Battle of the Blocs? Bloc Quebecois contests name of Balarama Holness' new party
Balarama Holness, left (photo by The Canadian Press/Paul Chiasson) and Yves-Francois Blanchet, right (photo by The Canadian Press / Ryan Remiorz)
Federal political party Bloc Quebecois is officially contesting the name of the new provincial party led by Balarama Holness, Bloc Montreal.
In a letter sent to elections officials, Bloc Quebecois president Johanne Deschamps said the similarities between the two party names would only cause confusion.
"Some voters might be led to believe that it could be linked to our party," Deschamps said.
But the issue goes beyond potential mixups in the ballot box, she added: part of Bloc Quebecois' opposition stems from how very different its political platform is from that of Bloc Montreal.
"Our values are radically opposed, whether on language, regional development or our ambitions for the future of Quebec, making any resemblance between the names of our two political formations all the more unjustifiable and damaging."
Bloc Quebecois, headed by Yves-Francois Blanchet, is a federal party devoted to Quebec sovereignty and Quebec nationalism. Bloc Montreal, meanwhile, is a provincial party that has vocally opposed language law Bill 96.
Both Balarama Holness and a spokesperson for Bloc Quebecois confirmed the contestation of the name to CTV News.
Holness, a former mayoral candidate with his municipal party Mouvement Montreal, took to Twitter Thursday night to address the issue, stating the complaint has "no legal basis."
He will hold a press conference early Friday morning to provide further comment.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump is open to using 'economic force' to acquire Canada; Trudeau responds
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said 'there isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States,' on the same day U.S. president-elect Donald Trump declared that he’s open to using 'economic force' to acquire Canada.
Los Angeles residents flee wildfire as fierce winds gain strength
Firefighters scrambled to corral a fast-moving wildfire in the Los Angeles hillsides dotted with celebrity homes as a potentially 'life-threatening, destructive' windstorm hit Southern California on Tuesday, fanning the blaze seen for miles while roads were clogged with cars as residents tried to flee.
Patient dies in waiting room at Winnipeg hospital
An investigation is underway after a patient waiting for care died in the waiting room at a Winnipeg hospital Tuesday morning.
Canada has a navy ship near China. Here's what it's like on board
CTV National News is on board the HMCS Ottawa, embedded with Canadian Navy personnel and currently documenting their work in the East China Sea – a region where China is increasingly flexing its maritime muscle. This is the first of a series of dispatches from the ship.
New Westminster police incident that triggered evacuations of courthouse, college has cleared
A threat against the courthouse in New Westminster triggered evacuations in the city’s downtown Tuesday morning, according to authorities.
B.C. 'childbirth activist' charged with manslaughter after newborn's death
A British Columbia woman who was under investigation for offering unauthorized midwifery services is now charged with manslaughter following the death of a newborn baby early last year.
Man who exploded Tesla Cybertruck outside Trump hotel in Las Vegas used generative AI, police say
The highly decorated soldier who exploded a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump hotel in Las Vegas used generative AI including ChatGPT to help plan the attack, Las Vegas police said Tuesday.
David Eby among premiers heading to Washington to tamp down Trump tariff threat
The 'state of the federal government' following the announcement that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would resign means Canada's premiers are taking the lead in the fight against threatened tariffs from U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, British Columbia Premier David Eby said.
Trump refuses to rule out use of military force to take control of Greenland and the Panama Canal
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday said he would not rule out the use of military force to seize control of the Panama Canal and Greenland, as he declared U.S. control of both to be vital to American national security.
Toronto
-
Ontario launching rebates for energy efficient home renovations and upgrades
Ontario is introducing two new energy efficiency programs, including one offering rebates for certain home improvements.
-
3 people charged in shooting death of Quebec man near Woodbine Beach
Three people have been arrested in connection with a shooting near Woodbine Beach last summer that left a 21-year-old Quebec man dead.
-
Trump is open to using 'economic force' to acquire Canada; Trudeau responds
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said 'there isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States,' on the same day U.S. president-elect Donald Trump declared that he’s open to using 'economic force' to acquire Canada.
Ottawa
-
Homeless man found 'frozen to death' in downtown Ottawa, councillor says
Somerset ward councillor Ariel Troster says she's "devastated" after a man sleeping in the streets of downtown Ottawa was found "frozen to death" on Monday.
-
Trump is open to using 'economic force' to acquire Canada; Trudeau responds
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said 'there isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States,' on the same day U.S. president-elect Donald Trump declared that he’s open to using 'economic force' to acquire Canada.
-
Train vs. car: How long does it take to get from Limebank to Rideau?
It was another big day for passengers riding the new north-south LRT and with many looking to cut down on their commute CTV News Ottawa wanted to see if it’s faster to get from the south end to downtown by car or by train.
Atlantic
-
Halifax murder trial: Eyewitness describes fatal stabbing of 16-year-old boy
The murder trial for a Halifax-area youth accused of participating in the killing of a 16-year-old student last year heard today from an eyewitness to the fatal stabbing.
-
Trump is open to using 'economic force' to acquire Canada; Trudeau responds
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said 'there isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States,' on the same day U.S. president-elect Donald Trump declared that he’s open to using 'economic force' to acquire Canada.
-
'A very good candidate': New Brunswick MP Dominic LeBlanc a contender for next Liberal leader
A day after Justin Trudeau announced he was resigning as the federal Liberal leader and prime minister, speculation continues to swirl around who might replace him. Among the many possible contenders is New Brunswick MP Dominic LeBlanc – a longtime cabinet minister and childhood friend of Trudeau.
N.L.
-
Newfoundland and Labrador energy deal with Quebec under scrutiny as debate opens
Newfoundland and Labrador politicians are digging into the details of the province's draft energy deal with Quebec as four days of debate begin today in St. John's, N.L.
-
Part of street washed away and state of emergency declared in N.L. town after storm
Damaging winds and pounding surf that washed away part of a street in a small northeastern town in Newfoundland on Sunday triggered a state of emergency in the coastal community.
-
Newfoundland residents seek answers, assurance as Quebec energy deal heads for debate
About 50 people gathered in a St. John's, N.L., gymnasium on a recent rainy night to seek answers about a massive energy deal with Hydro-Quebec trumpeted by the Newfoundland and Labrador government as a new chapter in the province's history.
Northern Ontario
-
Fatal crash between pickup, train in northern Ontario
The driver of a pickup truck has died following a collision with a train in northern Ontario on Tuesday morning.
-
Snowmobile driver suffers life-altering injuries in New Year's Eve crash
Ontario Provincial Police are investigating a northern snowmobile crash that sent a man to hospital with life-altering injuries on New Year's Eve.
-
Sault man charged in weekend stabbing
A 26-year-old man from Sault Ste. Marie has been charged with aggravated assault and assault with a weapon following a stabbing in the city over the weekend.
London
-
Second-degree murder charge laid in connection to suspicious death in north London
One person is dead and one person is facing a second-degree murder charge as London police investigate a suspicious death.
-
Timing bodes well for cash-strapped TVDSB looking to sell surplus land
Some of the solutions to the Thames Valley District School Board’s financial woes could be found right under its nose.
-
'He was walking down the middle of the train tracks': Minor injuries after person struck by train in London, Ont.
A man is lucky to be alive after being hit by a train Tuesday morning in London, Ont. Around 7:30 a.m. a train came to a halt just east of Third St. after blasting its horn.
Kitchener
-
New details released in case against admitted doula defrauder in Ontario
A woman, who previously admitted to faking pregnancies and defrauding numerous doulas, has pleaded guilty again to similar crimes, committed while serving her sentence on the original set of charges.
-
Waterloo Regional Police Service helps recover 20 stolen vehicles in Hamilton, Ont.
Waterloo Regional Police Services helped recover 20 stolen vehicles in Hamilton, Ont.
-
Province promises rebates for energy efficient home renovations
Are home renovations on your to-do list? Well, 2025 might be the year to start.
Windsor
-
Help needed after Wings Rehab Centre changes volunteer protocols amid avian flu concerns
In a post online, Wings Rehab indicated that effective this week, volunteers under the age of 18 are no longer permitted to assist at the animal rehabilitation facility, and that all adult volunteers are now required to have a current flu vaccination until further notice.
-
$400,000 in drugs seized after police uncover drug trafficking operation
Two suspects have been arrested and over $400,000 in illicit drugs seized after a months-long investigation.
-
Detroit Lions acknowledging Windsor fans
The Lions-themed drone show will start at 7 p.m. on Jan. 10 and feature about 400 drones in the sky over the festival plaza and Detroit River.
Barrie
-
Here comes the snow again
Environment Canada has issued a weather advisory for parts of central Ontario.
-
Police warn about ‘aggressive text scam’ circulating locally
The Barrie police fraud unit is warning residents about an “aggressive text messaging scam” it says is circulating locally.
-
Man accused of attempted murder in alleged hit-and-run granted bail
A man accused of attempted murder in connection to an alleged hit-and-run has been granted bail.
Vancouver
-
A B.C. mom’s real-life nightmare and the search to find her trafficked daughter
A Vancouver island mom shares the story of what happened to her teenaged daughter – and the warning for other parents about sex trafficking.
-
Should robots have rights? UBC course to explore AI-related legal questions
With recent advances in artificial intelligence, legal questions are beginning to emerge about how to manage the situation.
-
Witnesses sought after 1 dead, 3 injured in Boxing Day crash in Cranbrook, B.C.
Police are seeking further information on a crash that killed a 64-year-old woman and left three people seriously injured in Cranbrook, B.C.
Vancouver Island
-
'Inconsistent with a normal house fire': Police investigating View Royal blaze as arson
A Vancouver Island family narrowly escaped an intense fire at their home in View Royal Tuesday morning, and local police are now investigating the blaze as arson.
-
B.C. 'childbirth activist' charged with manslaughter after newborn's death
A British Columbia woman who was under investigation for offering unauthorized midwifery services is now charged with manslaughter following the death of a newborn baby early last year.
-
David Eby among premiers heading to Washington to tamp down Trump tariff threat
The 'state of the federal government' following the announcement that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would resign means Canada's premiers are taking the lead in the fight against threatened tariffs from U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, British Columbia Premier David Eby said.
Winnipeg
-
Patient dies in waiting room at Winnipeg hospital
An investigation is underway after a patient waiting for care died in the waiting room at a Winnipeg hospital Tuesday morning.
-
Manitoba regulator orders hike in auto premiums, calls for action on brain injuries
Manitobans will soon be paying more for basic automobile insurance.
-
'Unacceptable': Removal of beaver dam in Manitoba community sends surge downstream
The removal of a beaver dam in a rural Manitoba community is having some unintended consequences, sending a small flood downstream, catching residents off-guard.
Calgary
-
Calgary senior facing more sexual assault charges
Calgary police say additional sexual assault charges have been laid against a senior who worked as a volunteer sponsor helping families immigrate to Canada.
-
Parachute was not deployed in fatal southern Alberta glider crash: TSB
An investigation into a fatal glider crash in southern Alberta last year confirmed the pilot managed to get out of his aircraft, but his parachute failed to open.
-
Trump is open to using 'economic force' to acquire Canada; Trudeau responds
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said 'there isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States,' on the same day U.S. president-elect Donald Trump declared that he’s open to using 'economic force' to acquire Canada.
Edmonton
-
'It's really exhausting': What 1 councillor says could speed up Edmonton’s construction troubles
City Councillor Andrew Knack is looking for solutions to make the city’s construction in the west end more bearable for drivers.
-
Man airlifted to hospital after crash between train, semi near Edmonton
A 20-year-old man was airlifted to hospital after a crash involving a train and a semi north of Edmonton on Tuesday.
-
'Not an easy decision': Chinatown's Italian Bakery to close for good due to safety concerns
After 64 years in business, the Italian Bakery in Chinatown is closing its doors for good.
Regina
-
Sask. man who withheld daughter to prevent COVID vaccination appeals conviction
A Saskatchewan father who was found guilty of withholding his daughter in contravention of a custody order is appealing his conviction.
-
Regina Crime Stoppers received 832 tips, offered nearly $13K in rewards in 2024
Regina Crime Stoppers received a total of 832 tips in 2024, many of which pertained to drug related crimes.
-
Chaos in Ottawa means uncertainty, opportunity for some Sask. industries
One day after the Prime Minister announced his intention to resign, observers are waiting to learn what a prorogued Parliament means for Saskatchewan.
Saskatoon
-
Crown challenges ruling in THC-impaired driving case where child was killed
The Crown has filed an appeal in a high-profile case involving the death of nine-year-old Baeleigh Maurice.
-
Chaos in Ottawa means uncertainty, opportunity for some Sask. industries
One day after the Prime Minister announced his intention to resign, observers are waiting to learn what a prorogued Parliament means for Saskatchewan.
-
These 90-year-old identical twins were born on a Saskatchewan farm, but grew to love the city
Rose Worona and Anne Skwarchuk were born in 1935 on a farm near Hafford. Now, they’re celebrating their 90th birthday together.
