In this sardonic weekly roundup, the host reads the Canada Gazette and highlights a series of obscure bureaucratic actions that reveal hidden power shifts and regulatory quirks in Canada. The main stories include: (1) the CRTC hearing on Corus’s ownership change, where lenders led by John Carswell’s Canso Investment Council aim to take 99% of the company after forgiving half of its $1.1 billion debt; (2) a Canada Border Services investigation into alleged illegal dumping of cheap Chinese steel grinding balls used in mining; (3) a parallel inquiry into the dumping of thermo‑formed molded‑fiber tableware (paper plates); (4) a federal ban on boats in Vancouver’s Eastern Falls Creek that the city attributes to the FIFA World Cup rather than the official safety rationale; (5) an expansion of the protected distance around southern BC orcas from 400 m to 1,000 m, with the current orca population at 74; (6) a controversy over a new exhibit at the Beaumont‑Hamel Newfoundland memorial in France, where a veteran‑affairs procurement dispute has stalled the project; and (7) Parks Canada employee Scott Reid receiving clearance to run for town council in Fundy‑Albert, New Brunswick. Throughout, the host adopts a critical, humorous tone, questioning the motives and transparency of the “deep state” bureaucracy.
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I read the Canada Gazette so you don't have to, and here are the secret stories this week in Canadian bureaucracy that the deep state doesn't want you to know. Here is one that should have gotten way more attention. Canada's broadcast regulator is holding a hearing to decide whether Corus, that's the parent of Global News, 40 TV stations, 36 radio stations, can change hands. But not because someone bought it. Corus couldn't repay its $1.1 billion in debt, so its lenders say they'll forgive half of it but want 99% of the company in exchange. And who are those lenders? The largest will be Canso Investment Council. A Canadian bond fund manager effectively controlled by this guy, John Carswell. He'll own 44% of it, presumably for the benefit of their institutional investor clients like pension funds, insurance companies, mutual funds. When there's a change in the ownership or control of a TV or radio station here, the purchaser is usually required to put 10% of the price into a fund to help the Canadian broadcast industry. Corus is arguing they shouldn't have to pay this because A) it's broke, and B) because this technically isn't a traditional purchase. Suits from Bay Street owning more of Canada's landscape? What could possibly go wrong? Canada's Border Services is looking into whether China has been illegally Dipping their balls into Canada. Steel balls used in mining to crush ore. Apparently they've been selling them cheaper here than it costs to produce them, so now there'll be an inquiry. There'll also be one for the alleged dumping of thermoformed molded fiber tableware, or as humans call them, paper plates. To Vancouver now, where the federal government has banned boats from Eastern Falls Creek until July 8th. Why? Not for the reason they say. Transport Canada says it's because boats pose a risk to marine safety. Funny, because when I go to the City of Vancouver's website, it says it's because of the FIFA World Cup. Boats out, sponsors in. Got it. Speaking of boats, it's now illegal to bring one within 1,000 meters of an orca whale in southern BC coastal waters, up from 400 meters. As of the last orca census— yes, that's a thing here— there are now only 74 of them in our waters. Canada has two historic sites outside the country, both in France: Vimy Ridge and the little-known Beaumont-Hamel, Newfoundland memorial in France. It's where 800 members of the Newfoundland Regiment launched a disastrous assault against German positions. Only 68 answered the roll call the next day. Well, the government is building a new exhibit there, and it's all gone sideways. A company that built one in Newfoundland says veteran Affairs rejected their bid improperly. Interesting side story: that battle happened well before Newfoundland entered Confederation, which means it's not technically a Canadian war memorial, but Canada's maintained it since Newfoundland joined. Finally, big congratulations to Scott Reid, who works for Parks Canada. The Public Service Commission of Canada has given him permission to run for town councillor for the village of Fundy-Albert, New Brunswick. Nice work, Scott! And that was the week in Canadian bureaucracy. I don't know, does anyone like these? I like these.
