Canada: Quebec's vaccine passport goes into effect, limiting much of public life for those unvaccinated

Starting today, proof of vaccination will be as much of a daily necessity in Quebec when leaving the house as a wallet or house keys.

Dubbed the COVID-19 vaccination passport, digital or paper documentation will be required to take part in much of public life, from having a beer to playing badminton.

Read more at: Quebec's vaccine passport goes into effect, limiting much of public life for those unvaccinated | CBC News

Canada - Quebec: Global circus company Cirque du Soleil files for bankruptcy protection

 Cirque du Soleil, one of Quebec's most internationally recognizable brands, filed for bankruptcy protection on Monday following months of meagre revenues because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read more at:
Global circus company Cirque du Soleil files for bankruptcy protection | CBC News

Canada: What you need to know about Quebec's religious neutrality legislation - by Angelica Montgomery

A bill that requires people in Quebec who give or receive any public service to uncover their faces is expected to become law as early as today.

Many important details still need to be crafted, and its implications may be decided by the courts.

Here's a closer look at Bill 62 and what comes next.

It does not specifically mention the niqab or burqa, two styles of traditional garments that cover the face, worn by some Muslim women.

Initially, the bill was only to apply to provincial public-sector services and provincially funded institutions, including universities and schools.

In August, Justice Minister Stéphanie Vallée proposed amendments that see the legislation apply to municipalities, metropolitan communities and public transit organizations.

That means, according to the justice minister, anyone who rides a bus or the Metro must be unveiled.

Read more: What you need to know about Quebec's religious neutrality legislation - Montreal - CBC News

Canada Terrorism: Trump Silent As Quebec Mosque Terrorist Is White Christian Pro-Trump Fanatic - by Colin Taylor

Canadian police have just identified the lone gunman who attacked a Quebec mosque during prayers last night, killing five praying Muslims and injuring eight. Alexandre Bissonnettte, a Quebec native, has been taken into police custody.

Not surprisingly, Bissonnette’s Facebook page  (since taken down) shows that he “likes” Donald Trump and far-right, Islamophobic French politician Marine Le Pen. He also likes the Christian site Reasonable Faith. Here’s a screenshot from Bassinet’s Facebook page, taken before it was deleted, according to Heavy.com:

Bissonnettte is ardently pro-Trump and anti-Islam, according to a former classmate of his from Université Laval, who told Heavy.com that Bissonnettte “has right-wing political ideas, pro-Israel, anti-immigration. I had many debates with him about Trump. He was obviously pro-Trump.”

Furthermore, a Facebook group called “Welcome to Refugees – Quebec City” posted that it was familiar with Bissonnettte, and that he is “unfortunately known to several activists in Quebec City for his pro-Le Pen and anti-feminist identity positions at Université Laval and on social networks.” Le Pen is an ardent anti-Muslim French politician who has been closely linked to Trump in the past.

So let’s recap: one day after Donald Trump bans Muslims from several countries because, he claims, they pose a threat to the West, one of HIS deranged followers shoots up a crowd of Muslims whose only crime was peacefully practicing their faith.

Obviously, religions do not create terrorism, only terrorists do. But will Donald Trump now ban Canadian Christians from entering the United States? This tragic incident perfectly illustrates why blaming entire religions for violence is not only hateful and bigoted, but stupid and counterproductive.

Donald Trump’s Twitter has been uncharacteristically silent since the identity of the gunman was revealed. Hypocrisy, thy name is Donald Trump!
 
Read more: Trump Silent As Quebec Mosque Terrorist Is White Christian Pro-Trump Fanatic

Canada: Charest says fed election slowed Canada-EU trade talks; still hopes for 2011 deal

The federal election slowed down negotiations to strike a free trade deal between Canada and the European Union but Quebec Premier Jean Charest says he's hopeful an accord will be struck on deadline.

A new session of talks has been scheduled for July and will be crucial because the end of the year is the target date for a deal to be clinched. "We recognize that this will be the most difficult period," Charest told a news conference. "The most difficult challenges always come at the end."

In theory, the deal will open a market of 500 million people to Canada and the EU.

For more: Charest says fed election slowed Canada-EU trade talks; still hopes for 2011 deal | CanadianBusiness.com

Montreal Gazette: Quebecs Charest wants to increase European trade - by Kevin Dougherty

For the complete report from the Montreal Gazette click on this link

Charest wants to increase European trade - by Kevin Dougherty

Quebec has to seek a "new economic space," Premier Jean Charest said yesterday before flying to Paris for a mission that will also take him to London, the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and Vancouver, where he will pitch his ideas to the other Canadian premiers. "I see it as significant for the future, the next 20 years in Quebec," he said of his goal to negotiate manpower mobility agreements with France, Ontario and through the Council of the Federation, the rest of Canada. Charest also wants "a nucleus" of the other provinces to buy into his plan for Canada-European free trade.

"The federal government has the power to sign treaties, but the issues that will be negotiated will fall in good part within areas of provincial jurisdiction," he told reporters after a two-day meeting with his Quebec Liberal caucus. "The European partners need to know that the provinces are part and parcel of this negotiation and that they are committed to making it happen," he said. "It is in our long-term interest to diversify towards other places," he added. "And that starts with Europe." In Paris today, Charest will meet French Prime Minister François Fillon to discuss progress toward an agreement he wants signed this year on the mobility of people between France and Quebec, which involves mutual recognition of diplomas and professional qualifications. "The future depends on our ability to attract the best minds in the world to our economy," the premier said. "If we're able to sign this agreement with France, we'll be the first in the world to conclude an agreement of this type."