Montreal News And Weather

Friday, October 23, 2009

Montreal Unveils Swine-Flu Vaccination Plans

From CTV:

Montreal's public health agency has released its swine-flu vaccination campaign on Friday.

The ambitious plan calls for the vaccination of more than one million people as quickly as possible.

The department unveiled its official schedule of when and where people can go to get their vaccines.

Read more ....

Montreal 5 New York 1

From The Montreal Gazette:

Montreal goes 2-for-7 on the power play.

Glen Metropolit made up for lost time Thursday night.

Metropolit returned to the Habs’ lineup after missing six games with a rib injury and he collected a pair of assists to help the Canadiens to a 5-1 win over the New York Islanders.

It took the Habs six minutes to muster the first shot on goal, but Scott Gomez gave Montreal a 1-0 lead when he beat Martin Biron at 7:55 of the first period. Jaroslav Spacek’s shot from the blue line was blocked before it reached Biron and Gomez picked up the loose puck and scored his second goal of the season.

Read more ....

More News On Last Night's Hockey Game

Gionta sets tone for Canadiens -- Montreal Gazette
Canadiens beat Islanders 5-1 -- AP
Gomez and Bergeron score in first and Habs cruise to 5-1 win over Isles -- Canadian Press
Halak's steady play raises goaltending question for Canadiens -- Canadian Press
Recap: Montreal vs. NY Islanders -- Miami Herald Tribune

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Top Court Strikes Down Quebec English School Law

The Supreme Court of Canada ruled Thursday that Bill 104, a Quebec law restricting access to English schools, is unconstitutional. Photograph by: Geoff Robins, AFP/Getty Images

From the CBC:

Supreme Court of Canada calls Bill 104 'excessive'.

Canada's top court has declared a Quebec law barring certain students from going to public English-language schools unconstitutional, a decision that has "angered" the province's government.

The Supreme Court of Canada released its unanimous ruling on Bill 104 on Thursday morning, effectively throwing out two Quebec government appeals to preserve the legislation.

The court called Bill 104 "excessive" and lacking nuance, and is giving Quebec one year to replace it with an appropriate compromise.

Read more ....

Update #1: Supreme Court calls language law "excessive" -- CTV

Update #2: Bill 104 unconstitutional, Supreme Court says -- Montreal Gazette

My Comment: This is a surprise .... but it is also the right decision. Kudos to the Supreme Court of Canada for standing on what is both morally and legally right for families who want to get the best education for their children.

Demonstrators Greet Former President George Bush In Montreal

Protesters burn an effigy of George W. Bush on René Lévesque Blvd. in front of the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal Thursday, October 22, 2009, during visit and luncheon speech by the former U.S. president. Photograph by: John Mahoney, THE GAZETTE

Montreal Police Arrest Five Protesters At Downtown Anti-Bush Demonstration -- Montreal Gazette

MONTREAL- Five protesters were arrested Thursday afternoon for mischief and disturbing the peace after about 300 demonstrators began throwing shoes at the entrance of the Queen Elizabeth Hotel around ahead of a speech by former U.S President George W. Bush during a luncheon at the hotel.

The demonstraors included university students, political activitists such as the Raging Grannies, and various left-wing supporters.

They were blowing whistles and chanting in an effort to drown out his speech.

Read more ....

More News On President Bush's Speech in Montreal

5 arrested at anti-Bush protest in Montreal -- CBC
Bush speaks at Lennon's bed-in site despite protestors -- CTV
Bush's effigy burned outside Montreal hotel -- Winnipeg Sun

My Comment: I attended the luncheon with a fiend of mine. Had good seats, and was impressed with how relaxed the ex-President looked. Was there anything news worthy .... no. But I am still glad that I showed up.

Canadiens Suspend Kostitsyn Again

From The Globe And Mail:

Montreal Canadiens forward Sergei Kostistyn has again been suspended by the team after apparently bolting from its AHL affiliate in Hamilton.

The younger of the Habs' two Kostitsyn brothers had a brief holdout - for which he was suspended - after being sent to the minors at the end of training camp.

According to various media reports in Montreal, the 22-year-old Belarusian forward packed his gear and personal belongings after the Hamilton Bulldogs' game on Tuesday and decamped.

Read more ....

My Comment: Unfortunately, it is now obvious that he does not fit in the Canadien's organization.

Is It Legal For A Politician To Be Bribed In Quebec?

Pocketing Cash Gifts Is Legal -- Montreal Gazette

Quebec quirk; Politicians can take money, not declare it.

City councillors and provincial MNAs can accept cash gifts of any amount and from any source - so long as they put the money in their pocket and not in their party's coffers.

It's one of the quirks of the Quebec political financing law that has come under fire in the wake of the Labonté affair.

Claude Béchard, Quebec's electoral reform minister, said Tuesday that he wants to amend the financing law to introduce disclosure rules during leadership races.

Read more ....

My Comment: I am just shaking my head. This loophole in political financing law makes one wonder what were the legislators thinking.

SQ Completes Investigation On Construction Corruption: Report

From CTV:

The Surete du Quebec has reportedly completed its investigation on the link between the construction industry and organized crime.

According to a report in La Presse, the SQ's conclusions have been sent to the force's director, and charges could be laid at any time.

The police investigations were made public in early March, and hinged on Jocelyn Dupuis, the director of FTQ-construction, and current and past members of the Hells Angels.

Read more ....

My Comment: This is probably going to be the first of many investigations in Quebec's construction industry.

Supreme Court To Rule On Quebec's Language Laws

Supreme Court of Canada

Top Court To Rule On Quebec English School Rights -- CBC News

The Supreme Court of Canada is set to rule on minority education rights in Quebec, in a decision that will determine who has the right to send their kids to English-language public schools in the province.

The ruling caps a seven-year battle for a group of Quebec parents, who launched a challenge against a controversial amendment to the province's language laws.

Read more ....

Update: Top court to rule on controversial Quebec language law -- Montreal Gazette

My Comment: I do not expect them to rule against the law .... but I am still keeping my fingers crossed.

Mohawks' Bridge Work Draws Flak

Mercier Bridge

From The Montreal Gazette:

Ironworkers' union complains; Consortium overseeing Mercier project denies its labourers are unqualified.

The Mohawk construction firms awarded a $66-million contract to repair the Mercier Bridge are dismissing allegations by a Quebec ironworkers union that the project was being done by unqualified workers and lead paint was poisoning the environment.

"Everyone knows unions - they'll say and do anything to make a job a union job," a visibly upset Wayne Rice, chairman of the Mohawk Bridge Consortium, said yesterday.

Read more ....

My Comment: The unions probably have a just cause to complain .... but the Mohawks see the bridge on their land, and they can demand anything that they may want.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009