MPs are reviewing another private bill, the second in a month, to supervise the conduct of Canadian mining companies abroad. The legislation would appoint an ombudsman to probe mining, oil and gas companies: "Even the government recognizes this is a problem".
The Great Lakes after decades of improvement face new concerns, concludes the Commons environment committee. MPs warned of chemical runoff and dumping of sewage into lakes where 11 million Canadians draw their drinking water: "It's more than mildly disturbing".
A federal bill intended to protect Canadians’ electronic privacy instead weakens it, cautions a consumers’ group. The Public Interest Advocacy Centre said the bill strips any incentive to divulge privacy breaches: "There is no reporting to anyone".
Cabinet is fending off calls for direct renewed commitments on housing subsidies amid warnings that tenants face unaffordable rents. The Co-Operative Housing Federation yesterday rallied at Parliament Hill for long-term funding: "This is simply not acceptable in a country such as ours".
A Crown agency mandated to invest in public works, PPP Canada Inc., in five years has paid out just 2.5% of its cash holdings for projects, says its chief financial officer. The fund was intended to ease an urgent infrastructure deficit. Over the same period the corporation paid more than $16 million in staff salaries: "It's becoming obvious this is not going to work".
Agriculture Canada says it is “excited” by claims of lesser bee mortality this year amid protests that common farm pesticides have decimated apiaries. Beekeepers have blamed chemicals for losses of up to 50 percent: "There's quite a difference of opinion".
Golfers are protesting the “blatant unfairness” of Canada Revenue tax law that forbids deductions of country club expenses. The National Allied Golf Associations complained of Income Tax Act provisions that allow deductions on hockey tickets but not green fees: "It is critical that we speak up".
RCMP are searching for a roadside test to catch cannabis-impaired drivers. Police said evidence suggest thousands of Canadian motorists operate under the influence of marijuana and other drugs: 'They don't believe a driver can be charged while impaired by cannabis".
Regulators would ban advertising of food to children, standardize labeling and assign more front-line staff at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency under an Official Opposition food policy: "Ignite a dialogue with those who care passionately about these issues".
A chemical used in children’s products and now banned as a cancer risk will remain in Canadian homes for generations, analysts warn. Health Canada is to outlaw the substance October 1 following research confirming the health risk: "Flame retardants will be with us for a generation".
Cabinet will gain new authority to financially punish federal tribunals it deems troublesome, critics caution. Changes contained in an omnibus budget bill place every major tribunal under cabinet supervision including the Canada Industrial Relations Board: "All it would need to do is starve that tribunal of a budget".
Canadians eager for news on auto safety should call a government 1-800 number, says Transport Canada. The department is repealing a legal requirement that it provide advance public notice of changes under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act: "We're moving towards a slippery slope here".
One of Canada’s largest utilities has lost a court bid to claim hundreds of thousands of dollars in costs in fighting a Canada Revenue tax order. TransAlta Corp. attorneys sought payment for their bid to win a friendly tax ruling: "I thought I had a legal argument".
The Library of Parliament paid for ads on Google and Facebook as part of an “educational outreach” campaign for the public, though most Canadians are barred from using the facility. Sonia L'Heureux, Parliament’s $168,000-a year chief librarian, yesterday declined an interview on the spending. “She’s not going to discuss contracts,” a spokesperson said.
The Canadian Transportation Agency is expected to issue its first rulings this fall on service contracts with railways. The agency said it has three shippers’ complaints to date: "Corridor by corridor, week by week, they can tell exactly what's being missed".
