The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Shawinigan, Que. - A hotel that was at the centre of a controversy involving former prime minister Jean Chretien was partly damaged in a fire Monday morning. About 10 per cent of the Auberge Grand-Mere was damaged by water and smoke, city spokeswoman Therese Boutin said in an interview. The hotel in Shawinigan, Que., was at the centre of conflict of interest allegations involving Chretien when he was prime minister. He had been accused of using his position to press the Business Development Bank of Canada to give a loan to a business associate. Ottawa - Prime Minister Paul Martin is offering a $500-million "down payment" to cities as part of his vaunted new deal for municipalities, The Canadian Press has learned. The money would come in the form of a full GST rebate on good and services purchased by cities and would be the largest single expenditure in the coming federal budget, sources said. Saint John, N.B. - Independent MP John Herron is considering crossing the floor to join the Liberals. The member for Fundy-Royal confirmed rumours Sunday night that he's talked with the Prime Minister's Office about becoming a Liberal, but hasn't made a firm decision. The New Brunswick MP won his seat for the Progressive Conservatives and fought the merger with the Canadian Alliance. He refused to join the new Conservative Party of Canada.
