Waiting times at Canada Revenue Agency call centres now average almost half an hour, the worst ever, the Commons human resources committee was told yesterday. Some callers can wait hours to speak to a live agent: "It is absolutely true there are some people waiting a very long time."
Canadians listen to commercial AM and FM stations over CBC Radio by more than two to one, says federal research. A CRTC survey found fewer than a third of Canadians rate the CBC as important: "I think they are irrelevant."
Internal emails disclose federal agencies shipped expired medical supplies to provinces within days of the pandemic’s outbreak, but fretted it "undermines our messaging about being able to get what we need." Political aides feared angry premiers would pressure cabinet over failures to stockpile goods: "I don't think we can hold them back with the shortage."
A $216,000-a year federal corporate ethics ombudsman last night said two years after her appointment her office has yet to answer any complaint or conduct any investigation. Ombudsman Sheri Meyerhoffer in testimony before a Commons subcommittee appeared confused by questions: "Did you not hear the question?"
MPs are wary of match fixing under a bill to repeal an 1892 ban on bookmaking. At least one Canadian sports league is on record against legalizing single event sports betting: "I can’t sit here today and tell you it won’t happen. I just can’t."
Friends of cabinet attempted to pull strings with Public Works Minister Anita Anand for lucrative pandemic contracts, internal emails show. Lobbyists included a former aide to a Liberal MP, and the ex-president of a Liberal Party riding association who sought millions in contracts: "We’ve been seeing a lot of people who ‘know a guy’ in China."
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau yesterday skipped a Commons vote condemning China for crimes against humanity. MPs including 87 Liberals voted 266-0 to cite the People’s Republic for genocide, and petition the International Olympic Committee to relocate the 2022 Winter Games from Beijing: "This is an issue that matters deeply to me."
Staff in the Prime Minister’s Office struggled to find positive news in early weeks of the pandemic, according to internal emails. Sabrina Kim, then-director of communications, urged coworkers to find “positive updates” at the same time the Public Health Agency complained it was short of body bags for pandemic victims: "We love good news!"
The Department of Finance yesterday would not comment on whether it will stick with deficit targets set just three months ago. Cabinet has since detailed more than $12 billion in new spending: "Are we headed for no discipline at all?"
An RCMP constable suspended two days after an angry outburst at McDonald’s has had the penalty overturned in Federal Court. Evidence showed the policeman was upset his burger was late and undercooked: "I am sorry for my actions."
Internal emails show cabinet-level political aides knowingly released misleading figures on medical supplies to cover chronic shortages of pandemic masks. Figures were inflated to 'present the truth' regardless of whether goods were defective. "Seems a bit deceiving!"
MPs have subpoenaed We Charity’s chief financial officer for questioning. Victor Li ignored repeated requests to appear before the Commons ethics committee for testimony on his work for the Kielburger brothers: "I am appalled."
CBC pundits may have undisclosed federal contracts, says a senior network producer. The comment followed Blacklock’s report the network failed to disclose one pundit was invited to praise cabinet on TV while working as a government contractor: "Do these connections render Amanda Alvaro’s opinion less valid?"
About 85 percent of Canadians must either get vaccinated or develop natural resistance to Covid-19 before the pandemic runs its course, a federal advisor told the Commons health committee. Currently fewer than three percent of people have been immunized: "It is a concern, absolutely."
Health Minister Patricia Hajdu budgeted $50 million to provide free rooms, meals and medical care to travelers at quarantine hotels, records show. New rules that took effect at midnight last night compel travelers to pay their own way in self-isolation: "I want to take a moment to thank the number of hotels."
