Blacklock's Reporter

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’.

A long-promised cabinet bill to curb alleged cross-border gouging by retailers instead relegates federal investigators to the role of price checkers, say critics. Industry Canada yesterday introduced the legislation promised ten months ago: “They better have some sort of explanation”.

Inadequate statistics and poor forecasting by federal regulators were factors in last winter’s surprise spike in propane prices, according to testimony at a Commons hearing. Producers said they relied on inadequate data from the National Energy Board in adjusting supply to meet demand: “They were wrong”.

A bill granting cabinet broad powers to rewrite regulations affecting federal prisoners has passed Second Reading. Public Safety Canada headlined the bill as a measure to combat drugs, though MPs agreed it gives wardens and Parole Board officials no authority they don’t already have: “Does anyone think this will be effective?”

Canadians pay less for turkey under farm quotas than Americans pay under free marketing, say producers. Proponents of supply management appealed to the Senate agriculture committee to support the quota system amid criticism it restricts trade: “There are some misconceptions”.

The Supreme Court will hear an appeal on whether extreme drunkenness is a criminal defence against arson. The appeal comes as the Commons justice committee weighs a bill to impose harsher sentences on very drunk drivers: “Intoxication is tricky doctrine”.

Parliament is endorsing a symbolic bill to combat obesity without any mention of fast-food products or marketing. MPs yesterday on a voice vote approved Bill S-211 to proclaim a National Health & Fitness Day: “Food manufacturing is a business”.

Québec has suffered the greatest population loss of any place in 25 years of interprovincial migration, says a confidential report. More than a quarter-million Québecers picked up and left for other parts of Canada, according to research for the Privy Council Office: ” Québec, yet again…”

The Supreme Court has refused to hear an appeal by an optometrist cited for seven-figure tax evasion after he simply stopped filing returns. A lower court described the scofflaw as “intransigent” in failing to pay what he owed: “The law is very clear”.

CMHC in a proposal that’s worrying advocates says it will study the impact of ending subsidies for low-income Canadians. The federal mortgage insurer proposed to “determine best practices” for social housing without government aid: ‘People are scared’.

Environment Canada aims to restrict the use of hydrofluorocarbons as a refrigerant in aerosols, appliances and auto air conditioners. The department alerted manufacturers it is considering a ban on HFCs as a greenhouse gas, similar to restrictions already introduced in other G7 countries: ‘Canada is playing catch-up’.