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Masham, Quebec skate Kafkaesque
March 10th, 2010
By Andrea Rowe
It’s the first time I would describe a trip to the local rink for a friendly skate as Kafkaesque but it really, really was…
First of all, we had taken the time to find the phone number in the phone book and had called ahead to make sure about the public skate hours. Did I mention the phone number for the Masham, Quebec arena is the hardest one to find in the phone book? Hint: it’s under “C,” and I won’t spoil the surprise by telling you why. Anyway, I’d called and was told in a recorded message that the rink was open to public skating for three (measly - don’t get me started) hours a week, one of them on Saturdays from 5-6 p.m. Read More…
What happened to artistic Wakefield, Quebec?
March 3rd, 2010
By Rita Komendant
Re: No Thanks to Alternative Community Centre Plan, etc.
Holy kafuffle in the village, Batman - what was I thinking? Read More…
Why does competition fine print exclude Quebec?
February 24th, 2010
Have you ever wondered why when you see a competition, raffle or prize draw that there is normally a statement that says “Excludes residents of Quebec”? Read More…
Potty humour wins heritage prize
February 17th, 2010
By Louise Schwartz
It was no surprise to many at the Tulip Valley Restaurant last Monday noon that Melanie Hopkins of Burnett won the secret ballot. While some Ontarians were enjoying their Family Day holiday, 28 enthusiastic local residents gathered over lunch for a celebration of Heritage Day. Read More…
Thanks for the visit, Stephen Harper
February 10th, 2010
By B.J. Anderson
Fantastic, the Prime Minister of Canada, came to Wakefield, Quebec Feb. 2, 2010. I would hope that the village volunteers would make copious notes on this so that they can record this as a very special historical event in the annals of Wakefield. Read More…
‘Outhouse of MRC’ issue needs clear answers
February 3rd, 2010
I was pleased to see the coverage of the septic waste treatment plant issue on the front page in the recent edition of the Low Down;
Gatineau Park: Not a Public Space
January 27th, 2010
Gatineau Park recalls those private clubs of old which appropriated vast swaths of Quebec’s territory, turning them into a preserve for out-of-province cliques… Read More…
Grand send-off for Alcove, Quebec’s ‘go-to’ guy
January 20th, 2010
The Editor,
Today we buried Doug Ryan of Alcove, Quebec and now our community is missing a corner post. Read More…
Get back to work, Cannon!
January 13th, 2010
By Michael Bussiere
An open letter to Mr. Cannon,
It must be a great relief to take an extended break from work. I, and let me assume, we (meaning “average” Canadians, whatever the heck that means) can only imagine what a gift of the good life it must be to be given a three-month vacation. In fact, it’s hard to imagine the jackpot sensation that must have overcome you when you learned about the boss’ decision. Read More…
Get a doctor before you move to Quebec
December 16th, 2009
By Pam Devine
This is a cautionary note to any Ontarian contemplating a move to Quebec. Before doing so, you may want to find yourself a Quebec family doctor before you make that move. If you don’t, or you want to retain your current Ontario family doctor, these are the consequences which may await you: Read More…
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I’m so glad someone is finally writing about this. I live in the Outaouais and have an Ontario doctor, after my Quebec doctor moved to the other side of the river. We decided to move with her because it was impossible to find a new Quebec doctor. Now we are charged a $100 “charting fee”, and at the time we both worked in Ontario, and so we had $25 deducted off of every paycheque for “medical services”. This happens to everyone who lives in Quebec and works in Ontario - implemented by the Ontario government about 4 years ago - because it seems since we work there we are a drain on their infrastructure and emergency services.
For 2 of us, that adds up to an additional $1300/year for what is supposed to be universal health care. So those who say Canadians have equal access and not a 2-tiered health system are simply mistaken.