Costs of most foods went up not down after Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne claimed to “stabilize" prices, Statistics Canada figures showed yesterday. Champagne promised “the best possible deal for Canadians” at supermarket check-outs following a September 18 meeting with grocers: "What does that mean?"
The Canada Revenue Agency has been found blameless after misplacing a tax filer’s claim for some $200,000 in credits. The outcome was “very frustrating” but followed the letter of the law, said a Tax Court judge: "Unfortunately even when an error has been committed by the Canada Revenue Agency the requirements of the Income Tax Act must be met."
Former Gender Equality Minister Maryam Monsef, now a motivational speaker, won a single government client last year, records show. Monsef lost re-election in 2021 following mid-campaign remarks in which she called the Taliban “our brothers.”
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland billed thousands for limousines and taxis in Toronto despite claims she relied on her climate-friendly bicycle and public transit, Access To Information records show. Canadians expected cabinet to “ask ourselves what we did today to fight climate change,” said Freeland: "I can live that way."
Canadians don't need cabinet's help in safely using the internet, says in-house Privy Council research. Federal pollsters warned of censorship worries as Attorney General Arif Virani studies “best practices” on regulating legal content: 'They expressed reservations about the potential for censorship by the federal government.'
Canada continues to pay millions in foreign aid to China, records show. Opposition MPs four years ago proposed an immediate end to all foreign aid to a “Communist dictatorial government that abuses human rights.”
The Department of Employment continues to discriminate against Christian employers applying for Canada Summer Jobs grants, Church petitioners have written the Commons human resources committee. A federal judge three years ago ruled Christian employers could not be singled out for hectoring: "Groups are being flagged because of their beliefs, not their actions."
A billion-dollar class action lawsuit alleging Canada’s bestselling herbicide causes cancer will put federal regulators to the test, an advocacy group said yesterday. The class action suit against Roundup brand glyphosate was certified in Ontario Superior Court: 'A central argument is glyphosate must be safe because it has been approved by Health Canada.'
Cabinet's billion-dollar carbon tax cut on home heating oil followed months of warnings from in-house pollsters, records show. Homeowners opposed the tax as costly and divisive in Atlantic Canada where 24 Liberal MPs are up for re-election: "Almost all believed the carbon pricing system was too complicated and did not expect this initiative would be effective in reducing emissions."
Cabinet should discipline federal managers for incompetence or corruption, says a Privy Council report. The document by deputy ministers expressed alarm over “decreasing confidence in Canada’s democracy” since the pandemic: "We know the playbook."
No taxpayer funds have gone to “nefarious actors” in Gaza, says the Department of Foreign Affairs. The department said it took precautions against misappropriation of millions by terrorist groups but did not explain: "Protocols guard against the diversion of Canadian funds to nefarious actors."
The Department of Health has confidentially polled Canadians on whether to post warning labels on beer, wine and liquor, records show. A narrow majority supported the initiative though 28 percent said it would have no effect on their drinking habits: "Many Canadians associate drinking with pleasurable social events,"
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland in a legal notice Christmas Eve proposed to allow pawnbrokers to charge 60 percent interest on loans. Freeland had promised reforms to 1980 usury laws to protect “the most vulnerable people in our communities.”
We wish you a happy New Year. Blacklock's pauses this week for our annual holiday break and will return January 2 -- The Editor
Warmest regards to friends and subscribers for a safe and happy holiday. Blacklock's wishes you the best of Christmas -- The Editor
