Blacklock's Reporter

Poet Shai Ben-Shalom, an Israeli-born biologist, examines current events in the Blacklock’s tradition each and every Sunday: “Facing growing criticism, the Conservative government will bring in 10,000 refugees, help them settle in Canada…”

Cabinet plans for a military-themed celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary are contradicted by a federal survey, the first of its kind, on the nation’s most treasured values and symbols. Canadians say they are just as proud of medicare (64%) as they are of the armed forces (64%): 'Sixteen percent said they were not proud of Canada on the world stage'.

Anti-trust investigators are expanding a probe of contracting practices at one of the country’s largest airports. The Vancouver Airport Authority says it is cooperating fully with the probe into airline catering: "The Authority exercises control over the business".

An Alberta man who sued for a refund of lawyering fees has lost a bid for a Supreme Court appeal. Justices declined to hear the case of an armchair attorney who won a case his paid lawyer said was likely a lost cause: "Client's frequently complain".

A federal contractor has successfully sued to block disclosure of trade secrets under the Access To Information Act. However a Federal Court judge ruled the value of payments made on government contracts must be made public: "It has an economic interest in maintaining secrecy".

Transport executives grumble a federal safety board is “too rigid” and oblivious to the expense of recommendations on system improvements. Complaints of tense dealings with railways, airlines and marine shippers are detailed in Transportation Safety Board interviews with industry: 'It is too confrontational at times'.

Canada Post faces a post-election pension fight over any proposal to strip benefits as a cost-savings measure, say employee and retirees' advocates. The corporation yesterday declined comment on claims it plans to cut payments under a new Parliament: "I can't understand how it would even be legal".

Media accounts of skin cancer, the most prevalent cancer in Canada, tend to be “narrow” and provide little useful information for the public, says new research. A University of Waterloo study of women’s magazines noted several publications even promoted the “tanned look”.

A final multi-million dollar cleanup of abandoned sub-Arctic mine sites is being contracted by the Department of Northern Development, including sites dating from 1939. Authorities said modern polluter-pay regulations ensure companies, not taxpayers, foot the bill for future cleanups: 'The properties reverted to the Crown'.

One of the country’s largest airport authorities is in legal dispute with regulators over who’s responsible for tending to passengers. The court challenge follows a 2014 incident in which a blind woman was unable to get help at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport: "Obviously there is a problem".

Three of four Atlantic provinces are shrinking, according to a Statistics Canada population count. All but Prince Edward Island have seen fewer residents year over year, though declines do not match historic population collapses: "It does have implications".

A majority of Canadians, 90 percent, say genetically-modified foods should be plainly labeled. But consumers remain divided on whether they’d buy engineered fish or salmon even if approved by federal regulators: "These products need to be identified on the grocery shelf".

VIA Rail is expected to review pension costs in new contract talks with union employees. Transport Canada earlier vowed the Crown railway must ensure it is not a “burden” to taxpayers: "We're back into bargaining".

Health Canada is being petitioned to restrict extra billing amid claims of a Canada Health Act crisis. Lawyers in Québec yesterday urged regulators to halt collection of user fees in the province, with a similar challenge due in a British Columbia court this autumn: "It is a much bigger issue".

Focus groups testing RCMP recruiting ads found surprising reaction to a TV pitch to women. Researchers said the ad narrated by a female announcer was unexpected and lacked authority: 'Not one male preferred the female voice'.