Subsidies for private sector newsrooms cost taxpayers $170 million last year, the Department of Finance reported yesterday. Publishers successfully lobbied for taxpayers’ aid seven years ago on a promise that subsidies would be transitional and temporary: “There does need to be a deadline.”
Cabinet is looking for a third Budget Officer in six months. Interim Officer Jason Jacques yesterday said he had no word on reappointment with four days remaining in his term: “Things were partisan 20 years ago; they are certainly more partisan now.”
Fraud in Canada’s refugee system is difficult to gauge but may be significant, says Immigration Minister Lena Diab’s department. A “meaningful proportion of claims” from illegal immigrants and other refugee claimants are ineligible, it said: “Indicators provide a broader picture of integrity pressures.”
The Commons yesterday by a 198 to 134 vote rejected a Conservative motion to suspend free medical benefits for illegal immigrants. The vote followed pointed debate: “It is disgusting.”
Seizures of fentanyl chemicals by Customs agents under Canada’s new “fentanyl czar” are a fraction of what they were three years ago, records show. Kevin Brosseau, the $286,000-a year Commissioner of Canada’s Fight Against Fentanyl, confirmed the figures after claiming “significant progress” since his appointment: “What’s your record?”
The Department of Public Safety never undertook any security review of the subsidized purchase of Chinese vessels because rules don’t permit it, Minister Gary Anandasangaree said yesterday. “We had no authority to undertake that review,” he told the Commons transport committee.
Cabinet yesterday gave Cuba an advance on $8 million in yearly foreign aid before the April 1 start of the budget year. Emergency shipments of Canadian petroleum products to ease fuel shortages were not considered, Foreign Minister Anita Anand told reporters: “Why aren’t you sending fuel?”
MPs yesterday said they doubted whether taxpayers will ever see repayment of billions in emergency loans for the post office. Cabinet in 13 months awarded a total $2.04 billion in credits to maintain mail deliveries: “Taxpayers are not going to see that money.”
A cabinet proposal for regional high speed rail is “sexy” but expensive, the CEO of the Crown corporation responsible for the venture yesterday testified. Martin Imbleau acknowledged taxpayers were “suspicious and skeptical.”
The fisheries department yesterday said it’s assessing whether to raise a proposed $10 fee on boaters to finance national clean-up of abandoned and wrecked vessels. Enforcement by 2028 is “likely,” it said.
Former prime minister Brian Mulroney personally petitioned the Liberal cabinet to approve full combat benefits for Canadian veterans of the Persian Gulf War, newly-disclosed Access To Information records show. Cabinet dismissed the appeal: “They must not now be forgotten.”
Cabinet will send taxpayers’ aid to Cuba, the Department of Foreign Affairs said yesterday. The pledge came as Cuba’s Ambassador to Canada said fuel and food shortages had ground the island to a standstill: ‘It’s important to be there for the people.’
The Persian Gulf War rates as a “smaller, less costly conflict” that doesn’t warrant inscription on the National War Memorial, according to Access To Information records from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Recognition has been sought by Canadian veterans of the war that ended 35 years ago this week: “They did lobby.”
Cabinet will “bring more order” to labour relations at Canadian ports, Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon said yesterday. His remarks followed a succession of cabinet orders quashing legal strikes by port workers: “Canada must urgently solve this.”
Cabinet yesterday ruled out any repatriation flights for Canadians in Mexico. The Department of Foreign Affairs urged vacationers to follow curfews amid public disorder: “Are you considering sending in planes?”
