Air Canada is doing its best to comply with the Official Languages Act, say executives. Cabinet is reviewing a proposal to fine the carrier over service complaints involving lack of bilingual staff: "It’s really hard to find people who are bilingual."
Smoking rates have plateaued at more than five million Canadian tobacco users, by official estimate. New data by Statistics Canada followed more dramatic declines in the last decade: "There is a long term trend."
Cabinet will increase unspecified business fees and mandate inflationary hikes in charges every year after, say 2017 budget documents. The Department of Finance did not detail the program: 'It is likely to make it worse, not better.'
A federal labour board has ordered a diligent public employee fired for allegedly cheating on a civil service exam to be reinstated. Investigators had claimed the woman’s work was improbably thorough: "It can be explained."
Unions will gain rights to intervene in cross-border trade disputes, says cabinet. Labour has sought amendments to the Special Import Measures Act allowing unions to file unfair trade complaints: "Unions have the right to participate."
An information commissioner has upheld a complaint over $2.50 in excess charges for processing an Access To Information request. Disputes over fees to obtain public records are “a permanent point of tension,” said Saskatchewan’s commissioner.
VIA Rail has won a three-year federal funding commitment to cover ongoing deficits. The Crown railway’s operating shortfall, currently $280 million a year, is projected to continue for at least another decade as management attempts to revamp the service: "Why can't VIA make money?"
Canada’s first government bond program sold directly to consumers is ending in its 100th year. The Canada Savings Bond introduced as a patriotic loan program in 1917 is no longer worthwhile, said the Department of Finance: 'I remember a woman who subscribed for a $1,000 bond and had it framed.'
Cabinet is abolishing a costly tax credit rated a failure despite billions in expenses. The 15 percent Public Transit Tax Credit will end effective June 30: "There has been a lot of debate over how useful it is."
Federal contractors should be covered by whistleblower protection, the Commons committee on government operations has been told. Witnesses yesterday complained of an active federal blacklist of contractors who report wrongdoing: “I was put out of business by the federal government.”
Canadian steelmakers say cabinet must account for carbon emissions in combating the dumping of subsidized steel from polluting Chinese mills. Executives yesterday told the Commons trade committee a federal carbon tax would put Canadian plants at even greater disadvantage: "What happens with our competitors in China?"
Ninety percent of Syrian refugees let into Canada are unemployed, by official estimate. Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen said provinces must meet welfare costs for Syrians unable to find work: "Now there is a problem."
Canadian cyber security enforcement is weak and police are considered ineffectual, says a Department of Public Safety report. The review of public and industry comments recommended stricter laws: 'There is a lack of faith in law enforcement.'
Air Canada is in Federal Court to block release of what it claims are confidential records under the Access To Information Act. The case follows a 2015 lawsuit by Porter Airlines Inc. to prevent Transport Canada’s publication of safety audit reviews: "This is a highly competitive industry."
French-speaking people are less financially literate than Anglophones, says the Canada Revenue Agency. Staff in an Access To Information report made the claim in attempting to explain the fact few Francophones follow the Agency on Twitter: "French Canadians discuss taxes less than English Canadians."
