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



7th Mass March in Montreal

August 22, 2012. Photo by Laurie Lee

For the last seven months, a massive march march every 22nd in support of the students and in protest agasint the repressive Law 78 has brought together tens of thousands of local citizens of all ages.  Today, August 22 is no exception.


For those who wish to keep more informed of this long Quebec Springtime and the elections it has provoked, you might want to visit http://www.bloquonslahausse.com/

This and the following references are all in French -- of course !





Another site would be that of the Têtes Blances on facebook (http://www.facebook.com/jeanfrancois.blais2#!/groups/114942725311925/) and of the APACS. Here is the reference to the one in my neighbourhood: http://www.facebook.com/jeanfrancois.blais2#!/groups/assembleerpp/ .

Please note that the facebook sites are not intended to provide general information but rather exchanges on a daily basis focused on concrete local activities. These are active pages and entry points for following the student movement. .

A People Rises (video in French)



May 22, 2012:  See  http://vimeo.com/47205376

     Quebec is in the middle of an election campaign. Jean Charest, who artificially created the current crisis by refusing to negotiate with the students, is now trying to get re-elected on the basis of his treatment of the students. The crisis has now lasted more than three months with demonstrations every day sometimes with hundreds of thousands participating. Earlier, Charest passed a law (12 -- which was known as 78 when it was being debated) that limits public assemblies to less than 50 people and demands that the route of every march be announced beforehand to the police also forbids any group to approach within 50 meters of a post-secondary institution. It also obliges students to take up their studies in August or face penalties. The re-entry dates fall during this week and the next. The students are holding assemblies to decide whether to continue the strike. Multiple demonstrations and marches are taking place everywhere in the city every day. In addition to the students, there are many solidarity groups. The next mammoth march is scheduled for  August 22. 

     In an earlier post I have tried to explain why the struggle is so important for the students and for Quebec society.