❄️Winter heating bills climb for 72% of Canadians
Nearly three-quarters of Canadians who pay home heating costs directly felt the pinch of bigger bills this winter.
▪️Among 1,212 bill payers surveyed between Feb. 23 and 24, 72 per cent reported higher energy consumption costs between mid-November 2022 and mid-February 2023. Among that group, 24 per cent say their bill "increased very much."
▪️According to Statistics Canada, most Canadians use traditionally gas-powered systems to heat their homes, mainly forced-air furnaces. The majority, 84 per cent, of gas users who participated in the survey reported paying a bigger bill.
▪️However, homes that rely on oil as their primary energy source for heat appear to have seen the steepest increases. Eighty-three per cent in this category reported an increase, with 42 per cent of this group saying their bill was "very much" higher.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Nearly three-quarters of Canadians who pay home heating costs directly felt the pinch of bigger bills this winter.
▪️Among 1,212 bill payers surveyed between Feb. 23 and 24, 72 per cent reported higher energy consumption costs between mid-November 2022 and mid-February 2023. Among that group, 24 per cent say their bill "increased very much."
▪️According to Statistics Canada, most Canadians use traditionally gas-powered systems to heat their homes, mainly forced-air furnaces. The majority, 84 per cent, of gas users who participated in the survey reported paying a bigger bill.
▪️However, homes that rely on oil as their primary energy source for heat appear to have seen the steepest increases. Eighty-three per cent in this category reported an increase, with 42 per cent of this group saying their bill was "very much" higher.
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🏥 More than 6.5 million adults in Canada lack access to primary care
▪️A national survey shows that more than one in five Canadian adults – 6.5 million people – do not have a family physician or nurse practitioner they can see regularly for care, a situation that has become worse during the COVID-19 pandemic.
▪️The survey was conducted between September and October last year and includes more than 9,000 responses from across the country.
▪️The situation is particularly bleak in some parts of the country. In British Columbia, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces, approximately 30 per cent – almost one in three adults – reported not having a family doctor or nurse practitioner, compared to only 13 per cent in Ontario.
#healthcare
🍁 Maple Chronicles
▪️A national survey shows that more than one in five Canadian adults – 6.5 million people – do not have a family physician or nurse practitioner they can see regularly for care, a situation that has become worse during the COVID-19 pandemic.
▪️The survey was conducted between September and October last year and includes more than 9,000 responses from across the country.
▪️The situation is particularly bleak in some parts of the country. In British Columbia, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces, approximately 30 per cent – almost one in three adults – reported not having a family doctor or nurse practitioner, compared to only 13 per cent in Ontario.
#healthcare
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Former Toronto police chief Mark Saunders joins mayoral race
A former Toronto police chief has thrown his hat into the ring to replace former mayor John Tory in June’s upcoming byelection.
Mark Saunders, who served as Toronto’s first Black chief of police, confirmed the news on Monday evening.
Saunders previously ran as a candidate for the Progressive Conservatives in 2022’s provincial election. Saunders lost to Liberal candidate Stephanie Bowman in the riding of Don Valley West.
The byelection for Toronto mayor is set for Monday, June 26.
#Ontario
🍁 Maple Chronicles
A former Toronto police chief has thrown his hat into the ring to replace former mayor John Tory in June’s upcoming byelection.
Mark Saunders, who served as Toronto’s first Black chief of police, confirmed the news on Monday evening.
Saunders previously ran as a candidate for the Progressive Conservatives in 2022’s provincial election. Saunders lost to Liberal candidate Stephanie Bowman in the riding of Don Valley West.
The byelection for Toronto mayor is set for Monday, June 26.
#Ontario
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Ottawa still advertising on TikTok despite banning it on government devices due to security concerns
The federal government continues to advertise on TikTok, despite having banned the China-linked app from all government devices late last month due to security concerns.
The ads promote government messaging on topics such as public safety, armed forces recruitment and online disinformation.
Some tech experts argue Ottawa is sending Canadians a contradictory message and should suspend all advertising on the app.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
The federal government continues to advertise on TikTok, despite having banned the China-linked app from all government devices late last month due to security concerns.
The ads promote government messaging on topics such as public safety, armed forces recruitment and online disinformation.
Some tech experts argue Ottawa is sending Canadians a contradictory message and should suspend all advertising on the app.
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🍼Canadian parents still struggling to find consistent supply of baby formulas
Sylvain Charlebois, director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, said much of the problem has to do with ongoing issues at the Abbott infant formula plant in the U.S. Its closure over sanitation problems last year sparked the original shortage. The U.S. Department of Justice began investigating the plant’s operations in January.
With Abbott products like Similac off store shelves, alternate brands are having difficulty keeping up with a sudden rise in demand.
Health Canada expects the situation to stabilize over the next few months.
The agency has already authorized the temporary sale of over 70 products from other countries to help ease the effects of the shortage and is working with manufacturers to increase shipments of products generally found on the Canadian market.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Sylvain Charlebois, director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, said much of the problem has to do with ongoing issues at the Abbott infant formula plant in the U.S. Its closure over sanitation problems last year sparked the original shortage. The U.S. Department of Justice began investigating the plant’s operations in January.
With Abbott products like Similac off store shelves, alternate brands are having difficulty keeping up with a sudden rise in demand.
Health Canada expects the situation to stabilize over the next few months.
The agency has already authorized the temporary sale of over 70 products from other countries to help ease the effects of the shortage and is working with manufacturers to increase shipments of products generally found on the Canadian market.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
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Feds spend $26M on growth and innovation of Vancouver-based companies
Harjit Sajjan, the minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency, announced eight companies will receive a total of just over $16 million from a federal scale-up and productivity fund.
Almost $4.7 million will be going to Circle Innovation, a jobs and growth fund, while $5 million will allow CoPilot AI to expand its sales software platform within the United States.
A statement from Sajjan’s office says the nearly $26 million in total funding will create 500 jobs, more than $500 million in revenue growth, and over $400 million in new global sales for B.C. companies.
#BritishColumbia
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Harjit Sajjan, the minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency, announced eight companies will receive a total of just over $16 million from a federal scale-up and productivity fund.
Almost $4.7 million will be going to Circle Innovation, a jobs and growth fund, while $5 million will allow CoPilot AI to expand its sales software platform within the United States.
A statement from Sajjan’s office says the nearly $26 million in total funding will create 500 jobs, more than $500 million in revenue growth, and over $400 million in new global sales for B.C. companies.
#BritishColumbia
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Liberal MPP Mitzie Hunter says that she is 'preparing to run' in Toronto's mayoral byelection
Liberal MPP Mitzie Hunter says that she is ‘all in’ for Toronto’s mayoral by-election, becoming just the latest high-profile candidate to signal an intention to join the race.
Hunter had previously said that she was “very seriously” considering a run but hadn’t committed to putting her name on the ballot.
She has sat as an MPP since 2013 but will be required to resign her seat at Queen’s Park prior to the close of nominations on May 12, due to municipal election rules that prohibit sitting Senators and federal and provincial members of parliament from running.
Hunter has held several cabinet positions in the governments of former premier Kathleen Wynne, including Minister of Education and Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development.
#Ontario
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Liberal MPP Mitzie Hunter says that she is ‘all in’ for Toronto’s mayoral by-election, becoming just the latest high-profile candidate to signal an intention to join the race.
Hunter had previously said that she was “very seriously” considering a run but hadn’t committed to putting her name on the ballot.
She has sat as an MPP since 2013 but will be required to resign her seat at Queen’s Park prior to the close of nominations on May 12, due to municipal election rules that prohibit sitting Senators and federal and provincial members of parliament from running.
Hunter has held several cabinet positions in the governments of former premier Kathleen Wynne, including Minister of Education and Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development.
#Ontario
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📉Inflation rate drops to 5.2% in February
🔹Canada's inflation rate cooled to 5.2 per cent in February, the largest deceleration since April 2020, according to Statistics Canada.
🔹The agency said its consumer price index had a year-over-year deceleration from February 2022, when the inflation rate was 5.7 per cent.
🔹Despite the overall cooling, grocery prices remained elevated and outpaced overall inflation.
🔹Prices for food purchased from stores in February were up 10.6 per cent compared with a year ago, the seventh consecutive month of double-digit increases.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
🔹Canada's inflation rate cooled to 5.2 per cent in February, the largest deceleration since April 2020, according to Statistics Canada.
🔹The agency said its consumer price index had a year-over-year deceleration from February 2022, when the inflation rate was 5.7 per cent.
🔹Despite the overall cooling, grocery prices remained elevated and outpaced overall inflation.
🔹Prices for food purchased from stores in February were up 10.6 per cent compared with a year ago, the seventh consecutive month of double-digit increases.
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📈Canada’s population grows by over 1 million for first time
Canada’s population grew 2.7% in 2022, the fastest expansion among advanced economies and on par with many African nations.
The country added a record 1,050,110 people over a one-year period to Jan. 1, bringing the total population to 39,566,248, Statistics Canada reported.
❗️International migration accounted for 95.9% of the growth — a testament to Canada’s decision to counter the economic drag of an aging populace by throwing its doors open to newcomers.
It marks the first time Canada grew by more than a million people in a year, while its industrial peers try different ways to address demographic challenges, including raising the retirement age. If this population growth rate is sustained, the statistics agency said Canada would double in size in about 26 years.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Canada’s population grew 2.7% in 2022, the fastest expansion among advanced economies and on par with many African nations.
The country added a record 1,050,110 people over a one-year period to Jan. 1, bringing the total population to 39,566,248, Statistics Canada reported.
❗️International migration accounted for 95.9% of the growth — a testament to Canada’s decision to counter the economic drag of an aging populace by throwing its doors open to newcomers.
It marks the first time Canada grew by more than a million people in a year, while its industrial peers try different ways to address demographic challenges, including raising the retirement age. If this population growth rate is sustained, the statistics agency said Canada would double in size in about 26 years.
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🚫Kelowna wants its municipal parks exempted from B.C.'s drug decriminalization project
The mayor of Kelowna, B.C., says the city is lobbying the province to exclude parks from drug decriminalization rules that took effect this year.
The municipality had asked the B.C. government to make an exception for the Central Okanagan city that would allow it to prohibit illicit drugs being used in municipal parks.
The request comes amid a federally approved three-year pilot decriminalizing the personal possession of up to 2.5 grams of cocaine (crack and powder), methamphetamine, MDMA and opioids (including heroin, fentanyl and morphine).
Dyas said he has received a "positive reaction" to his request from provincial officials.
#BritishColumbia
🍁 Maple Chronicles
The mayor of Kelowna, B.C., says the city is lobbying the province to exclude parks from drug decriminalization rules that took effect this year.
The municipality had asked the B.C. government to make an exception for the Central Okanagan city that would allow it to prohibit illicit drugs being used in municipal parks.
The request comes amid a federally approved three-year pilot decriminalizing the personal possession of up to 2.5 grams of cocaine (crack and powder), methamphetamine, MDMA and opioids (including heroin, fentanyl and morphine).
Dyas said he has received a "positive reaction" to his request from provincial officials.
#BritishColumbia
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Quebec slashes income taxes in new budget and promises more public spending
The Quebec government is plowing ahead with one of the largest tax cuts in the province's history.
The tax cut is the big ticket item in the 2023-24 budget, which Finance Minister Eric Girard presented at the National Assembly on Tuesday.
The tax cut will reduce the lowest two tax rates by one per cent. It's a reduction that will save the average Quebecer hundreds of dollars and will cost the government billions in lost revenue — $9.2 billion worth over five years.
The tax cuts will be paid for by the government making smaller payments toward the Generations Fund, a debt payment fund. This means the province only expects to meet its debt reduction goal in 15 years, instead of 10.
The CAQ has earmarked an additional $5.6 billion over five years to make the health-care system "more efficient and accessible," and will also spend an additional $2.3 billion over five years for "developing the potential of youth."
#Quebec
🍁 Maple Chronicles
The Quebec government is plowing ahead with one of the largest tax cuts in the province's history.
The tax cut is the big ticket item in the 2023-24 budget, which Finance Minister Eric Girard presented at the National Assembly on Tuesday.
The tax cut will reduce the lowest two tax rates by one per cent. It's a reduction that will save the average Quebecer hundreds of dollars and will cost the government billions in lost revenue — $9.2 billion worth over five years.
The tax cuts will be paid for by the government making smaller payments toward the Generations Fund, a debt payment fund. This means the province only expects to meet its debt reduction goal in 15 years, instead of 10.
The CAQ has earmarked an additional $5.6 billion over five years to make the health-care system "more efficient and accessible," and will also spend an additional $2.3 billion over five years for "developing the potential of youth."
#Quebec
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🏠Canada needs 300,000 new rental units to avoid gap quadrupling by 2026
In order to reach the optimal vacancy rate of 3 per cent, the report suggested Canada would need to add 332,000 rental units over the next three years, which would mark an annual increase of 20 per cent compared with the 70,000 units built last year.
Canada's vacancy rate fell to 1.9 per cent in 2022, its lowest point in 21 years, from 3.4 per cent in 2020 and 2021.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
In order to reach the optimal vacancy rate of 3 per cent, the report suggested Canada would need to add 332,000 rental units over the next three years, which would mark an annual increase of 20 per cent compared with the 70,000 units built last year.
Canada's vacancy rate fell to 1.9 per cent in 2022, its lowest point in 21 years, from 3.4 per cent in 2020 and 2021.
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Katie Telford to testify on foreign interference
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office says his chief of staff, Katie Telford, will testify before a Parliamentary committee on foreign interference.
Opposition members on the committee voted weeks ago to launch a study into allegations Beijing interfered in Canada’s electoral process.
As part of the study, they called on Telford to testify on what she was told by security agencies after the media reported that the Prime Minister’s Office had been briefed multiple times on Chinese attempts to interfere in the 2019 and 2021 elections.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office says his chief of staff, Katie Telford, will testify before a Parliamentary committee on foreign interference.
Opposition members on the committee voted weeks ago to launch a study into allegations Beijing interfered in Canada’s electoral process.
As part of the study, they called on Telford to testify on what she was told by security agencies after the media reported that the Prime Minister’s Office had been briefed multiple times on Chinese attempts to interfere in the 2019 and 2021 elections.
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Alberta Premier says delinquent companies will pay $48 million in unpaid taxes following directive
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says $48 million worth of unpaid municipal taxes are now under repayment plans following a new government directive.
The premier touted her government’s plans to force oil patch companies to make good on their unpaid municipal taxes, saying it’s “unacceptable when delinquent companies aren’t paying their municipal taxes.”
Under a new directive, companies will not be able to transfer or get new licenses unless the regulators are satisfied that the taxes have been paid.
Earlier this month, Rural Municipalities Alberta released figures showing that energy firms owed $268 million in back taxes in 2022, a figure that is up more than six per cent from 2021.
#Alberta
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says $48 million worth of unpaid municipal taxes are now under repayment plans following a new government directive.
The premier touted her government’s plans to force oil patch companies to make good on their unpaid municipal taxes, saying it’s “unacceptable when delinquent companies aren’t paying their municipal taxes.”
Under a new directive, companies will not be able to transfer or get new licenses unless the regulators are satisfied that the taxes have been paid.
Earlier this month, Rural Municipalities Alberta released figures showing that energy firms owed $268 million in back taxes in 2022, a figure that is up more than six per cent from 2021.
#Alberta
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MP Han Dong leaving Liberal caucus, denies allegations of working against release of 2 Michaels
Han Dong, the Toronto-area MP at the centre of allegations involving Chinese government interference in Canada's affairs, says he is leaving the Liberal caucus and will sit as an Independent.
"I'm taking this extraordinary step because to [sit] in the government caucus is a privilege and my presence there may be seen by some as a conflict of duty and the wrong place to be as an independent investigation pursues the facts in this matter," he said , reading a statement in the House of Commons.
Dong allegedly advised a senior Chinese diplomat in February 2021 that Beijing should hold off on freeing Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor — the two Canadians being held by China at the time.
Their detention is widely considered to be a retaliatory action in response to the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in Canada in 2018 following an extradition request from the U.S.
Dong confirmed he had a discussion with Consul General Han Tao, but denied that he advised Beijing to delay releasing Kovrig and Spavor.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Han Dong, the Toronto-area MP at the centre of allegations involving Chinese government interference in Canada's affairs, says he is leaving the Liberal caucus and will sit as an Independent.
"I'm taking this extraordinary step because to [sit] in the government caucus is a privilege and my presence there may be seen by some as a conflict of duty and the wrong place to be as an independent investigation pursues the facts in this matter," he said , reading a statement in the House of Commons.
Dong allegedly advised a senior Chinese diplomat in February 2021 that Beijing should hold off on freeing Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor — the two Canadians being held by China at the time.
Their detention is widely considered to be a retaliatory action in response to the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in Canada in 2018 following an extradition request from the U.S.
Dong confirmed he had a discussion with Consul General Han Tao, but denied that he advised Beijing to delay releasing Kovrig and Spavor.
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900,000 fewer surgeries were performed over the pandemic in Canada
Three years after the start of the pandemic, surgical backlogs and wait times are only just starting to improve, according to new data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information, with patients still waiting significantly longer for surgeries than they did before the pandemic.
▪️Over the course of the pandemic, roughly 937,000 fewer surgeries were performed in Canada compared to pre-pandemic rates.
▪️Around 24 per cent of that total reduction was due to a decrease in joint replacement or cataract surgeries alone.
▪️In 2022, nearly 40 per cent of patients who required a knee or hip replacement or cataract surgery were not able to receive one within the recommended time frame.
▪️Only 50 per cent of patients nationally were able to receive a knee replacement within the recommended six months in 2022.
#healthcare
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Three years after the start of the pandemic, surgical backlogs and wait times are only just starting to improve, according to new data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information, with patients still waiting significantly longer for surgeries than they did before the pandemic.
▪️Over the course of the pandemic, roughly 937,000 fewer surgeries were performed in Canada compared to pre-pandemic rates.
▪️Around 24 per cent of that total reduction was due to a decrease in joint replacement or cataract surgeries alone.
▪️In 2022, nearly 40 per cent of patients who required a knee or hip replacement or cataract surgery were not able to receive one within the recommended time frame.
▪️Only 50 per cent of patients nationally were able to receive a knee replacement within the recommended six months in 2022.
#healthcare
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🇨🇦🇺🇸Canada and U.S. set to announce northern border deal during Biden visit
Canada and the U.S. have reached a deal that would allow both countries to turn away asylum seekers who cross the border illegally as the effects of irregular migration span the hemisphere.
PM Justin Trudeau and President Joe Biden will make the announcement on Friday after the two leaders hold a bilateral meeting in Ottawa. They are also scheduled to speak at a joint press conference.
🔹The agreement will allow Canada to turn away migrants from unofficial crossing points like Roxham Road.
🔹In exchange, Canada will also announce plans to welcome an additional 15,000 Central American migrants over the next year through legal pathways.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Canada and the U.S. have reached a deal that would allow both countries to turn away asylum seekers who cross the border illegally as the effects of irregular migration span the hemisphere.
PM Justin Trudeau and President Joe Biden will make the announcement on Friday after the two leaders hold a bilateral meeting in Ottawa. They are also scheduled to speak at a joint press conference.
🔹The agreement will allow Canada to turn away migrants from unofficial crossing points like Roxham Road.
🔹In exchange, Canada will also announce plans to welcome an additional 15,000 Central American migrants over the next year through legal pathways.
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Alberta may have to return $130M in unspent federal funding for oil and gas well cleanup
The Alberta government may have to return $130 million in leftover funding to the federal government after not spending the money to clean up old oil and gas wells.
The cash is part of the federal government's $1.7-billion program in 2020 aimed at addressing the environmental risk of the aging oil and gas infrastructure, while also providing jobs to the beleaguered energy services sector after the pandemic began and oil prices crashed.
The federal money was divided between B.C. ($120 million), Alberta ($1 billion) and Saskatchewan ($400 million). Alberta's Orphan Well Association received a $200-million loan to support the cleanup of wells left over when companies go bankrupt.
#Alberta
🍁 Maple Chronicles
The Alberta government may have to return $130 million in leftover funding to the federal government after not spending the money to clean up old oil and gas wells.
The cash is part of the federal government's $1.7-billion program in 2020 aimed at addressing the environmental risk of the aging oil and gas infrastructure, while also providing jobs to the beleaguered energy services sector after the pandemic began and oil prices crashed.
The federal money was divided between B.C. ($120 million), Alberta ($1 billion) and Saskatchewan ($400 million). Alberta's Orphan Well Association received a $200-million loan to support the cleanup of wells left over when companies go bankrupt.
#Alberta
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🇨🇦🇭🇹Canada announces $100M in aid to shore up police forces in Haiti
Canada will provide $100 million in aid to the Haitian National Police to help the country restore law and order as gang-fuelled violence continues to cause widespread human suffering across the Caribbean nation.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the announcement Friday during U.S. President Joe Biden's two-day visit to Ottawa, during which the president was expected to press Canada to take a leadership role in restoring order in Haiti.
Canada is also imposing sanctions on two more Haitians: former senator Nenel Cassy and businessman and former presidential candidate Steeve Khawly. Their assets in Canada will be frozen and they will no longer be allowed into the country.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Canada will provide $100 million in aid to the Haitian National Police to help the country restore law and order as gang-fuelled violence continues to cause widespread human suffering across the Caribbean nation.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the announcement Friday during U.S. President Joe Biden's two-day visit to Ottawa, during which the president was expected to press Canada to take a leadership role in restoring order in Haiti.
Canada is also imposing sanctions on two more Haitians: former senator Nenel Cassy and businessman and former presidential candidate Steeve Khawly. Their assets in Canada will be frozen and they will no longer be allowed into the country.
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💸🇩🇪Governor General's four-day visit to Germany with 32 guests cost taxpayers $700K
Governor General Mary Simon’s first overseas trip as vice-regal to attend the Frankfurt Book Fair and meet with German leaders cost taxpayers over $700,000 in travel expenses for the four-day visit — including over $100,000 in in-flight catering costs for the transatlantic flight, documents reveal.
The documents were provided in response to an order paper question submitted by Bloc Québécois MP Julie Vignola. The cost breakdowns show over $50,000 of public funds spent hosting several receptions and banquets, as well as more than $45,000 in hotel bills.
In-flight meals for the trip came to $103,263.85, consisting of 98 breakfasts, 325 lunches and 107 dinners for the 33 passengers as well as the crew.
Air and ground transportation costs, which include fuel and ground transport costs for the 19 air crew members, rang in at $97,622.24.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Governor General Mary Simon’s first overseas trip as vice-regal to attend the Frankfurt Book Fair and meet with German leaders cost taxpayers over $700,000 in travel expenses for the four-day visit — including over $100,000 in in-flight catering costs for the transatlantic flight, documents reveal.
The documents were provided in response to an order paper question submitted by Bloc Québécois MP Julie Vignola. The cost breakdowns show over $50,000 of public funds spent hosting several receptions and banquets, as well as more than $45,000 in hotel bills.
In-flight meals for the trip came to $103,263.85, consisting of 98 breakfasts, 325 lunches and 107 dinners for the 33 passengers as well as the crew.
Air and ground transportation costs, which include fuel and ground transport costs for the 19 air crew members, rang in at $97,622.24.
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🇨🇦🇺🇸Roxham Road still busy after Biden-Trudeau pact
Asylum seekers warned by police they could be sent back continued to walk into Canada through the unofficial U.S. border crossing into Quebec at Roxham Road a day after the two countries amended a 20-year-old asylum pact trying to stem the influx.
U.S. President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced changes to the Safe Third Country Agreement on Friday after a record number of asylum seekers arrived in Canada via unofficial border crossings, putting pressure on Trudeau to address it.
🔹The Safe Third Country Agreement, signed in 2002 and which came into effect in 2004, originally meant asylum seekers crossing into either Canada or the United States at formal border crossings were turned back and told to apply for asylum in the first "safe" country they arrived in.
🔹Now it applies to the entire 6,416-km land border. Under the revised pact, anyone who crosses into either country anywhere along the land border and who applies for asylum within 14 days will be turned back.
#US #border
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Asylum seekers warned by police they could be sent back continued to walk into Canada through the unofficial U.S. border crossing into Quebec at Roxham Road a day after the two countries amended a 20-year-old asylum pact trying to stem the influx.
U.S. President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced changes to the Safe Third Country Agreement on Friday after a record number of asylum seekers arrived in Canada via unofficial border crossings, putting pressure on Trudeau to address it.
🔹The Safe Third Country Agreement, signed in 2002 and which came into effect in 2004, originally meant asylum seekers crossing into either Canada or the United States at formal border crossings were turned back and told to apply for asylum in the first "safe" country they arrived in.
🔹Now it applies to the entire 6,416-km land border. Under the revised pact, anyone who crosses into either country anywhere along the land border and who applies for asylum within 14 days will be turned back.
#US #border
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