Protesters block construction in Charlottetown, PEI
On Oct. 10, protesters halted construction on the realignment of the Trans-Canada Highway near Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island (PEI). According to PEI’s transportation department, the section of the highway in question is currently unsafe because of its sharp curves and steep hills.
This realignment has sparked an outcry from those who oppose the planned destruction of farmland, recreational areas, and a section of old-growth hemlock forest. Despite fencing put up to deter protesters, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police halted construction because a few protesters came close enough to the heavy machinery for authorities to deem further operation unsafe.
Those at the protest included some members of PEI’s Green Party were also present, including interim leader Darcie Lanthier, and incoming leader Peter Bevan-Baker. Bevan-Baker and several other protesters were charged with trespassing; Lanthier says she expects to be charged with resisting arrest and mischief.
Although construction on the site has since resumed, protesters say they will continue to stage demonstrations to prevent the highway realignment.
Toyota recalls 240,000 vehicles in Canada
Toyota Motor Company announced the largest recall in the company’s history on Oct. 10. The recall affects over seven million vehicles worldwide—240,000 of which are in Canada—and has been initiated due to a problem involving the master window switch on the driver’s side of vehicles.
A problem in the production of the vehicles resulted in poorly greased switches, causing the switch to feel sticky during use. Should car owners lubricate the switch in hopes of fixing this problem, the switch assembly could melt, leading to a fire.
Customers in the U.S. have reported more than 200 problems due to this issue despite claims by Toyota spokespeople that the risk is minimal. According to the company, the inspection and repair process for affected vehicles will only take around an hour.
This announcement is the latest in a series of recalls by Toyota in the last few years, including one three years ago that involved up to 12 million vehicles affected by issues with acceleration. Company officials say that the recently increased number of recalls is a result of Toyota’s ambitious growth goals.
Conservative government criticized for spending on advertisements
The Conservative government has recently come under scrutiny by NGOs and NDP critics regarding their spending on advertisements. While government programs across the nation have had their funding cut, the Tories have already approved $64 million worth of advertising for the 2012-2013 year, although the total amount will only be available to the public after all the invoices are processed.
Advertisement campaigns on the government’s “Economic Action Plan” website include those for “better jobs,” and “responsible resource development.” Government departments, such as the Department of Finance, have justified this expenditure by arguing that raising awareness for initiatives is an important step in unifying the nation.
In the meantime, the Conservative government has discontinued programs such as the Experimental Lakes Area, and has made drastic cuts to the budgets of other programs—such as the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy—in order to save money.
BC Health Minister apologizes for delayed surgery time
Last week, British Columbia’s Health Minister Margaret McDiarmid issued an apology to an Okanagan teenage boy, whose delayed surgery was a factor to his paralysis from the waist downward.
Walid Khalfallah was 13 years old when he was diagnosed with kyphosis—a condition that involves an over-curvature of the upper back. Because of the severity of the case, Khalfallah’s doctor insisted that the boy seek immediate attention, but delays pushed the date of surgery 27 months behind schedule.
By the time Khalfallah’s parents sought medical help in Washington, rather than delay the surgery further, his condition had worsened, leaving him paraplegic, following the operation.
In her apology, McDiarmid spoke of the fluctuating waitlist, and the current process of improving B.C.’s health care system. McDiarmid added that the number of spinal surgeries performed at the BC’s Children’s Hospital has doubled since 2009.
Montrealers protest behaviour By Stephanie Trudeau
Last Friday night, over two hundred protestors took to the streets of downtown Montreal, calling for an end to police violence, and the dismissal of Montreal police officer, Constable Stefanie Trudeau.
This past spring, Trudeau—more commonly known by her badge number, “No. 728”— was caught on tape last spring using pepper spray on peaceful protesters. On Oct. 2, Trudeau was also recorded using coarse language and aggressive behaviour after seeing someone in public with an empty beer bottle.
The protest, which was organized through Facebook, began at 9:15 p.m. at Place Émile-Gamelin. Protestors—some of whom were masked—made their way to Ste. Catherine’s street, chanting and calling for passersby to join them. Riot police monitored the situation throughout the night. At 10:00 p.m. the protest was declared illegal, and by 11:00 p.m. the protesters had dispersed.
According to CTV News, Trudeau has been suspended, and is currently under a disciplinary investigation. The police ethics commission has also reprimanded Trudeau for the pepper spray incident.
