Most refugees wait an average of up to two years or more to enter Canada, says the Department of Immigration. Release of new data followed complaints of illegal immigrants crossing the border in Manitoba and Québec: “Get in line.”
The Senate agriculture committee says cabinet should allow more flexible hiring of migrant workers. Processors have complained of chronic labour shortages despite paying 60 percent better than the minimum wage: “Recruitment is constant.”
Canadian teenagers are more likely to daily smoke marijuana than tobacco, says University of Waterloo research. Legislation in Parliament to legalize recreational cannabis would outlaw use by minors: “These kids are old enough to drive.”
The Senate yesterday approved a motion urging that cabinet test a national guaranteed income program. Senators proposed the government fund pilot projects similar to a 1974 Manitoba program disbanded due to costs: “I know there are some people who may like or dislike the idea.”
Transport Minister Marc Garneau says three-year funding for VIA Rail is just enough to meet ongoing deficits. Garneau yesterday told the Commons transport committee that subsidies are not sufficient to refit aging passenger cars and locomotives: “We have to do our homework.”
Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall and MPs yesterday demanded assurances cabinet will not strong-arm collections of a national carbon tax. The finance department in Access To Information memos said the tax is an issue in renegotiating cash transfers to provinces – a measure one MP called “a gun to the head”.
Loan defaults under federal small business guarantees have increased 21 percent since 2013. The cost of claims rose as cabinet increased loan limits to $1 million: “Is this big program with a large bureaucracy really what we need?”
The Department of Canadian Heritage is budgeting $10 million for a national Indian Residential Schools monument. Staff in Access To Information memos expressed concern a smaller, more modest memorial would be dwarfed by a $7.4 million National Holocaust Monument: “The memorial would require up to five years to build.”
The finance department will not introduce any new tax credit for commuters after eliminating a $200 million-a year program, say officials. The department rated a 15 percent Public Transit Tax Credit as ineffective: “Credits are not the best way.”
A federal department is purchasing book scanning technology to copy thousands of library titles. Publishers and writers have objected to use of scanners as a breach of copyright: “Once a scanner is in use, copyright lines are easily crossed.”
Conservative MPs vow to “fight back” against any cabinet attempt to restore a Canada Labour Code provision dating from 1944. Cabinet introduced a motion to revive card check certification of new bargaining agents: “The field is tilted towards employers.”
The carbon tax will be “one of the issues” in renegotiating cash funding for provinces in 2019, says a secret Department of Finance memo. Staff declined comment on the document obtained through Access To Information: ‘There is a change to the treatment of carbon revenues.’
MPs have sped passage of a bill celebrating the Canadian seal hunt. The May 20 observance coincides with the European Union’s Maritime Day. A 2009 E.U. ban decimated seal exports: ‘We do not judge them nor should they judge us.’
Most Canadians who’ve purchased homes on flood plains are unaware of the fact, says University of Waterloo research. Environment Minister Catherine McKenna said homeowners have a responsibility to plan for disasters: “A changing climate is having serious impacts.”
MPs on the Commons industry committee have rejected amendments to a statistics bill despite protests from three former chief statisticians. Ex-heads of Statistics Canada said the legislation sanctions political interference in the agency’s work: “We have to rely on the Senate.”
