Prime Minister Justin Trudeau yesterday said his leadership is “about transparency” but would not commit to disclose all records concerning SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. MPs' attempts to obtain emails, texts and letters have failed to date: "You didn’t really address the point of my question."
A Québec judge has approved the use of Google Maps in a traffic case, the first of its kind. Allowing Google to be entered as evidence saved the time and expense of having a police officer testify, the Court ruled: "Society evolves."
Federal Court has rejected an appeal by an astrologer charged a 50 percent penalty for failing to pay his taxes. Claims of financial hardship to void tax bills are rarely upheld by courts or the cabinet: "Although he might not be personally wealthy, he has assets."
Canada’s senior public servant yesterday claimed to be a victim of cyberbullying. Michael Wernick, $326,000-a year clerk of the Privy Council, waved a half-inch pile of what he depicted as hurtful social media comments in an appearance at the Commons justice committee: “It upsets me.”
The Commons justice committee by a 5 to 4 vote yesterday rejected a Conservative motion to release all emails, texts and letters concerning SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. held by the Prime Minister’s Office. The Liberal majority vote came as former PMO aide Gerald Butts denied trying to block a criminal prosecution of the company to save Liberal seats in Québec: "Why should Canadians believe your version?"
A federal panel yesterday endorsed national pharmacare in principle but did not explain what kind of program should be introduced or when, or how Parliament would pay for it. The report echoed earlier findings of a Commons committee and federal drug price agency: "No, we are not doing a very good job."
Officials last night blamed a computer glitch for garbling millions of Canada Pension Plan statements. The mistake was made after a premium rate hike took effect January 1: "We apologize for the error."
Cabinet yesterday ordered all seaplane passengers to wear in-flight lifejackets as recommended by federal crash investigators in a 2011 report. Most seaplane operators surveyed by Transport Canada opposed the measure as costly and unnecessary: "In the 1960s people didn’t want to wear seatbelts in cars, either."
The Treasury Board says only 51 percent of employees strongly agree their co-workers “act ethically”. Data contained in an internal audit prompted an order that all executives endorse an Every Day Commitment oath stating “Every day, every employee is excited about making an important contribution to Canada.”
One third of Canadians take pick-up jobs like snow shoveling and babysitting at less than the minimum wage, says Bank of Canada research. The Bank attributed the incidence of so-called “informal work” to a weak economy despite cabinet boasts the jobless rate is at its lowest level since 1974: 'They do so as a result of weak economic conditions.'
Ethics Commissioner Mario Dion in an Advisory Opinion cautions MPs to avoid sweetheart deals in awarding 2019 Canada Summer Jobs grants in their ridings. The notice follows lawsuits against MPs accused of favouritism in rejecting applications from certain groups: "You should not make any recommendation."
Residents of Victoria, Vancouver and Toronto are the heaviest debtors in the country, Statistics Canada yesterday calculated. Analysts noted Canadian household debt levels overall are worse today than in the United States at the time of the 2008 financial panic: "This is the highest level recorded."
The Federal Court of Appeal has dismissed a challenge of the Transportation Safety Board’s investigative powers. The operator of a Great Lakes tour boat complained the probe of a minor accident was so intrusive it breached privacy rights: "We’ve cooperated in every way."
A federal agency in Access To Information records warned of significant cost overruns on the taxpayer-owned Trans Mountain Pipeline, including costs per “day of delay”. A total 601 pages of cost-benefit reports were withheld from MPs and senators: "There continues to be a risk of cost escalation."
Treasury Board President Dr. Jane Philpott yesterday resigned after describing cabinet's role in a growing political scandal as indefensible. Philpott is the third official to quit amid allegations of political interference in a criminal case: "Sadly, I have lost confidence in how the government has dealt with this matter."
