http://www.themetropolitain.ca/http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1122http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1122Monday night I went to city hall. Not as a journalist but as a citizen. To ask a question of the Mayor. I ran into a reporter friend of mine who asked me if I wasn’t worried about crossing the line. I asked, “What line? From writer to citizen? “ I said to him that if journalists give up their responsibilities of citizenship, they do no one any good. If the media truly want to be considered the fourth estate of government, then journalists must become in Malraux’s words “citoyens engagés.”Beryl WajsmanThu, 17 May 2012 18:34:00 -0400http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1119http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1119I admire the people of China greatly, including their often heroic protests against acts of misfeasance by their government. To his credit, the outgoing premier, Wen Jiabao, has spoken often about the necessity for democratic reform. He recently had a major role in blocking the advance of Bo Xilai to the nine-member Standing Committee of the Communist Party. Bo and his mentor, former President Jiang Zemin, have been among the worst offenders in the ongoing persecution of the Falun Gong movement since July, 1999.  Bo has been removed from his  posts and his wife, Gu Kailai, is under investigation concerning the murder of a British citizen. The next to go will hopefully be Zhou Yongkang, the Party head of security, who worked closely with Zemin and Bo in the persecution of Falun Gong.The Hon. David KilgourWed, 16 May 2012 01:22:00 -0400http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1121http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1121C’est l’histoire d’une petite bijouterie de quartier. Le spectacle quotidien des commerçants, celui des gens de la rue.  J’écris cet article par solidarité à tous les artistes, qui travaillent durement, et souvent sans reconnaissance digne de ce nom.  Le printemps est revenu sur Saint-Denis.  Une rue pas comme les autres. Nous sommes à Montréal.  Le parfum des lilas n’a pas encore envahi la ville. Mais ça s’en vient… Louise V. LabrecqueWed, 16 May 2012 01:13:00 -0400http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1120http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1120French voters expressed themselves at the polls democratically choosing alternation in electing Francois Hollande as President. With only the second Socialist Party president in French history, France risks once again experiencing the errors and hesitations of Socialist power at the helm. The U-turn of the last Socialist President, Francois Mitterrand, from socialist economic policy to one of austerity comes to mind.Even prior to taking office Hollande explained in a media appearance that the fiscal state of the nation is worse than previously thought – a convenient position from which to perhaps prepare French voters for a letdown on the costly promised state spending that formed the cornerstone of his campaign.Julien BalkanyWed, 16 May 2012 01:05:00 -0400http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1118http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1118The public consultation currently underway on the financing of public transit (PT) will draw out specialists on new methods and sources of funding, and will generate recommendations for the Transport Commission of the MMC (Montreal Metropolitan Community).  This article seeks to bring to the forefront the notions of equity and responsibility in the allocation of public funds, more specifically for the funding and development of West-bound PT projects.Raymond BeshroTue, 15 May 2012 23:49:00 -0400http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1117http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1117 Until someone proves that sorting trash into recyclables and compostables actually helps my family, my community, or society at large, I am no longer doing it. You heard right. I’m bringing back garbage! Remember when it wasn’t an indictable offence to throw things away? Trash all went into a bin and the garbage man took it all away to the landfill. Why did this stop? Has anyone done a cost/benefit analysis on the various forms of recycling and composting we’re forced to adhere to? Mischa PopoffTue, 15 May 2012 23:43:00 -0400http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1116http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1116This Toronto HOT DOCS 2012 Festival documentary is a bit out of the ordinary. The Festival ended on the 6th of May but the impact and memory of some movies will linger. "The Young Man Was" is so out of the ordinary you start wondering if there is something wrong with it as you just see differing colour dialogue text on the screen for what seems a very long time and when you see footage of the actual hijacking it is in a cloudy grey and white.Just take a look at the picture! There are two conclusions to be drawn from the documentary. One is that that killers are talking with killers. The other is that terrorism is rarely successful.Robert K. StephenTue, 15 May 2012 23:39:00 -0400http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1115http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1115The irreverent Jesuit who left the priesthood and went on to become the cornerstone of Montreal talk radio died Saturday morning at the age of 87. During his 14 years as a CJAD telephone talk show host in the 70’s and 80’s he brought a degree of  civility to  the charged political atmosphere  in province after the election of the Parti Quebecois in 1976, and in the referendum that followed.  In its heyday, his program, Exchange, attracted as many as 85,000 listeners or more than a quarter of the city’s English-speaking audience.Alan HustakSat, 12 May 2012 11:51:00 -0400http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1114http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1114En ce 8 mai, jour de souvenir de la capitulation allemande, je veux rappeler les liens indéfectibles qui unissent les Etats-Unis, le > Canada et la France. Le 8 mai 1945, ce sont quatre hommes, dont > l’Américain Carl Andrew Spaatz et le Français Jean de Lattre de  Tassigny, qui signèrent le traité de reddition allemand. Cette > victoire des forces alliées, fruit d’une amitié sans précédent, a  forgé le monde tel que nous connaissons aujourd’hui.Cette alliance ne s’est pas dissoute ni diluée depuis, avec la  création le 24 octobre 1945 de l’Organisation des Nations-Unies.Julien BalkanyTue, 08 May 2012 18:02:00 -0400http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1113http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1113Washington,DC - Following the elements of Quebec’s student “strike” during the past 11 weeks has been somewhat equivalent to a TV mini-series, but while sputtering along, it leaves a Washington commentator with a number of observations. First, it is really not over money.  The amount of tuition increase over five (or seven) years is trivial in real terms.  Variously, it was been characterized as a latte a day (or a bottle of designer water) in total price.  Rather it appears symbolic, even akin to the precursor-stimulus for theAmerican Revolutionary War of a tax on tea.David T. JonesTue, 08 May 2012 17:55:00 -0400http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1112http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1112On June 2nd and 16th, for the first time ever, French citizens abroad will be able to democratically elect representatives to the French National Assembly. It’s an innovative and historic advancement in democracy which was spearheaded by French President Nicolas Sarkozy. But there’s a glitch – and it’s a big one.ome 80,000 French citizens residing in Canada will, in principle, be making their way to the polls. The Canadian government opposes this election, characterizing it as a threat to sovereignty, stating: “The Government of Canada will continue to refuse requests by foreign States to include Canada in their respective extraterritorial electoral constituencies.Julien BalkanyThu, 03 May 2012 18:04:00 -0400http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1111http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1111The words of Jesus, “Love one another as I have loved you”, link explicitly love of God and love of neighbour. The two great commandments, found in both the New Testament and the Torah, complement each other. Similar thoughts are found in the holy books of probably all other spiritual communities, certainly including Tibetan Buddhism.The Hon. David KilgourTue, 01 May 2012 19:34:00 -0400http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1110http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1110Having spent the last five years in Belgium doing doctoral research before returning to Quebec, I did not realize that going to the doctor nowadays is as challenging as going camping. As I was waiting in my silence for three hours, looking around me at the grim faces of the other tired expectant mothers, I could not help but think about how the natives of this country must have waited for hours to see the only doctor in the village.Rouba al-FattalMon, 23 Apr 2012 23:15:00 -0400http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1109http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1109 There is one sure way to avoid controversy over cost overruns, misestimates, delivery failures and the like for major military equipment—or any significant item of goods or service.Don’t buy them.Otherwise, the exercise is problematic.  Attempting to get the best item at the best price with assured delivery schedules and guaranteed performance is fraught with difficulty and usually falls short in one or another particular. David T. JonesMon, 16 Apr 2012 13:10:00 -0400http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1108http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1108 The story of the abuse and humiliation of Abiner Lema and Stacey-Ann Philip by Montreal police underlines once again how critical it is that this city achieve what I call for in the title to this piece. Responsible authority. An end must be brought to the aggression demonstrated by too many of our security officials, whether police or STM guards. The stories come in on a weekly basis. Yes, I know it is a minority of our security personnel that step out of line. But that minority is in danger of growing into a plurality.  Beryl WajsmanTue, 10 Apr 2012 20:43:00 -0400http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1107http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1107Dans l'exercice de consultation sur le financement du transport collectif (TC), des spécialistes des modes de financement apporteront des pistes de solution à la Commission de transport de la CMM, et je leur laisse le soin de le faire.  Ce mémoire vise plutôt à ramener à l’avant plan la notion d’investissement responsable et d’équité dans la distribution des investissements, plus spécifiquement en ce qui a trait au financement et audéveloppement du TC vers l’Ouest.Raymond BeshroSun, 08 Apr 2012 20:44:00 -0400http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1106http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1106 Businesses fail all the time. It’s called creative destruction, and it’s one of the things that North America responds to exceedingly well. That makes our economy more dynamic than Europe, where bankruptcy is still thought of as a moral failure, the way that adultery is thought of here. In contrast, North American insolvency is usually a stigma-free way to liberate capital. It lets those who have gone bankrupt quickly pick up the pieces and move on.  Robert FrankSun, 08 Apr 2012 20:23:00 -0400http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1088http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1088Métropolitain senior editor Alan Hustak pens powerful history.Even if it’s been a 100 years since the boat hit the iceberg, the fate of the Titanic and the hundreds of people who lived and died with her is still one of the great legends of 20th century. While the ship was originally meant to reflect the glory of British industrial initiative and corporate enterprise, the boat’s fate also reflects the hubris of an industrialized civilization which would soon assume its own apotheosis on the killing fields of Western Europe.P.A. SévignySun, 08 Apr 2012 13:31:00 -0400http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1105http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1105In February the Russia Federation and the People’s Republic of China lay their cards on the table. They vetoed a UN Security Council draft resolution on the Arab League’s Plan for resolving the Syrian crisis which calls for President Bashar al-Assad to hand power to his vice-president, proposes the formation of a unity government,and holding free parliamentary elections within two months. Both China and Russia are putting their money on Mr. Assad, betting that he can overcome both the political opposition movement and growing rebel forces spreading across his country if he is given enough time.Rouba al-FattalWed, 04 Apr 2012 01:35:00 -0400http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1104http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1104La sauvage tuerie de Toulouse ne peut être oubliée, elle sera longtemps ancrée dans tous les esprits en France comme en Israël. Hélas, labarbarie qui a frappé  la "ville rose" s’inscrira dans une page sombre etpeu glorieuse de la  République. Loin d’être un fait divers local oucommunautaire, la tragédie de Toulouse a franchi les frontières de l’Hexagone. Elle s'inscrit dans une vague anti-juive et anti-israéliennequi se propage à travers les continents. L'Europe des islamistesredevient le berceau de la haine du peuple élu.Amb. Freddy EytanWed, 04 Apr 2012 01:33:00 -0400http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1103http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1103Great films take a bit of time to digest and I am still digesting“The RIF Lover” (Amante du Rif) a Moroccan/Belgium/French production shot in Morocco in the RIF mountain range. The impression left by director Narjiss Nejjar is a rich portrait ofMorocco desperately trying to escape from an anti-feminist, tribal and patriarchal society with a nasty undercut  of Muslim fundamentalism way far off in the edge of the film. Thedisapproving burka clad women appearing in the early stages of the film like a ghost shaking her head disapprovingly at the behaviour of Aya and her best friend Raida dancing to ”western” music must be a comment by director Nejjar. We also hear riffs of Bizet’s Carmen from a video that Aya watches in a transfixed state. A hint of an impending tragedy?Robert K. StephenMon, 02 Apr 2012 16:29:00 -0400http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1102http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1102 On the approaching 100th anniversary of the the sinking of the Titanic, the evocation of that event brings to mind a suitable metaphor for where we seem to be headed, as western societies in general, and  Quebec society in particular.Look around and take stock at where we are.Over 40% of Quebecers do not pay any income tax.For the remaining 60% who do, what do we get for our hard earned money? Boyd CrowderMon, 02 Apr 2012 16:26:00 -0400http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1101http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1101The brutality of bullets is evident in “De Bon Matin”, a Franco-Belgian production which had its English Canada language premiere on 27March2012 at the Ciné Franco International Film Festival in Toronto. The brutality of bullets jolts the viewer in the opening minutes of the film and then at the film’s conclusion a horrific bullet scene just about rips you off your chair and leaves you wondering….no leaves you thinking not momentarily but for days after what has just unfolded in front of you. Kind of beats “Avatar” or “The Titanic” in that regard. There is no doubt empathy for Paul the banker killer but there should be no sympathy.Robert K. StephenMon, 02 Apr 2012 16:23:00 -0400http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1100http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1100Madeleine Parent was a diminutive but fearless union organizer, labour leader and community activist who devoted her life to improving the cause of working women and to the creation of uniquely Canadian labour unions. Parent, who was 93 when she died March 12 helped to create the Candian Textile and Chemical Workers Union, organized women in Ontario, was active in the Féderation des femmes du Québec, fought for abortion on demand in the 1950s, and championed the rights of aboriginal women.Alan HustakMon, 02 Apr 2012 16:18:00 -0400http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1099http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1099So far, Canadians are an easy lot to distract.  The big budget lead item was the gradual increase in the age of eligibility for Old Age Security (OAS) and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) from 65 to 67 by 2023.  The provinces accused the federal government of downloading since their governments will step in to support those seniors who cannot afford to lose the extra two years of federal payments. Ageing baby-boomers were upset by the change, since most had taken retirement support at 65 as an unchangeable right regardless of the fiscal ability of the government to support it.Robert PresserMon, 02 Apr 2012 16:15:00 -0400http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1098http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1098The Ontario Court of Appeal decision in the Bedford case striking down that province’s anti-brothel laws should be celebrated for reasons far removed from the salacious. The decision, if properly interpreted nationally, would open the door for liberty not license. It is in that sense that it is important.Beryl WajsmanFri, 30 Mar 2012 22:45:00 -0400http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1097http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1097Rev. Marc  Gervais was a charismatic Jesuit priest, teacher and movie critic who rattled Vatican authorities in the late 1960s by championing Teorma,  a  homoerotic  film by a Communist film maker Pierre Pasolini which celebrated the healing power of human sexuality.    Rev. Gervais taught cinema and communication arts at Concordia University in Montreal for 25 years  where he  influenced the careers of students such as Clark Johnson, who plays in the HBO television series, The Wire,  Oscar winning Quebec film maker, Denys Arcand , producer Kevin Tierney (Good Cop, Bad Cop) and the CBC television journalist Hannah Gartner. Admired as a leading authority on the films of Ingmar Bergman, whom he knew, Gervais died Sunday (march 25) at a retirement home in Pickering, Ont. He was  82 .Alan HustakWed, 28 Mar 2012 21:27:00 -0400http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1096http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1096In the first beat of Morris  Panych’s  black comedy, Vigil, at the Segal Centre until April 1, an overly theatrical,  neurotic  character  bursts into his dying  aunt’s  attic  bedroom  and  off the top says  “Let’s not talk about anything depressing. Do you want to be cremated?”Alidor AucoinSun, 25 Mar 2012 17:31:00 -0400http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1095http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1095The controversy over Halal chicken slaughtering by Olymel has ballooned into a series of debates on everything from animal cruelty to unfair pricing to unreasonable accommodation . Yet all these miss the central point. If a society wants to be called free, it cannot take upon itself the right to dictate to a private enterprise - that asks nothing from the state - how it should conduct its business. That is not freedom. That is statism. The arrogance that our public officials and commentators take upon themselves to intervene in private prerogative is not only unjust, it is dangerous. It leads to a society where demonization becomes the goal and disinformation the tool.Beryl WajsmanFri, 23 Mar 2012 11:05:00 -0400http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1091http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1091A biographer of U.S. Supreme Court Justice and champion of civil liberties Louis D. Brandeis, once described him as a man with a “mind of one piece.” He took the phrase from Brandeis’ own teaching. The great jurist had tried to instill in his students, colleagues and indeed in public officials, the understanding that for the people to feel that their governors are dispensing justice there must be equity in the law. And for there to be equity there must be consistency. And for there to be consistency there must be reason. A holistic approach not only to the law, but to society as a whole. Reason, consistency, equity, justice.Beryl WajsmanThu, 15 Mar 2012 01:04:00 -0400