Blacklock's Reporter

There is no reason to dissolve the 44th Parliament and seek a mandate from voters on alleged subterfuge by Chinese agents, New Democrat leader Jagmeet Singh yesterday told reporters. Singh said he was disappointed former governor general David Johnston would not endorse the Party’s March 2nd call for a public inquiry: “Why not trigger an election and have parties run on that mandate?”

Former governor general David Johnston yesterday said he was troubled by critics who questioned his integrity. Johnston absolved Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a former skiing companion, of any fault in handling allegations of illegal activity by Chinese agents: “There is no conflict of interest.”

The Treasury Board confirms it does not know how many federal employees work from home. The Board in a submission to the Senate national finance committee said it was “not possible” to find out: “You can start to ask?”

Federal regulators say non-profit groups are “at risk of terrorist financing abuse.” The Department of Finance in a report proposed forcing non-profits to disclose suspicious cash transactions: “They are not monitored for terrorist financing activities or educated about their terrorist financing risks.”

Liberal-appointed Senator Yuen Pau Woo (B.C.) in remarks published more than a week after the expulsion of a Chinese spy complained of “extreme anti-China sentiment” in Canada. Woo urged Canadians to sign a Commons petition against a registry of foreign agents: “Media reporting of anonymous and unsubstantiated ‘intelligence’ reports has created a frenzy of innuendo against Chinese Canadian politicians.”

China has more “diplomats” assigned to Montréal than any other country including France, according to new figures from the Department of Foreign Affairs. The House affairs committee has been told the number of Chinese envoys in Canada is suspiciously high: “Never shy away from denying a visa if it is for a political operative.”

A loophole in a cabinet bill to curb usury would still allow payday lenders to charge 365 percent interest, the Department of Finance confirms. One senator described the clause in the bill as inexplicable: “It’s a lousy situation.”

Attorney General David Lametti says he will review changes in federal law to allow postal inspectors to open suspicious letters. The Canada Post Corporation Act states inspectors may only open larger packages suspected of carrying contraband: “I am open to looking at that.”

New data confirm more small businesses have gone deeper in debt. Figures from a federal loan guarantee program show applications approved last year jumped 34 percent: “That is the price we have to pay.”

Blacklock’s pauses for the Victoria Day observance with warmest wishes to friends and subscribers. We’re back tomorrow — The Editor.

Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault yesterday dismissed Budget Office arithmetic showing climate change regulations will cost Canadians thousands a year. Guilbeault said the numbers were wrong but provided none of his own: “My office will be happy to provide you with a number of numbers with which we disagree.”

Major changes to the federal election map should be in place in 2024, Chief Electoral Officer Stéphane Perrault said yesterday. Boundary changes would remove seats in Toronto and northern Ontario and add seats in Alberta and British Columbia: ‘We will be ready to hold an election on the new map should one be called.’

Canadians are “upset and in a bad mood” over air travel, says Transport Minister Omar Alghabra. Testifying at the Senate transport committee, Alghabra said he recognized consumers are fed up with poor service: “People are tired, exhausted and losing faith.”

Housing Minister Ahmed Hussen yesterday said builders must construct more homes but outlined no new proposals to boost supply. Builders and analysts appealed for a cut in taxes and mandatory charges on new construction: “Governments need to stop adding costs to homes.”