A federal bill granting the RCMP commissioner more powers to manage the force will see closed-door hearings on grievances, and threats of five-figure fines on police who fail to answer questions for alleged misconduct. Organizers attempting to unionize the force said regulations would see police with fewer rights than the public: “We said from the beginning the bill was flawed”.
An exasperated Nunavut judge has cited a senior federal agency, the Privy Council Office, for “bureaucratic inertia” over extraordinary delays in what’s become the longest-running litigation in territorial history: ‘Seven years later they had not even started to review documents’.
An energy firm pressing for regulatory approval of an oil pipeline proposed to compile confidential files on the Council of Canadians and environmental groups in a bid to “pressure” opponents. TransCanada Corp. also planned to co-opt media to publish pipeline-friendly stories: “We will not apologize”.
Canadians rate the National Film Board one of the best-loved government agencies with nearly 8 in 10 saying it deserves taxpayers’ funding, according to federal research. Only 14% said its budget should be revoked: ‘It’s a hidden treasure’.
Home builders are appealing to cabinet to adjust a Mulroney-era sales tax rebate to keep pace with rising house prices. It follows new data the average cost of a new home in Canada is now $419,699: “It’s obviously a revenue stream for the federal government”.
Most grocery products meet federal safety guidelines though the Canadian Food Inspection Agency laments that wholesalers and stores have no obligation to report violations. The agency yesterday released the results of tens of thousands of tests on goods from meat to herbs: ‘Foods are usually available to consumers before the results are known’.
Cabinet is keeping an eye on home sales as the national average price approaches $420,000, says Finance Minister Joe Oliver. The remarks followed new data from realtors pointing to large gains in sales and prices that outpace inflation: “We’re continuing to watch”.
The federal broadcast regulator proposes new penalties for unauthorized political robo-calls similar to fines on telemarketers who breach the National Do Not Call List. The CRTC suggests fines of up to $15,000 for breaches: “At some level the CRTC is doing its job”.
A Commons bill to expand Canadians’ access to government records will reform the role of the Commissioner of Information from a mere ombudsman, says Liberal leader Justin Trudeau. The MP sponsored a bill to compel agencies to release public documents without first having to be sued in Federal Court: ‘They spend an awful lot of time in negotiations’.
The $40 billion-a year impact of post-secondary education could be even higher if universities were able to commercialize their research, says a Conference Board study. The group earlier rated Canada a D on its performance in monetizing patents and other innovations developed on campus: “Our universities operate like castles on a hill”.
The Department of Citizenship confirms it’s handing out Made In China maple leaf pins at swearing-in ceremonies for new citizens. The department saved 8¢ apiece by contracting an offshore supplier: “Welcome to the new Canada”.
A first-ever national profile on the reach of organized crime in Canada from credit card fraud to murder will be published by spring, says the Department of Public Safety. To date neither police nor lawmakers have any true assessment on the extent and cost of gangland activity, officials said: “Very little is known”.
Finance Canada says it still drafting promised regulations on bitcoin with no deadline in sight. Cabinet vowed in its last budget February 11 to regulate the pseudo-currency amid fears it is used by money launderers and organized crime: “Be aware of the risk”.
The immigration department is hiring consultants to find reasons why so few French-speaking foreigners live outside Québec. Census data show west of Montréal Francophones are outnumbered by Chinese, German, Punjabi and Tagalog-speaking immigrants: “How do Francophone immigrants manage?”
The shortest distance from A to B has cost a commuter $17,000 in Tax Court. A judge dismissed the appeal of a Calgary woman who unsuccessfully argued she liked to drive the long way to work, thus qualifying for relocation expense claims under the Income Tax Act: “It leads to absurd results”
