Retaliatory tariffs imposed by cabinet September 8 are costing Canadian consumers $100 million a week, an economist and former federal consultant yesterday told the Commons foreign affairs committee. Cabinet said the point of retaliation was to punish Republican voters in the United States: “These are taxes and they are paid by Canadians.”
Parliament should ban targeted advertising by social media platforms, says the Commons heritage committee. MPs in a report also sought new controls on legal internet content similar to measures outlined in a cabinet bill, C-34: “The committee heard about the increasing use of social media.”
The public is owed answers from Canada Post over the fate of 3,361 rural outlets now subject to closure, the Commons was told yesterday. Conservative MP Brad Vis (Mission-Matsqui, B.C.) tabled petitions from constituents alarmed over the suspension of a 1994 moratorium on rural closures: “Canadians are worried.”
The Commons yesterday by unanimous vote passed into law a private bill proclaiming each September as Ukrainian Heritage Month. The ceremonial observance was timely, said the House sponsor: “We must stand with the Ukraine people now until they win.”
The Budget Office yesterday said “the deficit is broadly unchanged” despite claims by Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne that cabinet found $60 billion in savings. Budget analysts predicted cabinet will add a third of a trillion in new debt by 2030, a total $333,400,000,000: “This reflects the pace of federal borrowing.”
Provinces will be consulted on a level of immigration that “works for Canadians,” Prime Minister Mark Carney said yesterday. His comments followed Alberta voters’ approval of four referendum questions to limit access to health, education and welfare by foreigners in Canada on temporary permits: “It’s very important to do our jobs.”
Canada will see more unpredictable and severe labour disputes if Labour Minister Patty Hajdu’s proposed strike ban becomes law, union executives yesterday cautioned MPs. Amendments inserted in an omnibus budget bill would grant Hajdu new powers to bypass pending Federal Court rulings and unilaterally end strikes at ports, airports, railways and other federally-regulated workplaces: “Governments should stay the hell out.”
The Senate rules committee yesterday opened hearings into media leaks of a confidential report. Senators acknowledged they were unlikely to find who sent draft reports to the National Post and CBC: “Media love these types of stories.”
Canadians using food banks will not be allowed to catch their own lobster for protein, the Department of Fisheries said yesterday. It rejected a Commons petition sponsored by Green MP Elizabeth May (Saanich-Gulf Islands, B.C.) to permit a recreational lobster catch to ease “rising food insecurity in Canada.”
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith last night thanked provincial voters for rejecting a referendum to pursue independence. It was the first vote of its kind nationwide since a 1995 Québec referendum: “Thank you to all.”
The Liberal-appointed Senate yesterday faced an unprecedented rebuke after thousands of Albertans voted to abolish the Upper Chamber. It was the first referendum of its kind since Alberta pioneered Senate elections 37 years ago: “The Senate continues to lose credibility as an institution.”
A disastrous fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, Alta. followed a 2021 warning from auditors that safety programs in the military were haphazard and lacked proper oversight, including protection against fire risks. Casualties at Wainwright numbered 43 with four dead: “Are you comfortable with the military investigating itself?”
Nursing shortages persist nationwide despite federal programs to hire foreign nurses, Statistics Canada data showed yesterday. The agency said the shortage as measured through job vacancy rates has increased fivefold in the past decade: “Vacancy rates remained highest among licensed practical nurses at 12 percent.”
A private bill to have Parliament award medals to living organ donors yesterday passed the Senate human rights committee. The bill cleared the Commons by unanimous vote last April 22 on its sponsor’s appeal to do “a great thing.”
The Canada Pension Plan invested billions in Alberta prior to today’s referendum that asks residents if they’d pursue independence. Holdings total $9.5 billion according to filings, mainly in energy stocks: “Should Alberta remain a province of Canada?”
