Angel >> Quebec Environment Minister Paul Bégin Quebec's environment department has been in a shambles for some time, dismantled by de-regulation and decimated by cutbacks and staff shortages. But some good news finally came out of Bégin's office this week: he plans to place a moratorium on the export of Quebec water. Canada's water is quickly becoming its most coveted natural resource as supplies dry up worldwide; American companies are already trying to ship it south in bulk. Neither the feds nor the other provinces know what to do about it. So Quebec is taking the lead; hopefully, others will follow.

Insect >> City hall's sweatshops of cleanliness and urban order The city of Montreal has hired 120 unemployed and out-of-school youths to clean up unsightly graffiti signature tags around town. Each kid will be paid $245 a week, which comes to an underwhelming $6.12 an hour--below minimum wage. Looks like all the mayor's fact-finding trips to China have given him some good ideas about child-labour practices.