Most Canadians, 67 percent, told cabinet in a confidential 2016 survey they were satisfied with the federal election system and saw no need for change. The newly-released research was conducted weeks before the Commons embarked on reform hearings: “What is the problem we’re trying to solve?”
Charter challenges may cost $1 million or more, says Department of Justice research. A legal scholar writing for the department said even discounted lawyers’ rates may leave plaintiffs out of pocket for tens of thousands of dollars: “There are not a lot of benefactors out there.”
Canada’s Second World War veterans are passing at the rate of 4,700 a year, says the Department of Veterans Affairs. Fewer than 500 survivors of more than a million Canadians to serve in uniform will remain by 2030: “In the last three months I’ve cried six times listening to veterans’ stories.”
Parliament must repeal Conservative amendments to the Fisheries Act, says the Commons fisheries committee. The panel’s Liberal majority concluded the 2012 changes failed to protect habitat: “It was absolutely intentional.”
A Commons committee has approved a bill to proclaim a national Gender Equity Week. The initiative follows cabinet’s rejection of a legislative deadline to mandate pay equity: “Does this go beyond symbolism?”
Iconic wood bison are the first Canadian species to be threatened by climate change, say researchers. A government study conducted by the University of Ottawa and four other institutions said flooding has put animals at risk: ‘Climate is driving this potent change.’
A federal tax credit for transit users will cost nearly a quarter-billion dollars this year though data show it has not encouraged more Canadians to take the bus. One transit authority acknowledged the economy, not tax credits, drives ridership: ‘We would never expect a tax credit to mitigate that.’
Advocates have made a last appeal for passage of a bill proclaiming November 11 a legal federal holiday. The Commons heritage committee yesterday adjourned consideration of the bill till March: “Show them that the government really does care.”
The Commons fisheries committee yesterday endorsed a bill promoting seal products amid condemnation of animal rights groups. MPs described activists as hypocritical: ‘They go through the drive-thru at McDonald’s to chew on a cow carcass.’
A federal grocers’ subsidy intended to lower Arctic food costs has failed despite millions in additional funding, says a former Liberal fisheries minister. Cabinet has pledged to fix the Nutrition North program this year: ‘It is just not working.’
Cabinet needs “a lot more research” on the impact of legalizing cannabis, says Health Minister Dr. Jane Philpott. Her remarks followed a 2016 report by Public Safety Canada that warned regulators do not know the economic impact, effects on school performance, insurance claims or other data: “Unfortunately there’s insufficient research.”
Exasperated legislators are demanding the Department of Agriculture correct the unlawful collection of fees under a 1949 Act of Parliament. Regulators have known of the problem for ten years: “How did this happen?”
A $25 million federal tax credit failed to stem a decline in the number of Canadians giving to charities, new Statistics Canada data confirm. Nearly 50,000 fewer charitable claims were made, though the Department of Finance had predicted the number would climb by more than half-a-million: “There is still a decline.”
Women are more likely than men to report a stressful transition to civilian life after serving in the army, navy and air force, says in-house research by the Department of National Defence. The military has noted it will not meet its 2017 targets in attracting female recruits: “Women report being worse off.”
Taxpayers’ advocates are relying less on media, and more on Access To Information records, for facts and figures on government misspending. The Canadian Taxpayers Federation yesterday detailed its annual Government Waste Awards on Parliament Hill: “We’re going to call you out if you’re wasting money.”
