Prime Minister Mark Carney yesterday redefined his first major bill to mandate that industrial projects deemed fit for speedy approval "must" serve Indigenous interests. The legal text of Bill C-5 passed into law June 26 states only that Indigenous interests "may" or "can" be considered: "Core to the objective, these projects must advance the interests of Indigenous peoples."
Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre yesterday said he will compel a Commons vote this fall on capital gains tax breaks and other initiatives to “get building now” amid U.S. tariffs. Poilievre made the comment while campaigning in an August 18 byelection in Battle River-Crowfoot, Alta.: "We need to get building."
Seizures of contraband drugs in federal prisons have jumped 169 percent since Parliament passed a Drug-Free Prisons Act, according to internal figures. Wardens blamed technology like drones: "It is doubtful if there is a prison in the world that is drug-free."
Many Canadian researchers resent diversity, equity and inclusion criteria used to determine who qualifies for federal funding, says a submission to the Commons science committee. The document cited one instance in which a researcher was asked if they were LGBTQ for a project that had nothing to do with the LGBTQ community: "It is regrettable that criteria unrelated to science, excellence and merit are influencing funding decisions."
An army corporal has been censured for picking a barroom fight after attending Remembrance Day ceremonies. Score-settling on a mournful day to honour Canadian war dead marked “a significant shortfall of expected military decorum,” wrote a Court Martial judge: "Conduct yourself in a manner that would honour the sacrifices of those who have gone before us."
A federal regulator yesterday predicted weaker 2025 sales of zero emission vehicles just ahead of mandatory quotas. MPs on June 17 voted 194-141 to uphold the federal mandate that requires 20 percent of 2026 new vehicle sales be zero emission: "Weaker sales in 2025 are likely."
Dr. Mona Nemer, cabinet’s $393,000-a year science advisor, recommends the government create a UFO agency to take calls from Canadians who claim to spot alien life. Nemer in an Access To Information report said it was likely “only a matter of time before it is discovered” but noted people who claim close encounters are typically ridiculed: "Report sightings without fear of repercussions."
Muslim groups yesterday in a report proposed regulation of parliamentary “disinformation” against Arab Canadians. Amira Elghawaby, cabinet’s $191,000-a year Special Representative on Combating Islamophobia, said immediate action was required: "How would that work?"
Scotiabank yesterday declined comment on its refusal to make even small change for walk-in customers unless they open an account. The Bank’s new policy follows introduction of a cabinet bill abolishing cash transactions of $10,000 or more regardless of the source or circumstances, the first restriction of its kind: "We don’t have comment at this time."
Canadians surveyed by the Department of National Defence rate Russia as the leading threat to national security. Other responses included China, the U.S.A. and “immigration policies.”
Federal election managers knew the approximate date of the 2025 campaign call months before it was public, Access To Information records show. Elections Canada to date has not explained numerous irregularities in the vote given the ample warning: "It appears we will have an election call on March 25 or 26."
Prime Minister Mark Carney yesterday reiterated his pledge to double housing starts to 500,000 per year though federal figures show the target is impossible to achieve. Carney offered no explanation: "We build bigger and faster."
The Department of Social Development yesterday said it is hiring researchers to study actual impacts of its $200 million-a year school lunch program. Then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the program 16 months ago on claimed benefits that appeared to be inflated: "The goal is to build a strong, evidence-based program."
Mounties should conduct themselves with more “humility,” says a federal report. The RCMP acknowledged it was not obvious what the reference meant in practical policing: "The status quo isn’t working."
Immigration Minister Lena Diab yesterday said she was extending special permits for Gazan refugees but would not specify if a cap of 5,000 will remain unchanged. Diab’s department also declined to discuss costs of tax-free grants that pay $3,000 per adult and $1,500 per minor child: "The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is devastating."
