Blacklock's Reporter

Poet Shai Ben-Shalom, an Israeli-born biologist, examines current events in the Blacklock’s tradition each and every Sunday: “The Mayor says those who oppose privatization probably oppose the metric system too. I wonder how the Mayor orders a foot-long at Subway..”

Visit any children’s library and you’ll quickly learn the masculine ideal for Canadian boys is a burly figure in uniform – hockey player, fireman, cowboy – and the feminine ideal for girls is the ballerina. The Evolving Feminine Ballet Body counts some 30 children’s books illustrating “the belief that active bodies are thin, healthy bodies”. This is fascinating.

Editors and contributors examine perceptions of femininity through the magnifying lens of classical dance. They are not ballet critics; they number dancers, instructors and sociologists. Yet the conclusions are stark.

Taxpayer-funded filling stations subsidized under a $226 million climate change program average as few as one or two customers a day, says a federal audit. The Department of Natural Resources questioned whether its national network of electric car recharging stations will ever be profitable: "It's an interesting question."

Canadian diplomats in Ethiopia hid the $145,000 cost of a party pavilion in their budget, then complained they didn’t have enough money to fix the air conditioning. Auditors concluded staff at the embassy in Addis Ababa lied about the spending “to avoid non-approval”.

Canada’s longest-running green energy plant is harmful to the environment, says a federal panel. Department of Fisheries scientists said they fear a Nova Scotia tidal plant is killing fish including iconic species like Atlantic salmon and sturgeon: 'It kills striped bass.'

Senators have been drinking toxic tap water, says the Department of Public Works. Testing of samples from offices and drinking fountains at Parliament’s East Block uncovered high levels of lead: "We are asking honourable senators and employees to refrain from consuming water."

Most Canadians question how the carbon tax is supposed to reduce emissions and fear the charge will merely “increase the overall cost of living”, says in-house focus group research by the Privy Council Office. The tax went up again yesterday, to an extra 7¢ per litre of gas and six cents more per cubic metre of natural gas for home heating: "The average Canadian seems to be hit most by this approach."

The Conservative Party is citing the Charter Of Rights in an unprecedented copyright dispute with the CBC. The network sued over use of bootlegged news video in an online campaign ad: "Can a political ad contain a news clip without the approval of the broadcaster?"

A federal analyst serving as director and shareholder of a green tech company that previously received a federal contract said there is no conflict. Shared Services Canada in an ethics code permits staff to moonlight in the private sector providing there is no "real, apparent or potential conflict". 

A homeowner who complained Scotiabank pulled his mortgage for legally growing marijuana has won a court order compelling the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal to hear his case. Federal investigators had dismissed the complaint three times in nine years: "Growing marijuana at a mortgaged home was prohibited by bank policy."

Warmest wishes to friends and subscribers for a safe and happy holiday. Blacklock's pauses to bid you the best of the Christmas season -- The Editor
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Revenue Minister Diane Lebouthillier will have direct control over which newsrooms receive $595 million in subsidies under a federal press bailout, says the Canada Revenue Agency. Media seeking subsidies must answer rebuttals from anyone they criticize, including Canada Revenue agents: "I am pleased to deliver."

The Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery has paid $13,000 to settle a copyright claim over a lookalike graphic it used for years at news conferences attended by the Prime Minister and cabinet. The Gallery had insisted an employee designed the iconic image of a maple leaf identical to the work of a British Columbia artist: "I’m not posting any new material on the internet."

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland three days before the election hosted an exclusive Sunday evening “Meet Chrystia” fundraiser for bankers, lawyers and a federal contractor at a Toronto hotel, according to federal filings. Freeland did not comment: "Questions regarding Party fundraising events can be directed to the Liberal Party."

The Department of Health has pulled endorsements of vaping after Blacklock's exposed the practice December 16. The department in a regulatory notice now says vaping is harmful, contradicting its earlier promotions: "Canadians know very little about vaping products and the health hazards."