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5 arrested during tuition hike protest
What was supposed to be a peaceful protest against higher tuition fees turned Ugly on Thursday. Montreal riot police used stun grenades and pepper spray to break up a loud group of students. This came after a scuffle outside a government building.
Five people were also arrested during the march. They face charges for assault, mischief and uttering threats.
Over two thousand Quebec students protested against upcoming tuition hikes. Some are calling it a historical attack to the right to education and to the accessibility of post-secondary education. The proposal to raise university tuitions fees would increase the bill for students by thousands of dollars by 2016.
Green Party challenging debate decision
The Green Party of Canada is challenging a decision not to include Elizabeth May in the upcoming broadcasted leaders’ debates. On Tuesday, a consortium of broadcasters decided to exclude May from the April 12 and 14 debates. That consortium includes CBC and Radio-Canada. The NDP, Conservatives, Liberals, and the Bloc Quebecois were invited.
The party submitted a complaint to the Federal Court of Appeal. They’re asking that the court review the regulations that say the broadcasters do not have to include every party leader.
CBC ombudsman Kirk Lapointe says it is accurate to note that the Green Party does not have a sitting MP. Lapointe also says that the almost seven per cent of votes they garnered in the most recent elections represents a million people. He says they could therefore play a role in a new minority government.
Salvation From Sin On-Air Fundraiser For Japan
On Friday afternoon of March 11th, 2011, the eastern coast of Japan was rocked by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake, which also ignited a monstrous tsunami that hit the shores soon after. The world needs to come together now, more than ever. Our Japanese brothers and sisters need our help and generosity.
The team from Salvation From Sin would like to do their part by providing listeners a special opportunity to donate funds. On April 8th, 2011, Salvation From Sin will be hosting a "Japanese House Music" edition of the show. Listeners can call in to CJLO (514-848-7471) during the show between the hours of midnight and 3am to donate towards ongoing Japanese relief efforts. Doners will be given DJ Michael Terzian's latest mix CD which will be made exclusively available ONLY to those individuals who donate during show hours. Entitled "The Sun Rises in the East", this new mix CD showcases the very best in Japanese House Music from past & present.
This is a major global crisis of epic proportions. Be generous during this time of tragedy, sorrow & human need. All donations will be made on behalf of CJLO & Salvation From Sin to the Canadian Red Cross.
Film Review - Hobo with a Shotgun
First of all, let me just say that I have not seen filmmaking and imagery like this in a very long time. It grips and shocks you from the beginning and takes you on this terrifyingly epic journey through what will be the next cult classic. Hobo with a Shotgun started in a very magnificent and innocent way; Jason Eisener had originally made a simple trailer for Hobo with a Shotgun as part of a trailer competition sponsored by Robert Rodriguez. Eisener’s trailer won the competition and the reward opened dozens of doors and provided his art with an opportunity to expand and grow within the Canadian film industry.
Hobo with a Shotgun is the touching tale of a hobo, played by the incredible Rutger Hauer, who wants a fresh start. He hops a train and arrives to a horrific and terribly distraught town. The town is corrupt and run by murderous thugs; Drake (Brian Downey) is the sick and twisted Head Boss and his two villainous sons Slick (Gregory Smith) and Ivan (Nick Bateman) terrorize the neighbourhood with murder and torture. The Hobo notices the extremity of the violence in the town and decides to do something about it; he purchases a shotgun with the little change he has and decides to rid the streets of the corrupt, rapists, murderers and the fucking crazy.
This film is highly stylized and one must be aware that the violence and gore is extreme and very visual. This story is set in another place and time and should not be taken literally. Writer John Davies provided a wicked location for all the chaos to take place. The dialogue offers incredibly witty and intense one-liners that will leave you clutching your sides with the delicious pain of laughter, or they will leave you holding your hand up to your mouth in pure shock. Each character is unique and exaggerated; they each have their own disturbing characteristics that leave you saying, “This is crazy!” Hobo with a Shotgun reminds me of Tarantino and Rodriguez but with more crudeness; Eisener revealed that he was inspired by horror films from the 80s and 90s, and you can clearly see that influence unfold before your eyes. The use of primary colours and close to perfect editing give this little Canadian film a chance beginning the long awaited new generation of unique independent filmmakers.
Hobo with a Shotgun was one hell of a ride that kept me on the edge of my seat and had me biting my nails with anxiety and discomfort. The performances are memorable and emotional; Hauer delivered a pretty badass performance that carried the film with ease and sophistication. The violent imagery is not for the faint of heart; some scenes are very shocking and can make or break the film for certain viewers, but Eisener mentions that he had to fight for certain scenes to remain in the film and believes how every scene is there for a reason. Hobo with a Shotgun is worth seeing over and over again; everything in this film is stimulating, and will cause great conversation and certainly inspire the filmmaker in you.
Four our of Five Stars
-Andrea Boulet
March 31st 2011
Read by Joel Balsam
Produced by Dominique Daoust and Melissa Mulligan
Stories by Melissa Mulligan, Jessica MacDonald,A.J. Cordeiro and Alina Gotcherian
Al-Hassad ruins Syria's hopes of reform
In a recent public address, Syrian president Bashar al-Hassad has decided not to give in to protesters’ demands for reform. In a highly anticipated speech, the president did not announce any significant political reforms, disappointing protesters and international observers alike.
He declared that the preservation of Syria’s stability is most important at this time, despite having been labelled a ‘reformer’ by the Obama administration. He claims that protesters are taking advantage of the calls for reform in order to get people to join their demonstrations. He refers to these people as enemies of the country.
His plan is similar to that of leaders in Saudi arabia, Bahrain and Jordan: acting with impunity while riding out the protests.
Toronto police arrest alleged future terrorist
A Canadian man was arrested at Toronto's Pearson International Airport Tuesday evening in what's being called a new kind of terrorist case. The man, 25-year-old Mohamed Hersi, is being accused of attempting to participate in terrorist activity.
Although his boarding pass said he was bound for Egypt, police allege that the young Muslim man was actually headed to Somalia. Officials say Hersi quit his job in order to enlist with a group of Somalian insurgents linked to al-Qaeda.
Police say they spent 6 months investigating the case before making their pre-emptive arrest. They are not revealing any other details or evidence, except that they were helped by tips from the community.
A Toronto Imam said people are shocked because Hersi is known as a quiet and studious university-educated man.
March 30th, 2011
Read by Sarah Deshaies
Produced by Nikita Smith
Stories by Joel Balsam, Cassandra Keating, Sarah Deshaies
Elizabeth May Not Wanted
Green party leader, Elizabeth May, has not been invited to the election debate. The broadcast consortium that hosts the debate decided May is not welcomed. Marco Dube, consortium spokesperson, said the five broadcasters wanted to invite only the four parties in the House of Commons. With the support of a million Canadians across the country, the Green party has yet to elect an MP.
During the 2008 election May was allowed a spot at the debate table after a fierce public backlash. Only Stephane Dion, welcomed Green party’s participation in the debate. At the time the, Blair Wilson, was the only Green MP in the House. May’s strong performance during the debate raised the party’s profile. It also got them 6.8% of the vote, the party’s best ever. This year, none of the three House party leaders have raised their voice in support. They say it is up to the broadcasters. The Conservatives have remained silent.
Camille Labchuk, the party spokesperson, said once again they will fight for May’s inclusion.
Ignatieff rolls out campaign promise that benefits students
Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff has made his first big campaign promise, and it's a policy that could benefit students.
The Learning Passport plan would hand students cash for class. In return, Ignatieff said the plan would help make Canada the most educated country around.
By 2012 you could receive one thousand dollars a year for post-secondary studies up to a maximum of four thousand dollars. Students from low income families could receive up to fifteen hundred dollars a year – to a maximum of six thousand dollars.
And just where would all that money come from? The permanent measure would cost one billion dollars. And the funding would come from the corporate tax cut plan the Liberals intend to cancel.
Students would be able to withdraw the money through a service that already exists - the Registered Education Savings Plans.
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