Private employers for the first time would be compelled to speak French nationwide under a cabinet proposal to rewrite the 1969 Official Languages Act. “The private sector has a role to play,” said a federal report.
When they wrote the Constitution in 1867 life expectancy was 42, few cures for disease were known, and a physician’s practice was comprised mainly of delivering babies and amputating limbs. Health care was so cheap and uncomplicated the Fathers of Confederation left it to the provinces, and assigned the really heavy lifting to Parliament – like regulation of railways and canals.
“The provisions of the Constitution were based on the realities of life in 1867,” writes Prof. Raisa Deber; “Things were designated as national responsibilities because they were expensive or because they were important to nation building.”
“Although few realized it at the time, these provisions have proven critical in determining who would have responsibility for health care in Canada,” writes Deber. Here we are, 154 years later, with a medicare system many Canadians rate as mediocre outside of treating babies and broken limbs.
Canada’s relations with China yesterday fell to their lowest ebb since the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre as MPs from all parties prepared to condemn the People’s Republic for genocide. Even legislators wary of reprisal called China a gangster state complicit in murder, slavery and other atrocities. A formal vote is due next week on a Conservative motion censuring China for crimes against humanity: "I am thinking of the million people detained in camps."
Rideau Hall has quietly shelved a museum display chronicling Julie Payette’s life in space. The Dare To Dream exhibit was scheduled until 2022: "Personal items on loan from Payette will be returned as well as several items on loan from the Canadian Space Agency."
Transport Minister Omar Alghabra yesterday said he saw no quick conclusion to talks with airlines on a $7 billion pandemic bailout. “I’m not able to prejudge the outcome yet,” Alghabra told the Commons transport committee: "I’m not able to give a specific date."
Cabinet yesterday introduced a bill to repeal mandatory minimum penalties for cocaine traffickers. Officials acknowledged they knew of no case in which a drug dealer was sentenced to the lightest jail term, one year: "We will continue to watch how this plays out."
Workplace equity in the military is weak despite two committees and eight programs mandated to promote diversity and inclusion, says an audit. The report complained of “confusion,” “lack of clarity,” “lack of cohesiveness” and no “common understanding of clearly defined concepts.”
Canada Student Loan write-offs are up fifteen percent from pre-pandemic levels, according to budget documents. The Department of Employment that manages the program yesterday declined comment on its resumption of debt collections following a brief reprieve: "Repayment continues to be one of the priorities."
A federal system promising Canadians access to government secrets is “on the brink,” Information Commissioner Caroline Maynard last night told the Commons government operations committee. Maynard contradicted claims by the Prime Minister that Access To Information is better than ever: "It is on the brink of being unable to be fixed."
The Commons by a 202-115 vote yesterday rejected a private bill to outlaw “green” expropriations of private land without a public hearing. “My goal is to protect the property rights of average Canadians,” said Conservative MP Cheryl Gallant (Renfrew-Nipissing, Ont.), sponsor of the bill.
You can’t run down an employee with a forklift under a new Senate anti-harassment policy. An official guide also forbids leering, off-colour jokes and “invading personal space.”
A national broadcast ombudsman yesterday cited the NHL’s Brian Burke for breach of an ethics code. Burke was accused of using a violent metaphor while commenting on a playoff game: "Commentators can still use colourful expressions to make their point."
Directors of the Parliamentary Press Gallery yesterday rewrote new ethics rules that shield China’s Xinhua state news agency from expulsion. A proposed code of conduct applies only to new applicants seeking membership. Xinhua has been a member for 57 years: "This is particularly important when it comes to the very halls of power."
Federal failures to properly stock medical supplies prior to the pandemic were a “significant error,” the Canadian Public Health Association said yesterday. Managers of the national stockpile were so short of goods they recommended nurses wear aprons due to lack of medical gowns: "We are facing a real crunch."
Canada must ensure “all the I’s are dotted and the T’s are crossed” before citing China for genocide, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau yesterday told reporters. His remarks followed a Conservative protest against having Canadian athletes attend the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing: "There is no question there have been tremendous human rights abuses."
