Cabinet in a secretive order has granted U.S. law agents on “routine operations” permission to carry weapons across some of the busiest points along the border, including Detroit and Buffalo, New York. Officials confirmed to Blacklock’s that American authorities asked for the exemption under federal law.
Canada’s “very sophisticated” oil spill surveillance program will continue with three aircraft spying three oceans, the Great Lakes and 243,000 kilometres of coast line, says Transport Canada: “One is located in Moncton and one is located in Ottawa; that takes care of the Great Lakes and the Arctic.”
The Senate is again debating a proposed national registry of medical implants, an initiative that was tried and failed twice before since 2003. Advocates count 1.4 million medical devices on the Canadian market: “This is becoming a huge problem.”
The federal health department plans a new “outreach campaign” on smoking after it revoked funding for anti-tobacco advertisements for the past six years. Figures show the number of women smokers in Canada has risen since 2010: “We need an ongoing tobacco campaign.”
Telecom giant Rogers Inc. proposes to trademark a full range of financial services as “Rogers Bank” including mortgages, deposits and chequing accounts, according to federal filings. Rogers originally spoke of “niche” credit offers in applying for a bank license in 2011.
Canada grades an A for general education and workplace skills but fails to meet its potential in higher math and science, analysts say. The Conference Board rated Canada 2 out of 16 nations on education and skills; Italy was dropped altogether.
The author, an Israeli-born biologist, examines current events in the Blacklock’s tradition: “7 people died in Walkerton water crisis. 229 passengers killed in Swissair Flight 111…”
Industry Canada has issued a patent to a British Columbia company for an electrical machine to eliminate one of the most tedious and repetitive chores in health care: “It’s hard to believe in this century that pills are still being crushed manually.”
Cabinet has issued a secretive order permitted U.S. officers to carry machine guns and other weaponry into Canada on “routine operations.” The order, described as “temporary,” is in force for two years. Public Safety Minister Vic Toews refused an interview.
Two years spent by Health Canada to study a new sweetener is prompting industry complaints of “unnecessary” delays. The additive stevia, rated 300 times sweeter than sugar, was sold in health food stores but not approved as a table-top sweetener in Canada till years after the E.U. and United States deemed it safe.
A Conservative senator says it “makes sense” to review all tariffs amid industry complaints of contradictory regulations in the 2013 budget. The treasury repealed tariffs on infant wear and golf clubs, but said it will raise tariffs on fruit and hand tools.
Canada’s workplace data compares poorly to the U.S. and leaves Parliament with inadequate information on policy, says a think-tank: “How do you value job security for workers? That is an important question.”
Lobbyists for non-union contractors are pressing senators for quick passage of a bill to force labour organizers to publish their salaries, health benefits and other private data under threat of fines. Lobbyists met with 8 Conservative senators, three staffers and a cabinet minister over a three-day period, document show.
The CBC is suing a Montréal cable station over an adverb. In Federal Court filings, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation seeks to strip a federally-licensed station of its trademarked name, claiming it is “likely to cause confusion” with the national broadcaster.
Canadian wine makers are pressing MPs for a range of regulatory incentives to make the nation drink up. Vintners have a 30 percent home market share, less than wineries in the U.S., Australia or Chile: “The industry operates on very thin margins.”
