Angel >> Social housing activists FRAPRU The Front d'Action Populaire en Réaménagement Urbain first defended Quebecers' rights to adequate housing in 1978. Since then, they have succeeded in whooping an ever-increasing amount of backside, pressuring municipal and provincial politicians to address social housing issues. Since the election campaign began, FRAPRU has held a daily vigil outside Liberal party headquarters to protest Jean Charest's failure to address the housing issue. This week they set up camp outside Parti Québécois offices as well, to protest its lack of commitment to the 1,300 new social housing units FRAPRU says are needed. This week, FRAPRU announced that it would be among the groups bringing our province's poor record on social housing to the attention of the United Nations. Happy anniversary, you thorny buggers.

Insect >> Federal Finance Minister and honourary Concordia laureate Paul Martin It's convocation time again, boys and girls, and Concordia is busy handing out honourary degrees to anyone they figure might give them some money. Last year they bestowed one upon some mutual fund peddler, who promptly gave the most boring speech to the graduates in recent history. This year they're attempting to curry favour with a bigger fish, Paul Martin--who not only sits atop a hefty personal fortune, but also pulls the purse strings of government. Of course, it's Martin who started the university funding cutbacks two years ago when he cut transfer payments to the provinces. Martin will receive an honorary PhD, giving him the title of doctor--ideal for someone so skilled with the financial scalpel.