Travelers who leave the country with a big bankroll must be prepared to account for every dollar, says a federal judge. The decision came in the case of a British Columbia man who forfeited $10,296 under the Proceeds Of Crime And Terrorist Financing Act: ‘His burden was to remove suspicion it was derived from crime.’
A new federal exhibit on refugees honours a Toronto rapper alongside a Nobel laureate and former governor general. The Canadian Museum of Immigration said it had no complaints to date over the tribute to K’naan Warsame, whose performances include explicit lyrics: “K’naan is an internationally-recognized artist and humanitarian.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs says it’s received tens of thousands of emails over NAFTA talks. About half originated from Open Media, an advocacy group one critic accused of using auto-email forms easily manipulated to manufacture a “grassroots backlash”.
“Since June 2017 the government has received over 46,500 emails and submissions related to the North American Free Trade Agreement,” said John Babcock, spokesperson for the department. “These emails raise issues on specific areas of the negotiations, including intellectual property.”
Nearly half the emails, more than 22,000, were generated in the past week through an August 29 Open Media website form targeting Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland. The Vancouver-based group in a notice New NAFTA Agreement Would Threaten Canadian Digital Rights urges visitors: “Send an email to Minister Freeland telling her our rights are worth standing up for”.
Laura Tribe, Open Media executive director, yesterday confirmed the original email form allowed individuals using any computer from any location to send an unlimited number of messages to the Minister’s office. The website has since been modified to restrict indiscriminate emailing, she added. “One person sent in 100 comments yesterday,” said Tribe. “That is why we have now put protections in place.”
“This is absolutely not a fake protest,” said Tribe. “The insinuation that people are not speaking out is not valid.” Tribe said 22,222 “unique individuals” used the Open Media form to email cabinet in the past week.
One U.S. academic said he earlier tested the Open Media web form by sending 24 separate messages to the foreign minister without email verification. Mathematician Dr. David Lowery of Atlanta, a lecturer at the University of Georgia, said in a commentary he was “able to easily impersonate you from outside Canada” using a keystroke program.
“I automated 24 spam emails and received 25 separate verifications from Open Media that my emails were sent to Freeland,” wrote Dr. Lowery. “It should be noted the ‘thank you’ email included a solicitation for money. And by ‘automation’, I mean I just had to hit the ‘back’ button on my browser and then ‘send’ button the webform. Not exactly brain surgery.”
“The Interview May Be Over”
Lowery, a recording artist and copyright advocate, accuses lobbyist-funded groups of manufacturing electronic protests against intellectual property rights: “Spamming activities by the likes of Open Media seem designed to overwhelm the channels through which ordinary constituents communicate with government officials. It drowns out the voices of ordinary citizens and replaces them with robotic corporate and special interest-crafted messages.”
Open Media opposes any NAFTA terms that would expand third-party legal liability for internet service providers over republished content. The group is subsidized by Google and telecom providers. “It is not a conflict,” said Tribe; “I’m not sure where your questions are going and I think the interview may be over.”
The group also opposes any extension of current copyright protection from 50 to 70 years after a creator’s death, describing the measure as “dangerous” and costly. “The new NAFTA agreement contains an intellectual property chapter that could trade away Canada’s digital rights by extending copyright terms,” wrote Open Media; “U.S. negotiators and media corporations pushing these unfair rules just won’t take no for an answer.”
Canadian songwriters, publishers and performers’ unions in testimony at parliamentary hearings have repeatedly appealed for a 70-year rule as an essential revenue source that helps support new talent. “Our artists are struggling,” Laurie McAllister, director of the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists, said in June 12 testimony at the Commons industry committee.
“The middle class artist is disappearing,” said McAllister. “Many live at or below the poverty line. It’s not because they’re not good.”
Petitioners noted the 50-year rule under Canada’s Copyright Act is among the lowest of G7 countries. Copyright is protected for 70 years in the U.S. and European Union.
“Holding onto that copyright over an extra twenty years can translate into thousands of dollars if a good deal is in place,” Margaret McGuffin, executive director of the Canadian Music Publishers Association, said in May 31 testimony. “One or two songs in a catalogue can make a huge difference to the viability of a music publisher.”
“Most of our members are small or medium-sized businesses,” said McGuffin. “These companies all represent and invest in thousands of Canadian songs, songwriters and composers who are heard daily on the radio, on streaming services, in video games, and in film and television productions around the world.”
By Staff 
Cabinet should consider an electronic guaranteed income plan that would see funds automatically transferred to individual bank accounts, says a Privy Council Office think tank. Future governments might also consider “providing assets at birth”, wrote Policy Horizons Canada: “This could ensure that vulnerable Canadians do not start at a significant disadvantage.”
The Department of Employment paid pollsters to pick the name of a brand new federal agency, records show. The department wanted nouns and adjectives that would “grab people’s attention”: “People like a name that is short and straightforward.”
The Commons natural resources committee by a 5 to 4 vote yesterday rejected a motion to compel Finance Minister Bill Morneau to explain why cabinet overpaid billions for the 1953-era Trans Mountain pipeline. Opposition MPs questioned why cabinet nationalized the line knowing the Federal Court of Appeal was about to rule on legal challenges by First Nations: ‘I can’t believe we have Morneau negotiating on behalf of Canadian taxpayers.’
A majority of doctors surveyed, 51 percent, said they still encounter patients who refuse vaccinations due to “conspiracy theories”. The findings of newly-released Public Health Agency of Canada research come years after experts debunked a U.K. study linking shots to autism: “The number of Canadians who are delaying or refusing immunization is increasing.”
Federal benefits paid to medically-discharged veterans should be shielded from creditors in case of bankruptcy, a Nova Scotia court has ruled. A bankruptcy registrar said it’s the least Canada owes soldiers, sailors and air crew compensated for injuries: ‘It is one of the core values we hold as Canadians.’
Federal departments and agencies should by March 31, 2019 assign ombudsmen to field harassment complaints in federal offices, says a Privy Council Office report. “Troublesome behaviours persist in our organizations,” wrote staff.
Newly-released audits detail waste of taxpayers’ money by Canadian diplomatic missions overseas. Examples include rigged timesheets and cronyism in hiring and contracting. The Department of Foreign Affairs dispatched audit teams following discovery of a $1.7 million fraud at the Haiti embassy: “Policies were not always followed.”
The Department of Employment in a single-day sweep ticketed 14 employers in five provinces for violations under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. It was the largest one-day crackdown since cabinet approved $39 million in new annual funding for surprise inspections: “There is rigor.”
Ontario’s highest court has dismissed a libel claim against a real estate commentator sued for sarcastic Tweets about developers. The Court of Appeal ruled the remarks were of public interest, and that libel threats should not gag criticism of the industry: ‘He sees the real estate investment market as overhyped and under-regulated.’
A newly-appointed Procurement Ombudsman in his first full investigation is faulting Elections Canada for lapses in contracting. Rules must be strictly followed to ensure fairness to bidders, wrote Ombudsman Alexander Jeglic: “The Government of Canada has a duty.”
Blacklock’s Reporter pauses today to observe the 124th Labour Day in tribute to Canadian workers nationwide. We will be back tomorrow — The Editor
The Department of Employment yesterday said it will “carefully consider” reintroducing a federal minimum wage for the first time in 22 years. The department claimed wide support for a $15 hourly minimum for federally-regulated workers, matching the highest provincial rate in the country: “We will carefully consider what we heard.”
