By Murray Sherriffs
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Two Canadian government officials say that the U.S did not target Quebec’s French language rules on products in trade talks, as claimed by Premier Fréchette who labelled it a ‘red line’ and the feds’ claim backs up what U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and President Trump have said—that French was not a deal-breaker.
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Premier Fréchette met with Quebec’s lieutenant-governor this morning, the first step in formally calling a provincial election.
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Montreal Mayor Martinez Ferrada has offered her administration’s election wishlist, calling on whatever party gets the nod from the electorate, to build a “new partnership” with the city; that the policies should reflect Montreal’s significance as the economic engine of the province.
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Luc Godbout, chair director of the Taxation and Public Finance at the University of Sherbrooke says that to win election this fall, the candidate must develop a credible financial framework. but Godbout acknowledged that it will be hard to convince Quebecers, because the dollars aren’t there.
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Pierre-Alexandre Blouin, president of the Quebec Food Retailers Association says that political parties must take shoplifting gangs that target grocery stores more seriously; that thefts by Les Robins des ruelles in Montreal and Quebec City aren’t being condemned by politicians.
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Montreal Auditor General Andrée Cossette says that the city needs to improve the oversight of how public funds are spent, following discovery of “…shortcomings in the oversight, monitoring, and accountability of research and support expenses.” He noted that more than half of hotel and meal expenses incurred by city officials exceed federal rates used for city employees.
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36-year-old Beaconsfield resident Alvin Narciso—charged with voyeurism, is under investigation involving at least 300 more women in his work as a massage therapist—remains in jail.
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Montreal police are dismantling a drug lab in a condo in Griffintown, after arresting a 33-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman.
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An illegal immigrant from Senegal, 45-year-old Omar Ndiaye, has been charged with stealing $180,000 of taxpayer money from the Quebec government in a scam that allegedly saw him file social assistance claims using fake identities.
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Sun + showers / 26º today
Sun + showers / 21º tomorrow
