News for October 7th 2015

October 7 2015 // News

LOCAL
by Catlin Spencer

Environment Canada has told the city of Montreal to suspend it's plan to pump eight billion litres of untreated water into the St. Lawrence river.

According to CTV News, Mayor Denis Coderre has accused the federal government of playing politics behind the backs of Montrealers by making such a request.

Coderre says the ministry had the plans for the project in their possession since September of last year and that he had contacted them last week, but received no response.

So far the plan has received opposition from both sides of the border.

One Montreal online petition has received 70, 000 signatures and New York State Senator Patty Richie wrote a letter to the International Joint Commission voicing her concerns.

NATIONAL

Prime Minister Stephen Harper says a niqab ban would be considered for public servants under his government.

According to CBC News, the Conservative government has been accused of engaging in identity politics and fuelling anti-Muslim sentiments by taking steps to ban the niqab- 

 
including a campaign pledge to create a cultural practices tip line.

Both Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and NDP Leader Tom Mulcair are against the ban.

 
Trudeau has asked Harper to stop before someone truly gets hurt and Mulcair says the move contradicts Treasury Board President Tony Clement's ruling in March.

In the wake of the niqab controversy there have been at least two reported assaults against Muslim women in Canada.

INTERNATIONAL

The United States says that the Afghan Médecins Sans Frontières hospital strike was a mistake and that the US would never intentionally target a protected medical facility.

According to BBC News, the US commander of international forces, General John Campbell says an attack was requested by Afghan forces fighting Taliban fighters in Kunduz and the hospital was mistakenly struck.

At least 22 people were killed in the attack and dozens more were injured.

Since the strike, MSF says it has withdrawn from the northern Afghan city.