People in Quebec are worried that Muslim women could be denied certain public services, after the government passed a “religious neutrality” bill.
The province’s Bill 62 was passed by the Quebec provincial government on Oct. 18. It says that people who work for the government in certain jobs must have their face uncovered. It also requires people who are using government services — for instance, riding a bus or using a library — must do so with their face uncovered.
It also bans public workers, like doctors and teachers, from covering their face while they are working.
Author: Joyce Grant
School Board Bans Offensive Hallowe’en Costumes
In about a week, many children will be going out for Hallowe’en. They may also dress up on Oct. 31 at school.
One school board in Ontario has written up a list of guidelines for Hallowe’en costumes. They don’t want anyone to be offended by what another child wears as their costume.
Lots of schools ask kids not to wear very scary costumes or ones that include toy weapons. The Conseil scolaire Viamonde (SCV), a French school board in Ontario, has taken things a step further. SCV runs 13 schools in Toronto.
The Viamonde school district asked parents to make sure their child doesn’t come to school in a costume that “can make others feel upset, insulted or humiliated.
What’s The “Take-A-Knee” Controversy All About?
People are talking about some athletes going down on one knee during the American national anthem.
Some people think it’s a good idea, and some people think it’s a bad idea.
The idea of going down on one knee (known as “taking a knee”) started in 2016. That’s when American football player Colin Kaepernick took a knee before games during the American national anthem.
He did it to protest people of colour being treated unfairly by police (in this case, in the United States). For instance, many African Americans may be questioned by police (when they have done nothing wrong) or pulled over when they are driving (again, when they have done nothing wrong).
Wounded Warriors Compete In Invictus Games in Toronto
More than 550 “wounded warriors” are gathered in Toronto, Ontario this week, to compete in the Invictus Games.
The competitors are soldiers who became injured during their military service. Many of them are missing a limb, for instance, and many others have PTSI which is a mental health condition caused by trauma.
Large Storms Affecting Caribbean, US
Everyone is talking about Harvey, Irma, Jose and Katia.
They are the names of very large storms, affecting the area around the Caribbean*, Mexico and the southern United States.
Hurricanes are given names, like “Irma” to make it easier to refer to them.
People in these areas are used to dealing with storms. But these storms are much larger than normal. They have very high winds—up to 120 kilometres an hour—with lots of rain that can flood people’s houses and force them to leave the area. (In this case, leaving your home is known as “evacuating.”) In Florida, more than 6.4 million people have been told to evacuate before Irma gets there, according to a report from CBC News.
Former Astronaut To Be Canada’s Next Governor General
Julie Payette will be Canada’s next Governor-General, replacing David Johnston. She will start her new job on October 2.
Payette, 53, is a former astronaut, who spent more than 25 days in space.
She speaks six languages.
Keep Reading All Summer!
As you know, in the summer TKN takes a break from publishing the news. But that doesn’t mean you should take a break from the news! Here are some great ways to stay up-to-date and reading this summer. Choose from […]
Blue Jays Pitcher Back On The Mound
Roberto Osuna is a professional pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team. But on Friday, June 23, when the Jays needed a pitcher to come in and help them win the game, Osuna didn’t pitch.
Osuna was the logical choice to come into the game; he is known as a closer, someone who comes in to pitch near the end of the game, to save it. The 22-year-old has saved games before–in fact, 18 of them this year.
(Grade 6-8: Language Arts and Social Science) Let’s Make A Deal–With Another Country!
AN ACTIVITY FOR GRADES 6-8 Activity: Linking your country with the rest of the world TKN Article: “Lots of Political Drama at G7,” By Joyce Grant In-Class Activity by Pauline Olthof-Youn Students read the article with the teacher, going over […]
Canada Passes Bill C-16 To Give Transgender People Equal Rights
In Canada, it will soon be a law that transgender people cannot be treated differently than other people are treated.
What is transgender? It refers to a person who doesn’t feel like they are the gender (male and female are two genders, for instance) that they were assumed to be when they were born. For instance, a person who was originally thought to be male and who is known as male, but doesn’t feel like they are male. (And the same for female.)*
Last week, Bill C-16 was approved by the Canadian Senate. It says no one can discriminate against transgender people. (In this case discriminate means treat them differently than they would be treated if they were not transgender.)
