Federal law offers practically no protection to Canadians who face discrimination from insurers or employers over their family medical history, a Senate panel has been told. A bill currently before the Upper House would forbid insurance companies and federally-regulated employers from demanding DNA test results: “Is that the kind of society we want?”
Parliament can expect up to five petition-driven debates a year under a proposal to accept electronic appeals from Canadians. MPs heard a similar U.K. system has seen debates on everything from welfare cuts to proclaiming the Muslim observance Eid a public holiday: “Did e-petitions make sure that debate happened?”
Enactment of a contentious union bill C-525 is now delayed months after Senators identified technical flaws due to sloppy drafting. Labour groups have opposed the bill, which would make it easier to decertify unions in federally-regulated industries: “We will kill the bill by sending it back”.
RCMP should name an ombudsman to investigate complaints against the force, including those from its own members, says a minority report on Parliament Hill. The advice comes as the Supreme Court prepares to rule on whether Mounties can unionize: “I don’t want to see this one end up on the shelf”.
An investment in bitcoin has cost the chair of the Senate banking committee 28 percent in eight months. Senator Irving Gerstein invested $100 in the pseudo-currency as his committee opened hearings on bitcoin last April 9: “There goes dinner”.
Senators are consulting legal advisers on whether a bill to “weaken unions” is technically flawed and may stall before passage. Supporters had sought quick approval of Bill C-525, a private Conservative measure that would make it easier to decertify unions: “There is a real problem”.
Cellphones would carry mandatory health labels under a private Conservative bill introduced in the Commons. The proposal follows petitions from a group Canadians For Safe Technology to restrict public exposure to microwave radiation: “Better safe than sorry”.
CBC in hindsight regrets spending millions on large office complexes including its landmark Toronto Broadcast Centre, says the chairman of the board. Rémi Racine said the Crown broadcaster faces substantial expenses on bricks and mortar amid declining revenues: “You feel that we’re big and not efficient”.
The Supreme Court has sidestepped an appeal by an unhappy motorist who alleged mechanics conspired to make expensive, pointless auto repairs. Justices declined to hear the case of a Mercedes-Benz driver stuck with a $120,000 roadster that had squeaky brakes: ‘These guys all agreed amongst themselves to work me over’.
A federal loan guarantee scheme for small business did not result in any “significant” job creation over the past five years, says Industry Canada. A department review concluded the program’s impact was likely skewed by the recession: “Our question is whether banks are actually offering it”.
Apple Canada Inc. is targeted in a federal probe over its iPhone sales agreements with wireless providers. In court filings, the anti-trust Competition Bureau alleged iPhone contracts with wholesalers may “increase the price Canadian consumers have paid” for the handset devices. Apple privately expressed concern over the “unnecessarily aggressive” demand for company records by federal investigators: “I have nothing to say”.
The Commons has killed a bill to mandate safety side guards on heavy trucks. Transport Canada earlier spent thousands of dollars studying the proposal credited with saving lives of bicyclists and pedestrians: “We should ask ourselves the next time there is a death”.
The Supreme Court today will hear a key dispute over offshore environmental compensation involving the Canadian subsidiary of Chevron Corp. Residents in Ecuador filed claims in both Canadian and U.S. courts seeking enforcement of an $18 billion judgment overseas: “You’re going to see more of this”.
A surprise bill to expand powers of the Canadian Grain Commission is raising fears of a fee grab. Cabinet introduced the bill in the dying days of the Commons sitting as MPs prepared to break for holidays: “We need a lot more information”.
Many immigrants face a harsh adjustment to 21st century Canadian life, says a federal report. Statistics Canada cited low-paying jobs and urban challenges as cause for low “life satisfaction” among many newcomers: ‘Professional people want to go back home’.
