The Department of Employment says it will detail new restrictions on hiring of migrant workers “over the next few months”. Cabinet has proposed that employers give first options to youth, immigrants, women, Indigenous people and applicants with disabilities before hiring temporary foreign workers: “How do they go about doing this?”
In-house research by the Department of Agriculture confirms a majority of Canadians oppose the sale of genetically modified Atlantic salmon. The department commissioned the data before opposing a Commons bill to mandate labeling of engineered fish sold in supermarkets: “There is a fair level of anxiety.”
Industry Canada is awarding a $90,000 sole-sourced contract to a former employee as an advisor on U.S. relations. The contract appeared unnecessary, said an MP: “Mr. Miller is well-positioned.”
A federal judge has upheld a CUPE appeal for review of workplace health complaints at Air Canada. The Court heard crews on some flights were sickened by the stench of burning engine oil. The complaints were earlier dismissed by the Occupational Health & Safety Tribunal: “The entire crew experienced headaches.”
Bank branches award bonuses for reaching annual sales targets, the Commons finance committee has been told. Executives with Canada’s largest banks also acknowledged employees have been fired for sales misconduct, but denied widespread wrongdoing: “The vast majority of fraud cases we would refer to police.”
Environment Canada will not formally respond to a damning UNESCO report on park protection until fall. “There has been no money coming to the department on any of these initiatives,” Carol Najm, assistant deputy minister, yesterday told the Commons environment committee.
MPs have concluded an unwieldy review of the health impacts of pornography with a recommendation for more education. The study by the Commons health committee was prompted by a Conservative motion unanimously passed by MPs: “It was a difficult subject.”
The Commons in 13 minutes yesterday passed into law a bill to correct overzealous enforcement of the Customs Act by the Canada Border Services Agency. The Senate bill was prompted by public protest after a U.S. boater was handcuffed for drifting into Canadian waters: “Boaters are not our enemies.”
Retiring Governor General David Johnston is budgeting nearly a quarter-million dollars for a 90-minute masquerade ball and concert at Rideau Hall. The party, organized in the name of mental health awareness, will not raise funds for any charity. It marks Johnston’s farewell to Rideau Hall: “They definitely enjoy wasting money.”
The Canada Revenue Agency is testing a new tax filing system to have returns submitted by phone or internet without charge. The Agency scrapped a similar program four years ago: “I actually used the Telefile system.”
Canadian truckers say the carbon tax will put them at a sharp price disadvantage with U.S. competitors. The tax will add 12¢ a litre to the price of gasoline and 14¢ for diesel by 2022: “Figure it out.”
Federal regulators have ordered an airline to pay $1,316 in damages after losing a passenger’s luggage for a month. A claim for an additional $1,000 against Jet Airways Ltd. for high-handed customer service was dismissed: ‘We appreciate your patience.’
Ten years of self-regulation by kids’ food and beverage marketers has been a failure, say doctors. Health advocates urged the Senate social affairs committee to pass a Conservative bill to ban ads targeting children: “Legislation will mean a fair fight.”
Heritage department proposals for a catchy Canada 150 slogan fell flat with focus groups, show newly-released data. Three slogans written by federal staff were rated clichéd, vague and tiresome: “It’s trying too hard to be cool and young.”
Cabinet will oppose a private bill to make its carbon tax GST exempt. Authorities yesterday did not detail anticipated revenues from a 5% federal sales tax on carbon levies to take effect in 2018: “It’s like Jedi mind control.”
