Fewer than half of Canadians, 41 percent, said they would rush to get a Covid-19 vaccine the minute it’s available, says internal Public Health Agency research. The Agency hired Statistics Canada for more study of actual vaccine take-up: "Many are still hesitant."
First federal regulations permitting random workplace marijuana tests have been approved by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. The Supreme Court eight years ago ruled random jobsite drug tests could only be used with cause or consent: "We are proud to have been the first."
Commissioner of Elections Yves Côté has fined a publisher $3,000 for a book. Investigators claimed the publication was barred by the Elections Act as unregulated campaign activity: "I simply won't pay. I just won't."
A damning pandemic audit, the first to date, cites confusion and mismanagement at the $675 million-a year Public Health Agency, including “limited public health expertise.” Agency President Tina Namiesniowski abruptly resigned twelve days before the internal audit was completed: "I need to take a break."
Julie Payette yesterday abruptly resigned as Governor General amid allegations of workplace harassment. Payette’s tenure was the shortest of any commander in chief in 149 years: "Tensions have arisen at Rideau Hall over the past few months."
An internal memo contradicts federal claims inspectors checked every shipment of medical supplies from China to spot shoddy goods. In some cases inspections were a “paper exercise,” though MPs on the Commons health committee were assured of vigorous scrutiny: "There is a quality check there."
Cabinet’s finances as a share of GDP are now in the worst shape of any jurisdiction outside Newfoundland and Labrador, a federal agency said yesterday. Record low interest rates are expected to keep debt interest charges at 7.3 percent of federal revenues this year: "It can be useful to compare."
A Crown corporation once dubbed an “absolute mess” is slated for privatization. The Department of Fisheries yesterday said the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation of Winnipeg should be ‘transformed’ into a business: "Maybe in 1969 it was relevant."
The CBC yesterday corrected a commentary claiming a Blacklock’s story on the federal carbon tax was an “attempt to confuse Canadians.” Max Fawcett, a Calgary pundit who made the claim, had not read the story: “This little episode is going in a future column of mine.”
About 6,700,000 seniors received tax-free pandemic payments last year, by official estimate. The payout went to tax filers, from the poorest seniors to retirees with incomes up to $128,000 annually: "You’re making it sound like rich people are getting this."
A proposal to compensate federally-regulated employees asked to take Zoom calls, texts and company emails after hours will go to the labour department as early as this spring. Any “right to disconnect” would be a Canadian first: "They send and receive too many emails."
A proposed tax on Airbnb rentals will see about twenty percent less revenue than expected, the Parliamentary Budget Office said yesterday. Cabinet has said it will charge the GST on short-term rental accommodations this summer: "Airbnb rentals have become very problematic."
A federally-subsidized survey on green farming restrictions is not a blueprint for regulation of private lands, organizers said yesterday. One farm group cautioned the attempt to draft a Code Of Practice for grain growers “raises several concerns.”
The first carbon tax rebates to consumers averaged $4 a week, according to Access To Information figures. Cabinet has claimed most Canadians received more in rebates than they paid in higher prices for fuel, home heating, groceries and other charges impacted by the tax: "We will win the race against climate change."
Parliament Hill police yesterday said the Ottawa security threat level remained “medium” amid U.S. fears of demonstrations to mark the inauguration of a new head of state. One Québec senator expressed concerns about “white supremacy and political extremism” in Canada.
