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Most people in Quebec don’t know anything about it. Yet, the province is Canada’s hotbed for uranium mining.

Recently, the debate over expanding Quebec’s uranium exploration has intensified. 

According to the Gazette, a poll of 1000 Quebecers in all regions of the province revealed 78 per cent believed an independent study into the economic, environmental and social impacts of uranium should be done before mining begins.

Quebec’s Environment Minister Yves-Francois Blanchet said last month that he wants to order a consultation on the matter and said not to do so would be irresponsible.

Flickr Photo by: NPCA Photos

STORY WRITTEN BY: JAMIE-LEE GORDON

By:Factotumm

McGill University Health Centre may be cutting roughly 50 jobs in order to try to bring in its deficit and search out 50 million dollars in savings.

So far, trimming logistics, support services and general administration has reduced half of the amount. The centre has also suspended hiring and equipment purchases. However, this is not enough. The centre must also cut jobs.

Normand Rinfret, head of MUHC has stated that the quality of patient care will not be affected as the centre will be finding more efficient ways to operate on a smaller budget.

However, Dr. David Morris, an endocrinologist at MUHC isn’t as hopeful. Morris believes that patient care will inevitably be impacted by these changes in structure.

Many union representatives have also spoken out about the cuts, stating that they want decisions to be more collaborative and co-operative. 

A collective agreement will be reached, however, as the MUHC’s board says it has been consulting with unions and will be abide by collective agreements about the pending cuts.

Israel’s decision to create bus lines designated only for Palestinians is being described as racist and revolting by Israeli rights groups. 

Monday saw the launch of the two bus lines, which are to be used by Palestinian workers who need to get between the West Bank and Israel. 

According to Al Jezeera, the separate bus lines were created after Jewish settlers voiced concerns about sharing buses with Palestinians due to security risks. 

Israel’s Transport Minister stated that the new segregated bus lines will help Palestinians by improving public transport for them and eliminate illegal buses that charge overpriced fares. 

Israeli rights group are worried that the two new bus lines might have a negative impact on Palestinians travelling on regular buses. 

The launch of the new buses comes at the beginning of Israel’s Apartheid Week, where university lectures and rallies are held to discuss the relationship between Israelis and Palestinians.

The provincial government has launched an anti-homophobia campaign asking Quebecers how open they  really are when it comes to sexual diversity.

According to CBC News, the campaign is meant to fully recognize the rights of individuals who are part of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

The campaign includes a series of television and radio advertisements depicting a same-sex couples going about their day. At the end of the ad, they share a kiss. The audience is then asked the question: "Does this change the way you thought twenty seconds ago?"

The government also created a more interactive version of the campaign online on their website:reallyopen.com.

The site presents stories of individuals with a range of sexual and gender identities where viewers are asked to honestly reflect on how comfortable they are with each scenario.

Quebec's minister of justice, Bertrand St-Arnaud, says the campaign is meant to motivate Quebecers to question their personal thresholds of openness.

The campaign will run until the end of March.

Flickr Photo by: Parti Quebecois (officiel)

STORY WRITTEN BY: JENNA MONNEY-LUPERT