A clean-up of unexploded military ordnances nationwide is costing taxpayers more than $16 million, by defence department estimate. The department identified nearly a thousand locations nationwide with unexploded artillery shells and other dangerous debris: ‘Anything from shells to plastic explosives and tear gas tablets’.
Federal lawyers will not appeal a landmark court ruling that Parliament acted illegally in passing back-to-work legislation on locked-out postal workers five years ago. The union described the final judgment as far-reaching: ‘That law was an outrage to fair bargaining’.
MPs citing a damning Parliamentary Budget Office report have killed a Conservative bill to boost charitable tax credits. Lawmakers yesterday rejected the bill on a 209 to 103 vote following estimates it would cost up to $1.9 billion a year: “This is not a detail”.
A WestJet union organizer fired for allegedly posting YouTube Hitler videos ridiculing management has lost a bid for reinstatement. The Canada Industrial Labour Board dismissed the appeal pending a full investigation of unfair labour practice complaints at the Calgary-based airline: “A standoff exists”.
Air Canada faces an “awkward financial situation” if Parliament does not pass a concession bill by July 15, says a Senate sponsor. The Senator confirmed the bill to shield Air Canada from liability for illegal job cuts is being hurried to save the airline from a costly Supreme Court appeal: ‘Some are unemployed, but what can we do?’
CMHC cannot explain why it used an image of two French models to illustrate its newly-released Mortgage Consumer Survey. The production house that sold the stock photo of “young couple surfing internet”, LDProd Inc. of Paris, was unavailable for comment.
Farm Credit Canada refuses to disclose taxpayers’ losses after it accidentally discharged a six-figure mortgage. The federal lender mistakenly forgave collections on a $144,000 loan, according to documents filed in Court of Queen’s Bench in Saskatchewan: “We are unable to comment”.
The Prime Minister and cabinet vow action after Air Canada was cited for breaching bilingualism law. A federal investigator in a rare special report depicted the airline as a scofflaw under the Official Languages Act: “It’s unacceptable”.
Health Canada says it can’t account for fluctuating rates of bee mortality blamed by apiarists on use of farm pesticides. A department review of growers’ chemicals restricted in the European Union is ongoing till 2018: “We don’t know”.
Cabinet will review an RCMP union bill in the face of Senate protest, says Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale. Members of the Senate national security committee yesterday flayed the bill as a weak half-measure, and described RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson as gutless for failing to attend hearings in person: “The Commissioner is wrong”.
Newly-released research shows Conservatives were cautioned economic worries were “top of mind” for voters immediately prior to the 2015 general election. One prominent ex-Tory blamed the party’s loss on distractions over citizenship and security: “We’d gone down the wrong campaign road”.
Environment Canada uses discretion in enforcing a federal ban on pollution in fish habitat, says a senior manager. A parliamentary committee questioned regulators over compliance with the Fisheries Act by nearly a thousand municipal sewage systems nationwide: ‘They have to deposit somewhere’.
Liberal MPs are joining New Democrats in demanding the Canadian Coast Guard federalize the multi-million dollar cleanup of derelict boats. Coast Guard management has warned of significant environmental costs: “There are over 600”.
Regulators count scores of train derailments in national parks, including 19 in the past three years. Cabinet said it had taken steps to mitigate risks to wildlife and endangered fish under the Species At Risk Act: “Parks Canada has engaged with CP Rail to research and understand rail transportation impacts”.
The Supreme Court for the second time in two years has ruled Parliament breached Canadians’ right to solicitor-client privilege. Justices ruled even tax auditors cannot compel lawyers to disclose confidential information: “Government has been trying to chip away at it”.
