Government salary disclosures under the nation’s newest sunshine list were so broad they breached privacy law. Newfoundland & Labrador Privacy Commissioner Donovan Molloy said staff were too enthusiastic in disclosing pay: “These lists elicit strong reactions.”
Cabinet in 1956 feared specially-trained Chinese saboteurs would parachute into the Arctic. The threat is detailed in declassified Cold War documents released by Library & Archives Canada: “I don’t know what they would have hoped to achieve.”
Annual costs of Old Age Security will top $100 billion within thirteen years, says Canada’s Chief Actuary. The agency predicted by 2030, nearly 1 in 4 Canadians will be a senior citizen: ‘Retirement of the baby boomers is projected to increase expenditures.’
Parks Canada will not comment on an in-house proposal to ‘divest or transfer’ ownership of highways, bridges and other public works. The agency yesterday commissioned a study of options, but would not say if it contemplated signing infrastructure over to local authorities, or selling property outright: “There is only short-term gain.”
Greyhound Canada has been cited for age discrimination though the bus line abolished mandatory retirement five years ago. An arbitration ruling filed in Federal Court said the company was unfair in its treatment of retirees who worked casual shifts: “The facts of this case are unique.”
The Department of Agriculture is reviewing labour practices under a migrant farm workers’ program in place since 1966. The department acknowledged “some criticism from some groups” citing abuses: “Is there a more effective way of determining wages?”
Canadians rate perfumed candles a greater health risk than radon gas, according to in-house research by the Department of Health. Environmental groups have petitioned Parliament to encourage home testing for radon, known to cause cancer: ‘What do you think poses a risk to your health?’
A Saskatchewan court has allowed a bankrupt tax debtor to pay 6¢ on the dollar to settle a Canada Revenue Agency claim. The Agency said the ruling sent the wrong message: “You don’t see cases like this every often, and as a taxpayer it drives you crazy.”
A federal labour board has upheld the dismissal of a Canada Border Services Agency staffer for moonlighting on government time. The nine-year employee spent hours emailing business associates and a friend at the Embassy of Gabon in Ottawa: “He had no excuse.”
Federal Competition Act investigators seek confidential records held by one of the country’s largest brand name pharmaceutical companies, Sanofi Canada Inc. The Competition Bureau detailed allegations in a Federal Court affidavit: “I am aware of Sanofi denying access to one of its drugs…”
The Department of Public Safety says shopping centres are a “unique” target for terrorists. Staff in an Access To Information memo expressed alarm over the prospect of gunmen and bombers attacking Canadian malls: “Mall terror plans involve groups which would open fire on the crowds within Canadian malls, resulting in mayhem.”
Municipalities cannot claim privacy in concealing details of government contracts or bid selections, says a Nova Scotia information commissioner. The ruling cited case law from Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island in concluding the expenditure of public funds is taxpayers’ business: “Nothing is more central to the goal of accountability.”
A rare cabinet veto of a CRTC ruling on program funding was prompted by 89 petitions from unions and associations. Heritage Minister Melanie Joly in a statement urged the broadcast regulator to “reconsider” a May 15 directive: “It was a bad decision.”
Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland says cabinet wants to “cut red tape” in a regulatory dispute that prompted an outcry from Canadian food processors five years ago. MPs yesterday expressed unease with Freeland’s remarks at the Commons trade committee: “Fortunately our negotiators know what I’m talking about.”
A federal judge has ruled Canada Revenue Agency auditors cannot claim unlimited powers to interrogate taxpayers. The ruling came in a successful appeal by 25 executives with the nation’s largest uranium producer, Cameco Corporation: “Audit powers are broad but not unlimited.”
