One third of Canadians take pick-up jobs like snow shoveling and babysitting at less than the minimum wage, says Bank of Canada research. The Bank attributed the incidence of so-called “informal work” to a weak economy despite cabinet boasts the jobless rate is at its lowest level since 1974: 'They do so as a result of weak economic conditions.'
Ethics Commissioner Mario Dion in an Advisory Opinion cautions MPs to avoid sweetheart deals in awarding 2019 Canada Summer Jobs grants in their ridings. The notice follows lawsuits against MPs accused of favouritism in rejecting applications from certain groups: "You should not make any recommendation."
Residents of Victoria, Vancouver and Toronto are the heaviest debtors in the country, Statistics Canada yesterday calculated. Analysts noted Canadian household debt levels overall are worse today than in the United States at the time of the 2008 financial panic: "This is the highest level recorded."
The Federal Court of Appeal has dismissed a challenge of the Transportation Safety Board’s investigative powers. The operator of a Great Lakes tour boat complained the probe of a minor accident was so intrusive it breached privacy rights: "We’ve cooperated in every way."
A federal agency in Access To Information records warned of significant cost overruns on the taxpayer-owned Trans Mountain Pipeline, including costs per “day of delay”. A total 601 pages of cost-benefit reports were withheld from MPs and senators: "There continues to be a risk of cost escalation."
Treasury Board President Dr. Jane Philpott yesterday resigned after describing cabinet's role in a growing political scandal as indefensible. Philpott is the third official to quit amid allegations of political interference in a criminal case: "Sadly, I have lost confidence in how the government has dealt with this matter."
The Department of Canadian Heritage refused a request for a courtesy video of Minister’s greetings to a group it deemed too “Anglo-focused”, according to Access To Information records. The department yesterday did not comment. Other requests for greetings to Francophone, Chinese, Hindu and Kurdish groups were approved: "Hold on this one."
Internal government polling shows a majority of Canadians support stricter gun laws. Data released through Access To Information do not include direct questioning of whether people would endorse an outright ban on handguns: "We’re prepared to take whatever measures will be effective."
An Ontario court yesterday ordered the Globe & Mail to face trial in a $125 million defamation lawsuit. Million-dollar defamation awards are rare but not unprecedented in Canada: 'This is a case that could go either way.'
The nation’s largest newspaper chain says it’s tightening editorial standards after publishing a fake news story about the Prime Minister’s Office. A press ombudsman, the National News Media Council, dismissed a reader’s complaint in the case: “This was obviously a fake.”
Statistics Canada is including the cost of recreational marijuana in its benchmark Consumer Price Index. Canada is the first country to add narcotics to the basket of goods used to calculate its official inflation rate: 'Cannabis is of relevance to Canadian households.'
Cabinet seeks to block Senate hearings including testimony by the Prime Minister on political interference in the prosecution of SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. “Let’s not try to get into the act and play junior league second-guessers,” said Senator Peter Harder (Ont.), Government Representative in the Senate.
A federal labour board has upheld a four-day suspension for a Yukon Customs officer caught smoking in the office. The woman explained it was too cold to duck outside for a cigarette. The daytime high was -26°: "It is a simple, straightforward rule."
A cabinet official yesterday dismissed disclosures the Prime Minister’s Office boasted of being able to “line up” newspaper editors and columnists to write Liberal-friendly commentaries. Cabinet in its March 19 budget has proposed to detail a half-billion subsidy program for media deemed reliable: “We would of course line up all kinds of people to write op-eds.”
Three provinces yesterday told the Senate energy committee Parliament must quickly amend an oil and gas bill or face costly consequences. Cabinet has sought passage of the bill with ten work weeks left before Parliament adjourns for an October 21 election campaign: "That simply is bad for business."
