Letters: Bill 83 a poor prescription for health care
Will our politicians ever learn that penalizing never works as well as rewarding?
Why do they keep imposing conditions and regulations that end up accomplishing the opposite of what they intend?
How many times do they have to experience the negative outcomes of their decisions before they question their own logic?
The current conundrum is Bill 83, which forces Quebec-trained doctors to work in the public system for five years after obtaining a medical degree — or face hefty fines.
I don't see this legislation improving patient care, and it may well result in more young doctors leaving the province.
At the beginning of their professional journey, these doctors can easily be enticed to establish their careers elsewhere if they feel cornered and subjected to unreasonable orders.
I also expect Bill 83 to further congest overcrowded ERs and increase health care costs.
Ella Amir, N.D.G.
Pet owners lose crucial YUL service
Re: 'Airport expansion is a good thing' (Letters, May 10)
As one involved in international animal transport for over 50 years, I find the closure of Manoir Kanisha — the saviour of animals stranded or in temporary care — unconscionable.
The demolition of the pet boarding facility on the grounds of Trudeau airport is likely to have huge international repercussions.
For 35 years, pet owners from around the world and airlines relied on Manoir Kanisha to import and export pets safely through conflicting country regulations.
Now, the privileges of 24-hour pickup, veterinary attention, exercise, comfort, feeding, release from travel crates and contact with worried owners are no longer available.
With this decision, YUL has lost its international standing of Heathrow, Frankfurt, Charles de Gaulle, JFK and other airports offering pet services.
Sharon E. Cregier, Montague, P.E.I.
Turning the tide against ageism
Re: ' Wise to the benefits of male bonding ' (Extra, May 10)
Bravo to Susan Schwartz for her feature about the male bonding of gentlemen who have reached or, hopefully, will soon reach 90 years of age.
All too often, people of a certain age are perceived as having become victims of planned obsolescence and, therefore, categorized as yesterday's person.
It is imperative that one be reminded that ageism remains inculcated in the very nature and culture of our society and, thus, sanctions prejudice beyond the pale.
As time travellers, an appreciation of meaningful relationships brings forth the promise of a fulfilling tomorrow.
Brahms E. Silver, Côte-St-Luc
Choosing Charles sends a message
Re: ' Quebec flipping out on word the King is coming ' (Chris Selley, May 7)
It is sad that some critics in Quebec don't seem to see history beyond 1759. King Charles's scheduled visit to open Parliament is a case in point. They see it as a reminder of British rule.
However, because Canada's sovereignty is directly and unbelievably threatened these days by our neighbour to the south, I am sure the King's presence is an intentional reply to this threat.
Charles's throne speech will remind the world, and the U.S. in particular, that Canada is part of the Commonwealth and as such is not to be considered a piece of real estate to be coveted, grabbed or exploited by anyone.
Vera Bondy, Westmount
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Toronto Star
an hour ago
- Toronto Star
Global LGBTQ+ advocates gather ‘on Trump's doorstep' at World Pride despite travel anxiety
WASHINGTON (AP) — Days before she was to deliver opening remarks to World Pride's human rights conference in Washington, Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, the co-founder of UK Black Pride, said she was denied entry to the United States after her visa was revoked due to her travels to Cuba earlier this year. Opoku-Gyimah, widely known as Lady Phyll, said she applied immediately for a nonimmigrant visa. The earliest date she was given: September. 'I've called. I've written. I've pleaded,' she said over a video livestream. 'And the answer was a cold, bureaucratic 'No.'' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Many LGBTQ+ travelers have expressed concerns or decided to skip World Pride due to anxieties about safety, border policies and a hostile political climate. Yet cross-national strategizing has still been central to the gathering as international attendees echoed that they wanted to send a clear message of opposition to U.S. officials with their presence. 'This is World Pride on Trump's doorstep,' said Yasmin Benoit, a British model and asexual activist. 'And that's all the more reason to be here. We want to show the U.S. that there's a lot of eyes on what's happening here.' New policies make visiting more complex World Pride gathers LGBTQ+ advocates from around the globe and has taken place most recently in Australia, Sweden and Denmark. This year, which marks the 50th anniversary of Washington's Pride festival, is the first time the city is hosting the gathering. Yet for many, the global celebration has been complicated by President Donald Trump's policies targeting transgender people and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Trump, a Republican, has said that whether a person is a man or woman is determined by that person's biological characteristics at birth, and about two-thirds of U.S. adults agree with him, according to an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll. He has denounced DEI policies as a form of discrimination that threatens merit-based decision-making. Several countries, including Denmark, Finland and Germany, issued cautions for LGBTQ+ travelers visiting the U.S. for World Pride, culminates in a closing festival this weekend with a parade, a rally and concerts. Capital Pride Alliance, which organized World Pride D.C., included an advisory for transgender and nonbinary international travelers alongside security protocols. Egale Canada, one of the country's largest LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations, announced in February that its members would not attend any events in the U.S. through June, including World Pride. It cited concerns for transgender and nonbinary staff members. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'I didn't feel it was safe to have our staff crossing into the U.S. with the current hostilities, through legislation and rhetoric,' said Helen Kennedy, the organization's executive director. The African Human Rights Coalition, meanwhile, called for a boycott of World Pride in Washington 'because the event is being held in a venue ... governed now by an antagonistic fascist regime which presents distinct dangers to foreign LGBTQI+ attendees,' the organization said in a statement. Jessica Stern, a former U.S. special envoy for the human rights of LGBTQI+ people, acknowledged that many potential attendees decided to skip World Pride as they 'wonder if they'll be safe in U.S. airports and on our streets.' 'Thank you for coming to the U.S. amid a time of great uncertainty,' she said in her opening remarks before an emcee later instructed attendees to shout out where they had traveled from. Answers included New Zealand, Sweden, England, Zimbabwe, Australia, Nigeria and India. As an increasing number of international travelers have expressed anxiety, John Tanzella, president of the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association, said he has assured people that Washington is an inclusive city but advised them to stay informed of local policies, connect with LGBTQ+ organizations on the ground and book with trusted businesses with track records of inclusion. The organization is working on guidance for transgender and nonbinary travelers in the U.S. for the World Pride parade and march. 'Safety always comes up, especially in the current climate, but there's also a deep desire to bring our community together,' he said. 'For many, World Pride in Washington, D.C., feels extra meaningful given its location. There's caution, yes, but above all, people want to show up, be seen and be heard.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW A bad experience while trying to enter Benoit's friends had warned her not to travel to the U.S., and her anxiety was mounting in the days leading up to her flight. She planned to avoid telling customs agents she was traveling for World Pride. But when that information surfaced, she said agents took her passport and asked her questions for an additional hour about where she was staying and for how long. Still, she said, it is more important now than ever to 'send a message to Trump in his own backyard' and to embrace the global nature of World Pride. 'The ability to bring people together to understand how interconnected everything is, how this harmful rhetoric may bleed over to other countries, is really important,' she said. 'And it's an opportunity to access resources and people you may not have access to back home.' Essy Adhiambo, executive director of the Initiative for Equality and Non Discrimination, deleted all the social media apps on her phone before her 35-hour journey from Mombasa, Kenya, worrying that her phone might be searched. Still, Adhiambo said being visible as an international LGBTQ+ community is powerful amid threats to the community across the globe. 'We must continue to protest in the current context we are in,' she said. 'Those of us who are able to make this journey have to hold space for those who could not, especially our trans siblings. We want to amplify our message on the land of the people who are supporting homophobia.' Nikki Phinyapincha, co-founder of Trans Pride Thailand, set off on a 25-hour journey to World Pride from Thailand after issuing a travel advisory from her organization for Thai LGBTQ+ people. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'The political climate and instability is not new, but it makes it more important that we are here,' she said. 'We need to keep doing this work, strategizing together and being adaptive.' For people from marginalized communities, Opoku-Gyimah said, 'just traveling to speak truth can often feel like a mountain.' 'We have to prove our worth at every border, every checkpoint,' she said. Yet Opoku-Gyimah applauded the international nature of World Pride amid 'connected, coordinated ... and increasingly violent' attacks against LGBTQ+ communities across the globe. She said the U.S. government's rolling back of DEI initiatives, protections for the transgender community and reproductive rights have had ripple effects abroad, including in the U.K. 'When the U.S. sneezes,' she said, 'other parts of the world catch that cold.'
Winnipeg Free Press
an hour ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Global LGBTQ+ advocates gather ‘on Trump's doorstep' at World Pride despite travel anxiety
WASHINGTON (AP) — Days before she was to deliver opening remarks to World Pride's human rights conference in Washington, Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, the co-founder of UK Black Pride, said she was denied entry to the United States after her visa was revoked due to her travels to Cuba earlier this year. Opoku-Gyimah, widely known as Lady Phyll, said she applied immediately for a nonimmigrant visa. The earliest date she was given: September. 'I've called. I've written. I've pleaded,' she said over a video livestream. 'And the answer was a cold, bureaucratic 'No.'' Many LGBTQ+ travelers have expressed concerns or decided to skip World Pride due to anxieties about safety, border policies and a hostile political climate. Yet cross-national strategizing has still been central to the gathering as international attendees echoed that they wanted to send a clear message of opposition to U.S. officials with their presence. 'This is World Pride on Trump's doorstep,' said Yasmin Benoit, a British model and asexual activist. 'And that's all the more reason to be here. We want to show the U.S. that there's a lot of eyes on what's happening here.' New policies make visiting more complex World Pride gathers LGBTQ+ advocates from around the globe and has taken place most recently in Australia, Sweden and Denmark. This year, which marks the 50th anniversary of Washington's Pride festival, is the first time the city is hosting the gathering. Yet for many, the global celebration has been complicated by President Donald Trump's policies targeting transgender people and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Trump, a Republican, has said that whether a person is a man or woman is determined by that person's biological characteristics at birth, and about two-thirds of U.S. adults agree with him, according to an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll. He has denounced DEI policies as a form of discrimination that threatens merit-based decision-making. Several countries, including Denmark, Finland and Germany, issued cautions for LGBTQ+ travelers visiting the U.S. for World Pride, culminates in a closing festival this weekend with a parade, a rally and concerts. Capital Pride Alliance, which organized World Pride D.C., included an advisory for transgender and nonbinary international travelers alongside security protocols. Egale Canada, one of the country's largest LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations, announced in February that its members would not attend any events in the U.S. through June, including World Pride. It cited concerns for transgender and nonbinary staff members. 'I didn't feel it was safe to have our staff crossing into the U.S. with the current hostilities, through legislation and rhetoric,' said Helen Kennedy, the organization's executive director. The African Human Rights Coalition, meanwhile, called for a boycott of World Pride in Washington 'because the event is being held in a venue … governed now by an antagonistic fascist regime which presents distinct dangers to foreign LGBTQI+ attendees,' the organization said in a statement. Jessica Stern, a former U.S. special envoy for the human rights of LGBTQI+ people, acknowledged that many potential attendees decided to skip World Pride as they 'wonder if they'll be safe in U.S. airports and on our streets.' 'Thank you for coming to the U.S. amid a time of great uncertainty,' she said in her opening remarks before an emcee later instructed attendees to shout out where they had traveled from. Answers included New Zealand, Sweden, England, Zimbabwe, Australia, Nigeria and India. As an increasing number of international travelers have expressed anxiety, John Tanzella, president of the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association, said he has assured people that Washington is an inclusive city but advised them to stay informed of local policies, connect with LGBTQ+ organizations on the ground and book with trusted businesses with track records of inclusion. The organization is working on guidance for transgender and nonbinary travelers in the U.S. for the World Pride parade and march. 'Safety always comes up, especially in the current climate, but there's also a deep desire to bring our community together,' he said. 'For many, World Pride in Washington, D.C., feels extra meaningful given its location. There's caution, yes, but above all, people want to show up, be seen and be heard.' A bad experience while trying to enter Benoit's friends had warned her not to travel to the U.S., and her anxiety was mounting in the days leading up to her flight. She planned to avoid telling customs agents she was traveling for World Pride. But when that information surfaced, she said agents took her passport and asked her questions for an additional hour about where she was staying and for how long. Still, she said, it is more important now than ever to 'send a message to Trump in his own backyard' and to embrace the global nature of World Pride. 'The ability to bring people together to understand how interconnected everything is, how this harmful rhetoric may bleed over to other countries, is really important,' she said. 'And it's an opportunity to access resources and people you may not have access to back home.' Essy Adhiambo, executive director of the Initiative for Equality and Non Discrimination, deleted all the social media apps on her phone before her 35-hour journey from Mombasa, Kenya, worrying that her phone might be searched. Still, Adhiambo said being visible as an international LGBTQ+ community is powerful amid threats to the community across the globe. 'We must continue to protest in the current context we are in,' she said. 'Those of us who are able to make this journey have to hold space for those who could not, especially our trans siblings. We want to amplify our message on the land of the people who are supporting homophobia.' Nikki Phinyapincha, co-founder of Trans Pride Thailand, set off on a 25-hour journey to World Pride from Thailand after issuing a travel advisory from her organization for Thai LGBTQ+ people. 'The political climate and instability is not new, but it makes it more important that we are here,' she said. 'We need to keep doing this work, strategizing together and being adaptive.' For people from marginalized communities, Opoku-Gyimah said, 'just traveling to speak truth can often feel like a mountain.' 'We have to prove our worth at every border, every checkpoint,' she said. Yet Opoku-Gyimah applauded the international nature of World Pride amid 'connected, coordinated … and increasingly violent' attacks against LGBTQ+ communities across the globe. She said the U.S. government's rolling back of DEI initiatives, protections for the transgender community and reproductive rights have had ripple effects abroad, including in the U.K. 'When the U.S. sneezes,' she said, 'other parts of the world catch that cold.'
CBC
4 hours ago
- CBC
Why Quebec's forestry reform is facing backlash from Indigenous groups, conservationists
Quebec's sweeping reform of how forests are managed is causing concerns among Indigenous leaders, conservation groups and unions, who warn the changes prioritize logging over long-term health of the ecosystem. Bill 97, tabled this spring by Minister of Natural Resources and Forests Maïté Blanchette Vézina, proposes to divide the forest into three zones: one that prioritizes conservation, one focused on timber production and a third zone for multiple uses. At least 30 per cent of Quebec's forests will fall into that second category, Blanchette Vézina said. Speaking at the legislative hearing on Bill 97, which wrapped up this week, Lac-Simon Anishnabe Nation Chief Lucien Wabanonik says he wants to see it scrapped and rewritten from scratch in collaboration with First Nations people. "They call it triade in French, meaning 30 per cent of the territory will be specifically used by the industry in exclusion of other users. They exclude everyone else," he said. "It's very negative the way it was presented. It's very negative on our rights as First Nations." WATCH | Why Bill 97 is raising concerns among forestry advocates: Quebec's proposed forest management plan sparks tensions with Indigenous communities 2 days ago Duration 2:48 Consultations are underway on Bill 97 at the National Assembly, and there's lots of anger. The legislation aims to modernize the way forests are managed in Quebec. But the Assembly of First Nations thinks the bond of trust with the natural resources minister is broken, and blockades of forest roads is probably the tip of the iceberg. The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) argues the bill essentially gives the forestry industry the right to bypass consultations with First Nations regarding activities on those territories zoned for intensive logging. "Once again, we are faced with a fait accompli," the AFNQL's chief, Francis Verreault-Paul, told the minister this week. "Today, we're facing a result with the tabling of this bill and we're asking that its foundation undergo major changes." Concerns over acceleration of forest degradation In the bill, any activity interfering with or restricting forest development efforts is prohibited with the exception of Indigenous activities pursued for domestic, ritual or social purposes. But that clause "in no way guarantees the preservation of the quality of these territories, which are essential to the preservation of their traditional ways of life, cultures and languages," wrote the AFNQL in its notice submitted to the parliamentary commission studying the bill. The group is also worried about the potential acceleration of forest degradation — a concern shared by unions representing workers in the forestry sector. Bill 97 places the forestry industry as the principle actor responsible for forest management in the intensive forestry zones, argues the CSN and FIM-CSN unions. "Logging companies tend to exploit the forest as quickly as possible to increase profits in the short term. For the workers, what's important is maintaining good jobs in the long term," the unions wrote in a statement. Conservation groups like Nature Québec, for their part, are worried about what ecological precautions will be applied in the priority forestry development zones to keep Quebec's forests resilient to climate change, and how the conservation areas will be delimited. "Further rejuvenating forests at the very moment when forest fires are about to intensify is a high-risk strategy," wrote the organization in its notice. Despite the criticism, Blanchette Vézina insists her motivation is to help first and foremost the communities living off forestry, not the industry itself. "We have to act because we have [U.S. President] Trump who's a threat, there's the softwood lumber dispute, there's the business environment that's been cited as being too restrictive … and there's closures of factories," she said speaking to reporters Tuesday. "It's for the economy of the regions of forestry communities … it's the workers I'm thinking about." 'Democratic backsliding,' environmental group says Biodiversity and forest management professor Christian Messier presented the triad model to Blanchette Vézina a few years ago. But, he says, the bill doesn't quite reflect his application of the model, which he's been experimenting with in central Quebec forests for the last 15 years. "The objective is to decrease the amount of conflict among the different users [of the forest]. And maybe that's the first problem I see," he said. "I think the government developed this triad idea without a very strong consultation where you sit everybody around the table and you decide what will be the best zoning you do between protected areas, multi-use areas and intensive forestry." Blanchette Vézina said she led "extensive" consultations over 2024, which included Indigenous groups. But Verreault-Paul noted that a board with Indigenous leaders was only formed after the bill was tabled in April 2025, despite their explicit request that they be consulted beforehand. According to the bill, the different forestry zones will be delimited in collaboration with relevant ministers, Indigenous communities and regional county municipalities. However, critics note Bill 97 abolishes regional consultation tables, scales back public consultation requirements and transfers more powers to regional managers appointed by the ministry — who report directly to the office of the chief forester. Quebec's regional councils on the environment (RNCREQ) called it "democratic backsliding," while Alliance Forêt Boréale (AFB), which represents forestry communities, maintained it would hurt public trust in forestry projects. "If we're not at the decision-making table, it will be difficult for us to advance," said AFB's president Yanick Baillargeon. He added he wants regional managers to be more independent from the ministry and elected locally. Testifying Wednesday, the Conseil de l'industrie forestière du Québec industry group welcomed Blanchette Vézina's bill, saying it offers them more predictability and makes industry more competitive. The president of the council, Jean-François Samray, said the bill is a "good step forward" and lays a foundation that de-centralizes forest management. But still, it remains too prescriptive, he said. "The only thing it does is help sell paper because it's excessively thick, so we'll thank you for that, but that paper suffocates the industry," he said.
