A derelict freighter in the St. Lawrence River has cost taxpayers more than $4 million, new data show. Disclosure of ongoing costs of the abandoned vessel follows MPs’ approval of a motion to federalize clean-up of hundreds of derelict boats nationwide: 'It's getting worse and worse'.
Parliament should restore habitat protections under the Fisheries Act, environmental and fisheries groups have told MPs. Witnesses at the Commons fisheries committee complained of political influence that prompted 2012 amendments to the law: "There is essentially no federal protection for fish habitat or water in Canada".
A federal agency will spend $3.78 million to encrypt government-issue mobile devices. Cabinet has not addressed concerns that private messages transmitted by 98,000 government BlackBerry devices are exempt from public scrutiny: "The secrecy loopholes are huge".
Cabinet is endorsing a Conservative proposal for the first federal investigation of pornography since 1985. MPs from all parties yesterday expressed support for a Commons committee probe of explicit internet content: "This is an issue close to the hearts of many Canadians".
Parks Canada has not reviewed the effectiveness of federal fines on scofflaws in years, records show. The Agency handed out fewer than 3,000 tickets in the past decade for a range of offences from illegal fishing to operating off-road vehicles in national parks: "Offences are way too common".
Callers to a Canada Revenue Agency hotline for reporting of tax cheats face long waits on hold, 9 minutes or more. The Agency launched the 1-800 line for informants in 2014: "It will be sort of hit and miss".
Environment Canada did not purchase a single electric vehicle last year despite a cabinet commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions, records show. The 2016 budget set aside $62.5 million in funding for electric recharging stations and other initiatives: 'We support the deployment of electric vehicles'.
Family income for seniors has grown at double the pace of younger families since 1976, says Statistics Canada. The new research followed data that Canadians over 65 typically have more wealth and less debt than younger people: “This is not a theory or opinion”.
Veterans Affairs Canada budgeted $3.5 million to promote Remembrance Week observances, according to Access To Information records. Data did not indicate whether the ads worked. A total 69 percent of Canadians surveyed said they skipped last year’s November 11 events despite the ad blitz: "What do you remember about this advertising?"
Canadian diplomats billed taxpayers more than $1.7 million on gardening and swimming pool maintenance at missions abroad, documents show. Foreign Minister Stéphane Dion in a report to Parliament described the work as “vital”.
Health Canada is funding $400,000 in research on the incidence of childhood asthma due to air pollution. It follows a 2016 finding that more Canadians die from diesel exhaust than from walking into traffic: "We know there is a connection".
Poet Shai Ben-Shalom, an Israeli-born biologist, examines current events in the Blacklock’s tradition each and every Sunday: “Canada pushes for an extradition treaty with China. A problematic agreement…”
Blacklock’s Reporter today pauses for the federal Remembrance observance with gratitude to all who honoured our country.Thank you for your service.
Nearly 90 billion litres of raw sewage and untreated wastewater have been dumped in waterways by municipalities in the past year, says Environment Canada. “No studies have been done or are ongoing regarding the impact,” the department wrote in notice.
A Crown corporation has again spent public funds on pro sports tickets despite a 2015 cabinet directive to halt the practice. Staff at Farm Credit Canada billed taxpayers for 28 game tickets to see the hometown Saskatchewan Roughriders: "This is public money".
