Industry Canada is reviewing a patent from a Nova Scotia firm for tap 'n' go electronic parking meters that promise speedier service. “This may be ‘whiz-bang’ for older drivers," said the device's co-inventor, "but certainly young people are embracing tap ‘n go technology."
A federal department unwittingly waded into prickly Pacific politics by erasing Taiwan from the map. Authorities called it an "editorial choice," not a change in government policy. Taiwanese diplomats expressed disappointment. "That is too bad," said one.
A year after launching its multi-billion dollar national shipbuilding program, the federal government continues “preliminary design work” with no sign of construction of up to fifteen promised new combat and research vessels. "There are a lot of questions left to be answered about timing and costing," said an MP seeking an up-to-date accounting of the naval program.
The author, an Israeli-born biologist, examines current events in the Blacklock's tradition.
The phrase “Harper government” is now published an average of more than four times a day across the civil service, document show. Sessional papers filed in Parliament disclosed the descriptive noun was used 597 times in a 143-day period.
Teamsters representing some 16,000 Canadian rail workers expressed "shock" over a blistering management letter from CP Rail that stated reckless employees have put the public "at risk." Members of Parliament reacted to the claim from a Canadian Pacific vice president, saying the allegations warrant investigation.
Ottawa's municipal bus system has won a federal appeal on the right to refuse service to a shoeless rider. The Canadian Transportation Agency ruled OC Transpo was within its rights to forbid an Ottawa woman from riding barefoot on city buses.
Managers of Canadian pension plans have warned a House committee that beneficiaries will face higher costs and lower benefits under a bill to force disclosure of even minor transactions in any plan with a union component. "This seems very unfair to us," one manager told MPs.
The Federal Court has dismissed an appeal from a convicted con man who argued he was unjustly jailed for parole violations after landing an honest job. “How does anyone get their life back?” said Shaun Rootenberg, jailed for defrauding family and acquaintances. “What employer will take a chance on an employee in a management position if they can be re-incarcerated on suspicion?”
Canadian cities and towns are appealing for public support in pressing for renewal next spring of federal subsidies to rebuild municipal works. Advocates launched a “Great Canadian Infrastructure Challenge” to raise awareness of often-hidden public works.
An obscure Senate bill will end a tradition, dating from 1841, that grants Canadians "their rightful access to the laws and regulations that govern their daily lives," critics warn. Conservative senators declined interviews on the little-known measure that would permit unseen rules from unknown sources.
Significant changes to Canada's labour law whipped through a House committee in mere minutes amid concerns MPs had no time to summon expert testimony on the bill's impact. The measures rewrite ten sections of the Canada Labour Code, granting new powers to federal inspectors to dismiss employee complaints deemed "frivolous."
Canadian Pacific Railways claims incompetent employees have put the public "at risk," threatening to fire anyone who fails to put in "a fair day's work," according to a blistering management letter obtained by Blacklock's. Disclosure of the letter prompted a demand that Parliament investigate the allegations public safety has been jeopardized by CP workers.
Federal consumer product safety inspections have dropped 60 percent since Parliament enacted a new safety law, even though the government hired more inspectors. The Consumers' Association of Canada called the decline "absolutely astounding."
Parliament is reviving debate over targeted sodium reductions in packaged foods, complete with tobacco-like warning labels on salty processed foods. Bill C-460 would force manufacturers of high-sodium foods to warn buyers they run the risk of hypertension, heart attack and stroke.
