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MONTREAL – Quebec's provincial government is expected to vote Friday on anemergency law that would shut some universities and impose harshfines on protesters blocking students from attending classes as thegovernment looks to end weeks of demonstrations against tuitionhikes. A vote wasn't expected until late Friday afternoon at the earliestand could take place later if delayed by a number of amendments. Inthe mean time, critics were expressing concern about the plannedlegislation. Hundreds of protesters gathered in downtown Montreal on Thursdaynight as the government introduced the bill to quell the mostsustained student protests in Canadian history. But there was noneof the violence that erupted Wednesday when windows were smashed,more than 120 people were arrested and police and protesters wereinjured. On Friday, the city of Montreal passed a bylaw restrictingprotesters from wearing masks during demonstrations. The city alsosaid demonstrators will have to provide details of theiritineraries beforehand. Officials have said they believe protesters wearing masks have beencausing the most trouble. A similar bylaw was under considerationin Quebec City. "Our cities can no longer become targets," Montreal Mayor GeraldTremblay said. "It's time to reclaim our streets, ourneighborhoods, our cities." Rights groups have protested the bylaw, calling it a restriction onthe democratic right to demonstrate. Quebec Premier Jean Charest said the proposed provinciallegislation would not roll back the tuition hikes of $254 per yearover seven years. Rather, it would temporarily halt the springsemester at schools paralyzed by walkouts and push up the summerholidays. Classes would resume earlier in August. Proposed fines range from $7,000 to $35,000 for a student leaderand between $25,000 and $125,000 for unions or student federationsif someone is prevented from entering an educational institution. Martine Desjardins, one student leader, called the bill a"declaration of war against the student movement." But embattled Education Minister Michelle Courchesne said thatdespite the legislation, talks would go on and an agreement couldstill be reached. "Even if there is a special legislation tonight, tomorrow, therecan still be an agreement after the law," she said. Some of the loudest cheers early on Friday were reserved for oneman who stood on a garbage can and burned what looked like a copyof the government bill. The three-month conflict has caused considerable social upheaval inthe French-speaking province known for having more contentiousprotests than elsewhere in Canada — and the country's thelowest tuition rates. The U.S. consulate in Montreal last month warned visitors and U.S.expats to be wary of demonstrations. The e-commerce company in China offers quality products such as Wood PVC Doors , Timber Composite Doors Manufacturer, and more. For more , please visit Custom Timber Doors today!
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