Blacklock's Reporter

Poet Shai Ben-Shalom writes: “At Walmart, passed on the self-checkout and stood in line for the cashier. Followed her red-and-purple nail polish as she placed my socks, toothbrush, and cat food in the plastic bag…”

For anyone who’s driven the Trans-Canada Highway from Winnipeg to Toronto by the north shore of Lake Superior, where your only companions are 2,000 kilometres of rocks and trees, an arresting thought: “Canada and Europe rank among the most urbanized areas in the world.”

So Governing Cities Through Regions draws readers into a compelling conflict that’s escaped the attention of most pundits and politicians. “There are now increasing tensions between the demands of more complex urban cities and economies, and the political constitutions and institutions of national affairs,” editors write.

Canada has no Minister of Urban Development. Alberta in 1994 shut down its regional planning commissions as an austerity measure. Planning was strictly voluntary. As Prof. Pierre Hamel of the Université de Montréal puts it, “This standpoint is anything but awkward to observers of the urban scene, as Canadians are increasingly living in cities and have never been more concentrated in city-regions.”

Cabinet has quietly begun testing digital ID apps on an experimental basis, says a Department of Employment briefing note. It repeated assurances that no mandatory national ID system was contemplated, a measure long opposed by Canadians "distrustful of public institutions."

A portion of Canadian tolls on the Gordie Howe International Bridge at Windsor, Ont. will now be used to create jobs in Michigan, Prime Minister Mark Carney acknowledged yesterday. What was good for Michigan “is also good for Canada,” he said.

Newly-declassified records show the RCMP spied on 1970s anti-apartheid groups in Canada including the Toronto chapter of Nelson Mandela’s African National Congress. Police in secret memos described participants as campus activists with a “Marxist perspective.”

A New Democrat photographed while smiling pleasantly with the Israeli Ambassador yesterday said he felt compelled to apologize to supporters over “the immense hurt” he caused. Federal Party leader Avi Lewis did not comment, but earlier said New Democrats must beware of an “incredibly active” Jewish lobby.

Housing starts are on track to fall below 2025 levels and remain nowhere near targeted construction rates needed to restore affordability, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation figures confirmed yesterday. Data follow in-house research indicating Canadian are skeptical of federal promises on housing: "It would take a long time for actions taken by the federal government on this front to begin to produce tangible results."

A large majority of Canadians, 80 percent, call sports betting ads a threat to youth, says in-house research by the Department of Canadian Heritage. A third say they are convinced bribery and match manipulation now occur in professional sports: "Sports betting ads are widely viewed as a threat."

A federal judge yesterday dismissed a legal challenge of a contentious policy that sees the Canada Revenue Agency enforce tax changes before they become law. The Federal Court offered sympathy but no satisfaction for tax filers stung by a 2025 mix-up over capital gains: "This makes no sense at all."

Cabinet has overruled the housing department in opting to locate the head office of its Build Canada Homes agency in Toronto. Staff in an internal memo complained Toronto rents were too high: 'There's a three to four year wait time for office space.'

Chiefs of the Assembly of First Nations yesterday condemned the Senate for quashing a proposal to criminalize Indian Residential School “denialism” under threat of two years’ jailing. “It is a shame,” a Thompson, Man. Chief told reporters at the group’s annual general meeting in Ottawa: "Our people have been through a lot."

Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem yesterday said he could not predict how 2026 will unfold, cautioning reporters: “There are certainly some risks there.” The Bank in a Monetary Policy Report said it expected some growth following last winter’s recession, but could not be sure: "Growth has been uneven."

Senate Ethics Officer James O’Reilly yesterday said he “does have authority” to take public complaints against political appointees. O'Reilly said he “cannot comment further at this time” regarding insults posted by Senator Charles Adler (Man.) on his official Twitter account: "The respectful exchange of ideas and information is a basic characteristic of the Senate."

Cabinet yesterday dismissed broadcaster Tom Clark as Canada’s $232,000-a year New York Consul midway through his term. Liberals had attempted to defend Clark following an outcry over his expenses: "We need you now more than ever."

Elections Canada has approved a new logo for the Green Party. The “new look” needed federal approval as a legal requirement, said an Access To Information memo: "We hope Canadians notice how fundamentally different we are."