Health Canada is reviving its study of irradiated meat products with the blessing of the Consumers' Association of Canada. Public wariness with the process earlier led a federal agency, Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd., to distribute free cookies made with irradiated flour in 1988.
Police are flaying a federal cyber surveillance bill, saying the legislation is “abysmally written” and must be redrafted to permit lawful access to internet accounts. Toronto and Calgary police urged MPs to start fresh with new measures to counter cybercrime: "We’ve got way more important things to do than find out who’s sending salacious messages to their girlfriend."
Canada Post will meet costs amid “enormous strain”, but is detailing no new initiatives to counter future deficits. "We have a very competitive market," one executive told a Senate committee. Canada Post's union has proposed it branch into financial services like postal systems in Germany, Italy and Switzerland.
A Conservative senator is proposing creation of a new cabinet portfolio, minister of state for poverty reduction, to advocate on behalf of the nation’s “permanent economic underclass." Cabinet currently includes ministers responsible for sport, seniors and science. "Poverty falls into a grey zone," said Senator Hugh Segal.
RCMP members, like children, require swift discipline when they “mess up,” says a senior officer. Superintendent Michael O'Rielly told a Senate committee that police require new legislation: "When my children mess up, it is no good for me to wait..." Critics say a police disciplinary bill now before the Senate is unconstitutional.
A think tank is defending its arithmetic after claiming all taxes cost families – even charges that “indisputably” do not, say members of the Commons finance committee. The Fraser Institute came under scrutiny after it characterized oil royalties, broadcast license fees and other charges as “taxes on the average Canadian family.”
Health Canada confirms it will ban the sale of magnets sold as desktop novelties following incidents of children swallowing the items. A Canadian Medical Association report identified dozens of incidents involving the magnets, many requiring surgery on youngsters.
Environment Canada will permit horizontal oil drilling and seismic exploration at Sable Island National Park Reserve, calling it a “deal breaker” with petroleum giant Exxon Mobile. Industrial activity poses "no risk" to the park or its famed wild ponies, the environment minister says.
In an estimated million-dollar operation, the Department of Human Resources has retrieved thousands of data storage devices used by employees. It follows a mass privacy breach. The ministry rounded up and destroyed 15,600 USB keys and 159 portable hard drives used by staff, documents show.
Transport Canada is being pressed to develop a national air policy. It follows a Senate report that concluded costs are driving millions of Canadians to use U.S. airports. "Our airports and airlines are being priced out of the market," said the chair of the Senate's transport committee.
Environment Canada will not divulge records on dozens of major aviation fuel spills. The department rated the spills large enough to prove “harmful,” but withheld details. Blacklock's asked for data as the government moved to keep aviation fuel off a Toxic List that would more tightly control its production, storage and transport.
Canada Post is resigned to a $9 million loss on library services amid Conservative grumbling over its priorities. Postal managers are withdrawing their opposition to a bill that enshrines 19th century subsidies on interlibrary loans: "Perhaps Canada Post could look toward the top of their pyramid to find the money to pay for this," said one Conservative.
A federal agency admits it used gift shop surveys and Grade 7 student questionnaires to justify its $1.3 million ad budgets. The National Battlefields Commission cited the selective data in telling Parliament its marketing was 93% effective. Heritage Minister James Moore declined comment.
U.S. regulations on ship ballast threaten the viability of a new Canadian fleet of Great Lakes freighters, say owners. Vessels must be equipped with ballast treatment equipment, a measure intended to keep invasive species out of the lakes: "This is a game changer."
Federal research confirms the old adage: if you want something done, ask a busy person to do it. A Statistics Canada study proves hours spent at work are not a factor for people attracted to volunteerism: "It's not the amount of time people spend at their job."
