Canada must beware of complacency over ballooning trade deficits in some food processing sectors, says a national think-tank. The Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute said the deficit in goods like wine and pizza will hit $6.8 billion this year: 'An increasing proportion is controlled by international firms'.
MPs propose more detailed study of rail insurance including whether shippers must pay more dangerous cargo. The Commons transport committee says liability questions linger nearly a year after the fatal Lac-Mégantic derailment: "Just asking that question implies making a major change in the status quo".
Finance Canada says sales taxes on electronic downloads are “difficult” but will not commit to repealing the GST. The Canadian Taxpayers Federation called the tax unfair, noting foreign-based firms like Netflix are exempt while Canadian cable providers like Rogers are not: "What's the point?"
Cities face a turning point in housing amid rising rents and prices, say analysts. Remarks followed a report that housing affordability is worsening. Urban rents range from $687 a month for a two-bedroom apartment in Saint John to $1,274 in Vancouver: "We don't have tools to address that".
Health Canada’s privatized medical marijuana program is risky for speculators, say national stock regulators. Canadian Securities Administrators cautioned buyers to use “significant due diligence” when purchasing shares in marijuana farms. The alert followed cautionary notes from insurers and physicians: "I worry".
The Supreme Court will hear a second case of a bankrupt motorist denied a license for failing to pay heavy fines. Justices agreed to decide the case of an Alberta man told he must pay thousands of dollars even after being discharged from bankruptcy court: 'The Court is looking for an issue of national importance and they've sure got it here".
Transport Canada does not track spot safety inspections in civil aviation amid conflicting claims of cuts to random checks. A senior official said unannounced inspections have taken place since 2005 though the number could not be divulged to MPs: "Can we ask to get this?"
Cabinet faces resistance from up to a quarter of Canadians over plans to abolish payment by paper cheque. Polling data by the Department of Public Works found most Canadians remain unaware of the plan, and a vocal minority oppose it: "They are less trusting of the government".
The Commons health committee has approved a bill expanding controls on unsafe medicines amid tense questioning of pharmaceutical executives. MP Terence Young challenged the industry over patient injuries and deaths, including his own daughter's: "Explain the thinking".
Utilities are endorsing a Commons bill to curb theft of copper from “critical” infrastructure. Executives blame weak penalties for a rash of thefts as the price of copper increased more than 200%: "Something has to be done".
A Commons finance committee report on youth unemployment is steering clear of the impact of migrant labour. However the committee’s Conservative chair says restaurant employers in some regions have no choice but to hire under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program: "It's just very hard to find those who are going to make a sandwich for $12 an hour".
Canada Revenue Agency has lost a court judgment over penalties on a Calgary oil executive who failed to report thousands of dollars in income. Tax Court ruled the agency went too far in levying penalties that ran to 220% of the tax that was owed: "It is a harsh provision".
The National Gallery of Canada has been cited for bad faith in a copyright dispute. The Supreme Court determined management acted improperly when it sought out a legal opinion that it did not have to bargain around mandatory minimum fees for using existing artworks: "It turned out to be a fairly straightforward case".
Food processors and farm groups say they are being inundated with consultation documents from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency – six in a month. Industry cautioned the campaign smacked of a speed-up to overhaul regulations prior to a 2015 election: "It's like a blizzard".
Parliament must double funding for the CBC if the Crown agency is to be “effective”, says a former president. Tony Manera testified at Senate hearings that annual funding for the network should increase from the equivalent of $29 per capita to $50: 'Their ad revenue has gone down faster than government funding'.
