Company Must Show Old Papers

May 15, 2026, 13:09
CanadaPolitics

Introduction

A group in Quebec told the company Hydro-Québec to show old papers from the 1960s.

Main Body

A teacher wanted to see letters from 1967. The letters were about a project to make aluminum. Hydro-Québec said no. They were afraid the papers would hurt their business deals with another place called Newfoundland. But a judge said the papers are very old. He said the papers are now history. He told the company to give the papers to the teacher. Hydro-Québec now says the papers are okay to show. But they still do not put them on the internet. Some journalists are angry about this.

Conclusion

The public cannot see the papers yet. Quebec and Newfoundland are not talking about energy now.

Learning

The Power of "To Be"

Look at how we describe things in this story. We use is, are, and were. These words tell us if something is happening now or in the past.

1. Now (Present)

  • The papers are history. →\rightarrow (They are history today)
  • Journalists are angry. →\rightarrow (They feel this way now)

2. Before (Past)

  • The letters were about a project. →\rightarrow (They were about a project in 1967)
  • They were afraid. →\rightarrow (They felt fear in the past)

Quick Logic:

  • Are = More than one person/thing + Right now.
  • Were = More than one person/thing + A long time ago.

Word Alert:

  • Public →\rightarrow All the people in a city or country.
  • Deal →\rightarrow A business agreement or promise.

Vocabulary Learning

company
a business organization
Example:The company hired new workers.
old
no longer new; aged
Example:The old book was dusty.
papers
written documents or reports
Example:She filed the papers in the drawer.
group
a collection of people
Example:The group went to the park.
Quebec
a province in Canada
Example:I visited Quebec last year.
Hydro-Québec
a Canadian electric company
Example:Hydro-Québec supplies power to many homes.
show
to display or present
Example:Please show me the report.
letters
written messages
Example:He wrote letters to his friends.
project
a planned activity or task
Example:The project will start next month.
make
to create or produce
Example:She will make a cake.
aluminum
a lightweight metal
Example:Aluminum cans are recyclable.
afraid
feeling fear
Example:She was afraid of spiders.
hurt
to cause pain
Example:The fall hurt my arm.
business
a commercial activity
Example:The business grew quickly.
deals
agreements or transactions
Example:They made a deal for the land.
another
one more; additional
Example:Can I have another cookie?
place
a location or site
Example:This is a nice place to relax.
Newfoundland
an island province in Canada
Example:Newfoundland has beautiful coastlines.
judge
a person who decides in court
Example:The judge ruled the case.
history
events of the past
Example:She studies history at university.
told
gave information
Example:He told me the truth.
give
to provide or hand over
Example:Please give me a pen.
okay
acceptable or fine
Example:That plan is okay.
internet
global network of computers
Example:I browse the internet daily.
journalists
reporters who write news
Example:Journalists interview the mayor.
angry
feeling displeasure or hostility
Example:She was angry when the train was delayed.
public
people in general
Example:The public needs to be informed.
cannot
is not able to
Example:I cannot attend the meeting.
see
to look at or observe
Example:I see the stars tonight.
energy
power that makes things work
Example:Solar energy is clean.