A federal transport regulator lacks “fairness”, impartiality and an efficient way of handling consumer complaints against airlines, according to its own in-house research. The study by the Canadian Transportation Agency found consumers faced “high-priced” corporate attorneys and a sluggish bureaucracy in pressing claims against carriers: "It doesn't seem like a fair fight".
Merchants and restaurateurs get no sympathy from consumers in appeals for regulated credit card transaction fees, says Consumers Council of Canada research. Focus groups found Canadians are indifferent to vendors’ fees and suspicious of any program that would cost them free rewards: "There is a lot of cynicism".
The popularity of Netflix poses a “significant” challenge to federal attempts to promote Canadian TV programming, says a Department of Canadian Heritage report. The document obtained through Access To Information cited “remarkable” growth in unregulated web broadcasting: "Consumer habits are changing".
Courts should consider using the Copyright Act to limit the publication of names and facts from open trials and tribunal hearings, says a legal scholar. The federal Office of the Privacy Commissioner earlier cited an offshore website for broadcasting details of Canadian legal proceedings, though all information was public: "You put these things online and it's there for everyone".
Poet Shai Ben-Shalom, an Israeli-born biologist, examines current events in the Blacklock’s tradition each and every Sunday: “In the 1980s, Amsterdam installed new devices outside public buildings…”
Canadians are more concerned about water conservation than new oil pipelines, according to the government’s own in-house research. Focus groups and polling by the Department of Natural Resources also found Canadians sharply oppose any bulk water exports to the drought-stricken U.S.: "Water is the natural resource most valued by Canadians".
Data mining of motorists’ driving habits, music choices and web browsing raises “privacy implications for consumers”, cautions a secret Industry Canada memo. The department stopped short of proposing any new regulations to restrict commercial use of personal information by automakers, insurers and marketers: "The automobile is turning into a Smartphone on wheels".
Canadian National Railways Co. is considering a Supreme Court appeal over its claimed right to refuse to switch freight cars by a rival railway. The CNR has twice lost judgments in the dispute with agri-business giant James Richardson & Sons Ltd. of Winnipeg: "CN has not shown any error".
Federal lawyers have filed a $1.5 million lawsuit over a St. Lawrence River oil spill. Some 22 tonnes of fuel are believed to have leaked into the river with the sinking of a tug boat at Trois-Rivières, Que. last December 26: "It happens".
An Alberta union is the first to sue cabinet over a contentious bill mandating disclosure of confidential labour records. The lawsuit asks that an Edmonton court strike down Bill C-377 as unconstitutional and an infringement on provincial rights: "It will have a chilling effect".
The Humane Society of Canada lost its charity registration after federal auditors discovered the group spent funds on comic books, liquor and a trip to Disneyland by its executive director, according to court documents. The Society unsuccessfully sued for reinstatement of its charitable status: 'This would constitute a failure to meet the definition of a charity'.
Insurers say an industry code on genetic testing will protect Canadians’ privacy. Legislation restricting use of DNA tests by insurers and employers died with the dissolution of Parliament: "No Canadians will be asked to take a genetic test".
Telecom regulators have refused an application from Rogers Inc. to bypass a consumer code in its cellphone contracts. Rogers’ request would effectively rewrite part of a 2013 Wireless Code on suspension of service for subscribers over non-payment, said the CRTC: "This decision seems to push back".
Comments from the weird to the wicked are among some 20,000 online suggestions to Heritage Canada on how to celebrate the nation’s 150th anniversary. Anonymous submissions include proposals for $150 domestic air fares; abolition of the monarchy; and numerous digs at Prime Minister Stephen Harper: "Honestly, this is tedious".
Federal prosecutors filed only four cases for violation of the Trademarks Act last year, according to newly-released data. There were no prosecutions for trademark theft, according to the Public Prosecution Service of Canada: "It seems thin".
