Canadians are more concerned about water conservation than new oil pipelines, according to the government’s own in-house research. Focus groups and polling by the Department of Natural Resources also found Canadians sharply oppose any bulk water exports to the drought-stricken U.S.: “Water is the natural resource most valued by Canadians”.
Data mining of motorists’ driving habits, music choices and web browsing raises “privacy implications for consumers”, cautions a secret Industry Canada memo. The department stopped short of proposing any new regulations to restrict commercial use of personal information by automakers, insurers and marketers: “The automobile is turning into a Smartphone on wheels”.
Canadian National Railways Co. is considering a Supreme Court appeal over its claimed right to refuse to switch freight cars by a rival railway. The CNR has twice lost judgments in the dispute with agri-business giant James Richardson & Sons Ltd. of Winnipeg: “CN has not shown any error”.
Federal lawyers have filed a $1.5 million lawsuit over a St. Lawrence River oil spill. Some 22 tonnes of fuel are believed to have leaked into the river with the sinking of a tug boat at Trois-Rivières, Que. last December 26: “It happens”.
An Alberta union is the first to sue cabinet over a contentious bill mandating disclosure of confidential labour records. The lawsuit asks that an Edmonton court strike down Bill C-377 as unconstitutional and an infringement on provincial rights: “It will have a chilling effect”.
The Humane Society of Canada lost its charity registration after federal auditors discovered the group spent funds on comic books, liquor and a trip to Disneyland by its executive director, according to court documents. The Society unsuccessfully sued for reinstatement of its charitable status: ‘This would constitute a failure to meet the definition of a charity’.
Insurers say an industry code on genetic testing will protect Canadians’ privacy. Legislation restricting use of DNA tests by insurers and employers died with the dissolution of Parliament: “No Canadians will be asked to take a genetic test”.
Telecom regulators have refused an application from Rogers Inc. to bypass a consumer code in its cellphone contracts. Rogers’ request would effectively rewrite part of a 2013 Wireless Code on suspension of service for subscribers over non-payment, said the CRTC: “This decision seems to push back”.
Comments from the weird to the wicked are among some 20,000 online suggestions to Heritage Canada on how to celebrate the nation’s 150th anniversary. Anonymous submissions include proposals for $150 domestic air fares; abolition of the monarchy; and numerous digs at Prime Minister Stephen Harper: “Honestly, this is tedious”.
Federal prosecutors filed only four cases for violation of the Trademarks Act last year, according to newly-released data. There were no prosecutions for trademark theft, according to the Public Prosecution Service of Canada: “It seems thin”.
Broadcast regulators will no longer give Canadians timely notice of individual license renewal applications for TV and radio companies, according to a federal advisory. The CRTC plans to abandon the longstanding practice intended to draw public comment on local license holders: “This is quite a change from what the Commission has been doing since 1968”.
The Prime Minister’s Office in a secret 2013 memo complained Senate Conservatives failed to follow orders on committee reports, including an all-party study critical of tariff policy. The confidential memo is among documents tabled in Senator Mike Duffy’s fraud and bribery trial in Ottawa: “We speak with senators who do not receive talking points”.
Lawyers’ fees are making access to justice “illusory” for most Canadians, says an Ontario Superior Court judge. The remarks came as the Court knocked 26% off legal expenses claimed by the National Bank in fending off a class action lawsuit: “The legal profession continues to enjoy protection from market forces”.
Executives with Netflix and YouTube have told regulators they will not divulge details of their Canadian operations even if federal agents promise to keep it secret. Management letters to the CRTC were obtained through Access To Information: “Netflix is not in a position to produce this information”.
An unhappy Canada Post customer has lost a Supreme Court bid to claim the right to receive bills by courier. Justices declined to hear the case. The 1981 Canada Post Corporation Act grants the Crown agency the exclusive right to handle mail: “Typically people do anything they can to avoid their hydro bill”.
