Canada in brief: Dec. 2, 2009

Shenanigans at Queen’s Park

On Nov. 30, Bill Murdoch, MPP for Bruce-Grey Owen Sound, began a protest in the legislature. He wanted further public hearings regarding the proposed 13 per cent harmonized sales tax (HST) outside of Toronto.

Speaker Steve Peters ejected Murdoch from the chambers for having called Liberal MPPs “liars” in reference to the proposed tax. Murdoch refused to leave and was joined by fellow conservative MPP Randy Hillier. Due to the disruption, Peters called the session into recess.

Murdoch and Hillier slept in the opposition lobby on Monday night. It is unclear as to why security prevented them from returning to the legislature Tuesday morning or how long they will continue their protest.

–Compiled by Linda Givetash

UBC council fumes

VANCOUVER (CUP) – A human rights complaint filed on behalf of the University of British Columbia’s student society to the United Nations has caused uproar at the school, leaving the society to ask for the resignation of its president and vice-president external.

–Samantha Jung, The Ubyssey