Latest news with #SeanKilpatrick
Toronto Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- Toronto Sun
LILLEY: With out-of-control spending, it's time for Canadian DOGE
Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives to Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. Photo by Sean Kilpatrick / THE CANADIAN PRESS On Friday, Elon Musk held a news conference with Donald Trump in the Oval Office to mark his last day heading up DOGE. I wonder if we could convince Musk to come north to establish the Canadian Department of Government Efficiency. It's clear we need it. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account A report from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation shows that last year, the federal government had 98,986 more employees than they did when the Trudeau Liberals took over in 2016. It represents a 38% increase in the number of bureaucrats employed by the feds at a time when the population increased by less than 15% over the same eight years. The departments and agencies with the biggest growth were Infrastructure Canada up by 375%, Women and Gender Equality Canada 334%, RCMP External Review Committee 229%, Elections Canada 173%, and Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada 158%. I really doubt that the level of service at a place like the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada has increased by 158%, though there is no doubt that their workload is up given massive numbers of people coming into the country and declaring asylum including tens of thousands of foreign students. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Franco Terrazzano, federal director of the CTF, said that it's not just the growth in the number of people but the cost. He cited a report from the Parliamentary Budget Officer showing that once pay, benefits and perks are tallied up, the average federal bureaucrat cost taxpayers $125,300 per year. Despite the massive increase since 2016, the number of people on the federal payroll fell by 9,807 people last year. Terrazzano said on Friday that while that while this 2.7% decrease is welcome, it doesn't go far enough given the massive increase under Trudeau. He points out that the Carney Liberals promised to keep the size of the bureaucracy as it is. 'Prime Minister Mark Carney's promise to cap the bureaucracy doesn't go nearly far enough and just entrenches the Trudeau government's costly bureaucrat hiring spree,' Terrazzano said. 'Taxpayers need politicians to cut the bloated bureaucracy and make pay and perks more affordable.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It's not just the size of the bureaucracy, it's the out-of-control spending that began under the Trudeau Liberals and continues under the Carney Liberals. On Thursday, in the House of Commons, Carney promised to 'spend less on government operations.' 'Day-to-day government spending, the government's operating budget, has been growing by an unsustainable 9% every year. We will bring that rate down to 2%, less than half the average nominal rate of growth in the economy,' he said. The trouble is, as the Conservatives were quick to point out, the Main Estimates, the official government spending plan and what needs to be passed to authorize spending, show spending going up, not down. 'The first spending bill that he dropped in the House of Commons spends 8% more than Trudeau did in his last year in office. That is almost three times bigger than population and inflation combined,' said Conservative Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Read More Carney is likely soon to find out that wrestling spending down, like wrestling down the size of the bureaucracy, is a tougher task than it looks. The Trudeau government increased the size of the bureaucracy by 38% and they increased spending between 2016 and 2024 by 75%. Inflation over that time was 25%, population growth was 15%, which shows that on both fronts the Trudeau Liberals had no control of the public purse which is why establishing a DOGE like organization in Ottawa. Canada's media establishment would likely laugh at the idea of a Canadian DOGE, but anyone who has been around government knows that it is always worthwhile examining spending. Just because a program was established 20 years ago doesn't mean it is needed now, or that because spending has always happened that it needs to continue. After nearly a decade of Trudeau's out-of-control spending, Carney should consider Musk's chainsaw like approach. RECOMMENDED VIDEO World Toronto & GTA Crime World Toronto Raptors
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Federal government posts $43 billion deficit between April '24 and March
The Peace Tower on Parliament Hill is pictured from the West Gate in Ottawa on Monday, May 6, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick The federal government says it ran a budgetary deficit of $43.2 billion between April 2024 and this past March. The deficit compared with $50.9 billion for the same stretch in the 2023-2024 fiscal year. According to the Finance Department's monthly fiscal monitor, revenue for the 10-month period totalled $494.8 billion, up from $444.8 billion a year earlier. Program expenses excluding net actuarial losses amounted to $480.3 billion, up from $440.6 billion, boosted by increases across all major categories. Public debt charges totalled $53.7 billion, up from $47.5 billion. Net actuarial losses were $4.02 billion, down from $7.56 billion a year earlier. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 30, 2025.
Toronto Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
Halting spy operation placed CSIS team in unnecessary danger, watchdog report says
Published May 30, 2025 • 2 minute read A sign for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service building is shown in Ottawa on May 14, 2013. Photo by Sean Kilpatrick / THE CANADIAN PRESS OTTAWA — A new spy watchdog report says an overseas Canadian Security Intelligence Service operation was suddenly halted by government officials, 'creating unnecessary danger for the CSIS team' and raising questions about ministerial accountability. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The National Security and Intelligence Review Agency found no written records indicating the decision to suspend the operation had been made by the CSIS director or the minister of public safety. The review agency says that unlike typical operational matters, the case involved senior political-level actors from across the federal government. The heavily redacted review agency report provides few clues about the actors in question or the nature of the overseas CSIS operation. However, it says the decision to halt the activities abroad in mid-operation caused harm to Canada's reputation, needlessly placed spies in danger and 'raises serious concerns regarding CSIS's accountability mechanisms.' In September 2022, the episode prompted Marco Mendicino, the public safety minister at the time, to ask the review agency to look at whether CSIS and the Public Safety Department were effectively supporting ministerial responsibility. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Ultimately the sensitive operation in question was allowed to proceed after a delay. But the review reveals that senior CSIS officials had difficulty grappling with its temporary suspension. At one point the CSIS director sent an email to senior officials within key security and intelligence portfolios stating, 'time is quickly running out and the situation is getting much more tense on the ground. We need a decision tomorrow.' The report indicates there was also uncertainty over who had authority to resume the operation. The review agency found that CSIS and the Public Safety Department failed in their responsibilities to 'provide timely and accurate information' to the public safety minister about elements of the operation. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The report concludes the system of ministerial accountability for CSIS 'is in need of serious attention.' Building a stronger system now will help prepare for future operations and reduce the likelihood of a repeat of past confusion and risk, the report adds. It recommends that when a decision affecting an active CSIS operation is not made by the spy service's director or delegates, it must come as a direction from the public safety minister and should be accompanied by a written record. It also urges the public safety minister to ensure the deputy minister obtains any information required to fulfil their responsibility to provide independent advice to the minister about CSIS activities and operations. Crime Sunshine Girls Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Raptors Sunshine Girls
Toronto Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- Toronto Sun
Tories seek answers on Liberal half-trillion-dollar spending plan
"Is he really committed to new fiscal discipline, or is he just like the last guy?" said Treasury Board Critic Stephanie Kusie Conservative Member of Parliament Stephanie Kusie rises during question period in House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Photo by Sean Kilpatrick / The Canadian Press OTTAWA — The Conservatives put the government's fiscal feet to the fire during Question Period on Thursday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The Tories set their sights on the government's recently-tabled $486-billion spending plan, with Conservative Treasury Board Critic Stephanie Kusie asking for some conspicuously-missing details. 'This prime minister said that we would be guided by a new fiscal discipline,' she said. 'He said he would limit operational expenditures to no greater than an increase of two per cent, yet he's presented a bill of half a trillion dollars to Canadians. Single mothers, seniors, small businesses all make a budget before they spend. You would think a highly-esteemed banker would know that, and do that.' Kusie questioned how committed Prime Minister Mark Carney is to change, particularly after the past decade of former PM Justin Trudeau. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Is he really committed to new fiscal discipline, or is he just like the last guy?' she said. Read More Tabled Tuesday while King Charles was in town, the government's 2025-26 main spending estimates outlined $486.9 billion in budgetary spending — figures missing numerous promises made during the election campaign. While the Liberals' campaign platform concerning the CBC detailed an initial cash infusion to the state broadcaster of $105 million, figures released this week only show a funding increases of less than half that number. Few details have emerged on the government's spending plans, particularly since officials said they won't table a federal budget until the fall — a walkback from previous assertions that the Carney Liberals had no plans to issue a budget at all this year. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In response, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said the government is committed to their plan to make life more affordable. 'The first measure we introduced was a tax cut for 22 million Canadians,' he said, pointing across the aisle. 'There are Canadians in her riding that are going to benefit from the tax cuts. We're eliminating GST for first-time homebuyers for their new house, Mr. Speaker, and we are removing the consumer carbon price from law, Mr. Speaker. Together we're going to build Canada strong, and I hope the Conservatives will join us in that.' bpassifiume@ X: @bryanpassifiume RECOMMENDED VIDEO World Toronto & GTA Toronto Maple Leafs Weird Columnists
Toronto Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- Toronto Sun
Nearly 1 in 3 Canadians grumbled about internet provider in 2024: CRTC
Few contacted the little-known Commission for Complaints for Telecom Services A person navigates to the on-line social-media pages of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) on a cell phone in Ottawa on May 17, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick Almost one-third of Canadians complained about their internet service provider last year, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission research suggested. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Grievances about costs were not included in that tally. 'Just under one in three, 31.5%, reported having had a complaint related to the service provider they were subscribed to in the last 12 months, excluding complaints about pricing,' researchers wrote, per Blacklock's Reporter. Complaints were 'most often related to home internet service (47%) followed by mobile phone service (29%) and television (22%).' 'In terms of the nature of the complaints, respondents most often said they related to either service delivery or billing disputes,' said the report, entitled Understanding Consumer Awareness and Satisfaction With the Commission For Complaints For Telecom Services. Findings were gathered from questionnaires with 1,295 telecom users across the country. The CRTC paid $112,943 for the study by Nanos Research, per Blacklock's. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Of those who complained, nearly half, 48%, 'reported their service provider was able to resolve their complaint.' Even fewer contacted the little-known Commission for Complaints for Telecom Services though the federal agency has been mandated to investigate customer service issues since 2007. Read More When asked 'Why did you not submit a complaint to the Commission?', 63% said they 'did not know about it.' Others replied they 'didn't see the point' (mentioned by 11%), 'couldn't be bothered' (6%) or 'weren't sure how' (6%). The report said that low public awareness of the commission was a serious issue. Fewer than 1% of telecom users said they would know to contact the agency. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'A crucial aspect of the Commission's effectiveness is public awareness, as this increases consumers' ability to seek recourse with the Commission and allows the Commission the opportunity to help Canadians where it can,' Consumer Awareness said. 'When asked unprompted where they would go to try and resolve a complaint related to one of their communications service providers a strong majority, 84%, said they would go to their service provider,' researchers wrote. Most Canadians surveyed, 79%, said they had never heard of the Commission. Customers who complained to their internet service provider typically found it an uneven experience, said the report. 'More than 9 in 10 respondents who contacted their service provider about a complaint and whose provider did not resolve their complaint, 97%, reported their service provider did not mention the Commission as an avenue to address their complaint,' it said. RECOMMENDED VIDEO Sunshine Girls Crime Sunshine Girls Toronto Maple Leafs News
