A European trade pact will cost Canadians higher pharmaceutical prices, warns an advocacy group. Critics said the treaty may delay the introduction of low-cost generic drugs: "There's no give and take; we are giving."
Consumers as “indirect purchasers” can join class-action lawsuits but only in certain circumstances, the Supreme Court of Canada has ruled. The judgment came in two cases – one involving soda pop sweetener, the other computer software: "The law is supposed to protect people."
Canada should review administrative tribunals to punish patronage and incompetence, says a former Workers’ Compensation official. An Ottawa conference heard there is little effective oversight of scores of tribunals: "The push for reforms has been there for decades."
Cabinet is waiving a fuel regulation that would see Maritimers pay more for home heating this winter. The order to take effect Nov. 6 is expected to save millions for consumers in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, where most homes heat with oil.
The labour department is urging passage of a bill to speed decertification of unions in shipping, railways, broadcasting and other federally-regulated industries. The bill also repeals the card-check method used to form unions in the first place. The measure's Alberta sponsor said federal action is needed to control unions' "stranglehold on workers": "I will not be intimidated by union bosses."
Nearly 40 years after converting to Celsius, Environment Canada has been hit with a blizzard of complaints over its dual use of Fahrenheit temperature readings. The department’s website — the most popular in government – was targeted by howling protest over mixed use of C° and F°: “A sad day.”
Billions of dollars in public contracting must be opened to transatlantic bidders under a European trade pact, according to a cabinet summary of the treaty. The document failed to explain whether municipalities can be sued for non-compliance: "We want to see the entire text."
Canada's 2.7 million self-employed would face simplified tax requirements and improved benefits under a private bill introduced in the Commons. The measure proposes a national task force to assist independent workers, part-timers and contract employees: "It's something I know quite well."
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is being sued by the nation’s largest egg producer over confidentiality of records. Burnbrae Farms Ltd. is asking a federal judge to take extraordinary measures to prevent food inspectors from releasing or even discussing its business in open court.
MPs last night voted 151 to 124 for Second Reading of amendments to the Public Service Labour Relations Act and Canada Labour Code. The vote came six days after the amendments were introduced under closure to limit debate: 'It guts the right to collective bargaining.'
Canadian insurers are lamenting public indifference to earthquake perils, though the country has suffered only a handful of fatal quakes in the past 400 years. It follows a warning from regulators that a catastrophic seismic event would be a "significant threat" to many insurers.
A band of MPs is protesting an obscure procedural change they warn will limit the public’s ability to alter legislation in Commons committees. Three legislators petitioned committees to reject a government motion they said will gag opposition amendments to any bill: "We have a system that is rigged."
The Financial Consumer Agency reports a 28% increase in complaints against banks and other financial institutions, though fines for lawbreakers remain few and far between. 85% of the agency budget is paid by banks and institutions: “When you start policing yourself…”
Canada Revenue Agency is being cited for “disturbing” privacy breaches involving thousands of files. Privacy Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart reported the tax department failed to guard citizens' personal information stored by the government: "It was perplexing."
An anti-trust probe of hockey retailing has prompted a flurry of Federal Court hearings. Canadian Tire Ltd. is asking a federal judge for permission to attend questioning of its major suppliers as part of a year-long investigation of sports retailing: "Remaining competition is highly ineffective."
