CJLO News December 6th 2010

News read by Erica Fisher and produced by Melissa Mulligan. 

Monk Island in Lachine is the site of a new monument to remember the victims of the Air India bombing. Families of the victims gathered there Sunday for a memorial event. Canada’s minister of Immigration, Citizenship and Multi-culturalism was also there. There are three other monuments in Vancouver, Toronto, and Ottawa. The Monk Island one will be the final memorial.

The Air India bombing of 1985 remains the worst terrorist attack in Canadian history. 280 of the 329 victims were Canadian. Last year a Canadian Supreme Court justice criticized the government over their handling of the situation. He released a report saying the incident could have been easily stopped. He also said the subsequent government investigation was mishandled. In response, the government has made an Air India Action plan. It will be designed to prevent similar incidents from occurring. The plan is set to be released this week.

Written by: Michael Lemieux

Quebec Premier Jean Charest has announced that he has no intention of quitting. In an interview with Radio-Canada he admitted to having a horrible year. His year in office has been marked with accusations of corruption in regards to the construction industry. His party faces low poll numbers trailing behind Parti Quebecois. His own satisfaction rating with voters also hovers along the low 20 percent.

Charest says he has a strong backing from his Liberal caucus and that the Quebec economy is doing well. In regards to the corruption scandals Charest pointed out his government has been considering a special investigative body. He also dismissed calls for a public inquiry, saying it would be contaminating to the political climate. Charest reiterated in the interview that he knows where he’s going and what he knows for Quebec.

Written by: Marcin Wisniewski

On Sunday, Canadian troops in Afghanistan started what could be their last major operation in the region. The Canadians are helping the Americans, but the operation is being led by the Afghan National Army. This will make them gain some experience before they take over from the coalition forces.

Lieutenant Colonel Michel-Henri St-Louis said soldiers have already come across IEDs. They have also seen some Taliban fighters. St-Louis said the goal of the mission is to build a bond of trust with the villagers that are left. Canada’s combat duties in Afghanistan will end in July 2011.

Written by: Chris Hanna 

            More than fifteen thousand people gathered Sunday afternoon at the Bell Centre. The crowd was there to welcome hockey legend,  Guy Lafleur for what was said to be his final game as a Canadien. The Habs legend received an emotional standing ovation. There were still five minutes left when Lafleur scored his third goal of the game. The referees decided to end the game right then. The Sunday game was part of a Lafleur goodbye tour that will also games played in Lafleur’s hometown of Thurso on Dec. 12 and in Quebec City. 

Written by: Sarah El Fangary