Parliament must repeal $54 million-a year tax breaks for real estate investment trusts, says the nation’s largest union. The 750,000-member Canadian Union of Public Employees also petitioned MPs to limit pension fund holdings in residential real estate: "The federal government must act immediately."
Disruption of national rail service is “sabotage,” Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said yesterday. Speaking to reporters hours ahead of a shutdown of Canada’s two largest railways, Freeland said any strike or lockout was intolerable: "It is totally unacceptable."
Broadcaster Charles Adler has not yet met legal requirements to become a Senator, authorities confirmed yesterday. The delay grants First Nations a matter of days to pre-empt his appointment over derogatory remarks he had made about Indigenous Manitoba "boneheads."
Buying an $8.8 million Manhattan penthouse for Consul Tom Clark was “a smart investment,” the Department of Foreign Affairs said yesterday. MPs on the Commons government operations committee expressed outrage, noting the luxury condo was equipped with a $19,000 oven: "When you’re playing with other people’s money I guess you can have as many options as you need."
The Commons trade committee yesterday agreed to open hearings on new tariffs against China. “Our inaction invites further aggression from countries like China that will see our delay as weakness,” said Conservative MP Ryan Williams (Bay of Quinte, Ont.), sponsor of the motion: "The stakes really could not be higher."
Health Minister Mark Holland’s pharmacare bill is deficient and may ultimately be pointless without changes, says a Canadian Medical Association commentary. It follows criticism by a pensioners’ group that called the bill “a burlap sack.”
MPs yesterday ridiculed claims Consul Tom Clark needs an $8.8 million Manhattan penthouse to do his job. “Is it a requirement of Mr. Clark’s position as Consul General in New York that he has white Macuba stone floors?” asked Conservative MP Larry Brock (Brantford-Brant, Ont.). “I’m just curious.”
A Manitoba legislator instrumental in censuring then-Senator Lynn Beyak (Ont.) yesterday said she’ll reserve comment on appointee Charles Adler “for the time being.” The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs invoked the Beyak case in demanding Adler’s appointment be rescinded for derogatory remarks against First Nations; 'They denigrate a group of fellow Canadians and think they can get away with it.'
The federal labour department today is urging a last-minute settlement between Teamsters Canada and major railways to avert a national freight shutdown. Any strike or lockout would be costly, shippers said: "Get a deal."
The federal government is giving itself another three years to comply with its own Pay Equity Act. The extension comes just days before an August 31 deadline requiring that all federally regulated employers have equity plans in place: "This means pay equity could actually potentially take until 2029, 2030."
A Court precedent on password sharing is a “license for piracy,” warns a former assistant deputy trade minister. Hugh Stephens, now vice chair of the Canadian Committee on Pacific Economic Cooperation, called the May 31 ruling on property rights under the Copyright Act “controversial.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau must revoke broadcaster Charles Adler’s appointment to the Senate over "vile" and "racist" remarks about fellow Manitobans, leading Indigenous groups said yesterday. Adler in radio commentaries disparaged First Nations as corrupt, lazy, uncivilized complainers: "We demand this appointment be rescinded immediately."
Commons scrutiny of the purchase of a luxury Manhattan penthouse for New York Consul Tom Clark follows audits showing Department of Foreign Affairs’ real estate holdings jumped 25 percent since 2017. Auditors faulted the department for poor management: "Property infrastructure is subject to public scrutiny."
The Department of National Defence for the first time acknowledges above-average suicide rates in the armed forces, typically involving women volunteers. New data show it was unrelated to service in combat: "There weren’t many who had a history of deployment."
Service Canada, the federal agency that manages Employment Insurance, yesterday said it is hiring consultants to guide employees in “how to manage emotions” and “develop empathy and listening skills.” No budget was disclosed: "Recognize your triggers."
