A federal inventory of surplus Department of National Defence properties earmarked for housing includes buildings so decrepit they failed health inspections, new records show. One century-old Nova Scotia armoury deemed unfit for occupancy was among 14 properties listed “as potentially suitable for housing development under the Federal Lands Initiative.” READ MORE
Canadians may see more interest rate hikes this winter after the Bank of Canada yesterday approved the first increase since 2023, says Governor Tiff Macklem. “There could be a need to raise the policy rate further,” he told reporters: "Higher interest rates are not going to immediately feel like they are helping." READ MORE
Members of the Commons ethics committee yesterday questioned why Liberal MP Lori Idlout (Nunavut) escaped penalty for multiple violations of the Conflict Of Interest Code For Members Of The House Of Commons. “How many times does someone have to violate it?” asked one Opposition MP. READ MORE
A Correctional Service executive has been faulted for unbelievable and “preposterous” testimony at a labour board hearing. Assistant Deputy Commissioner Crystal Thompson was cited for mishandling a trivial dispute as warden at the Millhaven penitentiary in Bath, Ont.: "I do not believe her testimony." READ MORE
The Competition Bureau yesterday warned that an Air Canada proposal to expand cross-border joint ventures with United Airlines would cost consumers millions. A final decision is up to the Department of Transport, which opened public consultations on the proposal October 16: "The proposal would likely result in higher prices." READ MORE
MPs yesterday expressed incredulity on learning up to 200 employees at cabinet’s Major Projects Office are on half-salary from private corporations and were never vetted by the Ethics Commissioner. “Is this just something out of the goodness of their heart?” asked Conservative MP Branden Leslie (Portage-Lisgar, Man.): "You can see private sector companies have value in this." READ MORE
Housing Minister Gregor Robertson yesterday accused critics of scapegoating immigrants over the housing crisis though his own department said immigration contributed to housing shortages. Caught in Question Period, Robertson told jeering MPs: “There is a difference between immigrants and immigration.” READ MORE
Vietnam, China, North Korea, all have labour camps. All abuse human rights and rule of law. Perhaps these realities are too raw for Canadians. Instead we presume common interests and points of goodwill that do not really exist. These are not normal societies as you and I know them; normal gestures are pointless. Governments promote trade with communist countries but there is no evidence this diminishes the power of police states or has ever closed a single prison camp. I know how communists work.
