Montrealer Blasts Into Space

Rocket Carrying Cirque Du Soleil Founder Guy Laliberté Blasts Off -- Montreal Gazette

BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan — The billionaire founder of Cirque du Soleil Wednesday blasted off on a Russian rocket to bring his trademark humour and acrobatic energy into the ultra-serious world of space flight.

Guy Laliberté, 50, a Canadian citizen, had spent millions from a personal fortune on his two week visit to the International Space Station (ISS) but he could be the last such "space tourist" for several years.

Read more ....

Canadian space tourist and founder of Cirque du Soleil Guy Laliberte jokes during space suit testing prior to his blast off from a Russian leased Kazakh Baikonur cosmodrome on September 30, 2009 in a Russian Soyuz TMA-16 rocket to the International Space Station (ISS) together with Russian cosmonaut Maxim Surayev and a U.S. astronaut Jeff Williams. Photograph by: Alexander Nemenov, AFP/Getty Images

More News On Today's Space Launch

Cirque de Soleil owner Guy Laliberte becomes first clown in space -- Times Online
Canadian circus billionaire heads to space station -- AP
Clown takes giant leap into space -- AFP
A Billionaire Clowns Around In Space -- Forbes
Cirque de Soleil boss in space -- The Sun
Canadian circus tycoon is 7th pay-for-play space traveler -- USA Today
'Clown' space tourist blasts off -- BBC
Circus tycoon Guy Laliberté becomes first clown in space -- The Guardian

Montreal News And Weather -- September 30, 2009

MONTREAL NEWS AND WEATHER

Mayoral co-candidates selected -- Montreal Gazette

Mayoral candidates talk politics at Hyatt -- CTV

Bill Clinton will get McGill doctorate -- CBC

Centraide march to close downtown streets -- Montreal Gazette

Hydro Quebec rates likely to rise -- CTV

Has Quebec turned the corner on roads? -- Montreal Gazette

Canadian Forces to learn French from Americans -- CBC

Ignatieff downplays Coderre's dramatic exit -- CTV

Que. unions, government line up for contract talks -- CBC

Pratt & Whitney to axe 410 jobs -- CBC

Guilty plea in beating death of woman -- CTV

Teen pleads guilty in Montreal North purse snatching -- Montreal Gazette

N.D.G. man convicted for shooting at SWAT officer -- CTV

Mafia bribed Montreal airport customs agent -- CBC

Ex-customs agent accepted bribes -- Montreal Gazette

Candidate's husband attacked at home -- CTV

Quebec pilot killed in Laurentians crash -- CBC

Quebec serial rapist declared dangerous offender -- Montreal Gazette

New 579 Area Code For Regions Around Montreal

From CTV:

Regions surrounding Montreal will get a new area code in 2010 to meet a growing demand for new phone numbers.

Starting in August, 2010, a new 579 area code will be introduced in in the territory now served by the 450 code.

Read more ....

Laliberté Joins In Decades-Old Russian Space Rituals

Canadian billionaire Guy Laliberte laughs after a news conference at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. He is wearing a T-shirt showing his face superimposed on a character from a Soviet-era movie traditionally watched by astronauts on the eve of the space missions. (Associated Press/Mikhail Metzel)

From The CBC:

The launch of a Russian Soyuz rocket Wednesday that will carry Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté and two other crew members to the International Space Station will be marked by rituals dating back to the pioneering Soviet space missions of the 1960s.

The activities of the astronauts in the days leading up to the launch from Baikonur, located in the bleak Central Asian steppes, are carefully choreographed, with crews repeating many of the mundane activities of their predecessors.

Read more ....

Liberals Float Trial Balloons On Increasing Fees

From The Montreal Gazette:

It would be simpler to raise income taxes, but Liberals won't do that.

New fees for public services equivalent to a proportion of the cost of providing them.

"Contributions" to a new "fund"- "tax" is such an ugly word - dedicated to long-term financing of health care.

New tolls on autoroutes between cities, and on roads on Montreal Island, in Laval and on Montreal's South and North Shores.

Read more ....

Hydro Quebec Rates Likely To Rise

From CTV:

The Charest government is scrambling for ways to bring in new revenue, as it deals with a huge budget deficit of at least $4 billion.

That amount is growing quickly because of new spending to fight the recession.

The most likely way to generate more revenue is to increase people's electricity bills.

Read more ....

My Comment: We have a government that is scrambling for money.

MUHC Will Be A Private Partnership: Director

MUHC executive director Arthur Porter visits the Glen Yard, future site of the megahospital, in April 2008. Photograph by: ALLEN MCINNIS, GAZETTE FILE, The Gazette

From The Montreal Gazette:

The future hospital of the McGill University Health Centre will definitely be built as a public-private partnership, executive director Arthur Porter insisted Tuesday evening.

Read more ....

My Comment: Just build the damn thing.

Cabbie Fights To Keep Mementoes

Photo: Taxi driver Arieh Perecowicz has been fined more than $1,400 for having personal effects in his cab. (CBC)

From The CBC:

A Montreal cab driver was in municipal court Tuesday to defend his right to display religious symbols in his taxi.

Arieh Perecowicz has been stopped four times by Montreal's taxi authority and fined more than $1,400 for keeping personal objects in his cab, including photographs, newspaper clippings, and two mezuzahs — small Jewish prayer scrolls.

Read more ....

My Comment: His cab is well kept, and there has been no complaints against him .... I call this harassment from bureaucrats who have nothing better to do.

Three Fests Add Coice To Protest Against Jazz Fest And FrancoFolies Date Change

The crowd gathers for a tribute to Leonard Cohen on June 26, 2008 - one of the highlights of last year's jazz festival. Photograph by: John Kenney, The Gazette

From The Montreal Gazette:

Three festivals have added their voices to the protests surrounding Équipe Spectra president Alain Simard’s controversial August announcement that the FrancoFolies de Montréal festival would be moved to early June from its late-summer slot next year.

In a joint statement issued today, The Suoni Per Il Popolo festival, the Off Festival de Jazz and the Montreal Fringe Festival complained that the new dates for FrancoFolies – June 9 to 19, 2010 – are in direct conflict with their own June lineups.

Read more ....

Commentary: Looking Back At The Life And Work Of Nelly Arcan

Nelly Arcan, author of Putain, spoke with fans during book signing at the Salon du Livre in Montreal in 2002. Arcan was born Isabelle Fortier in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. She was found dead in her Montreal apartment late Thursday evening, Sept. 24, 2009. Photograph by: Andre Forget, Gazette file photo.

From The Montreal Gazette:

MONTREAL - TV talk-show host Marie-France Bazzo sat down with novelist Nelly Arcan last November and got right to the point.

“In everything I’ve read about you, you come across as a tough person, a bitch,” Bazzo told her guest. “So my first question is: Are you a naive, dreamy princess somewhere inside?”

Arcan, the 35-year-old author of Putain (Whore) and Folle, brought a black-leather-gloved hand to her face and smiled slightly, glancing away.

Read more ....

Montreal News And Weather -- September 29, 2009

MONTREAL NEWS AND WEATHER

New 579 area code for regions around Montreal -- CTV News

Laliberté joins in decades-old Russian space rituals -- CBC

Laliberte plans to clown around in space -- CTV News

Quebec wants more immigrants as job shortage looms -- CTV News

Feds in talks about Ste. Anne's -- Montreal Gazette

Quebec opposition rejects fee increases -- CBC

Mayor, opponent, trade barbs over spouse's beating -- Montreal Gazette

Hundreds brave rain for Michael Jackson marathon -- CTV News

Entrance exams 'too stressful': private high school -- CBC

Searchers find plane crash remains 16 years later -- CBC

Woman, 28, hit by car on South Shore -- Montreal Gazette

N.D.G. man convicted for shooting at SWAT officer -- CTV News

Montreal shootings send 2 to hospital -- CBC

Two early-morning shootings in east-end Montreal -- CTV News

Montreal's Voters Face An Electoral Dilemma

From The Globe And Mail:

Montreal's municipal election campaign has taken a sharp and unpleasant turn this past week with a devastating report by the city's auditor-general topping off a string of scandalous allegations that have been aimed at the administration of incumbent Mayor Gérald Tremblay. On Nov. 1, many Montrealers will find themselves between a rock and a hard place, forced to choose between Mr. Tremblay and his main opponent, former Parti Québécois minister Louise Harel - a militant sovereigntist who can hardly speak English and who many believe is the most unlikely person to head a bilingual and multicultural metropolis.

Read more ....

My Comment: This commentary from the Globe and Mail sums up my own personal feelings perfectly.

Many Skeptical Of Swine Flu Vaccine

From CTV:

Quebec health authorities will begin doling out the swine flu vaccine in November.

However despite repeated warnings of a pandemic, only half of Montrealers say they will be willing to get vaccinated, according to a survey taken on behalf of Montreal Public Health.

Infectious disease specialist Dr. Timothy Brewer says the swine flu is no worse than your everyday seasonal flu.

The problem lately is it seems to be the only flu people are getting.

Read more ....

Cédrika's Family Makes 11th-Hour Plea For Info

Nine-year-old Cédrika Provencher went missing from a residential area in Trois Rivières, midway between Montreal and Quebec, on July 31, 2007. Her family is offering a $170,000 reward to anyone who can help find her. Photograph by: Marcos Townsend, Gazette file photo

From The Montreal Gazette:

Offer of $170,000 reward expires Wednesday.

QUEBEC — The family of a Quebec girl who vanished more than two years ago issued a desperate plea for anyone with information on her fate to come forward before a deadline expires Wednesday.

Cédrika Provencher was nine years old when she disappeared in July 2007. Her family has offered $170,000 to anyone who would help locate her.

Read more ....

Beaconsfield Mayoral Race Heats Up

From CTV:

Anger over taxes has outraged many Beaconsfield residents and some of them have now banded together to try and oust Mayor Bob Benedetti from office.

The average tax bill went up 30 per cent after the 2003 demergers and the move was closely followed by a 20-per-cent pay raise at city hall.

The increases upset many people, including some of Benedetti's former supporters.

A protest movement sprung up to run other candidates against the incumbent.

Read more ....

Cirque Du Soleil Boss Guy Laliberté Heads Into Space

A Russian Soyuz TMA-16 rocket is transported by train to its launch pad at Kazakhstan's Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome on September 28, 2009. The crew of Russian cosmonaut Maxim Surayev, US astronaut Jeff Williams and Quebec space tourist and founder of Cirque du Soleil Guy Laliberte will travel from Baikonur in the Russian rocket to the International Space Station (ISS) on September 30. Photograph by: ALEXANDER NEMENOV, AFP/Getty Images

From The Montreal Gazette:

Guy Laliberté should bring a whole different kind of star quality to Earth orbit early tomorrow when he blasts off aboard a Russian rocket and becomes the first space tourist from Canada and, notably, Quebec.

The 50-year-old billionaire founder of the Cirque du Soleil is set to launch his self-styled poetic social mission on a Soyuz TMA-16 rocket at 3:14 a.m. Montreal time from Baikonur, Kazakhstan.

Breaking with tradition set by the previous six space tourists, Laliberté won’t conduct scientific experiments on the 12-day mission.

Read more ....

My Comment: Bon Voyage Guy.

Alouettes Sign 20-Year Lease

From The CBC:

The Montreal Alouettes have signed a 20-year lease with McGill University to keep the Canadian Football League team at Percival Molson Stadium through the 2029 season.

"This is a major step forward for the franchise and the future of professional football in Montreal," team president Larry Smith said in a statement Monday.

"We are very pleased to renew our partnership with McGill University."

Read more ....

My Comment: This is a good move.

Habs' Paul Mara In Love With Montreal And Its Hockey Fans

From The Montreal Gazette:

'I can't understand why free agents wouldn't want to come here. This place is unbelievable'.

MONTREAL – Paul Mara invokes the words of American poet Robert Frost when he talks about taking “the road less travelled.”

Most young hockey players in the United States believe the road to the National Hockey League goes through a college campus. But when Mara was 16, he moved from a suburb of Boston to play for the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League.

Read more ....

The Montreal Star, 30 Years Later

From The National Post:

Thirty years ago today, I called a meeting of the editorial staff of the Montreal Star and got right to the point: "I deeply regret to tell you the Montreal Star no longer exists." Some wept. Some cried, No!" Others appeared to be too shocked to say a word. This was news that could not be true.

If I am proud of anything I did on that black day, it is winning an argument with the publisher who had wanted to bring security guards into the newsroom to prevent journalists from smashing their computer terminals in anger. "No goons in my newsroom," I yelled. It goes without saying that bars in the neighbourhood, and the one in the rather tacky Montréal Press Club, did very well that afternoon -- and night.

Read more ....

My Comment: I will never forget that day. I was in the parking lot leaving work when I heard people in their cars listening to the radio telling everyone that the paper was closed. I was shocked when I heard this news.

When it sunk in, I then realized that times were changing for the English community in Montreal. Not surprisingly ..... everything went downhill after that to where we are today.

Is it sad .... yes. Should we be surprised .... no.

Montreal News And Weather -- September 28, 2009

MONTREAL NEWS AND WEATHER

Tuition fees at CEGEP's are counter-productive, groups say -- Montreal Gazette

Westmount Park sports complex plans draw applause and criticism -- Montreal Gazette

Local Filipinos mobilizing to help flood victims -- Montreal Gazette

Anti-fraud protest at Montreal courthouse -- CTV

Let's build a bullet train: Liberals -- Montreal Gazette

Trial to begin for five former Lacroix associates -- CTV

Norbourg fraud trial opens in Montreal -- CBC

Man, 46, killed when car crashes into pole -- Montreal Gazette

Man shot, wounded in Ahuntsic home invasion -- CTV

Armed man at large after violent home invasion -- Montreal Gazette

Denis Coderre Steps Down As Quebec Lieutenant

Coderre had refused to let former minister Martin Cauchon run as a candidate in Outremont but he was overruled by his leader.

From CTV:

Montreal MP Denis Coderre stepped down Monday as Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff's Quebec lieutenant over a disagreement about the political comeback of one of Coderre's main rivals.

A rift between Ignatieff and Coderre broke open last week over who each thinks the Liberal candidate should be in the Montreal riding of Outremont.

Read more ....

My Comment: This reflects badly on Ignatieff, and is a small indication on how he may govern.

Premier Downplays Delegates' Proposals

Jean Charest was in Bromont Tuesday to announce a new next-generation computer chip research centre in Bromont. Photograph by: Tyrel Featherstone, Gazette file photo

From The Montreal Gazette:

Delegates to a weekend meeting of the Quebec Liberal Party gave Quebecers a scare by adopting proposals for higher electricity charges, new tuition fees for CEGEPs, highway tolls, more taxes on alcohol and junk food and a Caisse Santé, to raise new taxes for health care.

But when their deliberations ended, Premier Jean Charest downplayed the measures, calling them his party's contribution to a debate he wants with all Quebecers about their public finances.

Read more ....

My Comment: Why do I not believe him.

User Fees, Expenses And Taxes to Pay Down Deficit?

Quebec Premier Jean Charest responds to Opposition questions on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009 at the Quebec legislature. (CP / Jacques Boissinot)

From CTV:

Proposals for billion of dollars of new expenses were trotted out at Liberal government meetings in Drummondville this weekend, where everything from higher Hydro rates, to road tolls, to water royalties, to a rainy day fund for healthcare was discussed.

There would also be higher taxes on alcohol, energy drinks, chips, soft drinks and candy, some Liberals suggested.

Read more ....

My Comment: Another story that illustrates (again) the government policy and intention of tax and spend.

Impact Advance To USL Semifinal

Cedric Joqueviel of the Montreal Impact in Game 2 of two-game playoff series against the Charleston Battery in Charleston, S.C. Photograph by: Pépé, Montreal Impact

From The Montreal Gazette:

Defeat Battery 4-1 on aggregate with 2-1 win Sunday.

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Carrying a two-goal advantage into yesterday’s USL First Division quarterfinal series finale against the fourth-seeded Charleston Battery, the No. 5 Montreal Impact could have been content to sit back and defend.

But that wasn’t the case, as the Impact pushed forward on the attack, recording a 2-1 Game 2 win and a 4-1 aggregate victory at Blackbaud Stadium.

Montreal (14-11-7) prevailed 2-0 in Game 1 Thursday at Saputo Stadium.

Read more ....

My Comment: I am not the only who is surprised.

Tremblay Talks toll Roads

From CTV:

Mayor Gerald Tremblay hit the campaign trail by city bus Sunday as he unveiled his transit plan, one of the key issues in his Union Party's platform.

Tremblay said he favours toll roads to pay for better public transit, with a vision to extend the metro to Anjou and Bois-Francs in St. Laurent. He's also in favour of more carpool lanes, and reiterated some old ideas, such as creating a shuttle connection between Trudeau airport and downtown, the construction of a tramway line, and replacing aging metro cars.

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My Comment: There is no sensitivity coming from any of the mayoral candidates on how much people are now suffering in Montreal. The obsession to continue taxing and grabbing money from the taxpayer cannot sustain itself.

Tremblay's Platform Is All Transit

Riders packed the trains as metro services between Montreal and Laval officially opened to the public in April 2007. Photograph by: File, The Gazette

From The Montreal Gazette:

Montreal Mayor Gérald Tremblay on Sunday morning unveiled his first promises of the election campaign, all of which focus on public transit.

But many of the items on the list are recycled – they’re already being studied or have been stalled for years.

Flanked by Union Montreal candidates, Tremblay said if he’s re-elected, he will work to ensure:

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My Comment: We are already heavily taxed .... why increase the burden?

Liberals Vote To Bring Back Highway Tolls

Part of Highway 40 is officially named Autoroute Félix-Leclerc.
Photograph by: Tedd Church, Gazette file photo

From The Gazette:

DRUMMONDVILLE - Delegates to a weekend meeting of the Quebec Liberal Party voted today to bring back highway tolls, one of a series of measures to balance the provincial budget.

Delegates also approved resolutions to increase the excise tax on alcohol and to introduce a new excise tax on energy drinks, chips, soft drinks and candies.

Read more ....

My Comment: They did not bring this up before the last election .... they are bringing it up now. Cowards.

Montreal News And Weather -- September 27, 2009

MONTREAL NEWS AND WEATHER

Charest lauds Quebec's economic performance -- Montreal Gazette

Annual event brings culture to all -- CTV

De Gaulle statue unveiled -- CTV

Dawson College statue off for repair -- Montreal Gazette

Residents heat up St. Viateur St. -- CTV

Laval boxer Pascal retains world title -- CBC

Break-in foiled at mayoralty candidate's office -- Montreal Gazette

Bar fight on Mount Royal -- CTV

Woman hit by car was drunk: cops -- Montreal Gazette

Jaywalker hit by car in NDG -- CTV

Charest Government Asks Quebecers For Input

Raymond Bachand, Quebec Minister of Economic Development, on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008 at the Quebec legislature. He is also the Minister responsible for Montreal. (Jacques Boissinot/ THE CANADIAN PRESS)

From CTV:

The Charest government is meeting with Quebecers to discuss their thoughts on taxation and paying down the deficit.

At the Liberal general council meeting in Drummondville, 100 kilometres northeast of Montreal, Charest put the question of how to balance the books to Quebecers.

Read more ....

My Comment: They ask us for our input .... but they are not listening. They never listen. I should know, I live in a Burrough that voted 60% to not join the City of Montreal .... but we were still absorbed by the City.

Montreal Mayor Candidate Says Media Ignore Her

Photo: Montreal mayoralty candidate Louise O'Sullivan says she has not been invited to any of the televised debates. (Courtesy Montreal Ville-Marie Party)

From The CBC:

Montreal mayoralty candidate Louise O'Sullivan is expressing frustration at the lack of media attention her campaign has received.

A former member of Mayor Gérald Tremblay's executive committee, O'Sullivan resigned from that position in 2004 to sit as an Independent representing the downtown district of Peter-McGill.

Her bid for Ville-Marie borough mayor in 2005 failed — she came fourth with only 11 per cent of the vote. Now O'Sullivan has formed her own party, called Montreal Ville-Marie. But she has not been invited to take part in any of the televised debates.

Read more ....

My Comment: She is pro-business and a Federalist .... a guarantee that the French media will not want to cover her. Kudos to the CBC for at least giving her this article.

Hydro Hike, CEGEP Tutition Fees On The Table: Liberals

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

From The Montreal Gazette:

DRUMMONDVILLE - Delegates to a weekend meeting of the ruling Quebec Liberal Party approved a proposal to raise electricity rates gradually to market levels and another to introduce "modest" tuition fees for CEGEPs.

Quebec now boasts hydro rates among the lowest in North America, at 6.8 cents a kilowatt-hour, compared with 11.17 cents in Toronto and 21.27 cents in New York.

And CEGEPs, unique to the province, are tuition-free. Several delegates objected that CEGEPs should continue to be free, suggesting the "modest" start could soon lead to more substantial fees.

Read more ....

My Comment: Instead of cutting government .... they grab our money.

Harel (Finally) Speaks To An Anglo Audience

Mayoral candidate Louise Harel took calls from Anglophone listeners on CJAD radio Saturday.

From CTV:

Louise Harel spoke with listeners on CJAD radio Saturday, where she discussed transportation to the West Island, cleaning up city hall, and her struggle with the English language.

"I'm afraid to speak in English, not because I'm afraid to make mistakes, but because I'm afraid to make political mistakes," said the Vision Montreal leader on Anne Lagacé-Dowson's radio program.

Read more ....

Update: Harel acknowledges poor English, struggles in interview -- Montreal Gazette

My Comment: For what is probably her one and only talk with an English audience, she arrives 25 minutes late.

That says volumes right there.

As I said yesterday, if an English candidate did this, she will be screaming right now that the French community is being disrespected.

Nelly Arcan Took Her Own Life, Publisher Confirms

Nelly Arcan, author of Putain, spoke with fans during book signing at the Salon du Livre in Montreal in 2002. Arcan was born Isabelle Fortier in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. She was found dead in her Montreal apartment late Thursday evening, Sept. 24, 2009. She was 36 years old. Photograph by: Andre Forget, Gazette file photo

From The Montreal Gazette:

MONTREAL ­ Nelly Arcan, the young Montreal writer who died earlier this week, took her own life, her publisher confirmed Saturday.

Arcan’s body was discovered Thursday inside her home on St. Dominique St. in Plateau Mont Royal. A Montreal police source confirmed Arcan’s death is a matter for the provincial coroner, meaning the possibility of a homicide has been ruled out.

Read more ....

More News On Nelly Arcan

Quebec writer Nelly Arcan dies at 35 -- CBC
Quebec author Nelly Arcan found dead. -- Canada.com
Acclaimed Quebec writer who penned 'Whore' found dead in Montreal -- Canadian Press

Montreal 3, Boston 2

Canadiens Rally In Final Pre-Season Outing -- CBC

Gregory Stewart scored early in the third period to give the Montreal Canadiens a 3-2 comeback victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night at Bell Centre.

Brian Gionta and Maxim Lapierre scored in the second period for the Canadiens as they erased a 2-0 Buffalo advantage.

Canadiens forward Glen Metropolit had a strong game, drawing two assists and bothering Sabres goalie Ryan Miller with his presence in the crease.

Read more ....

More News On Last Nights Hockey Game

Habs end preseason with win -- Montreal Gazette
Canadiens score three in a row for comeback win -- AP
Stewart goal gives Canadiens comeback 3-2 pre-season victory over Sabres -- Canadian Press
Sabres fall to Canadiens -- Sabre Noise
Sabres-Canadiens Sums -- New York Times/AP

Overhaul Montreal politics, activists say

Montreal Mayor Gérald Tremblay speaks with the media after French-language debate with Vision Montreal candidate Louise Harel at LCN on Sept. 23, 2009. Photograph by: Dave Sidaway, The Gazette

From The Montreal Gazette:

MONTREAL – If Montrealers have learned anything from the water-meter scandal this week, it’s that the political system needs to be overhauled.

That’s the reckoning of some activists who say they’re emboldened by the findings of the city auditor-general in his probe of Montreal’s $355.8-million water-management contract.

The auditor’s 170-page report, released on Monday, called for the city to revoke the contract and overhaul management practices to prevent a repeat episode.

Read more ....

My Comment: This was always the argument that was used by those who were against merging the suburbs into a Greater Montreal .... bigger government always means bigger corruption.

Montreal News And Weather -- September 26, 2009

MONTREAL NEWS AND WEATHER

Bonaventure to close for construction -- CTV

Prominent Quebec filmmaker Pierre Falardeau dies at 62 -- CTV

Sovereigntist filmmaker Pierre Falardeau dies -- CBC

Pierre Falardeau dies at age 62 -- Montreal Gazette

Disagreement on true cost of water meter contract cancellation -- CTV

Cauchon gets OK to seek Outremont nomination -- CBC

New park in Pierrefonds-Roxboro -- CTV

Major projects win council's approval -- Montreal Gazette

Bears getting bold in St. Donat -- CTV

Ex-Quebec Lt.-Gov. faces charges -- CBC

Former lieutenant-governor charged with six criminal counts -- CTV

Car strikes jaywalking teen in east-end Mtl. -- Montreal Gazette

Lacroix learns sentence Oct. 9 -- CBC

Two injured in Old Montreal attempted murder -- Montreal Gazette

Overnight shooting in Old Montreal -- CTV

Police speculate author Arcan committed suicide -- Montreal Gazette

Bardot Calls For Maple Syrup Boycott

From The CBC:

French film legend Brigitte Bardot has renewed her crusade against the Canadian seal hunt by calling for a boycott of Canadian maple syrup.

In a message posted Thursday on a blog belonging to the group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Bardot said "refusing to buy maple syrup so as to refuse to be an accomplice to the slaughter perpetrated on the ice floes can send a strong message to Canadian officials."

Read more ....

Harel To Take To CJAD Radio Waves

Vision Montreal mayoral candidate Louise Harel will discuss campaign issues on CJAD radio on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Photograph by: Allen McInnis, The Gazette

From The Montreal Gazette:

Vision Montreal mayoral candidate will answer voters' questions – in English.

MONTREAL – In what might be her only on-air exchange in English with voters in Montreal in the run-up to the Nov. 1 municipal election, mayoral candidate Louise Harel is to discuss the issues on CJAD radio Saturday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and answer questions from listeners.

Harel, whose Vision Montreal party is expected to run candidates in all 102 city and borough slots in the Nov. 1 Montreal municipal election, will speak with Anne Lagacé-Dowson, who hosts a program on CJAD on Saturdays.

Read more ....

My Comment: If an English candidate was treating the French electorate the same way that Louise Harel is treating the English electorate, she would be the first one stepping up and calling the English candidate as someone who is disrespecting the French population.

Quebec To Delay Seasonal Flu Vaccination

Jennifer Madar with twins Jessica (left) and Romy (right), and her husband, Stephane Oehrli. Madar is 26 weeks pregnant with her third child. Yet despite being considered a high priority for H1N1 flu vaccination, Madar says she is concerned about the new vaccine and possible side effects down the road. Photograph by: Marie-France Coallier, The Gazette

From The CBC:

Quebec's director of public health said the province will delay its annual seasonal flu vaccination campaign in order to focus its efforts on combating swine flu this fall.

Even though the H1N1 influenza A virus that causes the current pandemic strain of swine flu is less serious than expected, officials believe it remains the biggest threat to the public's health this fall, Dr. Horacio Arruda said at a news conference Friday,

Read more ....

Update: H1N1: To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? -- Montreal Gazette

Update #2: Swine flu bigger threat than influenza -- CTV

Most Believe Mayor Tremblay Knew About Water-Meter Scandal: Poll

Montreal Mayor Gérald Tremblay with water meters in November 2007.
Photograph by: Pierre Obendrauf, Montreal Gazette

From The Montreal Gazette:

MONTREAL – Of all the numbers whirling through Gerald Tremblay’s head this weekend, the one that will probably keep bobbing to the surface is 51.

That’s the percentage of Montrealers who don’t believe the mayor when he says he knew nothing was wrong with the city of Montreal’s $355.8-million water-meter contract, a La Presse survey published yesterday suggests.

It is, quite simply, the proportion of Montrealers who say they don’t trust him.

Read more ....

My Comment: This is one of the 2 or 3 reasons on why he can/will lose this election.

Montreal 42 Hamilton 8

Alouettes Dismantle Tiger-Cats -- National Post

Montreal 42 Hamilton 8. Five-touchdown night. Locals settle for cheering third-quarter single

The Montreal Alouettes have finally found the elixir for success -- play on a short week and practice only once.

Only five days after defeating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the Als rolled into Ivor Wynne Stadium and dismantled the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 42-8 before 22,083 dispirited fans. The locals were so despondent over their team, they cheered Nick Setta's 59-yard single early in the third quarter -- the home team's first point.

Read more ....

More News On Last Nights Football Game

Alouettes defang Ticats 42-8 in Hamilton -- Montreal Gazette
Als teach Ticats a lesson -- Globe And Mail
Cobourne rushes for 164 yards, two TDs as Alouettes hammer Ticats -- Canadian Press
Ticats slam into Montreal brick wall -- Winnipeg Sun
Cobourne, Calvillo shred Ticats -- CBC

Metallica Set Montreal Concert Attendance Record

From Chart Attack:

Metallica's two sold-out shows at Montreal's Bell Centre last Saturday and Sunday set a record for the highest paid attendance ever at the venue, Blabbermouth.net reports.

Metallica also decided to be charitable with $21,462 from their two shows going to community services organization Sun Youth, according to the Montreal Gazette.

"It's a beautiful gift," Sun Youth co-founder Sid Stevens told the newspaper.

"People sometimes look at groups of this nature in a derogatory or negative manner. But it's very interesting to see them donate in every city they visit."

Read more ....

My Comment: Saw them when they opened for the Guns And Roses concert in Olympic Statdium (yes .... I was there at the riot). I find their music is way too loud for me.

Tuition At McGill's MBA program going up ... way up

Students love their program, but many aren't loving the fee hike.

From CTV:

Some students are up in arms after McGill decided to raise the annual fees for its MBA program from $1,600 to nearly $30,000.

Don Melville, Director of MBA and Masters Programs at McGill, says he's excited about next year's hike and that it's necessary to "ensure that we're the top program in Canada and one of the best in the world."

The program gets rave reviews from its students but not everyone shares in Melville's excitement about the fee hike.

Read more ....

My Comment: At $30,000 .... it better be worth it.

Fake Chef Michael Smith Hates Montreal Food Scene, Takes To Twitter. Real Michael Smith Gets "Very, Very Angry"

From The National Post:

Update: The real Chef Michael Smith is now on Twitter.

There've been plenty of fake Canadian Twitter accounts - from fake Peter Mansbridge to fake Ben Mulroney.

And while there are plenty of Chefs and culinary minds on the micro-blogging service, Michael Smith - chef, PEI-dweller, TV host, cookbook author, and nice guy - is not one of them.

Read more ....

My Comment: I have been fortunate to eat around the world, and Montreal does equal what the best in New York City, San Francisco, Paris, and Hong Kong can offer .... and it is cheaper.

Also .... the junk food is addictive. Hmmmm .... Lafleurs Hot Dogs, Schwartz's smoke meat, Fairmont bagels .....

Montreal News And Weather -- September 25, 2009

MONTREAL NEWS AND WEATHER

Judge heading Villanueva inquiry steps down -- CBC News

Workers to take another crack at Dawson statue Friday -- Montreal Gazette

Sun shines as weatherman Ed Cowell retires -- CTV News

Champlain Bridge to remain open Sept. 26, 27 -- Montreal Gazette

Former top Liberal blasts party's lack of democracy -- CTV

Security gates erected at Quebec-Vermont border -- Montreal Gazette

Tuition at McGill's MBA program going up ... way up -- CTV News

Quebec writer Nelly Arcan dies at 35 -- CBC

Quebec writer Arcan dies at 36 -- Montreal Gazette

SQ halts search for aircraft wreckage in Laurentians -- Montreal Gazette

Quebec union leader denies link with organized crime -- CBC News

Fraudster Lacroix faces sentencing arguments -- Montreal Gazette

Sentencing begins Friday for fraudster Vincent Lacroix -- CTV

Men who killed homeless man get 10 years -- Montreal Gazette

Toronto firm charged over Quebec dumps -- CBC

Patrice Brisebois Honoured At Bell Centre

Former Montreal Canadiens defenceman Patrice Brisebois cries during a press conference to announce his retirement from NHL hockey, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Thursday September 24, 2009. Brisebois played for 18 years in the NHL, winning the Stanley Cup once in 1993 with the Canadiens. Photograph by: Phil Carpenter, The Gazette

From The Montreal Gazette:

Montreal ­ The Breezer is gone with the wind.

Patrice Brisebois formally announced his retirement Thursday but not before the Canadiens gave him one more moment in the spotlight. Brisebois, who spent 16 of his 18 National Hockey League seasons in a Canadiens’ uniform, walked out to centre ice to accept the Jean Béliveau Trophy from the Canadiens’ legend.

Read more ....

More News On Patrice Brisebois' Retirement From The Montreal Canadiens

Brisebois takes pride in scoring prowess, 1993 Cup win -- Montreal Gazette
Brisebois calls it a career -- Edmonton Sun
Canadiens defenseman Brisebois retires -- AP
Brisebois bids adieu -- Globe And Mail
NHL vet Brisebois wants to drive NASCAR -- Yahoo News/AP
Brisebois retires a Canadien -- CBC
Patrice Brisebois awarded the Jean-Béliveau Trophy -- Canadiens.com

Boston 2 Montreal 1

Habs' Halak Sharp In Loss To Bruins -- Canada.com

MONTREAL - Goaltender Jaroslav Halak has posted some impressive numbers in three pre-season appearances with the Montreal Canadiens, but there's one number that bothers him.

``I got two losses,'' said Halak, who finished on the short end of a 2-1 count as the Boston Bruins beat the Canadiens in a shootout Thursday night. ``It was a tough loss, but it's still only pre-season.

Read more ....

More News On Last Night's Hockey Game

Bergeron scores shootout winner in Bruins' 2-1 pre-season win over Canadiens -- Canadian Press
Bergeron gives Bruins shootout win -- AP
Bergeron sinks Habs in shootout -- CBC
Habs' Kostitsyn escapes doghouse in 2-1 loss -- Montreal Gazette

Quebec Liberals Want To End Fee Freeze

From The Montreal Gazette:

QUEBEC – Delegates to a weekend meeting of the Quebec Liberal Party in Drummondville will be asked to approve plans to end the freeze on government charges and fees on everything from driver’s licences to tuition fees.

There is even a proposal to introduce tuition fees in CÉGEPs, which now are free.

The party’s working document also calls for increasing the excise taxes on alcoholic beverages and creating new excise taxes on energy drinks, chips, soft drinks and candy.

Read more ....

My Comment: These guys are completely dedicated to increasing the size of government and taking more of our money. They have no interest in cutting Government. Sigh .... the Liberal Party appears to be dedicated to being exterminated in the next election.

Former Bloc MP Wants To Become Mayor Of Longueuil

Former Bloc MP Caroline St-Hilaire wants to become mayor of Longueuil (Sept. 29, 2009)

From CTV:

Municipal politics in Longueuil is similar to that in Laval: the party in power has held it for almost three decades.

A new party, led by a former Bloc Quebecois MP wants to shake things up.

Caroline St-Hilaire, who represented the region twice as a member of parliament, now has her sights set on city hall.

She's the leader of Action Longueuil, and says she's had enough of quietly tolerating the status quo.

Read more ....

My Comment: Personally ... I never trust people who decide to make politics their profession. But it appears that the Longueuil electorate have no troubling electing the same politicians over and over and over again.

Montreal Reviews: Coco Avant Chanel And More

Audrey Tautou as Coco Chanel, with Marie Gillain (right) as her sister, Adrienne.
Photograph by: Alliance Vivafilm

From The Montreal Gazette:

MONTREAL - Coco avant Chanel isn’t the most inspired offering, but it is worth a peak if only to once again marvel at the luminous Audrey Tautou’s screen presence.

The actress that we all fell for so hard in Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain just lights up the screen with her true-to-life portrayal of fashion icon Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel. Tautou – whom, I suspect, does not have any sub-par performances on her resumé – looks uncannily like the young Chanel but that’s not why this works so well. The too-beautiful, oh-so-petite Tautou just channels the defiant intensity that defined Chanel in her early years and she’s always a pleasure to watch.

Read more ....