frustration”.
Regulators claim a breakthrough in combating the sea lamprey, bane of the Great Lakes for 70 years. Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency is expected to sanction use of chemical pheromones to kill the invasive species blamed for destroying an entire trout fishery: “The sky is the limit”.
A 28-year old Liberal MP remains parliamentary secretary for international development despite filing a human rights complaint against Mexican diplomats, says the Prime Minister’s Office. Cabinet yesterday issued a new Guide For Parliamentary Secretaries urging appointees to show “appropriate judgment”.
MP Karina Gould of Burlington, Ont. in 2014 was fired after nine months as a consultant at the Toronto office of ProMexico, a foreign trade commission. Gould subsequently filed a human rights complaint alleging a “toxic” workplace. Her claim was dismissed last September as Gould campaigned for Parliament.
Gould has not commented, and the Prime Minister’s Office declined repeated requests for details on whether authorities checked her resumé. Officials would not say if they had concerns the MP’s employment history would compromise official contacts with Mexican diplomats. Gould made no mention of her ProMexico posting in her campaign literature.
“As a representative of the Government you should exercise appropriate judgment in your words and actions,” cautioned the Guide For Parliamentary Secretaries; “You are subject to increased public scrutiny and your actions reflect on your reputation of your Minister and of the Government as a whole. You must therefore set an example by satisfying the highest standards of personal conduct in fulfilling your duties as parliamentary secretary and as a Member of Parliament.”
Gould was hired by ProMexico in January 2014 to “generate business opportunities” for Mexican exporters and fired the following September, according to Ontario Human Rights Tribunal records. Gould subsequently alleged she suffered discrimination because of gender, age and other complaints.
“The allegations describe the applicant’s employment up until the termination of her employment, which she says was a forced resignation due to a toxic work environment,” a Tribunal adjudicator wrote in dismissing Gould’s allegations. “She describes a series of incidents which she believes show that she was targeted by her employer, treated unfairly and falsely accused of inadequate performance of her duties. She alleges that the reason for this treatment was her sex and age. Many of the allegations related to the applicant’s involvement in various trade shows and related events, and reports she prepared relating to trade issues.”
Gould also complained of “inter-office conflicts about job roles and alleged preferential treatment of other employees as compared to her treatment,” the Tribunal wrote. The complaints were dismissed under the State Immunity Act.
The Tribunal made its ruling September 2 as Gould campaigned for Parliament in Burlington. Gould won the riding by 2,400 over incumbent Conservative MP Mike Wallace, and was appointed parliamentary secretary December 2.
The Mexican Embassy in Ottawa earlier declined an interview on the MP’s employment as a trade consultant. “We have no comment on Ms. Gould,” a diplomat said.
By Tom Korski 
Canadians will not pay for climate change programs and remain sceptical of any scheme that relies on corporations to voluntarily cut emissions, says government research. An in-house study by Natural Resources Canada also cited public worries any carbon tax would punish Canadians as they confront job losses and a feared housing collapse: ‘The economy is not doing very well’.
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’.
