A majority of executives surveyed say Canadians’ family debt threatens the economy and their own companies. Research commissioned by the Chartered Professional Accountants indicates most managers fear debt is hurting the country: “It shows how worried people are”.
The Department of Justice contemplates new legislation on random breath testing, says an MP who drafted a private bill sanctioning the practice. The attorney general’s office told Blacklock’s “we look forward to participating in the debate” on random testing, endorsed by the Commons justice committee in 2009: “That will be coming”.
Scientific evidence does not support a national ban on farm chemicals rated by Health Canada as toxic for bees, Senate hearings have been told. The pesticides are the subject of litigation and a four-year federal review: “Just like you and I can take one or two Tylenol, fine – take a bottle, dead”.
A new federal bill would enshrine a “one-for-one” rule on regulations in a bid to cut red tape, says Treasury Board President Tony Clement. However the bill does not apply to amendments to existing rules, and would appear to have no impact on the Income Tax Act: “The devil is in the details”.
In a case rated “unusual”, telecom giants persuaded a federal judge to restrict a Canadian Human Rights Commission probe of industry practices. The federal case turned on a 2012 decision to investigate a blind Winnipeg councillor’s complaint: “I’m up against a trillion dollars in assets”.
Filling out forms and complying with regulations is costing farmers millions annually, says the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. A federation survey gave good ratings to public employees personally, but concluded paperwork is something else: “Things really do need to change”.
Wireless roaming charges represent a “tool” to protect telecom providers’ market share, charges the Competition Bureau. Industry Canada has promised to cap wholesale rates this year after accusing Big Telecom of gouging its competitors: ‘The phenomenon is called ‘bill shock'”.
MPs last night narrowly voted to abandon 147 years of tradition and permit Canadians to submit paperless petitions to Parliament. In a 142-140 vote the Commons adopted a New Democrat motion on electronic petitioning: “It’s embarrassing that we don’t have this”.
Parliament’s Budget Office will scrutinize Canada Post claims of benefits from its plan to hike rates 35% and kill home delivery for five million householders. MP David McGuinty requested the review of the Crown agency’s fiscal data: “We will get to the bottom of that”.
A Health Canada review of pesticides favoured by farmers but rated fatal for bees will not be completed for years. The department’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency says it will take till 2018 to re-evaluate neonicotinoid chemicals used by growers: “Is a moratorium warranted?”
Canadians require more oversight of fast-growing federal bureaucracies implicated in surveillance of environmental groups and others, warns Canada’s privacy commissioner. Authorities urged new safeguards amid an “accountability gap” on privacy rights.
Canada saw fewer freight train derailments and leaks of hazardous cargo in the years before the Lac-Mégantic disaster, records show. Transport Canada data show the number of train wrecks declined 40% in the period from 2006 to 2012.
A new study on income splitting concludes benefits favor high-income earners. The finding by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives echoes earlier research by the C.D. Howe Institute: “To gain a substantial benefit you need to be in the top.”
Bell Canada is under review by another federal agency over its “data grab” of customers’ internet activities for marketing campaigns.
Consumer advocates petitioned the CRTC to halt the practice as a violation of federal law. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner earlier opened its own probe of the practice that sees Bell monitor its customers’ web activities and word searches for targeted advertising: “Whoever wins this one will set a precedent”.
The surest way to increase railway safety is more inspections by Transport Canada, says the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference representing engineers and conductors. The union said the current system is failing: “They have no power to do anything”.
