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According to CBC, Canada’s F-35 jet fighter program will be re-examined on Tuesday after the release of an auditor general’s report that slams the Defense Department and it’s agreement with procurement policies.

The government will be revoking the Defense Departments responsibilities for the program and setting up a special secretariat of deputy ministers to manage the program

It has been said that the government feels military officials misled the program. They promise to become more transparent about the fighter jet purchase from Lockheed Martin.

In March, the associate minister of national defense suggested to the House defense committee that the purchase of the F-35 was not a forgone conclusion. He stated that Canada would continue to be involved in the Joint Strike Fighter program, however that did not mean they to actually purchase the F-35.

Prime Minster Stephen Harper says that Canada’s aerospace industry has received hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts due to their 15 year involvement in the F-35 program.

Canada’s plan was to spend 9 billion dollars on 65 jets however plans have been changed due to a change in price.

The price of the U.S. F-35 program has surpassed the 1.5 trillion dollar mark making it the most expensive ever.

However, the Canadian government has estimated that their 65 jets will only cost 75 million each; the parliamentary budget officer has estimated the price to be closer to 148 million. 

Around 2000 suggestions were sent to the City of Montreal on ways to honor the late baseball star Gary Carter.

According to CTV News, mayor Gérald Tremblay says they have received many good suggestions and the selection committee will try to quickly come to a decision.

Carter’s family will also have a say in the matter.

Possible ideas include erecting a monument in his honor or naming a street or park after him.

The former Montreal Expos and New York Mets star passed away at age 57.

This year’s Juno Awards ceremony was unpredictable on Sunday night.

According to the Canadian Press, Toronto-based Indie singer Feist was in disbelief as she climbed up the stage to receive her award for “Artist of the year”.

Saskatoon rock band The Sheepdogs went home with 3 awards, amazing for a band that was still unknown last year.

Only seven awards were handed out Sunday night.

The other statuettes were awarded at a dinner gala on Saturday.

Of the seven awards given out, three went to Feist and one to Dragonette and Paris house DJ Martin Solveig.

Some popular Canadian artists like DeadMau5 and Nickelback went home empty handed despite numerous nominations.

Justin Bieber wasn’t present but won the Fan choice award for the second year in a row.

Buble, Drake, and Avril Lavigne were also missing.

Eighty-one year-old William Shatner did his best to host the show and make it interesting.

The show featured performances by City and Color, Hedley, Simple Plan and DeadMau5.

Friday, March 16th

Call me a hipster, but every year I attend South by Southwest I find myself at Urban Outfitters backyard not only for the free drinks and giveaways, but for their excellent live music. These fashionable dudes and dudettes have had musicians such as MGMT, Chairlift, and Local Natives play in their small, impromptu-looking outdoor venue. UO has a different theme for every year during SXSW. This year the theme was “Live Girls & Guys,” but I think my favourite was the 2009 theme, “Drugs Roll & Sex Rock”. The themes are printed on their t-shirts, bags and poster giveaways, which in my imagination will eventually become a collector set worth the big bucks 20 years from now. Urban Outfitters is located in the West Campus area of University of Texas off of the “Drag” known for the “drag-rats” (the homeless people that live in this area), and but also known for other things such as Daniel Johnston’s “Hi, How Are You?” mural. You can say this area has its own “je ne sais quoi.”

Blondes @ Urban Outfitters Backyard

This year Urban had artists such as Craft Spells, Best Coast, Bear in Heaven, Nite Jewel, and Grimes (from our very own Montreal). I was lucky to catch Blondes, and Bear in Heaven rock the fancy socks off this apparel store. Zach Steinman and Sam Haar of Blondes make you feel like you’re in an '80s electronic dance club. The way they move their bodies and dive into their sounds they make with their electro instruments can be compared to the visuals of Animal Collective’s “My Girl” music video.

Bear in Heaven @ Urban Outfitters Backyard

Next on the stage was Bear in Heaven, an indie-electronic band. It was hard for me to focus on BIH post-Blondes show. The energy levels were completely different; it was like going to see Queen open for Johnny Cash, they're both great artists but you just can’t turn the BPM down that many notches. John Philpot’s vocals are amazing and the sound was pretty good overall, but I wanted the party that was going on to continue. Nonetheless, I’d see them again if I could, let’s just hope that someone does the booking a bit better next time.

These are a couple of bands that make me realize the Brooklyn breakout music era is not dead. But let’s face it New York, it's time to welcome your successor: Montreal. Us Canadian folk couldn’t have shown what we’ve got in the music scene (Grimes, Doldrums, Purity Ring) if it weren’t for venues like Urban and most importantly, SXSW, and for this we are grateful!

Saturday, March 17th

On every Saturday of the South by Southwest music portion of the festival, you begin to realize things are starting to slow down. Bands that have already played showcases that week are starting to pack up and move and fans are exhausted, hung over, and broke from going out the past few nights in a row. Only the few, the proud, and the brave continue on through the magic. This night I decided to check out some street music and entertainment before heading anywhere else, proving that you can have a good time for free on the streets of SXSW. There was music ranging from a cappella, to indie rock, to jazz, to smelly hippie drum circles, to a preacher giving a sermon on a stool with a voice amplifier telling us we’re all going to hell.

Each Other @ Spill Bar

I navigated myself back to Spill, walking in just in time to catch Each Other as they were beginning their set. Once again, couldn’t have been more proud to be a Canadian, damn good music. They have a sort of new-day beach rock sound to them due to their soft harmonies and "pause, guitar-rift, start play" technique. I’ve listened to Each Other a bit more at home and as much as I could say they were better in the studio, they just seemed tired. The band consists of two old members from Halifax’s Long Long Long band. When I went to go and purchase Each Other’s digital album Taking Trips that was released earlier this year, I was happy to find it was a “name your own price” buy. For those of you who drive around in an old car or kept your Walkman in good condition, may I suggest their five-dollar cassette?

Doldrums @ Spill Bar

I found my new favourite jam, Doldrums! This was the best show I saw over the festival. As soon as these guys started playing, everyone in the bar (including the bartenders) turned their bodies toward stage. With the stage presence of John Maus himself, Airick Woodhead gets you lost in translation with his almost creepy sounding voice and hand gestures. Due to my lethargy I was sitting down at the beginning of the performance, but within the first 30 seconds I was on the edge of my seat and I have not been able to stop listening to them since. I haven’t heard samples used this well since The Avalanches. Doldrums is continuing their worldwide tour now with fellow Montrealer, Grimes. My guess is that Doldrums, Purity Ring, and Grimes are going to be the North American bands of 2012 or, at the latest, 2013.

Sunday, March 18th

We Paint The Town @ Beale Street Tavern

We Paint The Town is a pop-punk band based out of Austin, Texas. Frontwoman Erin Leff managed to keep the crowd cheering even during the last night of South by Southwest, which is hard to accomplish because everyone is exhausted at this point. I don’t think there was one person in that room who didn’t leave with a crush on Leff. She is like the girl next door who went hardcore on your ass! Much like a sour patch kid, We Paint The Town started out sour and in your face, then took a break and went sweet when Leff and guitarist, Cory Crummel did a couple acoustic songs. This was my favourite part of the show considering it was a chance for Leff to show off her amazing voice. Everything is placed perfectly for this band: the music, timing, and dedication, it’s all there. If you’re a fan of Tennessee's Paramore, you would love WPTT.

Later on I hit up Spider House Café’s 29th street Ballroom for their World Go Go Championship with live DJs and dollar Lone Stars. Hey, what’s a better way to end your last night in such a beautiful place?

South by Southwest 2012 was by far the best I’ve seen. Each year is new and improved, and expands more and more. Without SXSW inc., and the local people and businesses, none of this would be possible. Until next time, SX!

-Eileen English