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Do you suppose that we didn't have a black out because we (Québec) are living right, with our nice shiny new government?
Wasn't it fun to watch everyone scrambling to lay the blame on the other side of the border while Toronto whined (yet again). We wonder how they might have behaved in The Ice Storm? Our very own former Minister of Hydro - along with many other things - will be with us to comment. As the former Minister of International Trade, John should also have views on the forthcoming WTO meetings
Do see W-N on the Power Outage
And of course there is the Montreal Solution (to the merger morasse) that merits some discussion. We are impressed that our once-and-future Mayor has time to vocally defend our interests, at the drop of a microphone, despite his preoccupation with wedding plans and desperate search for a suitable house at an acceptable price.
On the international scene, the news from Israel and Iraq is grim. Even the wisdom of Wednesday Night is put to the test in these situations. We are indeed lucky to live in this country. As August passes mid-point, many of you will be returning in time for whatever academic calendar rules you, yours or your children's, and we look forward to your return to Wednesday Night! Keep checking this page for updates
David and Diana
Tuesday Aug 19, 2003 cbc
 WORLD OUTRAGED AT ATTACK ON UN IN BAGHDAD
Around the world there has been condemnation over the attack in Baghdad.
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NP story on W-N
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The photos here are of some of the players expected for 1120
Wednesday Night Salon #1120
August 20, 2003
Ice Storm '98 versus Blackout 2003
On January 20, 1998 an ice storm caused a power failure covering Québec, Eastern Ontario and parts of Northern New England. Although the electricity was out for several weeks, people coped, there was no panic and we went on with our lives. We must contrast this with the recent power failure in Ontario and northeastern U.S., which lasted mostly overnight and which created incredible soul-searching and the quest for instant answers. While it is true that one difference was the number of people affected, the most telling factor was that the ice storm was pre 9/11, while the more recent event was post 9/11. Even though the element of terrorism was discounted almost immediately, the connection leaped to the forefront like a pop-up ad on the Internet, as did the vulnerability of all aspects of North American life.
Reportedly, the plane downed over Virginia had been intended to take out the White House and the one that was flown into the Pentagon was destined for Congress, with unthinkable effect. Presumably the next act of terrorism in North America will be an escalation of the September 11 attack hence the recent blackout, though brief brought the vulnerability of our power sources into sharp focus.
One problem is that the “grid” in the affected area is not a single grid but a series of many interconnected grids, each of which deals with its system in a different manner. Even the equipment is different and within Ontario, the maintenance system is different. In Scandinavia, the transmission is governed by a single authority responsible for distribution within and between all Scandinavian countries.
Québec would be as vulnerable as Ontario and the United States, were it not for James Bay. Like Ontario we would have to rely on multiple nuclear energy plants. Happily, the Bourassa government strengthened the distribution system and improved its reliability, in order to provide dependable, uninterrupted electrical power not only to our own industries but to New England and Northern New York State. The electricity which we sell them at a profit for 4.4 cents per kilowatt hour, is resold in New York City at 18 cents. However, the Oka crisis, reminded us that despite all improvements, even our system is vulnerable to attack.
Terrorism and religion
If the vulnerability of the West, or more correctly the countries of the northern hemisphere, is due to our relative prosperity, how can one account for the Wahabe in Saudi Arabia, certainly not a poverty-stricken country? Is the current wave of Muslim-based terrorism a delayed counter-attack against the Crusades -- a millennium after the event? Is this a religious war? This question begs others, such as, are the conflicts in Ireland, in Israel, Chechnya, between India and Pakistan, or in Africa, based on religion? More likely, they are about power, or is religion used as a mask to cover the thirst for power? Or as a justification – God is right, God is might? The claim is made that Arab nations have not as yet come to grips with the separation of State and Mosque. The same claim might well be made today in the light of the fundamentalist tendencies of the American Right and its leaders in the Administration. Were the two recent invasions of Iraq by the United States motivated by power, religion or neither? Perhaps as claimed, they were merely a legitimate response to an attack on American soil.
Lay magistrates in the U.K.
In the U.K. and some jurisdictions in the United States, unpaid Lay Magistrates, assisted by professionals trained in the law, are appointed to hear court cases in their own locality. Their decisions are binding but may be appealed to a higher court. In the UK, 95% of the cases heard by the lay magistrates are criminal. In many cases, the accused are not represented by lawyers, but the magistrates may advise them to consult with a lawyer attached to the court. In this event, the lawyer will listen to the story, advise the accused what to do (which may include retaining legal counsel), but will not appear in court with the accused. A junior magistrate may aspire to become a senior magistrate, but will be required to successfully complete rigorous second-tier training.
Although not above criticism, this system can successfully cut down on the delays [lay magistrates hear up to 30 cases A DAY] and presumably, subsequent denial of justice, so prevalent in Canadian courts. [[Marcus Hope]
Demerger – the continuing saga
The demerger legislation is on track. There will be parliamentary hearings in December and probably referenda held early in 2004. Part of the problem in the legislation leading to the forced mergers is that such disparate municipalities as Cap Rouge and Québec or St-Jovite and Mont Tremblant were forced to merge, giving rise to much municipal pride in forcibly-merged Québec municipalities that had been previously absent or at best, not evident. Interestingly, it is some of the smaller municipalities that appear to be the best organized. Tremblant, for example, which enjoys a population with a high percentage of retirees who, having been successful practitioners, bring professional knowledge and analytical skills to the volunteer de-merger organizations.
Many former municipalities are expected to request demerger, but it is not enough to be successful in that effort; the key is to recruit the dedicated individuals who will take on the management of the newly re-created municipalities and ensure that there is a willing succession. As it is likely that the successful demergers will occur in the municipalities that are better endowed in terms of financial and human capital, a legitimate fear is that the rebirth of municipalities perceived as Anglophone might resuscitate the now moribund Parti Québécois. Patrick O'Hara has given many 100rd hours
Global health
Great strides have been made in the prevention and treatment of Diabetes and Heart Disease, only to be thwarted by the propensity of modern Man to avoid exercise and eat foods not conducive to good health. While the advances in medical care have provided the tools to reduce the rate of these diseases and to provide their cure, an alarmingly high percentage (60%) of Americans are overweight (and many of these are young people) and this tendency is being observed for the first time in such countries as China and India, as people move away from their traditional diet, either because it is "trendy" to eat western fast foods, or, increasingly, because the staples of the traditional diet are disappearing at alarming rates because of over-fishing, climate change and other man-made environmental factors.
In the foreseeable future, genetic tests for the predisposition for Heart Disease and Diabetes will be available, but will the potential victims listen? Probably no more than they do now, which appears to be pitifully little.
QUOTES OF THE EVENING 1120
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“Islam is a sort of cement for a whole bunch of groups of underdogs. There is a wave and we are at the beginning. It will develop over the next ten or fifteen years.”
- “It’s about religion ... fundamentalism in the U.S. ... Right wing people around George Bush are more fanatic than Al Qua’eda. Now we (see) a confrontation of many (varieties of) fundamentalism (in) Iran, Israel, heartland America.”
- “The attractiveness of religion and part of its danger, is simplicity.”
- “Religion is like a prism. The poorest countries tend to be Islamic: Afghanistan, Somalia, Bangladesh. ... Islam takes care of the underdog better than Christianity.”
- “Religion gives you certainty.”
- “Islam was pushed out of Spain in the eleventh century and now they are pushing back.”
- “Religion is the excuse, but power, influence and control are the reasons.”
- “Wahabe Muslims come not from a poor country, but a wealthy one, Saudi Arabia.”
“There are eighty past municipalities that want to get out (of forced municipal mergers) big time, and we have to work big time.”
- “One of the great things about Québec is our diversity. At the end of the day there are enough people who will say that we are diverse and (that) we all want to preserve the diversity in this province ... redefining our democracy. That diversity and that heritage are worth fighting for.”
- “Communities don’t mean ghettos.”
- “What I fear is that if we go back and we have the West Island ghetto and the Westmount ghetto and we will revive the ideas of the P.Q.”
- “Large cities are not efficient; large cities don’t work; democracy cannot function in megalopolises.”
- Man who avoids exercise needs medical care
Notes by Herb Bercovitz • & Edited by Diana Thébaud Nicholson
W-N Links for #1120
- ice storm Jan 23, 1998 Hon Lucienne Robillard
- power failure in Ontario and northeastern U.S.,
- 9/11? Oka crisis John Ciaccia
- Terrorism Muslim-based, and religion;
- India and Pakistan,
- or in Africa, based on religion;
- unpaid UK Lay Magistrates, Marcus Hope
- Demerger – the continuing saga,,,, Patrick O'Hara given many 100s hrs;
- Diabetes and Heart Disease, Man who avoids exercise needs medical care
- Air Canada is bankrupt; Canadian dollar
- Photo Album
- Wed 1120 This week in pictures
2003, August 20th Notes for #1120
Wednesday Aug 13, 2003 cbc
CPP MAKES PRIVATE EQUITY FUND INVESTMENTS
The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board is investing $550 million into
private equity funds, with the bulk of it going in U.S. investments.
Wednesday Aug 13, 2003 cbc
Global fund management: caveat investor
...in China... the country's hopelessly under-funded pension sector (the shortfall is at least $150 billion)...
Wednesday Aug 13, 2003 cbc
What is a neo-conservative anyway?
Thanks to our Editor Diana for these two good reads.
Wednesday Aug 13, 2003 cbc
FEDERAL RESERVE LEAVES U.S INTEREST RATES UNCHANGED
The Federal Reserve did the expected on Tuesday and left interest rates at a 45-year low of 1 per cent.
Wednesday Aug 13, 2003 globe
On-line pharmacists scrambling
WINNIPEG — A Manitoba official says Internet pharmacists blacklisted by big U.S. drug firms are scrambling to keep their customers and some may close. ...Already, Manitoba's largest drug wholesaler has seen its profits slashed by the crackdown on exports of cheap Canadian pharmaceuticals to the U.S.
....Last week Pfizer, the world's largest drug manufacturer, blacklisted 50 Canadian pharmacists.
Wednesday Aug 13, 2003 cbc
HOUSING PRICES RISE ACROSS COUNTRY
New housing prices in 12 Canadian cities went up in June, Statistics Canada reported on Tuesday. see w-n more
Monday Aug 11, 2003 cbc
HOMEOWNERS TO RECEIVE REBATES FOR ENERGY-SAVING UPGRADES
The federal government has introduced a multi-million dollar program to help homeowners make their houses more energy-efficient.
Wednesday Aug 13, 2003 cbc
NORTEL EXPECTS UP TO $40 MILLION US IN RESTRUCTURING COSTS IN LAST HALF OF 2003 M/a>
Nortel Networks expects to record $30 million US to $40 million US in restructuring charges in the second half of the year. see w-n more
Monday Aug 11, 2003 ts
Why taxing power matters by HENRY AUBIN
The bitter cleavage in Mayor Gérald Tremblay's party this week has been largely over whether boroughs should have the power to levy taxes. Several councillors say they might quit the party over the mayor's refusal to include this in his decentralization plan. see w-n more
Monday Aug 11, 2003 ts
MONTANA SEEKS TO CLOSE INTERNET PHARMACY 'BROKER'
Montana has filed a lawsuit against a company that helps Americans buy
from Canadian Internet pharmacies.
Saturday Aug 9, 2003 ts
CANADA PENSION PLAN RESULTS LIFTED BY RISING MARKETS
The Canada Pension Plan saw its assets grow by $3.1 billion between
April and June, earning a 5.5 per cent rate of return as stock and bond
markets climbed higher.
Saturday Aug 9, 2003 Call for water to be metered in the UK
The Liberal Democrats say water meters in every home would mean lower bills and help the environment.
Saturday Aug 9, 2003 ts
We have much to mull on integration with U.S
At this year's Couchiching Conference, the theme is "Continentalism: What's In It For Us?"
Bank of Canada governor David Dodge waded into this debate, very much from an economist's point of view, on the potential economic gains from much deeper integration with the United States. see Couchiching 2003
Saturday Aug 9, 2003 cbc
PFIZER CALLS IT A DAY WITH CANADIAN ONLINE PHARMACIES
Pfizer will stop supplying Canadian pharmacies that sell medication to
American consumers.
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