Update on the Student Struggle

Over the past six months, I have posted several items regarding the student struggle to oppose a government decision to raise post-secondary tuition significantly. There have been important developments in this struggle during the past three weeks. For those who may not have been in a position to follow these, I offer a brief summary:

The Liberal Government decided to call an election for September 4. They counted on their first stance against the students as a rallying point for much of the population. (They also wanted to assure an election before the results of the Charbonneau Commission on corruption issued its report next Spring.)  Well, the government lost the election, the leader lost his seat. The Partie Québécois was elected and swore in its Cabinet on September 19. The new Prime Minister (Pauline Marois) then held a press conference in which she announced the following

‎1)  The tuition hike is annuled.
2) Law 12 that limited civil liberties is abrogated.
3) A moratorium on any exploration or expolitation of shall gas is put in place. The minister of natural resources also announced that she does not see any way in which current technology could be used.à to safely extract shale gas.
4) A $200 tax on health services ($400 for a family) is annulled. 
5)  The nuclear plan Gentilly-2 will be closed.

 

It must however be added that this is a minority government whose longivity is seriously in question.  In the meantim, we breathe deeply !!

 

 

Restoring Economics



Photo: P. Cerezo

A few months ago I was asked to review a book on Economics. Combined with some other reading, it turning into more than that. You can find the result here