Blacklock's Reporter

It is unwise for CBC TV viewers to rely on the network “if you want to be fully informed,” says CBC Ombudsman Jack Nagler. The 34-year employee in his final report as Ombudsman faulted the CBC as “too timid” in failing to acknowledge differing points of view in its news coverage: “We aren’t hearing enough information that conflicts with our pre-existing views, and when we do, too often we reject it out of hand.”

The Department of Transport effective yesterday finalized regulations to aid millions of drivers unwittingly operating vehicles subject to safety recalls. New rules require that automakers post keyword-searchable recall notices on their websites and keep them posted for 15 years, enough time to cover the typical life span of passenger vehicles in Canada: ‘It would mean fewer severe injuries and fatalities.’

Numerous criminal investigations are underway into suspected fraud in a small business loan program, records show. Export Development Canada, a Crown bank assigned to run the pandemic relief plan, confirmed it identified several suspicious borrowers: “Referrals to the RCMP were made.”

A federal agency disbanded in 2024 created a web of conflicts with insiders who “made increasingly questionable decisions,” says a federal report. The Privy Council document concluded gross mismanagement at Sustainable Development Technology Canada cost taxpayers more than $150 million: “A continuous cycle of executive mismanagement led to serious conflict.”

CBC managers in internal staff emails complained other media were unfair in detailing the network’s lucrative executive bonus program. Media would “only ask us for comment” after publishing facts, wrote one executive. “Disappointing,” replied another: “Very disappointing.”

A Jewish aid group was stripped of charitable status for providing indirect aid to Israeli Defence Forces, Access To Information records show. Ne’eman Foundation Canada of Thornhill, Ont. argued it helped individual ex-military and that national service was an inseparable part of Israeli life: ‘Aiding Canada’s armed forces is charitable; supporting the armed forces of another country is not.’

Parliament must enact tougher laws to shield the nation’s telecom networks from copper thieves, say business groups. Boards of trade in three cities petitioned the Senate transport and communications committee to rewrite the Criminal Code: “Copper theft is a growing problem.”

Happy New Year! Blacklock’s pauses this week for our annual holiday break. We’re back January 2 — The Editor

Merry Christmas and warmest regards to friends and subscribers. Blacklock’s wishes you a safe and happy holiday — The Editor

A third of Canadians borrow from friends or run up credit card debt to buy food, pay the rent or cover other monthly expenses, says in-house federal research. Figures show nearly 4 in 10 people surveyed now carry credit card balances typically charged at 19 percent: ‘There are difficult economic conditions.’

The Canada Revenue Agency yesterday would not comment on warnings it will enforce a $17.4 billion increase in capital gains taxes though the measure never passed Parliament. An Agency manager publicly stated auditors will “continue to administer the proposed legislation” as if it was law: “This makes no sense at all.”

Parks Canada admits it got its facts wrong in a historical commemoration. The agency called Saskatchewan high jumper Ethel Catherwood the first Canadian woman to win a gold medal in Olympic track and field. Catherwood was neither Canadian nor the first gold medalist: ‘We ask those who covered the story to issue a correction.’

Four percent of cross-border travelers are using the federal ArriveCan app, new data show. Voluntary use of the costly application plummeted once cabinet stopped mandating its use in 2022: “How many?”

Almost half of young adults are marijuana users, says a Department of Health report. The rate is 40.5 percent for high schoolers: “Cannabis use among young adults has increased.”

Alberta’s share of the Canada Pension Plan is only worth a third the amount claimed by the province, says a federal report. The analysis by Canada’s Chief Actuary was commissioned after Premier Danielle Smith released data stating Alberta was owed more than half the fund: ‘It is of particular significance.’