Internal memos name senior Canada Revenue Agency executives suspected of arranging “sweetheart tax treatment” for large corporations. Managers in one case were alleged to manipulate preferential treatment for an unidentified company and then had employees “rubber stamp the deal."
Internal human resources reports detail dysfunction in senior management at the Canada Revenue Agency including one executive who hired Facebook friends and was suspected of billing taxpayers for junkets abroad. “A certain level of dysfunction exists within the existing working relationships,” read a Briefing Note For The Director General: "Further action will likely be required in order to remedy the apparent toxic nature of the workplace."
Ex-army interpreters yesterday pleaded with MPs for help in rescuing families trapped in Afghanistan. The appeals followed disclosures Canada’s ambassador and his staff fled the Taliban aboard a half-empty military plane: 'We lost. We failed. Look at us now.'
Organized crime has infiltrated the public sector but mainly at the municipal level, says a federal report. The Criminal Intelligence Service counted 31 gangs and other criminal groups with agents in city departments: "Familial or romantic relationships and monetary benefits appear to be the principal factors motivating corruption and infiltration in the public sector."
The parliamentary secretary for the Coast Guard yesterday signed a pledge not to discuss business with his wife. Liberal MP Mike Kelloway (Cape Breton-Canso, N.S.) said it would a breach the Conflict Of Interest Act since Mrs. Kelloway works as a Coast Guard manager: "The Ethics Commissioner and I have agreed."
Unnamed Canada Revenue Agency executives are accused of going for drinks during business hours, according to a confidential report. A consultant cited widespread complaints at the Agency’s Competent Authority Services Division responsible for international tax matters: "Questionable behaviour and work ethic by some staff members or managers were brought to our attention."
Foreigners convicted of crimes in Canada would automatically have all immigration permits and papers cancelled under a cabinet proposal. Currently the Canada Border Services Agency complained employees must spend an average half-hour manually voiding permits one at a time for every person named in a deportation order: "In 2018 over 30,000 removal orders were issued."
Attorney General David Lametti says he is “open to other ways of attacking” drug crimes. Lametti made the remark at the Commons public safety committee when asked if he would support decriminalizing possession of heroin and other narcotics: "I don’t think we should close off any possibility of solving those problems."
A majority of Canadians worry the impact of the pandemic will never end, says in-house research by the Department of Health. Young Canadians were most upset at the prospect of perpetual disruption of everyday life: "Do you think it will look more like pre-pandemic times?"
The Public Service Alliance of Canada, the largest federal union, has won an appeal against restrictions on paid Covid furloughs. A federal labour board ruled management unfairly tried to cut entitlements after costs surpassed $1 billion: "At the beginning of the pandemic we sent everyone home."
Cabinet yesterday said its iron rule of deficit reduction is a yearly decrease in the debt to GDP ratio, currently 45 percent. It was 30 percent in 2019: "We are absolutely determined that our debt to GDP ratio must continue to decline."
Out of town senators may now bill taxpayers for Airbnb rentals in Ottawa whether they stay there nightly or not. A Senate committee yesterday approved the policy as a nice change from hotels: "Senators have requested this."
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland yesterday detailed billions in subsidies to boost new construction of about 20,000 homes a year nationwide. It is half the number needed to meet a supply shortfall, by official estimate: "We need more of them fast."
Banks and insurers face $1.1 billion in new federal taxes this year including a permanent higher rate that would make them the most heavily taxed corporations in Canada. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland also proposed a minimum tax on one percenters who “make significant use of deductions and tax credits.”
Cabinet will extend for years the payment of $5,000 rebates to electric car buyers despite criticism the program is costly. In-house research by the Privy Council Office showed Canadians considered electrics too expensive for everyday drivers regardless of subsidies: "Several worried about the cost."
