Canadians give the Department of Veterans Affairs a poor rating in caring for ex-military, according to in-house research. “There is a strong sense that Veterans Affairs Canada should be doing more,” wrote pollsters hired by the department.
About 1 in 4 small business owners, accountants and tax lawyers consider the Canada Revenue Agency unfair and inefficient, says in-house research. Taxpayers accused auditors of hectoring small players while avoiding big-ticket tax evaders, and were so cynical they would not report an acquaintance they knew was cheating on their taxes: "They would not ‘rat’ on a person."
Senators yesterday said they will review the Broadcasting Act ahead of a cabinet-appointed study. Members of the Senate transport and communications committee have been critical of the CBC as a subsidized competitor for struggling daily newspapers: "I'd certainly be upset."
The Treasury Board faces a federal lawsuit over alleged bias in hiring of Black job-seekers. A government employee cited Access To Information records indicating few Blacks are hired for public service positions: "What is the problem?"
Environment Canada in an Access To Information memo warns of “strong opposition” from gun owners if it restricted lead ammunition as an ecological hazard. The department since 2013 has reviewed regulation of lead shot used by hunters and gun club members: 'It is framed as an attack on hunting and guns in general.'
The Department of Justice in an Access To Information memo says checks on workplace drug impairment are “under consideration” with legalization of marijuana effective October 17. Parliament and the courts to date have rejected random tests without cause or consent: "The issue of impairment by cannabis in safety-sensitive positions is important and is under consideration."
The Canada Border Services Agency is ordered to pay $10,000 for discrimination under the federal Human Rights Act. A labour board ruled managers unfairly treated a job applicant with disabilities who missed a filing deadline by 3 hours and 53 minutes: 'It had a profound negative impact.'
The Department of Employment is delaying release of a year-long investigation of migrant farm labour practices. Authorities earlier acknowledged “some criticism” of a federal program in place since 1966: 'It will be made available at a later date.'
Flu vaccination rates are so low Canada will not meet an 80 percent target set 17 years ago, says the federal Public Health Agency. Influenza is blamed for 12,000 hospital visits a year and an average 5,000 deaths: "There is room for improvement."
The Department of Canadian Heritage in an Access To Information memo says current copyright policy has let down creators. Witnesses at the Commons industry committee have complained of steep losses due to free photocopying by institutions: “Copyright is not necessarily supporting them well.”
Few homeowners test for radon poisoning even in 17 cities targeted by Health Canada as high-risk, says federal research. The odourless gas is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers: 'An important objective is to understand attitudes of residents of radon-prone areas.'
A proposed class action lawsuit is challenging insurers’ collection of credit scores from policyholders. Lawyers alleged customers were pressured into agreeing to credit checks when filing auto claims: "It will be interesting to see how this plays out."
Statistics Canada has begun a three-year analysis of sewage to gauge the nation’s cannabis consumption before and after legalization. The monthly analysis of wastewater samples from cities nationwide should have been undertaken long ago, said one legislator: "It's been performed in various countries for over a decade."
Poet Shai Ben-Shalom, an Israeli-born biologist, examines current events in the Blacklock’s tradition each and every Sunday: “We no longer masturbate in Ontario. That part of our sex-ed flew out the window…”
In a national census 409,065 Canadians identify themselves as Métis. They represent the 18th largest “ethnic” group in the country after Portuguese, Norwegians and Filipinos. Of course the Métis are unique, with centuries-old roots that define much of the nation’s history. And yet – Métis are a nation, but for centuries had no constitution or identifiable self-government. They rely on self-identification to count their numbers, yet “a person can identify as Métis and not be legally entitled to exercise the Métis Aboriginal right to hunt for food,” note editors of Métis in Canada.
