Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testifies it was necessary to invoke special powers to handle protesters

 Canada column for Nov. 27/22 

   THE CANADIAN REPORT 

   By Jim Fox 

   Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said it became necessary for the government to take action to end the winter protest by hundreds of truckers as things got out of hand. 

   He testified at a federal inquiry into the necessity of the federal government’s decision to invoke the Emergencies Act to deal with the three-week-long occupation. 

   Hundreds of truckers and their rigs blocked streets in the downtown of Ottawa, Canada’s capital city, and were threatening violence, making it a “different brand" of demonstration, Trudeau said. 

   As things progressed, Trudeau said the pressure increased for him to take action. 

   There was also concern outside the country, especially the U.S. government, when truckers blocked land border crossings across Canada, affecting commerce. 

   The “Freedom Convoy” protesters called for an overthrow of the Canadian government and demanded a repeal of all COVID-19 mandates, which didn’t happen. 

   “It reminded me of the anger expressed during the 2021 election campaign,” Trudeau said. 

   --- 

     Teaching support staff members are voting on whether to accept a tentative agreement that ended some brief strikes at Toronto and Ontario schools. 

   The threat of more strikes ended as the thousands of workers vote on the agreement that will provide higher wages for the lowest-paid workers who earn a base rate of $39,000 a year and less for others. 

   The Ontario government passed a bill in the dispute with the union to impose a four-year contract on the workers that fueled the walkout by tens of thousands of workers on an illegal walkout that was spreading to other unions. 

   --- 

In brief: 

   - “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas” as November has overtaken December as Canada’s busiest shopping month. The Retail Council of Canada said November has overtaken Boxing Day (Dec. 26) that was once Canada’s busiest shopping day of the year. Judging from all the ads for Christmas shopping that started just after the Canadian Thanksgiving in early October, the news came as no surprise. The council said the popularity of Black Friday and Cyber Monday have made them top days for consumers to spend. 

   - Borje Salming, nicknamed “The King,” a Swedish ice hockey player who became a favorite with the Toronto Maple Leafs, has died at age 71 of Lou Gehrig’s disease. A defenseman, he played professionally for 23 seasons, for the Leafs as well as the Detroit Red Wings. He was with Toronto for 16 seasons with the Leafs who retired his number 21 in 2016. 

   --- 

   Facts and figures: 

   The Canadian dollar is steady at 75 U.S. cents while the U.S. dollar is worth $1.33 in Canadian funds, before exchange fees. 

   The Bank of Canada’s key interest rate is 3.75 percent while the prime lending rate at commercial banks is 5.95 percent. 

   Canadian stock markets are higher, with the Toronto index at 20,344 points while the TSX Venture index is 581 points. 

   The average price for gas in Canada is lower at $1.56 a liter or $5.93 for a U.S. gallon in Canadian funds. 

   Lotto Max: (Nov. 22) 2, 10, 12, 18, 19, 21 and 34; bonus 33. (Nov. 18) 3, 5, 11, 17, 26, 42 and 49; bonus 27.  

   Lotto 6/49: (Nov. 23) 3, 14, 19, 20, 28 and 47; bonus 37. (Nov. 19) 12, 16, 21, 32, 38 and 45; bonus15. 

    --- 

   Regional brief: 

   - A Saskatchewan man has been fined $160,000 in damages for mental anguish to a revenge porn victim. The court heard that Dylan Heidel had distributed intimate images of six former sexual partners without their consent. One victim also sued him for financial compensation in the largest revenge porn settlement in Canada. One video had 1.5 million views.  

-30- 

Heavy demand to update and renew travel documents as pandemic eases across Canada

   Canada column for Sunday, July 24/22

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   By Jim Fox

   Pent-up demand by Canadians wanting to travel as the pandemic eases has caused massive demands to renew passports and book flights.

   Expired documents or no passports at all were identified as one of the major problems processing passengers waiting for flights along with a shortage of airline workers and officials.

   Service Canada said that from April 1 to June 30, the agency received more than 808,000  passport applications, compared with 166,000 more than it received during the same period in 2019.

   The government is working full speed to process the documents the agency expects to clear in four to six weeks or by the end of summer, Families Minister Karina Gould said, while “more needs to be done and quickly.”

   The government has determined that part of the challenge is “that we didn’t have enough resources to enter those applications into the system in a timely way and then “that slowed everything down, “she said.

    ---

    The driver of a transport truck that smashed into the Humboldt Saskatchewan Broncos hockey bus four years ago, killing 16 and injuring 13 team members, has been granted day parole.

   The Parole Board of Canada said Jaskirat Singh Sidhu could receive a full parole in six months if he meets the conditions including no contact with victim’s families.

   He was sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to dangerous driving.

   Sidhu, who is also fighting extradition to his home country of India, said he was distracted by a noisy truck flap and the sun was in his eyes before the collision.

    ---

    In brief:

   - Troubling inflation will be around for some time but Canada should be able to avoid a recession, the Bank of Canada says.

   The inflation rate will remain “painfully high” for the rest of the year, said central bank Governor Tiff Macklem.

   This is resulting in Canadians being squeezed by a higher cost of living, with record-high gas and food prices.

   Statistics Canada reported the latest annual inflation rate rose to 8.1 percent, up from 7.7 percent for the biggest yearly change since January 1983.

   “Unfortunately,” the rate will “probably start with a seven for the rest of the year,” he said.

    - Canadians who bought electronic devices between 2004 and 2010 can claim a minimum of $20 with or without proof of purchase as a result of as class-action lawsuit. The claim was that numerous manufacturers and distributors conspired to fix the prices higher for products sold in Canada.

   Settlements totaling $29.7 million were reached with BenQ, Hitachi-LG, NEC, Panasonic, Phillips, Pioneer, Quanta, Sony, TEAC, and Toshiba Samsung. Details: https://www.oddclassaction.com

  ---

    Facts and figures:

   The Canadian dollar is higher at 78 U.S. cents while the U.S. dollar returns $1.29 in Canadian funds, before exchange fees.

   The Bank of Canada’s key interest rate is 2.5 percent while the prime lending rate at commercial banks is 4.7 percent.

   Canadian stock markets are higher, with the Toronto index at 19,062 points and the TSX Venture index is 616 points.

   The average price for gas in Canada is lower at $1.84 a liter or $6.99for a U.S. gallon in Canadian funds.

   Lotto Max: (July 19) 6, 9, 17. 19, 31, 34 and 46; bonus 4. (July 15) 4, 7, 12, 18, 29, 47 and 49; bonus 48.

   Lotto 6/49: (July 20) 1, 15, 17, 25, 26 and 40; bonus 39.  ( July 16) 8, 19, 23, 34,  37 and 44; bonus 21.

    ---

   Regional briefs:

   - Alberta drivers are continuing to get a break when filling up as the province is extending its gas tax relief for at least another three months. Premier Jason Kenney said the government won’t be reinstating its 13 cents a liter tax (50 cents U.S. for a gallon) at gas stations until at least September. The oil-rich province started the relief measure in April and is reviewing its cut rate quarterly.

 --30-

 

So many Canadians traveling; so few passports renewed

   Canada column for Sunday, July 24/22

    THE CANADIAN REPORT

   By Jim Fox

    Pent-up demand by Canadians wanting to travel as the pandemic eases has caused massive demands to renew passports and book flights.

   Expired documents or no passports at all were identified as one of the major problems processing passengers waiting for flights along with a shortage of airline workers and officials.

   Service Canada said that from April 1 to June 30, the agency received more than 808,000  passport applications, compared with 166,000 more than it received during the same period in 2019.

   The government is working full speed to process the documents the agency expects to clear in four to six weeks or by the end of summer, Families Minister Karina Gould said, while “more needs to be done and quickly.”

   The government has determined that part of the challenge is “that we didn’t have enough resources to enter those applications into the system in a timely way and then “that slowed everything down, “she said.

    ---

    The driver of a transport truck that smashed into the Humboldt Saskatchewan Broncos hockey bus four years ago, killing 16 and injuring 13 team members, has been granted day parole.

   The Parole Board of Canada said Jaskirat Singh Sidhu could receive a full parole in six months if he meets the conditions including no contact with victim’s families.

   He was sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to dangerous driving.

   Sidhu, who is also fighting extradition to his home country of India, said he was distracted by a noisy truck flap and the sun was in his eyes before the collision.

    ---

    In brief:

   - Troubling inflation will be around for some time but Canada should be able to avoid a recession, the Bank of Canada says.

   The inflation rate will remain “painfully high” for the rest of the year, said central bank Governor Tiff Macklem.

   This is resulting in Canadians being squeezed by a higher cost of living, with record-high gas and food prices.

   Statistics Canada reported the latest annual inflation rate rose to 8.1 percent, up from 7.7 percent for the biggest yearly change since January 1983.

   “Unfortunately,” the rate will “probably start with a seven for the rest of the year,” he said.

    - Canadians who bought electronic devices between 2004 and 2010 can claim a minimum of $20 with or without proof of purchase as a result of as class-action lawsuit. The claim was that numerous manufacturers and distributors conspired to fix the prices higher for products sold in Canada.

   Settlements totaling $29.7 million were reached with BenQ, Hitachi-LG, NEC, Panasonic, Phillips, Pioneer, Quanta, Sony, TEAC, and Toshiba Samsung. Details: https://www.oddclassaction.com

   ---

    Facts and figures:

   The Canadian dollar is higher at 78 U.S. cents while the U.S. dollar returns $1.29 in Canadian funds, before exchange fees.

   The Bank of Canada’s key interest rate is 2.5 percent while the prime lending rate at commercial banks is 4.7 percent.

   Canadian stock markets are higher, with the Toronto index at 19,062 points and the TSX Venture index is 616 points.

   The average price for gas in Canada is lower at $1.84 a liter or $6.99for a U.S. gallon in Canadian funds.

   Lotto Max: (July 19) 6, 9, 17. 19, 31, 34 and 46; bonus 4. (July 15) 4, 7, 12, 18, 29, 47 and 49; bonus 48.

   Lotto 6/49: (July 20) 1, 15, 17, 25, 26 and 40; bonus 39.  ( July 16) 8, 19, 23, 34,  37 and 44; bonus 21.

    ---

   Regional briefs:

   - Alberta drivers are continuing to get a break when filling up as the province is extending its gas tax relief for at least another three months. Premier Jason Kenney said the government won’t be reinstating its 13 cents a liter tax (50 cents U.S. for a gallon) at gas stations until at least September. The oil-rich province started the relief measure in April and is reviewing its cut rate quarterly.

 -30-

Canadian government orders restart of random testing for COVID-19 for air passengers

    Canada column for Sunday, July 17/22

    THE CANADIAN REPORT

   By Jim Fox

    In a surprise move just as major Canadian airports were finally clearing long waits, the federal government is restarting random testing of travelers for COVID-19.

   There was a pause in the random tests to enter Canada by air on June 11 for vaccinated travelers and work began to move the tests outside of airports.

   Now, mandatory tests on randomly selected passengers will resume on July 19 for fully vaccinated travelers arriving at the Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Toronto airports.

   All tests, for vaccinated, unvaccinated and partially vaccinated travelers, will be done outside airports.

   Critics said the tests were causing serious delays at customs, missed flights and hours-long lineups.

   Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam has said that airport tests act as an “early warning system” for new virus variants.

   Others said that resuming the tests “unfairly targets Canada’s tourism sector and negatively impacts Canadian and international travelers.”

   ---

    Canada’s central bank had a surprise of its own by unexpectedly raising its trend-setting interest rate by 1 percent –  the biggest jump in 40 years – in a bid to tame inflationary pressures.

   The Bank of Canada also said interest rates would need to keep rising with inflation around 8 percent.

   The bank rate is now 2.5 percent compared with 0.25 percent where it had been for months.

   For people with investments and locked-in mortgages it is good news but people with open mortgages and other debt will pay more.

   Realtors said the rate increase for house mortgages will restrain price increases to around 5 percent more this year, far lower than before when the bank rate was expected to rise by 0.75 percent, following that of the U.S. Federal Reserve.

    ---

    In brief:

   Gas prices will remain high over the summer due to demand, says a forecast from Deloitte Canada Resource Evaluation and Advisory Group.

   This is despite the decision by OPEC countries to boost their output as investment in oil and natural gas wanes. The company expects the price of oil to be about an average of US$110 a barrel in this second quarter of 2022.

   Demand, however, could fall if Canadians try to save money by canceling summer travel plans by car.

   Gas prices in Canada average $1.88 a liter ( $7.15for a U.S. gallon Canadian).

    ---

    Facts and figures:

   The Canadian dollar fell to a 20-month low of 75.62 U.S. cents from 77.07 cents after the central bank interest rate hike. This pushed the value of the U.S. dollar higher to $1.31 in Canadian funds, before exchange fees.

   The Bank of Canada’s new key interest rate is 2.5 percent while the prime lending rate at commercial banks is 4.7 percent.

   Canadian stock markets are lower, with the Toronto index at 18,329 points while the TSX Venture index is 586 points.

   The average price for gas in Canada is lower at $1.88 a liter or $7.15for a U.S. gallon in Canadian funds.

    Lotto Max: (July 12)  8, 11, 15, 16, 26,  29, 40 and 37. (July 8) 7, 12, 14, 18, 46, 47 and 49; bonus 19.

   Lotto 6/49: (July 13) 13, 18, 19, 21, 35 and 40; bonus 29. (July 9) 8, 12, 21, 33, 34 and 45; bonus 23.

   ---

 -   Regional briefs:

   - Paul Hanover (Yanover), a radio legend and retired Canadian TV game show host, has died in Hamilton, Ontario. He was 96 and battling cancer. Called a  “true legend of Hamilton radio and the popular morning man on CHML for decades,” he created a bond, with his listeners, said Hanover’s son Ian Yanover.

   - A $6 billion light-rail network is opening in sections over the next two years in Montreal to become North America’s second-largest public transit network. The electronic transit system will be interconnected with Montreal’s Metro network and will connect 26 stations across Montreal Island, serving the metropolitan area and suburbs. It will cover 42 miles (67 kilometers) to link the West Island with downtown, South Shore, North Shore and Trudeau International Airport.

 -30-

Recession fears cause gas prices o fall across Canada

   Canada column for Sunday, July 10/22

    THE CANADIAN REPORT (Current deata as of July 10\22)

   By Jim Fox

     It took only the threat of a recession for Canadian gas prices to fall to lows not seen in recent weeks.

   The cost to fill up dropped by 12 cents a liter (46 cents a U.S. gallon Canadian) nationally this weekend after trending lower with the price of crude taking a big drop over recessionary fears.

   The summer getaway price fell on average to $1.79 a liter ($1.44 a U.S. gallon (Canadian) across Canada.

   Petroleum analyst Roger McKnight said further price cuts are coming across the country including Vancouver and Montreal to match Ontario’s cuts.

   He said “market forces” are at work, with another 10-cents drop over the weekend.

   A poll shows nearly seven in 10 drivers said they can no longer afford gas as it reached record highs of $2 a liter ($7.60 a gallon).

   Even though Canada is oil-rich, there’s “a great deal of concern about the affordability of gas,” said Gregory Jack, and Ipsos pollster.

  Canadians say they are driving less and half can’t afford to “fill ‘err up fully.

   ---

  Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, is considering expanding eligibility for fourth doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

   Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore said Ontario is experiencing seventh waves of COVID-19.

   Quebec public health director Dr. Luc Boileau said the highly contagious Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 are well established there but there are signs it will peak soon.

    Officials said that despite the current jump in COVID-19 indicators, there are no plans to reimpose new public health orders, such as mask mandates.

    Instead, those who are infected should follow isolation guidelines and for those who haven’t received a vaccination booster should get one now.

   ---

In brief:

   - A Toronto woman who was set on fire last month in what police called a “hate-motivated attack” at a subway station has died of her injuries. The woman in her ‘20s was approached by a man at the Kipling station who doused her in a flammable liquid on a transit bus. She had second and third degree burns. Tenzin Norbu, 33, was arrested for murder.

   - Financial analysts suggest the Bank of Canada is set to raise its trend-setting interest rate by 1.5 percent in two stages this summer. They are looking or a .75 percent rise in the coming week and another next month in a bid to tackle inflationary pressures, now at a record high of 7.7 percent. The central bank earlier moved the rate twice to 1.5 percent.

   ---

   Facts and figures:

   Canada’s dollar is steady at 77 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.30 in Canadian funds, before exchange fees.

   The Bank of Canada’s key interest rate is 1.5 percent while the prime lending rate at commercial banks is 3.7 percent.

   Canadian stock markets are mixed, with the Toronto index up at 19,063 points while the TSX Venture index is down at 614 points.

   The average price for gas in Canada on Friday was lower at $1.95 a liter or $7.41for a U.S. gallon Canadian.

    Lotto Max: (July 5) 12, 29, 33, 35, 38, 41 and 46; bonus 13. (July 1) 1, 11, 13, 14, 25, 36 and 47; bonus 50.

   Lotto 6/49: (July 6) 25, 33, 34, 35, 37 and 46; bonus 30. (July 2) 1, 4,7, 33, 36 and 47; bonus 2.

    ---

    Regional briefs:

   -Patrick Brown, Mayor of Brampton, Ontario,has been disqualified as a candidate for the national Conservative leadership. The move came as a whistleblower said she had proof of improper campaign financing by Brown who was seeking to succeed former Conservative leader Erin O’Toole.

   - Calgary Transit in Alberta wants to liven up commutes with the launch of a karaoke bus. “This is one of the ways we’re bringing some fun into your commute,” it said. Throughout the summer, the bus will go on tour to entertain at random bus routes and special events. “You never know when you might step onto your bus and be dazzled by the sensational vocals of one of your co-commuters,” it said.

 -30-

 

Canadian airlines also reducing flights, blaming lack of staff

 Canada column for Sunday, July 3/22

    THE CANADIAN REPORT

   By Jim Fox

    Canada’s two largest airlines are cutting hundreds of flights over the summer as chaos continues at airports, particularly Toronto and Montreal, blamed on staff shortages as travel rebounded after the pandemic.

   The inability to handle thousands of passengers has led to families sleeping on the floor, lost luggage and abrupt canceling of flights with little or no notice.

   Air Canada has canceled 154 flights a day while operating at 80-percent capacity.

   That amounts to 15 percent of its scheduled flights in July and August.

   Westjet, Canada’s second-largest airline, will have one-quarter fewer daily flights or 520 this summer.

   The move by Air Canada will affect hundreds of thousands of passengers mainly in the flights linked to the Toronto and Montreal hubs for its domestic and Canada-U.S. routes.

   “This will result in additional flight cancelations that will have a negative impact on some customers,” largely affecting non-peak-hour flights, said Air Canada chief executive Michael Rousseau.

   International flights remain unaffected except for some timing changes to reduce flying at peak times while facing “complex and unavoidable challenges,” he said.

    ---

    Commenting on the abortion issue, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has repeated that every woman has the right to an abortion in Canada.

   The Liberal prime minister has again promised to defend those rights.

   Abortions in Canada are legal at all stages of pregnancy, regardless of the reason,

   They are publicly funded as a medical procedure under the federal Canada Health Act and provincial health-care systems.

   Access to services and resources varies by region and abortions have been legal since 1988 through a Supreme Court ruling sought by Dr. Henry Morgentaler that the earlier law criminalizing abortion was unconstitutional.

  ---

    In brief:

   - They’re back. Just as Canada marks its weekend of celebrations, trucker protesters started arriving in the nation’s capital, Ottawa, for Canada Day.  The national holiday on July 1 marks the founding of the country in 1867 with celebrations across the country. Canada Day was created in 1982 to replace Dominion Day that celebrated Confederation and Canada’s connection to the British Empire and the imperial project. The convoy of trucks and protesters, who first arrived last February, are calling for an end to all rules concerning COVID and oppose vaccines.

    ---

    Facts and figures:

   Canada’s dollar is lower at 77 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.29 in Canadian funds, before exchange fees.

   The Bank of Canada’s key interest rate is 1.5 percent while the prime lending rate at commercial banks is 3.7 percent.

   Canadian stock markets are lower, with the Toronto index at 18,861points while the TSX Venture index is 617 points.

   The average price for gas in Canada is lower at $2.02 a liter or $7.67 for a U.S. gallon in Canadian funds.

   Lotto Max: (June 28) 8, 19, 22,41, 42, 46 and 47; bonus10. (June 24) 3, 9, 17, 19, 20, 44 and 50; bonus 28.

   Lotto 6/49: (June 29) 6, 7, 16, 26, 31 and 35; bonus 13. (June 25) 9, 14, 23, 36, 38 and 44; bonus 19.

    ---

    Regional Briefs:

   - Two bank robbery suspects were shot and killed and six police officers were injured in a botched holdup at a Bank of Montreal branch in Saanich, British Columbia. A police tactical squad was working nearby when the robbery call came in and confronted the would-be robbers. Witnesses said they heard dozens of gunshots in rapid succession as the suspects exchanged gunfire with the police.

   - There’s some gas-tax relief for Ontario drivers starting this holiday weekend as the provincial government has reduced taxes by5.7 cents a liter ($2.16 Canadian for a U.S. gallon) for six months. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the fuel tax, including diesel, will drop by that amount over the same period. The cuts will cost the province $645 million while in effect. Ford is also calling on the Canadian government to do the same.

 -30-

 canadareport.blogspot.com

Canada's central bank blasted oer 'inaction' to battle inflation and lower costs

 Canada column for Sunday, June 26/22

 Photo cutline:

A fiddler entertains on the rocks on Canada Day in Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia. (Jim Fox photo)

    ---

    THE CANADIAN REPORT

   By Jim Fox

    Canada’s central bank is facing severe criticism over its handling of runaway inflation and threats of a recession.

   The higher costs for gasoline, food and many commodities are also dampening plans by Canadians to take their traditional summer road trips.

   Critics say the Bank of Canada has misjudged inflation as household debt rises and is playing catch-up and forced to be more aggressive with raising interest rates.

   The Canadian economy may need to find a way to permanently adjust to higher oil and gas prices, warned Stephen Poloz, former bank governor.

   “This is a reality even when the cost of other goods starts to fall,” he added.

   Statistics Canada says the country’s inflation rate is at a 40-year high of 7.7 percent.

   Gas prices are up 48 percent over last year as the single biggest jump affecting the inflation rate. The average cost of food items is up 9.7 percent.

    ---

    Pope Francis will be visiting a former Alberta residential school site and meet with survivors during his visit to Canada next month.

   “We pray this pilgrimage will serve as another meaningful step in the long journey of healing, reconciliation and hope,” said Archbishop Richard Smith of Edmonton.

   Hundreds of unmarked graves of former students were found at the schools where children were uprooted from their families to be “Canadianized.”

   The Pope is expected to deliver an apology for the Roman Catholic Church’s role in the schools during the trip and follow up on feelings made earlier this year during an Indigenous delegation to the Vatican.

   Then, the Pope apologized for the conduct of church members involved in the former schools.

   The papal visit will start in Edmonton on July 24 and end in Iqaluit on July 29.

    --

    In brief:

   - The biggest party in the country will take place on July 1 to mark Canada Day, the country’s 155th birthday. Lavish street parties highlighted by fireworks displays are held in cities and towns and some U.S. cities where Canadians congregate. On July 1, 1867, Canada became a country with a new federation and constitution, formerly the British North America Act. In the National Capital Region, Ottawa, festivities take place in front of the Parliament Buildings.

    ---

 -   Facts and figures:

   Canada’s dollar is higher at 77 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.29 in Canadian funds, before exchange fees.

   The Bank of Canada’s key interest rate is steady at 1.5 percent while the prime lending rate at commercial banks is 3.7 percent.

   Canadian stock markets are higher, with the Toronto index at 19,050 points while the TSX Venture index is 641 points.

   The average price for gas in Canada is lower at $2.04 a liter or $7.75 for a U.S. gallon in Canadian funds.

   Lotto Max: (June 21) 2, 4, 5, 22. 32, 40 and 50; bonus 43. (June 17) 1, 10, 12, 21, 30, 39 and 40; bonus 38.

   Lotto 6/49: (June 22) 7, 10, 11, 18, 27 and 42; bonus 25. (June 18) 4, 6, 20, 21, 24 and 44; bonus 5.

    ---

    Regional briefs:

   -  Ontario Premier Doug Ford unveiled his slightly larger cabinet on Friday, giving Sylvia Jones the busy role as Minister of Health, taking over from Christine Elliott who did not seek re-election. The new executive council after last month’s major victory for Ford’s Conservatives has 30 members, up from 28 and includes seven women.

    - Scientists say last year’s heat dome over the west coast of British Columbia and Washington State are expected to have “far-reaching effects” on the ecology of beaches, bluffs, inlets and river deltas. This is in addition to the impact on fisheries and cultural connections that the land, sea and sea life provide. The heat over the West Coast last summer led to the deaths of 619 people and a billion sea creatures, a survey found, saying such scorching heat will become more frequent.

 -30-

 canadareport.blogspot.com

 

Half of Canadian women say they would quit their jobs if told to stop working from home: surevey

   Canada column for Sunday, June 19/22

    THE CANADIAN REPORT

   By Jim Fox

    Almost half of working Canadian women say they are likely to quit their jobs if asked to return to the office full-time.

   Surprisingly, 45 percent want the “flexibility offered during the pandemic to continue,” said Andrea Spender, CEO of the Prosperity Project.

   The group was created to ensure Canadian women are not left behind in the COVID-19 recovery.

   The project’s survey found fewer women are working full-time at 62 per cent, compared with 70 per cent before the COVID-19 pandemic while 91 percent would prefer most or at least part of their work to be done remotely in the future.

   While 73 percent of respondents said that employers were more accommodating during the pandemic, a similar proportion, 72 percent, expect employers to put the priority on in-person office work in the future.

    Nearly 60 percent feel they will have to choose between their career and their family – at a time when almost half, 46 percent, said the pandemic has increased their responsibilities at home.

    “We learned important lessons about workplace flexibility during the pandemic and we must continue to heed those lessons,” said Pamela Jeffery, founder of the Prosperity Project.

    ---

    Truckers’ Freedom Convoy protests will continue throughout the summer in Canada’s capital city, Ottawa, organizers say.

   Events will rev up starting on the Canada Day, July 1, holiday and for the rest of the summer to protest remaining COVID-19 pandemic-era restrictions.

   Another group, Veterans for Freedom, is planning a three-day conference in Ottawa this week.

   The group is made up of Canadian veterans seeking to “restore fundamental freedoms for all Canadians and uphold our laws.”

   Hundreds of protesters and an estimated 50,000trucks took over downtown Ottawa streets for three weeks starting in late January.

   The veterans want remaining COVID mandates repealed and workers who lost their jobs be reinstated.

    --

    In brief:

   - The Canadian government is repaying or forgiving $1.4 billion in loans it gave to Indigenous communities, many of them in British Columbia. This will allow them to participate in land claims negotiations and help “correct a mistake of the past” when land was seized to build railways and other non-native projects on their traditional lands,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.

    ---

    Facts and figures:

   Canada’s dollar is lower at 76 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.30 in Canadian funds, before exchange fees.

   The Bank of Canada’s key interest rate is 1.5 percent while the prime lending rate at commercial banks is 3.7 percent.

   Canadian stock markets are lower, with the Toronto index at 1,822 points while the TSX Venture index is 635 points.

   The average price for gas in Canada is steady at $2.10 a liter or $7.98 for a U.S. gallon in Canadian funds.

   Lotto Max: (June 14) 11, 17, 18, 25, 36, 41 and 50; bonus 34. (June 10) 8, 14, 16, 17, 19, 22 and 24; bonus 23.

   Lotto 6/49: (June 15) 3, 5, 9, 12, 16 and 29; bonus 32. (June 11) 14, 15, 22, 25, 32 and 44; bonus 45.

    ---

   Regional briefs:

   - Canada-U.S. border mayors are calling for the federal government to end the mandatory ArriveCan app when entering the country. They say Canada’s stringent COVID-19 rules for international travellers are keeping would-be U.S. visitors to spend their tourist dollars instead at home.

   Ontario mayors say they depend on cross-border tourism. Sarnia’s Mike Bradley and Jim Diodati of Niagara Falls are urging the government to stop requiring travelers to complete the preclearance process that many find frustrating and confusing.

   - Toronto has been named a host city for soccer’s FIFA World Cup 2026. The city is among 16 cities that will host the much-sought-after games. Toronto events will take place at BMO Field for this North American World Cup Soccer event.

 -30-

 canadareport.blogspot.com

 

New Canadian law seeks ro ease burden of working outside busness hours at home

   Canada column for Sunday, June 12/22

    THE CANADIAN REPORT

   By Jim Fox

    Taking work home by phone and checking e-mail all evening could be a thing of the past with Ontario’s “right to disconnect” law.

   The novel law, now in effect, requires businesses to develop policies that allow employees to disconnect outside of regular office hours.

   Enacted in Canada’s largest province, it defines the disengagement as “not engaging in work-related communications, including e-mails, telephone and video calls or sending or reviewing other messages.”

   Allowing workers to “be free from the performance of work,” it requires bosses to have a written policy in place for all employees with respect to disconnecting from work.”

   Labor lawyers aren’t impressed, saying it doesn’t cover much new ground and is very bureaucratic.

   It applies to employers who have 25 or more employees and was in response to burnout and the constraints of working from home during the pandemic.

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    For families wanting to keep their in-laws and other relatives around as visitors longer, the Canadian government now offers a “Super Visa Program.”

   Canadian citizens and permanent residents can invite parents and grandparents to come to Canada as long-term visitors on a multi-entry visa that remains valid for up to 10 years.

   As well, unlike standard visitor visas, it allows visa holders to stay in Canada for up to two years on initial entry to the country.

   Starting on July 4, super visa holders will be able to stay in Canada for five years with an option to extend two more years.

   Previously, parents and grandparents were only allowed to visit family in Canada for no longer than two years at a time. This now is valid for10 years and allows multiple entries.

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    In brief:

   -The pent-up demand by Canadians to fly has led to chaos at major airports. It’s blamed  by Air Canada on a lack of staff and the government by travelers with expired or improper documents along with COVID-19 restrictions. Travelers reported lines of several hundred  people at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport and canceled flights. Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said 400 additional screening officers will start work later this month while warning the backlogs will continue, likely into the fall.

   - Canada’s economy added 40,000 jobs last month with a gain in full-time jobs as the labor market continued to tighten. Statistics Canada said the jump came as the jobless rate fell to 5.1 percent. That is the lowest since 1976, as far back as comparable data is kept. The unemployment rate was 5.2 per cent in April. Meanwhile, the country’s inflation rate rose to a mlti-decade high of 5.7 per cent, driven largely by higher prices for gas and groceries.

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    Facts and figures:

   Canada’s dollar is lower at 79 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.27 in Canadian funds, before exchange fees.

   The Bank of Canada’s key interest rate is 1.5 percent while the prime lending rate at commercial banks is 3.7 percent.

   Canadian stock markets are mixed, with the Toronto index up at 20,563 points while the TSX Venture index is down at 700 points.

   The average price for gas in Canada is higher at $2.10 a liter or $7.98 for a U.S. gallon in Canadian funds.

   Lotto Max: (June 7) 6, 13, 17, 20, 28, 36, and 44; bonus 31. (June 3) 2, 16, 17, 21, 38, 43 and 45; bonus 42.

   Lotto 6/49: (June 8) 6, 22, 32, 39, 40 and 46; bonus 26. (June 1) 1, 15, 16, 19 ,44 and 48;  bonus 5.

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    Regional briefs:

   - The growing number of vehicle hijackings became bizarre when a man tried to drive off with a transit bus in service in Mississauga, near Toronto. When the driver fought him off and brought the bus to a halt, the man then stole a transit supervisor’s van in the 1 a.m. incident. Police followed a GPS signal to locate the van and arrested the suspect.

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