By Murray Sherriffs
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Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada will offer her first budget this afternoon, after making a number of election promises to “restore order” and to run the city economically efficient. Already known changes will be at city, hall where she has promised to cut a minimum 1,000 jobs held by people not on the frontline, and to impose a hiring freeze.
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As school resumes following the holiday break, Quebec students will be expected to honor new respect rules on how they interact with their teachers and fellow students. The goal is to stop violence and bullying and create safer learning environments. Consequences of failure to embrace the new rules will be progressive, beginning with warnings, graduating to suspension or expulsion. Rebellious students will be required to write letters of apology, do community service or take part in discussion circles.
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The race to replace Pablo Rodriguez for the leadership of the Quebec Liberal Party begins today. So far, Charles Milliard (former head of the Quebec Federation of Chambers of Commerce) is the only candidate to declare. Anyone wishing to challenge has until February 13 to step up. A new leader to be chosen March 14.
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Notre Dame Hospital in downtown Montreal has installed metal detectors at its emergency room entrance to deal with people who are carrying weapons.
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Hundreds of people paraded their support in Montreal streets and in a number of Canadian cites on the week-end, declaring their support for Iranians who want Islamic Republic leaders to give up power and make way for the son of the former Shah of Iran, Reza Pahlavi, who has been in exile in the United States for 47 years.
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Inspectors have removed a suspension order on Montreal’s Goodfoods operation, which will allow the meal delivery service to resume operations. The company says there were never any food safety issues; that the closure centred on non-compliances that were mostly procedural.
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The month-long overtime strike by Montreal transit maintenance workers has ended, but a final agreement has still not yet been reached.
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Graffiti artists have tagged the outside wall of the old Molson Brewery, with the letters K, N, G and L, U, K spray painted but what they represent has yet to be determined.
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The motorist who collided with a snow-clearing tractor in St. Rémi, is in critical condition. Witnesses say that the crash happened as the operator was leaving a driveway that he had just cleared.
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Data from Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University has determined that pet food prices have risen about 25% in the past six years, with some brands up even more.
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Two studies from France have revealed that common preservatives used to extend the shelf life of some foods may be linked to a higher risk of several cancers and type 2 diabetes. The study, published in The BMJ journal, says that sodium nitrite—commonly used in processed meats like bacon, ham and deli meats—has been linked to a 32% increase in the risk of prostate cancer. Potassium nitrate is associated with a 22% higher risk of breast cancer and a 13% increase in all cancers. Sorbates, used in wine, baked goods, cheeses and sauces to prevent molds, yeast and some bacteria. brings about a 26% higher risk for breast cancer and a 14% increase in all types of cancers.
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Vancouver / Habs 7:30 p.m.
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Flurries / 0º today
Sun / cloud / 3º tomorrow
