Public Safety Minister Bill Blair’s department is endorsing a legislated ban on universal criminal background checks as discriminatory to convicted felons. The proposal follows new research indicating the jobless rate for parolees is fifty percent: "Employer bias is a barrier that individuals with criminal records commonly encounter."
The Federal Court is repealing “Christmas.” Amendments to 1998 Federal Court Rules propose to delete references to the Christmas recess as non-inclusive for lawyers, plaintiffs and defendants who practice other religions or none at all: "Not all litigants before the Courts celebrate Christmas."
Newly-released figures show suspiciously high rejection rates of Disability Tax Credit claims by the Canada Revenue Agency. Paperwork should be “a lot more user-friendly,” said the vice-chair of a federal advisory panel: "There are definitely more questions to be answered by looking through the data."
Rideau Hall has stripped a former police chief of his federal Order of Merit of the Police Forces. Officials did not explain if they'll attempt to retrieve the 2011 medal from Frank Elsner, ex-chief of police in Victoria: "He stood in a position of power and responsibility."
A First Nation tobacco wholesaler that ships millions of cigars a year must pay tax, Ontario Divisional Court has ruled. The judgment came in the case of a tobacconist who claimed tax exemption under the Indian Act: 'The purpose is not to give First Nation persons a general economic advantage.'
Poet Shai Ben-Shalom, an Israeli-born biologist, writes for Blacklock’s each and every Sunday: “In the lobby of a federal building three faces were smiling from the wall: Her Majesty the Queen, The Right Honourable Prime Minister, and The Honourable Minister…”
Federal internet censors should target hurtful words against politicians, says Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault. The Minister added pending regulations may include an internet kill switch to block websites deemed hurtful, but called it a “nuclear” option: "News regulations for online platforms are needed."
Few Canadians, 24 percent, rate climate change targets a very high national priority. The findings are detailed in research by the Department of National Defence: "Thinking about the issues presently facing Canada, which one do you feel should receive the greatest attention from the government?"
China’s ambassador in Ottawa says more Canadians should visit the People’s Republic, promising the “vast majority” shouldn't worry about being kidnapped by police. “China is not a police state,” said Ambassador Cong Peiwu: "It’s nothing like that. If you walk on the Chinese streets, it’s quite safe."
Economic Development Minister Mélanie Joly has signed a pledge she will avoid all discussion of future federal contracts with her boyfriend’s company. The undertaking to the Ethics Commissioner follows Blacklock’s disclosure the boyfriend received more than $42,000 in federal funds: "She has never played any role in the awarding of government funds to this company."
A federal judge has dismissed an immediate injunction to block construction of an Alberta resort in the habitat of a threatened songbird, the Bank Swallow. The challenge to the Department of Environment to save the birds goes to a full hearing April 26: "The nesting sites do not face a risk of destruction from any activity that is likely to occur over the short term."
The Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery yesterday rejected mandatory disclosure of all federal grants and subsidies sought by member organizations. Media instead adopted an ethics code requiring only new applicants for membership to reveal financial conflicts of interest: “That’s cleared up.”
The federal Competition Bureau yesterday said it’s receiving more than 300 public submissions daily over Rogers Communications’ proposed $26 billion buyout of an Alberta rival, Shaw Communications of Calgary. The agreement must be approved under the Competition Act: "Are prices too high?"
Auditors have cited two Canadian embassies in Africa for improper contracting at taxpayers’ expense. The Department of Foreign Affairs has conducted ongoing audits of missions overseas following the 2017 discovery of a $1.7 million fraud ring at the Canadian Embassy in Haiti that saw thirteen employees fired: "Strong management practices are critical."
A federal guaranteed basic income program would cost billions but lower poverty rates, the Parliamentary Budget Office said yesterday. Analysts said a guaranteed income would be a disincentive to work: "The overall cost of a guaranteed basic income would rise from $85 billion in 2021 to $93 billion in 2025."
