A bill introduced in the Commons would limit public authorities’ ability to trademark phrases and images in perpetuity without appeal. Liberal MP Geoff Regan proposed to curb “weird” practices under the Trademarks Act that have seen groups legally monopolize words like ‘penny’ and ‘teachers’: “There ought to be an examination of what the public interest is”.
MPs are expressing support for a bill to deny Canada Pension Plan survivor benefits to claimants who kill family members. The legislation follows review and study dating back fifteen years: “To 100% of Canadians that will sound bizarre”.
Canada’s export credit agency must do more to meet eco-impact targets, says the auditor general. Export Development Canada was cited for loose tracking of greenhouse gas emissions: “There’s clearly more to be done”.
New research confirms if Canadians pay too much for U.S. imports today, they paid too little when the dollar collapsed a decade ago. Statistics Canada reported the latest price gaps are significant, but noted consumers were never charged what they should have been when the dollar was worth 62¢: “People should inform themselves”.
The Treasury Board faces far-reaching effects of a Federal Court case for army, navy and air force members forced to move from base to base, say advocates. An Afghan War veteran won $73,000 in compensation for real estate losses: “We support our troops”.
The Senate is suing to quash a human rights complaint by a former employee who said she was driven to tears by an abusive Senator. Authorities refused comment on the lawsuit filed in Federal Court. Parliamentary attorneys have acted in the past to exempt Senators and MPs from workplace regulations: “A political staffer working in the office of a Senator has no legal entitlement…”
Health Minister Rona Ambrose says she “struggled” with exempting natural health products from new legislation on unsafe medicines. Ambrose said homeopathic products should be regulated like pharmaceuticals: “I thought everyone should be under the same legislation”.
Prince Edward Island has become the seventh province to regulate payday loans under a 2007 Act of Parliament. The Island cabinet gained authority to set rates on short-term loans under the Criminal Code: “The criminal interest rate is too high”.
Unnamed “influencers” and media critics are undermining Canadian aquaculture, a Senate panel has been told. Nova Scotia fish farmers claimed misinformation over the sector’s eco-impact has hurt growth and sales: “They’re very skilled at using the internet”.
A new report dismisses cabinet claims the RCAF can get by with the single-engine F-35 jetfighter. The analysis cautioned that twin-engine planes, the kind currently flown by the air force, appear more reliable than single-engine replacements: “The math is very simple”.
In testimony MPs described as shocking, current and former Transport Canada staff accuse the department of misleading Parliament on the scope and effectiveness of commercial airlines’ safety inspections. Authorities were accused of falsifying data to conceal a decline in random inspections: ‘It’s a simple sleight of hand’.
The Department of Fisheries has committed “gross negligence” in failing to protect wild stocks from aquaculture, a Senate panel has been told. The Newfoundland & Labrador Outfitters Association blamed federally-regulated fish farms for threatening ocean life: “The Department of Fisheries is in a severe conflict of interest”.
Fifty MPs have petitioned Parliament to suspend Canada Post cuts and rate hikes in the largest petition drive of the Commons’ spring sitting: ‘It should be debated if the public wants it to be’.
Tax Court has upheld Canada Revenue’s right to reach back nearly 30 years to collect unpaid debts despite a statue of limitations. The judgment came in the case of a widow denied pension benefits till she pays old taxes dating from 1986: “Tax debts are payable”.
Finance Minister Joe Oliver is being pressed for adoption of a single bank ombudsman he’d advocated as a Bay Street executive. Oliver’s past remarks were uncovered by a New Democrat MP. The finance minister would not comment: “Will he actually follow what he said?”
