Would Sue Over Social Posts

Industry Minister Mélanie Joly’s department in an Access To Information memo contemplates “legal action” against users on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social media sites it suspects of spreading “false and misleading information.” The censored 35-page memo did not explain what action federal lawyers would take: "This strategy seeks to uphold the integrity of and public trust in government information." READ MORE

CEO’s Visa Card Suspended

The CEO of Farm Credit Canada had her corporate Visa card suspended as “delinquent” for failing to make minimum payments, Access To Information records show. Staff questioned thousands in late fees and interest charges run up by Justine Hendricks in her role as the Crown bank’s $458,000-a year chief executive: "The audit division may find this particular transaction as non-compliant." READ MORE

Sees ‘Opportunity’ In Condos

A $1.45 billion bailout of Metro Vancouver condo developers is an “opportunity” for taxpayers, Prime Minister Mark Carney said yesterday. He did not explain what profit the public would see in buying thousands of vacant condos from speculators facing losses: "A bad development becomes a good development on the second or third owner, but in between there’s that opportunity." READ MORE

Federal Tanker Ban Remains

Cabinet yesterday withdrew a suggestion it might “adjust” a 2019 ban on oil tanker traffic off the northern British Columbia coast. “There is no way,” said B.C. Premier David Eby: "The tanker ban remains." READ MORE

No AI Nonsense In Tax Court

Artificial intelligence “nonsense” has no place in Tax Court, a judge has ruled. The remarks came in the case of a taxpayer who challenged the Canada Revenue Agency using fabricated case law: "AI is no substitute for real lawyering." READ MORE

CEO’s Quadrupled Expenses

The $458,000-a year CEO of the Crown bank Farm Credit Canada billed four times the expenses of her predecessor including Filet Mignon steak dinners, round-the-world business class flights and a $543 Uber ride, records show. Justine Hendricks had no comment but earlier told employees to "tighten the belt." READ MORE

Cited Exec For Corruption

Attorney General Sean Fraser’s department says it uncovered an executive implicated in malfeasance but would neither name the person nor explain why police were not called. The latest case is in addition to 37 employees disciplined last year for wrongdoing: "The executive retired." READ MORE

Guest Commentary

Morty Grauer

The Internet Police

I felt we had freedom of speech on the web, that I could basically post whatever I wanted in whatever language I chose, and I wanted my day in court to fight them. What was my point? As a free society, we have a right to put on the internet our content in whatever language we want without government control. We don’t need Big Brother watching over you on the internet. They had to put in their two cents, they had to regulate. How could there be a medium out there over which they had absolutely no control? I mean, isn’t that part of government’s philosophy?