Cabinet must go further in disclosing everyday information to Canadians, says a Commons committee. MPs recommended casting a wider mandate under the federal Open Data initiative started three years ago: “We are miles and miles away from it”.
Canada Revenue has lost a Tax Court battle against a woman who claimed winter holidays as a medical expense. Even a federal judge noted the trips appeared to be vacations, but faulted tax authorities for failing to make their case: “I leave this issue for another day”.
In a further sign of a mediocre economy, the number of unemployed per job vacancy has grown nationwide. Statistics Canada counted 6.8 jobless for every vacant position, compared to 6.3 a year ago: “That is a bad sign”.
MPs propose a national education campaign on music theft, but stopped short of approving a copyright fee on digital audio recorders. The conclusions came in a report by the Commons heritage committee: “Obviously there’s still illegal downloading going on”.
Delinquent mortgages sent to bill collectors by federal insurers averaged $12 million a month last year, new data show. Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation is now contracting new debt collectors with the promise of 1% bonuses over the next four years: “The bonus is to stimulate collections”.
Canada must beware of complacency over ballooning trade deficits in some food processing sectors, says a national think-tank. The Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute said the deficit in goods like wine and pizza will hit $6.8 billion this year: ‘An increasing proportion is controlled by international firms’.
MPs propose more detailed study of rail insurance including whether shippers must pay more dangerous cargo. The Commons transport committee says liability questions linger nearly a year after the fatal Lac-Mégantic derailment: “Just asking that question implies making a major change in the status quo”.
Finance Canada says sales taxes on electronic downloads are “difficult” but will not commit to repealing the GST. The Canadian Taxpayers Federation called the tax unfair, noting foreign-based firms like Netflix are exempt while Canadian cable providers like Rogers are not: “What’s the point?”
Cities face a turning point in housing amid rising rents and prices, say analysts. Remarks followed a report that housing affordability is worsening. Urban rents range from $687 a month for a two-bedroom apartment in Saint John to $1,274 in Vancouver: “We don’t have tools to address that”.
Health Canada’s privatized medical marijuana program is risky for speculators, say national stock regulators. Canadian Securities Administrators cautioned buyers to use “significant due diligence” when purchasing shares in marijuana farms. The alert followed cautionary notes from insurers and physicians: “I worry”.
The Supreme Court will hear a second case of a bankrupt motorist denied a license for failing to pay heavy fines. Justices agreed to decide the case of an Alberta man told he must pay thousands of dollars even after being discharged from bankruptcy court: ‘The Court is looking for an issue of national importance and they’ve sure got it here”.
Transport Canada does not track spot safety inspections in civil aviation amid conflicting claims of cuts to random checks. A senior official said unannounced inspections have taken place since 2005 though the number could not be divulged to MPs: “Can we ask to get this?”
Cabinet faces resistance from up to a quarter of Canadians over plans to abolish payment by paper cheque. Polling data by the Department of Public Works found most Canadians remain unaware of the plan, and a vocal minority oppose it: “They are less trusting of the government”.
The Commons health committee has approved a bill expanding controls on unsafe medicines amid tense questioning of pharmaceutical executives. MP Terence Young challenged the industry over patient injuries and deaths, including his own daughter’s: “Explain the thinking”.
Utilities are endorsing a Commons bill to curb theft of copper from “critical” infrastructure. Executives blame weak penalties for a rash of thefts as the price of copper increased more than 200%: “Something has to be done”.
