Defeated legislature member Pascal Paradis named Quebec’s chief negotiator - The Spec

Parti Québécois holds swearing in ceremony for MNAs WATCH: Parti Québécois holds swearing in ceremony for MNAs

Montreal·NewFormer MNA Pascal Paradis will be a diplomat and chief negotiator under the incoming Parti Québécois government, the party said in a news release published Monday. Paradis lost his seat in the Jean-Talon riding during latest electionCBC News · Posted: Oct 19, 2026 9:11 AM EDT | Last Updated: 35 minutes agoListen to this articleEstimated 2 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results. Former PQ MNA Pascal Paradis was defeated in the Jean-Talon riding during the Oct. 5 election. (Sylvain Roy Roussel/Radio-Canada)Former MNA Pascal Paradis will be a diplomat and chief negotiator under the incoming Parti Québécois government, the party said in a news release published Monday. Paradis was first elected to the National Assembly in a 2023 byelection in the Jean-Talon riding. He lost his seat to Quebec Liberal Julie White during the Oct. 5 provincial election. In his new role, Paradis will be responsible for relations with Indigenous nations in Quebec and deal with files pertaining to energy and treaties, among others.

EdmontonPro-independence supporters gathered at the Alberta legislature in Edmonton Saturday afternoon, less than 48 hours before referendum day. Event comes less than 48 hours before referendum dayCBC News · Posted: Oct 17, 2026 10:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: October 18Listen to this articleEstimated 5 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results. Separation supporters gathered at the Alberta legislature building for the pro-independence rally organized by Let Alberta Decide on the afternoon of Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. (Tristan Mottershead/CBC)Crowds of Alberta independence supporters filled the plaza at the legislature in Edmonton on Saturday afternoon, chanting and waving flags in a last push to rally support for the separatist cause ahead of Monday's referendum. Let Alberta Decide initially scheduled the event for 3 p.m. MT, but strong winds in the region led organizers to push the start time to 4 p.m.

Support WBURKatie Castellani, State House News ServiceOctober 15, 2026The Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Ashburton Park outside of the State House. (Katie Castellani /SHNS)The Massachusetts Senate on Thursday passed legislation requiring insurance coverage so that firefighters can access free and regular cancer screenings. The Senate passed the legislation (S 3284) on a voice vote after it cleared the Senate Ways and Means Committee on a 17-0 vote. The Senate bill is similar to a version the House unanimously passed (H 5631) on July 31. The bill requires health insurance offered by a firefighter's public employer to cover a cancer screening every three years throughout their employment. The legislation applies to full-time, paid firefighters who are employed by the state, municipalities as well as fire and water districts and members of fire departments at some military bases. Screenings must cover colon, lung, bladder, oral, thyroid, skin, blood, breast, cervical, testicular and prostate cancers. Firefighter unions have pushed for the bill for years.

The school district in Delaware County previously suspended all athletics, pointing to “an alleged incident that implicates culture and climate.”