Conservative senators are being pressured to quickly pass a labour bill, sources tell Blacklock’s. Parliamentary contacts said three Conservatives were threatened with removal from the Senate trade and commerce committee if they failed to ensure passage of Bill C-377. The committee expressed its concerns over the bill's "constitutional validity".
MPs have given speedy final passage to a landmark bill permitting seismic exploration and horizontal drilling in a national park. The measure permitting “low impact” oil and gas exploration at Sable Island, N.S., southeast of Halifax, was signed into law.
RCMP members attempting to unionize the force predict more lawsuits with the enactment of new legislation. “Members have no recourse but to go to court,” said Rae Banwarie, national president of the Mounted Police Professional Association. Bill C-42, extending powers to fire or demote members, was signed into law in the Senate chamber.
A majority of provinces, and thousands of doctors are balking at Health Canada's privatization of its medical marijuana program. The Canadian Medical Association said many members will not write prescriptions under the new plan amid objections from six provinces: "This has been poorly handled."
Twelve million Canadians will see their private financial data published on the internet under poorly-written provisions of Bill C-377, says Conservative Senator Hugh Segal. Opponents are attempting to curb provisions that require disclosure of transactions over $5,000 in any mutual fund, trust or benefit plan with a union member.
Tax benefits to offset the cost of children’s sports programs have seen thousands of credits go to Canadians earning more than $150,000 a year, documents show. The kids' credits cost a record $120 million last year: "We should help those who have little or no access to these programs."
Canadian employers are paying the price for rule-breaking by the Royal Bank in its hiring of foreign workers, says an MP. Brent Rathgeber said firms are “very, very upset about changes to the program” enacted April 29 amid protests over the bank's misuse of the Temporary Foreign Worker plan.
MPs concluded a rancorous debate over history and national symbolism as the National Capital Commission moved to erect a new monument on Parliament Hill. “There is nothing more controversial than history,” said one MP as the Commons prepared to pass a new museums bill.
Revenue Minister Gail Shea is declining questions on confidential documents indicating Canadian unions face millions of dollars a year in tax penalties under a Conservative bill. The documents contradict public assertions the Canada Revenue Agency keeps no data on non-compliance with tax regulations.
The nation’s railways are objecting to a $25 million proposal that they voluntarily install locomotive recorders for use by federal investigators. The recommendation followed the probe of the 2012 derailment of a speeding freight that killed three crew in Burlington, Ont.: "We're looking for better ways to deal with the human element in an accident."
At least three armed U.S. police agencies have permission to operate in Canada. But the Department of Public Works insists American officers have no power to question or arrest any Canadian. Cabinet earlier passed an order permitting U.S. officers to carry weapons at eight locations: "This is valuable information."
Heightened security at Great Lakes ports means crews on Canadian ships feel “like they’re being treated as prisoners in their own country,” says a shipping official. Regulators were urged to take a lakes cruise under security requirements to "better understand" a sailor's life.
Canada Revenue expects to penalize unions millions of dollars under legislation due to pass the Senate this week. The figures were concealed from parliamentarians but detailed in confidential briefing papers obtained by Blacklock's. Revenue Minister Gail Shea's department denied the data existed: "This is outrageous."
Attorney General Rob Nicholson has been sued in Federal Court for the third time in a week for alleged violation of privacy and access to information laws. An Ottawa project manager filed the latest application to force Nicholson’s department to disclose notes kept by a staffer at a confidential pre-trial hearing: "This is harassment of a citizen by the Government of Canada."
Lawmakers are pondering whether to update the ancient custom that permits citizens to petition their Parliament. MP Kennedy Stewart proposed a motion to recognize online petitions, and require that parliamentarians debate any topic that garners enough signatures – “for example 50,000 or 100,000,” he said. The Commons receives more than 2,000 petitions a year, from language rights to shark finning.
