A Black federal prison guard has been awarded $12,500 in damages after being ridiculed at work. Penalties levied by human rights panels for offensive language have varied widely: "I was in emotional shock and completely downcast."
A locomotive engineer falsely blamed for the fiery Lac-Mégantic wreck will receive compensation for wrongful dismissal, the Canadian Railway Arbitration Board has ruled. The decision marks the last chapter in the July 6, 2013 derailment that killed 47 people and prompted numerous regulatory changes: "This case is unique."
The cabinet-appointed CEO of a “high performing” Crown agency failed to disclose financial dealings in the legal marijuana trade, the Office of the Ethics Commissioner yesterday disclosed. Ian McKay was ordered to immediately resign as director of a cannabis investment company. McKay did not reply to Blacklock’s request for comment: “It is a prohibited activity.”
The Senate has yet to disclose financial assets of three Liberal-appointed legislators who voted on dozens of bills after taking office in 2018. Records indicate the trio filed mandatory Public Disclosure Summaries that were not made public by the Senate Ethics Officer: "We have these rules for a reason."
The Commons public safety committee yesterday served notice of public hearings on cybersecurity threats at Canadian banks and insurers. The initiative came as a federal regulator ordered all banks to report electronic threats within 72 hours: 'People are testing us.'
A federal judge has ordered the Government of Ontario to pay a total $35,800 for stealing a private company’s trademark. Evidence showed the province’s energy ministry ignored repeated warnings to stop using the slogan “empower me” even after being taken to Federal Court: 'There was public interest in having the proceeding litigated.'
The Canadian Paediatric Society predicts hundreds of children will be hospitalized this year with “serious and life-threatening” emergencies due to legal marijuana. Doctors have been conducting a monthly survey of hospitalizations since cabinet legalized recreational cannabis last October 17: 'There is little scientific evidence at the moment on what the actual health outcomes are.'
Federal regulators are citing Sunwing Airlines Inc. for numerous breaches of regulations over nightmare holiday flights last April. In one case, the airline summoned police to calm rowdy travelers stranded more than six hours on the tarmac: 'Police were urging passengers to remain calm.'
A business survey of municipalities rates the best and worst cities in Canada on red tape. Thousands told the Canadian Federation of Independent Business that time-wasting paperwork and petty bylaw enforcement is commonplace: "It has taken over 16 months to get a permit."
Federal auditors are completing a review of government advertising, the first since cabinet shelved a law to ban partisan self-promotion. Then-Treasury Board President Scott Brison promised “future legislation” in 2016: "We are seeking to move with an immediate policy, a strong policy."
New Statistics Canada data question the effectiveness of a proposed federal ban on food and beverage ads targeting children. Kids’ sugar consumption is above the national average in Québec, where the country’s only ad ban has been enforced for 39 years: "Evidence suggests there is absolutely no correlation."
The Department of Natural Resources yesterday approved a $3.9 million solar panel grant to a private builder to construct what it called the country’s first super-energy efficient apartment building. The grant is equivalent to $33,900 per apartment: "It costs quite a bit more."
Federal consultants warn of a public outcry if Parks Canada tries to privatize canal bridges and dams to save millions in maintenance costs. The cash-strapped agency commissioned the research after complaining of millions in unfunded repairs: "This would likely be met with significant pushback from the public."
Industry groups yesterday protested a new Canada Food Guide appears vague and arbitrary in attempting to write select supermarket items out of the national diet. Cream, butter, high-fat cheese and fruit juice are cited by Health Canada as foods to avoid: "We don't want to lose the juice industry."
Health Canada in a billion-dollar revision to its benchmark Food Guide is writing fruit juice, whole milk, butter and deli meats out of the nation's recommended diet. Juice makers have warned of lost sales in the $1.6 billion-a year trade: "Water should be the beverage of choice."
