Seven candidates vie for ex-premier Philippe Couillard’s former seat in byelection

QUEBEC — Seven candidates are in the running for a byelection to replace former Quebec Liberal leader Philippe Couillard in the provincial riding of Roberval.

The riding has been vacant since Couillard quit politics days after losing October’s provincial election.

Elections Quebec says following a Saturday deadline, seven parties have put up a candidate seeking to replace the former premier when voters in the riding go to the polls on Dec. 10. Couillard garnered 42 per cent of the votes cast on Oct. 1, easily winning the riding in the province’s Saguenay region. The Coalition Avenir Quebec currently have 74 seats in the 125-seat legislature, followed by the Liberals at 29 and the Parti Quebecois and Quebec solidaire at 10 each, and one Independent member.

Both sovereigntist parties were granted official party status on Thursday following a deal with government in spite of each falling two seats short of the minimum, meaning additional budgets and powers.

The deal is expected to be ratified when the new legislative session begins next week with a first sitting on Tuesday.

Federal government announces funding to improve safety of LGBTQ Canadians

TORONTO — The federal government announced Saturday it will invest nearly half a million dollars in improving the safety of Canada’s LGBTQ community in the wake of the killings of eight men with ties to Toronto’s gay village.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau said the government will provide $450,000 to Pride Toronto to lead an initiative that aims to improve the relationship between the LGBTQ community and the criminal justice system. “For too long, the LGBTQ2 community has encountered injustice from various institutions in our society in ways that have prevented people from living their lives more fully and contributing their strengths to our country,” Morneau said at The 519, a Toronto-based agency that advocates for the LGBTQ community.

Morneau, who is also the MP for Toronto Centre, did not specifically name Bruce McArthur, who faces eight counts of first-degree murder, but said the funding comes as “violent murders” have been uncovered in the city.

McArthur made his first appearance in Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice earlier this month and a judge said he could stand trial as early as next September.

“The groups in this riding have led the way in demanding meaningful change,” Morneau said Saturday.

Quebec declares Arvida neighbourhood in Saguenay a heritage site

MONTREAL -— The Quebec government has recognized the Arvida neighbourhood in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region as a heritage site. Culture Minister Nathalie Roy made the announcement Sunday at a local library in the historic neighbourhood, which now falls within the limits of the City of Saguenay.