The Canada Revenue Agency is expanding its probe of Canadians with offshore accounts. Auditors filed an application with Federal Court for an order compelling the Royal Bank to disclose more information on clients that benefited from Panamanian shell companies: “They can put the squeeze on them.”
The Senate without fanfare yesterday passed a bill to ratify a Canada-European Union trade pact. Final approval came nearly four years after former Prime Minister Stephen Harper signed the agreement in principle: “Some groups expressed concerns.”
VIA Rail reports its lowest deficit since 2011 but warns there is no room for improvement on revenues. Management said so many trains now run late there is little incentive for Canadians to buy a ticket: “We have reached a plateau.”
High school marijuana users have lower grades, says a University of Waterloo study. The research is the first of its kind since the Department of Public Safety noted it had no data on the impact of legal cannabis on school performance: “There is much less research in this area.”
A Commons committee on electoral reform cost taxpayers more than half-a-million dollars, according to newly-released accounts. The Special Committee on Electoral Reform outspent all other House committees last year. Its recommendations were never adopted: “Is this the right time for this discussion?”
MPs last night took a last stand over a New Democrat bill mandating labeling of genetically-modified foods. Cabinet opposes the measure, fearing it would hurt sales: “We need to take note of the fact the people have called for this.”
Clean-up of a single military rifle range in Ontario will cost taxpayers $9 million, says Defence Construction Canada. Disclosure of ongoing decontamination costs follows an Atlantic court ruling that held the military liable for failing to warn adjoining property owners of toxic chemicals: “Property values have been reduced.”
Passage of a bill to ban the import of aquarium whales would set a precedent in criminalizing zoos, a researcher has told the Senate fisheries committee. Legislators were urged instead to federalize inspection of animals in captivity: ‘What about every animal in the food industry?’
Parliament’s Budget Office says a cabinet bill would hamstring its investigations and turn the office into a “political instrument”. The Office has published numerous damning reports on carbon taxes, defence spending and budget cuts: “I don’t think this is fair.”
A federal judge has ordered reconsideration of a four-figure Canada Pension Plan dispute. A British Columbia pensioner has fought for repayment of $1,231: “They spent $100,000 trying to keep my twelve-hundred dollars.”
Most refugees wait an average of up to two years or more to enter Canada, says the Department of Immigration. Release of new data followed complaints of illegal immigrants crossing the border in Manitoba and Québec: “Get in line.”
The Senate agriculture committee says cabinet should allow more flexible hiring of migrant workers. Processors have complained of chronic labour shortages despite paying 60 percent better than the minimum wage: “Recruitment is constant.”
Canadian teenagers are more likely to daily smoke marijuana than tobacco, says University of Waterloo research. Legislation in Parliament to legalize recreational cannabis would outlaw use by minors: “These kids are old enough to drive.”
The Senate yesterday approved a motion urging that cabinet test a national guaranteed income program. Senators proposed the government fund pilot projects similar to a 1974 Manitoba program disbanded due to costs: “I know there are some people who may like or dislike the idea.”
Transport Minister Marc Garneau says three-year funding for VIA Rail is just enough to meet ongoing deficits. Garneau yesterday told the Commons transport committee that subsidies are not sufficient to refit aging passenger cars and locomotives: “We have to do our homework.”
