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PQ reveals plans for Quebec, possible new Bill 101
A format of Bill 101 is to be introduced by Christmas in the NAtional Assembly.
According to CTV Montreal, Premier Pauline Marois is to introduce a revamped version of the bill as late as this coming Christmas. While details of the changed law haven't been revealed, Marois's campaign said it would apply to small businesses, limiting enrolment to English CEGEPs and to put stricter rules in place on English signs.
Also, speaking in front of party faithful, Marois called on the opposition to approve the upcoming November 20th budget.
With a minority government, the PQ face the possibility of losing the confidence of the National Assembly. Should it happen, that would trigger a winter election.
Flickr photo by: Parti Quebecois (officiel)
Cheaper to buy alcohol at government run liquor stores in Canada West
Over out West, a new report suggests that buying alcohol is much cheaper when the government's behind the counter.
According to the Globe and Mail, the report compared prices of 13 popular beverages at liquor stores across Western Canada.
It found that privately owned stores in Alberta and British Columbia charged significantly more than their public counterparts.
The report also noted that liquor store privatization lost the Albertan government $1.5 billion in revenue since 1993.
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and the Parkland Institute released the report at the end of October.
Their findings were revealed just a week after Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall suggested that all new liquor stores in the province be privatized.
Premier Wall offered privatization as a way to save public money from being spent on building liquor stores to cater to the province's growing population.
Flickr photo by: Patrick Haney
STORY WRITTEN BY: ALYSSA TREMBLAY
Britain to cut aid to India
Trade not aid is the future of Britain and India's relationship according to the UK's international development secretary.
In a report by Al-Jazeera news, Britain will cut all aid to the developing economic powerhouse by 2015. The move comes as a result of domestic pressure in Britain to reduce aid to its former colony.
The move will save Britain about $320 million dollars over the next two years.
There are roughly tens of millions of people in India currently living in poverty. Aid groups have dismissed the decision calling it "premature."
Flickr Photo by: aaronjwebb
STORY WRITTEN BY: DANIEL J. ROWE
Alberta sexual assault case dismissed after trial delays
An investigation ins underway in Alberta after a judge dismissed a sexual assault case for taking too long to go to trial.
According to the Globe and Mail, the man accused of the crime is now free and cannot be charged again.
The victim’s mother stated that to have him be in court and realize what he did was not acceptable.
The alleged victim’s assault happened between the ages of 9 and 17, but only came forward six years later.
In 2009, the accused was arrested on multiple sexual assault charges.
In Alberta’s Ministry of Justice, associate deputy minister and Attorney General Greg Lepp stated that many Crown attorneys find the case frustrating.
Lepp thinks a combination of factors including a storm delay and illness led to the case being stayed.
While the family blamed the Crown attorney for taking too long to interview the victim, Lepp doesn’t believe the Crown is to blame.
He believes the investigation will take at least two months.
News November 9th 2012
Hosted by Hannah Besseau
Produced by Erica Bridgeman
Stories written by Carlo Spiridigliozzi, Catlin Spencer and Isabella Sasaki
Union Montreal nominates Richard Deschamps for mayor
The ruling Union Montreal party made it official on Thursday evening picking Richard Deschamps as their candidate to be Montreal's interim mayor until November 3rd, 2013.
According to CTV Montreal, Deschamps was nominated over Gerard Tremblay's former right hand man and chairman of the city's executive committee Michael Applebaum.
Applebaum threatened to quit his post as the city's lieutenant over a disagreement with Deschamps involving the 3.3 per cent tax hike in property taxes for Montreal citizens. Deschamps wants to keep the increase while Applebaum want a new budget for 2013 drafted.
The secret vote to elect an interim mayor will take place on November 16th.
Flickr photo by: ArturoYee
Explosion at Sherbrooke plant claims 2 lives
2 people were found dead after an explosion ignited an inferno at an Eastern Townships plant.
According to the Gazette, the explosion occurred at 1:30pm on Thursday afternoon at the Neptune Technologies and Bioressources Inc. plant in the Sherbrooke industrial area. The resultant fire which followed sent black toxic smoke in the sky that was visible from many kilometres away.
Sherbrooke fire-cheif Gaetan Drouin told the paper that the plant contained a vast amount of acetone, a highly flammable ingredient in paint thinner and nail polish remover.
The black toxic cloud of smoke which may have caused headaches and nausea did not affect residential areas as the wind blew it away from danger zones.
The plant was also undergoing an expansion at the time. In addition to the dead, 19 were taken to hospital with some in critical condition.
The cause of the explosion remains unclear.
Flickr photo by: billaday
Same sex families on the rise shows census data
In a report by CBC News, same sex families are on the rise and have been for some time in Canada.
Though less opposite sex couples are getting married and having children, the numbers have risen for gay and lesbian couples that tie the knot and start families over the last two decades.
Same-sex marriage was legalized across Canada seven years ago.
In data released by the 2011 census, over 21 000 same-sex couples said they were married. The total number of same-sex families grew by more than 42 per cent since 2006.
On the other hand, the number of opposite sex couples who said they were in a married relationship in 2011 grew by just under 3 per cent.
So according to the statistics, what is the "new normal?"
STORY BY: ISABELLA SASAKI
Toronto plastic bag ban may be scrapped
Opponents of the ban on plastic bags in Toronto hope to overturn the ban by defeating the bylaw needed to pass it later this month.
In June, Toronto city council approved a plan to stop retailers from supplying plastic bags to customers beginning January 1st, 2013.
A staff report on the new bylaw estimates that it would cost about $400 000 alone to tell both retailer and the public about the ban and recommends not imposing fines until July 2013.
According to the Globe and Mail, some councillors have had second thoughts about the ban, and opponents of the measure see the bylaw vote as a chance to undo the decision without the usual two-thirds majority required to reverse a vote within a year.
Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong, however, says that overturning the ban by defeating the bylaw would open the door to revisiting issues again and again, essentially going against the spirit of council.
Flickr photo by: yanec
STORY WRITTEN BY CATLIN SPENCER
Today on The ReaKtor: C T Z N S H P
Check out The ReaKtor tomorrow at 3:15 pm to hear a live interview with Jesse from Montreal band C T Z N S H P.
C T Z N S H P will be performing as part of the M for Montreal music festival on Saturday Nov 17th at La Sala Rossa along side Yamantaka // Sonic Titan and A Place to Bury Strangers. The show is being co-promoted by I Love Neon, Blue Skies Turn Black, and Cult Montreal.
CTZNSHP // SWAN DIVE from C T Z N S H P on Vimeo.
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