It really has hit the fan and the mayor of Montreal is facing his first real storm of controversy with the plan to dump 8 billion litres of raw sewage into the St Lawrence River.
On the eve of a federal election the issue has become political.
Denis Coderre is quite right when he says Ottawa’s sudden problem with the dump smacks of political opportunism. But let’s be clear here, it’s not a concept Coderre is unfamiliar with.
Surely, someone can come up with a better idea.
Can anyone say for sure that there won’t be environmental damage? And the smell no doubt would be horrid.
Welcome to Montreal. This is not what progressive cities do.
And what about Quebec City? Our provincial government seems to be fine with whatever the city of Montreal tells it.
The Quebec Environment Minister seems totally out of his depth on this file.
Ottawa should put the brakes on this until more studies are carried out.
We have come a long way in environmental sensitivity and sensibility. We have a responsibility to protect.
Add to this the public relations nightmare this could become. In a world connected by instant social media, this could be disastrous for Montreal’s reputation.
There are some things, Mr. Mayor, which are not negotiable. Find another way. It may be costly but I would bet it is one bill most Montrealers would be willing to live with.
TPP ink is still wet
Canada signed on to a pretty big trade deal this week.
The TPP opens markets of 800 million people living in Pacific Rim countries.
It’s probably prudent to withhold judgment on this until we see the fine print.
But in the meantime, it has become a bit of a political football being tossed around by people who have no idea what they are talking about.
Case in point: The opposition PQ was quick to jump on to this “intrusion” into Quebec affairs .
"An independent Quebec would speak in its own name at the negotiating table and would establish its own priorities," said André Villeneuve.
No it would not. Unless I have my geography wrong, Quebec would not even be at the table.
It’s a Trans-Pacific Partnership. The key word here is Pacific. And no amount of Quebec sovereignty would ever change that.
Thanksgiving discussions
The jello hasn’t set yet for the federal election.
Voting intentions will probably really start firming up this weekend as people gather around to talk turkey.
Now Churchill said the best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.
Quebec comedian Guy Nantel might agree. He took his camera to Toronto to have some fun with voters.
what is the name of the Prime Minister of Canada. I don’t know Jean Chretien is the prime minister of Canada. Jean Chretien is the prime minister of Canada actually? You are sure. Yes I am positive
1:53 what is the name of that guy here. Pierre Trudeau
3:18 How many provinces in Canada? 15 good answer
5:01 what can we see in the middle of the Canadian flag? A beaver. Music out.
Before you get too smug, a straw poll from the Journal de Montreal found that just a third of Quebecers know the date of the election.
With that in mind, Happy Thanksgiving, and count your blessings.
