RSS
Mine terrain may be useful for mission to Mars
A failing asbestos mine in Quebec may be Canada’s ticket to Mars.
Canada’s space agency is interested in using the mine’s terrain to conduct simulation Mars missions.
Some say these test runs could increase Canada’s opportunities to participate in future space missions.
Scientists recently tested out the idea at Quebec’s Jeffrey Mine in the town of Asbestos.
According to a report by The Canadian Press, the goal of the project was to discover methane gas, a key indicator of life.
Scientists have already discovered methane in Mars’ atmosphere and are now trying to detect the gas on the planet’s surface with NASA’s Curiosity rover.
The Jeffrey mine is the last remaining asbestos mine in the country.
Operations are shutting down after the mine failed to receive a critical 58 million dollar loan from the new Parti Quebecois government.
STORY WRITTEN BY: ALYSSA TREMBLAY
Conservatives rebuke sends message to all top officials
A strict message to all top officials by the Conservatives has put all of them on high alert.
According to the Globe and Mail, Public Safety Minister Vic Toews, criticized RCMP commissioner Bob Paulson on his comments to the media on the issue of gender and harassment problems at the police force.
Commissioner Paulson spoke about the internal investigation currently ongoing to Postmedia News last Thursday. He told the media that there was a bias against the promotion of women into upper ranks at the RCMP even before the report was published.
The report currently published, reveals that more women retire prematurely than their male counterparts due to work-life balance and mobility.
The letter warning by the Harper government is seen by many as warning to government officials to control their statements to the media.
Flickr Photo by: upton
Palestine to make bid for recognition at UN
The epic struggle for Palestinian statehood is set for another chapter.
Palestinian authority president Mahmoud Abbas is in New York this week trying to sway US opinion towards his people’s cause.
Abbas is planning to ask the UN to back a bid for non-member observer status for Palestine.
Israel opposes the plans based on the promises made at the 1993 Oslo Accords.
Abbas is adamant for Palestinian statehood after recent hostilities between Israel and Gaza claimed at least 158 people’s lives.
Abbas’ proposal will likely be before the UN on Thursday, November 29.
Palestine’s full membership bid last year was vetoed in the UN security council by the US.
The proposed Palestinian state would include Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
November 23rd, 2012
Hosted by: Carlo Spiridigliozzi
Stories by: Hannah Besseau, Catlin Spencer & Alex Masse
Produced by: Erica Bridgeman
Calm returns as Gaza-Israel ceasefire holds
A relative calm descended over Gaza after an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire came into effect Wednesday evening.
The agreement put an end to eight days of violence between Israel and Hamas. Hundreds of Palestinians took to the streets in celebration.
According to Al Jazeera, 162 Palestinians and five Israelis have died in the conflict.
Egypt appears to be facilitating negotiations between the two sides.
Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has warned that Israel is prepared to resume military operations in response to any provocation.
STORY WRITTEN BY: ALEX MASSE
Gender unequality in Canada, says study
A new report by the federal government argues that Canada is not fulfilling its commitment to gender equality.
According to the Globe and Mail, a 252 page study from the Council of Canadian Academies portrays a highly critical look at the limited progress of women’s academic careers.
It was commissioned in 2010 after the Canada Excellence Research Chairs program, an endeavour designed to bring in top researchers from abroad, neglected to choose any women for its nineteen awards.
The report concludes that although women have begun to outnumber men on university campuses for two decades, female faculty and researchers haven’t seen any victories from it. They still make less money than their colleagues while having to care for children or parents after work.
It also argues that powerful stereotypes and institutional arrangements are excluding women from being recognised and promoted.
Among the reports key findings is a persistent salary gap. Even with full time professors making 95 per cent of male salaries, it can have long term effects, including pension payments.
According to Lorna Mardsen, former president of York University and chair of the report, many women are not having the same access as men, and that if it holds for women, it would hold for other minority groups in our society as well.
STORY WRITTEN BY: CATLIN SPENCER
Tune In To Win Two Tickets To See Derelict on November 30th!
So it's almost the holiday season, and Grade A Explosives wants to give you gifts. If you listen in this Sunday, not only will you get to hear a fantastic musical selection by your host Andrew, but you'll also get to hear an interview with Montreal based metalers Derelict. And, because the spirit of giving is high, Derelict wants to give you a gift too. They want to give you two tickets to their show happening on November 30th with First Fragment. All you have to do is listen in and you could go see a show for 0 dollars! So, tune in to Grade A Explosives on Sunday from 4-6PM and join in the spirit of getting.
November 22, 2012
Read by: Catlin Spencer
Stories by:Patrick Miller, Nikita Smith, Chloe Deneumoustier and Carlo Spiridigliozzi
Produced by: Alyssa Tremblay
Peace sets in as truce holds
Life in the Gaza strip appears to be returning to normal as a ceasefire is taking shape.
According to the BBC, the truce brokered on Wednesday appears to be holding firm. There were rockets launched from Gaza at the start, however, Israel did not retaliate.
While citizens have begun flocking back onto Gaza streets, Israeli schools in the city remained closed on Thursday as a precaution. Israeli security forces arrested 55 people it claimed were part of terror network.
The Egyptian brokered deal demands that Israel end hostilities and killing of militants. As for Hamas, they must stop rocket and border attacks on Israel.
The latest wave of fighting which began on November 14th was sparked by Israeli soldiers killing a top Hamas military leader.
Corruption in Montreal throws doubt on ethical standards in engineering
A recent poll shows a significant loss of confidence in the engineering profession—while 83 percent of Quebecers said they trusted engineers in 2007, numbers from about a year ago show that now only around 65 percent of Quebecers would trust engineers.
In a report by the Canadian University Press, new information from Justice Charbonneau’s inquiry into corruption in Montreal’s construction industry reveals strong arguments for this loss of confidence.
The inquiry has led to city engineers Gilles Surprenant and Luc Leclerc admitting to taking in sum more than 1.2 million dollars of bribes from construction companies, in exchange for unfair collusion on public contracts. According to Surprenant’s testimony, this collusion raised the cost of construction projects in the Montreal area by around 30 to 35 percent.
The OIQ, the order of professional engineers in Quebec, does take measures against corruption. The Order requires every engineering graduate to pass an ethics exam on the path to becoming a professional engineer. In addition, the organization’s latest strategic plan prioritizes rectifying their lost public confidence through stronger focus on ethical intervention. And they have recently established a hotline—1-877-ETHIQUE—to share information on ethics and enable the easy reporting of violations.
Daniel Label, the president of the OIQ, confirms the damaging effect of the Charbonneau Commission on the profession. But he emphasizes the motivation and hard work spent on upholding the reputation of Quebec engineers.
STORY WRITTEN BY: PATRICK MILLER
Pages
Staff Login | Advertise | Our Location | RSS | Contact Us
