Vancouver’s port and international airport should be on a critical list of federally regulated public works most susceptible to climate change, says a Senate committee report. Senators noted 2021 rainstorms forced a halt to cargo traffic at the Port of Vancouver, largest in the nation: "It is projected the sea level will rise more than one metre."
Poet W.N. Branson writes: “Mount Robson broods as the fog gains the hand and the shadows lay gently upon the passengers…”
One path to happiness is figuring out how the world works. Some Canadians are irritated that Catholics have their own school boards and Jonquiere road signs are in French. There is deep-rooted justification for this, upheld by the Supreme Court many, many times. Mention the fact and you’ll draw a last cry of exasperation – “Well I still don’t like it!” – and the first glimmer of awareness that for everything there is a reason.
So authors Greg Poelzer and Ken Coates of the University of Saskatchewan observe that First Nations have rights rooted in law, and the sooner Canadians recognize the fact the better off we will be. From Treaty Peoples To Treaty Nation is a careful, concise account of the “Indian problem” written primarily for non-Indigenous readers. Anybody is better for reading it.
Attorney General Arif Virani’s department last night said it will not prosecute reporters who disclose federal secrets. The Department of Justice dismissed an internal memo that detailed circumstances in which reporters could face charges for publishing government documents without permission: 'All hypothetical.'
Cabinet’s GST holiday will save the typical Canadian $4.51, the Senate national finance committee was told yesterday. Senators endorsed the measure while commenting it appeared pointless: "I think we all understand it is a political measure."
Liberal MP Randy Boissonnault (Edmonton Centre) yesterday said it is “deeply harmful” when white people claim Indigenous ancestry. Boissonnault told the Commons Indigenous committee he is not Indigenous though he once called himself Strong Eagle Man: "How can anyone believe anything you say?"
Subsidies on VIA Rail’s transcontinental service now average more than $1,000 per passenger, a record, documents show. Management in a report to Parliament said The Canadian tourist train that runs between Vancouver and Toronto is so frequently late “the delays are at times unacceptable.”
A national agency acted unlawfully in straying from its mandate, a federal court has ruled. The decision came on a petition by a drug company that complained regulators breached the Patent Act in the name of consumer protection: 'Ensure a firm and unwavering obedience to legality and the rule of law.'
MPs yesterday demanded names of who in the finance department approved the hiring of a Brazilian contractor to mismanage a pandemic relief program that cost taxpayers billions. “Covid is not an excuse for ignoring the rules,” Conservative MP Kelly McCauley (Edmonton West) told the Commons public accounts committee: "They are hiding something."
The Department of Veterans Affairs yesterday said it had nothing to do with a botched war memorial unveiled by MPs in 2022. The monument to “heroic Canadian Armed Forces who paid the ultimate sacrifice” includes names of non-combatants and ex-military who died of old age or are still alive: "How is it possible?"
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland last night said it was “really hard to decide” what to tax or not under a GST holiday bill. Members of the Senate national finance committee questioned the logic of taxing children’s ice skates and musical instruments but making video games and Pepsi tax free: "You are right, it was really hard to decide."
Cabinet yesterday acknowledged stiff opposition to its proposal to regulate legal internet content. Attorney General Arif Virani said a censor bill will be split to focus on issues that “should be a priority for everybody.”
Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon yesterday said Canada Post management and workers were “highly disrespectful” of customers as a strike passed its 19th day. This week is traditionally the busiest of the year with Christmas mailings: "That is in my view, among other things, highly disrespectful."
Canadians in federal focus groups are worried over the national debt, says in-house Privy Council research. Taxpayers rated annual deficits a symptom of poor economic management: "A greater focus needed to be placed on maintaining balanced budgets."
Cabinet yesterday confirmed Donald Trump suggested Canada become the 51st U.S. state if it is unable to enforce border security and balance trade with America. Trump “was teasing us,” said one cabinet member who attended a banquet last Saturday at Trump’s Florida estate: "The President was teasing us."
