Andy Riga

2 weeks ago | montrealgazette.com | Andy Riga

Quebec will not appeal a court ruling that ordered it to scrap controversial measures targeting Concordia and McGill universities: a 33-per-cent tuition hike for out-of-province students and French proficiency requirements for non-Quebec applicants. A spokesperson for Higher Education Minister Pascale Déry confirmed the decision in an email to The Gazette on Monday, the last day an appeal could be filed. Déry is expected to comment on the matter at a later time.

3 weeks ago | montrealgazette.com | Andy Riga

Can a municipal councillor insult others on social media — calling them “idiots,” “morons” and much worse — if the exchange has nothing to do with their official duties? That question was put to Quebec administrative judge Sandra Bilodeau on Wednesday during an ethics hearing involving Andrew Caddell, an anglophone rights advocate and town councillor in Kamouraska.

3 weeks ago | montrealgazette.com | Andy Riga

The Quebec Community Groups Network is becoming TALQ, a new name for an anglophone advocacy group that has grown more assertive in recent years and now wants to reach out to francophone Quebecers. The old name “doesn’t reflect what we are today and where the community wants to go,” president Eva Ludvig told The Gazette last week as the organization prepared to announce its rebrand on Wednesday.

1 month ago | montrealgazette.com | Andy Riga

Concordia University is warning of possible layoffs as it orders all departments to cut spending by 7.2 per cent. It says it must slash tens of millions from its budget amid declining revenue, falling enrolment and other financial challenges. “Layoffs are a last resort and part of a set of measures being discussed given our financial situation,” Concordia spokesperson Vannina Maestracci told The Gazette Wednesday. The university employs about 7,000 faculty and staff.

1 month ago | montrealgazette.com | Andy Riga

Sweeping new French-language rules take effect in Quebec on June 1, bringing new requirements — and potentially hefty consequences for businesses that don’t comply. The updated rules, part of Premier François Legault’s push to reinforce the presence of French in public life, could lead to noticeable changes in business signage — and even affect the range of products available to shoppers.