Veterans are skeptical a promised Pension For Life program is a “dressed up” election offer, says in-house research by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Cabinet launched the program April 1. Veterans surveyed said even the name appeared misleading: "What is meant by ‘for life’?"
Spending on prescription medicines by public insurers rose a “considerable” 7.4 percent last year compared to 1.7 percent in 2017, a federal agency reported yesterday. The Patented Medicine Prices Review Board found only “limited savings” from use of generic drugs: "Notable growth in 2018 was primarily driven by increases in the patented medicine market."
A Department of Immigration manager yesterday did not comment after tweeting and retweeting derogatory references to Opposition MPs. The Public Service Employment Act restricts federal employees from “carrying on any activity in support of or in opposition to a candidate before or during an election period.”
The post office in financial statements buried millions in pay equity payouts, according to an Access To Information memo obtained by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers. Canada Post in its latest Corporate Plan said it is committed to “gender equality”.
The 225,000-member United Steelworkers yesterday launched campaign ads citing the SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. scandal. Steelworkers outspent every other union in third-party advertising in the last general election in 2015: "Steelworkers are disappointed."
The Department of Natural Resources yesterday commissioned research on methods “to reduce or eliminate the use of fossil fuels.” Cabinet earlier endorsed a recommendation from an advisory panel that Parliament ban the Canadian manufacture of gas and diesel-powered cars by 2040: "You could try to stop using fossil fuel but that’s impossible."
Federal compensation for local authorities facing emergency costs of illegal immigrants and asylum seekers total nearly $372 million to date, the Department of Immigration said yesterday. Costs do not include a 56 percent increase in expenses at the Immigration and Refugee Board: "The government is committed to orderly migration."
Parks Canada paid more than $79,000 to rescue a lone Québec adventurer from Mount Logan including the expense of eight staff on assignment, according to Access To Information records. The agency yesterday would not say if it charged the mountaineer determined to become the first woman to climb Canada’s highest peak: "As the dust settles now I’m sure you are in the process of totaling up what the rescue cost us."
The Department of Labour has approved dozens of exemptions to new Canada Labour Code regulations following protests from business. The new rules effective September 1 granted all federally-regulated employees, some 900,000 Canadians nationwide, new rights to refuse work without reprisal: "This interpretation is not designed to deny employees their right to file a complaint."
Canada Post yesterday delayed disclosure of what it paid to settle a 27-year equity claim with postmasters. Financial accounts showed a $2.5 billion increase in unspecified “long term benefit liabilities” at the post office: "It is a substantial amount, I can tell you that."
Federally-regulated employees should not routinely take time off work to walk the dog, says the Department of Labour. Staff issued bulletins explaining scores of new Canada Labour Code regulations that took effect September 1: "It’s an odd way to go about this."
The Privy Council Office in a declassified 1982 Cold War planning guide predicted all but three major Canadian cities would suffer mass casualties in a Soviet missile attack. All others would see millions dead. “On the subject of nuclear war, public opinion is running high,” wrote staff.
A federal labour board has ordered the Correctional Service of Canada to re-hire a prison guard who fell asleep on duty. The breach was serious but didn’t warrant dismissal, said an adjudicator: "It's tearing me inside."
New Brunswick Court of Queen’s Bench has upheld the election of a member of the legislature by a single vote despite numerous irregularities. The Court cited instances of illegal balloting by non-residents, and one proven case of a man who voted twice: 'It shows the vitality of our democracy.'
A Canada Border Services Agency intelligence officer obtained top security clearance despite being jailed for smuggling hashish, according to records at a federal labour board. The conviction went undetected by the RCMP for 23 years: "Well, I got myself in a very difficult spot."
