Headlines from this weeks SPEC

Sept. 22, 2002

Education minister announces money for disadvantaged schools:
Very little for English schools
Charlene Eden

During a visit to the Gaspe Coast, the province’s Education and Employment minister Sylvain Simard confirmed that a number of schools in the region will be receiving money under the New Approaches, New Solutions program. The intervention program, which was launched last May, is designed to counter the dropout rate in Quebec’s secondary schools.

In the Gaspesie-Iles-de-la-Madeleine region, thirteen schools will benefit from the program. Three of the schools are part of the Eastern Shores School Board, including New Carlisle High School, Bonaventure Polyvalente and the intermediate school in Escuminac. The three schools, which have a total of 227 students, will share $173, 610 over five years.

Services for retired citizens must be improved, says Sharon Guignon
Gilles Gagne

NEW CARLISLE - A New Carlisle citizen, Sharon Guignon, denounces the lack of human resources in the health care system. Since August, Mrs. Guignon and her husband Wayne are taking care of Mr Guignon's 96 year old mother. Under current budgetary conditions, the CLSC Chaleurs can provide one bath per week and 12 hours by a care giver going to the Guignon home.

Marjorie Bechervaise-Guignon is confined to a wheelchair since May, when she broke her hip after falling in her Gaspe apartment. While in hospital, she fell once more and broke her arm. In August, she was released from the Hotel-Dieu Hospital in Gaspe. Sharon and Wayne Guignon decided to accomodate the retired lady in their house.

Government’s decision leads to mixed reactions
Charlene Eden

The government’s decision to keep Murdochville open has shocked many. A large number of the town’s citizens are also angry at the government’s refusal to give compensation for property. But some are also thrilled that the town will continue to exist. The decision has once again divided the town’s people.

The town’s mayor Marc Minville is dismayed by the government’s announcement. "The citizens are shocked. It’s a total deception. He (Minister Remy Trudel) forgot about the majority. It’s a huge problem. I asked him to come here with a revival plan. But there is no revival plan, and they will keep the town open. It’s really stupid on the part of the minister," he said.