(Quebec) The Rimouski Town Council is preparing to introduce a permanent ban on cleaning doorways with potable water. This measure, which goes further than Montreal or Quebec, aims to save this precious resource in a region hit by summer droughts, but arouses opposition from some Rimouski residents.

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The news was recently rumored by the journal Le Soir: Rimouski is preparing to tighten the screw on the “asphalt sprinklers”. Like several municipalities, including Montreal and Quebec, the city only allowed its entrance to be cleaned with tap water during a well-defined spring period, from April 20 to May 20.

But a draft charter, due to be put to a vote during the February 27 council meeting, aims to ban it forever. Of course there will be some exceptions, e.g. B. during the development work. In short, flushing your entrance with drinking water will be banned and fines for violators will be increased (from $150 to $175).

The news sparked hundreds of reactions on Journal Le Soir’s social networks.

To be honest, when I submitted the settlement ad, we didn’t expect such a reaction. I’ve been answering questions about this since Friday [il y a dix jours]… I didn’t expect there to be resistance in 2023 on an issue like this.

Jocelyn Pelletier, councilor and sponsor of the draft constitution

The rebellion is being led by citizen Jean-Claude Roy, who believes the municipality is going too far in regulating spring cleaning for citizens.

“It’s like they asked us to clean the house their way or take a half-full bath. It’s part of the privacy of the world,” protests Mr Roy, who agrees with the regulations currently in place.

The man started an online petition with around fifty signatures on Saturday evening. “The town of Rimouski, which I recently christened RIMOSKOV, comes with too many prohibitions and restrictions,” protests a signer named Sylvain, before signing “priviet” (hi in Russian) with a good feeling.

Another signer notes that “the one-time washing between April and May is not excessive and occurs at a time when the water supply is plentiful.” Instead, he calls on the authorities to “monitor the perpetrators who water their cedar hedge at night [un] perforated hose”.

Jean-Claude Roy finds the draft regulation poorly put together. For him, using tap water to maintain his driveway in the spring is a “responsible” gesture of good neighborliness and good manners.

“I was looking at the councilors’ listings on Google Maps… It’s sad, sir, it’s sad. Even if they watered it, it wouldn’t change anything. It is neglected,” says the man, who prides himself on taking good care of his paving stone. “I want to receive it. Dandelions won’t grow in my driveway! »

A region struggling with droughts

Councilor Jocelyn Pelletier was surprised by the very personal nature of the case. This indicates that citizens who want to wash their entrance can still do so with rainwater, on rainy days or with water from a collection bin.

“I was elected in 2017 and since then I’ve met a lot of delinquent people that we see watering their asphalt almost every day,” the elected official regrets. Taking drinking water to wash your entrance in 2023 I find normal. »

The municipal council recalls that Bas-Saint-Laurent has had to contend with serious droughts in recent years. Rimouski also had to issue irrigation bans.

The municipality notes on its website that it has noticed that in summer, during irrigation peaks, “our collective consumption was comparable to that of a town of 120,000 inhabitants, while in Rimouski we are 50,000”.

Researchers from the Ouranos group predict a drop in the level of the St. Lawrence River and rivers in the region. “These fluctuations in surface water could have an impact on the drinking water supply in the region,” says their latest report on climate change adaptation in the Bas-Saint-Laurent.

But since the water shortage is particularly acute in midsummer and watering paved areas is already prohibited at this time, why extend it until spring?

“We have to change habits. And spring lasts longer for some people than for others,” replies Jocelyn Pelletier, specifying that the elected officials seem to be fairly unanimous about the draft bylaws drawn up by city officials.

The elected official believes citizens’ reactions have been more positive than negative. “As for the petition, they could submit it and we would consider it. But for me there is no question of backing down on this issue,” said Mr Pelletier.

Office in Quebec

“The use of drinking water for the spring cleaning of an outdoor area without greenery, such as a parking lot, is only permitted between May 1st and June 15th. »

Settlement in Montreal

“The washing of paved surfaces (e.g. asphalt), terraces or external walls is prohibited, except during construction, development or for health reasons. However, it is allowed anytime between April 1st and May 15th. »

Leaning on her 12-year-old daughter Sadie Grace LeNoble on one side and a cane on the other. Christina Applegate walked the red carpet at Fairmont Century Plaza in California to attend the 29th edition of the Screen Actors Guild Awards, presented on Sunday, February 26th, honoring the year’s best film and television performances. Applegate was nominated for Best Comedy Actress for the Netflix series Dead to Me, but the award ultimately went to a convalescent Jean Smart, who recently had heart surgery, for her role in Hacks. The 51-year-old actress – who announced in the summer of 2021 that she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis – walked the red carpet with aplomb dressed in a dark velvet gown inspired by the silhouette of a floor-length suit with a message embroidered on it Stock: “Fuck you, sclerosis.”

“This is probably my last awards show as an actress, so it’s a very important date,” Applegate told the Los Angeles Times in early February. “Right now I can’t imagine getting up at five in the morning and spending 12 to 14 hours on set. I don’t have that power in me right now,” he admitted. However, the actress also spoke about her next steps: producing, developing new projects and doing “a lot of voiceovers to make some money and make sure my daughter is fed and we’ll have a roof to live on”.

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In the midst of filming the final season of the series Dead to Me in 2021, Applegate began experiencing pain in her legs and tremors. Shortly thereafter, he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. “It was a strange journey. But I have received a lot of support from other people I know who have the same disease. It was a difficult road. But as we all know, there is a long way to go. Unless some idiot blocks it. As one of my friends with multiple sclerosis said, “We woke up and took the right steps”. We’re doing it,” the 2003 Emmy-winner for guest starring on the Friends series — who’s been nominated seven times — wrote on her social media about her diagnosis.

Christina Applegate and her daughter Sadie Grace LeNoble at the 29th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards held in California on Sunday February 26, 2023 Emma McIntyre (FilmMagic)

After interrupting filming of the series to catch the news and begin treatment, the actress insisted on returning to finish it. Applegate, who rose to fame as a teenager playing Kelly Bundy, daughter of the sitcom Married With Children, had to explain her new situation to her colleagues and talk to the production team about what she could and couldn’t do: “They were amazing “, says the actress, “I was a disaster at the time, although the worst scenes happened alone in my trailer … But there were moments when I broke down on set and then I said ‘I can’t, I need half an hour’ and everyone was very nice to me”.

On November 14, 2022, the actress reappeared in public for the first time since her diagnosis, and she did so to discover her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. A recognition he should have received in 2020 and then postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic. She did it surrounded by her family, friends and colleagues. The actress commented with the support of Katey Sagal, an actress with whom she shared filming Married with Children and who stayed by her side throughout the speech. “I can’t stand long, so I’ll thank the people I really need,” Applegate began his speech.

The actress was recognized on the Hollywood Walk of Fame “for her strength and versatility in theatre, film and television,” for a career in which “she has proven to be one of the most influential female leads in Hollywood,” the producer said Organization Walk of Fame, Ana Martínez before discovering the star. “The most important person in this world is my daughter,” Applegate continued. “You are much more than you think. You are beautiful and kind, intelligent and interesting. I’m grateful every day that I can get up to take you to school…thank you for being by my side through all of this,” she said in a speech that brought tears to her eyes. Ironically, her daughter Sadie Grace LeNoble, born in 2011, was another support on her mother’s last walk down the red carpet.

The royal raised eyebrows earlier this month when royal fans spotted a hole in his sock after he took off his shoes while visiting an east London mosque.

Royal fans on Twitter were shocked to see the 74-year-old monarch wearing worn-out clothing, as they assumed a member of the royal family would only wear first-class clothing in pristine condition.

However, according to some style experts, all may not be as it seems. They argue that upper-class people tend to dress a certain way, a style that some don’t necessarily associate with wealth.

Celebrity stylist Rochelle White told FEMAIL that she’s noticed two distinct styles of dress among wealthier people, which tend to be categorized as “old” and “new” money.

She said: “Usually with generational wealth/old money [people] tend to wear designer items that show either no to small brand labels.

Can you tell an upper class person by the way they dress? The Princess of Wales (pictured visiting Ulster University in 2021) has been known to opt for the so-called ‘I’ve got money’ combo of a turtleneck and blazer on several occasions

“You could wear an £18,000 outfit but to the normal everyday person it looks like a well put together outfit that has quality.”

Here FEMAIL takes a look at some of the typical features of an ‘Upper Class Wardrobe’ – and some may surprise you…

Worn out socks

King Charles’ scuffed sock, on display during his visit to Brick Lane Mosque, could actually be a sign of wealth, fashion experts suggest

When the king removed his shoes during a visit to the Brick Lane Mosque earlier this month, some people were surprised to see that one of his socks had a hole in it.

Royal fans took to Twitter to laugh at the royal’s perceived fashion blunder, which proved he’s just like the rest of us.

One person wrote: King Charles really is one of us! Most of us have at least one pair of socks with a hole.”

However, according to some, the hole in the sock may not have been an accident, but rather a subtle indication of wealth.

Jeremy Hackett, co-founder of menswear shop Hackett, told The Telegraph: “The King is known for patching his clothes, and as for his socks, he probably thought, ‘Damn,’ they’re going to last a little bit longer.”

He added, “Though they may look unkempt, what they wear was the best when they were made.”

Rochelle agreed that the upper class has a different take on dong things, often investing in “timeless” pieces that aren’t the latest trend, meaning they sometimes look a little worn.

“I think upper class people have a standard of fashion and dress that’s (sometimes) in a league of its own,” she said.

The stylist added that one of the key indicators of quality clothing is “investing in not having the latest on-trend pieces, but pieces that are timeless.”

The “I Have Money Combination”

During a visit to the Oxford House Nursing Home on Shrove Tuesday, the Princess of Wales again showed a play with the combination, with a turtleneck and structured camel coat

According to Town & Country magazine, one of the classiest outfit combos you can wear is a very simple combination of a turtleneck and a navy blue blazer.

A classic combination if ever there was one – and some fashion-loving royals even put their own spin on it, playing with different colors and tailored jackets.

The Princess of Wales is one such example, dazzling in a black turtleneck with a bright fuchsia suit during a visit to Ulster University in 2021.

Kate, 41, wore her brunette locks in a sleek ponytail and let her outfit do the talking, while her structured lapels complemented the black turtleneck.

Just this week, she debuted another classy look derived from the same rule during a visit to a nursing home in Slough.

When she arrived at the Oxford House Nursing Home, the princess was dressed in a navy blue turtleneck and navy blue tailored trousers. Instead of a blazer, she teamed the jumper with a classic structured camel coat from Max&Co for £470 – a favorite of hers.

The princess ticked off two of Town & Country’s upper class style rules with her Mardi Gras outfit, as the magazine also recommends owning a camel coat to subtly flaunt your wealth.

Designer clothing without logos

The Duchess of Sussex, who left her baby shower while pregnant with Archie in 2019, kept the athleisure look chic yet demure – without showing any logos

Did Meghan follow Diana’s book? The Duchess’ late mother-in-law was pictured wearing a tracksuit with no visible logo on a visit to Berlin in 1865

An age-old rule for anyone wanting to show off their class – don’t brag about how expensive your clothes are.

While this applies to your behavior, it also applies to the products you choose from your favorite designer, with logos and branding often described as “sticky”.

Etiquette expert Anna Bey revealed her top indicators that someone is from “old money,” with the question mark over logos being one of her litmus tests.

In a video on her YouTube channel, Anna said that people coming out of the old money tend to “avoid trends” and stick to a “classic style.”

Princess Diana certainly embraced that mantra during her lifetime, often appearing in snazzy gym clothes that didn’t necessarily feature any logos – but it was clear she was wearing the highest quality gear.

In 1985, the then Princess of Wales appeared on a trip to Berlin in a black tracksuit with white stripes that was structured and stylish, but with no logo in sight.

And her daughter-in-law Meghan Markle has also adopted the guideline since becoming a member of the royal family, making sure her off-duty attire is chic and elegant while staying away from any labels.

Pictured leaving her baby shower while pregnant with her first child, Archie, the Duchess of Sussex cut an understated figure and kept her head bowed.

Wearing a dark athleisure ensemble paired with a camel coat and baseball cap, she always looked classy and regal in the demure combo.

Although the cut and quality of the pieces made it clear they were likely from slightly more upscale brands, Meghan kept her look modest without showing any obvious logos or labels.

Statement pieces with little function

Princess Beatrice’s look for the wedding of the Prince and Princess of Wales in 2011 caused quite a stir, and many royal fans were a little confused by her unusual Philip Treacy fascinator

The Princess of Wales rocked a striking pair of opera gloves as she attended the BAFTAs on Sunday night

While the upper class tends, for the most part, to dress in classically tailored outfits made from well-made pieces that will last a lifetime, there is room for some more unusual pieces as well.

With plenty of money at their disposal, the more affluent in our society have the means to buy the pieces they like from the latest trends at fashion week.

Take the Princess of Wales, for example, who caused a stir in her BAFTA outfit last weekend as she graced the red carpet in black opera gloves.

Kate, 41, looked radiant in a recycled white Alexander McQueen Greek dress (another indicator of an upper class dress when she wore the dress new) contrasted with black gloves, which stylists say have long been a feature of runway shows are year or so.

According to Rochelle, it’s not uncommon for the upper class to dress in outfits featuring pieces inspired by the runways.

She said, “You can find people who might want to stand out and rock items that are fresh off the runways and are statement pieces, eye-catching and bold.”

The stylist added that while some wealthier people make their names as “eccentric” dressers with flashy outfits, others only rely on a standout object like an accessory.

Another statement piece that will go down in royal fashion history was the fascinator worn by Princess Beatrice to the 2011 wedding of the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Philip Treacy’s design is said to have cost around £2,000 and was later sold at a charity auction for around £108,000 ($130,000).

Repair and re-wear

King Charles is known for his commitment to sustainability and he’s proven throughout his years in the spotlight that he applies that belief to his wardrobe. He was first seen in a gray Anderson & Sheppard morning suit in the early 1980s and wore the same outfit almost 40 years later and at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding

King Charles has long been an advocate for the environment and sustainability, particularly in fashion, and has even launched an initiative encouraging young designers to create sustainable lines, The Modern Artisan.

So it’s no surprise that the royal prefers to recycle old outfits wherever he can — particularly a morning suit he first bought in 1984. While he has been spotted in the Anderson & Sheppard outfit at polo events throughout the decade, eagle-eyed royal fans have noticed that he also donned the gray number to give his daughter-in-law Meghan Markle as a gift when she met Prince Harry almost 40 years later in the Married in 2018.

Speaking to British Vogue editor Edward Enninful about his beloved suit, the King said: ‘As long as I can put it on, I only wear it a couple of times a year, in the summer, so you want to keep that natural way of things going.’

The royal, who is known to hate waste, also admitted he would prefer to recycle a quality garment than replace it with a newer item in his wardrobe.

“I’m one of those people who hate throwing things away. So I’d rather let them wait, even patch them if necessary, than give them up,” he said.

Rochelle explained: Because [upper class people] Knowing they have the money and resources to buy what they want, they invest in more classic pieces that can become part of their everyday lives. You will most likely attract items again.”

• Climate protection must not be at the expense of the Thunberg indigenous people
• Wind farms violate the rights of indigenous people, the Supreme Court ruled
• Demonstration marks 500 days since Supreme Court ruling
• Department of Energy says takes time to find compromises

OSLO, February 27 (Portal) – Environmental activist Greta Thunberg and dozens of other activists blocked the entrance to Norway’s Energy Ministry on Monday, protesting wind turbines being built on land traditionally used by indigenous Sami reindeer herders.

Thunberg, a vocal advocate of ending the world’s dependence on carbon-based energy, said the transition to green energy must not come at the expense of indigenous rights.

“Indigenous rights, human rights must go hand in hand with climate protection and climate protection. This must not happen at the expense of a few people. Then it’s not climate justice,” Thunberg told Portal while sitting in front of the ministry’s main entrance with other protesters.

Norway’s Supreme Court ruled in 2021 that two wind farms built in central Norway violated Sami rights under international conventions, but the turbines remain operational more than 16 months later.

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Reindeer herders in the Nordic country say the sight and sound of the giant wind turbines frighten their animals and disrupt age-old traditions.

“We are here to demand that the turbines be demolished and that legal rights be respected,” said Sami singer-songwriter, actress and activist Ella Marie Haetta Isaksen.

She and a dozen other Sami protesters had occupied the ministry’s reception area since Thursday. Police forcibly removed them around 01:30 GMT on Monday and arrested them before releasing them.

They returned to the Ministry around 0600 GMT, this time outside.

The Sami protesters wore their traditional costume, often called gakti, inside out as a sign of protest.

[1/5] Greta Thunberg attends a demonstration with activists from Nature and Youth and Norway’s Samirs Riksforbund Nuorat blocking entrances to the Ministry of Oil and Energy February 27, 2023 in Oslo, Norway. The reason for the action is the wind turbines in Fosen, which the Supreme Court has declared illegal, have not been demolished. NTB/Ole Berg-Rusten via Portal

The ministry said the ultimate fate of the wind farms was a complex legal dilemma despite the Supreme Court ruling and hoped to find a compromise.

The court’s ruling didn’t say what should happen next to the 151 turbines, which can power about 100,000 Norwegian homes, or what should happen to the dozens of kilometers (miles) of roads built to facilitate construction.

“We understand that this case is a burden for reindeer herders,” Minister for Energy and Petroleum Terje Aasland said in a statement to Portal.

“The Ministry will do everything possible to help solve this case and it will not take longer than necessary,” he added.

The owners of the Roan Vind and Fosen Vind farms include the German Stadtwerke München, the Norwegian utilities Statkraft and TroenderEnergi, and the Swiss companies Energy Infrastructure Partners and BKW.

“We trust the ministry to find good solutions that will allow us to continue producing renewable energy while preserving the rights of reindeer owners,” Roan Vind said in a statement.

Energy supplier BKW said it expects the wind turbines to remain in place, with compensatory measures to ensure the Sami reindeer herders’ rights are protected.

Stadtwerke München declined to comment.

Statkraft and Energy Infrastructure Partners were not immediately available for comment.

Additional reporting by Nora Buli; writing by Terje Solsvik; Edited by Robert Birsel and Frank Jack Daniel

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Gwladys Fouche

Thomson Portal

Monitors coverage from Norway for Portal and loves to go to Svalbard in the Arctic, oil rigs in the North Sea and guessing who will win the Nobel Peace Prize. Born in France, she has been with Portal since 2010, has worked for The Guardian, Agence France-Presse and Al Jazeera English, among others, and speaks four languages.