U.S. President Donald Trump last night said 25 percent tariffs will be imposed on Canada February 1. His comments came after signing an Executive Order to investigate “persistent annual trade deficits” like Canada’s $100 billion-a year net surplus on cross-border trade: "Canada's a very bad abuser."
The passport office continually fails to meet its own service standards despite doubling the number of employees, says a Service Canada briefing note. Management blamed mysterious "system outages."
TikTok promotes teen-oriented videos to encourage young Canadians to rely on the Chinese app “as their primary source of ‘unbiased news,’” says a federal affidavit sworn by national security analysts. The Intelligence Assessment Secretariat of the Privy Council called it a long term strategy to “influence future leaders.”
Shared Service Canada, the federal IT department, counted more than 300 employee conflicts of interest last year, says a cabinet briefing note. The disclosure follows testimony by one public servant that it's “fairly common” for federal employees to moonlight as contractors: "What informed your perception that many government employees run side hustle businesses?"
Fewer Canadians support decriminalization of cocaine and other narcotics following a failed experiment in British Columbia, says a Department of Health report. Researchers confirmed a majority of the public believe decriminalization perpetuates dangerous drug use: 'It increased five points.'
Liberal MP Chrystia Freeland (University-Rosedale, Ont.) yesterday praised cabinet as being “careful with Canada’s money” under her four-year tenure as finance minister. Freeland five weeks ago tabled budget records confirming her last deficit went 55 percent over target: "These bread and butter issues are more important today than ever."
The RCMP in a briefing note complain Opposition critics are “playing politics” over multiple arrests of suspected terrorists. The Mounties in the same document acknowledged “violent extremism is on the rise in Canada.”
The Department of National Defence is failing to maintain a critical stockpile of emergency medical supplies to protect the military in case of a chemical, biological or nuclear attack, says an internal audit. The report follows investigations showing the Public Health Agency similarly failed to stock pandemic supplies prior to the spread of Covid-19: 'Supplies are needed to treat casualties.'
Cabinet will provide extra millions to CBC-TV to compensate for ads the network cannot sell, says a Department of Canadian Heritage briefing note. CBC managers have requested extra payments that would take the network’s total parliamentary grant near $2 billion a year: 'It's a softer TV advertising market.'
A federal agency, Telefilm Canada, is cancelling plans for a $70,000 Oscar party in Hollywood at taxpayers’ expense. Proceeding with the banquet would have been disrespectful after wildfires razed Los Angeles, said a spokesperson: "We will not be holding this event."
Poet W.N. Branson writes: “Adrift on the floe, There is time to think. Which methods are best. Methods according to their own kind…”
Buried in a film vault at the federal archives is a Canadian Paramount newsreel circa 1952 shown in movie theatres nationwide. Cue marching music then title board: “World’s Largest Asbestos Mill!” The camera pans across an industrial complex six city blocks long as the announcer shouts, “The new plant will process more than a third of the free world’s supply of the magic mineral!”
It was a ribbon cutting at Johns Manville Co.’s Jeffery Mine in Asbestos, Que. The premier and archbishop showed up. Coroners had known since 1906 asbestos dust was fatal. The fact was not mentioned.
UBC Press has published the true story never shown in theatres. A Town Called Asbestos documents a lethal product produced and sold with the blessing of regulators and lawmakers alike. “The people of Asbestos should not have had to choose between their jobs and their health but that is just what many had to do,” writes author Jessica van Horssen.
Telefilm Canada has budgeted $70,000 for an Oscars party in Los Angeles. The Crown agency yesterday had no comment when asked to justify the Hollywood banquet catered for February 27, fire permitting: 'Celebrate the Oscars.'
Canadians’ use of TikTok is a “personal choice,” says a Department of Industry briefing note written after cabinet claimed it forced the Chinese-run app to phase out operations here. Disclosure of the note came as Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre said all Conservative legislators were boycotting TikTok in the name of national security: "Stay away from TikTok altogether."
Federal IT consultants including sole-sourced contractors typically bill up to $1,000 a day, the Budget Office said yesterday. Costs are about 25 percent higher than if departments did the work themselves, wrote analysts: "It was very difficult to understand exactly the value for money."
