Ottawa OPENS IMPORTED VEGGIES INQUIRY

OTTAWA — The federal government has launched a trade inquiry on global imports of frozen and canned vegetables.

A statement from the Department of Finance says the government sought the inquiry in response to a request from the Canadian Association of Vegetable Growers and Processors.

Domestic producers say Canada has seen a surge of low-priced imports that are disrupting the market.

Law firm Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP says the trade tribunal’s hearing is scheduled for June 15, 2026, and the inquiry is looking into imports of chickpeas, wax beans, corn, peas, green beans and other vegetables.

The government statement says the tribunal will have 180 days to determine if increased imports of the products are causing or threatening to cause serious injury to Canadian vegetable growers and processors, and to make recommendations to the government.

The statement says the tribunal is also tasked with considering the impact on food affordability and food security for Canadian households.

MP’S FUTURE QUESTIONED

OTTAWA — Energy Minister Tim Hodgson said Friday the federal government is opposed to forced labour, a day after another Liberal MP cast doubt on China’s labour practices.

On Thursday, Michael Ma apologized after appearing to question reports of human rights abuses in China while engaging with a witness at a parliamentary committee hearing earlier in the evening.

Speaking to reporters in Markham, Ont., Hodgson deferred questions on whether Ma should remain in the party’s caucus to Prime Minister Mark Carney, who did not have a scheduled news conference during an event in Halifax.

Hodgson also said Ma acknowledged his views did not reflect the views of the Liberal party.

Ma made no such acknowledgment in the apology posted to his social media or in his statement to The Canadian Press.

Hodgson was reported to be involved in courting Ma to cross the floor to the Liberals from the Conservatives in December.

UCP MLA BACKS PETITION

EDMONTON — Premier Danielle Smith’s parliamentary secretary for constitutional affairs is encouraging Albertans to sign a petition that calls for a vote on separation from Canada.

Jason Stephan, a United Conservative Party legislature member, penned his opinion for the online conservative media outlet “Western Standard.”

In it, Stephan argues signing the petition to have a referendum on separation is different from signing the referendum itself.

He says the petition is about holding Ottawa accountable for “stupid laws and policies” that “erode Albertans’ freedoms in favour of a nanny state.”

Smith and some of her cabinet ministers have maintained they support a sovereign Alberta within a united Canada but also believe in direct democracy.

Stephan says despite the premier’s inroads with Ottawa, the federal government’s “hostile” treatment of Alberta won’t change.

He says despite Smith reaching an agreement with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberals to roll back environmental measures in an effort to build a West Coast pipeline, Ottawa’s perennial “looting” of Alberta “will NEVER be rolled back.”

BESTIALITY CHARGE LAID

VERNON — A man in Vernon, B.C., has been charged with bestiality after he was allegedly captured on security cameras trespassing on a rural property occupied by a horse jumping and training business in January.

Court records show the man is due in court on Monday at the Vernon law courts for a hearing to fix a date on a single count of bestiality alleged to have occurred on Jan. 24.

Vernon North Okanagan RCMP wouldn’t provide additional details.

Mounties said in January that they were investigating a report of trespassing at the property, and the owner showed officers security video footage that “revealed a criminal offence had occurred” in an enclosed animal pen.

The horse training business, Abigail Equestrian, had posted images from the footage at the time on social media trying to identify the suspect, alleging a man had entered the property and “assaulted” some horses.

RETIREMENT PROGRAM LAUNCHED

OTTAWA — Public servants who are eligible for the federal government’s early retirement incentive can now officially apply for it after delays in launching the program.

The program is designed to allow some federal workers to retire early without a pension penalty and was outlined in the fall as part of the government’s ongoing effort to cut the number of public servants.

But it couldn’t be launched until after the budget implementation bill was passed.

The legislation became law on Thursday after it passed the Senate and received Royal Assent and the application portal opened today.

The federal government sent letters with information on the program to about 68,000 public servants who may be eligible.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada has filed a policy grievance and has asked the federal government to halt the program, arguing it avoids the government’s obligations under employees’ collective agreements.

» The Canadian Press