Federal anti-trust investigators have opened a mammoth probe of the nation’s largest farm chemical manufacturers accused of targeting a start-up discounter. Records in the case include an email from a Winnipeg executive with Univar Canada Ltd. who wrote suppliers: “If anyone thinks socialism is going to feed the world just call Russia.”
A federal tax cut billed as significant savings for middle-class Canadians is worth $90 this year, the equivalent of $1.73 a week, says the Parliamentary Budget Office. Prosperity Minister Mona Fortier suggested taxpayers use the proceeds to buy food: “Buy healthy food, send kids to camp.”
The Senate ethics committee recommends Senator Lynn Beyak be suspended again for talking back in sensitivity training class. Beyak was awarded an Indigenous Awareness certificate but remained a poor student, said an instructor: ‘I want to move forward and not be stuck in the past.’
Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson has told department employees to lead by example on plastic waste by boycotting bottled water. Records show other federal departments bought water by the caseload: “More needs to be done within government.”
The Department of Justice has hired consultants at $166,337 to conduct internal “violence risk assessments” among staff. Attorney General David Lametti told the Commons the investigations involved lawyers’ offices in two cities: ‘There was a workplace violence complaint.’
A federal labour arbitrator has overturned the firing of an Air Canada flight attendant for hurtful remarks to an Asian coworker. The words were unpleasant but not worth termination, said the ruling: “You must live in Markham.”
Cabinet proposes to regulate plastic bags and straws under the same federal law that restricts asbestos, says Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson. “We will be developing the list of products to be banned,” he told reporters yesterday: “There was discussion around plastic bags, for sure, and things like straws. Those are good examples.”
Canada’s trade deficit with China topped a record $50 billion last year, according to data yesterday given to MPs. “Yes, we have seen some drops,” said Steve Verheul, assistant deputy foreign minister: “We cannot turn our back and walk away.”
Three officers of a federal oil and gas regulator including Lead Commissioner Damien Côté have been ordered to sell energy stocks and bonds. Côté yesterday was named in a Compliance Order issued by the Ethics Commissioner: ‘I may order any compliance measure I determine is necessary.’
A federal home equity loan program polled badly in Privy Council research with focus group skeptics calling it a “Band-Aid solution”. Few heard of the CMHC plan, and few liked it once it was explained: “There was low to moderate interest in the idea.”
A plague of bed bugs in federal buildings in Ottawa and Gatineau, Que. has cost a million dollars to date. Contractors were hired to inspect and fumigate thirty-four buildings. At Canada Post headquarters, authorities called in dog teams to search for insects: “Bed bugs are making a comeback.”
A cabinet advisory panel yesterday recommended internet news media register with the government under the Broadcasting Act subject to federal “codes of conduct”. The panel did not explain how the law would be enforced. The CBC would ensure quality in news coverage, advisors said: “The enforcement issue is a different issue.”
Millions in a federal climate change venture went unspent due to cumbersome paperwork, says a Department of Public Safety audit. The program to warn homeowners who live on flood plains expires in March: “Various reasons were provided.”
Federal equity loans for first-time homebuyers saw limited take-up in the first quarter of the program, data show. Cabinet had predicted 100,000 borrowers would apply for loans from CMHC: “The numbers just don’t add up.”
The Commons yesterday ordered a federal investigation of one of Parliament’s costliest programs. A Conservative motion mandating an audit of $186.7 billion in subsidies for roads, bridges and other public works passed by a vote of 166 to 152 over cabinet objections: “What we need is more transparency.”
