#ICYMI: Vaccination legal action, Grand Prix uncertainty, more news
In brief: A selection of today's reports on montrealgazette.com.
Article content
Quebec expects to open vaccinations to the general population “towards the end of May,” Health Minister Christian Dubé said Thursday. In the meantime, he has asked Quebec’s public health department if the province can start administering the AstraZeneca vaccine to people younger than 55 years old, reports Andy Riga in his daily blog covering pandemic developments. Read it here.
In Montreal news
Lawsuit threatened over vaccination delay
Advocates for people with developmental disabilities say they’re fed up with being ignored and plan to sue the Quebec government if it continues to delay COVID-19 vaccination for their vulnerable loved ones. Constitutional lawyer Julius Grey said he will send a demand letter on their behalf to Premier François Legault and Health Minister Christian Dubé. Read the full report.
Fate of Grand Prix race still up in the air
Organizers of the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix are still awaiting official word on whether they can go ahead with this year’s race, which is scheduled for June 13 at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. Radio-Canada reported on Thursday that the race has been cancelled because of COVID-19 concerns. Read the full report.
Funds committed for REM station at airport
Trudeau airport is getting the money it needs to build a planned station for the light-rail network already under construction, with Ottawa and Quebec committing $500 million. Read the full report.
Agreement to finance 3,500 affordable housing units
Montreal’s executive committee said on Thursday it has reached an agreement with the Quebec Municipal Affairs Ministry and and the Société d’habitation du Québec for $79.4 million in financing for the construction of 3,562 affordable housing units in the city. Read the full report.
Accurso’s bribery trial suspended
A trial involving allegations that construction magnate Antonio (Tony) Accurso bribed Canada Revenue Agency auditors to reduce reported income of his companies was suspended Thursday after a Quebec Court judge ordered the Crown to turn over more evidence to defence lawyers. Read the full report.
City streets going pedestrian-only this summer
Hot on the heels of Plateau-Mont-Royal’s announcement that it would be pedestrianizing three of its arteries and high-traffic streets, the City of Montreal has announced the full list of streets that will be fully or partially car-free this summer. Read the full report.
In Quebec news
Post-COVID illness striking children
A rare post-COVID illness is sending children to hospitals. Symptoms include intense abdominal pains, persistent fever, rash and red eyes. Specialists first started detecting the inflammatory syndrome in children shortly after the pandemic began. Though still very rare, Montreal hospitals are seeing more and more suspected cases of the illness as the pandemic stretches into its second year. Read the full report.
No proof poor air quality triggers outbreaks: Roberge
Quebec Education Minister Jean-François Roberge said Thursday that no COVID-19 outbreak in schools can be linked to poor air quality. Roberge made the comments after the airing of a report by Radio-Canada that found numerous irregularities in the air quality tests carried out by the Education ministry. Read the full report.
‘I’m doing my best,’ Legault says
Premier François Legault Thursday defended his flip-flop over outdoor masks, saying he is not perfect but thinks Quebecers understand the COVID-19 pandemic is a fluid situation and last-minute adjustments are necessary. Read the full report.
Probe wanted into leaked photo of naked MP
The government House leader is asking the Speaker of the House of Commons to investigate a photo leak of a Quebec Liberal MP caught naked on camera during a virtual sitting of Parliament. Pablo Rodriguez said the incident involving William Amos was “mean-spirited” and has been “life-changing” for Amos. He suggested there could be serious implications for the person who took and shared this intimate image on Wednesday. Read the full report.
Seniors minister announces new direction for long-term care
Quebec seniors minister Marguerite Blais tabled a policy on housing and care for the elderly that she described as a new direction for senior care in the province. Blais said the policy will see in-home care for seniors be prioritized, and when that is not possible, they will be directed to care centres smaller than those used now. Read the full report.
Lawsuit filed against Rozon
Quebec actor Patricia Tulasne has filed a $1.6-million lawsuit against Gilbert Rozon, the producer and former head of the Just for Laughs comedy festival, alleging he “brutally raped” her in 1994. Read the full report.
Tax deadline: Deadline stands, but penalties delayed
While it maintains that the official deadline for filing provincial income tax returns remains April 30, Revenue Quebec on Thursday said no penalties will be imposed on returns received by May 31. Read the full report.
In Local Arts news
Michel Louvain dies at 83
Michel Louvain, who first found success as a 20-year-old matinee idol and grew in stature over a six-decade career to become one of the province’s most popular stage and television performers, has died. He was 83. Read the full report.
Les Grands Ballets back on stage
Dance — that most full-body-contact of art forms — launches back into live in-person performance mode this month as Les Grands Ballets present Echoes (Théâtre Maisonneuve of Place des Arts, April 21 to 25), a mixed 70-minute program curated by artistic director Ivan Cavallari. Read the full report.
Osheaga may be forced to relocate, organizers say
Osheaga isn’t going anywhere, at least not if Nick Farkas has any say in the matter. But the festival — which has become one of the defining events of Montreal’s summer — may be forced to uproot come 2023 if a compromise can’t be reached with the city. Read the full report.
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.