MONTREAL – From an anti-corruption sweep resulting in the arrest of a former deputy premier to yet another language controversy at the Verdun Hospital, here are the top five stories Global News covered in Montreal this week:
Verdun hospital tied up in language controversy
“She said she was told if she doesn’t speak French, she wasn’t going to be served.”
A 73-year-old woman says she was yelled at when she asked a Verdun Hospital staff member to speak to her in English – and it isn’t the first time such an incident has been reported.
READ THE STORY: EXCLUSIVE: Senior claims she was yelled at for requesting English services at Verdun Hospital
When potholes go viral
“Look at this job, how nice. Look at this. This is something I wanted to do three years ago.”
After staring at a pothole on his Saint-Leonard street for the last three years, comic Tony Riccio, finally took matters into his own hands.
READ THE STORY: Saint-Leonard comic goes viral after filling pothole on his street
Learn to speak Irish
“Everybody thinks that we speak Gaelic, but no, that’s just the group, the branch of languages.”
If you’re heading out to celebrate Montreal’s St. Patrick’s Day parade this weekend, you may want to learn a few words or phrases to really get into the spirit.
READ THE STORY: 8 Irish phrases to help you get around on St. Patrick’s Day
Quebec delivers balanced budget
“We were told our plan was ambitious – in a tone that was dubious of our ability to do it. Well, we did it. Our fiscal house is now in order. Every Quebecer contributed to the effort that needed to be made.”
Quebec has finally controlled its spending, Finance Minister Carlos Leitao said Thursday after tabling a second consecutive balanced budget with the help of $10 billion in equalization payments.
READ THE STORY: Quebec’s $2 billion surplus in 2016-17 will go to Generations Fund
UPAC arrests former deputy premier
“It is unfair and unequal to use political contracts as a political tool,” anti-corruption unit chief Robert Lafrenière told a Montreal news conference.
Nathalie Normandeau, a former Quebec deputy premier, was one of seven people arrested by Quebec’s anti-corruption squad over allegations that political financing and gifts were exchanged for lucrative government contracts.
READ THE STORY: Former Quebec deputy premier Nathalie Normandeau arrested in anti-corruption sweep