First Nations leaders want Quebec to drop plans for Indigenous language law
Indigenous Peoples are calling on the Coalition Avenir Québec government to scrap plans to table legislation to protect First Nation languages and culture.
The First Nations Education Council, representing eight First Nations of Quebec, has issued a statement saying it is inconceivable that the government legislate unilaterally on languages without their consent.
“Let us recall that by virtue of their inherent right to self-government, First Nations elect their own government and have the legitimacy to adopt their own laws,” the council said. “Anything related to their languages and cultures remains under the purview of First Nations themselves.”
The issue of Indigenous languages came up during the 2022 adoption process for Bill 96, overhauling the Charter of the French Language.
First Nations sought to be exempted from the law, a request that was refused. But the government expressed interest in adopting another law, similar in nature to Bill 101, to protect and promote Indigenous languages.
#Quebec
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Indigenous Peoples are calling on the Coalition Avenir Québec government to scrap plans to table legislation to protect First Nation languages and culture.
The First Nations Education Council, representing eight First Nations of Quebec, has issued a statement saying it is inconceivable that the government legislate unilaterally on languages without their consent.
“Let us recall that by virtue of their inherent right to self-government, First Nations elect their own government and have the legitimacy to adopt their own laws,” the council said. “Anything related to their languages and cultures remains under the purview of First Nations themselves.”
The issue of Indigenous languages came up during the 2022 adoption process for Bill 96, overhauling the Charter of the French Language.
First Nations sought to be exempted from the law, a request that was refused. But the government expressed interest in adopting another law, similar in nature to Bill 101, to protect and promote Indigenous languages.
#Quebec
🍁 Maple Chronicles
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Supreme Court to rule on Quebec law banning homegrown cannabis
▪️The Supreme Court of Canada is set to rule today on whether Quebec's ban on growing cannabis plants at home is constitutional.
▪️The ruling is in a case first brought before the courts in 2019 by Janick Murray-Hall. Murray-Hall's lawyer argued that Quebec's ban on owning and cultivating plants for personal use is unconstitutional and contradicts the federal cannabis law enacted in 2018.
▪️The federal law allows people to grow or own up to four cannabis plants at home, but the Quebec government banned growing for personal use, with fines running between $250 and $750.
▪️Quebec Superior Court sided with Murray-Hall and found the law to be unconstitutional. But the province successfully appealed to the Quebec Court of Appeal, and now the final word lies with the country's highest court.
#Quebec
🍁 Maple Chronicles
▪️The Supreme Court of Canada is set to rule today on whether Quebec's ban on growing cannabis plants at home is constitutional.
▪️The ruling is in a case first brought before the courts in 2019 by Janick Murray-Hall. Murray-Hall's lawyer argued that Quebec's ban on owning and cultivating plants for personal use is unconstitutional and contradicts the federal cannabis law enacted in 2018.
▪️The federal law allows people to grow or own up to four cannabis plants at home, but the Quebec government banned growing for personal use, with fines running between $250 and $750.
▪️Quebec Superior Court sided with Murray-Hall and found the law to be unconstitutional. But the province successfully appealed to the Quebec Court of Appeal, and now the final word lies with the country's highest court.
#Quebec
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40 per cent of Canadians say federal budget will do 'poor,' 'very poor' job of addressing their issues
As many as 40 per cent of Canadians believe the new federal budget will do a "poor" or "very poor" job of addressing their concerns.
Of the more than 1,000 people surveyed, 19 per cent said based on what they have heard they would grade the federal budget as poor when it comes to addressing the issues they and their families are worried about, while 20 per cent say it is very poor.
Thirty-three per cent say the federal budget, released in late March, does an "average" job based on what they have heard.
Two per cent said the budget does a "very good" job, 17 per cent described it as "good" and nine per cent were "unsure."
🍁 Maple Chronicles
As many as 40 per cent of Canadians believe the new federal budget will do a "poor" or "very poor" job of addressing their concerns.
Of the more than 1,000 people surveyed, 19 per cent said based on what they have heard they would grade the federal budget as poor when it comes to addressing the issues they and their families are worried about, while 20 per cent say it is very poor.
Thirty-three per cent say the federal budget, released in late March, does an "average" job based on what they have heard.
Two per cent said the budget does a "very good" job, 17 per cent described it as "good" and nine per cent were "unsure."
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🏠 National average rents rise 10.8 per cent in March
🔹The Canadian rental market has experienced a notable surge, with average asking rent for all property types rising 10.8% annually in March to $2,004.
🔹The past year saw an increase of $196 in average asking rents, highlighting the growing demand for rental housing and insufficient supply in the country. Private room and shared-accommodation rentals gained popularity as rents soared over the past year.
🔹The average asking rent for single room rentals in Canada was $834 in March, with British Columbia and Ontario having the highest rents at $1,053 and $934, respectively. In Vancouver and Toronto, single room asking rents averaged $1,410 and $1,309.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
🔹The Canadian rental market has experienced a notable surge, with average asking rent for all property types rising 10.8% annually in March to $2,004.
🔹The past year saw an increase of $196 in average asking rents, highlighting the growing demand for rental housing and insufficient supply in the country. Private room and shared-accommodation rentals gained popularity as rents soared over the past year.
🔹The average asking rent for single room rentals in Canada was $834 in March, with British Columbia and Ontario having the highest rents at $1,053 and $934, respectively. In Vancouver and Toronto, single room asking rents averaged $1,410 and $1,309.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
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Health services reduced in 6 Nunavut communities amid staff shortages
Health services have been reduced in six Nunavut communities because of critical staffing shortages.
In Baker Lake, Coral Harbour and Kugaaruk, health centres are offering reduced services, while in Gjoa Haven, Whale Cove and Resolute Bay, only emergency services are available.
The territory's health department says there are more than two dozen indeterminate positions that are vacant in those communities, with some of those vacancies filled by casual employees.
#healthcare #Nunavut
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Health services have been reduced in six Nunavut communities because of critical staffing shortages.
In Baker Lake, Coral Harbour and Kugaaruk, health centres are offering reduced services, while in Gjoa Haven, Whale Cove and Resolute Bay, only emergency services are available.
The territory's health department says there are more than two dozen indeterminate positions that are vacant in those communities, with some of those vacancies filled by casual employees.
#healthcare #Nunavut
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Members of union representing health-care workers vote 99% in favour of strike mandate
Members of a union that represents about 7,000 rural paramedics and emergency dispatch, respiratory therapists, lab and diagnostic technologists, and other allied health professionals in Manitoba have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a strike mandate.
The Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals voted 99 per cent in favour of adopting a strike mandate. It will give the union the authority to take strike action in the future.
The union has been negotiating for a new collective agreement for more that a year.
#healthcare
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Members of a union that represents about 7,000 rural paramedics and emergency dispatch, respiratory therapists, lab and diagnostic technologists, and other allied health professionals in Manitoba have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a strike mandate.
The Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals voted 99 per cent in favour of adopting a strike mandate. It will give the union the authority to take strike action in the future.
The union has been negotiating for a new collective agreement for more that a year.
#healthcare
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Poilievre calls for Canada Revenue Agency to audit Trudeau Foundation
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre wrote a letter to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) on Friday, asking it to conduct an audit of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, with a “particular focus” on a $140,000 donation it received from the Chinese regime.
“Allegations suggest that the donation was directed by a state-backed group in Beijing with the stated goal of expanding the communist regime’s influence around the globe,” Poilievre said in the letter written to CRA Commissioner Bob Hamilton.
Poilievre’s request comes after the Trudeau Foundation’s volunteer board of directors and CEO abruptly resigned on Tuesday, citing the “political climate” surrounding a $140,000 donation from two businessmen connected to the Chinese Communist Party.
The foundation claims it only received $140,000 out of the alleged $200,000 donation, made by Chinese businessmen Zhang Bin and Niu Gensheng in 2016.
#China #Poilievre #Trudeau
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre wrote a letter to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) on Friday, asking it to conduct an audit of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, with a “particular focus” on a $140,000 donation it received from the Chinese regime.
“Allegations suggest that the donation was directed by a state-backed group in Beijing with the stated goal of expanding the communist regime’s influence around the globe,” Poilievre said in the letter written to CRA Commissioner Bob Hamilton.
Poilievre’s request comes after the Trudeau Foundation’s volunteer board of directors and CEO abruptly resigned on Tuesday, citing the “political climate” surrounding a $140,000 donation from two businessmen connected to the Chinese Communist Party.
The foundation claims it only received $140,000 out of the alleged $200,000 donation, made by Chinese businessmen Zhang Bin and Niu Gensheng in 2016.
#China #Poilievre #Trudeau
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Mask mandates are lifting in hospitals across Canada
Mask mandates are lifting in hospitals, long-term care homes and other health-care facilities across the country, marking an end of COVID-19 in Canada.
British Columbia and Saskatchewan are the latest provinces to lift universal mask mandates in health-care settings, while most other provinces have either previously removed them, left them up to individual hospitals to decide, or will likely soon follow suit.
#healthcare
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Mask mandates are lifting in hospitals, long-term care homes and other health-care facilities across the country, marking an end of COVID-19 in Canada.
British Columbia and Saskatchewan are the latest provinces to lift universal mask mandates in health-care settings, while most other provinces have either previously removed them, left them up to individual hospitals to decide, or will likely soon follow suit.
#healthcare
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Telford testifies on foreign election interference
Katie Telford, Prime Minister Trudeau’s chief of staff and senior adviser, testified Friday on foreign election interference before the House of Commons procedure and House affairs committee.
Telford assured Members of Parliament that no national security intelligence is kept from the Prime Minister, but she offered little insight into when he was first told of meddling in Canadian politics by Beijing.
"I can't, unfortunately, speak to specifics of what the prime minister has or has not been briefed on in all of this. But as I said before, in taking a step back from the specifics of your question, the prime minister has been briefed regularly and gets information in a variety of different ways on what was happening around election interference in the last two elections," Telford said during her two and a half hours of sworn testimony.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Katie Telford, Prime Minister Trudeau’s chief of staff and senior adviser, testified Friday on foreign election interference before the House of Commons procedure and House affairs committee.
Telford assured Members of Parliament that no national security intelligence is kept from the Prime Minister, but she offered little insight into when he was first told of meddling in Canadian politics by Beijing.
"I can't, unfortunately, speak to specifics of what the prime minister has or has not been briefed on in all of this. But as I said before, in taking a step back from the specifics of your question, the prime minister has been briefed regularly and gets information in a variety of different ways on what was happening around election interference in the last two elections," Telford said during her two and a half hours of sworn testimony.
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An average of 48 work days were lost to health-related absences in 2022
A new survey, covering nearly 5,000 Canadian employees, shows employee health is taking an increasing toll on workforce productivity.
🔹48 days on average were lost per employee due to health-related problems in 2022.
🔹Employee absences and presenteeism – when employees report to work but don’t actually work – are costing employers around $645 million annually. Workers aged 18 to 24 show poorer results in mental, physical, and financial health indicators compared to older age groups.
🔹For comparison, back in 2020 the amount of days lost to absenteeism or presenteeism among employees averaged 40.8 days.
🔹Lack of sleep, nutrition, and increasing financial concern might be key factors for decreasing productivity.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
A new survey, covering nearly 5,000 Canadian employees, shows employee health is taking an increasing toll on workforce productivity.
🔹48 days on average were lost per employee due to health-related problems in 2022.
🔹Employee absences and presenteeism – when employees report to work but don’t actually work – are costing employers around $645 million annually. Workers aged 18 to 24 show poorer results in mental, physical, and financial health indicators compared to older age groups.
🔹For comparison, back in 2020 the amount of days lost to absenteeism or presenteeism among employees averaged 40.8 days.
🔹Lack of sleep, nutrition, and increasing financial concern might be key factors for decreasing productivity.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
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Lake Superior’s largest private island to be sold to Nature Conservancy of Canada
Batchawana Island, located 45 kilometres north of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., is set to be acquired by the Nature Conservancy of Canada for $7.2 million once the organization raises $1.2 million for the purchase.
The roughly 2,100-hectare island is home to several significant animal and tree species and has been owned by American investor Joe Acheson for the last 20 years.
Acheson owns several parcels of land in Ontario’s Algoma District and listed Batchawana Island for sale in February 2022, the Nature Conservancy said.
#Ontario
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Batchawana Island, located 45 kilometres north of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., is set to be acquired by the Nature Conservancy of Canada for $7.2 million once the organization raises $1.2 million for the purchase.
The roughly 2,100-hectare island is home to several significant animal and tree species and has been owned by American investor Joe Acheson for the last 20 years.
Acheson owns several parcels of land in Ontario’s Algoma District and listed Batchawana Island for sale in February 2022, the Nature Conservancy said.
#Ontario
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Topless woman chains herself to Trudeau’s office in climate protest
A climate group says a topless woman chained herself to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office doorway in Ottawa in protest on Saturday, calling on the government to take immediate action to tackle the climate crisis.
Photos released by the climate action group, On-2-Ottawa, showed the woman holding a pink sign that read ‘Demand Climate Action Now!’ with pink paint splashed over the PMO’s walls.
The individual who chained herself to the office's entrance is the same person who crashed the Juno Awards ceremony in March.
#Ontario
🍁 Maple Chronicles
A climate group says a topless woman chained herself to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office doorway in Ottawa in protest on Saturday, calling on the government to take immediate action to tackle the climate crisis.
Photos released by the climate action group, On-2-Ottawa, showed the woman holding a pink sign that read ‘Demand Climate Action Now!’ with pink paint splashed over the PMO’s walls.
The individual who chained herself to the office's entrance is the same person who crashed the Juno Awards ceremony in March.
#Ontario
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🇨🇦Chronicles of the week: April 10-16, 2023
▪️Some residents cleared out of East Hastings Street encampment have moved into nearby CRAB Park, setting up about 40 to 50 tents.
▪️After meeting with Ukraine PM, Trudeau announced new military aid for a total of $59 million, signed free trade agreement and imposed new sanctions against Russia.
▪️Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation's president and board of directors have resigned amid ongoing foreign interference controversy.
▪️Union representing 120,000 federal public servants voted in favour of a strike, and union representing about 7,000 rural health-care workers voted in favour of a strike mandate.
▪️Telford testified on foreign election interference, offering little insight on whether Trudeau was aware of Chinese meddling in Canadian politics.
#digest
🍁 Maple Chronicles
▪️Some residents cleared out of East Hastings Street encampment have moved into nearby CRAB Park, setting up about 40 to 50 tents.
▪️After meeting with Ukraine PM, Trudeau announced new military aid for a total of $59 million, signed free trade agreement and imposed new sanctions against Russia.
▪️Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation's president and board of directors have resigned amid ongoing foreign interference controversy.
▪️Union representing 120,000 federal public servants voted in favour of a strike, and union representing about 7,000 rural health-care workers voted in favour of a strike mandate.
▪️Telford testified on foreign election interference, offering little insight on whether Trudeau was aware of Chinese meddling in Canadian politics.
#digest
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PSAC announces workers will begin their strike on Wednesday
A general strike involving more than 155,000 public servants across Canada will begin on Wednesday if no deal is reached.
Public Service Alliance of Canada national president Chris Aylward said although some progress has been made in negotiations with Treasury Board, the sides are too far apart on several key issues, including wages.
"If there is no deal reached by 9 p.m. Eastern Time tomorrow, April 18, I am authorizing a national general strike beginning at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time Wednesday April 19, for all 155,000 PSAC members working for both the Canada Revenue Agency and Treasury Board," Aylward stated.
Aylward says the union has been negotiating for nearly two years.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
A general strike involving more than 155,000 public servants across Canada will begin on Wednesday if no deal is reached.
Public Service Alliance of Canada national president Chris Aylward said although some progress has been made in negotiations with Treasury Board, the sides are too far apart on several key issues, including wages.
"If there is no deal reached by 9 p.m. Eastern Time tomorrow, April 18, I am authorizing a national general strike beginning at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time Wednesday April 19, for all 155,000 PSAC members working for both the Canada Revenue Agency and Treasury Board," Aylward stated.
Aylward says the union has been negotiating for nearly two years.
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CBC is taking a break from Twitter
CBC/Radio-Canada decided to take a break from Twitter, a day after its main account was labelled “government-funded media.”
CBC has sent a letter to Twitter asking the company to re-examine the designation. PM Justin Trudeau also voiced his concerns over the label, claiming CBC is only 70 percent government funded, while 30 percent comes from other revenue sources.
Following the statement, Twitter updated CBC’s label to “70% government-funded.”
Later, taking advice from a platform user, Musk decided to switch the label to “69% government-funded,” saying it would be a generous move.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
CBC/Radio-Canada decided to take a break from Twitter, a day after its main account was labelled “government-funded media.”
CBC has sent a letter to Twitter asking the company to re-examine the designation. PM Justin Trudeau also voiced his concerns over the label, claiming CBC is only 70 percent government funded, while 30 percent comes from other revenue sources.
Following the statement, Twitter updated CBC’s label to “70% government-funded.”
Later, taking advice from a platform user, Musk decided to switch the label to “69% government-funded,” saying it would be a generous move.
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📉Canada’s inflation rate falls to 4.3% in March
Canada’s annual inflation rate fell from 5.2 to 4.3 per cent in March, which is the lowest it's been since August 2021.
Grocery prices are up 9.7 per cent on a year-over-year basis in March, down from 10.6 per cent in February.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Canada’s annual inflation rate fell from 5.2 to 4.3 per cent in March, which is the lowest it's been since August 2021.
Grocery prices are up 9.7 per cent on a year-over-year basis in March, down from 10.6 per cent in February.
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🇺🇸💊US seeks to import cheaper medications from Canada
New bill, passed in the Texas House, proposes a program to import certain drugs from Canada, where they are reportedly up to 60-70% cheaper.
This bill applies mainly to commonly used prescription drugs for asthma, blood pressure and cancer.
The bill will now head to the Senate, where it is expected to pass with strong bipartisan support.
#US #healthcare
🍁 Maple Chronicles
New bill, passed in the Texas House, proposes a program to import certain drugs from Canada, where they are reportedly up to 60-70% cheaper.
This bill applies mainly to commonly used prescription drugs for asthma, blood pressure and cancer.
The bill will now head to the Senate, where it is expected to pass with strong bipartisan support.
#US #healthcare
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🏠🏥 Thousands of Canadians missed out on federal housing and dental benefits
🔹Only 44 per cent of those who would have likely been eligible for the one-time top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit actually received it. The fall economic statement estimated that the housing benefit would cost about $1.2 billion, but the final figure was just under $400 million.
🔹Just over half have received the Canada Dental Benefit. The dental benefit was estimated to cost $352 million for the 2022-23 fiscal year, but only $156.3 million had been disbursed by the end of March.
The federal government has advertised both measures as part of its affordability plan and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has touted the benefits as help that is targeted to those who need it the most.
#healthcare #housing
🍁 Maple Chronicles
🔹Only 44 per cent of those who would have likely been eligible for the one-time top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit actually received it. The fall economic statement estimated that the housing benefit would cost about $1.2 billion, but the final figure was just under $400 million.
🔹Just over half have received the Canada Dental Benefit. The dental benefit was estimated to cost $352 million for the 2022-23 fiscal year, but only $156.3 million had been disbursed by the end of March.
The federal government has advertised both measures as part of its affordability plan and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has touted the benefits as help that is targeted to those who need it the most.
#healthcare #housing
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⛽️ Gas prices set to rise with switch to summer blend
President of Canadians for Affordable Energy Dan McTeague announced gas prices are expected to go up by 8 cents per litre Wednesday.
The cost increase is caused by refineries switching to summer-blend gasoline in mid-April, which is more expensive than the winter blend.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
President of Canadians for Affordable Energy Dan McTeague announced gas prices are expected to go up by 8 cents per litre Wednesday.
The cost increase is caused by refineries switching to summer-blend gasoline in mid-April, which is more expensive than the winter blend.
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Singh accuses Poilievre of threatening French, Quebec culture
Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says Pierre Poilievre’s criticisms of the CBC amount to an attack on Canadian culture by the Conservative leader - and Quebec and francophone culture.
Singh expressed frustration with Poilievre's call for Twitter to label CBC "government-funded media," as it also affects Radio-Canada, the French-language wing of the broadcaster.
“This is not just an attack against independent journalists,” Singh told reporters Monday, speaking in French. “But it is also an attack against Canadian culture, particularly Quebec culture and francophone culture.”
An attack on the broadcaster “will hit the francophone community across the country that depends on Radio-Canada for the news, to share stories, to share culture,” he said.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says Pierre Poilievre’s criticisms of the CBC amount to an attack on Canadian culture by the Conservative leader - and Quebec and francophone culture.
Singh expressed frustration with Poilievre's call for Twitter to label CBC "government-funded media," as it also affects Radio-Canada, the French-language wing of the broadcaster.
“This is not just an attack against independent journalists,” Singh told reporters Monday, speaking in French. “But it is also an attack against Canadian culture, particularly Quebec culture and francophone culture.”
An attack on the broadcaster “will hit the francophone community across the country that depends on Radio-Canada for the news, to share stories, to share culture,” he said.
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Dr. Theresa Tam claims climate change and capitalism are drivers of negative health
Chief Public Health Officer of Canada Dr. Theresa Tam named climate change, white supremacy, capitalism and racism as drivers of negative health.
In its latest report titled, “What We Heard: Perspectives on Climate Change and Public Health Canada,” the government said it would be hard to improve public health without addressing these issues first.
The report is based on 21 one-on-one interviews with key public health “experts” across Canada with the aim of understanding the health impacts of climate change on Canadians.
“We heard that there is a central role for public health systems in climate change adaptation,” the report says. “We also heard that there is an urgent need to strengthen public health systems’ strategies to actively engage in decolonizing action, and embrace other systems of knowledge regarding human well-being and planetary health.”
#healthcare
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Chief Public Health Officer of Canada Dr. Theresa Tam named climate change, white supremacy, capitalism and racism as drivers of negative health.
In its latest report titled, “What We Heard: Perspectives on Climate Change and Public Health Canada,” the government said it would be hard to improve public health without addressing these issues first.
The report is based on 21 one-on-one interviews with key public health “experts” across Canada with the aim of understanding the health impacts of climate change on Canadians.
“We heard that there is a central role for public health systems in climate change adaptation,” the report says. “We also heard that there is an urgent need to strengthen public health systems’ strategies to actively engage in decolonizing action, and embrace other systems of knowledge regarding human well-being and planetary health.”
#healthcare
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