News

Crown shows Turcotte murder trial photos of bloodied bodies

SAINT-JEROME, Que. — The Crown began presenting photos at Guy Turcotte's murder trial on Wednesday, including some of the two people he is charged with killing — his young children.

Some of the photos tabled by crime-scene specialist Daniel Fortin showed the bloodied bodies of Olivier, 5, and Anne-Sophie, 3, lying in their beds.

When the photos were shown on a screen, Turcotte stopped looking at it.

Turcotte, a former cardiologist, is charged with first-degree murder in their deaths north of Montreal in February 2009. He pleaded not guilty on Tuesday.

The 12 jurors also saw photos showing a knife in Olivier's bed, another on the side of a bathtub and another in Turcotte's bed, which was covered in vomit.

Earlier, Crown prosecutor Maria Albanese warned the 12 jurors they were in for some "tough" testimony.

"Some of the testimony will be emotional," she said.

"The incidents occurred more than six years ago but they will never forget," she added, referring to certain witnesses.

Turcotte, 43, appeared to cry when Albanese told the jury the children's mother, Isabelle Gaston, will testify and have to relive what the Crown called "the worst thing in the world."

"Imagine what we're plunging this woman back into," Albanese said. "This mother experienced the worst thing in the world. The horror. And that word is weak."

Quebec Superior Court Justice Andre Vincent, who is overseeing the three-month trial, told the seven men and five women they must concentrate only on the evidence given at the trial.

"What you hear outside the courtroom is not part of the evidence," he told them.

The judge also ordered that witnesses not be allowed in the courtroom before they testify. They will after they have taken the stand.

The Crown is expected to call about 30 witnesses.

 

The Canadian Press

RCMP looking for stolen vehicles

In their words: How the sports world – and president – is remembering Yogi Berra

NEW YORK — Yogi Berra, the Hall of Fame catcher renowned as much for his lovable, linguistically dizzying "Yogi-isms" as his unmatched 10 World Series championships with the New York Yankees, has died at 90. Here's how he is being remembered:

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA

"Yogi Berra was an American original — a Hall of Famer and humble veteran; prolific jokester and jovial prophet. He epitomized what it meant to be a sportsman and a citizen, with a big heart, competitive spirit, and a selfless desire to open baseball to everyone, no matter their background. Michelle and I offer our deepest condolences to his family, his friends, and his fans in New York and across the world."

___

ROB MANFRED, MLB COMMISSIONER

"Renowned as a great teammate, Yogi stood for values like inclusion and respect during the vital era when our game began to become complete and open to all. With his trademark humility and good humour, Yogi represented only goodwill to baseball fans. His proud American story will endure at the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center in Little Falls, New Jersey.

"Yogi Berra was a beacon of Americana, and today Major League Baseball and all of its Clubs stand together in mourning his passing and celebrating his memory. On behalf of the game he served with excellence and dignity, I extend my deepest condolences to Yogi's children and grandchildren, his many friends throughout our game and his countless admirers."

___

ROBIN VENTURA, MANAGER, CHICAGO WHITE SOX

"It's sad, his passing, but anyone who starts thinking about him will smile. I was fortunate enough to play a couple of years with the Yankees and he spent a lot of time in the clubhouse. He lit up the room.

"Just a beautiful person all the way around. His numbers are incredible, but his presence and how he dealt with people were really the biggest thing."

___

JOE TORRE, MLB CHIEF BASEBALL OFFICER

"We've lost Yogi, but we will always have what he left for us: the memories of a lifetime filled with greatness, humility, integrity and a whole bunch of smiles. He was a lovable friend."

___

HAL STEINBRENNER, YANKEES GENERAL MANAGING PARTNER

"Yogi Berra's legacy transcends baseball. Though slight in stature, he was a giant in the most significant of ways through his service to his country, compassion for others and genuine enthusiasm for the game he loved. He has always been a role model and hero that America could look up to.

"While his baseball wit and wisdom brought out the best in generations of Yankees, his imprint in society stretches far beyond the walls of Yankee Stadium. He simply had a way of reaching and relating to people that was unmatched. That's what made him such a national treasure."

___

DEREK JETER, FORMER SHORTSTOP, NEW YORK YANKEES

"To those who didn't know Yogi personally, he was one of the greatest baseball players and Yankees of all time. To those lucky ones who did, he was an even better person. To me he was a dear friend and mentor. He will always be remembered for his success on the field, but I believe his finest quality was how he treated everyone with sincerity and kindness. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends."

___

NEW YORK METS

"Yogi Berra was a baseball legend who played a key part in our history. He was kind, compassionate and always found a way to make people laugh. With us he was a player, coach and managed the 1973 'Ya Gotta Believe' team to the National League pennant. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."

___

BUCK SHOWALTER, MANAGER, BALTIMORE ORIOLES

"He wasn't afraid to like players. You go into a meeting and all they talk about is what a guy can't do. Yogi didn't talk about that. He talked about what people could do. For a guy that was as good as he was, that's a rare trait. Usually it becomes a negative feeding frenzy. Yogi wanted no part of that. He was always thinking good things about people."

___

TOM SEAVER, HALL OF FAME PITCHER

"They threw away the mould in regards to Yogi. He was one of a kind. He loved the game. As a manager, he never tried to complicate things. He let his players play. He respected what you did on the field. He was an utter delight to be around."

___

CAL RIPKEN, HALL OF FAME SHORTSTOP

"Yogi was a not just a Hall of Famer, he was a very special guy. When Yogi spoke, everyone was quiet and hung on every word. He owned the room. He was a legendary figure and will be missed by all of us baseball fans."

___

BOBBY RICHARDSON, FORMER SECOND BASEMAN, NEW YORK YANKEES

"What can I say about Yogi? He was a friend and a wonderful clutch hitter. He had so many accolades in the world of baseball that it is almost impossible to realize how many. He was a World War II veteran and a great friend. It's a deep loss."

___

JORGE POSADA, FORMER CATCHER, NEW YORK YANKEES

"When you were around Yogi, he had a way of bringing out the best in you. He made you feel good inside. That was his gift to so many of us, and why people always tended to gravitate to him. I don't care what team you play for or what team you root for, if you love baseball, then you love Yogi Berra."

___

CRAIG BIGGIO, HALL OF FAME CATCHER-SECOND BASEMAN

"Yogi is known a lot for his Yogi-isms, but he was one of the smartest baseball people I have ever been around. You don't win as many championships as he has by not being smart. He would say some things to me as a young kid, and I would kind of be scratching my head. And go: 'What is he talking about?' Then the next half-inning, whatever he said, just happened, and the next inning after that and so on and so forth.

"He prioritized his life very well. He loved the game of baseball and he loved his family and he loved his faith. He lived his life right. If we could all just grab a little piece of that and live our lives like he lived (his) life, it would be pretty amazing. He just did everything right."

___

JEFF IDELSON, HALL OF FAME PRESIDENT

"The Hall of Fame mourns the loss of a baseball legend, great American, tremendous family man and modern day philosopher. His baseball abilities and acumen are evidenced by his Hall of Fame election in 1972 and as the only manager in history to take both the Yankees and Mets to the World Series. He joined the Navy at 18, was married to his beloved wife Carmen for 65 years, and had more fun with the English language than any player in history. He will especially be missed in Cooperstown where he was beloved by his fellow Hall of Famers and his adoring fans."

_

RED SCHOENDIENST, HALL OF FAME SECOND BASEMAN

"He told the story about the first year (Derek) Jeter came up, he went up to Yogi and said, 'Hey Yogi, I'm having a little problem hitting the high pitch.' 'So don't swing at it,' Yogi said. Jeter said, 'Well, you swung at it.' Yogi said, 'Yeah but I hit it.' That's Yogi."

The Associated Press

A-Rod: Yogi was “supportive and constructive” during “craziness”

TORONTO — No matter what off the field problem Alex Rodriguez might have been facing as a new spring training began, he knew he could count on Yogi Berra.

"With all the craziness here with me in New York, and every spring it was a different story about me, he was always consistent and steady, supportive and constructive," Rodriguez said before the New York Yankees played the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday night. "I really appreciate that."

There was so much said and written about Berra, the New York Yankees Hall of Famer catcher who died Tuesday night of natural causes at age 90. The current Yankees all had a chance to start a relationship with Berra, the 10-time World Series champion and 18-time All-Star who was always around during spring training and he was a short ride away from his home in New Jersey during the regular season.

Outfielder Brett Gardner said the Yankees can use Berra's passing as motivation as they close the regular season vying for a post-season berth.

"Yogi probably played as big a part in the Yankee organization being what it is today than any other person on the field," Gardner said. "I think that he'll be pulling for us. He always has, he's always kept up with us and continued to pull for us and root for us. I know that if we can not just play well today, but finish strong this season and accomplish some of our goals that we want to accomplish, I think it'll make him proud."

A moment of silence was scheduled before the Yankees-Blue Jays game, the final meeting of the season between the teams atop the AL East with Toronto up by 2 1-2 games.

The Yankees had Berra's number 8 on the sleeve of their grey road jerseys, and New York's lineup cards had an image of Berra wearing catcher's gear in the background.

"I think Yogi would want us to go out and play and win and have fun and play with passion and joy, just like he would play," Rodriguez said. "It would be very special to get a win for him today."

The Yankees will the 8 on their sleeve for the remainder of the season, and the team intends to honour Berra before Thursday's home game against the Chicago White Sox.

"He was just such a nice man," manager Joe Girardi said. "I always thought Yogi made people around him better and feel better about themselves."

The 5-foot-10 Gardner was one of few players the 5-foot-7 Berra could speak with almost eye-to-eye.

"He always called me 'Shorty,'" Gardner said. "It's Yogi Berra, he can call me whatever he wants. Something I'll always cherish."

Girardi said Berra was remarkably humble despite his Hall of Fame credentials.

"You think about the numbers Yogi put up, the rings that he's worn and the celebrations that he's been part of, you would have never known," Girardi said. "When he came into your office or you were in Yogi's presence, I always felt like I was talking to my grandfather. I just felt comfortable. I almost felt like he was going to pull something out of his pocket, like a piece of licorice, and give it to you, that sort of thing. It was just always a joy to be around him."

Girardi said he had fond memories of spending time with Berra at spring training during his own playing career with the Yankees.

"He would be there while we were doing the drills and talk to us about certain things," Girardi said. "I used to think 'I can't believe I'm next to this guy. I can't believe I'm in his presence like this, in the same dirt he caught in.' I was always in awe of him, but he never made you feel that you should be. That was why he was so special."

Berra helped the Yankees reach 14 World Series during his 18 seasons in the Bronx.

"Yogi didn't have enough fingers for the rings that he had," Girardi said. "I don't think you'll ever see a player have the success that Yogi had. I think the closest thing that we've seen in sports today is maybe Michael Jordan with the six (NBA championships) in eight years. It's not going to happen."

Ian Harrison, The Associated Press

Mulcair moves to defuse niqab debate on eve of first French leaders’ debate

OTTAWA — Anticipation of the first televised French-language debate loomed large on the campaign trail Wednesday, with the parties jostling for position in advance of the showdown that promises to put NDP Leader Tom Mulcair in the cross hairs.

Mulcair moved to pre-empt one line of attack: his refusal to demand that face coverings be banned during citizenship ceremonies. The NDP leader clarified his position on the niqab and urged Canadians not to give in to the politics of fear, division and exclusion.

Quebec is the NDP's electoral fortress but it is also the province in which public opinion polls suggest banning the niqab is most popular.

Rival leaders will inevitably be gunning hard for Mulcair in Thursday's debate, hoping to shake the NDP's seemingly iron grip on Quebec. And at least two — Conservative Stephen Harper and Bloc Quebecois Gilles Duceppe — have already signalled that the explosive niqab issue will be part of their arsenal.

The Conservatives released a French television ad Tuesday, featuring Harper asserting that his party shares Quebecers' values, including the belief that new citizens should take the oath with their faces uncovered.

The Bloc, which is trying to steal back seats it lost to the NDP in 2011, last week released a nasty ad warning Quebecers about what's in store if they vote NDP. It featured a pipeline pumping out black goop that morphs into a niqab.

Some New Democrat candidates and MPs have expressed opposition to the niqab but on Wednesday Mulcair said the party agrees with the current rules, which require would-be citizens to show their faces for identification purposes during  the citizenship process but allow them to be veiled during the purely symbolic oath-taking ceremony.

"I understand that many view the niqab as a symbol of oppression of women," Mulcair told party faithful in Montreal.

"And on that let me be clear: No one has the right to tell a woman what she must — or must not — wear. I am in agreement with the existing rule under which anyone seeking citizenship must uncover their face to identify themselves before swearing the oath, in accordance with their religious beliefs."

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and Green Leader Elizabeth May have strongly denounced the Harper government's attempts to ban the niqab at citizenship ceremonies.

May, who spent part of her debate preparation day giving an interview to The Canadian Press, said she was "horrified" by the Bloc ad targeting the NDP.

"We have to renounce politics of fear and division in this country," she said. "It's 2015; there are real challenges that face Canada. But a woman being entitled to wear a niqab in a citizenship ceremony is an issue? Excuse me, this is not an issue. This is a cynical manipulation."

While Trudeau spent Wednesday preparing for the debate, his party opened up another line of attack on Mulcair: his pricey promise to introduce a national, $15-a-day child care program, modelled on Quebec's universal daycare program.

Mulcair has repeatedly argued that Quebec's program has proved an economic boon, helping increase women's participation in the workforce and boosting government revenues. But a video dredged up by the Liberals shows Mulcair, as a Liberal member of Quebec's National Assembly in 2000, trashing the province's daycare program for eating up money and touting the benefits of a "free market" approach that would leave more money in parents pockets and let them make their own choices.

Harper was also out of the public eye preparing for the debate. But his party released a statement announcing that a re-elected Conservative government would reinstate the royal military college in St. Jean, Que., as a full degree-granting institution. The college was closed by the previous Liberal government in 1995 and reopened in 2008 by the Harper government as a CEGEP, or junior college.

His erstwhile finance minister, Joe Oliver, meanwhile gave an interview to The Associated Press that could become grist for Thursday's debate mill. Oliver insisted that Canada was not and is not in a recession, despite the fact that the economy contracted in the first two quarters of this year. The Harper government's recently passed balanced budget legislation defines recession as two consecutive quarters in which the economy retracted.

With polls suggesting a very real possibility that the Oct. 19 vote will produce a minority government, there was more evidence Wednesday that a Conservative minority would not survive long. Mulcair and May both ruled out any chance their parties would prop up a Harper minority, echoing a stance taken by Trudeau on Tuesday.

"There isn't a snowball's chance in hell," said Mulcair.

The Canadian Press

Defence says Crown hasn’t sufficiently shown that teen had links to ISIL

MONTREAL — A lawyer for a Montreal teen facing terrorism-related charges says the Crown has not sufficiently proven his client was linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant or committed an act on its behalf.

Defence lawyer Thiago Murias said Wednesday the evidence presented was worrisome but did not directly show his client was joining ISIL.

The Montreal teen has pleaded guilty to the armed robbery of a convenience store in October 2014, an act the Crown has suggested was on behalf of ISIL and to finance a trip to take part in the conflict in Syria.

The 16-year-old, who cannot be named because he is a minor, faces two charges: committing a robbery in association with a terrorist organization and planning to leave Canada to participate in the activities of a terrorist group abroad.

The teen did not take the stand during his trial, but Murias argued during his closing arguments the evidence presented fell far short of proving his acts amounted to terrorism.

Murias said the only thing the evidence suggests is the boy was set on fighting Bashar Assad's regime, but without specifying with which of the several groups on the ground.

"He had the conviction as a Muslim to help his brothers in Syria," Murias said. "The evidence does not show he wanted to commit a terrorist act in Syria."

Nor, he said, was there any evidence the robbery was anything different from a run-of-the-mill criminal act that occurs hundreds of times a year.

"Is it really people like this legislators wanted to criminalize with such severe penalties?," he told youth court Judge Dominique Wilhelmy. "It's important (my client) doesn't become a collateral victim in the war on terror."

Murias said it's unlikely the terrorist organization had any idea the teen had committed the crime.

He noted previous terrorism cases in Canada involve well-planned conspiracies with adults seeking to bomb buildings or derail trains.

"Never in Canada have we had terrorism jurisprudence in a case where a youth held up a convenience store," Murias said. "I think we're missing the mark on what the legislators had in mind."

The boy defended committing the robbery, telling investigators the money was "spoils of war."

But Murias cautioned against taking a confused teen's moral justification for committing an act as a motive linked to terrorism.

"His political beliefs are one thing and the charges he's accused of are quite another," Murias said.

He conceded there was a large amount of propaganda on the boy's computer — mostly from al-Qaida — but no direct contact between the boy and Islamic State militants.

Murias described his client as being engulfed by jihadist propaganda over two years leading up to his arrest.

The lawyer suggested his client could also be viewed as an unwitting child soldier and, as such, be immune from prosecution under international law.

Final arguments will continue Thursday afternoon and again next Tuesday.

Sidhartha Banerjee, The Canadian Press

Canadian parties respond to Clinton call for a new continental climate pact

WASHINGTON — A campaign promise by Hillary Clinton rippled across the border into Canada's election on Wednesday, with parties responding to her call for a broad, North American climate-change plan.

She released a policy paper that proposed climate negotiations among Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, one day after she announced her opposition to the Keystone XL pipeline.

The position paper from the presidential contender added a new wrinkle to a pipeline issue that has already inserted itself in two national elections — the current Canadian one and the 2016 U.S. presidential race.

Clinton wants to follow her opposition to Keystone with a broader program that includes immediately launching talks toward a North American Climate Compact.

It would be a more aggressive plan than an existing one among the three countries, a continental working group created this year that proposes infrastructure upgrades but does not including a mechanism for enforcing emissions reductions.

"Building a clean, secure, and affordable North American energy future is bigger than Keystone XL or any other single project. That’s what I will focus on as president," said the Clinton paper.

"As president, I will immediately launch negotiations with Canada and Mexico to forge a North American Climate Compact that sets strong national targets to cut carbon pollution, so all three countries demonstrate a commitment to climate action; (and) provides accountability measures, so each country has confidence that the others are living up to their end of the bargain."

Canada's main political parties all reacted from the campaign trail. 

The opposition parties enthusiastically supported Clinton's call, while the governing Conservatives took a different tack, noting that there's already a precedent for what Clinton is proposing and refusing to comment further on a U.S. campaign promise:

— In a statement, Justin Trudeau's campaign team noted the similarities between Clinton's proposal and a speech he delivered three months ago on Canada-U.S. relations, where he called for a new, continental, clean-energy agreement: "The Liberal party is firmly in favour of Ms. Clinton's proposal," said spokesman Dan Lauzon.

— The NDP issued a similar commitment: "As Prime Minister, Tom Mulcair would welcome the opportunity to sit down with the presidents of the United States and Mexico to discuss how our countries can collectively reduce our impact on the climate," said senior adviser Karl Belanger.

— The Conservatives said there's already an agreement in place: "(We) established a new North American partnership on energy and climate change earlier this year. Canada's focus is achieving new tangible results through this new North American collaboration. We will not engage in presidential primary debates," said a statement from the Conservative campaign.

But one environmental group said what Clinton proposes is different. Keith Stewart of Greenpeace Canada said this could be the first time countries are held accountable for breaking their commitments on emissions.

"Right now we have a bunch of things down on paper but there's no penalty for not actually meeting the targets we've set. Talk is cheap," Stewart said.

He predicted that the U.S. election promise might shake up Canada's debate: "I think this is going to put climate back into the Canadian election in a new way — as a foreign-policy issue," Stewart said. 

"We now have proposals coming from the U.S., from someone who stands a good chance of being the next president, saying, 'We want to work with Canada. And we expect Canada to pull up its socks'."

Clinton's paper came one day after she stunned allies of the Keystone project by announcing opposition to a pipeline she'd once said she was inclined to support. She called Canadian oil the continent's dirtiest fuel.

That announcement instantly became a 2016 U.S. election issue, as Republicans pounced.

In Canada, the Conservatives and the Liberals support Keystone, although the latter blame the Harper government's inaction on climate for making Canadian oil a target in the U.S. The NDP opposes Keystone, on the grounds that it would ship refining jobs to the U.S.

The political division over the Canada-Texas pipeline is becoming increasingly clear in the U.S., with Republicans supporting it and Democrats lining up against.

 

Alexander Panetta, The Canadian Press

Alberta gas well blowout still not capped: Encana

FOX CREEK, Alta. — Workers in northwestern Alberta were still fighting Wednesday to control a blowout at a well that has been venting natural gas and small amounts of a toxic chemical.

A spokesman for well owner Encana (TSX:ECA) said crews were opening a second route to the site, located 18 kilometres from the community of Fox Creek.

Jay Averill said that would give crews more room to work and let them onto the site more efficiently.

Averill said monitoring data showed low levels of poisonous hydrogen sulphide have been released since the well blew Monday, but they are well beneath those that would pose a health risk. 

He says the well passes through a zone containing the toxin, but is intended to draw gas from a zone free of it.

The province's energy regulator says waterways or wildlife have not been affected.

The Canadian Press

Over $100,000 raised for legal action opposing Site C

Organizers to force end to Chase the Ace if no one wins this weekend

INVERNESS, N.S. — A wildly popular fundraising game that has drawn thousands of people to a small Cape Breton town will be brought to an end on Oct. 3 by organizers who say Chase the Ace has simply grown too big.

Cameron MacQuarrie said Wednesday that if no one wins the jackpot this Saturday, they will regroup the following weekend and play until someone draws the highly sought ace of spades.

MacQuarrie, one of the game's organizers and the vice-president of the local Royal Canadian Legion, said he expects 15,000 people will descend on Inverness this weekend as the game tightens and the chances of winning increase.

But he said the growing crowds are raising concerns among police and emergency health providers who worry the large number of people might hamper their access to someone in distress.

"We're not able to facilitate all the needs of the people coming — like basic needs like washrooms and also emergency services," he said from his home in Inverness.

"Our emergency providers have kind of been on a watch to see how high the risk factors were getting. And now it's at a critical point."

The game of chance, which involves finding the ace of spades in a deck of playing cards, saw its jackpot grow from $35 last October to more than $884,000. Also, the person with the winning ticket — and a chance to pick a card — gets 20 per cent of the total ticket sales.

MacQuarrie expects the jackpot to hit $1 million, which led them to add a third venue in the community to host people for the event Saturday.

He says the Broad Cove concert grounds, along with the local legion and arena will be used to accommodate the throngs of people who have been coming in droves to buy tickets, listen to music, play cards and wait to see if they struck it rich.

Compared to the same event last year, MacQuarrie said this Chase the Ace has grown well beyond their expectations with people coming from New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island to play.

"It took on a different life somewhere around the $100,000 mark," he said. "It's an interesting phenomenon and has developed its own culture. It has a bit of a carnival feel to it."

So many people were participating that a temporary cellphone tower was brought in to handle a surge in traffic and it was taking hours to simply get out of the parking lot and back onto the highway nearby.

The draw raised money for the local legion and a centre for adults with intellectual disabilities.

There are six cards left in the deck for the next draw Saturday.

The Canadian Press

Demands for change at Memorial University after hearing impaired complaint

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — About 100 supporters rallied Wednesday at Memorial University of Newfoundland to demand more help for students with special needs.

The university students' union urged people to "show your outrage" at the event after hearing-impaired history major William Sears said an instructor refused to accommodate him by wearing an FM transmitter.

He filed a complaint with the Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission after history professor Ranee Panjabi allegedly refused to wear the transmitter earlier this month, citing religious beliefs. The assistive device helps Sears, 20, hear lectures.

Leah Robertson, the student union's director of advocacy, called at the rally for several improvements. They include a campus office to handle reports of discrimination, an external review of the Sears case and regular accessibility audits to be made public.

"We are going to continue pressing for change at this institution," Robertson said. "We're going to continue working to ensure that not a single student or member of our community experiences any form of discrimination or barrier to accessing education, which is their right."

University president Gary Kachanoski has apologized for the incident and promised a full review of how accommodation procedures failed. A university spokesman said Wednesday Kachanoski will discuss changes demanded at the rally with student leaders.

Panjabi has not answered requests for comment.

She has been the subject of similar complaints before, including in 1996 when Memorial University reached an agreement aimed at balancing competing rights. It did so after Panjabi filed her own human rights complaint over the university's decision at the time that she should have worn a microphone as requested by another student.

The agreement called for other forms of accommodation, Kachanoski said in a statement released Monday.

Options included providing a stand to hold the microphone portion of the "phonic ear" to pick up Panjabi's lectures. She told local television station NTV last week that other technology might have helped avoid the most recent fracas.

A letter from the university made public by the former student involved in the 1996 dispute quotes Panjabi as telling the dean of arts her religious objections were not based on a specific tenet. They're part of her "personal spirituality and commitments."

The agreement reached by the school with Panjabi further states: "The university will inform any hearing-impaired student registered in any of Dr. Panjabi's courses that the instant settlement accord is binding ... and that the university cannot entertain an objection or complaint that Dr. Panjabi will not wear a microphone or other technological device on her person."

That deal is also under review, Kachanoski said in his statement.

Morgan Sears, sister of William and a fourth-year student at Memorial, attended the rally in his place as he focuses on his studies. It takes courage and determination for students with disabilities to handle situations others don't have to think about, she told reporters.

"MUN is supposed to be a very inclusive environment and this just goes to show that it's not all the time."

Leon Mills, executive director of the local Canadian Hard of Hearing Association branch, said Memorial's initial response was "weak."

"I think it gave the university a black eye," he said. The association has asked the school to review whether its 1996 agreement with Panjabi is legal.

 

Follow @suebailey on Twitter.

Sue Bailey, The Canadian Press

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