Few Canadians have heard of two national observances despite years of promotions and subsidies by the Department of Canadian Heritage. In-house research also found sharp divisions between men and women, and Westerners and Easterners, on which events they consider meaningful: ‘The impact on vacation plans is relatively low.’
The Treasury Board in an Access To Information memo says federal employees should not count on overtime in case of a terrorist strike, street rioting or other lockdown emergencies. The memo followed pay enquiries following a 2014 shooting on Parliament Hill: “There is no regulatory authority that provides guidance on this subject.”
The National Research Council is undertaking a $1.73 million study of climate change amendments to the National Building Code. The initiative follows a 2015 Standards Council of Canada report that warned heavy snowfall and extreme weather put structures at risk: “It could potentially have some impact on costs.”
A federal survey shows most businesses have never heard of a new food safety act though Parliament passed the legislation five years ago. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has yet to introduce all regulations under the Safe Food For Canadians Act, prompted by an outbreak of meat poisoning: “Small businesses may be particularly challenged.”
Canadian National Railway Co. has lost another court ruling in a four-year legal test of railways’ obligations to shippers. A federal judge dismissed CN’s claim it could not be sued for compensation after failing to meet service commitments: “What is the point?”
Environment Canada is again accused of breaching its own Species At Risk Act. The department was cited in a 2014 Federal Court ruling for failing in its public duty: “There is no sense of urgency.”
The Canada Revenue Agency confirms it continues to catch employees snooping through individuals’ personal tax files. The Agency launched an integrity campaign three years ago to halt the practice: “The Agency has increased privacy training.”
Firefighters, police and prison staff in Canada are more likely to report symptoms of mental distress than army combat veterans, says new research. The federally-funded survey led by the University of Regina noted civilian employees are also likelier to report symptoms than front-line workers: “It is surprising.”
Environment Canada yesterday struck a national climate change panel to monitor preparedness for flooding and other impacts. The appointment came as the Department of Natural Resources predicted Atlantic and Pacific coast sea levels will rise up to a metre this century: “We will have to adapt to extreme weather.”
In a back to school ruling, a Court of Appeal has upheld a six-month suspension for a teacher cited for grade fixing. A Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation ethics committee said the misconduct “tends to harm the standing of the profession.”
The industry department in a memo says cabinet must address the effect of a carbon tax on vulnerable groups. The tax to be phased in next year will add up to 12¢ a litre to the price of gasoline: ‘Governments have to address the impact.’
Health Canada is hiring tutors to teach staff to master English. The department did not disclose the number of employees who cannot carry on an English conversation: “Most federal employees are already English speakers.”
A federal judge has awarded a Canadian firm $30,000 in damages for infringement of its stork-and-baby trademark. The ruling ends a six-year feud between rival lawn sign companies: “I am conscious that they are not unique in their association of an image of a stork.”
New Statistics Canada data confirm Canadians remain exposed to lead, arsenic and other toxins, but at levels rated safe by the Department of Health. Staff said it would be premature to draw conclusions on long-term trends in human biomonitoring: “They’re still out there.”
A cabinet-appointed Indigenous healer is being paid $55,000 a month to speak with former Indian Residential School students. The contract is nearly double the salary paid the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court: ‘I have signed a contract to deliver some programming as well as community visits.’
