Small business has yet to see billions in promised carbon tax rebates, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business said yesterday. The finance department in 2019 said it was “developing the specifics” for payouts: “There is no mechanism in place to return a dime to small business.”
Only a third of Canadians rate news media trustworthy and balanced, says in-house CRTC research. The latest data follow Statistics Canada figures showing reporters are considered less reliable than politicians or lawyers: “Canada is facing not one news crisis but two. One is financial and the other is the crisis of mistrust.”
Fake Indigenous communities have “sprung up almost overnight” by pretenders claiming to have First Nations, Métis or Inuit roots, says a Manitoba Senator. Debate on a proposal to investigate misrepresentation of Indigenous ancestry follows publicized cases like Buffy Sainte-Marie: “It is community theft.”
MPs yesterday gave all-party approval for a committee investigation of cuts to rural postal service. Critics complained of piecemeal reductions in service under a 1994 moratorium limiting outright closure of Canada Post outlets: “I know, it is surprising.”
A federal program to let hundreds of Gazans into Canada has now expanded to thousands, Immigration Minister Marc Miller yesterday told reporters. Miller said he was upset none had been permitted out of the war zone to date: “I am pretty pissed off about it.”
Cabinet admits an Arctic green energy program is running behind schedule but denies millions in cost overruns. Local authorities since 2017 have sought to install a wind turbine on the tundra outside Inuvik: “Delays in projects occur for a variety of reasons.”
A federal climate program to phase out oil furnaces has seen only 80 homeowners convert to greener energy nationwide, records show. Cabinet had pointed to the program as justification for a billion-dollar carbon tax break for Atlantic electors: “It is not slogans, it is solutions.”
Attorney General Arif Virani yesterday apologized under threat of censure after shouting vulgar remarks in the Commons. Virani earlier told reporters he was shocked by crude parliamentary misconduct he deemed unbecoming the legal profession: “F—king tool.”
Cabinet yesterday could not explain how a Waffen SS member received a VIP invitation through the Prime Minister’s Office. Access To Information records obtained by Rebel News Network contradicted claims that officialdom was “caught off guard” by the incident: “It has been deeply embarrassing for Canada.”
Cabinet should suspend the carbon tax on farmers, food processors and retailers, the Commons agriculture committee was told yesterday. Long term impacts of higher fuel charges compared to U.S. competitors are unknown, said the senior director of Dalhousie University’s Agri-Food Analytics Lab: “That is why I am recommending a pause on the carbon tax for the entire food industry from farm gate to stores and restaurants.”
Bitcoin traders’ enthusiasm for cryptocurrency is fading, says in-house Canada Revenue Agency research. Pollsters blamed “media portrayals” and wild price fluctuations: “Results suggest media portrayals of cryptocurrencies have led to an erosion of consumer confidence.”
A confidential federal report alleges bribes were paid in the $54 million ArriveCan program. Conservative MP Larry Brock (Brantford-Brant, Ont.) yesterday read portions of the confidential document into the record of the Commons government operations committee as Liberal MPs expressed astonishment: “Wow,”
Cabinet will not speed passage of a landmark bill to ban use of replacement workers in the federally regulated private sector, Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan said yesterday. His remarks followed one MP’s prediction the bill will never become law before the next election: “We are taking our time.”
Cabinet is rejecting an all-party demand for more public accounting of Governor General Mary Simon’s expenses. Spending at Rideau Hall jumped 11 percent last year to $37.6 million: “The Governor General has shown a lack of respect for taxpayers.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs reprimanded 56 employees for wrongdoing last year, according to new records. Proven allegations ranged from bid-rigging to nepotism: “Fear of reprisal and a belief that complaints do not make a difference are consistently the top reasons why employees do not report bad behaviour.”
