Academics & Education

Charles Taylor slams CAQ plan to ban religious symbols for some civil servants Co-author of Bouchard-Taylor report calls CAQ plan 'ridiculous,' 'dishonest' and 'a lot of blather'

(CBC) Philosopher Charles Taylor says the new CAQ government “doesn’t get the point” of the report he co-authored that’s been frequently cited by the CAQ as justification for its controversial plan to ban the wearing of religious symbols by some civil servants. […]

Academics & Education

Westmount High teachers to rally against CAQ religious symbols ban Protest 'to send a clear message to the new government' is set for Thursday morning in front of the school.

(Montreal Gazette) Four years after staging protests against the Parti Québécois’s proposed charter of values, teachers at Westmount High School are planning to rally against the Coalition Avenir Québec plan to bar public servants in positions of authority from wearing religious symbols. […]

Demonstrations

Inaugural V-March sheds light on female genital mutilation in NYC Local advocates marched to mobilize city agencies to provide services for victims of female genital mutilation which affects 65,000 women in NYC.

(Brooklyn Reader) The New York Coalition to End Female Genital Mutilation hosted the inaugural V-March on Saturday to call on city agencies to organize a coordinated response to end female genital mutilation (FGM). The V-March, a celebration of women’s “voices, victories and […]

Children & Teens

Finnish hospitals see more babies born to mothers with FGM Leading Finnish obstetricians are calling on doctors to become more knowledgeable of female genital mutilation, as more circumcised women give birth in Finland.

(Yle) Finland has started tallying births by circumcised mothers as the medical community is increasingly dealing with delivery complications caused by female genital mutilation, FGM. Päivi Polo, who heads the women’s clinic at Turku University Hospital, told Yle she sees 1-2 circumcised […]

Academics & Education

New Quebec government open to allowing existing teachers who wear religious symbols to keep their jobs But Coalition Avenir Québec has no intention of removing crucifix from National Assembly, spokesperson says

(CBC) After a week of controversy, Quebec’s incoming Coalition Avenir Québec government is opening the door a crack to compromise on its plan to ban some civil servants from wearing religious symbols. The CAQ said last week it would be prepared to fire teachers who refuse to […]

Government & Politics

Linda Sarsour won’t say if she believes accusation Ellison abused his ex-girlfriend The Women's March organizer has vocally protested Kavanaugh's confirmation, supported accusers

(Free Beacon) Women’s March organizer and activist Linda Sarsour ignored a question on Friday about whether she believes Karen Monahan, Democratic National Committee deputy chair Keith Ellison’s ex-girlfriend who accused the Minnesota Democrat of physically and emotionally abusing her. Monahan accused Ellison in […]

Clothing

French and values tests not the way to integrate newcomers, Quebec immigrants say Premier-designate confirms plan to cut immigration 20% next year

(CBC) Newcomers to Quebec and their advocates say the premier-designate is taking the wrong approach to integrating immigrants, after François Legault said he will proceed next year with Coalition Avenir Québec’s plan to cut immigration levels by 20 per cent. At his first news conference as incoming premier, Legault confirmed […]

Clothing

Austria’s controversial ‘burqa ban,’ a year on With few burqa wearers in Austria, police have often been forced to deal with the absurd side effects of the law. Public opinion, however, remains divided one year after the country banned full-face coverings.

(Deutsche Welle) “Not much has changed,” says Herbert Trappel, enjoying a glass of wine at an outdoor sausage stand at Vienna’s Viktor Adler Market. “When was the law introduced, back in April?” The stand’s proprietor, Vesna Dudek, shakes her head indecisively. You […]

Clothing

Boris Johnson stands by burka remarks, accusing colleagues of ‘confected indignation’ Mr Johnson also tells Sky News he is worried the EU may go for the Chequers proposal as it's 'a great deal for them.'

(Sky News) Boris Johnson has refused to apologise for comparing women wearing burkas to “bank robbers” and accused colleagues of whipping up “confected indignation” over the remarks. In a wide-ranging interview with Sky News, Mr Johnson also warned that the EU may […]

Government & Politics

Rep. Keith Ellison is asking the House to investigate an ex-girlfriend’s claims that he abused her 'I am taking this step now because I am innocent and eager to see this entire matter resolved,' Ellison told BuzzFeed News after Karen Monahan accused him of abuse.

(BuzzFeed) A growing number of Democrats say the domestic abuse allegations against Democratic Rep. Keith Ellison should be investigated, and now the House Democrat says he will request a House investigation himself. Ellison, the deputy chair of the Democratic National Committee and […]