Canada confirms more than 50,000 COVID-19 deaths
Canada has renewed its number of total COVID-19 cases and deaths to 4,550,256 and 50,380 respectively.
The Public Health Agency of Canada states the SARS-CoV-2 virus continues to evolve and is still circulating widely across Canada. The government will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Canada has renewed its number of total COVID-19 cases and deaths to 4,550,256 and 50,380 respectively.
The Public Health Agency of Canada states the SARS-CoV-2 virus continues to evolve and is still circulating widely across Canada. The government will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation.
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Saskatchewan will spend more than $5 million to expand training for future healthcare workers
The Government of Saskatchewan is pledging to spend $5.5 million to create more than 550 spots for 18 post-secondary healthcare programs.
Medical laboratory assistant, continuing care assistant, primary care paramedic, licensed practical nurse, pharmacy technician, clinical psychologist, physical therapist and mental health and addictions counsellors are just some of the programs seeing an increase.
The largest increase in any program is for continuing care aides, which will see 181 more spots allotted in Saskatchewan. The paramedic program offered at Sask. Polytechnic will increase from 152 to 252 spots.
#Saskatchewan #healthcare
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The Government of Saskatchewan is pledging to spend $5.5 million to create more than 550 spots for 18 post-secondary healthcare programs.
Medical laboratory assistant, continuing care assistant, primary care paramedic, licensed practical nurse, pharmacy technician, clinical psychologist, physical therapist and mental health and addictions counsellors are just some of the programs seeing an increase.
The largest increase in any program is for continuing care aides, which will see 181 more spots allotted in Saskatchewan. The paramedic program offered at Sask. Polytechnic will increase from 152 to 252 spots.
#Saskatchewan #healthcare
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Thousands of Nova Scotians without electricity during record low temperatures
Nova Scotia Power said it expected to have power restored to “the majority” of people without electricity by the end of the day. At mid-morning, there were 189 outages affecting 3,363 customers.
NSP did not say where most of the people still without power lived, or if it knew how many people had been forced to leave their homes because they had no heat. The Weather Network says the wind chill at Stanfield International Airport got as low as minus 43, an all-time record.
#NovaScotia
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Nova Scotia Power said it expected to have power restored to “the majority” of people without electricity by the end of the day. At mid-morning, there were 189 outages affecting 3,363 customers.
NSP did not say where most of the people still without power lived, or if it knew how many people had been forced to leave their homes because they had no heat. The Weather Network says the wind chill at Stanfield International Airport got as low as minus 43, an all-time record.
#NovaScotia
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🩸73 percent of Canadian blood donors have had COVID-19
Tests for COVID-19 antibodies in donated blood show about 73 percent of donors have contracted the virus at some point. The numbers were much lower among seniors and higher among 17- to 24-year-olds.
Most of them have caught the highly contagious but less virulent Omicron variant.
Blood donors reflect a wide range of age and socioeconomic groups, suggesting that immunity to the virus is now at a high level.
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Tests for COVID-19 antibodies in donated blood show about 73 percent of donors have contracted the virus at some point. The numbers were much lower among seniors and higher among 17- to 24-year-olds.
Most of them have caught the highly contagious but less virulent Omicron variant.
Blood donors reflect a wide range of age and socioeconomic groups, suggesting that immunity to the virus is now at a high level.
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Toronto city council considering keeping warming centres open for the rest of winter
Councillors in Toronto are set to consider keeping warming centres open 24-7 for the rest of the winter amid growing calls for homelessness to be declared a public health crisis in the city.
Advocates have increasingly been asking to keep warming centres open around the clock, saying the city policy to open them once temperatures reach minus-15 is cruel, not based in evidence and could be causing preventable cold-related injuries.
Councillor Alejandra Bravo, who helped introduce a motion that recommends the city provide 24-7 indoor warming locations until April 15, says a lack of places to take shelter from the cold means those experiencing homelessness are taking refuge in unsuitable public spaces.
#Ontario
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Councillors in Toronto are set to consider keeping warming centres open 24-7 for the rest of the winter amid growing calls for homelessness to be declared a public health crisis in the city.
Advocates have increasingly been asking to keep warming centres open around the clock, saying the city policy to open them once temperatures reach minus-15 is cruel, not based in evidence and could be causing preventable cold-related injuries.
Councillor Alejandra Bravo, who helped introduce a motion that recommends the city provide 24-7 indoor warming locations until April 15, says a lack of places to take shelter from the cold means those experiencing homelessness are taking refuge in unsuitable public spaces.
#Ontario
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Canada deploys military aircraft over Haiti to assist police force with gangs
The Canadian government is escalating efforts to help Haiti’s national police, deploying a long-range military aircraft to provide intelligence on the country’s menacing gangs.
The Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft, a CP-140 Aurora, was observed patrolling Haiti’s airspace on Saturday much to the surprise and curiosity of many Haitians.
Canada’s Minister of National Defense Anita Anand and the Minister of Foreign Affair Mélanie Joly confirmed the presence of the long-range patrol aircraft. Its deployment, they said, is part of Canada’s efforts to support the Haiti National Police and to “disrupt the activities of gangs in Haiti and demonstrate Canada’s commitment to the Haitian people.”
#Haiti
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The Canadian government is escalating efforts to help Haiti’s national police, deploying a long-range military aircraft to provide intelligence on the country’s menacing gangs.
The Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft, a CP-140 Aurora, was observed patrolling Haiti’s airspace on Saturday much to the surprise and curiosity of many Haitians.
Canada’s Minister of National Defense Anita Anand and the Minister of Foreign Affair Mélanie Joly confirmed the presence of the long-range patrol aircraft. Its deployment, they said, is part of Canada’s efforts to support the Haiti National Police and to “disrupt the activities of gangs in Haiti and demonstrate Canada’s commitment to the Haitian people.”
#Haiti
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Nova Scotia premier revives campaign promise to fix health care at party AGM
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston is reassuring his party faithful that he still intends to fix the province's health-care system at whatever it costs. During his keynote address at the Progressive Conservative annual general meeting, Houston said he will make whatever financial investment is needed to turn the health crisis around.
The premier says a lot of work is needed, "progress is too slow, and the stakes are very high."
Houston's government announced a plan to improve emergency care following the two deaths, which included creating doctor-led triage teams to focus on admitting patients more quickly in ERs and assigning extra physician assistants and nurse practitioners to staff emergency departments.
#NovaScotia #healthcare
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Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston is reassuring his party faithful that he still intends to fix the province's health-care system at whatever it costs. During his keynote address at the Progressive Conservative annual general meeting, Houston said he will make whatever financial investment is needed to turn the health crisis around.
The premier says a lot of work is needed, "progress is too slow, and the stakes are very high."
Houston's government announced a plan to improve emergency care following the two deaths, which included creating doctor-led triage teams to focus on admitting patients more quickly in ERs and assigning extra physician assistants and nurse practitioners to staff emergency departments.
#NovaScotia #healthcare
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Study finds nearly 45% of trans-women inmates convicted of sex crimes
The study — ennoscriptd Gender Diverse Offenders with a History of Sexual Offending — reveals a troubling pattern of violence among the convicted.
The study was conducted in 2017-2020 and covered 99 gender-diverse inmates. The main findings are:
🔹44% of the trans women convicts are sex offenders
🔹82% of gender-diverse offenders were trans-women with an average age of 42 years old and almost half were serving “indeterminate” sentences
🔹66% had low reintegration potential
🔹94% committed their crimes while living as their biological sex
🔹85% were convicted of violent crimes that caused death “or serious harm” to their victims (58% of whom were children or women).
🍁 Maple Chronicles
The study — ennoscriptd Gender Diverse Offenders with a History of Sexual Offending — reveals a troubling pattern of violence among the convicted.
The study was conducted in 2017-2020 and covered 99 gender-diverse inmates. The main findings are:
🔹44% of the trans women convicts are sex offenders
🔹82% of gender-diverse offenders were trans-women with an average age of 42 years old and almost half were serving “indeterminate” sentences
🔹66% had low reintegration potential
🔹94% committed their crimes while living as their biological sex
🔹85% were convicted of violent crimes that caused death “or serious harm” to their victims (58% of whom were children or women).
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🇨🇦🇭🇹Canada deploys military aircraft over Haiti to disrupt gangs
The Canadian government deployed a military aircraft over Haiti to address what it called a “dire security situation” and to support efforts to disrupt the activities of Haitian gangs.
Canada said in a statement that it supports the Haitian National Police and deployed a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CP-140 Aurora long-range patrol aircraft in response to Haiti’s request for support as violence continues to escalate in the country.
The Canadian patrol aircraft will provide intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capability to bolster efforts to establish and maintain peace and will remain in the region “for a number of days.”
#Haiti
🍁 Maple Chronicles
The Canadian government deployed a military aircraft over Haiti to address what it called a “dire security situation” and to support efforts to disrupt the activities of Haitian gangs.
Canada said in a statement that it supports the Haitian National Police and deployed a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CP-140 Aurora long-range patrol aircraft in response to Haiti’s request for support as violence continues to escalate in the country.
The Canadian patrol aircraft will provide intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capability to bolster efforts to establish and maintain peace and will remain in the region “for a number of days.”
#Haiti
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Migrants abandon NYC for Canada
National Guard soldiers have been helping distribute tickets at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan to migrants who want to head upstate before crossing into Canada, several migrants said.
Mayor Eric Adams’s administration pays various companies that run programs for migrants that include “re-ticketing” so they can travel to other cities.
Destinations are limited to within the US due to restrictions that prohibit the migrants from leaving the country while on immigration “parole.”
But migrants routinely tear up their American immigration documents while traveling from Plattsburgh to the Canadian border.
#US
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National Guard soldiers have been helping distribute tickets at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan to migrants who want to head upstate before crossing into Canada, several migrants said.
Mayor Eric Adams’s administration pays various companies that run programs for migrants that include “re-ticketing” so they can travel to other cities.
Destinations are limited to within the US due to restrictions that prohibit the migrants from leaving the country while on immigration “parole.”
But migrants routinely tear up their American immigration documents while traveling from Plattsburgh to the Canadian border.
#US
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Conservatives call on Auditor General to investigate $120 million in Liberal contracts to McKinsey
A group of Conservatives released the following statement:
“After 8 years of Justin Trudeau, Canadians are struggling. But well-connected Liberal insiders have never had it so good. While Canadians struggle to put food on the table or pay their mortgages, the high-priced consultants at McKinsey have enjoyed a massive increase in their federal contracts.
“So far, the Liberals have disclosed at least $120 million in contracts to McKinsey, an enormous amount of money that keeps rising. Yet despite this huge price tag, media reports have quoted senior public servants who say they have no idea what McKinsey did in return for these contracts.
“Canadians deserve answers. They deserve answers not simply on how much of their money was spent, but what exactly their money was spent on and what value they got from these contracts.
“We can’t trust the Liberals to investigate themselves, and we know the Liberals won’t be transparent about where this money went. That’s why Conservatives are calling for the Auditor General to conduct an investigation and performance and value for money audit of contracts awarded to McKinsey by any department, agency, or Crown corporation.”
🍁 Maple Chronicles
A group of Conservatives released the following statement:
“After 8 years of Justin Trudeau, Canadians are struggling. But well-connected Liberal insiders have never had it so good. While Canadians struggle to put food on the table or pay their mortgages, the high-priced consultants at McKinsey have enjoyed a massive increase in their federal contracts.
“So far, the Liberals have disclosed at least $120 million in contracts to McKinsey, an enormous amount of money that keeps rising. Yet despite this huge price tag, media reports have quoted senior public servants who say they have no idea what McKinsey did in return for these contracts.
“Canadians deserve answers. They deserve answers not simply on how much of their money was spent, but what exactly their money was spent on and what value they got from these contracts.
“We can’t trust the Liberals to investigate themselves, and we know the Liberals won’t be transparent about where this money went. That’s why Conservatives are calling for the Auditor General to conduct an investigation and performance and value for money audit of contracts awarded to McKinsey by any department, agency, or Crown corporation.”
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N.B. fish farm loses 95% of its stock during extreme cold
A northern New Brunswick fish farm lost 95 per cent of its Arctic char during the record cold over the weekend.
Pisciculture Acadienne, an aquaculture farm on the Acadian Peninsula, says the estimated 95,000 to 100,000 fish it lost were worth at least $600,000.
Owner Emmanuel Chiasson said the extreme weather caused a power outage, and the farm's generator failed. Without power, no water was circulating in the fish's tanks, so the fish ran out of oxygen.
#NewBrunswick
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A northern New Brunswick fish farm lost 95 per cent of its Arctic char during the record cold over the weekend.
Pisciculture Acadienne, an aquaculture farm on the Acadian Peninsula, says the estimated 95,000 to 100,000 fish it lost were worth at least $600,000.
Owner Emmanuel Chiasson said the extreme weather caused a power outage, and the farm's generator failed. Without power, no water was circulating in the fish's tanks, so the fish ran out of oxygen.
#NewBrunswick
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💉Alberta euthanasia deaths increased by more than 40% in 2022 while Manitoba euthanasia deaths decreased
In 2022 the number of (MAiD) euthanasia deaths in Alberta increased by more than 40% to 836 deaths up from 594 in 2021.
Meanwhile in Manitoba there were 223 euthanasia deaths which is down from 245 in 2021.
#Alberta #Manitoba
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In 2022 the number of (MAiD) euthanasia deaths in Alberta increased by more than 40% to 836 deaths up from 594 in 2021.
Meanwhile in Manitoba there were 223 euthanasia deaths which is down from 245 in 2021.
#Alberta #Manitoba
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🇨🇳Opposition parties demand answers as Liberals say little about Chinese balloon
The commander of the North American Aerospace Defence Command revealed that “gaps” in the continent’s early warning system prevented officials from detecting such balloons in the past.
Defence Minister Anita Anand has confirmed the balloon violated Canadian airspace, but the government has otherwise declined to provide details about when and where the balloon flew in Canada, as well as whether there have been others.
“The Pentagon and the White House have been a lot more open in discussing what happened. As a country that had its airspace violated by the Communist Party of China, we deserve answers,” - Conservative defence critic James Bezan said.
Opposition parties also want to know why the public didn’t find out about the balloon until it had already left Canadian airspace, why it wasn’t stopped sooner, and what steps are being taken to prevent and punish Chinese espionage efforts.
#China
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The commander of the North American Aerospace Defence Command revealed that “gaps” in the continent’s early warning system prevented officials from detecting such balloons in the past.
Defence Minister Anita Anand has confirmed the balloon violated Canadian airspace, but the government has otherwise declined to provide details about when and where the balloon flew in Canada, as well as whether there have been others.
“The Pentagon and the White House have been a lot more open in discussing what happened. As a country that had its airspace violated by the Communist Party of China, we deserve answers,” - Conservative defence critic James Bezan said.
Opposition parties also want to know why the public didn’t find out about the balloon until it had already left Canadian airspace, why it wasn’t stopped sooner, and what steps are being taken to prevent and punish Chinese espionage efforts.
#China
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Walk-in clinic wait time in B.C. is twice the national average
Last year, the average wait time at all walk-in clinics across B.C. was 79 minutes, while the national average was 37 minutes. Patients wanting to see a doctor at one walk-in clinic in North Vancouver waited an average of 160 minutes.
“Wait times in B.C. are bad, and they’ve been getting worse,” said Teddy Wickland, Medimap’s vice president of operations.
“One of the things that we are noticing is, frankly, there are fewer doctors going into family medicine, and there are a lot of walk-in clinics that we are hearing anecdotally that are closing their doors.”
#BritishColumbia
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Last year, the average wait time at all walk-in clinics across B.C. was 79 minutes, while the national average was 37 minutes. Patients wanting to see a doctor at one walk-in clinic in North Vancouver waited an average of 160 minutes.
“Wait times in B.C. are bad, and they’ve been getting worse,” said Teddy Wickland, Medimap’s vice president of operations.
“One of the things that we are noticing is, frankly, there are fewer doctors going into family medicine, and there are a lot of walk-in clinics that we are hearing anecdotally that are closing their doors.”
#BritishColumbia
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🇭🇹Canada military plane returns after Haiti surveillance
A Canadian Armed Forces surveillance plane CP-140 Aurora was heading home Tuesday after two intelligence-collecting flights over Haiti.
“The CP-140 has been capturing information that will be used by the government of Canada to further assess the situation in Haiti. As the aircraft has now completed that information gathering, as part of Canada’s response to the situation in Haiti, it is now on its way back to Canada.” - Capt. Graeme Scott, military spokesman said in a statement.
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A Canadian Armed Forces surveillance plane CP-140 Aurora was heading home Tuesday after two intelligence-collecting flights over Haiti.
“The CP-140 has been capturing information that will be used by the government of Canada to further assess the situation in Haiti. As the aircraft has now completed that information gathering, as part of Canada’s response to the situation in Haiti, it is now on its way back to Canada.” - Capt. Graeme Scott, military spokesman said in a statement.
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Premiers express disappointment with Trudeau pitch for health care transfer deal
The first ministers meeting on health care on Feb. 7 ended in a disagreement over money.
Trudeau offered to increase the federal share of health care spending by $196.1 billion over the next decade, of which $46 billion would be new money.
However, the provinces budgeted $204 billion for health care in the current fiscal year and wanted the federal share to increase to 35 percent—about $28 annually going forward.
🔹“It’s significantly less than we were looking for in terms of the baseline funding injection into the Canada Health Transfer,” Manitoba Premier said.
🔹Alberta Premier Danielle Smith issued a statement on Feb. 7 stating the federal government’s plan is a “start,” but overall “is significantly lower than the premiers anticipated.”
#healthcare
🍁 Maple Chronicles
The first ministers meeting on health care on Feb. 7 ended in a disagreement over money.
Trudeau offered to increase the federal share of health care spending by $196.1 billion over the next decade, of which $46 billion would be new money.
However, the provinces budgeted $204 billion for health care in the current fiscal year and wanted the federal share to increase to 35 percent—about $28 annually going forward.
🔹“It’s significantly less than we were looking for in terms of the baseline funding injection into the Canada Health Transfer,” Manitoba Premier said.
🔹Alberta Premier Danielle Smith issued a statement on Feb. 7 stating the federal government’s plan is a “start,” but overall “is significantly lower than the premiers anticipated.”
#healthcare
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Vancouver Island municipality to ban drug use in public spaces as decriminalization takes effect
A Vancouver Island community is adopting a bylaw banning the consumption of controlled substances on municipal property as B.C. becomes the first province in Canada to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of certain illicit drugs.
Campbell River Coun. Ben Lanyon moved the motion in favour of the bylaw during a Jan. 26 council meeting, five days before decriminalization was to take effect, calling it a proactive approach. It now awaits final adoption, having passed third reading.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
A Vancouver Island community is adopting a bylaw banning the consumption of controlled substances on municipal property as B.C. becomes the first province in Canada to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of certain illicit drugs.
Campbell River Coun. Ben Lanyon moved the motion in favour of the bylaw during a Jan. 26 council meeting, five days before decriminalization was to take effect, calling it a proactive approach. It now awaits final adoption, having passed third reading.
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Quebec considering raise in retirement age to 62
Consultations have begun into what should be the minimum eligibility age for the Quebec Pension Plan.
Labour groups in Quebec are already raising concerns after the province said it is thinking of raising the retirement age from 60 to 62.
"What we are proposing — and it's for consultation right now — starting at 62 years old, you can get a part of your pension with a big penalty," - says Quebec Premier François Legault.
To get a full pension, the age of retirement is 65. Currently, Quebecers can retire as early as 60, but with a penalty.
The Quebec solidaire and the Parti Québécois are proposing cutting the tax rate for a portion of income as an incentive for older workers to stay on the job.
Quebec's finance minister said his mind isn't made up yet on the change, but it is possible some workers might have to end up with two extra years on the job.
#Quebec
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Consultations have begun into what should be the minimum eligibility age for the Quebec Pension Plan.
Labour groups in Quebec are already raising concerns after the province said it is thinking of raising the retirement age from 60 to 62.
"What we are proposing — and it's for consultation right now — starting at 62 years old, you can get a part of your pension with a big penalty," - says Quebec Premier François Legault.
To get a full pension, the age of retirement is 65. Currently, Quebecers can retire as early as 60, but with a penalty.
The Quebec solidaire and the Parti Québécois are proposing cutting the tax rate for a portion of income as an incentive for older workers to stay on the job.
Quebec's finance minister said his mind isn't made up yet on the change, but it is possible some workers might have to end up with two extra years on the job.
#Quebec
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Some migrants bused to Canada already heading back to NYC
Despite the free ride, some migrants are getting frustrated with conditions and opting to return to New York City, where shelters and services have been strained by 43,000 asylum seekers in the past year.
One of the key factors influencing this decision is the cold climate and snow.
The unofficial border crossing at Plattsburgh has become a hotspot with nearly 4,700 people heading from the US to Montreal in December and surrendering themselves to authorities and claiming asylum.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Despite the free ride, some migrants are getting frustrated with conditions and opting to return to New York City, where shelters and services have been strained by 43,000 asylum seekers in the past year.
One of the key factors influencing this decision is the cold climate and snow.
The unofficial border crossing at Plattsburgh has become a hotspot with nearly 4,700 people heading from the US to Montreal in December and surrendering themselves to authorities and claiming asylum.
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National Assembly names Quebec's first Commissioner of the French language
The National Assembly voted in favour of naming Benoît Dubreuil Quebec’s first Commissioner of the French language.
His term is seven years. He starts the job March 1.
The vote followed several months of negotiations and manoeuvring by the various parties. The final vote was 95 in favour, 17 against.
#Quebec
🍁 Maple Chronicles
The National Assembly voted in favour of naming Benoît Dubreuil Quebec’s first Commissioner of the French language.
His term is seven years. He starts the job March 1.
The vote followed several months of negotiations and manoeuvring by the various parties. The final vote was 95 in favour, 17 against.
#Quebec
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