Landlords are forbidden by federal law from swapping blacklists on problem tenants, says the Privacy Commissioner. The order followed a two-year investigation involving a 2,000-name “bad tenant” list shared by members of an unidentified landlord association: “These operators went too far”.
A watershed moment
in Canada’s history:
Justin Trudeau
approaches a group of MPs
on the House floor.
What happened next is vague; consensus
nowhere to be found.
Some claim it was a brutal attack
by an male PM,
launching a Taekwondo-style elbow strike
to the ribs of an unsuspecting female MP
while possibly holding a Kalashnikov under his jacket,
ready to be pulled.
Others, who analyzed the video frame by frame,
swear Trudeau was the victim of that MP,
who barbarically hit his arm with her chest,
aiming to end the Sunny Days of a sitting prime minister
the way only a wicked opposition member could
conspire.
If there was ever a need for a national inquiry,
this may be it.
(Editor’s note: poet Shai Ben-Shalom, an Israeli-born biologist, examines current events in the Blacklock’s tradition each and every Sunday)
The tax department must simplify paperwork for the majority of Canadians who are functionally illiterate, says Revenue Minister Diane Lebouthillier. The Canada Revenue Agency did not substantiate the Minister’s claim, contradicted by 30 years of federal literacy research: “When these people receive documents they are not able to understand what is written”.
Fresh oil leaks from a shipwreck that changed maritime law cost the Canadian Coast Guard more than $1.4 million dollars last winter, newly-released records show. Authorities said they could not recoup the taxpayers’ charge from a shipping fund prompted by the 1970 sinking of the tanker Arrow: “The company that owned the ship no longer exists”.
Federal regulators propose a top-to-bottom review of rules under the Transportation Act. The pledge comes two months after the Canadian Transportation Agency reversed itself on regulations governing licensed airlines: “Keep a close eye on these people”.
Alberta’s oil sands produce levels of air pollution comparable to a large city, says new Environment Canada research. Scientists said open-pit mining in northern Alberta emits up to 84 tonnes a day of secondary organic aerosols: “It stands to reason these particles may be a health issue”.
Cabinet will repeal another Conservative labour bill following a landmark Supreme Court ruling on the right to strike. The Treasury Board last evening said a 2013 Act of Parliament limiting public employees’ rights will be withdrawn: “They wanted to ratchet it up”.
Health Canada will not meet a targeted 30% cut in sodium consumption forecast to save billions in medicare costs. The department yesterday declined comment on the end of a nine-year program to have food processors voluntarily reduce their use of salt: “The voluntary approach does not work”.
Transport Canada says it has a “surplus” of deleted regulations and is in full compliance with a 2015 law mandating reduction of red tape. Department math includes a new rule on railway fires: ‘We have a surplus of five’.
Cabinet should deregulate media corporations under the Broadcasting Act to spur more competition, says a Calgary think tank. The Fraser Institute said rules mandating Canadian content must be repealed: “We are going to be left with nothing”.
The Department of Veterans Affairs should arrange home visits to every individual veteran claiming disability benefits, says an advocate. The proposal follows a 2014 audit that found veterans wait months, even years for applications to be processed: “How long are we going to talk about this?”
The employment department is using poor data in unfairly refusing to issue migrant labour permits, a federal judge has ruled. The case followed a court challenge by the largest shellfish processor in New Brunswick: “We are aware of the decision”.
Cabinet should “manage expectations” in an auto market that’s seen Canada lose manufacturing jobs to the U.S. and Mexico, says an industry department memo. The document obtained through Access To Information warned Canada should not get its hopes up in competing with low-wage rivals: “Success is not guaranteed”.
Regulators should offer cash rebates to promote recycling of throw-away electronics, says the Municipal Waste Management Association. A federal survey yesterday said tonnes of electronic items are landfilled each year: “That’s definitely creating an issue”.
A federal proposal that all seaplane passengers wear lifejackets – the first regulation of its kind – faces widespread opposition, says Transport Canada. The recommendation follows a fatal 2009 British Columbia accident in which six people drowned: “It’s a tough one”.
