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Bringing about a higher level of transparency and accountability in provincial and federal governments to help protect taxpayers from abuse

Bringing about a higher level of transparency and accountability in provincial and federal governments to help protect taxpayers from abuse.

Federal government spending tens of thousands at elite private club

Federal Crown corporations and government departments are spending tens of thousands of dollars each year at Ottawa’s elite Rideau Club.

According to documents tabled in the House of Commons, Crown corporations with business mandates topped the list of big spenders.

Once the place to see and be seen by top Ottawa business leaders and government mandarins, the Rideau Club’s popularity declined during Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government as spending by public servants came under more scrutiny.

The pricey private club atop a downtown Ottawa skyscraper is still popular among lobbyists and government relations professionals who often invite MPs to receptions at the Rideau Club on behalf of various industries.

read more at cbc.ca

Health care must be portable for all Canadians

“Why is the federal government letting Quebec get away with this violation, when it was so inflexible in the issue of extra-billing?” then federal health critic David Dingwall asked in May 1989.

Unfortunately, when he became Health Minister, he ignored the problem. So have all federal and provincial politicians. They have immediate, red-carpet health care and are not personally affected; only average working class persons — especially from Quebec — are.

This is not merely a matter of financial inconvenience. It can cause real hardship and adversely affect outcomes. A 2010 article in the Globe and Mail described a man living across the river from Ottawa who developed colon carcinoma. There was a year wait for a colonoscopy in West Quebec, and the Ottawa anesthetist refused to see him because he had Quebec insurance. He therefore waited several additional months until surgery could be done in Montreal. Sadly, by now he had extensive lymph node metastases, required high dose treatment, developed bowel obstruction and other complications, and died a couple of years later in great pain.

read more at thespec.com

OPINION | Canadians need to grow a consumer backbone: Neil Macdonald

So, United Airlines, after three weeks of groveling and apologizing for that terrifying police-state video on one of its flights a few weeks ago, is doing the sensible thing.

Instead of calling in police goons to brutalize seated passengers and drag them off overbooked flights, United will from now on offer up to $10,000 US to passengers who volunteer to take a later flight. A United spokeswoman quickly returned my call to confirm that.

But then, that’s the way the American market works.

Any U.S. company facing a blast-wave of consumer anger, and, in United’s case, watching its stock price wither, does what it has to do, knowing that customers can easily choose the competition.

Flight crews in the United States acknowledge that a thousand times a day upon landing: “Thanks for choosing us, we know you have a choice, and we appreciate your business,” or something to that effect.

Ever hear that on Air Canada? I haven’t.

read more at cbc.ca

 

Government of Canada launches tip line to help Canadians report federal contracting fraud

OTTAWA, April 20, 2017 /CNW/ – The Government of Canada is committed to protecting the integrity of federal contracts and real property agreements.

A dedicated telephone tip line and online form to accept anonymous tips from Canadians who suspect fraud, collusion and corruption in federal government contracts and real property agreements is being launched today.

Unethical business practices in public procurement undermine fair competition, threaten the integrity of markets, increase the cost and risk of doing business, and undermine public confidence in government.

Those who witness or suspect unethical business practices in federal contracting, such as bid-rigging, price‑fixing, bribery, undisclosed conflict of interest and fraudulent contract schemes, can provide information anonymously by calling 1-844-365-1616 or by completing an online form.

read more at newswire.ca

Focus on innovation, not more cash, to improve health care in Canada: doctor

Squabbling by provinces in the run-up to a new health accord points to the need for an agency that would share regional health-care innovations with the rest of the country, says an editorial in Canada’s premier medical journal.

Dr. Matthew Stanbrook, deputy editor of the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ), made the case in an editorial published Monday, saying spats over money and self interest could end in failed negotiations with the federal government, which must fund the proposed agency.

“A temporary tinkering with the health system, without a wholesale system change, will not deliver the health-care improvements Canadians need,” he wrote.

Much of the friction at a meeting of federal, provincial and territorial health ministers in Toronto two weeks ago stemmed from the Liberal government’s plan to adopt the former Conservative government’s decision to slash the six per cent funding increase to three per cent in a new health accord starting next April.

Stanbrook said innovation is the key to changing a health-care system that can’t be sustained as costs soar without better outcomes, especially for groups including seniors, indigenous peoples and the mentally ill.

Source: http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/focus-on-innovation-not-more-cash-to-improve-health-care-in-canada-doctor-1.3139392

Former Iowa psychiatrist pleads guilty to health care fraud

A Grinnell, Iowa physician has pleaded guilty in federal court on two counts of health care fraud, says U.S. Attorney Kevin VanderSchel .

Richard Hauser, 66, of North Liberty, submitted claims to Iowa Medicaid and Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield for a more expensive service than was actually performed in order to receive a profit, according to the plea agreement. Hauser “up coded” these services from November 2011 through December 2012 while working at a clinic in Grinnell called The Hauser Clinic.

Source: http://wqad.com/2016/10/19/former-iowa-psychiatrist-pleads-guilty-to-health-care-fraud/

Internet price hikes could be coming as Ottawa reviews cultural policy, critics warn

Like it or not, your internet bill might soon go up to help pay for something you may not care all that much about — Canadian content.

The federal government has launched a massive review of Canadian-made content in the digital age that will include who should be footing the bill.

For decades, cable and satellite TV providers have had to contribute funds to create domestic programs. The idea is simple: if we support Canadian storytelling, we help preserve our culture and identity.

But critics claim an added internet levy is not a wise move for Canada. They believe the fee would be passed on to customers, making a vital service cost prohibitive for some.

“We need to make sure the internet is more accessible to Canadians, not less,” said Josh Tabish with Vancouver-based Open Media, an internet advocacy group.

Source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/internet-canadian-content-government-1.3810251

Tory leadership hopeful would lower income taxes, drop some tax credits

Conservative leadership candidate Maxime Bernier wants to eliminate some of the boutique tax credits favoured by former prime minister Stephen Harper to help cover the cost of cutting income taxes for a majority of Canadians.

“I prefer to have a tax system that would be fair for everybody,” the Quebec MP said at a news conference Thursday as he unveiled his plan for income tax reform.

“I don’t want the government to choose winners and losers,” he said.

Bernier is promising a more-straightforward income tax plan that would mean anyone who makes between $15,000 and $100,000 a year would be taxed at a rate of 15 per cent.

Anyone who earns below $15,000 a year would not pay any federal income taxes and anyone who makes more than $100,000 would be taxed at 25 per cent.

That would bring the number of income tax brackets down to two from five.

Right now, the current personal exemption is set at $11,474, the lowest tax rate is 15 per cent for earnings up to $45,282 and the highest is 33 per cent for anyone whose annual income exceeds $200,000.

Bernier said his proposed change, inspired by reforms brought in during the 1980s by former Progressive Conservative prime minister Brian Mulroney, would make the tax system fairer, easier to understand and less expensive to manage and enforce.

Source: http://www.canadianbusiness.com/business-news/tory-leadership-hopeful-would-also-drop-some-boutique-tax-credits/