Criminal Records
People with criminal records denied housing
People in Nova Scotia are being denied housing on the basis of a criminal record. The Cape Breton Housing Authority, for instance, was found to be using provincial court checks to turn down applications.
Independent senator drafting automatic pardon bill
Independent senator, Kim Pate, has told media that she is drafting a bill for automatic pardons for certain types of offences.
Marijuana legalization
Conservative Senators express legalization concerns
Conservative Senators are concerned that legalization will cause delays at the border and that Canadians will continue to be barred for life to the US for marijuana use.
Few dispensary raid charges result in records
Police in London, ON, cracked down on illegal marijuana dispensaries, but only three convictions against two men resulted. Critics say the raids needlessly clog the courts.
Read more at the London Free Press
Canadian border
Tentative deal reached for border officers
After four years of negotiations and court challenges, Canada Border Services has come to a tentative deal with officers represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada.
Entering Canada with a theft charge
A theft charge will make a US resident inadmissible to Canada. However, there are permanent and temporary waivers available.
Jobs and Economy
Canadian unemployment rate remains low
Canada’s unemployment rate remained low in March with 32,200 jobs added. At the same time that full-time jobs were added to the economy, part-time jobs declined.
Alberta would be most affected if interest rates rise
Albertans carry the heaviest debt loads and would be more affected than people in BC and Ontario in the event of an interest rate hike. Rates could rise as early as next week.
Unemployment rate edges up in northeast BC
BC continued to have the lowest unemployment rate in Canada in March, although it edged higher in some regions, including the northeast.
Read more at the Alaska Highway News
Prime Minister promotes Trans Mountain during BC visit
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke in favour of the Trans Mountain pipeline project during a visit to Vancouver that attracted protestors.