The Federal Court has dismissed a contempt charge against a Canadian Union of Public Employees advisor for cussing an employer. Profanity is not a personal attack per se, said the Court: 'It is a slang expression used to tell someone where to go.'
Saskatchewan’s privacy commissioner has faulted a public agency for leaving its office doors propped open overnight in the Town of Melfort, population 6,000. The place was so quiet nothing was stolen: "Locked offices should be required."
Poet Shai Ben-Shalom, an Israeli-born biologist, examines current events in the Blacklock’s tradition each and every Sunday: “Former cabinet minister Peter MacKay says Andrew Scheer missed an open net…”
The Department of Natural Resources in a confidential report told the United Nations to stay out of the Trans Mountain pipeline debate, warning First Nations do not “have a veto over government decisions”. The report followed complaints the project could breach a U.N. treaty on racial discrimination: "Canada’s response will not be made public."
The head of the largest Liberal-appointed Senate group yesterday would not commit to passing a $217 million-a year tax on foreign real estate speculators. Senator Yuen Pau Woo of Vancouver previously ridiculed “stories about rampant foreign buying” blamed for rising prices: "Of course all of us have political views."
Not enough French-speaking people apply for senior jobs as broadcast regulators, the Department of Heritage complained in an Access To Information memo. Staff asked to review résumés of candidates applying for six-figure jobs with the CRTC: "The Minister's Office is concerned."
The Department of Justice in an Access To Information memo complains it’s been targeted by political Twitter users with “clear far right leanings”. Staff compiled Digital Scan & Analysis bulletins with monitoring of parliamentarians’ accounts: 'Some users purposely seek to spread confusion.'
Federal agencies spend an average of more than $18 million a year managing a loan and subsidy program for companies in rural Canada, says a Department of Industry report. More than a tenth of borrowers said it “did not achieve any results”.
Senior federal employees in a confidential memo claimed Conservative cuts to the size of Toronto’s city council raised fundamental questions about democracy. The Privy Council memo questioned the right size for a city council, but was inconclusive: "It is difficult to say."
A national media ombudsman yesterday faulted a CTV affiliate for broadcasting “jarring” video of a fatal stabbing in a suppertime newscast. “Clearly that is not appropriate!” wrote one viewer who complained: "Footage of someone being stabbed to death?"
Senator Lynn Beyak yesterday said she attended mandatory sensitivity training in a bid to avert expulsion from the Chamber. Beyak, a former Rainy River, Ont. realtor, was suspended last May 9 without pay on complaints she posted racist mail on her website: 'I look forward to working hard for all the people."
An unhappy Bell Canada customer has been ordered to pay $4,000 in damages over a salty exchange with a customer service agent. The Québec Human Rights Tribunal said the man “suddenly exploded” when the agent identified himself as Mohamed: "Take your bags and go."
A pro-carbon tax group with ties to the Department of Environment yesterday urged Parliament to quadruple the charge to fifty cents a litre for gasoline. The current tax cap of 12¢ a litre will not meet emissions targets, said the Ecofiscal Commission: "This will be insufficient."
A tax preparer that waged a decades-old feud with the Canada Revenue Agency over a “duty of care” has been ordered to pay $675,000 in court costs. Prosecutors filed, then dropped fraud charges against the firm: "There is no such thing as a perfect investigation."
Most Canadians want portraits of prime ministers removed from banknotes, according to in-house research by the Bank of Canada. The bank has issued bills depicting dead prime ministers for eighty-four years: 'Great Canadians from other fields should be featured.'
