Contractors on public works should buy Canadian steel, says the Commons trade committee. The recommendation follows a confidential 2016 Environment Canada memo that contemplated a carbon tariff on imports from foreign polluters: ‘Procurement should take carbon emissions into account.’
Cabinet is amending regulations on proof of Social Insurance Numbers that drew protests from employers and small business. New rules effective immediately allow employers to report new hires who fail to disclose their ID number: “The onus now falls on employees.”
The Commons environment committee is recommending cabinet require that oil and gas companies disclose toxic chemicals used in exploration, including fracking. Environment Canada in 2014 exempted fracking additives from its national inventory of toxins: “The only thing that will make a difference is a change in regulations.”
Cabinet last evening lost a crucial Senate vote over its budget bill. Senators successfully challenged a Speaker’s ruling in deciding whether to split the bill, delaying its passage: “There has been a history of omnibus bills being used in a way that was not appropriate.”
Restaurateurs and food manufacturers say a proposed national ban on kids’ advertising will be far-reaching. A bill under review by the Senate social affairs committee would prohibit all promotions targeting children up to age 17: “It’s a tough business.”
Cabinet should halt any sale of nearly 50,000 acres of pristine alpine wilderness slated for privatization, says an MP. The previous Conservative cabinet put British Columbia’s Dominion Coal Block up for sale four years ago through an omnibus budget bill: “They should take down the ‘for sale’ sign.”
Health Canada’s first attempts at food warning labels have failed in focus groups. Consumers surveyed by the department said test labels were obscure, uninformative and easy to miss: ‘They assumed it was a manufacturer’s logo of some sort.’
The Department of Public Safety says Canada Post could become a cross-border marijuana distributor without changes in regulations. Current law restricts police and border guards from intercepting mailed cannabis: ‘This allows more or less unimpeded transfer of cannabis through mail outgoing from Canada.’
The Senate yesterday narrowly passed a cabinet motion to restore union card checks in federally-regulated workplaces. The measure survived a vote of 43 to 41 with a single legislator abstaining: “It is not legitimate for us to vote against an electoral promise.”
Another senior Liberal is questioning a cabinet proposal to sanction perpetual user fee increases. A provision of an omnibus budget bill would allow all federal agencies to raise fees yearly: “Perhaps they thought we wouldn’t notice.”
Rideau Hall says it will answer criticism of a $200,000 masquerade party to mark Governor General David Johnston’s retirement this September 9. Senators questioned the Masquerade For Mental Health event, noting there is no actual fundraising for mental health groups: “The Governor General should rethink this.”
Cabinet has no advice for employers on enforcement of workplace drug bans under a legal cannabis regime. Attorney General Jody Wilson-Wilson Raybould told the Commons justice committee she had no answers for industry: “I guess I would say…”
A Senate committee will probe Canadian investments in the munitions industry. Senators gave Second Reading to a Conservative bill to ban Canadian corporations from knowingly investing in foreign firms that manufacture cluster bombs: “They are a poor investment.”
Cabinet faces Senate pressure to rewrite its budget bill if it wants it to pass by Parliament’s summer recess. Conservative, Liberal and Independent senators last evening expressed fears a proposed $35 billion Canada Infrastructure Bank is susceptible to political interference: “Who wants to partner with the government in a business venture? I’ll tell you who.”
Health Canada says it will restrict but not ban farmers’ non-medical use of antibiotics in food production. Officials yesterday told the Commons health committee they have no data on the number of Canadians who die from antimicrobial-resistant superbugs: “The more I read about it, the more scared I get.”
