A company that wants to sell Thalidomide, the drug that left hundreds of Canadians with birth defects in the 1960s, won’t be given protection for their product as an “innovative drug.” Thalidomide was banned in Canada for all medical use in 1962.
The lifting of a tax on imported freighters is credited with the major introduction of new Great Lakes vessels this spring for the first time in a generation. The first of 20 new vessels will ply the lakes this spring following the 2010 repeal of a 25 percent tariff.
A federal commission mandated to promote Canadian tourism has cut staff to its lowest level in six years, records show. The Canadian Tourism Commission currently has 90 employees, the fewest since 2006. "This year we are staying the course," the CEO told Blacklock's in a statement.
A federal agency that announced new austerity “job cuts” Wednesday confirms it actually increased its staff in five of the past six years. The National Capital Commission confirmed to Blacklock’s it hired more employees year-over-year in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.
New federally-proposed wholesale rates for high-speed internet service by independent providers are expected to save users money – especially companies relying on signals from phone companies, say regulators.
Two federal departments defied a government-wide austerity drive with large increases in spending on advertisements, new documents show. Natural Resources Canada increased its ad budget 22-fold last year, nearly surpassing the cost of the army’s annual recruitment campaign.
The Department of Transportation is accused of “gangster” behaviour by a French environmental group after leaving an unmanned ship to drift on the high seas. Federal regulators decline to say if they know the exact location of the ghost ship, or whether it has drifted into shipping lanes.
Canada’s tax policies offer “little incentive” to retrofit older commercial and apartment buildings for energy efficiency, says an industry group. Major refits in Canada qualify for 4% tax depreciation, compared to tax deductions of up to 100 percent in the United States and UK.
In a “surprise” and rollicking ruling, a federal judge has granted a Philippines brewery the right to market horse-brand beer in Canada despite claims of trademark infringement by Molson. "This is a case about beer," said the judge, "and a case of beer is a serious matter."
A Conservative-sponsored bill requiring union organizers to publish personal data under threat of $1,000-a day fines faces lengthy scrutiny in the Senate. "We do not filibuster," said the Leader of the Opposition in the Upper House, who promised "numerous" amendments and very thorough committee hearings on the contentious bill.
A consumer advocacy group is urging more federal oversight over internet speed claims. The Public Interest Advocacy Centre proposed “complete and precise disclosure” to computer users on download times and other performance issues, noting 75 percent of Canadians surveyed are unaware of the speed tier they've bought from internet providers.
A Conservative-sponsored bill requiring union organizers to publish their salaries, health benefits and other private data on a government website is “Nixonian” and “very dark,” says a Conservative senator. The legislation faces scrutiny in the Upper House after passing the Commons on a 147-135 vote.
The country’s largest new home builder has lost a multi-million dollar tax judgment over an “extremely careless” GST collection plan, a federal judge has ruled. The developer declined to speak to Blacklock’s Reporter after the ruling.
A federal regulators’ failed proposal on fisheries policy has prompted advocates to organize a new industry association. “There are concerns there is a movement afoot to corporatize the industry,” said the Prince Edward Island Fishermen’s Association.
Federal agencies propose to raise millions of dollars in new user fees on industry, from operators of grain elevators to owners of Great Lakes freighters: "We all knew this would happen sometime."
