Sidhartha Banerjee

While National Newswatch does not keep an archive of external articles for longer than 6 months, we do keep all articles written by contributors who post directly to our site. Here you will find all of the contributed and linked external articles from Sidhartha Banerjee.

Thirty-six years after Polytechnique attack killing 14 women, a duty to do more

Thirty-six years after Polytechnique attack killing 14 women, a duty to do more

MONTREAL -- Montrealers and others across the country paused to pay tribute Saturday to the 14 women who were murdered at Polytechnique Montreal 36 years ago simply because they were women.

Events to mark 36 years since Polytechnique attack, honouring 14 women slain in 1989

Events to mark 36 years since Polytechnique attack, honouring 14 women slain in 1989

MONTREAL -- Polytechnique Montréal and others across the country will pay tribute on Saturday to the 14 women who were murdered at the engineering school 36 years ago in a brazen anti-feminist attack.

Storm moving into northern Ontario, Quebec to bring strong winds, heavy snow

Storm moving into northern Ontario, Quebec to bring strong winds, heavy snow

MONTREAL -- A major storm that arrived in northern Ontario on Wednesday is forecast to bring significant snow to the province and to northern Quebec over the coming days -- just in time for Environment Canada's new colour-coded weather alert system.

Man accused of economic espionage tells court he was unhappy at Hydro-Quebec

Man accused of economic espionage tells court he was unhappy at Hydro-Quebec

MONTREAL -- A former researcher with Quebec's hydro utility who is facing economic espionage charges said Thursday he was applying for work at universities in China as a contingency plan because he was unhappy at Hydro-Quebec.

Ex-Hydro-Quebec researcher, accused of spying for China, defends reputation at trial

Ex-Hydro-Quebec researcher, accused of spying for China, defends reputation at trial

LONGUEUIL -- Yuesheng Wang, a former researcher with Quebec's hydro utility on trial for allegedly spying on behalf of China, testified on Tuesday that his first paycheck came six weeks after he started the job because he wasn't shown how to complete payroll forms.

Quebec order of physicians urges government to suspend controversial doctor-pay law

Quebec order of physicians urges government to suspend controversial doctor-pay law

MONTREAL -- Quebec's professional order of physicians has called for an immediate suspension of a provincial law that ties doctors' pay to performance targets and threatens punitive damages over actions that affect patient care.

Helping Quebec non-profits below 'cybersecurity poverty line' strengthen networks

Helping Quebec non-profits below 'cybersecurity poverty line' strengthen networks

MONTREAL -- Facing the threat of cyberattacks and with limited budgets, non-profit organizations across Quebec are being offered free cybersecurity consulting sessions through a pilot project led by Polytechnique Montreal engineering school.

Bloc Quebecois candidate who lost by one vote loses bid to have election cancelled

Bloc Quebecois candidate who lost by one vote loses bid to have election cancelled

MONTREAL -- A Superior Court judge has rejected a Bloc Quebecois candidate's request for a new election in the Montreal-area riding of Terrebonne, won by the federal Liberals in April with a margin of a single vote.

Alleged Chinese spy trial: Judge starts hearing case against ex-Hydro employee

Alleged Chinese spy trial: Judge starts hearing case against ex-Hydro employee

LONGUEUIL -- The long-awaited trial of a former researcher at Quebec's electric utility charged with economic espionage for the benefit of China opened Thursday with the Crown beginning to present its case.

Alleged Chinese spy trial: Judge rejects Hydro-Quebec's motion to redact information

Alleged Chinese spy trial: Judge rejects Hydro-Quebec's motion to redact information

LONGUEUIL -- A Quebec court judge has rejected a bid by the province's hydro utility to pre-emptively redact some information at an economic espionage trial.

Hydro-Quebec seeks to shield info as ex-employee's economic spying trial begins

Hydro-Quebec seeks to shield info as ex-employee's economic spying trial begins

LONGUEUIL -- A trial for a former employee of Quebec's electricity utility accused of economic espionage on behalf of China was delayed Monday as Hydro-Quebec announced it wanted to prevent some information in the case from being discussed in open court.

Terrebonne one-vote win: postal code error on envelope unreported for three weeks

Terrebonne one-vote win: postal code error on envelope unreported for three weeks

MONTREAL -- An election employee noted a discrepancy in the postal codes of special ballot return envelopes in Terrebonne nearly three weeks before the election, but the error wasn't reported to superiors.

Quebec man sentenced to five years for trying to overthrow Haitian government

Quebec man sentenced to five years for trying to overthrow Haitian government

MONTREAL -- A Quebec man found guilty of attempting to foment an armed revolution to overthrow the government of Haiti has been sentenced to five years in prison.

Quebec politician to close Facebook page, unable to filter hate-filled posts, spam

Quebec politician to close Facebook page, unable to filter hate-filled posts, spam

MONTREAL -- A member of Quebec's legislature says she will take down her professional Facebook page, unable to filter the hateful comments and spam it regularly attracts.

Quebec premier shuffles cabinet, promises 'shock treatment' in year before election

Quebec premier shuffles cabinet, promises 'shock treatment' in year before election

MONTREAL -- Quebec Premier Francois Legault, one year away from the general election and deeply unpopular with the electorate, announced a major cabinet shuffle on Wednesday and promised to soon present a new vision for the province's economy.

One year from election, Quebec premier to shuffle cabinet amid scandals, dismal polls

One year from election, Quebec premier to shuffle cabinet amid scandals, dismal polls

MONTREAL -- Quebec premier Francois Legault is scheduled to announce a major cabinet shuffle on Wednesday, hoping that new blood can help turn around his party's fortunes with the next provincial election just over a year away.

Political world pays tribute to Ken Dryden, remembered for his public service

Political world pays tribute to Ken Dryden, remembered for his public service

The death of Montreal Canadiens legend Ken Dryden resonated in political circles on Saturday where the former NHL great left his mark as a long-standing member of Parliament and former Liberal cabinet minister.

Quebec premier Francois Legault set to take centre stage at SAAQclic scandal inquiry

Quebec premier Francois Legault set to take centre stage at SAAQclic scandal inquiry

MONTREAL -- All eyes will be on Quebec Premier Francois Legault on Tuesday as he is set to testify at the public inquiry into the cost overrun scandal at the province's auto insurance board.

As provinces set to get smoking lawsuit cash, advocates seek more mitigation efforts

As provinces set to get smoking lawsuit cash, advocates seek more mitigation efforts

MONTREAL -- Anti-smoking advocates urged the provinces and territories to use money from a historic tobacco settlement on public health programs as the provinces are set to receive initial amounts starting Friday.

Quebec college facing $30M fine over English student enrolment postpones first day

Quebec college facing $30M fine over English student enrolment postpones first day

MONTREAL -- A Quebec college facing a $30-million fine for enrolling too many students in English-language programs, contravening the province's language law, is postponing the first day of classes scheduled for Monday.

1 of 4 men accused in alleged Quebec extremist plot granted bail, 3 remain detained

1 of 4 men accused in alleged Quebec extremist plot granted bail, 3 remain detained

MONTREAL -- One of four men accused in an alleged anti-government plot to forcibly take possession of land in the Quebec City region was granted bail on Monday.

Amid upheaval abroad, universities urge Ottawa, Quebec to invest in attracting talent

Amid upheaval abroad, universities urge Ottawa, Quebec to invest in attracting talent

MONTREAL -- Four major Quebec universities are proposing initiatives to make the province a landing spot for high-level researchers and urged the federal and provincial government to step up at a unique moment to attract talent from around the globe.

Quebec to seek leave to appeal school board reform ruling to Supreme Court of Canada

Quebec to seek leave to appeal school board reform ruling to Supreme Court of Canada

MONTREAL -- Quebec will ask the Supreme Court of Canada for permission to appeal lower court rulings that found a provincial law abolishing school boards violates English-language minority education rights.

'Like time stopped': memorial mass in Montreal pays tribute to Pope Francis

'Like time stopped': memorial mass in Montreal pays tribute to Pope Francis

MONTREAL -- Hours after waking to watch Pope Francis being laid to rest, several dozen faithful paid a final tribute to the late pontiff at a memorial mass at Montreal's Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral on Saturday.

Legault backs minister who said Quebec can't offer asylum from 'all world's misery'

Legault backs minister who said Quebec can't offer asylum from 'all world's misery'

MONTREAL -- Quebec doesn't have the capacity to take in more immigrants, Premier Francois Legault said Thursday amid a surge in the number of asylum seekers arriving at the province's border with the United States.

Quebec suspends random traffic stops by police after court rejects extension request

Quebec suspends random traffic stops by police after court rejects extension request

MONTREAL -- Quebec's Public Security Department announced late Friday afternoon that most random traffic stops by police are suspended, days after the Court of Appeal affirmed that arbitrary road checks lead to racial profiling.

Prime minister among those marking Montreal's St. Patrick's parade 200th anniversary

Prime minister among those marking Montreal's St. Patrick's parade 200th anniversary

MONTREAL -- The streets of downtown Montreal turned green like clockwork on Sunday as its annual St. Patrick's Day parade celebrated its 200th anniversary with the country's new prime minister present.

Montreal man, 89, suffering from hypothermia after being found outside care home

Montreal man, 89, suffering from hypothermia after being found outside care home

MONTREAL -- An 89-year-old man was fighting for his life Wednesday after he was found outside a long-term care home in the city's east end, Montreal police said.

Bill 21 at the Supreme Court: Five things about Quebec's contentious secularism law

Bill 21 at the Supreme Court: Five things about Quebec's contentious secularism law

MONTREAL -- Quebec's secularism law, known as Bill 21, was challenged in court as soon as it was adopted more than five years ago. With the Supreme Court of Canada announcing Thursday it will hear arguments on the validity of the law, here's a look at some of the issues behind the legislation.

Quebec needs people to run for local office. The problem is they keep resigning.

Quebec needs people to run for local office. The problem is they keep resigning.

MONTREAL -- Municipal leaders across Quebec are looking for ways to get young people, especially women, to run for local office in next year's elections, but that is a tall order given the well-documented incidents of harassment and intimidation faced by elected officials in the province.

Montreal dockworkers vote as employer threatens lockout barring deal

Montreal dockworkers vote as employer threatens lockout barring deal

MONTREAL -- The clock is ticking on a threat by the employers association at the Port of Montreal to lockout some 1,200 dockworkers if their union doesn't agree to a deal Sunday on what it calls a final contract offer.

Montreal City Hall removing welcome sign with hijab sends wrong message: Muslim group

Montreal City Hall removing welcome sign with hijab sends wrong message: Muslim group

MONTREAL -- A national Muslim advocacy group says Montreal would send the wrong message if it takes down a welcome sign in the lobby at city hall that generated controversy because it included a woman wearing a hijab.

Quebec politician closes riding office indefinitely because of threats to safety

Quebec politician closes riding office indefinitely because of threats to safety

MONTREAL -- A legislature member with the Coalition Avenir Quebec government is closing her riding office north of Montreal indefinitely because she fears for her safety and the safety of her employees.

Secularism: Montreal to shed city hall welcome sign that includes woman wearing hijab

Secularism: Montreal to shed city hall welcome sign that includes woman wearing hijab

MONTREAL -- A welcome sign in the lobby of Montreal's newly renovated city hall depicting a woman wearing a headscarf will be removed in the name of secularism, Montreal's mayor says, following criticism that the image is offensive.

Court of Appeal upholds Quebec ruling that invalidated random police stops

Court of Appeal upholds Quebec ruling that invalidated random police stops

MONTREAL -- Quebec's Court of Appeal has upheld a landmark 2022 decision that found a law permitting random traffic stops by police led to racial profiling.

Five things about Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante, who won't seek re-election in 2025

Five things about Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante, who won't seek re-election in 2025

MONTREAL -- Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante says she will quit municipal politics after serving the final year of her second term, which comes to an end in November 2025. Known for her trademark laugh and positive energy, here are five things about the municipal politician first elected as a city councillor in 2013.

Legault 'shocked' by Montreal teacher scandal, pledges to toughen secularism measures

Legault 'shocked' by Montreal teacher scandal, pledges to toughen secularism measures

MONTREAL -- Quebec Premier Francois Legault promised on Tuesday to toughen secularism measures in schools, saying he was "shocked" by revelations about a Montreal public school where a group of teachers had tried to introduce what the premier described as "Islamist" beliefs.

Classes resume with replacement teachers after 11 suspended at Montreal school

Classes resume with replacement teachers after 11 suspended at Montreal school

MONTREAL -- Eleven Montreal teachers who were suspended for allegedly creating a climate of fear and intimidation inside a Montreal primary school were replaced Monday as the union that represents them rejected criticism from the education minister that it didn't do enough to correct the problem.

Bilingual Quebec communities lose bid to suspend application of language law rules

Bilingual Quebec communities lose bid to suspend application of language law rules

MONTREAL -- Bilingual Quebec municipalities have lost their bid to have several parts of the government's French-language reform suspended while their case makes its way through the courts.

Quebec introduces salmon fishing restrictions amid decline in migration to rivers

Quebec introduces salmon fishing restrictions amid decline in migration to rivers

MONTREAL -- Quebec has introduced new restrictions on Atlantic salmon fishing because of annual fish migrations that are well below average in most of the province's rivers.

Canadian security employ "increased vigilance" after Trump rally shooting: LeBlanc

Canadian security employ "increased vigilance" after Trump rally shooting: LeBlanc

Canada's security apparatus is "exercising increased vigilance" in the wake of this weekend's deadly shooting at former U.S. president Donald Trump's rally in Pennsylvania, the federal public safety minister said Sunday.