The Canada Revenue Agency forecasts a ten-fold increase in the number of cannabis wholesalers by 2023. The estimate is detailed in a rush order for excise tax stamps for recreational marijuana to be legalized October 17: "This is a new market."
Payment of a yearly bilingualism bonus to federal employees has cost almost $2 billion since cabinet first proposed to eliminate the benefit in 1982, says a federal report. Cabinet has repeatedly attempted to repeal the bonus worth $800 a year to staff that speak French and English: "It has never been increased."
A Commons committee is demanding legislation guaranteeing prompt payment to small suppliers and contractors on public works. Cabinet has shelved a bill passed by the Senate in 2017 that would give contractors a right to demand payment for work without fear of being struck from the bidders’ lists: "Not being paid on time is huge."
A Court has faulted a Halifax college for recruiting foreign students on a vague promise they’d obtain federal work permits. The college should have told the truth though it “would not have been an effective recruitment tool”, wrote the Court.
Please note Blacklock’s is pausing for a short recess this week, with warmest wishes to readers and sponsors. We’re back Monday the 9th — The Editor....
Business and labour executives yesterday appealed to the Commons trade committee for immediate federal aid from U.S. tariffs. One MP described the prospect of a prolonged trade war as surreal: "We're boiling to death here."
An average 89 federal employees are fired annually for misconduct or incompetence, according to Treasury Board figures. Release of Access To Information data followed a Board proposal to study ways of making it easier to dismiss staff: "It would be very messy and controversial."
About 1 in 4 homeowners face mortgage renewal risk this year, according to the Bank of Canada. The estimate follows a warning from the Parliamentary Budget Office that 2018 household debt will reach unprecedented levels: "The financial vulnerability of the average Canadian household would rise to levels beyond historical experience."
The Department of Employment is accused of gagging free speech in a second lawsuit over its Canada Summer Jobs program. The department to date has rejected 1,559 applications from employers who refused to sign a government oath: "We will not take it lightly."
The National Energy Board is placing a rush order for security consultants amid ongoing protests against the Trans Mountain oil pipeline. The Board in a notice said it needs “protective measures” to safeguard employees: "This is unnecessary but not surprising."
Federal researchers predict a major earthquake off the British Columbia coast could trigger a 16-foot tsunami that would destroy the provincial legislature. Tsunami modeling was done for the Canadian Coast Guard that operates a Victoria station 1.5 kilometres from the B.C. assembly: "The region is now considered under high risk."
The Department of Natural Resources spent $62.5 million on 112 green vehicle charging stations, the equivalent of $558,000 each, says Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr. “We’re on a trajectory of growth,” Carr told the Commons natural resources committee.
Health Canada faces a consumer pushback with a proposed campaign to have Canadians drink less soda pop. In-house research found most consumers don’t believe sweetened beverages like soda, fruit juice and chocolate milk are the leading source of sugar intake in the nation’s diet: "They do not feel compelled."
The Department of Finance proposes new anti-fraud rules on federal safekeeping of unclaimed cash after Blacklock’s uncovered $7 million in suspicious payments from dormant savings accounts. No police were called after Bank of Canada staff admitted to paying millions in "high risk" claims: 'How could an amount that size be paid out without an audit?'
Finance Minister Bill Morneau has vetoed a Commons trade committee proposal to charge GST on Canadian sales by foreign-based internet retailers like eBay. Small businesses complained tax-free electronic retailing hurt local storekeepers: "We need a taxation system that is fair."
