Doly Begum, a Liberal byelection candidate, in social media posts prior to her nomination described Liberals as untrustworthy, conniving and “the surest path to greater evil.” Begum is a former deputy leader of the New Democrat opposition in the Ontario legislature: "The shine has worn off the Liberals’ formula of fake progressivism."
Cabinet on Saturday served notice of fee hikes for migrant workers, foreigners seeking permanent residency and other services. Federal lawyers have successfully defended against challenges of fees as discriminatory: "Canada is a country of immigrants."
A British Columbia motel operator has been ordered to pay damages for evicting a guest who breached house rules banning marijuana on the premises. Legislators had warned of endless legal battles over property rights when Parliament legalized cannabis in 2018: "The Government of Canada would leave it totally to the courts."
Easter greetings to all friends and subscribers. Blacklock's pauses today for the federal observance. We are back tomorrow -- The Editor
Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the great seeker of the “sunny ways” in politics, lived in a grand hotel just steps from Parliament Hill before he became prime minister. The Russell Hotel was Ottawa’s answer to 19th century elegance. In time it descended into ruin.
In 2001 Veterans Affairs Canada added 23 names to the nation’s First World War Book Of Remembrance preserved in the Peace Tower. The 23 were shot for cowardice and desertion. Ron Duhamel, then-veterans affairs minister, told the Commons: “People may lose control of their emotions, have a breakdown for reasons over which they have little control,” he said. “I wish to express my deep sorrow at their loss of life.”
But what if this is all wrong? What if the image of the frail and cowering soldier executed by sadistic military brass is a First War set piece that owes more to filmography than fact?
Immigration Minister Lena Diab’s department drafted a citizenship guide expressing shame for Canada over slavery, Access To Information records show. The guide for new Canadians studying for their citizenship test urged readers to reflect on the country’s “shameful” past: "Many Black people were brought to Canada as enslaved people."
Few Canadians think Housing Minister Gregor Robertson is on the right track in addressing an affordability crisis, says in-house Privy Council research. Federal focus groups found a large proportion of Canadians were resigned to waiting years for “tangible results.”
Procurement Ombudsman Alexander Jeglic yesterday faulted the Department of National Defence for “questions regarding fairness” in contracting. It followed a 2022 report that military contracting was tainted by inside dealing and favouritism: "The department did not conduct its procurement process in a fair manner."
Parliament should suspend federal fuel taxes until year’s end, Opposition Leader Pierre Polievre said yesterday. The $5.25 billion cost could be recovered through measures likes reductions to the federal government’s $25 billion in annual spending on consultants, he said: "Since last month gas prices have risen 35 percent."
Commons defectors who quit to join rival parties would be subject to recall under a new House petition. The defection of four MPs in five months including Michael Ma (Markham-Unionville, Ont.) has already prompted tens of thousands of petitioners to demand reform: "Citizens require a formal mechanism to hold MPs accountable."
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree yesterday confirmed low take-up of a $742 million federal program targeting “assault style” firearms. Figures followed in-house Privy Council research warning the program would be a costly failure: "Your plan is over the spring and the summer to deploy RCMP officers to go door to door?"
The RCMP has set minimum quotas on equity hiring to give preference to “those with key skills and diverse life experiences,” said a report. The document is dated March 20, three days before the release of an audit critical of recruitment: "The status quo is no longer sustainable."
The CBC has apologized and acknowledged numerous inaccuracies in a report that falsely depicted Senator Marilou McPhedrean (Man.) as a “top spender.” The story by reporter John Paul Tasker was prompted by a false tip from another Senator’s office, the CBC Ombudsman disclosed yesterday: "I am sorry."
Drivers can buy any Canadian-made electric vehicle they like over $50,000 to qualify for rebates so long as it’s a Dodge Charger, records show. The Charger made in Windsor, Ont. will be the only eligible model by year’s end under terms of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s program: "What makes and models of vehicles currently produced in Canada qualify?"
