The Canadian Human Rights Commission yesterday joined union executives in questioning a suspected loophole in cabinet’s Pay Equity Act. The labour department has dismissed fears as unfounded: "Some of us are worried."
A federal agency yesterday cancelled a $355,950 sole-sourced contract to pay Torstar Corporation reporters to attend public meetings. Authorities claimed only the Toronto Star was “capable”. The cancellation followed a formal complaint by Blacklock’s to Procurement Ombudsman Alexander Jeglic: ‘It has been cancelled.’
Taxpayers face a “risk of cost overruns” on the Trans Mountain Pipeline, says a federal report. Finance Minister Bill Morneau last night told the Senate national finance committee he could not estimate total costs: "We, as you may know, don’t look at that as spending."
A Health Canada consultant recommends an “enjoy responsibly” theme on cannabis packaging. Focus group tests showed alarming warnings linking marijuana use to addiction and mental illness polled poorly with cannabis users: "Simply stating facts was not at all that persuasive or credible."
Media depictions of illegal immigration are disturbing, the Senate human rights committee was told yesterday. One Liberal senator protested against media use of the term “illegal”, though it’s been used by the Minister of Immigration: "I'm happy to use 'illegal'."
Official Languages Commissioner Raymond Théberge yesterday said he welcomes new regulations mandating full bilingual service at federally-regulated airports. Local managers in some provinces have complained they cannot find French-speaking staff: "We have to remain vigilant."
RCMP have no specific rule against possession of marijuana at work, while VIA Rail will fire any train crew who report for duty after smoking cannabis. A hodgepodge of federal workplace rules is detailed in a cabinet Inquiry Of Ministry tabled in the Commons: "There is no workplace policy with respect to cannabis possession in the RCMP."
A federal agency is complaining that “science deniers seem to capture the headlines” on climate change. Policy Horizons Canada, a Privy Council think-tank, warned of a “slow-moving planetary crisis” on climate that may lead to war, civil unrest and a backlash against capitalism: "Resistance continues if the path forward is unclear."
Cabinet says it knows of nearly 90,000 seniors who don't get federal benefits they’re entitled to. Nationwide, the Department of Social Development estimated up to 9 percent of pensioners eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement do not receive it: "We are talking about some of the poorest, most disadvantaged people."
War veterans yesterday appealed to the Senate transport committee for a bill to safeguard sunken warships from sport divers and memorabilia hunters. The Commons transport committee endorsed the proposal May 28, without result: 'They have been forgotten for far too long.'
Cabinet has named a retired Supreme Court justice as a $1,000-a day advisor on appeals of wrongful convictions. Montréaler Morris Fish, 80, is to review “any systemic problems” identified in federal prosecutions: 'He is to provide independent legal advice.'
The federal Museum of Immigration is apologizing for a Twitter tribute to a former policeman in Nazi-occupied Austria. The Crown agency acknowledged it did not properly research the posting for a series on immigrants’ stories: "It was a mistake."
In-house federal research shows most Canadians have been victimized by internet virus and spyware attacks, and more than 1 in 10 lost money to cyber criminals. Data from the Department of Public Safety follow a Senate banking committee report that lamented RCMP inaction on cyber crime: "How likely is it that you or a family member will be affected by an online threat?"
Cabinet yesterday said it will not legislate municipal bilingualism in Ottawa, the largest French-speaking city west of Québec. Proponents including a former Supreme Court justice have sought the designation at hearings of the Senate languages committee: "Linguistic issues trigger a very emotional reaction."
Free copying is not fair under the Copyright Act, the Commons industry committee was told yesterday. The testimony followed Department of Industry research that 26 percent of Canadians admit to illegally accessing music, e-books and software without paying for it: "You should question why."
