A federal computer surplus program recycled just over a third, 36 percent, of nearly a million devices collected at taxpayers’ expense, according to records. The Department of Industry said the program was intended to be environmentally friendly: "There is a continued need."
Double billing under a Caribbean foreign aid scheme cost taxpayers more than a million dollars, say Access To Information records. Files show the Government of Grenada improperly spent aid money on new furniture and computers instead of hurricane reconstruction. The Department of Foreign Affairs did not comment: "The numbers are just not adding up."
The Canada Revenue Agency yesterday refused to say if it will appeal a damning Court verdict that auditors maliciously targeted a family-owned restaurant with false accusations of tax evasion. The judgment came two years after the Commons rejected a Conservative motion compelling the Agency to show a duty of care to taxpayers: "Its conduct in this case was high-handed, reprehensible and malicious."
Federal auditors have targeted one of the nation’s largest accounting firms over a tax program for millionaires. The Canada Revenue Agency in Federal Court filings asked that a judge compel PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP of Toronto to name names: "The Agency does not know the identities of all the promoters."
Springtime in Canada is not much less snowy than it was in the 1970s though the area blanketed in June has dropped sharply in 40 years, says Environment Canada data. Researchers used satellite imagery to confirm Canada remains one of the snowiest countries on earth amid impacts from climate change: "Changes in snow cover have important and far-reaching consequences."
Regulators cited Ancestry DNA for breaching a federal anti-spam law, according to documents filed in Federal Court. The company was not fined. Other firms have seen six-figure penalties under regulations targeted for an overhaul by the Commons industry committee: 'It leaves many puzzled.'
One third of Canadians nationwide remain opposed to the national carbon tax, says in-house research by the Privy Council Office. Opposition is higher -- 40 percent or more -- among Prairie consumers and residents of Atlantic Canada: "It's a money grab."
A former director of Library & Archives Canada yesterday took the witness stand in a $3.5 million bid-rigging trial in Ontario Superior Court. Barney Shum denied any favouritism in the awarding of a 2009 IT contract: "Did you ever feel indebted because you got treated to a meal?"
Cabinet will not impose fines on agencies that provide English-only service or signage in breach of the Official Languages Act. Four ministers in a formal notice rejected a 2017 Commons languages committee proposal for cash penalties: "Thorough consideration is needed."
Department of fisheries research confirms a federally-licensed pesticide used by fish farmers posed an environmental hazard. Inspectors twice approved use of a toxic chemical to kill parasites in Atlantic salmon raised in coastal waters: "It's infuriating, to be frank."
Parks Canada is conducting fresh research into former governor general John Buchan after the Minister’s office ordered a halt to a planned 2017 commemoration, say Access To Information records. Buchan was a pre-war Nazi appeaser: “We need to look into his past.”
Federal Taxpayers’ Ombudsman Sherra Profit dismissed 3 out of 4 complaints to her office last year, according to records. The office has a $2.3 million annual budget: "People deserve respect."
The Commons environment committee has approved a Liberal bill mandating an Indigenous perspective on historic commemorations. One Conservative MP cautioned national tributes should not be skewed: "All biases need to be left at the door."
Canada should beware of the impact of U.S. corporate tax cuts, an International Monetary Fund analyst has told the Senate banking, trade and commerce committee. An earlier Access To Information memo from the Department of Industry said matching U.S. cuts could cost Canada billions: "It could result in profit or production shifting away from Canada."
Poet Shai Ben-Shalom, an Israeli-born biologist, examines current events in the Blacklock’s tradition each and every Sunday: “The U.S. administration is crafting its immigration policy. Newcomers from Africa are only welcome if it’s good for the economy…”
