Shippers and airlines are seeking details of a proposed 15¢ per kilogram federal fee to screen air freight. Transport Canada has proposed shippers conduct their own security screening or face cargo charges: “You can’t create a security program and not charge for it”.
An FM radio station has again been cited for vulgarity by a national standards panel, this time over an expletive-laced rant against urban bicyclists. It’s the third citation in five years against the Québec City station. Broadcasters cussed bicyclists in colourful shorts who slow morning traffic: “You big idiot – stay at home. You deserve to be run over by a car”.
Bell Mobility Inc. has lost a bid for a Supreme Court hearing over 75¢ fees it charged for non-existent 911 emergency service. Justices declined to hear the company’s appeal of a Yellowknife court ruling that the class action lawsuit proceed: “The costs in this case must be worth millions already”.
Aquaculture firms have won long-sought amendments to federal law permitting chemical use in fish habitat, including coastal waters. Fisheries Minister Gail Shea yesterday enacted new regulations allowing use of licensed pesticides previously banned under the Fisheries Act: “There are serious concerns”.
First regulations under Bill C-51 the Anti-Terrorism Act take effect August 1 with enforcement of a federal blacklist of passengers forbidden from air travel. Airlines must report any so-called “listed person” who attempts to board any domestic or international flight: “They did not do anything to actually fix the problems”.
A finicky federal appointee at the Asia Pacific Foundation billed for a $522-a night room at a luxury Vancouver hotel though “nice” accommodation was available just across the street at a 39% discount, records show. “I treasure a good hotel,” said the foundation’s chairman.
The Department of Agriculture is losing ground in scientific research that made Canada a world wheat exporter, delegates have told an Ottawa conference. The criticism followed one industry report that concluded the nation “is slipping behind other countries” in agricultural science: “Where are the long-term ideas going to come from?”
In a confidential memo one advocate called “unbelievable”, the Department of Fisheries says it has no scientific data to support Canada’s claims that seals are to blame for dwindling groundfish stock. The cabinet memo stamped SECRET said claims were “anecdotal commentary” and had no basis in research: “It is a classic case of putting pure politics ahead of science”.
A pending Supreme Court hearing on legal firing under the Canada Labour Code will clarify rules for an estimated one million employees in federally-regulated industries, say legal analysts. Judges agreed to hear the case of an Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. staffer fired without cause: “This has been a debate in legal circles for years”.
Climate change is already having a severe impact on some Canadian fish species, says new research. Data on more than a thousand lakes confirmed some have lost entire local populations of minnows over the past 30 years: “It is problematic if you value biodiversity”.
A federal initiative to harmonize labelling of hazardous chemicals ongoing since 2011 will not be fully enacted till 2019, says a cabinet notice. The labour department said the program should replace “inconsistent and incoherent” regulations on handling of dangerous goods in the workplace: “We’re going to have more accidents”.
The military targeted video gamers with a 2015 recruitment campaign deemed “dark” and “aggressive”, according to in-house research. The Department of National Defence assembled focus groups to pre-screen the TV ads depicting guerrilla warfare with flash explosions, leaping paratroopers and “heavy breathing” sound effects: “You are preaching to the converted”.
Transport Canada is detailing first-ever regulations to mandate public notice of all airport expansions with final approval of new construction resting with cabinet. The proposed rules follow a little-noticed clause inserted in a 2014 omnibus budget bill that drew protest from airport operators: “It may be expensive, it may be time-consuming”.
A federal judge has knocked down lawyering fees of up to $1,130 an hour claimed as costs by an insurance company that successfully sued the Canada Revenue Agency. The Tax Court lawsuit detailed expenses claimed by Bay Street lawyers, from four-figure hourly rates to expensive hotel bills: “Hypothetical rates do not meet the criterion”.
A lawsuit alleging unfair trade practices in the federally-regulated egg trade have come up short at the Supreme Court. Justices declined to hear a case alleging two of the nation’s largest egg producers engaged in a “conspiracy” to drive out competition: ‘The case crashed in a deep ditch of dismissal’.
