MPs have quietly concluded a probe of the wealth gap with a report that reaffirms existing federal policies. The Commons finance committee proposed no new initiatives following a year-long study of income inequality: "Life isn't fair."
The Senate is to study fish farming amid industry complaints a “patchwork” of regulations is hurting the trade. Senators voted to conduct a national probe of aquaculture involving species now regulated by the Fisheries Act: "It is a farming industry; we're not fishing."
The Supreme Court is to consider whether companies can force retirement of workers who aren't necessarily protected by human rights law. The case involves a B.C. attorney who challenged mandatory retirement at 65: "Can you contract out your human rights?"
Public Safety Canada is studying the impact of fees on U.S. trade. The department said, while inspection charges and other fees comprise less than one-tenth of one percent of the value of imports and exports, the cumulative impact of fees is unknown.
The Senate is to hold hearings on the future of the CBC following its loss of lucrative NHL hockey rights to Rogers Communications Inc. Senators voted to conduct a national probe of the public broadcaster that draws $1.1 billion in annual subsidies: "Corporations can become complacent; was that the case at the CBC?"
Contractors are pressing Parliament for legislation requiring prompt payment of bills on construction sites. A coalition appealed to MPs to enact a federal version of an Ontario bill that mandates quick settlement of accounts by building owners and other debtors: "There are no strict timelines for payments."
The Government of Canada spends nearly $840,000 a year on TV sets for daytime viewing by employees, according to spending records tabled in the Commons. The Department of Justice billed $326,000 for new TVs, while Industry Canada did not buy any: “I actually asked that the TV be removed.”
The number of immigrants expelled from Canada has increased 80% since 2010, records show. Immigrants subject to “departure orders” for offences from falsifying papers to suspicion of terrorism totaled 17,882 last year: "They want a tough-on-crime image".
Finance Canada would have a balanced budget today if the federal tax on large corporations had remained frozen at 2002 levels, according to figures from the Parliamentary Budget Office. The corporate rate has been cut by eleven points in the past decade: "Budgets are about choices."
Police and border guards pledge to “game up” on security measures amid debate on a bill to intercept counterfeit goods. Security managers told a Commons committee that improvements must be made following criticism by the Auditor General: "I'm confident."
Health Canada is being urged to include natural health products in the scope of new legislation fixing large penalties on distributors of unsafe medicines. An advocacy group Bad Science Watch urged that authorities amend a bill that targets dangerous prescriptions but exempts "natural" items: "This leaves users of natural health products out in the cold."
The Department of Fisheries is being cited for failing to act on a worrying decline in the Arctic walrus population. The department acknowledged after five years it's been unable to document walrus numbers amid concerns over a falling population: "We have woefully inadequate coverage".
Parks Canada is being sued by a Rocky Mountain ski operator in a dispute over a parking lot deemed an avalanche risk. Sunshine Village Corporation, operator of a well-known ski resort near Banff, Alta., is asking that a federal judge quash a government parking ban imposed due to hazard of falling snow: “It has a commercial impact.”
Food prices are forecast to rise again in 2014, but modestly following sharp spikes that saw the cost of groceries nearly double inflation in other household items. Seafood and oranges are up, beef and nuts are moderating: "You never know what is going to happen with the value of the Canadian dollar."
The Canadian Transportation Agency is promising improvements amid growing complaints over its efficiency and perceived fairness. Pollsters hired by the agency rated overall customer satisfaction as “high”, but cautioned fewer than 6 in 10 Canadians consider the regulator impartial: "The agency is striving".
