People’s Party leader Maxime Bernier yesterday opened his national campaign with a pledge not to promise any new programs. The Party polled 294,092 votes in the 2019 campaign but did not elect an MP: “All the other parties play this vote-buying game.”
Public Safety Minister Bill Blair’s department commissioned confidential research on whether to defund police. Data showed the largest number of Canadians surveyed said police should get more money, not less: “Which would you choose?”
The Conservative Party yesterday said it will repeal a half billion in federal subsidies for the press if elected September 20. Leader Erin O’Toole also pledged to review $1.2 billion in annual funding for CBC-TV’s English language service: “Government funding of ‘approved’ media undermines press freedom.”
Air quality has markedly improved since 2006, says a Department of Environment report. The data contradicted claims by then-Environment Minister Catherine McKenna that worsening pollution was fatal: “Air quality in the country has generally improved over time.”
A federal landlord seeks a sixfold increase in spending to upgrade wiring and plumbing at official residences after spending money on frills like fresh-cut flowers. The National Capital Commission did not account for unpaid maintenance at Rideau Hall and other properties: “Funding is not the only requirement.”
The RCMP yesterday declined comment on a seven-figure budget to build a three-bedroom house near a rural British Columbia detachment. The budget is at least triple the cost of housing in the region: ““It will be a wood framed structure.”
Dissolution of the 43rd Parliament spells the end for two cabinet bills to regulate the internet. Other bills that passed the Commons or Senate but not both chambers included a carbon tax break for farmers, a ban on plastic waste exports and a measure to outlaw organ tourism: ‘Dissolution ends all business.’
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau yesterday called a rare September election in part to answer complaints of government overreach in pandemic management, he said. The September 20 vote was so rushed the Liberal Party last evening had yet to nominate candidates in 83 of 338 federal ridings: “The answer to tyranny is to have an election.”
More than 990,000 records documenting pandemic mismanagement were successfully concealed by cabinet. The Commons health committee confirmed an October 26 House order compelling public release of the records yesterday expired with the dissolution of Parliament: “They have refused to send those documents.”
Parliament should decriminalize heroin, says a federal report. “We are exploring all options,” said Health Minister Patricia Hajdu: “It is not a moral issue.”
Transport Minister Omar Alghabra says a re-elected Liberal cabinet will draft regulations banning unvaccinated travelers from domestic flights and VIA Rail trains by October 31. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau eight months ago called mandatory vaccinations an “extreme measure.”
Senator Sarabjit Marwah (Ont.) is refusing comment over his close ties to Scotiabank while serving on the Senate banking committee. Marwah would not answer numerous requests for confirmation he kept a Bay Street office at Scotiabank and used a Bank email address even as a senator.
The Department of Transport yesterday approved a $2.87 million Covid grant to private shareholders operating the taxpayer-owned Confederation Bridge to Prince Edward Island. Bridge operators were already scheduled to receive billions in subsidies under a 35-year lease: “Here is a living, breathing example of risk-free investment for a corporation.”
Commissioner of Elections Yves Côté faces a Charter challenge on free speech after penalizing a book publisher for alleged campaign advertising. Rebel News Network Ltd. last January 22 was fined $3,000 for a book promotion the Commissioner said was too political: “Books are and have historically been critical instruments to express opinions.”
Cabinet yesterday said a bill legalizing bookmaking will take effect in two weeks’ time. “I can’t wait,” said the president of a Unifor local representing casino workers: “August 27 is the day. There is nothing else that has to be done.”
