The Privy Council Office says it approved a $10 million “legacy gift” sought by ex-governor general David Johnston before naming him as Canada’s first federal election Debates Commissioner. The funding went to a foundation that runs a Johnston Fund For Canada and accepts donations from corporate CEOs: 'The purpose is an enduring legacy of the Rt. Honourable David Johnston.'
Cabinet yesterday ridiculed a New Democrat proposal to remove the GST on new construction of public housing. The Liberal Party in 2015 made an identical proposal in its election platform: "The NDP is going to have a policy on housing? Wow, that’s a first."
The Bank of Canada will not disclose cost savings from the wind-up of the Canada Savings Bond program. The Bank earlier hired a consultant at $33.5 million to end the century-old sale of mom and pop bonds worth as little as $100 apiece: "We don't have a dollar amount to provide."
A federal judge has upheld a six-year grievance by a Canadian Armed Forces member seeking compensation for injuries. The ruling follows a 2018 federal survey that faulted the Department of Veterans Affairs for poor treatment of soldiers, sailors and air crew: “There is a strong sense that Veterans Affairs Canada should be doing more.”
House of Commons administration is being honoured as one of the country’s best employers despite paying out-of-court settlements in staff harassment claims that cost more than $100,000 last year. Neither the Commons nor managers of the Canada’s Top Employers award would comment: 'It's a rich fabric of professionals working together.'
The Department of Industry has reassured corporations of no “repercussions for our relationship” in concealing terms of taxpayers’ loans from MPs, senators and the public. The apologetic reference is detailed in Access To Information records. The department did not comment: 'We let big corporations decide.'
Any free trade pact with Beijing is off the table after the arrest and detention of Canadians in the People’s Republic, says Ambassador John McCallum. “It is certainly not an issue that we are considering right now,” McCallum told reporters: "The Chinese government arrests people to use as bargaining chips."
Ontario’s public broadcaster TVO seeks a federal injunction against public appearances by a parody of its children’s program mascot, Polkaroo. The character Tokaroo carries a marijuana joint and has bloodshot eyes: "Tokaroo is already famous."
The Commons foreign affairs committee by a 5 to 4 vote yesterday rejected public hearings on the arbitrary detention of Canadians in China. The committee’s Liberal majority opted instead for a closed-door hearing for fear that “inadvertently things come out”, said one MP.
Federal tobacco tax revenues fell by $117 million in the past four years even as Parliament hiked taxes more than 30 percent. New data are detailed in Health Canada tables disclosed yesterday by anti-smoking advocates: "Are people dealing in contraband tobacco? Yes they are."
Access To Information records detail hundreds of complaints of long lineups for security screening at an airport dubbed the slowest in the country, Saskatoon. Complaints to the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority described service as “horrific”, “outrageous”, “ridiculous” and “embarrassing”.
A taxpayer who went years without filing a return has escaped penalties despite getting a call from the Canada Revenue Agency. The Federal Court ruled auditors failed to do their homework under a so-called Voluntary Disclosure Program: "The decision is best described as sparse."
The Prime Minister’s Office yesterday would not divulge what gifts it gave former governor general David Johnston a month before unilaterally appointing him Debates Commissioner for the 2019 election. One of Johnston's predecessors asked that a mountain be named for him. Others sought millions for namesake foundations, according to Access To Information records: 'The personal gift is presented on behalf of the PM'.
The Department of Foreign Affairs in an Access To Information memo says an unnamed Canadian corporation has been federally blacklisted for unethical practices. The sanction was imposed only once, said the memo: 'When a company is not collaborating, it may lead to consequences.'
Federal lawyers are attempting to curb an investigation of alleged systemic discrimination at a government office that claims the best record on employment equity, according to Court files. The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ordered the probe last November 29: 'Racism, harassment and discrimination are prevalent.'
