Seven federal departments have struck a “flood mapping committee” to predict the reach of high-water disasters due to climate change. Natural Resources Canada said historic weather records are insufficient: "Canada is behind most other countries".
The Copyright Act does not protect work compiled by computer programs, say government attorneys. Lawyers in an Alberta court brief said original works processed by computer programs were like “carving a turkey” and do not qualify as intellectual property: "Their position is astounding".
Evidence in an Ontario court case has shed light on millions in secret rebates paid by the pharmaceutical industry. It follows a mammoth 2014 federal tax audit into bonuses paid to Canadian pharmacists: 'These are illegal'.
Provincial tax hikes on top one percenters have seen diminishing returns as wealthy Canadians adopted more sophisticated tax avoidance schemes, says new research. The findings come as cabinet proposes to raise federal taxes on families earning more than $200,000 a year: 'It questions how effective that is'.
Winter ice blamed for cutting power production from Canadian wind turbines is under research by the Department of Natural Resources. The department is spending $105,000 to develop computer models that would predict ice build-up on turbine blades: "It's one of the biggest challenges to the operation of wind turbines in Canada".
Industry successfully lobbied Transport Canada to delay for years the introduction of new air safety rules, documents show. Amendments to Canadian Aviation Regulations were put off due to costs though the department said current rules are inadequate, according to a cabinet memo released through Access To Information: "Transport Canada requires additional time to work with industry".
The Commissioner of Official Languages is investigating why approximately one-third of Canadians oppose bilingualism though it’s been federal law for nearly fifty years. New research is needed to develop a socio-economic profile of opponents, the Commissioner's office said: "This does not seem at all necessary".
Canada Revenue Agency plans a Twitter blitz to get young people to pay their taxes, but requires a consultant to tell it “what to say”. The initiative follows federal research showing Canadians are five times more likely to read a weekly newspaper than use Twitter: 'We require an analysis of the social media landscape'.
There is no statistical evidence shoppers spend more on Black Friday in Canada. New data show the share of retail sales occurring in November and December has remained flat since 2006 despite retailers’ advertising and media hype: "Retailers understand that".
A federal agency is accused of skewing its contracting to favour U.S. multinationals. Shared Services Canada is the target of an inquiry by the Canadian International Trade Tribunal. The hearing follows complaints from Eclipsys Solutions Inc. of Ottawa over its treatment in the tendering of an estimated $100 million contract for electronic server and storage devices: "We were never given the opportunity".
A Christmas copyright feud is sending two of the country’s largest retailers to Federal Court in time for the holidays. Canadian Tire Ltd. accuses Walmart Canada of copycatting its distinct holiday lights down to the photo on the box: "The statement of claim speaks for itself".
Federal scientists are commissioning a semi-detached environmental home of the future at a cost of up to $714,000. The 2,000 sq.ft. model home includes solar panels and garage plug-ins for an electric car: 'It will win national and international prestige'.
The impact of climate change will not be as rosy as the Department of Agriculture forecast in a 2014 report, a Canadian Climate Forum has been told. Delegates to the Ottawa conference said global warming will challenge growers: 'The impact on Canada is uncertain'.
Canada Post spent some $60 million on its failed plan to convert all home delivery to community mailboxes, new figures show. The cost of the boxes was double the Crown corporation’s projected profit for the entire year: "We were very responsible on this".
The Supreme Court is sidestepping a defamation case against one of the country’s best-known former premiers. A blogger sued by Danny Williams claims his right to a fair trial was compromised in Newfoundland & Labrador after a courthouse was named for the two-term premier: "This is a highly unusual case".
