Ottawa must brace for environmental protest in boosting Arctic oil and mining development, according to documents. A cabinet-level memo warns of public criticism once Canada uses the Arctic Council to promote industry: "I find this reprehensible."
Simpler regulations are being sought by cider makers who complain their product is subject to odd categorization as a wine, which it isn’t, and rules that it cannot be transported in a beer truck: "We are at a challenging state in the industry."
The Commons finance committee is being cautioned to prepare for challenges on job training, an aging workforce and low productivity leading to what was originally forecast to be higher growth in 2014: "There is a huge public policy issue here."
Federal inspectors plan a mammoth spot-check of grocery items in 11 cities nationwide in a hunt for “hazards” to public health. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency will hire contractors to collect 21,545 food and drink samples to be tested at federal labs for bacteria, illegal additives and contamination: ‘This would definitely be a robust review’.
MPs are cautioned that a vaunted crackdown on counterfeiting will see property owners pay costs and court fees while thieves “seem to be getting off scot-free”. The Canadian Anti-Counterfeiting Network told a Commons committee that Bill C-8 puts onus and expense on piracy victims who press claims against bootleggers: "Where are the perpetrators?"
Public employees must face “restructuring” if cabinet is to balance the federal budget as promised in 2015, says Treasury Board President Tony Clement. The senior minister told reporters a new round of contract negotiations with civil servants in 2014 will see strict terms: "We have to tackle the issues".
MPs propose that a select parliamentary committee gain oversight of all federal police and surveillance agencies, including a secretive spy group that's become one of the fastest-growing federal bureaucracies: "The necessity of this legislation has been evident for more than a decade."
Cabinet is considering new, unspecified measures on rail safety following the Lac-Mégantic wreck that killed 47 people, says the Leader of the Government in the Senate. Opponents noted no specific new regulations were detailed in either the Throne Speech of cabinet's first major omnibus bill: "There's inertia somewhere."
The Department of Public Safety cautions it faces a “crisis” on ballooning criminal justice expenses without new methods to control costs. The warning came as the Commons public safety committee resumed hearings on how to curb the expense of policing. 'This is crucial.'
The head of a Finance Canada-friendly think tank has again been hired to moderate federal budget meetings at thousands of dollars per appearance. Brian Lee Crowley, managing director of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, confirmed he’ll appear at budget roundtables for a five-figure talent fee: “It’s purely a chairing role.”
Regulators report a growing tide of complaints over telecom with 13,693 consumer grievances in 2013, many involving disputes over wireless usage: "Customers are not willing to take their service providers' word."
Canada Revenue continues to unravel a tax fraud that saw crooked preparers claim over $9 million in phantom charity credits. Tax Court in the latest case dismissed testimony of a man who insisted he gave $30,000 to help Africa’s poor: "Simply not credible."
Canadian performers and other talent are pressing Parliament for expanded intellectual property rights. Members of ACTRA asked for recognition of copyright on images. The alliance estimated, film, TV and radio production comprise 7% of Canada's economy.
Proposed tax credits for travelling tradespeople are a “lifestyle” perk too open to abuse by dishonest workers, says Canada Revenue’s parliamentary secretary. MP Gerald Keddy likened the credits to “chocolate cake with a lot of icing” that would prove irresistible to dishonest tax filers.
Brewers are “watching closely” for repeal of prohibition-era regulations that forbid Canadians from carrying their own beer and liquor across provincial boundaries. Cabinet pledged to amend the 1928 Act: "It should be legal to carry beer from one province to another."
