25 November 2012
22 November 2012
18 November 2012
Big retailers taking French sign battle to Quebec court - Montreal - CBC News
Big retailers taking French sign battle to Quebec court - Montreal - CBC News
Several major retailers are taking the Quebec government to court over the provincial language watchdog's insistence they modify their commercial brand names to include some French.
The retailers include some of the biggest brand names in North America — Walmart, Best Buy and Costco. Their lawyers are expected in Quebec Superior Court on Thursday.
Quebec's language watchdog, The Office Québécois de la Langue Française, wants the retailers to change their signs to either give themselves a generic French name or add a slogan or explanation that reflects what it is they're selling.
Several major retailers are taking the Quebec government to court over the provincial language watchdog's insistence they modify their commercial brand names to include some French.
The retailers include some of the biggest brand names in North America — Walmart, Best Buy and Costco. Their lawyers are expected in Quebec Superior Court on Thursday.
Quebec's language watchdog, The Office Québécois de la Langue Française, wants the retailers to change their signs to either give themselves a generic French name or add a slogan or explanation that reflects what it is they're selling.
17 November 2012
In a political rarity, Montreal gets an anglophone mayor - Winnipeg Free Press
In a political rarity, Montreal gets an anglophone mayor - Winnipeg Free Press
MONTREAL - For the first time in a century, an anglophone has won the keys to the mayor's office in Montreal — a stunning victory inside a city hall that has been shaken by scandal.
Michael Applebaum won a vote Friday at city council, 31-29, to become the city's first non-francophone mayor since just before the First World War.
He will serve as interim mayor of Canada's second-largest city for a year, with a promise not to run in the next municipal election of November 2013.
Anglophones in Quebec rarely hold such prominent political roles.
In the municipality of Montreal itself, only 13 per cent of people claim English as their mother tongue; a far greater number of Montrealers actually speak the language in their everyday lives, however, given that 47 per cent of residents are not original French-speakers.
MONTREAL - For the first time in a century, an anglophone has won the keys to the mayor's office in Montreal — a stunning victory inside a city hall that has been shaken by scandal.
Michael Applebaum won a vote Friday at city council, 31-29, to become the city's first non-francophone mayor since just before the First World War.
He will serve as interim mayor of Canada's second-largest city for a year, with a promise not to run in the next municipal election of November 2013.
Anglophones in Quebec rarely hold such prominent political roles.
In the municipality of Montreal itself, only 13 per cent of people claim English as their mother tongue; a far greater number of Montrealers actually speak the language in their everyday lives, however, given that 47 per cent of residents are not original French-speakers.
16 November 2012
15 November 2012
Cold calls, condolence cards: how Mob used intimidation to control construction - Winnipeg Free Press
Cold calls, condolence cards: how Mob used intimidation to control construction - Winnipeg Free Press
MONTREAL - Quebec's public inquiry is getting a glimpse into how the Italian Mafia used its muscle to maintain control of the construction industry in Montreal.
With death threats and intimidation, the Mob would seek to squeeze out companies when they competed for work against members of the city's construction cartel.
An out-of-town construction owner testified Thursday that he received multiple threats after bidding on contracts in Montreal.
The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION
Cold calls, condolence cards: how Mob used intimidation to control construction
City of Montreal technician Michel Paquette testifies at the Charbonneau inquiry looking into corruption in the Quebec construction industry Wednesday, November 14, 2012 in Montreal.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
With death threats and intimidation, the Mob would seek to squeeze out companies when they competed for work against members of the city's construction cartel.
An out-of-town construction owner testified Thursday that he received multiple threats after bidding on contracts in Montreal.
06 November 2012
05 November 2012
02 November 2012
Don Macpherson: French in decline? The census doesn’t back that
When Statistics Canada published its report on the language data from the 2011 census last week, it was widely reported in Quebec that the data showed a decline of French in the province.
The reports were seized upon by members of the new Parti Québécois government as evidence of a need for the “new Bill 101” that their party had promised to introduce. In her session opening speech in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Premier Pauline Marois referred to the data as pointing to “a loss in the place of French.”
The problem is that, concerning any change in the status of French in Quebec, the Statistics Canada report doesn’t really prove anything.
Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/Macpherson+French+decline+census+doesn+back+that/7490060/story.html#ixzz2B6dQNpRR
The reports were seized upon by members of the new Parti Québécois government as evidence of a need for the “new Bill 101” that their party had promised to introduce. In her session opening speech in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Premier Pauline Marois referred to the data as pointing to “a loss in the place of French.”
The problem is that, concerning any change in the status of French in Quebec, the Statistics Canada report doesn’t really prove anything.
Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/Macpherson+French+decline+census+doesn+back+that/7490060/story.html#ixzz2B6dQNpRR
Discrimination/Oppression
It is discrimination if it could happen to you; it is oppression if it probably will.
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