Blacklock's Reporter

The Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations waived a requirement that a Kamloops First Nation account for what became of $12.1 million in funding for “exhumation of remains” at an Indian Residential School, according to records disclosed yesterday. The Tk’emlups te Secwepemc First Nation made no attempt to exhume any graves despite funding: “Officials were asked about what appears to be missing reports.”

The Department of National Defence in a report to MPs confirms it is installing new marine radar sites along shipping lanes in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Valley. No reason was given, though the department conducted earlier research that found Canadians feared a Great Lakes flashpoint should the United States “turn on Canada.”

There is no time for any “fulsome review of the future of Canada Post,” cabinet has told MPs in reply to a request for public hearings on the impact of service cuts. More immediate austerity measures are a priority, it said: ‘The government will take into account the issues raised by Canadians as it determines whether additional reforms are needed.’

Prime Minister Mark Carney yesterday did not comment after federally-released records showed he misled taxpayers over secret terms of a U.S. toll-sharing agreement on the $6.4 billion Gordie Howe International Bridge at Windsor, Ont. One MP said it was improbable that Carney, “a very smart man who has a background in finance and banking,” was unaware he lied to the public.

Housing starts will continue to go down, not up, through 2027, the federal mortgage insurer CMHC said yesterday. The forecast contradicted Prime Minister Mark Carney’s repeated claims that cabinet was “building more homes, faster.”

The RCMP must reopen its criminal investigation into the killing of 138 Canadian citizens and permanent residents by Iran, says an Ontario businessman who lost his wife and son in the 2020 terrorist attack. Newly-released records show the Mounties abruptly cancelled their investigation after then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with Iranian authorities: “Somebody gave them an order to stop.”

A federal panel assigned to combat anti-Semitism yesterday had no comment on figures showing Jews remain a leading target of hate crimes nationwide. One advocacy group calculated Jews are now 22 times more likely than gentiles to be a crime victim in Canada: ‘“What do they propose to protect the Jewish community? An Advisory Council.”

The Department of Immigration has rejected more Gaza foreign study permits than it’s accepted, records show. No reason was given, though a briefing note said applicants were subject to security screening with photos and fingerprints: “Applications have been refused.”

Prime Minister Mark Carney yesterday walked away from reporters when asked if he misled the public over billions in toll concessions secretly granted the United States on the Gordie Howe International Bridge at Windsor, Ont. A public ceremony commemorating the July 27 opening with U.S. guests was cancelled: “Did you mislead Canadians, sir?”

The RCMP says it has no records divulging who told police to abruptly cancel a planned criminal investigation of the killings of scores of Canadians in Iran in 2020. Records show the investigation was dropped after then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held a friendly meeting with Iran’s foreign minister: ‘There is no evidence RCMP members were motivated by political considerations.’

The CBC will use record funding this year to “combat disinformation,” says a Department of Heritage briefing note. Broadcast executives to date have declined to tell the Budget Office or the public specifically what measures it contemplates: “The government is exploring options.”

Canada could “dismantle the United States if we wanted to,” Ontario Premier Doug Ford said yesterday in denouncing $28 billion in new White House tariffs. “They need to feel the pain,” he told reporters.

A Commons petition asks that cabinet conduct a national naming contest to commemorate a proposed $35 billion West Coast pipeline. The petition was submitted by a Toronto comedian and climate activist, Aaron Hagey-Mackey: “Any citizen or resident of Canada may submit and vote on proposed names online, the winning name to be adopted as the project’s official name.”

Prime Minister Mark Carney last night acknowledged new U.S. tariffs will cost Canadians but proposed no new initiatives. Under current law it would take an Act of Parliament to enter negotiations with the United States over dairy quotas: “This trade dispute has raised costs for families.”

The cost of living is now “a critical issue,” says a Department of Agriculture briefing note. New federal data yesterday showed the rising price of food continues to outpace the general inflation rate as it has since 2024: “Affordability remains a critical issue.”