A long-promised cabinet bill to curb alleged cross-border gouging by retailers instead relegates federal investigators to the role of price checkers, say critics. Industry Canada yesterday introduced the legislation promised ten months ago: “They better have some sort of explanation”.
Inadequate statistics and poor forecasting by federal regulators were factors in last winter’s surprise spike in propane prices, according to testimony at a Commons hearing. Producers said they relied on inadequate data from the National Energy Board in adjusting supply to meet demand: “They were wrong”.
A bill granting cabinet broad powers to rewrite regulations affecting federal prisoners has passed Second Reading. Public Safety Canada headlined the bill as a measure to combat drugs, though MPs agreed it gives wardens and Parole Board officials no authority they don’t already have: “Does anyone think this will be effective?”
Canadians pay less for turkey under farm quotas than Americans pay under free marketing, say producers. Proponents of supply management appealed to the Senate agriculture committee to support the quota system amid criticism it restricts trade: “There are some misconceptions”.
The Supreme Court will hear an appeal on whether extreme drunkenness is a criminal defence against arson. The appeal comes as the Commons justice committee weighs a bill to impose harsher sentences on very drunk drivers: “Intoxication is tricky doctrine”.
Parliament is endorsing a symbolic bill to combat obesity without any mention of fast-food products or marketing. MPs yesterday on a voice vote approved Bill S-211 to proclaim a National Health & Fitness Day: “Food manufacturing is a business”.
Québec has suffered the greatest population loss of any place in 25 years of interprovincial migration, says a confidential report. More than a quarter-million Québecers picked up and left for other parts of Canada, according to research for the Privy Council Office: ” Québec, yet again…”
The Supreme Court has refused to hear an appeal by an optometrist cited for seven-figure tax evasion after he simply stopped filing returns. A lower court described the scofflaw as “intransigent” in failing to pay what he owed: “The law is very clear”.
CMHC in a proposal that’s worrying advocates says it will study the impact of ending subsidies for low-income Canadians. The federal mortgage insurer proposed to “determine best practices” for social housing without government aid: ‘People are scared’.
Environment Canada aims to restrict the use of hydrofluorocarbons as a refrigerant in aerosols, appliances and auto air conditioners. The department alerted manufacturers it is considering a ban on HFCs as a greenhouse gas, similar to restrictions already introduced in other G7 countries: ‘Canada is playing catch-up’.
Anti-piracy legislation rated flawed and expensive is to pass the Senate this week with an appeal to cabinet to investigate whether it does any good. The Senate trade committee reported Bill C-8 for a final vote with reservations: “I’m not sure it’s good enough”.
Regulators foresee no repeat of last winter’s price spike in propane that had costs rise so sharply it triggered an anti-trust investigation. The National Energy Board said current production is so high, and prices so low, there is little chance of another price run-up that prompted allegations of industry gouging: ‘In the dead of winter there are public policy concerns’.
Parliament’s Budget Office says it faces inadequate funding and persistent concealment of federal financial records by “legally questionable” means. The Office in a blunt Annual Report said Canadians are denied full disclosure of government spending: ‘Others take this seriously’.
Cabinet proposes new regulations on aquatic pests, but with numerous exemptions. The Department of Fisheries said new rules will mainly federalize regulations already in place in Ontario since 2007, and Manitoba since 1987: “The U.S. does a lot more”.
The Supreme Court will decide if penalties under the Income Tax Act are so severe they constitute criminal sanctions. The case follows an appeal by an attorney hit with six-figure penalties over a charity scheme: ‘There was wanton disregard of the law’.
