Revenue Minister Diane Lebouthillier will not disclose how many employees were fired for defrauding a pandemic relief program. MPs have repeatedly sought the number from the Canada Revenue Agency: "The Agency has terminated the employment of a number of employees."
The Commons today is expected to order a full public inquiry into suspected Chinese interference in Parliament. Debate last night grew heated as members shared a Global News report on surreptitious contact between now-Independent MP Han Dong (Don Valley North, Ont.) and Chinese diplomats. "It is important that all Members of Parliament vote on this."
MP Han Dong (Don Valley North, Ont.) last night abruptly quit the Liberal caucus following a Global News report he admitted to personal contact with China’s Consul in Toronto. Dong the day before denied any impropriety or secret contacts with Chinese Communist agents: "The truth will protect us."
A pandemic business loan program paid more than $2 billion to borrowers who never qualified for subsidies in the first place, new data show. Figures excluded borrowers rejected at the outset on suspicion of fraud: "How much?"
Governor General Mary Simon billed more than $800,000 for a four-day junket to a German book fair including the cost of two photographers, newly-released records show. The Bloc Québécois forced disclosure of all travel expenses after Rideau Hall concealed the $1.15 million cost of Simon's 2022 junket to Dubai: 'People spend $200 for groceries that are barely enough to feed a family.'
A score-settling interview by a CBC Radio host was “testy,” “unfair” and failed to comply with journalistic standards, says a network ombudsman. Robyn Bresnahan was cited for a broadcast in which she hectored a Conservative politician with snide remarks on media relations: "Okay, so it’s our fault?"
Federally-incorporated companies face a yearly requirement to publish names of their owners under a cabinet bill introduced yesterday by Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne. The “beneficial ownership” bill does not apply to the large majority of firms incorporated in their home provinces: "Transparency and accountability are needed."
Small business has been shortchanged on carbon tax rebates promised five years ago, says an advocacy group. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business yesterday calculated rebates to date are a fraction of what operators pay in higher fuel costs: "They have received little or nothing at all."
A Liberal MP accused of secret contacts with Chinese Communist agents yesterday said he was a proud Canadian. “I cannot defend myself against an unverified anonymous source,” MP Han Dong (Don Valley North, Ont.) told reporters: "To my knowledge I was not offered, I was not told, I was not informed nor would I accept any help from a foreign country."
The Commons yesterday by a vote of 177 to 147 rejected a Conservative motion for a full committee investigation of alleged election fraud by Chinese Communist agents. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a last-minute concession agreed to have his chief of staff Katie Telford take MPs questions: "I think we take this a step at a time."
Here is the text of the motion rejected by the Commons: “That given reports of foreign interference in Canada’s democratic processes by or on behalf of the Communist regime in Beijing…”
Here is how votes were cast in the Commons’ 177 to 147 rejection of a motion for extensive committee hearings on alleged vote fraud involving Chinese Communist agents.
Governor General Mary Simon billed more than $90,000 to visit her home town, newly-released records show. “It’s good to be home,” said Simon on her brief tour of Kangiqsualujjuaq, Que. last May: "Over the years I have exchanged stories with Canadians about favourite childhood memories."
A federal blacklist of Freedom Convoy sympathizers was emailed to foreign banks with offices from Wall Street to Beijing, records show. The RCMP placed no restrictions on distribution of the blacklist: "Information was shared."
Canadian researchers continue to work with Huawei Technologies despite a federal ban on use of the Chinese firm’s equipment. Conservative MP Dan Mazier (Dauphin-Swan River, Man.) yesterday tabled patent filings by two universities with Huawei: "Do you continue to work with Huawei in any form?"
