Bill 21 offends the constitutional provision of neutrality to religion
The next chapter in the court battle over Quebec’s Bill 21 – a law that forbids a range of professionals and public servants in that province from wearing religious symbols at work – will unfold in November when Quebec’s highest court considers its constitutionality.
The government of Quebec says that Bill 21 is immune from claims rooted in Charter rights such as freedom of religion. Many commentators agree with this position, even if they believe the law to be disturbingly discriminatory.
However, some believe that Bill 21 is unconstitutional. As groups challenging the law have argued, no government in Canada, federal or provincial, is empowered to enact legislation that mandates religion or irreligion as a precondition for participation in public life.
@maplechronicles
The next chapter in the court battle over Quebec’s Bill 21 – a law that forbids a range of professionals and public servants in that province from wearing religious symbols at work – will unfold in November when Quebec’s highest court considers its constitutionality.
The government of Quebec says that Bill 21 is immune from claims rooted in Charter rights such as freedom of religion. Many commentators agree with this position, even if they believe the law to be disturbingly discriminatory.
However, some believe that Bill 21 is unconstitutional. As groups challenging the law have argued, no government in Canada, federal or provincial, is empowered to enact legislation that mandates religion or irreligion as a precondition for participation in public life.
@maplechronicles
Since 2023, foreigners will not be allowed to buy realty in Canada
Starting from January 1, 2023, only citizens or permanent residents will be able to buy apartments and houses in Canada (with few exceptions).
Exceptions:
the buyer is a temporary resident of Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act who meets the conditions set out in the Act;
buyer is a protected person under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (subsection 95(2));
purchaser is a non-Canadian individual who is purchasing residential property in Canada with his or her spouse or common-law partner if the spouse or common-law partner is a Canadian citizen, Indian or permanent resident of Canada;
purchaser is an Indian or permanent resident of Canada.
@maplechronicles
Starting from January 1, 2023, only citizens or permanent residents will be able to buy apartments and houses in Canada (with few exceptions).
Exceptions:
the buyer is a temporary resident of Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act who meets the conditions set out in the Act;
buyer is a protected person under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (subsection 95(2));
purchaser is a non-Canadian individual who is purchasing residential property in Canada with his or her spouse or common-law partner if the spouse or common-law partner is a Canadian citizen, Indian or permanent resident of Canada;
purchaser is an Indian or permanent resident of Canada.
@maplechronicles
🇬🇧Quebec's elected officials must swear oath to King Charles to sit in National Assembly
"As the law currently stands, this oath is not optional," Speaker Francois Paradis wrote in his ruling.
Shortly after an election on Oct. 3, Parti Quebecois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, stated that he and the two other elected members of his party would not swear an oath to the King. 11 elected members of Quebec Solidaire followed the same. Both parties advocate independence from Canada for Quebec.
The Quebec Solidaire co-spokesperson Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois described the oath to the King as "colonial, archaic and outdated".
#Quebec
@maplechronicles
"As the law currently stands, this oath is not optional," Speaker Francois Paradis wrote in his ruling.
Shortly after an election on Oct. 3, Parti Quebecois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, stated that he and the two other elected members of his party would not swear an oath to the King. 11 elected members of Quebec Solidaire followed the same. Both parties advocate independence from Canada for Quebec.
The Quebec Solidaire co-spokesperson Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois described the oath to the King as "colonial, archaic and outdated".
#Quebec
@maplechronicles
🇪🇸Spanish companies seek business in Canada and Colombia
Canada and Colombia have been the destinations of the foreign promotion actions organized by the Chamber of Commerce of Murcia (Spain) in the last two weeks of October.
Food and agricultural technology, along with furniture, are the sectors with which the Murcia Chamber of Commerce has worked to expand or initiate its international projection.
Thus, from October 24 to 28, seven companies have travelled to Canada, developing a work agenda in the main cities of two provinces of the country: Montreal (Quebec) and Toronto (Ontario), where they met with importers, distributors and chain stores and supermarkets to try to bring their products to the Canadian market.
Some of them already had previous contacts in the Canadian market and had some export experience, but for most of them it has been the first contact with this country, which has one of the most open economies in the world.
#Spain
@maplechronicles
Canada and Colombia have been the destinations of the foreign promotion actions organized by the Chamber of Commerce of Murcia (Spain) in the last two weeks of October.
Food and agricultural technology, along with furniture, are the sectors with which the Murcia Chamber of Commerce has worked to expand or initiate its international projection.
Thus, from October 24 to 28, seven companies have travelled to Canada, developing a work agenda in the main cities of two provinces of the country: Montreal (Quebec) and Toronto (Ontario), where they met with importers, distributors and chain stores and supermarkets to try to bring their products to the Canadian market.
Some of them already had previous contacts in the Canadian market and had some export experience, but for most of them it has been the first contact with this country, which has one of the most open economies in the world.
#Spain
@maplechronicles
Report finds 252 school personnel accused of sexual offences in Canada over 5 years
A report from the Canadian Centre for Child Protection says 252 current or former school personnel committed or were accused of committing offences of a sexual nature against 548 children over a five-year span. It says another 38 personnel were criminally charged for child pornography-related offences during the same time frame of 2017 to 2021.
The report includes any person working in a school environment, including teachers, administrators, bus drivers and custodial staff.
Since education falls under provincial and territorial jurisdiction, most bodies responsible for overseeing discipline of school employees are not required to make the outcomes of investigations public.
A newly formed group called Stop Educator Child Exploitation (SECE), formed by survivors of sexual abuse "at the hands of school personnel," recommends independent bodies be established to receive and investigate complaints. It also suggests disciplinary records around these offences be made public and that all school personnel complete child protection training programs.
@maplechronicles
A report from the Canadian Centre for Child Protection says 252 current or former school personnel committed or were accused of committing offences of a sexual nature against 548 children over a five-year span. It says another 38 personnel were criminally charged for child pornography-related offences during the same time frame of 2017 to 2021.
The report includes any person working in a school environment, including teachers, administrators, bus drivers and custodial staff.
Since education falls under provincial and territorial jurisdiction, most bodies responsible for overseeing discipline of school employees are not required to make the outcomes of investigations public.
A newly formed group called Stop Educator Child Exploitation (SECE), formed by survivors of sexual abuse "at the hands of school personnel," recommends independent bodies be established to receive and investigate complaints. It also suggests disciplinary records around these offences be made public and that all school personnel complete child protection training programs.
@maplechronicles
🇨🇳Canada considers Chinese investment a national security threat and bans it
According to Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, Canadian authorities have demanded that three Chinese companies cancel their investments in Canadian companies to extract essential minerals on national security grounds.
"While Canada continues to welcome foreign direct investment, we will act decisively when investments threaten our national security and our critical minerals supply chains," Champagne said. He added that the Canadian government conducted a thorough vetting of companies before banning their investments.
The Chinese companies in question are Sinomine, Chengze Lithium and Zangge Mining. The first two were asked to sell their shares to others, while the latter was required to leave the Canadian market.
#China
@maplechronicles
According to Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, Canadian authorities have demanded that three Chinese companies cancel their investments in Canadian companies to extract essential minerals on national security grounds.
"While Canada continues to welcome foreign direct investment, we will act decisively when investments threaten our national security and our critical minerals supply chains," Champagne said. He added that the Canadian government conducted a thorough vetting of companies before banning their investments.
The Chinese companies in question are Sinomine, Chengze Lithium and Zangge Mining. The first two were asked to sell their shares to others, while the latter was required to leave the Canadian market.
#China
@maplechronicles
Quebec premier disagrees with feds' plans to bring more immigrants
Quebec Premier François Legault says the province cannot accept more than 50,000 immigrants a year, despite Ottawa's plans to significantly increase immigration in the country.
As he put it, the federal government needs to understand that Quebec has a "special challenge" to preserve the French language.
Quebec's immigration agreement with Ottawa allows the province to accept a percentage of newcomers equal to its demographic weight in the country, 23%, which would amount to about 115,000 people if Canada accepted 500,000 immigrants a year.
The highest number of immigrants the province can normally integrate is 50,000 a year, Legault said, adding that even the most ambitious plan presented by a political party during the recent provincial election sets a maximum target of 80,000 newcomers.
#Quebec
@maplechronicles
Quebec Premier François Legault says the province cannot accept more than 50,000 immigrants a year, despite Ottawa's plans to significantly increase immigration in the country.
As he put it, the federal government needs to understand that Quebec has a "special challenge" to preserve the French language.
Quebec's immigration agreement with Ottawa allows the province to accept a percentage of newcomers equal to its demographic weight in the country, 23%, which would amount to about 115,000 people if Canada accepted 500,000 immigrants a year.
The highest number of immigrants the province can normally integrate is 50,000 a year, Legault said, adding that even the most ambitious plan presented by a political party during the recent provincial election sets a maximum target of 80,000 newcomers.
#Quebec
@maplechronicles
Quebec proposes to limit energy supply to blockchain industry
Quebec electricity provider Hydro-Quebec has approached regional regulator “Régie de l'énergie” with a proposal to suspend power supply to the blockchain industry.
The distribution plan was to supply approximately 270 MW to the industry. However, due to growing demand, "allocating this amount of capacity...would increase pressure on current balances," the supplier says.
Exchange fees can add up to several hundred dollars each year. For this reason, good traders look to reduce them because they can have a big impact on their bottom line.
The provider did not reveal which companies are subject to the restriction. The reaction of the regulator is also not reported.
#Quebec
@maplechronicles
Quebec electricity provider Hydro-Quebec has approached regional regulator “Régie de l'énergie” with a proposal to suspend power supply to the blockchain industry.
The distribution plan was to supply approximately 270 MW to the industry. However, due to growing demand, "allocating this amount of capacity...would increase pressure on current balances," the supplier says.
Exchange fees can add up to several hundred dollars each year. For this reason, good traders look to reduce them because they can have a big impact on their bottom line.
The provider did not reveal which companies are subject to the restriction. The reaction of the regulator is also not reported.
#Quebec
@maplechronicles
NYT: The U.S. sees Canada's deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland with Ukrainian roots as the next NATO secretary general. Jens Stoltenberg's term expires in the autumn of 2023.
🤡
#USA
🤡
#USA
🇭🇹Canada imposed sanctions on Haitian politicians
Canada has imposed sanctions on two well-known Haitian politicians for their support of unrest in the country, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly announced.
"Canada will not stand by while gangs and their supporters terrorize the people of Haiti. We are putting pressure on these individuals to stop the senseless violence. The international community has an important role to play, and we should do everything we can to help Haitians and help support human rights, democracy and international peace," said Joly.
The Foreign Ministry clarified that the Canadian restrictive measures apply to the current and former Haitian Senate Presidents Joseph Lambert and Youri Latortue. All their property in Canada is frozen and they are banned from entering the country.
#Haiti
@maplechronicles
Canada has imposed sanctions on two well-known Haitian politicians for their support of unrest in the country, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly announced.
"Canada will not stand by while gangs and their supporters terrorize the people of Haiti. We are putting pressure on these individuals to stop the senseless violence. The international community has an important role to play, and we should do everything we can to help Haitians and help support human rights, democracy and international peace," said Joly.
The Foreign Ministry clarified that the Canadian restrictive measures apply to the current and former Haitian Senate Presidents Joseph Lambert and Youri Latortue. All their property in Canada is frozen and they are banned from entering the country.
#Haiti
@maplechronicles
“Universities were not prepared for non-Indigenous people trying to take advantage of opportunities created for their Indigenous colleagues.”
Strange as it may seem, the policy of hiring people according to anything except their skills isn’t effective enough.
@maplechronicles
Strange as it may seem, the policy of hiring people according to anything except their skills isn’t effective enough.
@maplechronicles
Nationalpost
Canadian universities largely unable to tell genuine Indigenous employees from fraudsters: report
Universities were not prepared for non-Indigenous people trying to take advantage of opportunities created for their Indigenous colleagues
🇨🇳China voiced protest to Canada over restrictions on lithium mining investments
China's Ministry of Commerce has protested to Canada, which previously imposed restrictions on three companies to invest in lithium and other minerals. The ministry said such actions were detrimental to Chinese and Canadian business interests.
The ministry added that Canada too broadly interpreted the concept of national security. The ministry said the country had harmed the business interests of Chinese and Canadian companies due to the restrictions.
#China
@maplechronicles
China's Ministry of Commerce has protested to Canada, which previously imposed restrictions on three companies to invest in lithium and other minerals. The ministry said such actions were detrimental to Chinese and Canadian business interests.
The ministry added that Canada too broadly interpreted the concept of national security. The ministry said the country had harmed the business interests of Chinese and Canadian companies due to the restrictions.
#China
@maplechronicles
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Maple Chronicles
🇨🇳Canada considers Chinese investment a national security threat and bans it
According to Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, Canadian authorities have demanded that three Chinese companies cancel their investments…
According to Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, Canadian authorities have demanded that three Chinese companies cancel their investments…
Labour board questions the legality of Ontario education strike
In Queen Park, a demonstration is taking place. Members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) continue to protest government legislation that imposed a contract on 55,000 provincial education workers and took away their right to strike.
The protest comes as CUPE, the provincial government, parents and students await a decision by the Ontario Labour Relations Board on the legality of the strike that began on November 4, when thousands of workers walked off the job.
The government is seeking a ruling that their walkout is illegal, while CUPE contends the job action is a form of legitimate political protest.
@maplechronicles
In Queen Park, a demonstration is taking place. Members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) continue to protest government legislation that imposed a contract on 55,000 provincial education workers and took away their right to strike.
The protest comes as CUPE, the provincial government, parents and students await a decision by the Ontario Labour Relations Board on the legality of the strike that began on November 4, when thousands of workers walked off the job.
The government is seeking a ruling that their walkout is illegal, while CUPE contends the job action is a form of legitimate political protest.
@maplechronicles
Canada is the first to recognize nuclear reactors as environmentally safe
The Canadian government has recognized small modular reactors as environmentally friendly, World Nuclear News reported.
The government put these reactors on the list of energy sources the use of which provides tax incentives. John Gorman, president and chief executive officer of the Canadian Nuclear Association, said the listing is an important step forward for the nuclear industry in the country.
@maplechronicles
The Canadian government has recognized small modular reactors as environmentally friendly, World Nuclear News reported.
The government put these reactors on the list of energy sources the use of which provides tax incentives. John Gorman, president and chief executive officer of the Canadian Nuclear Association, said the listing is an important step forward for the nuclear industry in the country.
@maplechronicles
Canada government advised to pause Twitter ads after mass layoffs at company
Cossette, a media and marketing agency that is responsible for buying and planning much of the government's advertising, has advised federal departments to pause activity on Twitter, citing mass layoffs at the company.
On November 4, the company issued guidance to "pause activity immediately and monitor the situation over the weekend" due to "unknown continuity plans for moderation" and a "heightened risk of brand safety".
Cossette's guidance said “the layoffs prompted increased concern about the effectiveness of Twitter's moderation and brand safety” – which essentially means ensuring that advertising placed next to content does not negatively impact the reputation of the advertiser.
@maplechronicles
Cossette, a media and marketing agency that is responsible for buying and planning much of the government's advertising, has advised federal departments to pause activity on Twitter, citing mass layoffs at the company.
On November 4, the company issued guidance to "pause activity immediately and monitor the situation over the weekend" due to "unknown continuity plans for moderation" and a "heightened risk of brand safety".
Cossette's guidance said “the layoffs prompted increased concern about the effectiveness of Twitter's moderation and brand safety” – which essentially means ensuring that advertising placed next to content does not negatively impact the reputation of the advertiser.
@maplechronicles
Trudeau: Canada ‘will be there with more money’ for health-care system
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reassured provinces that the federal government “will be there with more money” to shore up Canada’s health-care system but said that it must first ensure the much-needed investments are going directly to front-line workers and other areas where they are most needed.
@maplechronicles
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reassured provinces that the federal government “will be there with more money” to shore up Canada’s health-care system but said that it must first ensure the much-needed investments are going directly to front-line workers and other areas where they are most needed.
@maplechronicles
🇨🇳China taking ‘aggressive’ steps to undermine Canada’s democracy, PM says
Justin Trudeau has warned that China is “playing aggressive games” to undermine democratic institutions amid reports Beijing actively interfered in Canada’s federal elections.
His comments came after a news report that Beijing had funded a “clandestine network” of candidates in Canada’s 2019 election and just days after the federal police force said it was actively investigating a secret network of illegal Chinese “police stations” in Toronto.
The prime minister’s remarks followed that Canadian intelligence had concluded Beijing worked to undermine the democratic process in Canada in multiple elections, including votes held in 2019 and 2021. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) briefed the prime minister, as well as senior cabinet ministers, in January about China’s attempts.
#China
@maplechronicles
Justin Trudeau has warned that China is “playing aggressive games” to undermine democratic institutions amid reports Beijing actively interfered in Canada’s federal elections.
His comments came after a news report that Beijing had funded a “clandestine network” of candidates in Canada’s 2019 election and just days after the federal police force said it was actively investigating a secret network of illegal Chinese “police stations” in Toronto.
The prime minister’s remarks followed that Canadian intelligence had concluded Beijing worked to undermine the democratic process in Canada in multiple elections, including votes held in 2019 and 2021. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) briefed the prime minister, as well as senior cabinet ministers, in January about China’s attempts.
#China
@maplechronicles
Freeland: Support for Ukraine is of Canada's national interest
Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland stated in her speech in Winnipeg that strong support for Ukraine in its opposition to Russia is of Canada's national interest.
The politician stressed that "all of us must support Ukraine in this battle." "Because Ukraine is fighting for our values and it's very important to recognize that," the Canadian deputy prime minister said.
Canada imposed sanctions on over 1,400 Russian individuals and entities, provided Kiev with several billion dollars in financial aid and sent over $500 million worth of military equipment to Ukraine.
#Ukraine
@maplechronicles
Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland stated in her speech in Winnipeg that strong support for Ukraine in its opposition to Russia is of Canada's national interest.
The politician stressed that "all of us must support Ukraine in this battle." "Because Ukraine is fighting for our values and it's very important to recognize that," the Canadian deputy prime minister said.
Canada imposed sanctions on over 1,400 Russian individuals and entities, provided Kiev with several billion dollars in financial aid and sent over $500 million worth of military equipment to Ukraine.
#Ukraine
@maplechronicles
Canada invited 4,750 candidates to Express Entry
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held another major drawing for Express Entry, in which 4,750 candidates were invited, as in the previous selection. The IRCC continued to invite candidates for all immigration programs in this selection round. This Express Entry was the tenth drawing since the July 6 resumption of draws for all programs and the twenty-third for the year.
In Express Entry Round #235 for the Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Permanent Residency, the lowest Comprehensive Rating System (CRS) score dropped again to 494, down two points from the previous drawing. This is the second consecutive time the CRS score has fallen below 500 since all programs resumed drawing in July.
@maplechronicles
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held another major drawing for Express Entry, in which 4,750 candidates were invited, as in the previous selection. The IRCC continued to invite candidates for all immigration programs in this selection round. This Express Entry was the tenth drawing since the July 6 resumption of draws for all programs and the twenty-third for the year.
In Express Entry Round #235 for the Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Permanent Residency, the lowest Comprehensive Rating System (CRS) score dropped again to 494, down two points from the previous drawing. This is the second consecutive time the CRS score has fallen below 500 since all programs resumed drawing in July.
@maplechronicles
Canada to invest on geothermal projects in Nova Scotia
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Member of Parliament for Sydney–Victoria Jaime Battiste, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, has announced that the Government of Canada will invest over CAD 1.3 million in Net Zero Atlantic for the Community Geothermal Resource Capacity Assessment and Training Program.
The project will build development capacity for mid-depth geothermal energy–based projects in five Mi’kmaq and twelve rural communities in Nova Scotia.
@maplechronicles
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Member of Parliament for Sydney–Victoria Jaime Battiste, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, has announced that the Government of Canada will invest over CAD 1.3 million in Net Zero Atlantic for the Community Geothermal Resource Capacity Assessment and Training Program.
The project will build development capacity for mid-depth geothermal energy–based projects in five Mi’kmaq and twelve rural communities in Nova Scotia.
@maplechronicles
🇺🇦Canada to help Ukraine "as long as necessary"
During a phone conversation between Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the Canadian politician promised to provide military, economic and humanitarian aid to the Ukraine for as long as necessary. The statesmen also discussed the possibility of extending the grain deal.
The Canadian government press service explained that Mr. Trudeau confirmed Canada's commitment to support Ukraine in the long term.
#Ukraine
@maplechronicles
During a phone conversation between Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the Canadian politician promised to provide military, economic and humanitarian aid to the Ukraine for as long as necessary. The statesmen also discussed the possibility of extending the grain deal.
The Canadian government press service explained that Mr. Trudeau confirmed Canada's commitment to support Ukraine in the long term.
#Ukraine
@maplechronicles