The number of federal managers with six-figure salaries has increased nearly 60 percent in seven years, according to newly-released records. Parliament does not mandate a so-called “sunshine list” compelling actual disclosure of individual salaries over $100,000 a year: “Canadians would be astonished.”
Mandating energy refits of existing buildings could cost owners of older homes a lifetime worth of equity, realtors have told the Senate energy committee. The Department of Natural Resources is drafting a little-known 2022 code requiring that all homes meet updated energy efficiency targets prior to resale: ‘We have to make sure homeowners don’t lose all the equity they’ve built over time.’
A federal copyright lawsuit alleges Bell Media Inc. republished a celebrity photographer’s work without payment or permission. Large media corporations including the CBC have been repeatedly cited for using photos in breach of the Copyright Act: “These licensing fees are how photographers make their livelihood.”
A retired judge hired under a ten-month, $548,750 contract to speak with former Residential School students says expenses include numerous services and subcontractors’ fees. Terms of the contract awarded without competitive bidding were obtained through Access To Information: “What I charge would be the same hourly rate as a relatively junior lawyer would get.”
A majority of Canadians, 70 percent, expect drug-impaired driving to rise with legal cannabis, says in-house research by the Department of Public Safety. Only 38 percent were aware of a cabinet bill to prohibit driving under the influence of marijuana: “Canadians are very unsure.”
Police warn a marijuana legalization bill intended to fight crime contains a loophole that facilitates drug trafficking. Law enforcement told the Senate legal and constitutional affairs committee the bill should be amended: “There is nothing a police officer could do.”
The Commons has given approval in principle to a cabinet bill restoring Fisheries Act protections amended by the previous Conservative cabinet six years ago. One MP described the 2012 changes as environmental vandalism: “What happened in 2012 was a travesty.”
Municipalities complain they’ll do most of the work for less of the tax revenue from legal marijuana. Councilors from British Columbia to Nova Scotia told the Senate social affairs committee the federal plan was rushed and poorly costed: “If you make us do it, we have to, but are we ready? No.”
Easter greetings to our friends and subscribers. Blacklock’s pauses for the federal holiday, and will return April 3rd — The Editor
Federal lawyers will not challenge any province that bans home marijuana cultivation, Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould yesterday told the Senate legal and constitutional affairs committee. Two provinces to date – Manitoba and Québec – will prohibit home-grown cannabis, a ban endorsed by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police: ‘It is not our intention to challenge provincial laws.’
A Department of Finance proposal to cut tax benefits for small business owners with income from savings unfairly penalizes farmers, restaurateurs and others, say advocates. The plan would see taxes rise $43 million this year and another $305 million in 2019, by official estimate: “It just created a new group of losers in the system.”
A court has dismissed a used car dealers’ claim for more than $10,000 in costs for financing a $7,000 car. Nearly a third of Canadians with car loans borrow more than vehicles are worth, according to a 2016 survey by the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada: “She signed everything that was put in front of her.”
Canadian cities would see designated cannabis smoking areas under cabinet’s legalization bill, Department of Health staff yesterday told the Senate social affairs committee. Marijuana use on street corners and outside buildings will be regulated the same as cigarettes, officials said: “How is that picture going to look?”
A federal report acknowledges sales of electric cars in Canada remain marginal despite millions in cabinet support for the industry. Researchers counted a 0.59 percent market share for electrics nationwide: ‘It remains low.’
The Senate transport committee yesterday vetoed a cabinet proposal to grant railways random access to everyday surveillance video of train crews. Opponents called it a clear breach of privacy rights that set a precedent for workplace monitoring by Canadian employers: ‘It is a violation of railway industry workers’ right to privacy.’
