Local 514: Recent Episodes
Local 514
Local 514 is a bi-weekly show, and now podcast, focusing in-depth on issues affecting Montrealers. Join host Savanna Craig as we look at complex issues, including femicides and the exploitation of non-status workers. To watch the video version of these episodes, go to www.cutvmontreal.org
The City of Montreal is being taken to court for a $171-million class-action lawsuit, alleging enough hasn’t been done to combat racial profiling. The Black Coalition of Quebec is leading the lawsuit, seeking $5,000 for each person who was racially profiled and arrested without a valid reason between August 2017 and January 2019. If the Coalition wins, the court will decide the amount of financial compensation. The Black Coalition of Quebec would not provide a comment to Local 514, stating they could not comment while the case is ongoing. The SPVM did not respond to Local 514’s request for comment before the publication of this report.
Montreal's new police chief Fady Dagher, Mayor Valerie Plante and president of Montreal's police brotherhood Yves Francoeur testified in court in February. All testimonies have since been completed. Mike Diomande, the lawyer representing the Black Coalition of Quebec, told Local 514 the case is currently under analysis by the judge, which can take 6 months or more.
Data between 2014 and 2017 shows that during police "street checks", Black people were four times more likely than white people to be stopped by police and Indigenous people were five times more likely than white people to be stopped by police. Indigenous women were specifically overrepresented: they were 11 times more likely to be stopped by police than white women.
Make sure to follow Local 514 & CUTV on social media to stay up to date with new episode and more content: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CUTVmontreal/YouTube: / @local5147 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cutvmontrealTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cutv_?Twitter: https://twitter.com/cutvmontreal Watch all our previous episodes here: • How are Concordia...
The Canada Revenue Agency will not look into a potential $15 BILLION in ineligible Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) payments, but Canadians ineligible for Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) are forced to pay it back. Does the Canadian government's priorities lie with corporations making a profit during a global pandemic, instead of individuals experiencing higher rent and food prices?
Local 514 looks into the CRA’s history of being lenient with corporations and which companies accessed CEWS in Montreal while paying large dividends to shareholders.
Follow Local 514 & CUTV on social media to stay up to date with new episodes and more:
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ouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVVW...
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Watch the video version of all previous episodes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=970NM...
The federal government has recently delayed the expansion of eligibility for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD). Next month, eligibility was set to expand to include those with a sole underlying medical condition of mental illness. This will instead be made available by March 2024. But should current eligibility be reviewed? Recent reports in the news have highlighted cases where some are seeking MAiD as a result of experiencing poverty, unable to access housing or are experiencing either — worsened by barriers as a result of living with a disability. Local 514 investigates.
The Quebec government is opening a private-for profit investor owned facility in Montreal, which the government says will alleviate wait times in clinics and emergency rooms. But with profits over patients, can we really trust a facility owned by shareholders seeking a profit to aid our healthcare system? Local 514 looks into the rising trend of private for-profit healthcare, how it will affect doctor shortages and wait times, and the possible detrimental effects it will have on the care of patients.
Make sure to follow Local 514 & CUTV on social media to stay up to date with new episode and more content:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CUTVmontreal/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVVW...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cutvmontreal
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cutv_?
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cutvmontreal
Watch all our previous episodes here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=970NM...
The Montreal police received a $63 million boost in their budget for 2023 – the highest budget increase in the SPVM's history. As our municipal party, Projet Montreal continues yearly increases to police funding, the SPVM is gaining ever-greater institutional power. What effect will this have on our city, and how will it affect our municipal government?
Make sure to follow Local 514 & CUTV on social media to stay up to date with new episode and more content:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CUTVmontreal/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVVW...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cutvmontreal
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cutv_?
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cutvmontreal
Watch all our previous episodes here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=970NM...
Gentrification takes a toll on the livelihood of Montrealers across the city. Local 514 looks at neighbourhoods experiencing rapid gentrification, both affecting residents and businesses. How can we fight gentrification in our city? Watch the episode to find out.
Make sure to follow Local 514 & CUTV on social media to stay up to date with new episode and more content:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CUTVmontreal/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVVW...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cutvmontreal
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cutv_?
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cutvmontreal
Watch all our previous episodes here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=970NM...
More are relying on intergenerational wealth to buy a home, as housing prices soar. Housing is both a human right and a profitable asset –– this is what drives housing from being unattainable for many. In many cases, those with the means to afford multiple homes to be put on the rental market are raising the rent due to the climbing rental value. Home ownership and renting is interconnected. Many can get stuck in the rental market, as soaring rent prices cause many to put large amounts of their paychecks towards their rent, meaning less can go for saving for a downpayment.
But some are simply trying to seek a permanent roof over their head and escape renovictions, neglected apartments and rising rents. Issues within our housing market aren't anything new: they were created during colonization, when the use of land moved from living off of it to profiting off of it. Watch the full episode on Youtube, to understand the connection between colonialism, profiteering and what we can do to move away from a housing market affected by past and present effects of colonialism.
Make sure to follow Local 514 & CUTV on social media to stay up to date with new episode and more content:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CUTVmontreal/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVVW...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cutvmontreal
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cutv_?
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cutvmontreal
Watch all our previous episodes here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=970NM...
What began as a feminist movement, has turned into a revolution, as Iranians are demanding for an end to the regime. Nation-wide protests began in late September, following the death of 22-year-old Kurdish woman Zhina Mahsa Amini. Amini died in a hospital in Tehran after Iran’s morality police inflicted violence on her after identifying Amini for improperly wearing her hijab. Iranians have experienced state violence as a result of protesting, with some being shot, detained, tortured and sexually assaulted. Recently, 227 parliament members in Iran have called on the Judiciary to issue death sentences for arrested protesters. In the full episode of Local 514, we look into how sanctions strengthen the regime, protests here in Montreal and the strength of Iranians demanding for an end to an oppressive regime.
To watch the full episode, visit CUTV Montreal on Facebook or Local 514 on Youtube.
Make sure to follow Local 514 & CUTV on social media to stay up to date with new episode and more content:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CUTVmontreal/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVVW... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cutvmontrealTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cutv_?Twitter: https://twitter.com/cutvmontreal Watch all our previous episodes here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=970NM...
Two years have passed since the death of Joyce Echaquan, an Atikamekw woman who received inhumane and racist treatment from nurses at a hospital in Joliette. Since Echaquan’s death, little has changed to address systemic racism within Quebec’s healthcare system. The corner assessing Echaquan’s case said she believes she would still be alive if she were white.
Countless other cases have taken a similar structure: racialized patients in excruciating pain, ignored or not prioritized by healthcare personnel causing them to receive inadequate or lack of treatment. Some cases have even resulted in death. Despite multiple examples and a recent report highlighting its existence in one of Quebec’s largest hospital network located in Montreal, Premier François Legault continues to deny that systemic racism exists in the province.
In a province led by a government that denies the existence of systemic racism, can this institution have its reckoning and change so all can have equal access to healthcare?
Watch the video version of this episode at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y805HZbc2Q
Days before Quebec’s election, there was speculation Quebec Solidaire (QS) might become Quebec’s official opposition to the CAQ. Despite winning more votes than the Quebec Liberal Party (QLP), QS received less seats in Quebec’s National Assembly – losing to the QLP as the official opposition. QS has been coined the most progressive party in Canada with their proposed wealth tax, plan for climate action and promotion of Indigenous rights. But are there issues within the party?
Local 514 invites Mohawk Council of Kahnawake Chief Kakwirakeron Ross Montour and freelance journalist Nora Loreto to the show. Local 514 reached out to members of the Decolonial Anti-Racist Collective and QS, but did not receive a response before publication.
Make sure to follow Local 514 & CUTV on social media to stay up to date with new episode and more content:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CUTVmontreal/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVVW...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cutvmontreal
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cutv_?
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cutvmontreal
Watch all our previous episodes here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=970NM...
The CAQ is in the lead by a lot. But how well did the party do at leading the province for the last four years – especially during a global pandemic?
Local 514 looks into Quebec’s crumbling healthcare system, austerity measures enforced since the 1980’s, and imposing French language laws on Indigenous communities.
This episode digs into the top five parties ahead of the upcoming 2022 provincial election.
Make sure to follow Local 514 & CUTV on social media to stay up to date with new episode and more content:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CUTVmontreal/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVVW...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cutvmontreal
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cutv_?
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cutvmontreal
Watch all our previous episodes here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=970NM...
Inflation has reached almost 10%, price increases among many goods – notably gas and food. Both of these commodities are to blame for Canada's cost of living increasing at the fastest rate in decades.
Montrealers are facing the effects, as more are turning towards food banks, but little surplus in stores leave food banks with less products to offer to those in need.
Quebecers will notice another increase on food, as of September 1, with milk facing a 2.5% price hike for the second time this year. This follows an 8% increase last February.
Inflation and the issues with supply chain are major drivers for price increases for many commodities, but corporations are also taking advantage of inflation. Farmers describe fertilizer corporations as “fertilizer cartels" for increasing feed by 220% within a year.
Local 514 speaks to Montrealers to understand how Canada’s food system can move away from international complications by going local and how this is essential in stabilizing our food system and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions.
Montreal is going carbon neutral by 2050. But some climate change studies suggest the global temperature will reach 1.5ºC by 2040 or even as soon as 2030 – making these efforts too late. Once the planet meets 1.5ºC, the world will go into a zone of dangerous climate change. Global warming is predicted to reach 4°C by the end of the century.
The City of Montreal told Local 514 that, “Achieving carbon neutrality requires balancing the sources and sinks of GHG emissions. For this balance to be possible, a rapid and unprecedented transition is needed in all sectors of the economy: [including] transportation, buildings, industry, energy, waste materials, agriculture, forestry, and land use.”
So what does this plan look like? Local 514 investigates…
Amazon workers at the Lachine warehouse in Montreal are trying to unionize, but are experiencing union-busting methods from Amazon. This is taking the form of advertising, text messages sent out to workers and threats.
Amazon workers at this facility are experiencing below industry wages, scrutiny from upper management and dangerous work conditions. Amazon worker Manuel Tapial is trying to change this. Tapial is spearheading the campaign, he has been the Coordinator of The Montreal Amazon Workers’ Union (MAWU) dating back to the start of the movement earlier this year. The motivation came after observing the treatment his colleagues received when requesting paid sick leave and for their unfair dismissal.
Tapial said MAWU has not yet met their quota of members to form a union, but the efforts continue.
Transit prices are on the rise again. Off-island riders in Laval and the South Shore looking to commute on the island, will now be paying $5.25 instead of $3.50, as of July 1. Opus cards also faced hikes – rising from $90.50 a month to $94.
Mayor Valerie Plante promised reduced fares for the working class, among other big promises for transit in her 2017 election campaign, but did her administration deliver? Local 514 investigates this and Montreal’s transit…
In the last municipal election, housing was a concern for 60% of voters 35 and under. So has Valerie Plante's government addressed the issue of housing in the city?
The average rent for a one bedroom unfurnished apartment rose by $75 from June to July in Montreal, steeper than hikes in Toronto and Vancouver during the same period, while 2020 and 2021 saw a 50% increase in Montreal tenants forced out of their apartments. Projet Montreal says that a new landlord registry will come into effect by 2027, but with the situation changing rapidly, will it actually hold landlords accountable?
On this episode Local 514 speaks to tenants who say they are being neglected by their landlords, exploring how tenants have mobilized together for better conditions in their Milton Parc apartment owned by property management group COGIR.
On June 21st Canada celebrates Indigenous People’s Day, but reconciliation may be miles away in Montreal, as efforts have been blocked by Bill 96 – now Law 96. This law enacts French language reform laws across Quebec. Local 514 looks into how Law 96 has affected Kahnawake since the community ended communication with the Quebec government in response to Law 96.
Kahnawake residents can still operate their services in their language of preference, but those seeking education in CEGEPs on the Island of Montreal or elsewhere in Quebec will be required to take extra French language courses starting in 2024.
Other services, such as healthcare, will only be accessible in French. Residents of Kahnawake say this hinders reconciliation efforts.
Local 514 investigates, inviting post-secondary distance counselor at the Kahnawake Education Center Bethany Douglas, Indigenous rights activist Kenneth Deer, a member of the Mohawk Council of Chiefs, Michael Delisle, and Kahnawake resident Ranikonhriio Lazare to share their thoughts.
Airbnb has become an increasingly attractive option for landlords and property owners because it’s so much more profitable to collect money from nightly stays than to collect monthly rent.
Municipal and provincial governments have attempted to put in place regulations to limit unlicensed Airbnbs, but is it enough?
On a new Local 514 host Savanna Craig welcomes Front D’action Populaire en Réaménagement Urbain (FRAPRU) and Regroupement des comités logement et associations du Quebec (RCLAQ) to analyze how Airbnb is affecting long-term property rentals in Montreal.
Find out more about FRAPRU's organizing work at https://www.frapru.qc.ca/
Find out more about Le Comité Logement de la Petite Patrie at https://comitelogementpetitepatrie.org/
Some Quebecers go to the emergency room, as a result of not being able to access their family doctor in a timely manner, while around 1 million Quebecers are without a family doctor. Some have been waiting four years to be placed with a family doctor… but could this change? Quebec has announced it has come to an agreement in principle with the association that represents family doctors (FMOQ). The deal is set to be ratified at the end of May, so will this mean Quebecers will have faster access to a family doctor?
Moderna is opening a production facility in Montreal, securing Canadians more jobs and Canadian made vaccines. Canada has one of the highest vaccination rates worldwide, yet our government is allowing for patents to continue on vaccines, preventing worldwide access to the COVID-19 vaccine. Local 514 investigates how capitalism prevents the pandemic from ending.
In this episode, we look at some of the reasons why a disproportionate percentage of Montreal's homeless population is indigenous, many of which date back to colonialism, and the 60s scoop, the effects of which are still very real and very much felt, and compounded by a lack of action by the Canadian government.
Watch full episodes, interviews and more on our YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVVWsLGKJQLUZ18nqaeKa6A
Follow CUTV on social media: https://www.instagram.com/CUTVmontreal/ https://twitter.com/CUTVmontreal https://www.facebook.com/CUTVmontreal Check out our website: https://www.cutvmontreal.org/
A municipal party with progressive roots – but have they strayed from these roots since their win in 2017? Local 514 investigates this, looking into the city’s management of housing, the police and gentrification in the city.
Local 514 reached out to Projet Montreal for comment, but did not receive a comment before the publication of this podcast.
projetmontreal #valerieplante #gentrification #housing #rent #spvm #police #montreal
Quebec has removed all COVID-19 restrictions, excluding the mask mandate, which is set to end mid-April. Despite the feeling that the pandemic is over as the province begins to open up, this is far from reality, as hospitalizations have been rising and there have been 1,614 cases detected in Quebec in the last 24 hours. But without PCR testing, we can’t be sure of the accuracy of case counts. So how can we properly assess rates without PCR tests and how can Quebecers stay safe? Local 514 investigates…
Reopening #Quebec #COVID-19 #Lockdown #FrancoisLegault #Montreal
Watch full episodes, interviews and more on our YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVVWsLGKJQLUZ18nqaeKa6A
Follow CUTV on social media: https://www.instagram.com/CUTVmontreal/ https://twitter.com/CUTVmontreal https://www.facebook.com/CUTVmontreal Check out our website: https://www.cutvmontreal.org/
20-year-old Alexander Malofeev, who has been outspoken against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, was banned from performing at the Montreal Symphony Orchestra in Montreal last week. He was dropped from the concert as a result of public backlash of supporting Russian culture amidst Russia's invasion of the Ukraine. This is one of the examples of how sanctions are affecting working class Russians.
Working class Russians are feeling the weight of sanctions imposed on oligarchs close to Putin in an effort to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. But are other working class people taking a hit?
Many working class people in the West and in Central Asia are seeing the economic affects of sanctions imposed on Russia by numerous countries.
Local 514 investigates…
russia #ukraine #invasion #sanctions #trudeau #putin #uk #nato #oligarchs
Watch full episodes, interviews and more on our YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVVWsLGKJQLUZ18nqaeKa6A
Follow CUTV on social media: https://www.instagram.com/CUTVmontreal/ https://twitter.com/CUTVmontreal https://www.facebook.com/CUTVmontreal Check out our website: https://www.cutvmontreal.org/
Questions about Canada's treatment of undocumented migrants and refugee claimants have been raised following the death of an unidentified migrant in a Canadian Border Services Agency detention center in Laval.
The incident was just one example of the dangerous and precarious conditions faced by migrants who come to Canada. They face everything from indefinite detention to abuse from employers—wage theft from workers vulnerable to deportation is rampant. So why do some migrants risk their lives to cross borders and what difficulties do they experience once they arrive in Canada? Local 514 investigates…
Are you a migrant experiencing distress, trauma and in need of mental health support?
Rivo Resilience and PRAIDA offer mental healthcare services for people without status. Visit eee.ciusswestcental.ca to find more information about PRAIDA and rivo-resilience.org
The Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) is receiving the second highest increase in their budget in Montreal’s history, with an additional $45 million dollars this year.
Just last month, the SPVM announced that they went over budget in 2021 by $51 million. The city of Montreal has agreed to pay this, but what will stop them from going over budget in 2022?
Despite 73% of Montrealers in favour of defunding the police, can we see another increase next year? Local 514 investigates..
SPVM #montrealpolice #defundthepolice #valerieplante #projetmontreal #montreal
Watch full episodes, interviews and more on our YouTube Page:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVVWsLGKJQLUZ18nqaeKa6A
Follow CUTV on social media:
https://www.instagram.com/CUTVmontreal/
https://twitter.com/CUTVmontreal
https://www.facebook.com/CUTVmontreal
Check out our website:
https://www.cutvmontreal.org/
Canadian exports to Israel, including military equipment, are on the rise. At the same time, recent bombing campaigns in Gaza, which resulted in the death of 253 Palestinians including 66 children, while Canada is pledging $25 million in humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. Local 514 host Savanna Craig looks into companies located in Montreal that are manufacturing parts for aircrafts used by the Israeli Air Force.
The music for this episode is "Phantasia" by Timecrawler 82.
To watch the video version of these episodes, go to www.cutvmontreal.org
The curfew negatively affected many communities, including BIPOC, sex workers, drug users, and homeless people. Since the curfew has ended, how can these communities be better supported under COVID regulations? Tune into this episode of Local 514 to find out.
The music for this episode is "Phantasia" by Timecrawler 82.
To watch the video version of these episodes, go to www.cutvmontreal.org
STM officers are gaining constable status in July, allowing them to make arrests and use police data bases. How will this affect Montreal commuters? In this episode of Local 514, host Savanna Craig explores why STM officers gaining constable status and looks at former cases of police brutality.
The music for this episode is "Phantasia" by Timecrawler 82.
The average rate for femicides in Quebec are 12 deaths a year, for 2021 there have been 10 deaths so far. With the increase in domestic violence, what barriers are survivors facing from seeking help? In this episode of Local 514, host Savanna Craig explores the issue and what needs to be improved to give more assistance to survivors. The music for this episode is "Phantasia" by Timecrawler 82.
The judgement on whether the secular law, Law 21, is constitutional or not will be released any day now. The Quebec government is using the notwithstanding clause to allow Law 21 to work around the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. But just how far can the Quebec government apply this law?
Clarification: Law 21 does not prevent all public servants from wearing a religious symbols, but it applies to teachers, police, prison guards and lawyers.
The music for this episode is "Phantasia" by Timecrawler 82.
In episode 3 of Local 514, we look at how the mental health care system is drained during the pandemic, as more Montrealers are in need of mental health support. In November of 2020, 19,000 people were on a waiting list to receive mental health support. We discuss how the pandemic has created a decline in the mental health of many and how we can provide more funding to mental health services.
The music for this episode is "Phantasia" by Timecrawler 82.
Free mental health services in Quebec:
Local Community Service Centres (CLSC) offer 12 free sessions with a private therapist. AMI-Quebec offers free support groups for those suffering from mental illness, family caregivers supporting a loved one with a mental illness, and those experiencing both.
La Maison St. Jacques offers free group psychotherapy for adults 18-50 and group support for mothers.
If you are experiencing an immediate mental health crisis, please visit a crisis centre. Intervention and short term housing is available @ Association Iris in Montreal North, Centre L’Autre Maison in Montreal South-West and Équipe Mobile de Crise Résolution in Montreal East.
24/7 hotline for over the phone intervention is available at Suicide Action Montreal (1-866-277-3553), Tracom (514-483-3033) and Le Transit (514-282-7753).
Jesus, an undocumented worker, is making $10 at his job, while his co-workers with status are making $20. This is not uncommon for non-status workers, as they are often exploited in the workforce and threatened with deportation. In this episode of Local 514, we'll look at the exploitation of undocumented workers in Montreal and the movement of status for all.
The music for this episode is "Phantasia" by Timecrawler 82.
The homeless population has roughly doubled in Montreal since March 2020. With shelters forced to run at half capacity, combined with recent COVID-19 outbreaks in shelters and the closure of two of Montreal’s tent cities – how can the unhoused stay warm and safe during the winter months? The situation is aggravated by the housing crisis, as “renovictions”, growing vacancy rates and rising housing prices creates barriers in many being able to access affordable housing.
Join us for the first episode of Local 514 with host Savanna Craig. In this episode we're covering homelessness and the housing crisis in Montreal. 🏠
The music for this episode is "Phantasia" by Timecrawler 82.