Cabinet yesterday was formally named in a federal complaint alleging misleading advertising in breach of an Act of Parliament. New Democrat MP Don Davies (Vancouver Kingsway) filed the complaint under the Liberals’ own 2024 law against “greenwashing." READ MORE
Housing starts remain far short of target with new construction down by double digits in the largest markets, CMHC said yesterday. The figures contradicted repeated claims of success by Housing Minister Gregor Robertson: "Starts were down 19 percent year over year in centres with a population of 10,000 or more." READ MORE
A federal program to “promote ethical business practices” has blacklisted 23 suppliers in two years, says a Department of Public Works memo. Managers over the same period awarded an average 2,978 contracts annually: "Certain suppliers understand the procurement system." READ MORE
The Commons public safety committee yesterday by unanimous vote agreed to probe apparent failures in security screening after a Chinese-Canadian intern at NATO headquarters was arrested on espionage charges. Canadians of Chinese ancestry were owed a thorough investigation of security breaches that are “dividing our communities,” said one MP: "We need to get to the bottom of the issue, determine what went wrong." READ MORE
Prime Minister Mark Carney yesterday said he has a secret plan to cover “all eventualities” if the United States imposes $28 billion in new tariffs under a Wednesday deadline. Details of the plan were too confidential to discuss in public, he said: "I have a plan that will cover all eventualities." READ MORE
Cabinet must lift a six-month advisory against travel to Cuba, says a Commons petition sponsored by New Democrat MP Leah Gazan (Winnipeg Centre). The petition follows a notice from credit card issuers suspending all transactions in Cuba: "With the loss of tourism to Cuba this year a lot of people are out of work." READ MORE
The value of private business loans from Canadian pension funds, insurers and investment pools is worth about a half trillion, the Bank of Canada said yesterday. Researchers expressed unease with the largely unregulated practice in case of “a sharp downturn.” READ MORE
I walk through our warehouse and study the artifacts the same way others people-watch on the subway. There is character in things. They tell a rich story. My favourite is the Theratron Junior built in 1956. Canada made 140 of these radiation therapy devices and sold them all over the world for $25,000 apiece. We were so proud of them we put the Theratron in the Canadian exhibit at the 1962 World’s Fair in Seattle. The German exhibit had strudel. The French exhibit had art from the Louvre. Canada had the Theratron and a Black Brant rocket and an Alouette satellite. We were fresh and modern and confident, and a scientific powerhouse. This is how we showed ourselves to the postwar world.
