Quebec Daily News
All the news fit to print
Jean LaPierre new leader of Communists!
Jean LaPierre, new Leader of the Communists
In a surprise move, the Communist Bloq, the Quebec Communist Party which has been gaining popularity announced that they have chosen a new leader, and that is Jean LaPierre. This is a stunning move for LaPierre, a Lawyer, former Judge, former Law Professor at the University of Quebec, and public speaker extraordinaire. LaPierre is a man who knows the Law very well, and is widely respected in the Legal Professionb, after becoming a Lawyer, and being one for 7 years, he was appointed to be a Judge in a Quebec County Court for 5 years, and was renowned for clearing his docket, and processing more cases then any other Judge. He was also renowned as being ruthlessly touch on both sides, and demanding settlements, rather then lengthy trials. Then he went to become a Law Professor at his alma mater for 4 years, and then quite to hit the Public Speaking Circuit, where his career really took off. LaPierre is described as a Public Speaker Extraordinaire, able to capitivate his audiences, and is renowned for holding audiences of up to 100,000 under his spell for hours on end, completely captivated by his voice. His announcement of accepting the leadership of the Communists is a majopr surprise to all, for LaPierre is well-known for praising Democracy, and is unquestionably pro-Democracy. He has critisized the Quebec Government for not including enough women in its workings, and for undemocratic moves, like a non-elected Senate and Supreme Court. Few knew that he was a Communists, and his Public Speaking abilities will definitely be a boost to the Communists, as well as his passion for Democracy.
Equal Marriage Bill sails through National Assembly
Quebec has officially committed itself to what President Cere is calling "Equal Marriage", essentially redefining marriage as between 2 persons, to the exclusion of all others. This legislation, proposed days after Cere and the Socialists swept to victory, ends the controversy since former President Duceppe invoked the notwithstanding clauses to prevent the previoous Supreme Court from forcing the definition to be changed. This changes little in Quebec, as all but 2 of Quebec's 50 counties had already done the same, and Civil Marriage has always been between 2 persons. This bill includes protections for churches and other legitimate religious organizations who refuse to perform such ceremonies out of freedom of religion laws, but will force Marriage Commissioners to issue lisences to any 2 persons who apply for them. Quebecers favour Equal Marriage by about a 6-4 margin.
Abortion declared totally legal as Bill passes Senate
Abortion is now totally legal in Quebec. Previously it could only be done in the first 2 semesters, now any women can have an abortion whenever she feels like it, except within 24 hours of the expected time of birth. This has been a burning issue for some pro-Womens Rights groups, and the pro-Life group in Quebec has been deminishing as the power of the Roman Catholic Church over Quebec Politics continues to slide down further and further. With the Equal Marriage decision, Quebec continues to politically move to the left in North America and the world.
CCTV Cameras to be installed to "protect Quebecers"
The Quebec Police have announced that the recent Bill that passed the National Assembly and the Senate, and was approved by the Supreme Court as not violationg the Constitution and Charter of Rights, will provide funding for up to 15,000 CCTV cameras to be installed in "strategic locations" around Quebec. These Cameras will be installed over a 2 year period, and, instead of being constantly monitored, their data and images will be stored in massive hardrives. They will be used only to help with crimes, assuming that the time ane location of the crime is known. These are expected to be useful for curbing crime, and for terror attacks, should the unthinkable happen to Quebec. Civil Rights groups are against the move, but most Quebecers generally feel that these will help protect them, according to a recent survey.
Eco-friendly policies also good for the environment, President
President Cere has unveiled a new raft of Environmental Policies which he says will be good for the Environment and the Economy. The policies include tax breaks for those who either ride a bicycle, ride transit, or use hybrid vehicles to travel to work and other places. Bicyclists can expect to see up to 500$ in savings on their next tax statement, which will hopefully encourage peopple to use more green-friendly ways of travelling. The rising cost of gasoline is a major factor in how Quebecers and others travel. The Governemnt also announced a fund to subsisdize the cost of Hybrid Vehicles, to make them cheaper then regular vehicles, and has announced plans, in 4-5 years, to ban the sales of convetional vehicles, and only permit hybrid gas-electric vehicles to be sold in Quebec. The Conservatives and Liberals have attacked the plan as going against the economy, but the Socialists and the Communists are firmly onside. The fund is also to provide tax breaks and encourage companies to use eco-friendly techniques.
More funding for Healthcare, Education promised
Cere has today announced that the Government will be spending 15-20 billion more each in Education and Healthcare in a effort to properly fund the 2 systems. Quebec's Healthcare system is widely regarded as having more then enoug hstaff, but not the funding to buy expensive MRI and CATSCAN machines. Also, maintenance has slipped as bugets have been tightened. The money for Education will mainly go to funding the Governemnt's new program tooffer Free French Lessons to all Immigrants, those on Visa, and Quebecers. The program is exp[ected to increase Education and Literacy. Only the Conservatives are opposing the plan for the increase in Education funding, saying Education in Quebec is sufficiently funded, and that money should go to the Military.