The Budget Office yesterday said “the deficit is broadly unchanged” despite claims by Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne that cabinet found $60 billion in savings. Budget analysts predicted cabinet will add a third of a trillion in new debt by 2030, a total $333,400,000,000: "This reflects the pace of federal borrowing."
Provinces will be consulted on a level of immigration that “works for Canadians,” Prime Minister Mark Carney said yesterday. His comments followed Alberta voters’ approval of four referendum questions to limit access to health, education and welfare by foreigners in Canada on temporary permits: "It’s very important to do our jobs."
Canada will see more unpredictable and severe labour disputes if Labour Minister Patty Hajdu’s proposed strike ban becomes law, union executives yesterday cautioned MPs. Amendments inserted in an omnibus budget bill would grant Hajdu new powers to bypass pending Federal Court rulings and unilaterally end strikes at ports, airports, railways and other federally-regulated workplaces: "Governments should stay the hell out."
The Senate rules committee yesterday opened hearings into media leaks of a confidential report. Senators acknowledged they were unlikely to find who sent draft reports to the National Post and CBC: "Media love these types of stories."
Canadians using food banks will not be allowed to catch their own lobster for protein, the Department of Fisheries said yesterday. It rejected a Commons petition sponsored by Green MP Elizabeth May (Saanich-Gulf Islands, B.C.) to permit a recreational lobster catch to ease “rising food insecurity in Canada.”
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith last night thanked provincial voters for rejecting a referendum to pursue independence. It was the first vote of its kind nationwide since a 1995 Québec referendum: "Thank you to all."
The Liberal-appointed Senate yesterday faced an unprecedented rebuke after thousands of Albertans voted to abolish the Upper Chamber. It was the first referendum of its kind since Alberta pioneered Senate elections 37 years ago: "The Senate continues to lose credibility as an institution."
A disastrous fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, Alta. followed a 2021 warning from auditors that safety programs in the military were haphazard and lacked proper oversight, including protection against fire risks. Casualties at Wainwright numbered 43 with four dead: "Are you comfortable with the military investigating itself?"
Nursing shortages persist nationwide despite federal programs to hire foreign nurses, Statistics Canada data showed yesterday. The agency said the shortage as measured through job vacancy rates has increased fivefold in the past decade: "Vacancy rates remained highest among licensed practical nurses at 12 percent."
A private bill to have Parliament award medals to living organ donors yesterday passed the Senate human rights committee. The bill cleared the Commons by unanimous vote last April 22 on its sponsor’s appeal to do “a great thing.”
The Canada Pension Plan invested billions in Alberta prior to today’s referendum that asks residents if they'd pursue independence. Holdings total $9.5 billion according to filings, mainly in energy stocks: "Should Alberta remain a province of Canada?"
The Mounties in 1979 destroyed evidence on Nazi collaborators and suspected war criminals in Canada, newly-released records show. The misconduct was “similar to the destruction of police files on Nazis in South America,” said an internal federal report.
The Treasury Board is advising federal managers to avoid use of Liberal Party red in public service announcements. However the Board to date has not explained why it allows the Liberal 2025 election slogan “Canada Strong” in taxpayer-funded promotions: "It literally violates the Treasury Board rules."
Airport screeners have bypassed a low-tech security check with the click of a button, according to evidence in a Federal Court hearing. The Court was told of one security guard who circumvented checks on airport employees “for the purpose of reducing the workload for herself.”
The Commons today takes up Second Reading of a bill compelling the Canada Revenue Agency to report yearly on all tax convictions and estimate of revenue lost to tax avoidance. The bill drafted by Senator Percy Downe (P.E.I.), a frequent critic of the Revenue Agency, passed the Upper House by unanimous vote last March 12: "If you hide your money overseas, your chances of being caught are very low."
