News

Quebec's Bill 21 reaches supreme court

Quebec’s secularism bill reached the Supreme Court this week. The highest court spent four days hearing from dozens of groups about the legality of the Quebec government’s use of the notwithstanding clause. The court could take several months to reach a decision. 

The bill was introduced by the provincial government in 2019. To prevent court challenges, the CAQ passed the law using the Charter’s notwithstanding clause. The use of the clause allows for provinces to override much of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. 


Mama Khan is always present for the community

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For the 4th consecutive year, Mama Khan, a Pakistani restaurant situated in the Plateau-Mont-Royal, is giving out free iftar boxes for the month of Ramadan, alongside grocery baskets for the vulnerable. However, the month of Ramadan is not the only time during which they provide free meals. Since their opening, they have created and partaken in a myriad of initiatives fighting against food insecurity. To this day, they are working on making the neighborhood affordable and helping the community during times of crisis. 

 

Canada's Bill C-12 continues to receive pushback from refugee community

Refugee and migrant support groups are calling on the federal government to withdraw its proposed border security and immigration law. The law will make changes for those seeking asylum in Canada.

The latest action to draw attention to the bill featured a film screening and panel discussion from Action Réfugiés Montréal.


Montreal elects Soraya Martinez Ferrada as mayor

Montreal has elected Soraya Martinez Ferrada as mayor. Martinez Ferrada defeated Luc Rabouin and the incumbent party, Projet Montréal.  

Tonight, it is you who has won. Tonight, Montreal has chosen courage and ambition,” said Martinez Ferrada in her victory speech. 

She promised change after eight years of the last administration. She added voters told her they wanted to be heard. 


Shant Karabajak is banking on affordability for a win

Shant Karabajak is a high school teacher by day, teaching seventh and eighth-graders geography and history. Outside of school hours, he is going door to door in Montreal’s Sud-Ouest, campaigning for borough mayor with Transition Montréal.

He moved to the Sud-Ouest at the end of 2017 after a run for a city councillor position in his previous borough of Ahuntsic-Cartierville with the now-defunct Coalition Montréal. In the 2021 election, he ran for borough mayor of Le Plateau-Mont-Royal with Ensemble Montréal. He lost in both elections. 


After 2 years of constant Israeli bombardments on Gaza

Updates:

-U.S.-brokered ceasefire approved by Israel and Hamas, gets violated by Israel 4 days later

-Students go on strike for Palestine on Oct. 7 and rally in front of Concordia's Hall building to demand divestment

-Israeli-affiliated clan kills Palestinian journalist Saleh Al Jafarawi in Gaza City


National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

On Tuesday, September 30, hundreds gathered to march for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, an annual event meant to honor the victims and survivors of Canada's residential school systems.

Speakers and protesters voiced their stories and called out the continued violence against Indigenous women, as well as Canada's disrespect of Indigenous sovereignty. 


Projet Montreal announces Gracia Kasoki Katawha as executive commitee president

Projet Montreal announced their president of the executive committee will be NDG’s borough mayor, Gracia Kasoki Katawha.
 
Kasoki Katawha says she will use the role to focus on housing and the homeless crisis in the city. 

Tribute to Ziad Rahbani

Kawalees, Montreal's Arabic cultural cabaret, hosted a musical tribute dedicated to the legacy of the Lebanese artist, Ziad Rahbani, who passed away this summer.


International Overdose Awareness Day

International Overdose Awareness Day is August 31st, but in Montreal, a gathering to raise awareness was held on August 28th at Place Émilie-Gamelin, and it was organized by the Quebec Association for Drug User Health Promotion (AQPSUD)

The event saw organizations gather to discuss the work they do with the drug-using population, many of whom were also offering free tools, resources and kits to help those who plan to consume drugs. 

Legalization of drug use is a long-term goal for many participants, but short-term they want the provincial government to back-track on the tabled bill 103. The bill aims to regulate supervised consumption sites. Some say the bill will prevent new sites from being opened and limit existing services.


Concordia students stuck in Gaza speak out about delayed visa process

Over 70 Palestinian students waiting to attend university in Canada are stuck in the Gaza strip, waiting for the final approval of their study permits. Six of these students hope to attend Concordia this academic year.


The Canadian Grand Prix Drives Montreal’s Sex Industry

Before the Grand Prix races, the Concertation des luttes contre l’exploitation sexuelle (La CLES), a feminist community organization, launched its “Un Trop Grand Prix” sexual exploitation awareness campaign. This campaign is in its 12th year.


National March for Palestine in Ottawa

On Saturday April 12, over 30,000 people from across Canada rallied in front of Ottawa's Parliament Hill, to demand an arms embargo on Israel and an end to Canada's complicity in the genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. 

Protesters marched through downtown Ottawa and made it back to Parliament Hill, where they dispersed.

Photo by Hiyam Barakat


Project Instep: Amplifying indigenous businesses, entrepreneurs and students

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Project Instep is a student-run organization that aims to support indigenous people's brands and help kickstart their businesses through various initiatives, events and collaborations. Find out more in this interview with Juliana Camillia Vergara Nunez, the organization's Vice-President, and Daryl Leclaire, Tewa's Director of Business Services.  


Students protest against Pascale Déry's investigation into Dawson College and Vanier College

Hundreds of students gathered in front of Dawson College to protest against the Quebec minister of higher education’s investigation into course content about Palestine at the province’s CEGEPs.

Last month, minister Déry admitted to intervening in the content of a French-language course about Palestinian culture at Dawson.

Students called for an end to the investigation and Déry's resignation. Riot cops surrounded protestors throughout the entire march. Protest ended near McGill without any arrests.


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