There is no evidence a $30 billion national daycare program saw more mothers join the workforce, says a federal document. The Department of Social Development briefing note directly contradicted claims by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland: “That is feminist economic policy.”
Eight Canadian diplomats couldn’t spot the error on a large map of Canada displayed at our Embassy in Washington, Access To Information records show. Staff at the Embassy yesterday would not comment on the banner that mistakenly identified Greenland as Canadian territory: “Great, thank you.”
An undisclosed number of Liberal MPs want the Prime Minister out, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said yesterday. Freeland told reporters the “vast majority” but not all members of the Liberal caucus support Justin Trudeau: ‘The people did send us a message.’
Taxpayers should expect “mind blowing” costs from cabinet’s program to censor legal internet content, Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner (Calgary Nose Hill) said yesterday. Budget Office figures requested by the MP said internet surveillance will take an entire bureaucracy with at least 330 federal employees and a five-year budget of $201 million: “The mind-blowing cost of the bill could grow.”
Federal prisons are contracting Amazon.com to run a delivery service for inmates. The Correctional Service promised there was no cost to taxpayers: “All items are purchased using inmate funds and are at zero cost to Canada.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau must release complete recordings of his remarks to a home equity tax lobby, the Opposition said yesterday. Trudeau has not commented on his appearance at an invitation-only meeting with a lobbyist who complained homeowners “reaped substantial gains in wealth.”
Fears of saboteurs yesterday prompted cabinet to grant federal rail inspectors new powers to combat “security incidents.” The Department of Transport said incidents of sabotage were growing but would not disclose numbers: “There has been a disturbing trend.”
Cabinet yesterday without notice said it will more than double Nexus permit fees at a $23 million annual cost for frequent cross-border travelers. New rates take effect October 1: “No consultations.”
Cabinet is reviewing millions in funding for a Black charity whose directors are accused of inside dealing, says a Department of Social Development memo. Grants for the Black Business and Professional Association totaled $5,217,345 in the past three years: ‘Should the government determine funds were used inappropriately it will respond.’
Climate tax credits will cost billions more than claimed by cabinet, the Budget Office said yesterday. Analysts uncovered the error in calculating actual expenses of credits intended to meet 2050 targets that are “not likely possible,” according to one of Canada’s largest utilities: “Budget Office estimates are $10 billion higher.”
A British Columbia lobby yesterday would not release a complete recording of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s remarks to a “private town hall” with home equity tax advocates. Reporters and the public were barred from attending the hour-long meeting June 25, according to the University of B.C. host Generation Squeeze: “Wrong idea at the wrong time in the wrong country. Maybe try Denmark.”
Government spokespeople must “correct” Canadians’ thinking, says a report by Treasury Board President Anita Anand’s department. The Board yesterday did not comment on its claim 4,600 federal spokespeople were defenders of “the heart of our democracy.”
Canadian employers won’t hire outspoken Muslim advocates of “Palestinian human rights,” says cabinet’s Special Representative on Combating Islamophobia. Alleged hiring bans followed Hamas’ October 7 killing and kidnapping of Jews in Israel including eight Canadians, said the report to Parliament: ‘An anti-Arab backlash has led to loss of income.’
Numbers of serious adverse drug reactions have skyrocketed since hospitals were required to report all incidents, figures show. Parliament in 2014 mandated reporting under Vanessa’s Law named for an Ontario schoolgirl who died after taking ordinary prescription medication: “No Big Pharma executive has ever gone to jail.”
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly’s department will not tell MPs which consultant it hired to run security at Canadian embassies abroad. It followed protests by the Commons government operations committee after managers hired a state-controlled Chinese contractor: “The name of the supplier ultimately selected cannot be provided.”
