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?"
An expected Commons vote today will see MPs attempt to take control of an investigation into suspected election fraud. Opposition parties yesterday said Parliament, not the Prime Minister, must direct next steps in determining whether the Chinese Communist Party interfered in the 2019 and 2021 campaigns: "The Prime Minister must be hiding something really big."
Federal managers set easy performance targets that only seem difficult to achieve, Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux said yesterday. Executives were skilled in pretending to be ambitious, he said: "I speak of my own experience of having been in the public service for more than two decades."
Cabinet approved millions in executives' back pay and bonuses last year even as Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland warned taxpayers to brace for a recession, records show. Almost every executive at every department and agency, 98 percent, received a bonus: "Times feel tough."
