Advertisement

Focus Montreal: December 16

In this file photo Santa Clauses Bob Slocombe, left, Dan Dickison, centre, and Jeff Badyk listen to instructors at Santa School in Calgary, Alta., Friday, Oct. 21, 2016.
In this file photo Santa Clauses Bob Slocombe, left, Dan Dickison, centre, and Jeff Badyk listen to instructors at Santa School in Calgary, Alta., Friday, Oct. 21, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Focus Montreal introduces Montrealers to people who are shaping our community by bringing their stories into focus.

It airs Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday at 7:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and midnight.

Take a look at who we’re meeting this week on Focus Montreal:

Click to play video: 'Focus Montreal: Lafrenière reinstated as head of SPVM communications'
Focus Montreal: Lafrenière reinstated as head of SPVM communications

Ian Lafrenière reinstated as head of the SPVM’s communications team

The Montreal police force (SPVM) has been under fire lately with Chief Phillippe Pichet suspended after allegations of impropriety within the force.

Story continues below advertisement

Sûreté du Québec (SQ) Chief Martin Prud’homme was brought in to clean house this week.

Breaking news from Canada and around the world sent to your email, as it happens.
For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Prud’homme started with the return of a familiar face to run the communications team, Ian Lafrenière.

READ MORE: Montreal’s interim police chief brings back a familiar face

Lafrenière has been reinstated to the position he held until 2016 when Pichet assigned him to other duties.

Lafrenière sat down with senior anchor Jamie Orchard to talk about his reappointment and what it means for the force.

Click to play video: 'Focus Montreal: Guaranteed minimum income'
Focus Montreal: Guaranteed minimum income

Guaranteed minimum income for Quebecers 

Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard is promising to create a guaranteed minimum income for certain Quebecers.

Story continues below advertisement

It’s part of the government’s five-year anti-poverty strategy.

The $3-billion plan would boost the annual income of those who are unable to work by more than $5,000 to about $ 18,029 a year and establish a guaranteed minimum income for them.

READ MORE: Couillard’s Liberals promise guaranteed minimum income for some Quebecers

Those deemed able to work would not receive increased benefits, but could be eligible for subsidized training or job search bonuses.

The government says it would help lift 100,000 people out of poverty but some anti-poverty groups argue the plan punishes those who are able to work.

Orchard talked to Katie Hadley, the director of the West Island Community Resource Centre and Alena Ziuleva, from the Table de quartier sud de l’Ouest-de-l’Île.

Click to play video: 'Focus Montreal: Tackling the Santa myth'
Focus Montreal: Tackling the Santa myth

Talking Santa with the kids

Orchard talked to Kristen Dunfield, the lead researcher from Concordia’s Centre for Research on Human Development, to get some tips on how to handle the Santa myth without damaging the kids.

Advertisement

Sponsored content

AdChoices