Blacklock's Reporter

The Privy Council Office in confidential research found Canadians increasingly unhappy with cabinet's pandemic management including “absence of a concrete reopening plan.” The in-house polling report came weeks after the September 20 election that saw Liberals regain office with 32.6 percent of the vote, a record low: "Some felt considerations other than the best interests of the country were increasingly playing a role."

Cabinet will change Covid rules for cross-border travelers this week. The Department of Health would not say if the decision was prompted by the Freedom Convoy truckers’ protest now in its 18th day outside Parliament: "The situation changes."

Now-retired Senator James Munson (Ont.) tomorrow is to lead national observance of "Kindness Week" after calling Freedom Convoy truckers racists and hostage takers. Munson, a former Liberal press aide, sponsored An Act Respecting Kindness Week to "encourage values such as empathy."

A company directed by Defence Minister Anita Anand’s husband was awarded a Covid contract over eighteen competitors, records show. Cabinet said Anand played no role in the award: "A total of nineteen companies submitted bids."

Canada Post management said it was never told of cabinet research on job and service cuts at the post office. The in-house polling by the Privy Council Office followed similar proposals in a 2013 Action Plan: "Have you been presented with the results of that?"

The Commons public safety committee yesterday voted 11-0 to investigate crowdfunding for “ideologically-motivated violent extremism in Canada.” The vote came as one MP compared Freedom Convoy truckers to terrorists: "I think any casual observer looking at Ottawa right now could probably make a link."

The Commons public accounts committee yesterday determined no Public Health Agency executive was fired for mismanaging a national stockpile of medical supplies. Records show the Agency ignored warnings to prepare for an inevitable pandemic and instead threw masks away to save on warehouse leases: "No one in your department was held accountable for putting our front line workers at risk."

A Public Health Agency data scoop on millions of Canadian cellphone users would never have been allowed under foreign laws, the Commons ethics committee was told yesterday. “This was staggering to me,” testified Ann Cavoukian, former Ontario privacy commissioner: "Never, ever give up on privacy. Privacy and freedom, they go hand in hand."

Federal regulators yesterday partially repealed an order permitting telecom companies to abandon paper billing as a cost-savings measure. Consumer groups petitioned the CRTC to guarantee billing by mail: "A paper bill is the cost of doing business."

A federal committee is recommending cabinet drop plans to legislate a statutory “right to disconnect” under the Canada Labour Code. Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan received the report last June but withheld it until yesterday: "There was substantial divergence on how the government should proceed."

VIA Rail will require ongoing bailouts for years to come due to far-reaching Covid losses, says management. Millions are required to avoid “drastic cuts,” said the Crown railway: "Without sufficient and timely funding VIA Rail would be obliged to make drastic cuts."

Cabinet would enshrine a legal “right to a healthy environment” under a bill yesterday introduced in the Senate. MPs defeated a similar New Democrat measure two years ago: 'This would lead to strong protections for Canadians no matter who they are or where they live.'

We Charity now relies entirely on U.S. donors following the collapse of a 2020 federal grant, according to records. The charity outlined its finances in a 458-page filing in U.S. federal court: "We Charity’s reputation in the United States is its most valuable asset."

The Commons yesterday voted unanimously to formally repeal terms of a contract awarding Canadian Pacific Railway exemption from taxation. Lawyers for the corporation have sued to enforce the 19th century contract promising the CPR a perpetual tax holiday: "Ridiculous."

Vehicle traffic should be banned within two blocks of Parliament Hill, a former Ottawa police chief said yesterday. Senator Vern White said cabinet should ensure the Freedom Convoy blockade now in its 14th day is the last street encampment of its kind: "The city and federal governments can make these changes quickly."