Canadians can afford to pay for wage increases for public employees, Treasury Board President Jean-Yves Duclos last night told the Commons government operations committee. Duclos defended a settlement with the largest federal public service union that pays a 2.8 percent increase retroactive to 2018, a further 2.2 percent increase last year and 1.35 percent this year: “Why?”
The Canada Revenue Agency yesterday confirmed auditors targeted small businesses that applied for pandemic wage subsidies. MPs on a 176-152 vote ordered the audits suspended until next June: “The last thing they need is a call from the Canada Revenue Agency.”
Parliament’s Pay Equity Act will cost federally-regulated employers almost two-thirds of a billion, the Budget Office said yesterday. The labour department claimed it could not estimate the cost when legislators passed the Act two years ago: “It’s almost an impossible task.”
CMHC yesterday said a proposal to change its name is not finalized. Evan Siddall, CEO of the federal mortgage insurer, announced a new name seven weeks ago though MPs questioned the purpose: “Why does it really matter what your name is?”
The Canada Revenue Agency last night would not comment on MPs’ complaints auditors have targeted small businesses drawing pandemic relief benefits. The Commons votes today on a motion to suspend audits for at least seven months: “Stop treating small business owners like tax cheaters.”
Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault yesterday introduced first-ever federal regulation of the internet, specifically streaming video services like Netflix and Disney Plus. Cabinet dropped a January 29 proposal to control digital news publishers under the Broadcasting Act: “Do we try and change everything under the sun?”
MPs on the House affairs committee yesterday expressed alarm over low voter turnout in two provincial elections. Trends may see future campaigns decided by as few as a third of voters, said one MP: “It would be a tragedy.”
Feminists and social conservatives alike should press Parliament to restrict children’s access to online pornography, a Liberal appointee last night told the Senate. A private bill would make websites criminally responsible for inadequate controls on access by minors: “We must absolutely protect children against what is literally brainwashing.”
A federally-subsidized Atlantic seafood processor has been fined for breach of migrant labour regulations. The company yesterday described the penalty as unfair and heavy-handed: “They showed up with police at the plant.”
The Public Health Agency yesterday was ordered to disclose how many masks, gowns and other medical supplies it threw away in months prior to the pandemic. MPs on the Commons government operations committee voted 6-5 for disclosure: “It’s about the lack of the ability to be accountable for anything.”
The RCMP for two years withheld in-house research showing fewer than half of Canadians surveyed consider Commissioner Brenda Lucki to be effective. Federal agencies including the Mounties are required by law to disclose polling financed by taxpayers: “They award lower marks when it comes to the calibre of its leadership.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday said it has drafted plans to evacuate 300,000 citizens from Hong Kong in case of further Communist Party crackdowns. Most have dual Chinese-Canadian citizenship, an official said: “It’s our job to plan for the most extreme situations.”
The Commons by a 263-56 vote yesterday rejected an apology to Québec for invoking the War Measures Act fifty years ago. A Bloc Québécois motion demanding that Parliament apologize “presents just one side of the story”, said one MP.
An Alberta realty company has lost a bid to trademark “McMortgages”. The federal Trademarks Opposition Board struck the application under protest from McDonald’s, noting the burger chain had operated here since opening its first Canadian franchise in Richmond, B.C. in 1967: ‘Their trademarks are famous.’
The Department of Natural Resources says it has neither a detailed plan nor budget to plant two billion trees promised by then-Environment Minister Catherine McKenna in 2019. Data show the program even if successful would account for about a third of trees planted by forestry companies and provinces: “Mother Nature will plant millions of trees on her own.”
