VIA Rail must work to reduce costs after running a $317.1 million deficit last year, says Transport Canada. The department’s parliamentary secretary yesterday told the Commons the Crown passenger rail service remains costly: "Costs and losses are up".
Canadians are just mild about cabinet’s income splitting tax program, according to research for the Department of Finance. Focus groups in four provinces had “mixed” views on the multi-billion dollar plan even after being told to watch a Finance Canada video depicting the scheme as a tax saver: "A few individuals assumed it was mainly for wealthy families".
The defence department, criticized in Parliament for inept contracting, has issued 167 pages of specifications for new mukluks. The contract notice includes requirements for “adjustment and closure systems” – also called laces: "Mukluk assembly is defined as a left and right boot".
Accountants and tax preparers fear Canada Revenue Agency is about to offload responsibility for individual tax audits. The worries are cited in a cabinet memo obtained through Access To Information: "This supports the concern heard from others that CRA is shifting audit responsibility".
Most Canadians surveyed in a federal tracking poll are concerned insurers will use genetic testing to deny coverage. A private Liberal bill to outlaw the practice was rejected by a Senate committee three months ago: "I have little expectation of privacy today".
Citizenship Canada has given fingerprint records to the RCMP without clear legal authority, according to documents. A parliamentary committee cited the department for handing police the biometric data collected from foreign students, immigrants and overseas applicants for work permits: "They know we're watching".
Most Canadian cities are unprepared for major flooding, says a national study by the University of Waterloo. The research follows a warning from a former federal environment commissioner that Canada lacks a comprehensive program on impacts of climate change: "I am hoping this study is a wakeup call for mayors".
The Supreme Court will weigh a Saskatchewan test of federal bankruptcy law. Attorneys are challenging a Tommy Douglas-era statute intended to protect farmers from creditors: 'There are major implications'.
Canada Revenue Agency faces a court challenge after revoking charity status for a non-profit credit counselling service. Similar groups have been granted registration as charities since 1968. The dispute follows confirmation the Agency is spending $13.5 million on special audits of charities: 'It's unfair and unjust'.
Canada will not force Canadian shipowners on the Great Lakes to equip vessels with costly ballast treatment systems until effective technology exists, says Transport Minister Lisa Raitt. The cabinet pledge comes amid a multi-million-dollar dispute with U.S. authorities who aimed to restrict Canadian access to American ports: "We've not been getting any cooperation".
Canada ranks 16th out of 18 industrialized countries with national health systems in accessing new medicines through publicly-funded drug plans, says a pharmaceutical industry report. The research prompted renewed calls in Parliament for an all-Canadian pharmacare program: "The whole idea is to come together".
Parks Canada has won a five-year court battle against illegal fishing by Métis in a national park. The case saw a curator from the Canadian Museum of History recount the Aboriginal Creator Story in a bid to support the Métis claim: "The Métis didn’t arrive in boats".
A Vancouver attorney has won the right to press a Federal Court claim to fill Senate vacancies. A judge rejected a Government of Canada motion that the entire case be struck as frivolous: “Certainly at some stage senators have to be appointed”.
A Conservative bill to force union disclosure of confidential data is “very harsh”, a research paper quotes Transport Minister Lisa Raitt. Researchers also quote the late finance minister Jim Flaherty as dismissing Bill C-377 as “garbage”. The remarks are cited in an article published in the Journal of Canadian Labour Studies: "It had the support of the PMO, that's what counted".
Canada will see more train derailments involving dangerous goods as petroleum producers ship more by rail, says Transport Canada. The department also predicts oil spills “will likely increase” as traffic grows: "Derailments involving a train carrying crude oil will likely increase".
