News for Tuesday November 17th 2015

LOCAL
by Catlin Spencer

Thousands of teachers gathered in downtown Montreal on Monday to protest against Quebec government austerity measures and stalled contract negotiations.

According to the Montreal Gazette, the teachers from both Montreal and Laval English school boards say the strike is necessary to show the government that they're serious.

Teachers have been without a renewed contract since April, and Quebec's last offer on November 6th was rejected.

A second strike will be held Tuesday, and the Laurier union voted 88 per cent in favour of an additional three day strike if needed.

NATIONAL
by Catlin Spencer

Ottawa's four-year fight to ban the wearing of the niqab during citizenship oaths has been ended by the Liberal government.

According to the Globe and Mail, the new Liberal government withdrew a request to the Supreme Court for an appeal on the ban.

If the Liberals had not acted, the case would have lapsed on November 21st.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had said during the Conservative's campaign that the niqab issue was needlessly dividing Canadians.

INTERNATIONAL
by Catlin Spencer

French President Francois Hollande is calling for a global coalition against ISIS following the attacks in Paris.

According to CBC, Hollande made the call Monday, asking both Russia and the United States to join the coalition.

In a joint parliament session at the Palace of Versailles, Hollande announced that France was at war, along with a wave of measures to combat terrorism in the country including increased funds for national security and stronger anti-terrorism laws.

In response to the terrorism attacks in France last Friday, Hollande has pledged that French fighter jets would intensify their assaults in Iraq and Syria.