Quebec’s provincial government announced it will be filing a lawsuit against tobacco companies in a bid to recuperate the health care costs associated with cigarette use. The province plans to sue a consortium of tobacco companies, including Montreal’s Imperial Tobacco. Quebec’s announcement comes less than one week after the Ontario government filed a similar suit seeking $50 billion. These lawsuits are biased and hypocritical.
The trend of suing tobacco companies for health care costs started in the United States in the mid-90s when all 50 states came together to seek damages from American tobacco companies. The states and the tobacco companies eventually came to a settlement in which the states would receive $246 billion US over 25 years.
In Canada, the first province to try to take on Big Tobacco to task was British Columbia. In 1998, B.C. passed the Tobacco Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act, which allowed the government to seek damages from tobacco companies. Nova Scotia became the second province to launch a suit. Ontario and Quebec are the third and fourth.
Even though the provinces already collect billions of dollars a year in “sin’ taxes, they are now unilaterally changing the rules of the game to get their hands on more money. Not only will the cost of these lawsuits will be borne by smokers rather than the tobacco companies themselves, but taxpayers will have to foot the bill for what could very likely be a long and expensive trial.
The government is constantly attacking the rights of cigarette makers, vendors and smokers, while they operate near-monopolies in other realms of vice like gambling and spirits. Sure, cigarettes cause lung cancer and a handful of other ailments, but liquor and gambling destroy lives and tear families apart. People don’t lose their houses because they spent too much money at the tobacconist, nobody beats a spouse because they smoked too many cigarettes the night before. It seems strange that the government would attack such a passive hobby while simultaneously encouraging two others that are far more destructive.
Moreover, if we’re going to talk about health costs that need to be recuperated, tobacco is hardly the only villain. The government isn’t suing fast food companies, despite the fact that their fare is creating an obesity epidemic. The government isn’t suing car companies, whose products pollute the very air we breath. Cigarettes and smokers have become nothing more than easy targets for politicians who want to look like they’re doing something; politicians who want to seem like they care about society.
The free choices of adults should not be subjected to someone else’s moral code. Besides, the federal and provincial governments already collect billions in tax revenues from cigarette sales as it is. The government, provincial or otherwise, needs to focus on governing, not dictating the choices of citizens.
Author: admin
The Concordia Stingers football team has a tough road ahead. As of last week, their record sat at a lowly 0-4. For many, four losses in as many games is a reflection of a bunch of underachieving athletes. The same can’t be said of the Stingers. In this case, 0-4 is a reflection of the countless setbacks the team has come face to face with since before the season even began. This year has been highlighted by an unanticipated transition that has forced both newcomers and veterans to adapt to a new style of play.
The Stingers are now facing tremendous pressure as they push for a spot in the playoffs after making the Dunsmore Cup final last year. Although it’s up to everyone on the team to make that leap, any hardcore or casual fan of football knows that the player facing the most pressure is the starting quarterback. QB Rob Mackay is definitely feeling the heat. After returning this year from a two-season absence due to a knee injury, Mackay is aware that a team’s record often unjustly rests on his shoulders. “It’s tough being a quarterback, because as soon as something goes wrong, people seem to want to get you out of there. I’m not afraid of the pressure, but it’s definitely something I’m aware of”.
Despite the added pressure that comes with being the anchor of a team, football remains a passion for Mackay day in and day out.
Hailing from Fort Dover in Ontario, the 22 year-old’s love for the game began in the 6th grade. Mirroring his father and two older brothers, he shuffled positions and eventually moved into the one he would carry into his college years. But for Mackay, football was more than just a sport. It was a vehicle that brought him closer than ever to his family. “Football was one of those sports that I could always play with my brothers. The sport is part of my family. It’s something we’ve always discussed and being the youngest they’re always on me about how I play, so it gets very personal”.
Although given the opportunity to play baseball at UBC, Mackay felt Concordia offered him the best of both the athletic and academic worlds. “I felt I was offered a better opportunity here. I had my recruiting trip here and I just fell in love with the university and the people.”
Mackay joined the Stingers in 2006, and just a year later suffered an injury that would end his season and pave the way for future rookie of the year and team MVP Liam Mahoney. Early in the 2007 Homecoming game, Mackay seriously injured his knee playing against Montreal, arguably Concordia’s biggest rival. All in all, the injury, which required surgery, was tough on Rob. Forced to sit out the rest of the season as well as the entire 2008, Mackay got a first-hand look at what it’s like to be an athlete watching from the outside. He looked on as his team amassed an impressive record only to fall short of disappointing the unstoppable Rouge et Or last November.
“Not playing, you almost feel like you’re not a part of the team. Game days are especially tough. Sitting in the press box, when your team is winning, it’s great, but when they’re struggling, all you want to do is get out there and help them.” Despite the injury and Mahoney’s stellar play, Mackay was reassured by his relationship with his teammates and coach. Thanks to the mutual respect he and Gerry McGrath share, Mackay knew that when the time came and he was ready, he would be back in the pocket setting up plays.
“The plan was always in place that when I came back, Liam would move to receiver. Coach telling me that kept my mind at ease.”
Mackay managed a comeback in due time, knowing that rushing back would only further the severity of his injury. He took the steps necessary for a full recovery. With the help of winter camp and his teammates, Mackay returned this season. Although shaky against Laval – but then again who isn’t – the QB has managed to impress despite the less than stellar record his team holds. Emotions naturally dampen after a defeat and Mackay admits that, although a loss should rest on the whole team’s shoulders, he can’t help but feel guilty because he holds the most difficult job in sports.
“There are things that some players can get away with, but if I make a bad throw or a poor read, it shows. There’s a lot of pressure to execute and when you don’t, you feel like you’ve let the whole team down.” Mackay knows that despite what anyone says, perfection is humanly impossible; that goes without saying in sports. Thankfully, the Stingers haven’t let their emotions create tension in the locker room; the entire team has become a family. Mackay takes comfort in this and that could translate into a succesful push for a playoff spot during the remainder of the season. Rob is even looking ahead to his final season in a Stingers uniform, when he believes Concordia can win the Vanier Cup.
“We have the tools, we just need our players to gain experience. This year, we have to learn to execute and stop making stupid mistakes. Next year, our young guys will come back and we’ll be a completely different team.”
As for his own future in football, Mackay is still undecided when it comes to playing professionally. Although he is currently studying Human Relations and has plans to enter its graduate program, the CFL isn’t out of the question. However, the rules and limits associated with drafting quarterbacks in the league may put a stamp on Rob’s decision.
“If I think I could have a long career in football, I’d like it to be an option, but I don’t think it is right now,” he said.
No matter what the future looks like for Mackay, all he’s concentrating on right now is giving the Stingers a chance to win after coming so close time and time again. And there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Mackay is up to the task.
Thousands of umbrella toting marchers filled Ste-Catherine St. on Thursday for Centraide’s “March of 1,000 Umbrellas.” The march began at McGill College Ave. and ended at the Complexe Desjardins. It kicked off the 2009 fundraising campaign for Centraide, which provides help to needy families, and promotes social and community involvement. The umbrellas are supposed to be a symbolic reminder of the vulnerability of impoverished and isolated families. But they did come in handy in the rain.
Montrealers will vote in municipal elections on Nov. 1. This newspaper has already stated that students should feel obliged to participate in this process. In the coming weeks, we will feature interviews with political organizers of various ideological stripes to help Concordia students get a grasp of the issues and make an informed decision. We will withhold our editorial endorsement until the week of the election to give students an opportunity to form their own opinion.
In preparation for the weeks to come, in this issue we are giving you a full breakdown of municipal politics &- who’s running, how the system works, how to vote &- so as to better prepare you for the upcoming elections. We hope that you will consider this information seriously and participate by casting your ballot when the time comes.
1) The System
Montreal will not just be electing a mayor on Nov. 1, but will also be voting for city councillors, borough mayors and borough councillors.
The mayoralty is both the executive in city hall and the first among equals in city council, much like the Prime minister of Canada. So while the result of the mayoral race is important, the character of city council will be determined by which party wins the most seats. Unlike other major Canadian cities, there are political parties at the municipal level in Montreal. The parties each have slates of candidates running for council and a candidate for mayor. This means one can vote for the councillor for party X in their riding and the mayor for party Y.
Furthermore, while the city council is important, many of the decisions that affect your daily life come at the borough level. Borough responsibilities include urban planning, road maintenance, garbage pick up and the issuing of permits. So it is equally important for people to be informed of who is running in their borough.
2) The candidates
There are three main candidates running for mayor: incumbent Gerald Tremblay of Union Montréal, Louise Harel of Vision Montréal and Richard Bergeron of Projet Montréal.
Tremblay has been the mayor since 2002. Though he has been an effective mayor overall, his two terms have been plagued by scandals and allegations of corruption. He is still leading in the polls, but his support is waining.
Harel’s Vision Montréal party is the current official opposition in city hall. Vision was in power until 2002 under mayor Pierre Bourque who lost to Tremblay. Bourque’s government is praised for starting the Éco-quartiers program, reopening the Lachine Canal and balancing the municipal budget, but blamed for the fallout after the failed municipal merger. Harel stands a good chance at being elected, but has been criticized for her extremely poor English. She has vowed to learn English if she wins.
Projet Montréal is the dark horse party in these elections. The party is relatively new, and only recently won their first seat at city council. Bergeron, the party’s candidate for mayor is outspokenly progressive and has been accused of being anti business and anti development. Though his party is not polling as strongly as the two main contenders, their shortcoming and his status as an outsider could allow him to squeeze his way into city hall.
3) How to vote
Registering to vote is a simple and easy process. Not having registered is not an excuse for not voting. To be eligible to vote, you much be 18 years of age or older as of Nov. 1, a Canadian citizen, be living in Montreal and have been living in Quebec since March 1, 2009. All you need to vote is one piece of official identification. To find out where to vote you need to contact your local returning officer.
Important Links
Élections Quebec, who organize the voting
www.electionsquebec.qc.ca
Websites of the three main parties
Union Montréal
unionmontreal.com
Vision Montréal
www.visionmtl.com
Projet Montréal
www.projetmontreal.org
- Oct. 13, 2009
In the issue of Sept. 29, 2009, a photo taken of Concordia students rappelling down a building was supposed to be credited to Cindy Lopez.We apologize for the mistake.
- Oct. 13, 2009
In the issue of Sept. 29, 2009, a photo taken from the Car Free Days in Montreal was supposd to be credited to Jamie Rosen.We apologize for the mistake.
- Oct. 6, 2009
In our Sept. 25 issue a quote was wrongly attributed to Ted McGregor when it should have been attributed to David Biddle.The Concordian regrets the error.
- Oct. 6, 2009
The Sept. 29 article “Rosenshein suing ASEQ for $130,000” stated that Lev Bukhman claimed Steven Rosenshein had acted as campaign manager for the Unity slate during the Spring 2007 elections. This was an error, Bukhman’s allegations concern the Spring 2008 elections.The Concordian apologizes for this error.
- Sept. 29, 2009
The picture from the article “Detour makes all the wrong turns”, published on Sept. 15 was wrongfully credited. The picture was taken by Milosz Rowicki.The Concordian regret the error.
- Sept. 29, 2009
The picture was from the article “Treason is open to debate”, publisehd on Sept. 15 was wrongfully credited. The picture was taken by Terry Hughes.The Concordian regret the error.
The Concordia women’s soccer team won their first game of the season shutting out the Université du Québec à Montréal Citadins, 2-0.
Coming off a five game losing streak the Stingers were determined to take to take an early lead. Three minutes in, mission accomplished: Forward Andrea Davidson scored the first goal of the game on a free kick, the ball soaring just over the wall of players into the top right corner.
For the rest of the first half the Stingers were a team transformed. UQAM players tried their best to get through, but Concordia had them blocked at every turn. Stingers’ mid-fielder, Molly Howes, showed no mercy, constantly being first on the ball. Towards the end of the half the Citadins began putting up a fight, finally getting the ball out of their corner. With five minutes left UQAM had a series of shots on net as well as a free kick, all of which were saved by Stingers goaltender, Fanny Berthiaume.
At the start of the second half UQAM players were clearly hungry for a chance at the net, but the Stingers were determined to keep the lead. Ten minutes in there was a close call when there was a scramble around the Stingers net resulting in Berthiaume taking a shot to the face and Stingers defensemen, Catherine Lalonde, booting the ball out of the crease. It looked for a second as though the Stingers’ goalie might have to be taken out of the game, but true to form she chose to stay on and tough it out. As if to prove the injury hadn’t fazed her, Berthiaume performed a number of stunning saves in the minutes that followed.
Buoyed by a successful first half and the dedication of their goalie, the Stingers blazed through the second half making a beautiful play mid-way through, when Howes headed the ball to Stingers’ defense player Allison Burgess who headed it in.
After the second goal, UQAM was fighting harder than ever to catch up, even landing a breakaway towards the end of the half, which was successfully saved by Berthiaume. The Stingers, however, were not about the give up their first victory of the season and kept the Citadins at bay right up until then end of the game.
“This was a team we knew we had to beat,” said head coach Jorge Sanchez, clearly proud of his team. “The players were practicing hard every time they stepped on the field. It was just a matter of taking some of the practice stuff that was working and having it happen in games and today we saw it, everything came together.”