On Nov. 4, Prime Minister Mark Carney released his long-anticipated 2025 budget, which has been criticized for projecting a $78 billion CAD deficit—despite Canada’s stated commitments to reduce its deficit—and for cutting public service jobs. Supporters argue that the new budget will contribute to stabilizing the country’s long-term fiscal outlook,[Read More…]
Articles by Basil Atari
Recap: Quebec’s Bill 2 sparks alarm among McGill medical students
On Oct. 25, Quebec adopted Bill 2, legislation that changes the funding model for physicians so that 10 per cent of doctors’ salaries are tied to provincial performance targets. Bill 2 was introduced after the provincial physicians’ unions rejected four government offers to reconfigure their collective agreement with the province.[Read More…]
Students face delays in accessing student loans and grants during B.C. public worker strike
On Sept. 2, the British Columbia General Employees’ Union (BCGEU), one of the province’s largest public sector unions, went on strike until Oct. 26. The strike affected most provincial ministries in B.C., including the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, which administers student financial aid programs through StudentAid BC. [Read More…]
Quebec halts free COVID-19 vaccine program for most residents
Quebec’s health ministry has announced that starting this fall, coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines will no longer be universally free to the public. Instead, free vaccines will only be available to residents who are 65 and older, those who are immunocompromised or have chronic illnesses, residents of long-term care or private seniors’[Read More…]
The Tribune Explains: The upcoming Montreal municipal election
The race for Montreal’s next mayor kicked off on Sept. 19, following current mayor Valérie Plante’s announcement last year that she would not be running for a third term. Montreal’s municipal election day will be held on Nov. 2, 2025. The Tribune explains how to navigate voting. How can I[Read More…]
“Rogue Archives”: QPIRG’s School Schmool agenda returns in 2025-2026
The Quebec Public Interest Research Groups (QPIRG) at McGill and Concordia launched the 2025-2026 edition of their annual daily planner and guide for students, School Schmool on Sept. 4. The agenda’s goal is to inform students of practical anti-oppressive resources on both universities’ campuses and around Montreal. School Schmool also[Read More…]