Gourmand Vagabond food truck in downtown Montreal. Photo by Keith Race.
The big buzz of the summer seems to have sizzled out prematurely. When news of the 66-year ban on food trucks being lifted broke, people were utterly overjoyed. Now, months after the project has begun, the buzz is gone. Customers are criticizing prices, selection and intent of the project. Some might be looking too far into it and are forgetting that we are only talking about food. How can more food be bad?
Gourmand Vagabond food truck in downtown Montreal. Photo by Keith Race.
For foodies, the diversity of options is fantastic. You can get anything from butter chicken at Guru to lobster rolls at Lucille’s Seafood Company. Since the trucks rotate stops, you don’t have to travel to different locations to try them all.
The project also gives fine dining a fast-food element. When you just want to grab a delicious, unprocessed meal and go, the options are slim. With the food trucks, you’re able to eat fast but not in the traditional fast food way. Instead of going to the Au Pied du Cochon restaurant, people can visit the food truck on their breaks and eat foie gras poutine while walking to their next class.
Gourmand Vagabond food truck prices. Photo by Keith Race.
Those saying the prices are higher than expected seem to have missed the memo; the intent is to provide Montrealers with high-quality food, so a higher price tag should be expected. According to a report by The Gazette, the city requires the food trucks to have “creative and original [food], present an added value to city’s gastronomic landscape, stand out from the fast-food already on offer downtown, and use local products.”
Maybe critics are also unaware of how much a typical lunch meal costs these days. A tandoori chicken pita can put you back $9 at Phoenix 1 but a Big Mac trio is roughly the same price, if not more. If you want a $2 regular hot dog, La Belle Province restaurants are accessible on every third street corner.
Well-known restaurants and food businesses, such as St-Viateur Bagel, have a name for themselves and therefore already have a clientele. Which is perhaps why the Quebec government did not issue permits to any non-established restaurants. Some people see the established-business requirement as a slap in the face to citizens who want to make a living in the food business, but don’t have the means to open a restaurant. However, in reality, food trucks are not a viable way to make a living. The Gazette reported that even successful restaurant owners rarely have success with their food truck version. For example, owner of Grumman 78, Marc-André Leclerc, says he has not yet made a profit off his food truck, while his restaurant of the same name made more than $1 million last year.
The project is supposed to be something different and fun. It’s great to be able to order waffles and gourmet grilled cheese on a street corner. This is just the start so there’s bound to be a few kinks. Why is having more food choice making some people so mad? It’s simple – if people don’t like the idea of food trucks, then they shouldn’t order from them.
Montreal, summer, and music: three words that sound perfect together. Of the numerous music festivals that took place during the summer season, there is one in particular that caught our attention, maybe because music lovers wait an entire year for this weekend of musical and artistic enchantment. We’re talking of course about the Osheaga Music & Arts Festival.
The festival, which took place from Aug. 2 to Aug. 4 on the beautiful site of Parc Jean-Drapeau, celebrated its eighth anniversary this year. Every year, Osheaga attracts more and more international spectators and welcomes them with open arms. Flags from all over the globe were displayed proudly across the terrain, showing Montreal’s pride in its diversity.
Press Photo Susan Moss
There were high expectations for this year’s edition and it is safe to say that they were met. First, the lineup pleased music lovers of every genre. Second, the schedule was more than satisfying. Of course, it can never be perfect, but with more than 30 artists per day and five stages, festival goers had the possibility to experience most of the performers even if they were playing simultaneously.
Despite the great lineup, many music lovers were unable to attend all three days of the summer bonanza and were therefore forced to choose between which sets they would rather see. But with amazing artists performing each day, Osheaga attendees witnessed Capital Cities kick off the festival with energy, they sunbathed with Daughter, Ben Howard and Alt-J, clapped their hands with The Head & The Heart, heard Ellie Goulding’s adorable british accent, sang out loud with Vampire Weekend and Phoenix, dreamed with Beach House, travelled back in time with The Cure and danced with A Tribe Called Red.
Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig on stage at Osheaga 2013. Press photo.
Many concerns about the traffic flow onsite were brought up – apparently there had been some problems last year – but it seemed like everything had been fixed so that all daily 40,000 concert goers could enjoy their experience. Also, the various types of food installations were pleasing to both the vegetarian as much as the carnivore and the sweet tooth.
Osheaga not only had a strong musical scene, it also celebrated the arts in general. Thus, in the peaceful surroundings near La Scène Verte and La Scène des Arbres, people could devote themselves to various artistic activities such as graffiti, chalk drawing or body painting.
A tent was erected for an exposition called Musique sur papier, which consisted of 50 or so concert posters made by different graphic designers. The festival’s decorators should also be properly credited for their work. The decorations completely enthralled the festival goers and propelled them even further into a place of wonder and delight. There were small bulbs, big luminous balloons, origami-styled lamps, naïve and colourful writing made out of wool and ropes.
Although it’s been said over and over again, there is no denying the fact that the Osheaga Arts & Music Festival is nothing short of spectacular. Even though the previous years were astounding, it seemed like this year’s edition allowed the festival to reach a whole new level of musical excellence.
A commemorative demonstration against the tuition indexation fell flat early Friday night when Montreal Police quickly shut it down.
Students gathered at Place Émilie-Gamelin for the one-year anniversary of the March 22, 2012 protest. Last year over 200,000 students exercised their democratic right to free assembly and flooded Montreal’s streets to protest a tuition fee increase of $1,625 over a five-year period by then-Premier Jean Charest.
Police have taken a heavy handed approach to student protesters and the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal seemed intent on shutting down the public assembly early Friday when it marked the third consecutive protest to be immediately declared illegal and kettled in under a week.
Kettling is tactic during demonstrations that forces protesters into a small space, sectioning them off and leaving them with a single exit usually determined by police.
The SPVM declared the demonstration illegal as a violation of municipal bylaw P-6 which states that groups must provide an itinerary.
In squads, the SPVM surrounded Place Émilie-Gamelin. There were lines of cops blocking off Ste-Catherine St. and St-Hubert St. where police were quick to section off the small group that had gathered in commemoration and dissent.
The protesters were defiant but there was a relaxed air to the scene. Volunteers were handing out sandwiches and a man played the snare-drum. It resembled a parade more than a protest if it weren’t for the brigades of police.
The crowd marched up St-Hubert St. and turned east on De Maisonneuve Blvd.. As the protest neared St-Timothée St. police rushed in and forced them back. Before they could backtrack down a different path another line of police swept in and cut them off.
“Those last few protests; arresting people for nothing [except] exercising some rights even though they’re not strictly legal,” Mary Davis said, referring to Bill 78, “It is just a money grab to get $600 to pay for all the trouble that’s being made by the students but without trouble being made nothing will ever change, nothing will ever happen.”
Sandwiched between scores of flak jackets, batons, polycarbonate shields and jackboots, the bulk of demonstrators as well as journalists present were arrested and fined. Those not kettled were shooed and shoved away.
The protest was quickly over with over 150 protesters detained and fined for being part of an illegal protest.
As a Montrealer I thought I was likely to have seen all that there is to see in and around the city. It wasn’t until early this January,
Flickr
when an Australian friend of mine came to visit Montreal for the first time, that I realized I had underestimated and overlooked some of the great things our city has to offer. Being a tourist in your own city may sound silly but I bet that you will not regret it. I started off as a tour guide for my friend, but could not hold back my own “oohs” and “aahs” as we trekked through the city’s most famous sights, restaurants and activities.
My friend was lucky enough to arrive during one of the craziest snowstorms of the year which, aside from the initial shock, left him in awe at his first sight of snow. While he marvelled at all 50 cm I, along with other friends, failed to share his enthusiasm. Nonetheless, we had plans for him, plans that were sure to include a Montreal classic: the poutine. Devouring a delicious poutine at the popular Poutineville was not a new experience for me, but watching the Aussie drool over the innovation that is fries, gravy and melted curd cheese was nothing short of fun.
Mount Royal was stop number two. I vaguely remember hiking up Mont Royal for a college gym class but sadly could not remember what anything looked like. Montreal’s infrastructure is distinct and impressive, something I had never bothered to notice before.
It would be crazy to visit Montreal and not check out the great shopping in the downtown area. I have walked Ste-Catherine St. more times than I can possibly imagine, but I have never walked into the prominent Montreal retail establishment that is Ogilvy because I’m a student, and let’s be honest, students are not their demographic. It was pretty cool and it did shed a light on the higher end side of the city.
Not only did I take for granted the variety of stores downtown, but walking along Ste-Catherine, from shop to shop, became such a habit, that I sometimes forget how accessible and accommodating our underground malls are.
Discovering Mont Tremblant was another surprise for both me and my friend. Already thinking like a tourist, I realized how great it is that in just an hour’s time one can go from a busy metropolitan city to a quaint little village. It’s full of great winter sports like skiing, snowboarding and dog sledding, but if you prefer just enjoying the feel of walking through what looks like a Christmas village, there’s a gondola ride where you can take in the view over a maple taffy.
Seeing Montreal through the eyes of a tourist – you begin to notice shops and buildings that you would normally overlook as you’re rushing from one place to another. Walking through the streets with fresh eyes forces you to take a moment, look around and maybe think about the history behind the range of buildings and monuments.
It’s kind of sad to think that it isn’t until friends or family come from out of town to visit that we discover more of our city. Montreal is here for the taking all year round and I surely plan to start taking full advantage of it.
Sidebar
Feel like taking on the role as a tourist in the city? Here are few places locals don’t usually think to try that will surely give you the full Montreal experience!
Fitz and Fowell Co. Montreal tours
Put aside your pride and join in on an outdoor tour across Montreal. No matter the weather, Fitz and Fowell offer creative ways to discover the city. Rather than shy away from the cold winters, they embrace the weather and organize snow tours that not only include the usual ice skating at Beaver Lake and Lafontaine Park, but snowshoeing in the Mont-Royal woods as well.
If you’d rather wait until you can pull out your spring jacket, there are walking tours along the Main designed specifically for foodies, as well as a Plateau and Outremont tour with a side of yoga. The best part about Fitz and Fowell is that you can personalize your tour, organize it as a private event, or do a self-guided tour with a prepared picnic basket full of local products.
Who says you need to head north to ice fish? Whether it’s on your bucket list or just feel like getting in touch with your Canadian roots, the Old Port is now offering the opportunity to ice fish across 300,000 feet of ice. For $10, they give you all the equipment you need, a place to shelter yourself from the cold, and access to a snack bar with daily specials from Chef Daren Bergeron.
During the school semester, we become so accustomed to eating in class or grabbing a quick slice of pizza in between metro stops, that we forget all the great food gems that surround us; local restaurants with an international taste. Most of Montreal’s food hotspots are hidden and squeezed in tight between buildings. Some of these landmarks include Schwartz’s and their famous smoke meat, Romados and their juicy Portuguese rotisserie chicken, Moe’s Diner and their Big Ed burger, and Pizza Napolitana for none other than a margherita. A personal local favourite is Wilensky’s, not only for their traditional salami and bologna sandwich special, but because they’ve been around since 1932 and they haven’t made a special yet without mustard!
St. Joseph’s Oratory
We all know it’s there, but honestly, when was the last time you actually visited St. Joseph’s Oratory. Whether you’re religious Catholic or not, St. Joseph’s is a beautiful mountaintop basilica that is definitely worth the visit. It is the biggest shrine dedicated to St. Joseph and has been designated at a National Historic Site in Canada. Aside from its beautiful gardens, skyline view, and candlelit room displaying thousands of crutches, the basilica interestingly enough houses the heart of Saint André of Montreal.
Montreal Space for Life
Montreal Space for Life is the Insectarium, Biodôme, Botanical Garden, and Planetarium that have joined alliance to provide a place where humans can get a better understand of nature and science. There are always interesting exhibitions occurring now, we have the privilege of visiting one of the most exciting events, Butterflies Go Free. For $11.25, you could visit the Botanical Garden’s Main Exhibition room that is currently housing over a thousand butterflies and moths. If bugs aren’t your thing, the Montreal Space for Life is always hosting interesting events and bringing in new creatures to capture your attention.
Normally, the weather is a topic of conversation reserved for old ladies and cashiers. These days, however, it seems to be all anyone knows how to talk about; and with good reason. Last week our city was hit with some of its coldest days in nearly three years. Cars weren’t starting, people were getting frostbite, trains were stalled and there were complaints aplenty. This week’s mix aims to acknowledge the fact that, yes, we’re all freezing our butts off. On the other hand, it also helps to remind us that nothing is stopping us from pretending that it’s summer. Once you make it through Side A’s songs that evoke the biting cold, either lyrically or musically, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy Side B’s feel-good summer warmth. Continuous above-zero temperatures may be months away, but if you imagine hard enough, this freeze is already on its way out the door.
Side A: Okay, It’s Cold as #$*% Outside
1. Walk the Moon – “Shiver Shiver” – Walk the Moon
2. Robot Koch ft. John LaMonica – “Nitesky” – The Other Side
3. Half Moon Run – “Full Circle” – Dark Eyes
4. Mumford and Sons – “Ghosts that We Knew” – Babel
Nov. 22, 2012 protest (left) photo by Madelayne Hajek. Nov. 10, 2011 photo (right) by Navneet Pall.
Photo from last week’s Nov. 22, 2012 protest (left) by Madelayne Hajek. Photo from the Nov. 10, 2011 demonstration (right) by Navneet Pall.
Several thousand protesters weaved through downtown Montreal in support of free education Thursday despite the Parti Québécois’ reversal of the tuition fee increase implemented by the former provincial government led by the Charest Liberals.
Starting with speeches from the Association pour une solidarité syndicale étudiante, students and their supporters gathered at Victoria Square at 1:30 p.m. to promote accessible education in solidarity with the week-long International Student Movement from Nov. 14 to Nov. 22 and address the quality of post-secondary institutions.
The Vanier College Student Association voted this week in favour of a strike and administration cancelled courses at Vanier on Thursday. As the only Anglophone institution to collectively go on strike, many were present for the march including VCSA student representative Nhat Martien Pham.
Photo by Madelayne Hajek
“After the tuition hikes were cancelled, we […] thought that it could have been over, since the purpose of the protests were to oppose the hikes,” said Pham. “I liked that we could show that we are still socially and globally conscious. I was happy to participate, and I was happy Vanier participated.”
The contingent marched for hours without incident before arriving at Place Émilie-Gamelin. While an itinerary was not provided before the march, the Montreal Police allowed the demonstration to continue since it remained peaceful.
Many expressed concern over the provincial budget presented by the PQ last Tuesday. While a higher education summit is planned for February to address concerns associated with the governance of universities and CÉGEPs, the budget provided little information on tuition but reversed the increase in bursaries.
According to Anthony Kantara, a VCSA Mob Squad member, the protest served as a warning to the PQ to abide by its promises.
“It is a statement and reminder to the current PQ government that we are watching and have not forgotten what has been promised,” said Kantara. “We hope that going on strike [will] help put more support in for the major student associations, like ASSÉ.”
L’ASSÉ announced Sunday it will send representatives to the higher education summit.
Photo by Madelayne Hajek
“We remain distrustful of this consultation,” said spokesperson Jérémie Bédard-Wien, “and we stress that only a large, collective action can bring social change.”
Therefore, the ASSÉ will bring the notion of complementary education to the discussion and organize a protest beforehand so “all voices will be heard.”
Conversely, other student associations including the Fédération étudiante universitaire du Québec, the Fédération étudiante collégiale du Québec and the Concordia Student Union, championed for a rollback and freeze of the tuition fees but not the abolishment of fees altogether.
“The CSU has no mandate for free education,” said VP external Simon-Pierre Lauzon. “We’re mobilizing our student body in order to get a clear idea of their wishes. Once this idea is clear, we will push for it at the education summit.”
Health-care workers… well, if you don’t feel like getting your flu shot, don’t sweat it.
One of these things is not like the other. Any professional who works in any field has a set of social rules. These rules can be for the well-being of the workers themselves or, in some cases, for those benefiting from their services. If you found out that the guy who put your burger together hadn’t washed his hands before handling your food, I don’t think it would look nearly as appetizing as it did before.
If we demand these rules of professionalism from those who handle our food, then why shouldn’t we demand the same from those who we trust with our health? An estimated 55 to 65 per cent of health-care workers don’t get their seasonal flu vaccinations; so there’s a good chance that next time you go get your vaccine, the person administering it isn’t protected.
Since the fear of a widespread pandemic has been hanging over our heads for the past few years, doctors have been telling us to wash our hands, avoid touching our faces, cough or sneeze into our elbow… the list goes on and on. And on that list is the advice to go get our annual shots.
The influenza virus can be deadly. For young adults our immune systems are strong enough to fight it off without really taking the spring out of our step. Sure, it isn’t fun, but it usually isn’t a death sentence. It is for the elderly, the very young and the sick that the flu can be problematic. Coincidentally, these are usually the people who come into contact most frequently with health-care workers. So if the people who are supposed to help protect your health are unintentionally harming it, steps should be taken to prevent that.
Just because someone doesn’t display the symptoms of the flu doesn’t mean that they can’t pass it on if they’re infected. According to the Center for Disease Control, you can become contagious up to a day before showing symptoms. In normal circumstances, this wouldn’t be a big deal. However, to people who are already working in an environment where the patients have a low immune system or are recovering from some other illness or surgery, the flu is the last thing that they need.
If the flu shot is as effective as doctors are trying to make us believe, then it stands to reason that they should be the first to get it; and if it isn’t as effective as they want us to believe, then they should still get it to lower the chances of contaminating others.
According to the Canadian Lung Organization, up to 8,000 Canadians die of the flu every year. For a virus regarded as ‘seasonal’, that’s a pretty high death toll.
Influenza is dangerous. It can kill. If by taking cautionary measures we can lower the death toll, even by just 100, then it would be 100 less families grieving. If this means that health-care workers have to get vaccinated as well, then so be it. Although I do not endorse that doctors and nurses who refuse to be pricked be banned from hospitals or forcefully injected, at least get them to wear masks at all times. As much as health workers have the right to decide what they do with their bodies, patients deserve to be treated in a safe, flu-free environment.
Montreal Mayor Gérald Tremblay announced his resignation from office due to ongoing allegations of corruption on Monday evening.
Tremblay held the press conference at 7 p.m. but met with councillors from his party at city hall hours before he officially stepped down.
Tremblay said he dedicated himself to the success of Montreal and he denied allegations of misconduct, specifically those made recently at the Charbonneau Commission relating to his own party.
“Under these circumstances, I cannot help anymore,” said Tremblay. “The success of the city is much more important than my personal interests.”
Several executives of Union Montreal, the mayor’s party, have been accused of taking kickbacks in exchange for awarding municipal contracts, during testimonies at the Charbonneau Commission. Tremblay went onto say that he remained skeptical and asked questions over the years but was only ever given documents and memos after the fact.
He accepted full responsibility for what happened but claimed that every time he was informed of corruption or collusion he gave the information to the proper authorities. Tremblay insisted he was unaware of the dishonesty that is currently rocking Quebec politics.
“In politics, perception matters more than the truth. Especially when it is manipulated by multiple factors and agendas, and when the chance to tell the truth is not stated or believed,” he said. “One day, justice will prevail.”
Tremblay took an extended weekend following a testimony from Martin Dumont, former organizer of the Union Montreal, that alleged Tremblay was aware of the scandals going within his office and ignored it. Residents and opposition were quick to criticize a budget tabled by council that aimed to raise taxes by three per cent last week before council reconsidered.
There will not be a municipal election since Tremblay resigned after Nov. 3 and instead city council will appoint a temporary mayor.
In solidarity with the downtrodden, dozens participated in activities, provided food and stayed out until dawn at a downtown Montreal campout aimed at addressing the ramifications of poverty and undeveloped social programs, Friday night.
The 23rd annual Nuit des sans-abris (night for the homeless) took place in 27 different municipalities across the province including Valleyfield, Quebec City, Sherbrooke and Laval, to emphasize the issues transients face. Last year, the movement reached 25 cities and it is held every third Friday of the month of October.
Every meeting point provided food, music, lectures and information kiosques regarding the effects of indigence throughout a 12-hour span. The objective of the initiative is not to raise money but to raise awareness and show support for those unable to support themselves.
The rainy night began at Square Phillips before continuing to Amherst Park, located on the corner of Ste-Catherine St. and Amherst St., where individuals gathered for a few hours of food and entertainment before a contingent moved north to the Comité social Centre-Sud for the rest of the night.
In the early evening, two individuals known only as Alexandre and Émilie addressed a small crowd with a letter about the struggles they face living life on the street.
“Everyday I have to look for food,” said Alexandre. “Everyday I have to look for a place to sleep.”
Émilie emphasized that those without shelter or financial aid who had fallen on hard times, need the help of the city and support of those around them.
“We all have the right to dignity and to be happy,” she said.
In 2006, according to Statistics Canada, approximately 4,170 individuals in Quebec sought comfort in shelters. This includes shelters for abused women and children, for the homeless, and other shelters that offer assistance services. The street population is also overwhelmingly male. In a survey of more than 4,000 street youth conducted by the Public Health Agency of Canada in 2007, a ratio of approximately two males to about one female was reported for all age demographics.
Paul Kabamakuzth, a student visiting from France, volunteered with the organization for the evening by giving out small grey felt cloths rolled and tied with a red ribbon to symbolize a blanket, and the lack of shelter for the homeless.
“I think it’s important to make people open their eyes about homelessness,” said Kabamakuzth. “I think they don’t realize how important it is.”
Organizations like Dans La Rue brought hot meals to supporters and the homeless who settled in for a long, cold night before having breakfast served at 6 a.m. by the centre.
Bernard St-Jacques, media relations co-ordinator for the event, said the expansion of the event strengthens the cause.
“It’s so original to do a night like this,” said St-Jacques. “It’s a good way of showing solidarity because it’s 27 cities.”
Many supporters wore the red square, the symbolic emblem of the student conflict over the tuition fee increase and fiscal management of post-secondary institutions, in solidarity with students. According to St-Jacques, the notion of mobilization is linked to the student movement and many impoverished individuals identify with students.
A famous American author by the name G. Edward Griffin once said that “to oppose corruption in government is the highest obligation of patriotism.”
He was right. Why live in a society run by a corrupt leader? Why live in a society which wastes people’s money in hopes of being re-elected? Why put up with the antics of a leader such as Gerald Tremblay?
Mr. Tremblay, Montrealers have had enough. In the past few weeks, a chorus of people have put their voices together, screaming out corruption in City Hall and in the good old construction business. This came after allegations brought forth at the Charbonneau Commission when an expert witness showed and alluded to corruption “so deep, so systemic, that kickbacks to the Montreal mayor’s political party and payments to the Italian Mafia were handled by the same person,” wrote the Huffington Post.
The Charbonneau Commission was created by the Charest government in 2011. Its goal is to bring forth allegations of corruption in Quebec’s construction industry all while protecting witnesses and victims alike. It was set to run a two-year mandate and is being chaired by Judge France Charbonneau.
The expert witness was Lino Zambito, former construction boss, who further testified that the cost of construction was driven up by corruption and that for every contract, three per cent of it went to the mayor’s political party, Union Montreal. He continued, giving amazing details about how contracts were handled, and naming everyone who got a share of the cut. Major mafia strongholds in Montreal were mentioned more than once, such as Rizzuto, Accurso, and Nicolo Miloto.
“People knew about it at the city. The business people knew about it. The suppliers knew it… [It was] business as usual… There was wilful blindness. It was accepted,” said Zambito.
These recent allegations made by Zambito have turned many people against the Tremblay government. The most prominent name was Yves Francoeur, president of the Montreal Police Brotherhood. He said that recent allegations have “tainted” his view of the Tremblay administration and has publicly asked the provincial government to come in and strip Tremblay of his power.
“It’s unbelievable in the circumstances that we always have to go to the Tremblay administration to have them approve our orientation, our budget, our priorities because all the corruption allegations that we heard lately are very severe,” he said.
Whether or not Tremblay is actually corrupt remains to be seen by the authenticity of Zambino’s testimony. Although he may not be accused of corruption yet, he’s definitely being accused of making major mistakes as mayor of Montreal.
Suzanne Decarie, city councillor for the Pointe-aux-Trembles district for Vision Montreal, said publicly that his behaviour is unacceptable.
“One cannot let himself be so naive as mayor of Montreal,” said Decarie. “Whether it was voluntary or involuntary, Mr. Tremblay was blind and laid his trust in too many people.”
There’s a serious problem in Montreal. The Charbonneau Commission is a step in the right direction, but it’s only the beginning. When substantial evidence is shown against the mayor of a city you’re trying to clean up, the mayor in question has no choice but to step down.
But not here. Not for Tremblay. Tremblay is so used to having it his own way that the recent allegations have him smiling and even considering running for another term.
“I will not comment on the everyday happenings of the Charbonneau commission,” said Tremblay in a press conference after Zambito’s testimony. “As far as the funding of our political party, Union Montreal, [Quebec’s chief electoral officer] verified on a regular basis our financial statements and found no wrongdoing.”
Corruption will always have a place in politics, whether we like it or not. However, when the majority of people know the details of just how the government is going about its dirty dealings, changes need to be made. A Leger Marketing survey for QMI Agency conducted over the internet on October 3, suggests that 62 per cent of Montrealers want the mayor to step down. According to the survey, 67 per cent believe corruption is built into Montreal’s political system.
My message to Montrealers: wake up! In any other city, a politician accused of this much corruption would’ve been long gone. We know what’s happening, and we can’t sit and watch while our city crumbles.
The anti-police brutality protest, notorious for its violent turnout, was mostly peaceful and recorded no arrests Saturday night.
Following months of continuous student protests, roughly 200 protesters gathered at Place Émilie-Gamelin before marching through the streets of the downtown core to condemn Montreal Police’s use of excessive force.
Demonstrators were notably present to denounce a recent mass dismissal of complaints against police behaviour filed during the student conflict.
“This year’s protest is mainly about the irregularities within police ethics,” said protester and Dawson Student Union Director of external affairs Nicholas Di Penna. “When people give in complaints and they are simply refused it means there are problems of introspection within the police and we ask why isn’t there more control over police brutality.”
According to the protest’s Facebook event page, the ethics commissioner of the Service de Police de Montréal brushed off 46 per cent of the complaints filed against officers during the student strike movement. As a result, demonstrators are concerned that the accused officers will not face sanctions but instead receive a slap on the wrist or the alleged victims will have the opportunity to “express his or her feelings to the accused officer.”
The Montreal Police’s ethics commissioner could not be reached for comment due to the holiday weekend.
According to the Huffington Post Quebec, the reason behind the dismissals are either a lack of information in order to proceed with an investigation, or the alleged victim dropping the case.
The Montreal Police’s Ethics Commissioner Louise Letarte also said that the number of dismissed complaints might increase as the department reviewed only 149 out of the total 193 complaints received related to the student conflict. So far, 60 complaints will lead to further investigation for which the result will appear in spring 2013.
Angered by the dismissals and feeling powerless against a police force individuals believe used excessive violence in interventions, some protesters expressed their concerns over the SPVM’s ability to exercise control over its own officers and to sanction them in the adequate manner.
“If the SPVM and the city won’t hear us in court, then they will hear us in the streets,” said Marc Lamarée, a protester who is currently facing charges in two trials after he was arrested at the Victoriaville riot last May, and at another student protest during the summer. “The SPVM has treated us like troublemakers since the beginning of the movement and I was even told they had a list of protesters to pay special attention to, which I am on. We should be able to defend ourselves legally against such profiling and excesses and this dismissal of complaints is bad news.”
Saturday’s protest was declared illegal by the police before it began due to the organizers failing to provide a march route. The demonstration was still authorized providing it remained peaceful.
The protesters, many of them masked and dressed in black, left Place Émilie-Gamelin at 8:45 p.m. closely flanked by officers and followed by mounted police. They walked through the streets of downtown Montreal, improvising their route and often walking against traffic. Aside from a few busted traffic cones and firecrackers, the protesters carried the march until it ended at its starting point around 11 p.m. with a single individual receiving a ticket.
“Jesus Christ, is this an NPR convention?” asked White before cutting his set short last Saturday in New York City, three days before he appeared at Montreal’s L’Olympia. Despite technical problems and the negative press detailing White’s ‘diva-tude’ behaviour, he didn’t fail to impress the Montreal crowd.
Eager to see whether White would enter the stage with Los Buzzardos, the all-male band, or The Peacocks, his all-female band, the lights dimmed and the crowd erupted in cheers. White and Los Buzzardos began playing The White Stripes’ song “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground.”
The sound immediately electrified fans, but as soon as White walked up to the mic, it became obvious that something was off. The music level was much higher than the vocals, making it virtually impossible to hear White sing.
Press photo.
Throughout the ninety-minute show, White played songs from his entire repertoire. He performed tracks that he wrote with The Raconteurs, The Dead Weather, a few songs from his solo debut Blunderbuss, and a song he wrote with Hank Williams, “You Know That I Know.”
But his White Stripe hits proved to be the most memorable. The closing song “Seven Nation Army” was both electric and delicate, causing the most powerful reaction from fans.
It’s no surprise that the crowd was so enthusiastic about White, for he lived up to his reputation and shied away from gimmicks to produce an honest-to-God rock show. This concert was, without a doubt, a riveting musical experience.
Top five Jack White tracks
1. “Seven Nation Army” – White Stripes – Elephant
It is near impossible to have lived through the 2000s and not recognize the signature “Seven Nation Army” guitar riff. It sounds like a bass, but was the sound was actually created by running White’s semi-acoustic guitar through a DigiTech Whammy pedal set down an octave.
It was adopted as the unofficial anthem of A.S. Roma, an Italian football club based in Rome, during the 2006 World Cup. Nowadays crowds chant the lyrics to “Seven Nation Army” instead of the traditional Olé, Olé, Olé. “I’m gonna fight ’em off/A seven nation army couldn’t hold me back/They’re gonna rip it off/Taking their time right behind my back.”
2. “Portland, Oregon” – Loretta Lynn & Jack White – Van Lear Rose
After being M.I.A. for about ten years, country pioneer Loretta Lynn returned to the studio with White to release 2004’s Van Lear Rose. White lent vocals, guitar and produced the record — which later won the Grammy Award for Best Country Album. “Portland, Oregon” is the album’s only duet and serves as their ode to the city that bewitched them as touring musicians. Its music video juxtaposes footage of America’s ‘weirdest’ city with White and Lynn performing in a dive bar, and lets you to peer into the relationship the two developed working closely together. “Well I lost my heart it didn’t take no time/But that ain’t all/ I lost my mind in Oregon.”
3. “Icky Thump” – The White Stripes – Icky Thump
“Icky Thump” is the title track of The White Stripes’ sixth and final album. Though it was released in 2007, the pair didn’t announce their separation until 2011. After 13 years together, they called it quits for a “myriad of reasons, but mostly to preserve what is beautiful and special about the band.” The album returned to the heavy, snarky rock found in their earlier releases. The title track, “Icky Thump”, features one of White’s only political references. It deals with immigration to the United States, with both the song’s lyrics and music video detailing how easy it is for someone to cross the border into Mexico, yet near impossible to get back into the US. “White Americans/What? Nothin’ better to do?/Why don’t you kick yourself out/You’re an immigrant too.”
4. “Blunderbuss” – Jack White – Blunderbuss
Though White had been bouncing from one project to the next for a decade, he didn’t release solo material until 2012. And that’s because Blunderbuss was a record that he couldn’t release until now. He told Rolling Stone, “I’ve put off making records under my own name for a long time but these songs feel like they could only be presented under my name. These songs were written from scratch, had nothing to do with anyone or anything else but my own expression, my own colors on my own canvas.” The title track is a country-rock piano ballad, and appears to address his former bandmate and ex-wife, Meg White. “And you’ll be watching me, girl/Taking over the world/Let the stripes unfurl/Gettin’ rich singin’ poor boy/Poor boy.”
5. “Steady As She Goes” – The Raconteurs – Broken Boy Soldiers
The Raconteurs formed after White bonded with an old friend, Brendan Benson, in an attic on a hot summer’s day. Cooped up, the pair wrote “Steady As She Goes” and were inspired to make things official. With the addition of Jack Lawrence and Patrick Keeler of The Greenhornes, The Raconteurs called themselves “a new band made up of old friends.” This track is White’s most mainstream effort and the closest he has ever gotten to pop. The song has been covered by Adele, Corinne Bailey Rae, Fitz and The Tantrums and was nominated for the Best Rock Performance Grammy in 2007. “Settle for a girl neither up or down/sell it to the crowd that’s gathered round/so steady as she goes.”
