Statistics Canada reviewed whether to add a “non-binary” gender category in its monthly jobless reports but concluded the population was too small for accurate data, says a labour department report. Less than a quarter of one percent of Canadians identify as transgender or non-binary: "Given the non-binary population is small, data aggregation to a two-category gender variable is necessary." READ MORE
Parliament should federalize rent controls and cover late payments for tenants “at risk of immediate homelessness,” says the only MP in the federal New Democrat leadership race. Heather McPherson (Edmonton Strathcona) yesterday said regulation must not be left to landlords and local authorities: "Affordable housing is non-negotiable." READ MORE
A now-suspended tax on foreign-owned vacant residences cost nearly as much to collect as it raised in cash, according to Canada Revenue Agency figures. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced repeal of the tax last November 4: "The form is six pages long." READ MORE
The Department of Health this year will monitor industry’s compliance with a voluntary plan to save billions in health care costs by cutting sodium levels in processed foods. Non-compliance “will inform future actions,” the department wrote in a report to the Senate: "Industry needs to make additional efforts." READ MORE
The Public Health Agency yesterday budgeted $80,000 to have pollsters design future surveys regarding Canadians’ willingness to take medical advice from the government. It followed a 2023 report acknowledging “increased distrust of government and science.” READ MORE
Liberal MP Chrystia Freeland (University-Rosedale, Ont.) only days after consulting Canadian CEOs on investment in Ukraine yesterday accepted appointment as an advisor to Ukraine’s President for “attracting investment.” Federal law prohibits public office holders from using their office to further a private interest: "Oh, is it the right time to invest in Ukraine?" READ MORE
Cabinet is undermining a federal law to unmask foreign agents, the vice-chair of the Commons public safety committee said yesterday. Comments by Conservative MP Frank Caputo (Kamloops-Thompson, B.C.) followed disclosures the Department of Public Safety contemplated trivial fines against scofflaws found in breach of an Act of Parliament: "No surprise." READ MORE
Terror affects families in different ways. Some remember their loved ones as sacrifices for peace; others say we can never have peace. There are very few families in Israel who have not in some way been pained by the experience of terror. I think pain and loss are seared in the consciousness of the Israeli public. Hagit Zabitsky was my niece. I remember her as a thoughtful 22-year old, shy and introspective. On the day she died Hagit was hiking with a friend in the hills when she was bludgeoned to death.
