Employers struggling with labour shortages will hike pay an average 6.1 percent this year, Statistics Canada said yesterday. Federal regulators have said they are closely watching wage gains: “When you talk to companies they’re telling us they are having a hard time attracting workers.”
Police compiled a blacklist of names of crowdfunders linked to the Freedom Convoy, according to Access To Information records. A secret list of individuals and their credit ratings was sent to Farm Credit Canada, a Crown bank: “Follow the money.”
Public Works Minister Filomena Tassi called police over contracting irregularities, records show. Staff in Tassi’s department discovered an unidentified consultant falsified time sheets and billed identical hours to several federal agencies at the same time: “The case has been referred to the RCMP.”
The Commons ethics committee yesterday voted 6-5 to investigate whether the RCMP spied on parliamentarians. The probe follows an admission from police they used spyware to monitor smartphones: “Why? For what purpose?”
The Department of Health says it has been flooded with 69,000 emails and letters from Canadians petitioning for a ban on animal testing by the cosmetics industry. Cabinet promised a bill seven months ago: “Science has not yet progressed.”
The Department of National Defence says it will not bow to “public pressure” on whether to award a Canadian combat veteran the Victoria Cross for the first time in 78 years. MPs and petitioners have sought consideration for an Afghan War hero: “Awarding national honours is designed to be insulated from political influence and public pressure.”
Internal documents confirm a federal bank, Farm Credit Canada of Regina, told employees to secretly record the names of customers who supported the Freedom Convoy. The Access To Information records contradict the agency’s public denial it began blacklisting clients “in support of activity related to the Freedom Convoy.” Staff emails showed managers were still compiling names of customers even after cabinet lifted the Emergencies Act: “If you become aware of a customer’s involvement report it immediately.”
Rideau Hall is responsible for costly air catering charges run up by Governor General Mary Simon, says the air force. Simon’s staff attempted to blame the military for meal expenses that were the equivalent of $218 per plate: “I cannot believe the Department of National Defence decides what the Governor General will eat.”
The CEO of Rogers Communications yesterday said his company is still counting on a $26 billion buyout of rival Shaw Communications of Calgary. MPs on the Commons industry committee questioned the deal following a network blackout affecting 12 million Rogers customers: “You’re saying that with a straight face?”
The Department of Finance yesterday launched a two-year review of the “risks to monetary sovereignty” from bitcoin. It follows the February 14 Emergencies Act freeze of some $7.8 million held in 170 bitcoin wallets and 267 bank accounts belonging to Freedom Convoy sympathizers: “Is it fair to say that you do not see this as a legitimate form of currency?”
A two-letter typo in a zoning bylaw is enough to dismiss charges against alleged scofflaws, says an Ontario justice of the peace. The typo was just enough to make the bylaw nonsensical, ruled the court: “You must be wondering if you could be convicted under a municipal bylaw containing wording that makes no sense.”
Canadians who volunteer to fight in Ukraine’s foreign legion are disqualified from receiving veterans’ benefits and may be in breach of federal law, says the Department of Veterans Affairs. The maximum penalty is a $2,000 fine and two years in jail: “In a conflict where Canada is neutral Canadians cannot join the armed forces of a hostile party.”
The passport office in a briefing note says it knew a year ago there would be increased demand for travel documents. Management admitted delays in processing applications are now longer than they were before the pandemic: “Passport services are not yet back to normal.”
Cabinet after five years says it is no closer to finalizing the refit of a decrepit heritage building that has already cost taxpayers $10 million. The former United States Embassy across the street from Parliament Hill was to be a symbol of Indigenous reconciliation: “It is on the traditional ground of the Algonquin people.”
Nearly 8 in 10 Canadians fear identity theft though few have in fact had their ID stolen, says in-house research by the federal Communications Security Establishment. Questionnaires with thousands of computer users found bogus emails appealing for money were a more common threat: “Have you ever suffered loss or been the victim of financial fraud as a result of your online activity?”
