Federal regulators propose yet more increases in user fees, this time on rates charged by railways to handle competitors’ cargo. It follows a host of fee hikes on industry including charges for inspecting medical devices, piloting freighters through the Great Lakes, and inspecting grain elevators.
A disturbingly large loss of bee hives is prompting federal reevaluation of some insecticide use, and first-time collaboration between farmers and beekeepers in monitoring the $151 million honey trade: “I call it the perfect storm.”
The military is conducting first-ever focus groups with women and minorities in a campaign to promote “self-identification” of employment equity groups in the army, navy and air force. The groups’ representation is far below the civilian workforce, though the military is subject to the federal Employment Equity Act.
An Ottawa think-tank proposes that Cabinet raise corporate income tax rates back to 2000 levels after years of reductions. The Centre for Policy Alternatives noted corporate rates, now 15 percent, are at a postwar low.
Federal regulators have approved construction of another massive transport terminal in the Montreal area. The Canadian Transportation Agency okayed construction of a $71 million intermodal terminal west of Montreal by a U.S. railway, with direct connections to the Port of New York-New Jersey.
The Treasury has granted Air Canada another break on its pension liabilities despite competitors’ protests of favouritism. In a rushed announcement after business hours, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty consented to an Air Canada demand that it again defer full payment on its pension fund liability: “That’s a lot of money.”
Government revenues from tourism total $21.4 billion annually despite a sluggish economy and continued downward trend in visits by Americans. Restaurateurs noted industry margins are so tight they are nearly eclipsed by the cost of credit card acceptance fees.
A federal agency has ruled a U.S. railway violated Canadian regulations following noise and nuisance complaints from neighbours in a small Quebec town. CSX Corp. was cited for blaring whistles and idling locomotives for hours at a time in a residential neighbourhood: “It’s like living in a war zone.”
Trade experts and farm groups warn of an escalation in a cross-border dispute that has cost Canada $5 billion to date, by industry estimate. Ottawa is threatening to slap billion-dollar retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods if Washington does not comply with a fair trade ruling by a May 23 deadline.
Canadian companies are questioning a new federal bill that would force them to pay the cost of enforcing copyright law against counterfeiters. The legislation would oblige copyright owners to pay for tracking, seizing, storing and destroying bootleg imports. The industry minister declined an interview.
Canadian industry requires more regulation of railways if shippers and exporters are to grow, warns an executive. The nation’s fertilizer producers said they are at a loss to hold railways to service agreements without federal oversight: “Practically speaking, what rights do we have now?”
Shark populations are declining around the world and it should be a concern for policymakers in Canada, researchers warn. A Commons vote is pending on whether to outlaw the sale of shark fins.
Government-funded researchers in Manitoba have applied for a trademark to promote a “climate advantage” diet of all-Canadian foods from Saskatoon berries to bison meat: “There is a Scandinavian diet; we want to promote a healthy Canadian diet.”
U.S. health care reforms could have unexpected implications for Canada and may place added burdens on the public system, an academic warns. A Western Washington University professor predicts declining American investment in research and development will affect Canada in time.
Funding for a support program for Atlantic Canada’s lobster fishery will be reduced 38 percent this year, according to budget estimates: “We are in a phasing out of the program.” The fisheries department says it has bought back some 500 lobster licenses from fishers in a bid to rationalize the industry.
