Barry Wilson Reflects On The Earl Jones Scandal

Earl Jones is hustled into a car before leaving the Montreal courthouse yesterday. He reportedly looked at no one but the judge during his arraignment. Photograph by: PHIL CARPENTER, THE GAZETTE, The Gazette

From CTV:

Earl Jones' monthly spending: $70,000

Earl Jones' bail: $30,000

The cost in anguish to his friends and clients: Incalculable.

You know it's not right. Thirty-thousand dollars for a get-out-of-jail card... that's peanuts. Bail for Bernard Madoff was $10 million.

It's even more insulting to the people who lost their savings to hear that Jones spent more in a month than most people make in a year.

Wining, dining, and travelling. The best hotels. How can you spend $70,000 in a month?

What's worse, we found out this week that Jones saw it coming.

He cashed in all of his personal investments last January while his clients were left in the dark waiting and wondering.

The fox, it seems indeed, was in the henhouse.

Read more ....

More News On Earl Jones

Accountant: Little left in Earl Jones accounts -- Canada.com
Who is Earl Jones? -- Global TV
No wheels for Earl Jones -- CJAD
Jones saw firm's collapse coming -- Globe And Mail

Montreal News And Weather -- July 31, 2009

MONTREAL NEWS AND WEATHER

VIA Rail's goodwill gesture backfires -- Montreal Gazette

Gatti family wants new autopsy -- CBC

Memorial for Gatti in New Jersey draws boxing community -- CTV

Boxer Gatti's death ruled a suicide, wife released -- CTV

Groups plan one-year Villanueva commemoration -- Montreal Gazette

Hydro-Québec seeks rate hikes of 6.7% -- Montreal Gazette

Three overnight incidents -- CTV

Exclusive: Another Alleged Ponzi Scheme Uncovered In Montreal

A board at the New York Stock Exchange.
Photograph by: REUTERS, Canwest News Service; Financial Post

From The Montreal Gazette:

Another alleged Ponzi scheme has surfaced in Montreal, this time involving close to 100 middle-class people who invested millions in an offshore company.

Lawyer Jacob L. Rothman, who filed lawsuits this week on behalf of two alleged victims, slammed Quebec securities regulator Autorité des marchés financiers for not doing its job of protecting people.

Read more ....

Update: Lawsuits filed in Montreal on behalf of two alleged Ponzi scheme victims -- Canadian Press

Edmonton 33, Montreal 19

Montreal QB Anthony Calvillo is sacked by Edmonton #94 Dario Romero and #79 Eric Taylor (left) during CFL action as the Edmonton Eskimos vs. Montreal Alouettes at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton. Photograph by: Ed Kaiser, Edmonton Journal

Eskimos End Alouettes' Perfect Season -- Montreal Gazette

EDMONTON – Over the years, Commonwealth Stadium has been the place where the Alouettes have come to die. Or in this case, to see their undefeated season come to an end.

Look at it this way following Montreal's 33-19 loss to the Edmonton Eskimos last night: all those who were publicly discussing the possibility of an undefeated season – even some in the media who should have known better – can now return to reality.

Read more ....

More News On The Montreal Edmonton Football Game

Eskimos deal Alouettes 1st loss -- CBC
Als beaten by Edmonton Eskimos -- CTV
Als come undone in Edmonton -- Globe And Mail
Alouettes get Stamped! -- Edmonton Sun
Fred Stamps catches two TDs as Eskimos hand Alouettes first loss of season -- Canadian Press
Where did this team come from? -- Canada.com

Universities Brace For Fall Swine Flu Wave

McGill University. Arts Building

From The CBC:

Universities and colleges across Canada are preparing for potential outbreaks of swine flu on campuses this fall.

Students often live in dormitories, attend large classes and socialize in ways that help spread germs, such as hugging or kissing.

Healthy people aged 19 to 24 should be near the front of the line for a vaccine against the H1N1 pandemic strain once it's ready, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Read more ....

Hydro-Québec Seeks Expansion, Rate Hikes

Carillon Hydro installation. Photograph by: Handout, Hydro-Quebec

From The Montreal Gazette:

Between now and 2013, Hydro-Québec will work towards building new hydroelectric projects and expanding others, according to the utility's strategic plan made public today.

But during that same period, the utility is expected to generate almost 37 terrawatt hours of surplus electricity, according to the document. Equal to one million kilowatt hours, one terrawatt hour can meet the annual energy needs of about 60,600 average Quebec homes.

Hydro-Québec will invest just over $25 billion between 2009 and 2013, the utility said.

Read more ....

From The Garden To The Table: Three Notre Dame St. Restos

Joe Beef chef Frederic Morin adds kale and tomatoes from the restaurant garden to the spaghetti he’s preparing. Photograph by: Pierre Obendrauf, The Gazette

From The Montreal Gazette:

MONTREAL - Monday is traditionally chef’s day off in the restaurant business. But if you pass by Joe Beef, McKiernan’s or Liverpool House on Notre Dame St. W. on Mondays, you might just spot chef and co-owner Fred Morin hunched over his garden, planting, watering and weeding. And if you dine on the terrasse of Joe Beef you’ll see that garden first hand as it takes up much of the space many restaurateurs would prefer to allot to customers.

Read more ....

Cracked Window On Eighth Floor Of Eaton Centre

A worker prepares to patch cracks in one of three windows at 1801 McGill college in Montreal Thursday. The eastern side of the street between de Maisonneuve and Ste. Catherine Sts. was closed to traffic as a safety precaution. Photograph by: Phil Carpenter, The Gazette

From The Montreal Gazette:

MONTREAL ­ Anxious pedestrians craned their necks Thursday afternoon as police, the Montreal fire department and ultimately a commercial glass company decided what to do about some cracked windows on the facade of the Eaton Centre tower.

Fire officials were called around 10:30 a.m. when cracks were discovered in a window on the eighth floor and another window several stories up.

Read more ....

Arturo Gatti's Death Called Suicide, Wife Released From Prison

Amanda Rodrigues (front), widow of the late world champion boxer Arturo Gatti, leaves a women's jail with her sister Flavia in Pernanbuco. Photograph by: Clemilson Campos, Reuters

From The Montreal Gazette:

RIO DE JANEIRO ­ Boxer Arturo Gatti's death was ruled a suicide by police Thursday and a judge ordered the release of his wife, who was once suspected of killing the former champion.

Lead investigator Paulo Alberes told Associated Press that authorities decided Gatti killed himself on July 11 while at a seaside resort in northeastern Brazil.

When asked if police had determined the case was a suicide, Alberes said "yes." He offered no other details.

Read more ....

Ray, Eskimos Look To Halt Calvillo, Alouettes

From TSN:

Ricky Ray and the Edmonton Eskimos look to hand the Montreal Alouettes their first loss of the season when the two teams hook up at Commonwealth Stadium on Thursday.

Revenge will be on the minds of the Eskimos after the Alouettes ran Edmonton out of Percival Molson Stadium with a 50-16 drubbing in Week 2.

Now the Eskimos are coming off a short week but will nevertheless carry a great deal of momentum into Thursday night. On Saturday, they used a balanced attack to erase an early 22-point deficit and beat the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Mosaic Stadium on Saturday.

Read more ....

Montreal News And Weather -- July 30, 2009

MONTREAL NEWS AND WEATHER

Bowling alley to comply with Que. language laws -- CTV

Invasive plant clogging Quebec lakes -- CBC

McGill, borough limit traffic on McTavish -- Montreal Gazette

Dragon boaters upset with Parc Jean-Drapeau parking increases -- CTV News

Air Canada gets $1B in backing -- CBC

Two hospitalized after fight overnight -- CTV

Man assaulted with pointy object -- CTV

Montreal sex offender charged again -- CBC

Boxer Gatti's Death Ruled A Suicide

Photo: Former world boxing champion Arturo Gatti, whose body was found in his Brazil apartment earlier this month, learned to box in Montreal and moved to New Jersey to pursue the sport. (Richard Drew/Associated Press)

From The CBC:

Brazilian police have ruled that former world boxing champion Arturo Gatti, formerly of Montreal, committed suicide and his wife has been ordered released.

Lead investigator Paulo Alberes told The Associated Press that Gatti, 37, killed himself on July 11 in a seaside resort in northeastern Brazil.

Police had detained his wife, Amanda Rodrigues, 23, accusing her of strangling Gatti with her purse strap as he drunkenly slept.

Read more ....

Update: Brazil police rule Canadian boxer Arturo Gatti's death suicide -- CTV News

My Comment: A lot of people are not going to be happy with this ruling.

The Earl Jones Fraud -- News Updates July 30, 2009

MONTREAL, QC.; JULY 29, 2009--Victims of the Mount Real - Norshield financial debacle, Jean-Claude Dussault and Janet Watson attended a rally outside the Superior court in Montreal, Qc. Wednesday, July 29, 2009. They want to publicize that Earl Jones, accused Tuesday of fraud and theft in a separate case, will probably get a relatively light sentence. Photograph by: Marcos Townsend, The Gazette

Jones Spent Clients' Money -- The Montreal Gazette

'Planes, Hotels'; Financial adviser, wife lived off $60,000 a month: accountant.

Earl Jones cut himself and his wife monthly cheques of several thousand dollars from the same account in which his clients' money was deposited, an accountant investigating Jones's business dealings said yesterday.

Between those cheques and a monthly credit card balance that regularly hit $50,000, the Joneses were living off $60,000 to $70,000 a month, accountant Gilles Robillard said.

"Plane tickets, meals, hotels," he said. "From the payments that were doled out to (his wife), she was the best-paid employee."

Read more ....

More News On The Earl Jones Fraud

Jones spent $70,000 a month: trustee -- CBC
Earl Jones scared, may need protection, lawyer says -- CTV
Patience, realism necessary for victims of financial crime -- Canada.com
Jones Probe Finds Less Than C$100,000 Trustee Says -- Bloomberg

Canal Deaths Lawyer Says Jail Violated Court Order

Tooba Mohammad Yehya, left, her son, Hamed Mohammad Shafia, and husband, Mohammad Shafia, are seen outside a Kingston, Ont., courthouse last week. (CBC)

From The CBC:

The lawyer for an 18-year-old man charged with taking part in the slaying of his three sisters and his father's first wife says the Napanee, Ont., detention centre has violated a court order by placing his client in the same cell with his father.

Hamed Mohammad Shafia is facing murder charges along with his father, Mohammad Shafia, and his mother, Tooba Mohammad Yehya.

Read more ....

More News On The Kingston Canal Deaths

Kingston deaths suspects share cell -- Montreal Gazette
Shafia men in same cell twice: media reports -- CTV
A timeline of the Kingston canal deaths -- Vancouver Sun

Still No TimeTable For When Peel St. Will Be Open To Vehicle Traffic

Restaurant and hotel "open for business" signs are on the barriers blocking vehicular access to Peel St. between Sherbrooke St. and de Maisonneuve Blvd. Photograph by: Dave Sidaway, The Gazette

From The Montreal Gazette:

MONTREAL ­ A downtown-core block north of de Maisonneuve Blvd. will have to remain shut to vehicle traffic until engineers hired by the landlord of the Marriott Residence Inn attest in writing that the façade of 2045 Peel St. is entirely secure, the Régie du bâtiment du Québec said Wednesday.

Nobody appears prepared to hazard a guess as to when that could be.

“There are no developments on this file,” Régie spokesperson Marjolaine Veillette said Wednesday, 13 days after a slab of concrete dropped from the hotel’s 18th storey to instantly kill 33-year-old Léa Guilbeault, dining at ground level.

Read more ....

Pauline Marois Wants $8 Million For Her House

Parti Quebecois leader Pauline Marois has put her Ile Bizard home on the market for $8 million.
Photograph by: LCN

From The CTV:

Parti Quebecois leader Pauline Marois has put her house in Ile Bizard up for sale, and says she plans to move to her riding in Charlevoix.

Marois and her husband, Claude Blanchet, are asking $8 million for their luxury mansion and its 1.7 million square foot property.

The waterfront home in Ile Bizard, with eight bedrooms and seven bathrooms, was built in 1994.

Marois says she wants to be closer to her constituents and plans to build a new home on another waterfront property she and her husband own in Ste-Irenee.

Marois says she will maintain an apartment in Montreal.

Read more ....

Update: Marois offers Île Bizard home for $8 million -- Montreal Gazette

Wood Stove Ban Could Go To Court

Wood stove salesman Michael Richard of Nergiflex of St. Laurent is opposed to the Montreal wood-stove ban. Photograph by: Phil Carpenter, Gazette file photo

From The Montreal Gazette:

Bylaw prohibits their installation; Lawsuit contends that city did not present sound, reliable scientific data.

The city of Montreal will be forced to go before Quebec Superior Court to defend its recent ban on the installation of new wood-burning stoves after a lawsuit was filed against the city last Thursday.

"It's always been a question of public health for the Tremblay administration," said Alan DeSousa, executive committee member of the city of Montreal. "We went through exhaustive public consultations over three days and the bylaw was given majority support from the public and was passed unanimously at Council. That's how any democracy works."

Read more ....

My Comment: My God .... he is suing based on faulty science. He should know that this stupid bylaw has nothing to do with science, and when the atmosphere tests are taken again next year, it will show that particulate matter is just as bad as it was before.

San Francisco passed a similar bylaw and it has had NO impact on pollution.

The Dismal State Of Quebec's Education System

Low Marks For Graduation Rates -- The Montreal Gazette

Stay-in-school initiative planned

MONTREAL - Provincial education officials said little yesterday about newly released high school graduation rates showing alarming gaps between girls and boys, public and private schools and those taught in French and English.

The numbers indicate what has been suspected for some time - that the Quebec government's $200-million effort since 2003 to get students to stay in school has failed to make much of a difference.

Read more ....

My Comment: The reason why French schools fail miserably, is that this is where immigrant children who cannot speak either English or French are dumped.

Not speaking and/or understanding the language that is spoken in class will be a downer.

Montreal News And Weather -- July 29, 2009

MONTREAL NEWS AND WEATHER

Nuits d'Afrique festival in red after feds refuse grant -- CBC
Montrealers outraged after sewage flood -- Montreal Gazette
Lightning injures 5 at campsite -- CBC
Wild mushrooms poison Quebecer -- CBC
Impact lose to Bordeaux in friendly -- CBC
Impact loses to Bordeaux -- CTV
CFL honours Alouettes' Calvillo, Stewart -- CBC
Young woman faces charges after teen falls off moving car -- CTV
High speed chase in Repentigny -- CTV
Shooting in strip club in Longueuil -- CTV
7 Quebec teens face counterfeit charges -- CBC
Kingston deaths suspect Shafia attacked in Napanee prison: lawyer -- Montreal Gazette
Accused in canal deaths attacked in jail: lawyer -- CBC

Earl Jones News Updates -- July 29, 2009

Security guards escort Earl Jones out of the Palais du Justice in Montreal on July 28, 2009. Jones was charged with four counts of fraud and four counts of theft before being released on $30,000 bail. Photograph by: Phil Carpenter, The Gazette

Strapped Earl Jones Investors Getting A Leg-Up -- Montreal Gazette

Contributions channeled through Sun Youth Organization to provide emergency help to alleged victims of Earl Jones have reached "more than $10,000, plus pledges" of an undisclosed amount, Maria-José Raposo, the community group's assistant director for crime prevention, said yesterday.

To date, she said, "about half" that amount has been disbursed, to assist two victims facing critical bill payments and left in a crisis situation without cash. The community group has fielded more than 20 calls from people who said they had become entangled with Jones and are seeking a helping hand, she added.

Read more ....

More News On Earl Jones

Earl Jones's company declared bankrupt -- CBC
Earl Jones company declared bankrupt in Montreal -- Montreal Gazette
Firm belonging to Earl Jones declared bankrupt as alleged victims protest -- Canadian Press
Disgraced financier gets bail -- National Post
Financier out on bail as bilked victims fume -- Toronto Star
Earl Jones's lawyer awaits evidence -- Montreal Gazette
Investors scoff as judge reads Jones his bail conditions -- Globe And Mail
His 15 minutes of shame -- Montreal Gazette
Earl Jones mortgaged to the hilt -- Montreal Gazette

Fitness: Bits And Bites For Bixi Newbies

Columnist Jill Barker initially thought she wouldn't worry about a helmet, but changed her mind: she keeps her helmet clipped to her purse. Here, a helmetted Mayor Gerald Tremblay is on hand for the official launch of the BIXI bike rental service on Tuesday, May 12, 2009. Photograph by: Dave Sidaway, Montreal Gazette

From The Montreal Gazette:

MONTREAL - I’ve been Bixiing all over town ever since I signed on as a member of Montreal’s new public bike system. My $78 year-long membership allows me pick up and drop off a bike at any one of the 271 Bixi stations around the city.

The idea was to Bixi between the commuter train and work; a route that takes just under 30 minutes on foot and less than half that on a Bixi. My goal was to reduce my door to door commute time without losing out on the fitness and health benefits of using active transportation. The Bixi fit the bill perfectly.

Read more ....

Cruise Ships Ply The St. Lawrence River Around Montreal By Day And Night

A view of the Montreal skyline showing Old Montreal with (left) the Victoria Pier Clock Tower, the dome of Bonsecours Market (center) to the rignt of that is Bonsecours Church and to the far right the green pinnacle of Montreal City Hall. Photograph by: Gordon Beck, Montreal Gazette

From The Montreal Gazette:

The spectacular cityscape is coming into focus as we sail toward the King Edward Pier at the Old Port: historic Old Montreal contrasts with the modern downtown skyscrapers in the distance, which in turn contrast with the natural, lush backdrop - Mount Royal.

A resplendent Paul de Chomedey, sieur de Maisonneuve, is standing on the deck of the Cavalier Maxim, taking a break from extolling the virtues and explaining the history of the city he founded, as Ville Marie, 367 years ago.

Read more ....

Quebec Pigs Contract H1N1; Humans, Food Safe

Pigs are seen at the Mober SENC farm in Saint Hughes, Que. south of Montreal Thursday, April 30, 2009. (Ryan Remiorz / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

From CTV:

An isolated case of H1N1 has broken out among a herd of pigs in Quebec.

The swine flu virus was identified on July 24 at a lab in Winnipeg after symptoms became apparent in the animals in late June.

The entire herd was isolated and there are no human infections of the virus associated with this outbreak, which is considered very light, said Alain Laperle, a pathologist from Quebec's agriculture bureau.

Read more ....

Isotope Setback For Quebec Hospitals

From The CBC:

Quebec hospitals were dealt another setback in their attempts to deal with the shortage of medical isotopes Monday when the cyclotron at Sherbrooke University Hospital was shut down for maintenance.

Many hospitals have been using the sodium fluoride isotopes produced by the cyclotron to pick up some of the slack from the lack of radioactive medical isotopes.

Read more ....

Earl Jones Free On $30,000 Bail -- News Updates

Security guards escort Earl Jones out of the Palais du Justice in Montreal on July 28, 2009. Jones was charged with four counts of fraud and four counts of theft before being released on $30,000 bail. Photograph by: Dave Sidaway, The Gazette

From The Montreal Gazette:

MONTREAL - Earl Jones, the 67-year-old self-declared financial adviser, was released from jail on $30,000 bail Tuesday afternoon and is not to leave the province.

His bail conditions also forbid him from contacting any of his former clients and he is not to manage anyone's money. Raymond Meikle, a relative, put up Jones’s $30,000 bail.

Jones stood handcuffed in the prisoner's box but didn't look at anyone in the packed courtroom.

He is to be back in court Sept. 28.

Read more ....

More News On the Arrest And Bail Of Earl Jones

Earl Jones gets bail on fraud, theft charges -- CBC
Jones gets bail -- CTV
Earl Jones free on bail after court appearance -- CTV
Earl Jones ordered released on bail -- Globe And Mail
Montreal’s Jones, Accused in Fraud, Is Freed on Bail -- Bloomberg
Judge agrees to release investor Earl Jones after arraignment on eight charges -- Canadian Press

Montreal News And Weather -- July 28, 2009

Montreal News And Weather

Quebec on swine flu standby -- Montreal Gazette
Michael Jackson fans take Champ de Mars -- Montreal Gazette
Teen in critical condition after falling off moving car -- CTV
No injuries in residential fire downtown -- CTV
Arson in Centre Sud leaves 10 homeless -- Montreal Gazette
Historic Quebec cemetery to be restored -- CBC
Shafia family will plead not guilty in alleged 'honour killing': lawyer -- Montreal Gazette
Lawyer plans to ask for change of venue in Shafia case -- CTV
Despatie brings home 2 bronze medals -- CBC News

Transport Quebec Blames Montreal For L'Acadie Circle Flood

Flooding at L'Acadie Circle in Montreal lifted sewer covers, causing serious damage to vehicles. Photograph by: Minas Panagiotakis, Special to The Gazette

From The Montreal Gazette:

Rain caused service road to fill up Sunday night.

MONTREAL - Dumping all responsibility for flooding Sunday night in l’Acadie Circle squarely into the city of Montreal’s lap, Transport Quebec said Monday it has taken precautions while the city has not.

“That’s why we didn’t have any flooding on the section of Highway 40 that dips (in l’Acadie Circle),” Transport Quebec spokesperson Réal Grégoire said.

But a section of the 40’s eastbound service road – on city of Montreal territory – in the circle did fill up like a canal late Sunday, forcing the closing of the road from 11 p.m. until 3 a.m.

Read more ....

Report Knocks Seville Plan Down A Few Storeys

A woman walks past the facade of the abandoned Seville theatre on Ste. Catherine St. in Montreal in February 2009. The Gazette has learned Montreal’s public-consultation office wants developers revamping the old Seville site to preserve the remnants of the theatre. Photograph by: Pierre Obendrauf, The Gazette

From The Montreal Gazette:

Developer asked to preserve remnants of historic theatre.

MONTREAL - Montreal’s public consultation office is giving a thumbs down to the height of a proposed 25-storey tower at Ste. Catherine and Lambert Closse Sts. and asking the developer behind the renewal of the decaying block of western downtown to find a way to conserve the remnants of the old Seville theatre.

But heritage activists wonder whether city hall will follow the recommendations or let the report to collect dust.

Read more ....

Cédrika Provencher's Family Still Hopes For Her Return 2 Years After Disappearance

Nine-year-old Cédrika Provencher went missing from a residential area in Trois Rivières on July 31, 2007. Photograph by: Agent aux Affaires Publiques et Relations avec la Communauté Sécurité publique de Trois-Rivières, The Gazette

From The Montreal Gazette:

MONTREAL - Henri Provencher is never far from his phone.

He says he’s just one good tip away from finding his granddaughter.

Friday will mark the second anniversary of Cédrika Provencher’s disappearance from Trois Rivières. She was last seen asking neighbours if they had seen a lost white and black dog. Her disappearance triggered an outpouring of support and sympathy from across the province and around the world.

Read more ....

Combatting Urban Scrawl

Graffiti artist Guillaume Lapointe has been hired full-time by Prevention N.D.G. to paint wall murals in the borough. He is seen working on the loading dock wall of the Snowdon Bakery in Montreal, Tuesday July 14 2009. Photograph by: Allen McInnis, THE GAZETTE

From The Montreal Gazette:

Tagging has become a city-wide problem that Montreal is fighting with tags of its own. It has dispatched illustrators to trouble areas to cover buildings with murals, which graffiti artists respect.

Like the other veterans who frequent the Royal Canadian Legion in Notre Dame de Grâce, Stuart Vallieres is fed up with the vandals who spray paint graffiti on their legion hall. Every time it's cleaned up, the youths return to tag the building on de Maisonneuve Blvd.

"It is pretty discouraging that people take that kind of liberty with someone else's property," said Vallieres, who is the branch president.

Read more ....

My Comment: The penalties for those who damage property is so light .... it is meaningless. Graffiti causes enormous damage .... the criminal code should treat it as such.

Montreal Just For Laughs Comedy Festival: The Wrap-Up

Louis CK was the MVP at the 2009 edition of the Montreal Just for Laughs comedy festival. Photograph by: John Mahoney, The Gazette

From The Montreal Gazette:

At the end of every Just for Laughs festival, audiences are reminded of that old, yet still relevant adage: “Dying is easy; comedy is hard.” Often, both are proven simultaneously.

It’s not that difficult to comprehend why John Cleese’s gala on Sunday night didn’t turn out as hoped. The legendary Pythoneer had to bow out of a gala gig last Wednesday due to illness, and in an attempt to placate those who had purchased tickets for that show, festival organizers arranged a free show for them, Sunday at 10 p.m., and also had the eager Cleese host the All-Star Gala, Sunday at 7 p.m.

Read more ....

Earl Jones To Appear In Court Tomorrow -- News Updates July 27, 2009 (22:00 EST)

Financial adviser Earl Jones, right, leaves an office tower in Montreal on Monday. He turned himself in to police Monday, weeks after Quebec's financial watchdog put a freeze on the assets of his investment firm. (Graham Hughes/Canadian Press)

Earl Jones To Appear In Court On Tuesday -- The Montreal Gazette

'It wasn't the most pleasant experience of his life,' lawyer says

MONTREAL - Earl Jones has finally surfaced to face the music.

The 67-year-old self-declared financial adviser will appear in Quebec Court at the Montreal courthouse Tuesday afternoon to be arraigned on several charges related to an alleged Ponzi scheme that drained the life savings of dozens of Montrealers.

After low-key negotiations between his lawyer Jeffrey Boro and Sûreté du Québec investigators, Jones was arrested at Boro’s Old Montreal office about 1 p.m. Monday and carted off in handcuffs.

Read more ....

More News On Earl Jones

Financial adviser Earl Jones surrenders -- CBC
Jones arrested -- CTV
Earl Jones arrest met with cheers, questions -- National Post
Man out $125,000 welcomes arrest of Earl Jones -- The Montreal Gazette
How Earl Jones found his clients -- Globe And Mail
Key employee of missing investment dealer says she's been `hounded'. -- Calgary Herald
Financier accused of Ponzi scheme arrested -- Metro News

Earl Jones Arrested -- News Updates July 27, 2009

Escorted by police, financial adviser Earl Jones, centre, accompanied by his lawyer Jeffrey Boro (left), leaves an office tower in Montreal, Monday, July 27, 2009. Jones is suspected by Quebec securities regulators of bilking clients out of as much as $50 million. (Graham Hughes /THE CANADIAN PRESS)

From The Montreal Gazette:

Earl Jones, the man suspected of defrauding dozens of Montrealers of their life savings was arrested Monday at his lawyer's office, The Gazette has learned.

Jeffrey Boro said his client has been taken by police to Parthenais detention centre and will be arraigned Tuesday on several theft and fraud charges.

"He's pretty down," Boro said. "But he realizes he has to face up to this."

Read more ....

More News On The Arrest Of Earl Jones

Quebec provincial police arrest financial adviser Earl Jones -- Canadian Press
Financial adviser Earl Jones arrested -- CBC
Financier Earl Jones arrested for theft, fraud -- National Post

My Comment: This is a breaking story, we will have more updates tonight.

Montreal News And Weather -- July 27, 2009

Montreal News And Weather Updates

Greenpeace activists arrested -- CTV
Flooding near L'Acadie Circle -- CTV
Montreal underpass flooding traps drivers -- CBC
Man in critical condition after being punched several times -- CTV
Plateau shooting: cops seek suspect -- Montreal Gazette
Police seek man involved in shooting -- CTV
Full parole for Montreal man who lured young girls -- The Montreal Gazette
200 marijuana plants seized after Parc Ex blaze -- Montreal Gazette

Worker Injured After Concrete Falls From Turcot Interchange

Workers look skyward after a piece of concrete the size of a football fell and hit another worker Monday during repair work. Photograph by: Phil Carpenter, The Gazette

From The Montreal Gazette:

MONTREAL - A 41-year-old man working under the Turcot Interchange was taken to a hospital with serious head injuries after a piece of concrete fell on him about 10 a.m. Monday.

The man was doing jackhammer work under the elevated portion of the interchange, on a support pillar near the Gadbois recreation complex on Cote St. Paul Rd. near the corner of St. Ambroise St.

Julie Melançon, a spokesperson for the CSST, Quebec’s workplace safety board which is investigating the incident, said the man was in stable condition in a hospital.

Read more ....

My Comment: The entire overpass is crumbling .... the work that is being done on it now should have been done 5 years ago.

Crossing The Nationalist Divide

Greenfield Park municipal candidates Michael O'Grady (left) and Jason Matuzewiski speak in front of a mural in Greenfield Park. Matuzewiski and O'Grady will run this fall on the slate of Longueuil mayoral candidate Caroline St. Hilaire, a sovereignist. Photograph by: Dario Ayala, The Gazette

From The Montreal Gazette:

When Michael O'Grady heard about the Julius Grey affair in the town of Hampstead, it reminded him of his own situation in the South Shore suburb of Greenfield Park.

"There's an element in my community that sees me as a traitor, too," says O'Grady, 49.

O'Grady is running for a seat in Longueuil city hall this fall on a slate headed by a sovereignist - Caroline St-Hilaire, a former two-term Bloc Québécois MP.

Read more ....

My Comment: I always find it amusing when liberals decide to join an organization that openlyespouses discrimination against different ethnic/cultural groups.

Greenpeace Activists Protest Outside Quebec Ministry Of Natural Resources

From CTV News:

A dozen Greenpeace activists have chained themselves to a building in Quebec City housing the provincial Ministry of Natural Resources.

The environmental group says it plans to disrupt ministry business today to protest what it says is the destruction of intact forests.

Greenpeace dropped off a load of two-by-fours outside the building before the activists chained themselves to the doors (at 880 Chemin Saint-Foy). They also hung a banner reading: "Boreal Forest: The Destruction Starts Here."

Read more ....

Via Discounts Tickets As Trains Run Again

The destination board reads services 'on time' at Central Station in Montreal Sunday after the VIA Rail locomotive engineers strike had ended and regular services would resume later Sunday evening. Photograph by: Graham Hughes, The Gazette

From The CBC:

Via Rail said Monday its rail service should be back to normal following its two-day strike, and the company is now looking for ways to win back the hearts of its customers.

So far, the passenger service is offering discounts of 60 per cent to all its destinations. But travellers must buy their tickets by midnight Pacific time on Wednesday, and must take their trips by Dec. 14.

Federal Labour Minister Rona Ambrose said she has personally thanked both Via Rail and the engineers union for getting the trains moving again.

Read more ....

Update: Strike's over: Via Rail back on track -- Montreal Gazette

DIY Back-Alley Greenings In The Plateau

When the Plateau borough refused their request for funding of a lane-way beautification project for a second time, a group of neighbours on Laval and Hotel de Ville decided to take matters into their own hands and applied for funding from environmental and federal organizations and got $30,000 to pull up concrete and put in plants and flowers. Residents began planting on Saturday, July 25, 2009. Photograph by: Dave Sidaway, THE GAZETTE

From The Montreal Gazette:

Neighbours take matters into their own hands - and their own wheelbarrows - to beautify their block.

When Marcelle Bastien saw one of her neighbours sweeping up the lane behind his house so his two young children could play, she knew something had to be done.

The back alley- between Laval and Hôtel de Ville Aves. at Rachel St. and Duluth Ave. - was a dismal concrete slab "where no one really wanted to go," Bastien said.

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Booksellers' Alley A Little-Known Literary Hub

Lukas Uribe-Clark sells his wares in Booksellers' Alley, west of the Grande Bibliothèque. Photograph by: PHIL CARPENTER; THE GAZETTE, The Gazette

From The Montreal Gazette:

Outdoor market is extending its operation to three days a week.

Local book buffs have been enjoying a little-known downtown browsing treat on recent weekends.

They've been gathering outdoors, at a convivial strip just beside Montreal's indoor mecca for book lovers, the Grande Bibliothèque, near Berri-UQÀM métro.

Now, their destination just got better. The fledgling Booksellers' Alley has added a third day, Sunday, on a trial basis.

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Montreal News And Weather -- July 26, 2009

Montreal News And Weather Updates

Mourners honour soldier killed in Afghanistan -- CBC
Funeral for Pte. Sebastien Courcy -- CTV
Man shot while parked on the Plateau -- CTV
Parents of teen girls charged in LaSalle -- Montreal Gazette
Two brothers stabbed overnight -- CTV
34,000 soccer fans kick it up at Big O -- Montreal Gazette
New game for Habs fans: name that player -- Canada.com
Could Villeneuve and Danica Patrick be F1 teammates? -- Montreal Gazette

More Quebec Health Care Horror Stories

The Royal Victoria Hospital has vowed to investigate a forced do-it-yourself delivery that occured when neither a nurse nor a doctor were available. Photograph by: Pierre Obendrauf, Gazette file photo.

More Miscarriage Horror Stories -- The Montreal Gazette

The plight of a Montreal woman who miscarried alone, scared and helpless at the Royal Victoria Hospital has struck a chord with Gazette readers.

Many responded on the Web and by email with sympathy and outrage. Some have come forward with their own stories of similar harrowing experiences in Montreal area hospitals.

The common perception is that there's no place for compassion in ultra-busy and understaffed emergency rooms.

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Bordeaux Wins French Champions Trophy in Montreal

Bordeaux’s Yohann Gourcuff held up the French league trophy during a parade in Bordeaux, France, in May. Nicolas Tucat/Associated Press

From The New York Times:

On Saturday afternoon in Montreal’s Olympic Stadium, F.C. Girondins de Bordeaux, the champion of France’s Ligue 1, defeated En Avant Guingamp, the first team from the second division to win the French Cup in several decades, by 2-0 in their face-off (figuratively in the capital of Canadian ice hockey) in a meaningful match far from home — the French Champions Trophy.

Bordeaux’s Argentine striker Fernando Cavenaghi scored 38 minutes into the match and Fernando, a midfielder from Brazil, slotted home a free kick by Yoann Gourcuff near the end.

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Demonstration For Iran In Montreal

Iranian activists in Montreal organized a rally and march coordinated with more than 105 cities around the world on Saturday. Photograph by: Dave Sidaway, Montreal Gazette

Demonstrators Protest Iranian Elections -- Montreal Gazette

Hunger strikers march downtown.

Wearing a green tank top and holding a sign with the photographs of Iran’s leaders, Shohreh Rezazadeh, 32, said it’s time for regime change in her home country.

“They have lost all credibility,” said Rezazadeh, whose sign bore pictures of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and read: "dictators get out." “Even if they say they will recount the votes, no one would believe them.”

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Update: Demonstration For Iran In Montreal -- CTV

Via Rail Trains To Resume Service Sunday

Via Rail's counters and tracks were empty at the Vancouver station Friday.
Photograph by: Ian Lindsay, Vancouver Sun

From The Montreal Gazette:

TORONTO — Via Rail will resume train service Sunday evening after the company said it reached an agreement with striking locomotive engineers.

In a statement released early Sunday, the Crown corporation said the two sides have agreed to enter into binding arbitration.

"The process proposed by the mediator will allow the parties to resolve outstanding issues and, most importantly, will get Canada's passenger rail service up and running again for our customers," said Via President Paul Cote.

Full service will be returned to most routes by Monday morning.

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More News On Via Rail Resuming Service

Via Rail strike ends -- CBC
Via Rail service to resume late Sunday -- Canadian Press
Via Rail Says Arbitration Deal Reached With Union Over Strike -- Bloomberg

Montreal News And Weather -- July 25, 2009

Montreal News And Weather Briefs

Family not surprised at deaths of relative, 3 siblings -- CTV
Oldest canal victim feared for her life, siblings say -- CBC
Three charged with murder in Kingston -- Montreal Gazette
No more PPP for Turcot project -- CTV
Chinatown building barricaded -- Montreal Gazette
Suspicious death on south shore -- CTV
Missing Quebec helicopter crashed, 2 dead -- CBC
Montreal girl faces charge in brother's stabbing -- CBC
Montreal hunt for cycling sex assault suspect -- CBC
Cyclist in critical condition after collision with minivan -- The Montreal Gazette
St. Laurent attack victims not co-operating with police -- Montreal Gazette
Sorry, no cars left: Rentals short. VIA strike comes at worst possible time -- Montreal Gazette

Rent-a-Cop: Montreal Police Taps Into A Profitable Business

Inspector Jimmy Cacchione at Montreal Police headquarters in Montreal. After spending much of his career working in the organized crime and money laundering sections, Cacchione rents out police expertise to all types of clients. Since they advertised their services on the web, business has been booming. Photograph by: John Kenney, Montreal Gazette

From Canada.com:

Montreal's police force sells expertise to raise revenue as budget shrinks.

MONTREAL — After spending much of his career breaking up money-laundering rings and fighting organized crime, Jimmy Cacchione has a new job these days with the Montreal police — and it has nothing to do with catching bad guys.

The 43-year-old commander heads the force's business development division, which sells police expertise to a wide variety of clients for a profit.

With a shrinking budget — the force has been asked to cut $13.85 million from this year's $588-million budget — Montreal police are increasingly trying to sell their expertise to help replenish municipal coffers.

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City Ranking Is Another Blow To Tremblay

From The Montreal Gazette:

Montreal is 21st among 29 cities in Canada in Maclean's survey.

One thing Mayor Gérald Tremblay does not need with an election barely more than three months away is a new rating of cities according to how well they are run. Too bad for him that Maclean's magazine this week surveys 29 Canadian cities and ranks Montreal in the last third - a dismal 21st.

The other members of Canada's Big Four cities leave Montreal in the dust: Vancouver is third, Toronto 10th and Calgary 11th. Montreal fares poorly even when stacked up against the province's other cities: Longueuil proudly claims the 5th spot, followed by Sherbrooke (6), Quebec City (9) and Gatineau (12). (Laval did not provide enough data for the study to include it.)

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My Comment: Longueuil is number 5 .... no way!

Turcot Interchange Project Jettisons Private Stake

Photo: The Quebec Transport Ministry announced Friday it would not use a private-public partnership in rebuilding Montreal's Turcot interchange. (CBC)

From The CBC:

The Quebec government announced Friday it will back away from plans to rebuild the Turcot interchange in Montreal through a public-private partnership.

Quebec's Transport Ministry had originally hoped to save tens of millions of dollars by partnering with the private sector to rebuild the highway interchange. But in a statement released Friday morning, Transport Minister Julie Boulet said the government has crunched the numbers again and decided the public-private partnership (PPP) is no longer such a good idea.

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Big Montreal Crowd Expected To Take In French Championship

Montreal Olympic Stadium

From The Edmonton Journal:

MONTREAL — More than 30,000 spectators are expected Saturday afternoon at Olympic Stadium to watch FC Girondins de Bordeaux and En Avant de Guingamp — French Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 Cup winners, respectively — meet in the 14th edition of the Champions Trophy.

It marks the first time in French soccer history that one of the country’s major championships will be played on foreign soil.

“We’re just above 28,000 tickets sold, and 30,000 is doable because in the past few days we’ve seen interest in the game on the rise,” Montreal Impact executive vice-president Richard Legendre said earlier this week. “Being closer to the game, it will continue to increase with the arrival of the teams and people seeing the players around the city.

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