Blacklock's Reporter

The federal pandemic response has been so secretive, bureaucratic and haphazard “it is hard to have faith,” one Liberal MP emailed colleagues and staff. “I am sorry if the Party may be pissed off,” wrote MP Dr. Marcus Powlowski (Thunder Bay-Rainy River, Ont.), a former consultant to the World Health Organization: “It is hard now to accept reassurances that we are prepared, that we are doing all of the right things, when we can never, ever get any specifics.”

Thirteen percent of taxpayers refuse to surrender their bank account information to the government for direct deposit of refunds, data show. The rate of distrust is highest in Atlantic Canada and the Prairies: “I don’t want to share my banking information, and that’s just how it is.”

Drug impaired driving is up though federal researchers say data cannot confirm a direct link to legalization of marijuana. Parliament in 2018 allowed random roadside testing of suspected cannabis users under threat of $1,000 fines: “It is no surprise.”

The 3M Company won millions in pandemic subsidies after hiring a Liberal lobbyist who boasted of “navigating the government and getting things done,” according to internal emails. Kevin Bosch, former deputy director of the Liberal Research Bureau, yesterday did not comment: “Resolve an issue that Kevin Bosch urgently raised.”

Small businesses flooded MPs and federal agencies with complaints of red tape in answering a call to produce pandemic supplies, internal records show. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asked contractors nationwide to “help out during this critical time.”

A total 440,000 Canadians who claimed $2,000 pandemic cheques were flagged for investigation, Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough said yesterday. Cabinet has not yet detailed the scope of outright fraud under the program: “We can’t.”

The labour department has cited Canada Post for breach of a public health order at a major mail sorting plant. A Covid outbreak at the Gateway Plant at Mississauga, Ont. prompted managers to close one shift January 23: “Canada Post implemented a mandatory face covering policy to control the spread of the virus.”

Cross-border drivers returning home to Canada face $3,000 fines without proof they’re Covid-free, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said yesterday. The rule takes effect February 15: “If they do not have a negative test there will be fines that could go up to $3,000 per person.”

The Public Health Agency was so mismanaged it rejected an offer of masks from a major North American supplier eight days after the pandemic’s outbreak, records disclose. Even the Prime Minister’s Office questioned why the lead from Honeywell International Inc. was ignored: “Masks are not the top priority.”

Business owners are predictable complainers about the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, a spokesperson for the public works minister wrote in a staff email. James Fitz-Morris, a former CBC reporter, said it was “only a matter of time” before contractors complained about the CERB: “Gear-up for stories about losing domestic manufacturing capacity because of CERB.”

The Prime Minister’s chief of staff Katie Telford says she played no role in winning a federal appointment for a personal friend. Telford in a filing with the Ethics Commissioner said she followed all rules in avoiding preferential treatment in the appointment approved by cabinet last December 11: “We all get into public service to help others.”

The Canadian Armed Forces will never achieve equity hiring targets at current rates, says a military journal. Department of National Defence research has showed visible minorities and immigrants considered military careers a “last resort.”

The Department of National Defence yesterday said it had nothing to do with a federal notice that prompted rumours of “quarantine camps.” Enquiries from alarmed MPs were forwarded to the military, internal emails show: “This is the second time I’m seeing this topic come through an MP’s office.”

The Commons natural resources committee by a 6-5 decision blocked a vote to investigate the collapse of the $8 billion Keystone XL pipeline project. Opposition MPs expressed anger after Liberal and New Democrat members adjourned debate with a snap vote: “We just did. We can and we did.”

Anticipated monthly vaccine deliveries are “estimates” only and are not included in confidential $4.6 billion contracts with manufacturers, says Public Works Minister Anita Anand. MPs on the Commons health committee said it is mathematically impossible for cabinet to meet its vaccination targets: “No one in their right mind believes in the math you are telling us.”