Angel >> A gay-positive census in 2001It's probably hard for straight people to imagine just how annoying a simple questionnaire can be. Every five years, census-takers knock on the doors of gay and lesbian couples and ask them to fill out the questionnaire. And every time they get to the "marital status" question, they're told they have to check the box marked "single"--no matter how long they'd been with their partner. Next time around in 2001, they'll be able to answer honestly. Finally.

Insect >> Finance Minister Paul Martin, pick-pocketer of the unemployed This story won't go away--and it shouldn't, either. Martin controls the pursestrings of the Employment Insurance fund, which currently has $21 billion in the bank. Technically, that mountain of money belongs to Canada's unemployed. But Martin refuses to loosen the eligibility criteria for EI, which means the unemployed can't get at their own money. This Saturday, November 6 at 1 p.m., the Medley (1170 St-Denis) will host the Public Assembly of the Unemployed. Groups from across the province will participate. Perhaps Martin, a Montreal-area MP, could muster the courage to show up at the event.