A Manitoba legislator instrumental in censuring then-Senator Lynn Beyak (Ont.) yesterday said she’ll reserve comment on appointee Charles Adler “for the time being.” The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs invoked the Beyak case in demanding Adler’s appointment be rescinded for derogatory remarks against First Nations; 'They denigrate a group of fellow Canadians and think they can get away with it.'
Railways To Halt At 12:01 am
The federal labour department today is urging a last-minute settlement between Teamsters Canada and major railways to avert a national freight shutdown. Any strike or lockout would be costly, shippers said: "Get a deal."
Pay Equity Delayed Till 2030s
The federal government is giving itself another three years to comply with its own Pay Equity Act. The extension comes just days before an August 31 deadline requiring that all federally regulated employers have equity plans in place: "This means pay equity could actually potentially take until 2029, 2030."
Ruling Is “License For Piracy”
A Court precedent on password sharing is a “license for piracy,” warns a former assistant deputy trade minister. Hugh Stephens, now vice chair of the Canadian Committee on Pacific Economic Cooperation, called the May 31 ruling on property rights under the Copyright Act “controversial.”
Drop Adler Say First Nations
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau must revoke broadcaster Charles Adler’s appointment to the Senate over "vile" and "racist" remarks about fellow Manitobans, leading Indigenous groups said yesterday. Adler in radio commentaries disparaged First Nations as corrupt, lazy, uncivilized complainers: "We demand this appointment be rescinded immediately."
Real Estate Holdings Up 25%
Commons scrutiny of the purchase of a luxury Manhattan penthouse for New York Consul Tom Clark follows audits showing Department of Foreign Affairs’ real estate holdings jumped 25 percent since 2017. Auditors faulted the department for poor management: "Property infrastructure is subject to public scrutiny."
First Data On Military Deaths
The Department of National Defence for the first time acknowledges above-average suicide rates in the armed forces, typically involving women volunteers. New data show it was unrelated to service in combat: "There weren’t many who had a history of deployment."
Empathy Training For Staff
Service Canada, the federal agency that manages Employment Insurance, yesterday said it is hiring consultants to guide employees in “how to manage emotions” and “develop empathy and listening skills.” No budget was disclosed: "Recognize your triggers."
Warn Of Dirty Cash In Realty
Canadian real estate continues to attract dirty money, says a federal agency. The group in an Operational Alert urged caution over suspicious dealings like flipping titles to unbuilt condominiums: "Some realtors look the other way."
Told Aboriginal “Boneheads” To “Get A Job”: New Senator
Liberal Senate appointee Charles Adler in a radio broadcast called Indigenous people uncivilized “boneheads” who should “get a job.” Adler’s remarks on Radio CJOB Winnipeg were so vulgar they prompted a formal complaint by the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, records show: "No shit, Sherlock."
Disgraced Diplomat Resigned
A disgraced Canadian diplomat has abruptly resigned while under investigation, the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed. The executive faced firing for lewd misconduct at the office: "Our ultimate goal is to foster a culture of zero tolerance for bad behaviour of any kind."
I Am Not To Blame, Says Saks
Addictions Minister Ya’ara Saks’ office in a briefing note it is “inaccurate to claim” its decriminalization of cocaine and opioids is to blame for an increase in overdose deaths in British Columbia. Coroners’ data show deaths increased 16.5 percent in the period of decriminalization: "It is inaccurate to claim this exemption is the cause."
Expand $239M Graves Fund
Cabinet is expanding a multi-million dollar fund to document claims thousands of children died in Indian Residential Schools. It acknowledged First Nations complaints a $500,000 limit per grant application was insufficient: 'We are committed to finding the children."
$204.4M For Volunteer Corps
A federal program to have young Canadians “give more back to their communities” has cost $204 million to date, records show. Cabinet launched the Canada Service Corps six years ago “to support a vision of Canada.”
Poem: “Green Bin Program”
Poet Shai Ben-Shalom writes: “Could have put this banana peel in the Green Bin, let it go to the city plant where it decomposes in four weeks…”