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Energy drinks still available, despite new federal rules

TORONTO—DESPITE ATTEMPTS BY Health Canada to make energy drinks over-the-counter pharmaceutical products, government-approved regulations will require the placement of visible nutrition labels on the beverages by the companies producing them. A push by Health Canada to rename energy drinks to “stimulant drug-containing drinks” set the ball rolling for new rules on labelling the energy products.
The drinks can still be purchased from convenience and grocery stores, but the appearance of nutritional information and health and safety warnings on them will be implemented over the next 18 to 24 months. A limit on the amount of caffeine in the drinks will be set to 180 mg per serving.
—Spencer Van Dyk
Minister intervenes in Air Canada labour dispute

TORONTO—AIR CANADA’S FLIGHT attendants stayed at their posts on Oct. 13, days after Lisa Raitt, the federal labour minister asked the Canada Industrial Relations Board to review the current contract negotiations between the union and management.
The contract disputes surfaced when Air Canada introduced the development of a low-cost aircraft, which would result in a lower wage scale for employees and threaten job security.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) informed the 6,800 flight attendants that they were unable to strike due to a legal procedure used by Raitt, which bypassed the need for back-to-work legislation.
“[The government] is trying to take away your right to strike and it will use whatever tools and tricks that it can,” said CUPE in a statement.

—Graham Mac Vannel

Fourth attempt at copyright modernization up for discussion

WATERLOO (CUP)—ON THURSDAY, SEPT. 29, Bill C-11 was introduced in the House of Commons, marking the fourth attempt to amend copyright legislation by the Government of Canada. The Copyright Modernization Act seeks to bring copyright law in line with technology, an important task given the vast amount of material available online.

The bill claims to offer absolute protection of copyrighted material through “digital locks,” while simultaneously offering a “fair dealing exemption” on material acquired for non-infringing purposes.

Under these locks, certain materials may be inaccessible, as they will fall under different jurisdictions—blurring the distinction between what is or is not being used for infringement.
Changes have yet to be made, as debate over Bill C-11 continues in the House of Commons.

—Leeza Pece and Linda Givetash, the Cord

SFSS lockout ends
VANCOUVER—SIMON FRASER STUDENT Society (SFSS) employees returned to work after reaching an agreement with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) on Oct.11, ending a three-month lockout.
The new three-year-long agreement prevents reduction in wages or hours for current employees. It also sees no wage increases for the next two years, with a one per cent increase in the third year. Wages for new student employees will be lowered from $21.98 to $14.50 per hour.

“[The new agreement means] we can hire twice as many students and give more opportunities for students, but also provide more services by bringing down their wage rates,” said Jeff McCann, president of the SFSS, to the Canadian University Press.

According to McCann the SFSS can focus on the projects they were elected to do with the lockout behind them, including increasing food outlets on campus and advocating for lower interest rates on student loans.

—Michelle LePage