Transport Canada says it will take weeks to respond to a sweeping federal report urging privatization of airports, elimination of regulated rail freight profit caps and cuts to regional VIA Rail subsidies. The report is “a lot of big talk”, said a senior official.
Nearly a third of Canadians with new car loans have borrowed more than their vehicles are worth, says the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada. The Agency – which draws 90 percent of its budget from banks and other corporations – said it could not fault lenders: "I would not submit to you it is an unfair lending practice".
Health Canada must protect consumers from a barrage of sugar-laden processed foods, says a Senator who led a two-year probe of obesity rates. Critics yesterday condemned proposals for tighter regulation of processors as reckless and outrageous: 'It's up to the Minister of Health, not the Senate'.
National mercury emissions have declined mainly due to the closure of a single Manitoba copper smelter cited as the worst polluter in the country, says Environment Canada. More study of long-term effects on First Nations, anglers and Asian Canadians with fish-rich diets is needed, researchers warned: "There is a lack of data on mercury exposure of Canadian children".
A cabinet bid for Canadians’ input on new internet privacy regulations is being cheered by advocates. It follows 2015 passage of a Senate bill that sanctioned data mining by internet service providers: "It has a long way to go".
The Canada Labour Code will see significant amendments including changes to workplace health and safety regulations, says Labour Minister MaryAnn Mihychuk. Her remarks came as MPs last night voted in principle to repeal two newly-enacted Conservative labour bills: "There will be a number of changes".
Industry Canada breached federal law in concealing basic details of an easy-term loan program that’s seen most payments go to Québec, says the Information Commissioner. Blacklock’s tried for two years to obtain the names of borrowers who received $75.5 million from the little-known Canada Youth Business Foundation: "I do not have those numbers".
Service Canada's national 1-800 service is so dysfunctional even federal employees won't use it, according to evidence in a labour board hearing. Call records show Canadians have zero chance of speaking to a live operator: "Clients want to speak to a real person".
Advocates credit the Minister of Fisheries with enforcing the Species At Risk Act to save trout threatened by Alberta industry. It follows a 2015 lawsuit that cited cabinet for breaking its own laws intended to protect fish and wildlife from mining, logging and other industry: “There are far-reaching effects”.
Unlicensed Uber taxi services raise questions over tax enforcement, says a Department of Justice report. The document obtained through Access To Information said the so-called “sharing economy” poses problems for tax collections: "Where should the lines be drawn?"
The government is misspending nearly $2 million a year depositing pension payments into the bank accounts of dead employees. Cabinet enacted new regulations to curb the practice: "The process to recover the money is not easy".
More Canadians die from diesel exhaust than from being run over in traffic, says new Health Canada research. More study on diesel-related asthma in children is needed, officials said: "Most Canadians are regularly exposed to diesel exhaust".
Federal regulators have yet to clarify enforcement of rules on start-up discount airlines after a Winnipeg-based carrier was grounded in February. The Canadian Transportation Agency is reviewing regulations disallowing licensed carriers from subcontracting bookings to third parties: 'We plan to resume very shortly'.
The peril of microplastics in the seafood chain is the subject of first-ever research by the fisheries department. Authorities are contracting a two-year study of microplastics in shellfish: 'It isn't going to be pretty'.
Cabinet may consider a U.S.-style program to track derelict boats cluttering the nation’s harbours, says Fisheries Minister Hunter Tootoo. A bill before Parliament would see the Coast Guard assume millions in salvage costs and environmental clean-up: "It's a huge issue".
