Latest update: 04/03/2010

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Gold rush in Quebec sees residents displaced

Gold fever has taken hold of a little town in Quebec, reports this morning’s Le Figaro. However, some residents complain that they’ve been mistreated by the mining company. Also, French singer Mylène Farmer trips on the front steps of the Elysée Palace! THURSDAY, 4th MARCH, 2010

IN THE PAPERS

By James CREEDON

Over the last year and a half, the mining company Osisko has moved 138 houses from the town centre Malartic to the suburbs.

The mayor of this little town in Quebec, Canada is over the moon, says le Figaro. In less than a year, the town has gained 1,000 inhabitants to bring the total population to 4,000.

However, not all of the residents are too pleased with developments. Apparently without consulting residents, the mayor gave the company authorization to dig in their gardens to see if there was gold…

Those who sold up got a mere $5,000 for their properties. In a pitiful gesture, Osisko has offered those waiting to be rehoused $42 a day in the interim period. To add insult to injury, families were given a turkey at Christmas time as a gift from the company.

Some residents tell of how the pressure to move has caused depression and upset in several families.

One Mohican man has refused to move. He tells the paper that Osisko valued the contents of his land at $2 million dollars.

He says “his life is worth nothing to them” and that he won’t move unless offered a decent and honest pay-off.

Other stories in today’s French papers:

Aujourd’hui en France/ Le Parisien: Chile’s earthquake tilted Earth’s axis

Libération: French industry in crisis

Libération: Fast-food restaurant sees 30% rise in profits after switching to halaal food

France Soir: “13 million computers hacked”

La Provence: Mylène Farmer trips on front steps of the Elysée

Elena Casas Montanez

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