Mon Dieu! Air Canada Questioned On French

Air Canada may be violating federal law by trademarking its 1937 corporate identity, says an MP. The carrier has already been cited for the most complaints under the Official Languages Act: "It's an insult".

This content is for Blacklock’s Reporter members only. Please login to view this content. (Register here.)

$6B Dispute In U.S. Court

A U.S. appeals court has agreed to hear complaints from Canadian and U.S. processors and farm groups in a cross-border trade dispute. The disagreement has cost $6 billion in six years: 'It is a costly rule'.

This content is for Blacklock’s Reporter members only. Please login to view this content. (Register here.)

Rail Bill Re-Write Urged

Cabinet is being urged to again rewrite its own rail reform bill to force carriers to improve service. The latest bill remains ineffectual, MPs were told: "Bill C-30 does not carry sufficient teeth".

This content is for Blacklock’s Reporter members only. Please login to view this content. (Register here.)

Bill To Restrict PMO Power

A Conservative MP says he is optimistic lawmakers will endorse his private reform bill to permanently curb the power of the Prime Minister’s Office. MP Michael Chong appealed to caucus to agree on ways to remove a leader by secret ballot: "It affects all parties".

This content is for Blacklock’s Reporter members only. Please login to view this content. (Register here.)

Trouble For A Landmark

Province House, a Charlottetown landmark credited as the cradle of Confederation 150 years ago, is in “fair to very poor” condition with much of the original structure replaced in successive, botched renovation jobs, records show. Parks Canada faces millions in restoration costs, including corrections to repairs it already attempted: "It's sad".

This content is for Blacklock’s Reporter members only. Please login to view this content. (Register here.)

A Billion-Dollar Regulation

Transport Canada will rule next week on whether to order immediate refits of 90,000 rail cars deemed a public hazard. The deadline follows a warning from safety investigators the puncture-prone cars are risky and must be eliminated: "I'm not happy with these cars moving dangerous goods".

This content is for Blacklock’s Reporter members only. Please login to view this content. (Register here.)

Mining Claim In Court

The Supreme Court will hear a key dispute over environmental compensation against a multinational firm operating overseas. Justices agreed to consider a lawsuit by residents of the Ecuadorian Amazon against Chevron Corp. and its Canadian subsidiary: "We really need to question how independent these subsidiaries are".

This content is for Blacklock’s Reporter members only. Please login to view this content. (Register here.)

Auto Law Quietly Amended

Cabinet is granting itself new powers to enact auto safety rules without public notice. An omnibus bill would eliminate a requirement that Transport Canada publish the full text of all regulatory changes before they become law, or give advance notice of new rules: "The changes are significant".

This content is for Blacklock’s Reporter members only. Please login to view this content. (Register here.)

$15M Tax Battle Is Lost

A home builder whose senior executive was reappointed a CMHC director has lost a Supreme Court bid to settle a tax dispute with the government. Authorities refused comment in the case that saw Mattamy Homes fight federal auditors over a GST avoidance scheme: "I'm not surprised".

This content is for Blacklock’s Reporter members only. Please login to view this content. (Register here.)

Just Mild About Telecom

Critics are just mild over an Industry Canada policy paper that proposes to “enhance” internet service and choices for telecom consumers. The document Digital Canada 150 reiterates previously-announce regulations: "It actually pushes back the commitment".

This content is for Blacklock’s Reporter members only. Please login to view this content. (Register here.)

“A Roar From The North”

Poet Shai Ben-Shalom, an Israeli-born biologist, examines current events in the Blacklock’s tradition each and every Sunday: “The message leaves little room for doubt. The Americans should get their acts together and decide on the Keystone pipeline…”

Feds Drop E-Money Scheme

The Royal Canadian Mint is quietly killing a celebrated plan to create its own e-money program. The veto follows a “communication” from the Bank of Canada: "We couldn't issue another currency".

This content is for Blacklock’s Reporter members only. Please login to view this content. (Register here.)

Feds Pressed On Fire Sale

The foreign ministry is being questioned over its sale of millions in overseas real estate for less than appraised values. Documents show two-thirds of foreign missions sold to date went to bargain hunters: "I have no expertise in this area".

This content is for Blacklock’s Reporter members only. Please login to view this content. (Register here.)

Alexander Day Is Closer

A bill to proclaim next January 21 as Lincoln Alexander Day has cleared a Senate committee though it violates Heritage Canada’s own policy. The Senate social affairs committee endorsed a bill that would observe the former labour minister’s birthday: "He loved this country".

This content is for Blacklock’s Reporter members only. Please login to view this content. (Register here.)

CP Rail Cited For “Threats”

Canadian Pacific Rail in an unusual ruling has been cited for trying to intimidate a labour arbitrator. The railway was accused of “resorting to veiled threats” in attempting to defend its firing of a longtime employee: "This to me is a culture of disdain".

This content is for Blacklock’s Reporter members only. Please login to view this content. (Register here.)