Martin Patriquin

Montreal

Quebec Correspondent at The Logic

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Articles

Quebec won’t appeal ruling against tuition hike for out-of-province students

3 weeks ago | thelogic.co | Martin Patriquin

MONTREAL — The Quebec government doesn’t intend to appeal a Superior Court ruling that struck down its attempt to increase school fees and mandate intensive French language training at McGill and Concordia universities, sources with direct knowledge of the decision have told The Logic. Quebec’s attorney general recently informed McGill and Concordia that the government didn’t intend to appeal, according to the sources.
Lightspeed, Lumenpulse investments drag down Investissement Québec returns

3 weeks ago | thelogic.co | Martin Patriquin

The investment arm of the Quebec government saw a 0.3 per cent return in the 2024-2025 fiscal year, with profits totalling $13.3 million—down from 2.6 per cent last year and well below the $194 million predicted in the last provincial budget. (The Logic, Le Journal de Montréal)Talking point: Two notable big investments helped drag down Investissement Québec’s results. It invested more than $100 million in Lightspeed in 2022.
Quebec goes to war with social media

3 weeks ago | thelogic.co | Martin Patriquin

MONTREAL — In a decision published nearly 30 years ago, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission excoriated R.J. Reynolds for purposefully peddling an addictive and dangerous product—namely, tobacco—to children, in the interests of profit. In 1987, the company introduced ads featuring Joe Camel, a leather-jacketed man-camel with a cigarette dangling from his maw, specifically to attract younger people to its product.
CAE appoints Northrop Grumman exec Matthew Bromberg as CEO

3 weeks ago | thelogic.co | Martin Patriquin

Bromberg, who has served as Northrop Grumman’s vice-president of global operations since 2022, will take the top job at the Montreal-based aerospace training company in August. The company also appointed former Air Canada CEO Calin Rovinescu as chairman of the board and former Hydro-Québec CEO Sophie Brochu as independent director. (The Logic)Talking point: Bromberg takes over from Marc Parent, who has led the company since 2009 but announced his decision to step down in November.
Quebec opens door to pipeline in exchange for cross-border power line

4 weeks ago | thelogic.co | Martin Patriquin

Premier François Legault said the province is looking to Ottawa to pay for a new power line connecting the province to Hydro-Québec’s generating station in Newfoundland and Labrador. In return, Quebec is open to the idea of an east-west pipeline through its borders—though acceptance will depend on the route, and whether it carries oil or natural gas.
Major Quebec report suggests ban on social media for kids under 14

4 weeks ago | thelogic.co | Martin Patriquin

MONTREAL — An all-party Quebec government commission is recommending the province regulate online influencers, ban micropayments in video games and restrict social media access for anyone under the age of 14 in a bid to curb “adverse effects on children’s health and development” that come with increased screen time. The recommendations form part of a 155-page report from a cross-party committee at Quebec’s National Assembly.
Crime Stoppers isn’t publishing its report into child sexual abuse on Pornhub

1 month ago | thelogic.co | Martin Patriquin

MONTREAL — Crime Stoppers International has reneged on a pledge to make public its report on how the Canadian company behind Pornhub keeps child sexual abuse and other illegal material from appearing on its platforms. In March 2024, Netherlands-based Crime Stoppers International (CSI) said it was reviewing Pornhub owner Aylo’s trust and safety processes, which are designed to keep child sexual abuse material, non-consensual images and revenge porn from appearing on its platforms.
Mayor at centre of mining spat relieved of duties for explosive comments

1 month ago | thelogic.co | Martin Patriquin

MONTREAL — The town of Heron Bay, New Brunswick, voted unanimously to relieve Mayor Normand Pelletier of his duties for a code of conduct violation after he told The Logic that members of the town’s council “don’t have a fucking clue what they’re doing.”Heron Bay, formerly known as Dalhousie, has been embroiled in a years-long debate over the mining of pozzolan, a silica-rich deposit that reduces the carbon footprint of cement when used in the curing process.
Steven Guilbeault is back to haunt Big Tech. Or is he?

1 month ago | thelogic.co | Martin Patriquin

MONTREAL — Four years ago, Canadian Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault put Big Tech on notice: the days of running roughshod over the country’s democracy were over. Under his leadership, the Facebooks, Googles and Twitters of the world would be compelled to shut off their respective spigots of misinformation, hate and exploitation under threat of “very, very important fines” dispensed by a government regulator.
Deep Sky CEO Damien Steel steps down

1 month ago | thelogic.co | Martin Patriquin

Steel, the former head of OMERS Ventures, said he was leaving the Quebec-based carbon-capture startup for personal reasons. Deep Sky chief operating officer Alex Petre will replace him. (The Logic)Talking point: Steel left his position of managing partner at OMERS Ventures for Deep Sky in August 2023. Founded by Hopper CEO Frederic Lalonde, Deep Sky specializes in direct-air and -ocean capture of carbon from the atmosphere.