The nation’s food safety system has “weaknesses” that may expose consumers to illness, cautions the auditor general. The report comes nearly a year to the day of Canada’s biggest beef recall. Health Minister Rona Ambrose promised improvements: “I think we are on the right track.”
70% of applicants for website media grants have been rejected by Heritage Canada, records show. However publishers who did receive cash insisted the subsidies have had no influence whatsoever on their news coverage or commentary. One publication, when asked why it sought a $99,950 grant, told Blacklock’s: “Because it was available.”
Regulators have okayed the development of the first genetically-modified living organism in Canada, a made-in-the-lab salmon that fish farmers say they will not produce. Environment Canada licensed the raising of engineered Atlantic salmon at a Prince Edward Island laboratory: “Government as usual has not consulted on this.”
A first-ever study of the ecological impact of the auto manufacturing is being commissioned by Environment Canada. Authorities called the auto sector “a major user of chemicals”, noting a typical vehicle is made from 8000 to 10,000 parts: “Our industry is very unregulated.”
A merger in the multi-million dollar armoured car business is prompting a probe by the Competition Bureau. Anti-trust officers filed a Federal Court application to look over documents in the contracting of armoured car services used by retailers and banks: “We think the Bureau is doing due diligence here.”
The Department of Fisheries is appealing another ruling upholding a European Union ban on seal meat, pelts and other products. However opponents of the trade noted Canada’s sealing industry has virtually collapsed and is now reliant on government aid: “We have to make money somehow.”
Parliament would appoint its first-ever science officer under a widely-praised bill in the Commons. MP Kennedy Stewart, New Democrat science critic, sponsored the legislation to follow a precedent set by the U.K. The Canadian Association of University Teachers called the bill “marvelous”.
The Department of Finance says tax evaders may have dodged millions in payments using computer software commonly available on the internet. Authorities said “zapper” ware is so pervasive that Canada Revenue auditors are uncertain of the extent of the fraud: “It’s computer science.”
Business is pressing for more changes to an anti-counterfeit bill deemed flawed and weak. Food & Consumer Products of Canada told MPs the legislation to curb piracy actually makes enforcement a “rights holders’ problem” with costly and onerous requirements.
MPs have clashed over a Public Safety bill dubbed a “bumper sticker” on prison drug abuse. Cabinet urged quick passage of the Act, though critics said it pointlessly codified what already occurs at prisons and the Parole Board: “There is nothing I can see in this bill that actually does anything…”
Canada and the U.S. have “a long way to go” in harmonizing regulations despite vaunted promises of progress, says a former industry minister. The critique is only the latest over slow progress at “Beyond The Border”, a cabinet venture announced with fanfare in 2011.
Federal regulators should monitor consumer loyalty programs such as Air Miles and retail points cards, says the Public Interest Advocacy Centre. The group proposed oversight of schemes that enable retailers to compile consumers’ personal data on the promise of prizes: “They’ve done pretty well off these.”
After 21 years cabinet is preparing to ratify an agreement on patents for plant breeders. Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz said Canada will adopt a 1992 pact on patent rights amid praise from some growers and jeers from others: ‘Seed companies have choices — and right now it isn’t Canada.’
A former cabinet minister named CEO of CropLife Canada is dismissing environmentalists’ claims he’ll influence former colleagues on behalf of the chemical industry. Ted Menzies said he’s complying with all lobbying restrictions: ‘I want to help the membership find ways to feed a hungry world.’
There’s nothing wrong
naming a newborn
Prince George Alexander Louis.
If tradition prevails,
it would be sixty-five years –
perhaps more –
before he becomes
King George the VII.
Long after most of us
are gone.
To better connect
with his subjects to be,
and to reflect
the true mosaic
of his future kingdom,
Prince George Mohammed Raj
might have been
a better choice.
(Editor’s note: Poet Shai Ben-Shalom, an Israeli-born biologist, recently published his first collection of poems Martians Among Us with In/Words Press)
