New study shows how bilingualism can make the brain be more efficient

 

“When the brain is wiring itself through infancy or early child development, it develops a system for language. So if you have two inputs from different languages, it might build an architecture that is more optimal for learning these languages,” said Xiaoqian Chai, Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery at McGill University.

https://montreal.citynews.ca/2024/10/17/new-study-shows-how-bilingualism-can-make-the-brain-be-more-efficient/

Quebec's historical traditional demands requests

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/senate-expenses-spur-outrage-but-reform-abolition-not-easily-done-1.3031249

The Quebec government has said that any talks about the Senate would have to be broadened to deal with that province's "historical requests," such as recognition of its distinctiveness and demands for more powers — the same divisive issues on which the last two constitutional ventures, the Meech Lake and Charlottetown accords, foundered. First Nations leaders would likely insist that aboriginal issues be part of the mix as well.

- approval over appointment of Quebec judges to the Supreme Court of Canada

- opting out of shared-cost programs within provincial jurisdiction, with full compensation for compatible programs
- recognition of a 'distinct society' in the Constitution of Canada
- more powers (e.g., communications)
- and a veto over constitutional amendments

Bill 21 challenged in court by the lawyer who faced down Bill 62

Catherine McKenzie filed suit in Quebec Superior Court Monday on behalf of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association and National Council of Canadian Muslims.

https://montrealgazette.com/news/quebec/bill-21-is-about-to-be-challenged-by-the-lawyer-who-faced-down-bill-62?fbclid=IwAR2MOkUNzD3bgi0DG-KKY5xXdV3NW7QEREy6y59UGsN8XljAHA48XKAlT84

The battle over Quebec’s religious symbols ban is underway.

A legal challenge filed in Superior Court on Monday calls the bill a blatant attack on religious liberty and contrary to the rule of law. It argues that Bill 21 coerces people to abandon their deepest held convictions if they want to belong to Quebec society.

Bill 21 prevents certain civil servants — including police officers, judges and public school teachers — from wearing religious symbols and garb on the job ...

Safe Church Concerns Trouble Montreal Bishop Election

 

As the Anglican Diocese of Montreal plans to elect a new bishop May 3, it faces doubts expressed by 39 of 158 delegates. Their concerns include pressures apparently brought against the search committee, resignations from the search committee, and a murky system for church safety.

“Ongoing uncertainty surrounding the election of our next bishop … has left many people feeling hurt, confused, and unheard,” 39 delegates wrote to diocesan authorities on April 6.

They also requested more information about the “external pressures” described by members of the search committee, nearly half of whom resigned before submitting their final report, as well an enumeration of the committee’s concerns about diocesan canons and safe church policies.

https://livingchurch.org/news/news-anglican-communion/safe-church-concerns-trouble-montreal-bishop-election/

HOUSING CRISIS

 PREDATES RISE IN IMMIGRATION

LA DÉRIVE CONSERVATRICE DU NATIONALISME QUÉBÉCOIS

 La dérive conservatrice du nationalisme québécois - La Presse+

 

Australian experts prefer to take inspiration from Ontario rather than Quebec, which is said to have an education system almost as dysfunctional as theirs.

They found the Ontario model more than inspiring, with its free public schools, where there is no selection, and its private network not subsidized by the state.

In contrast, Quebec’s “three-tier” system (regular public, selective public and private) quickly emerged as the example not to follow, Greenwell explained in a telephone interview from Canberra.

‘Catastrophic loss’: Former MP says NDP lost touch with core supporters

 

The New Democratic Party ran a leader-focused election campaign and lost touch with core supporters who ended up backing the Conservatives, says a former member of Parliament.

Charlie Angus, who did not run in the last election after representing the northern Ontario riding of Timmins — James Bay for more than two decades, — called the election a “catastrophic loss” following a campaign that spent too much time selling leader Jagmeet Singh and not enough time pitching its policies.

‘Catastrophic loss’: Former MP says NDP lost touch with core supporters - National | Globalnews.ca

Majority of Quebecers in favour of lowering legal alcohol limit to 0.05 for drivers: poll

 

Contrary to the Legault Government’s stance, a new Léger poll shows that a majority of Quebecers support lowering the legal blood alcohol limit from 0.08 to 0.05.

Commissioned by l’Association pour la santé publique du Québec (ASPQ), the poll reveals that 61 per cent want the limit lowered. This is a seven point jump since last year, where approval rate stood at 54 per cent in March 2024.

As the Journal de Montreal reports, lowering the limit to 0.05 per cent would potentially save nine lives per year.

https://montreal.citynews.ca/2025/05/22/quebecers-favour-lowering-alcohol-limit/

Quebec’s government wants a ‘neutral’ state – but it gets to define neutrality

 In one way, it sounds great. Who doesn’t want a neutral state? But in reality, “neutrality” is defined by the Quebec government in deeply racist and xenophobic ways. For instance, while the bill demands the “neutrality” of Quebec’s public servants by making those who wear hijabs, turbans and kippahs – a largely racialized population – choose between their faith and their careers, it still allows for workplaces such as hospitals and government buildings to display crosses.

Opinion: Quebec’s government wants a ‘neutral’ state – but it gets to define neutrality - The Globe and Mail