News

Canada withdraws from U.N. Convention

New York 2009 - United Nations

Canada is withdrawing from a United Nations anti-draught convention after nearly two decades of participation.

The federal cabinet ordered that the country pull out from the convention last week.

This makes Canada the only UN-affiliated country in the world not a part of the agreement.

The Harper government’s decision to withdraw Canada from the convention was unannounced and came as a surprise to many.


P.Q. orders study of uranium impact

Low enriched uranium offloaded

The minority Parti Quebécois government has announced an upcoming study on uranium.

Environment Minister, Yves-François Blanchet told the Gazette on Thursday that the study, which will study the impact on the development of uranium in the province, is set to begin next fall.

There will not be a green light issued for the exploration or development of uranium in Québec until the study is completed.


CJLO News - March 28 2013

Hosted by: Catlin Spencer

Stories by: Aisha Samu, Alyssa Tremblay & Catlin Spencer

Produced by: Jenna Monney-Lupert


Marois defends bylaw on advanced notice for protests

PAULINE MAROIS MMC-20041.jpg

Quebec Premier Pauline Marois is defending a Montreal bylaw that demands protesters give an itinerary at the beginning of a protest.

The Montreal Gazette reports Marois and her ministers do not consider bylaw P-6 to be unreasonable.

After the election, the Parti Québecois removed punitive sections of Bill 78 that limited the number of demonstrators, where they could gather, and giving 8 hours notice.


North Dakota passes laws banning abortions

The state of North Dakota passed two new laws outlawing abortion this week.

The first law makes it illegal to perform an abortion once a fetus’s heartbeat  can be detected.

The second bans abortions based on genetic defects.

Both laws were signed on Tuesday by Jack Dalrymple, North Dakota’s Republican governor.

Al Jazeera reported that this legislation is the most restrictive of its kind in the United States.

American pro-choice groups plan on challenging North Dakota’s abortion bans in court.


Health sites contain asbestos

View to Amiantos Asbestos Mine

According to access to information requests made by Radio-Canada, over 180 health care sites contain asbestos.

The carcinogenic fiber used as a fire- retardant is being found in buildings such as hospitals, clinics and long-term care homes.

Provincial authorities are working to create a registry, but say it won’t be completed for another two years. During that time, they will have to determine asbestos levels in buildings and report them.


Womens' safety in Egypt in limbo

EGYPT/

Tension is rising again in Egypt's Tahrir Square.

And this time, the women are speaking out.

The New York Times reports the public space known for ousting the Mubarak regime is now a nest for sexual assaults.

President Mohammad Morsi called a meeting Sunday to find solutions to increase women's safety.  

Drafting legislation to criminalize sexual harassment was proposed.

However, Women’s rights advocates say the bill won't help them face the stigma they get when they report to authorities. 


Student associations and labour unions can benefit from one another

Student associations and university labour unions can learn a lot from each other.

The Link reports that while labour unions can benefit from the tactics used in the student movement, student associations can equally gain from the history of labour movements.

Spokesperson for the Association pour une solidarité syndicale étudiante Jérémie Bédard-Wien says fostering solidarity between students and workers is extremely important.

Students who work and educational workers face unpredictability and a lack of job security in the workforce, and can benefit from supporting each other.


CJLO News - March 27 2013

Hosted by: Sarah Deshaies

Stories by: Sarah Deshaies, Niki Mohrdar, Aisha Samu, Saturn De Los Angeles

Produced by: Spoon Jung


CJLO News - March 26 2013

Hosted by: Carlo Spiridigliozzi

Stories by: Nikita Smith, Jenna Monney-Lupert, Danny Aubry & Carlo Spiridigliozzi

Produced by: Brendan Adams


NDG food depot forced out of location

IMG_4163

Workers at the N.D.G. food depot have until the end of the week to vacant the building that has been serving food to families in need for more than 20 years.

According to the Gazette, though the lease ended on March 31st, the owners agreed to let the staff stay until June in order to have more time to find a new home. 


Hong Kong rules against filipino residence issue

Maid Cafe

Filipino domestic workers have lost a crucial battle against the Hong Kong government.

According to Al-Jazeera News, the government in Hong Kong has struck down a motion allowing two filipino maids to seek permanent residency in the former Chinese state.

The unanimous ruling handed down by Hong Kong's Fine Court of Appeal means that tens of thousands of filipino domestic workers considering work in the country will face difficulty over others seeking permanent residency.


Med-Student claims unnecessary discipline by department

St Mary's Hospital

A first-year McGill medical resident at St. Mary’s Hospital claims he is being punished by the McGill faculty of Medicine for standing up for patients.

According to the McGill Daily, Dr. Alexander Nataros received a dying patient last November after senior doctors made what he said were “significant life-threatening medical errors.”

Nataros says that by correcting and reporting the errors allegedly made by senior physicians, he was able to save the patient’s life.


Conservatives merger federal departments

Ottawa

The conservative government has decided to combine the Canadian International Development Agency with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, allowing the Harper government to have more power when it comes to development work being done in poverty-stricken countries.


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