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Sanctions needed on Russian-owned Canadian real estate

March 23, 2022

There are more severe forms of sanctions that could be imposed on Vladimir Putin and his influential billionaire buddies.

Newsfirst Multimedia political columnist Robert Vairo.

The punishment imposed by the US and the rest of the west against some Russians certainly squeezes important people, but as The Guardian points out, sanctions would be more effective by also striking Russia’s much thicker layer of multi-millionaires, said to number over 20 thousand. They include those with upwards of 10 million dollars in assets, most of which are in real estate and other holdings in Canada and the United States. They consist of the “social layer of multimillionaires upon which the regime relies.” There is even advertising in Russian publications “Canada is the best place to invest to form a shell company”- Financial Post. These rich Russians love Canada, a country that almost welcomes laundered money. And tax dodgers, “including Russian oligarchs linked to Vladimir Putin, know Canada is weak on financial crime.” A French blogger suggests “a centralised register” of owners of foreign assets, as was proposed in Canada to track Chinese who hide their cash in Canada. Seizing those Russian owned hotels, office and apartment buildings in Laval, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, would place a lot more immediate pressure on Putin.

It was embarassing to hear our Prime Minister tell the foreign press that even though Canada is rich in natural resources and produces the cleanest and most environment-friendly oil and gas in the world, sorry, we can’t help Europe, much less Ukraine in this time of need. But some day we may be able to export hydrogen. Really? Next door there is an American president who is led by the far-left green movement, I dare say socialist group, headed by Senator Bernie Sanders. It defies logic, especially at this time, to see Hollywood types continue their vicious attacks on Canadian natural resources. They are the same gang of hypocritical activists, the likes of Scarlett Johansson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert Downey Jr., Jane Fonda. This time they have petitioned RBC to stop “supporting and funding genocide.” How can these good actors but apparently not so intelligent people, not understand the definition of the word genocide? Especially at a time when Russia is waging a true genocide of Ukrainians. Do they not recognize that this monster Putin is waging war on Ukrainians, while at the same time holding European countries hostage by supplying, when he wants, pipelines of oil and natural gas? Why not try to shut down their massive American coal industry, the third largest polluter in the world? It is much greater a threat than Canada, that has the most environment conscious energy industry on the globe, with a near complete phase out of coal. In fact, the US is the third largest polluter by maintaining its billowing coal mine smoke stacks. China leads the pack, producing 60% of its energy powered by coal, and India is a close second. Canada produces a mere 1.6% of all carbon gases in the world, and that includes our Oil Sands industry. What environmental benefit is there to keep our resources in the ground and no longer build the infrastructure to get them out of our land-locked quagmire? Particularly when other nations continue to pollute our earth with indiscriminate mining and production of oil and gas? We have allowed these enviro activists to fail our allies, and fail Canadians.

The latest trip to Europe by the PM and the ‘Canadian delegation’ included a group of ministers and their aides, jets, and photographers. It did not amount to much other than photo ops and small talk with some European leaders. There was a $50 million dollar donation to the Ukrainian cause, but as former defence Minister Peter Mackay pointed out recently, there are tons of armaments collecting dust in storage. These were purchased by the previous government for the war in Afghanistan, and could be most useful to Ukrainian forces at this time. More virtuous posturing by our PM who was accused of being the master of not answering questions by the foreign press with examples like “We are taking the matter very seriously and we will continue to take the matter seriously.” Isn’t it time we have an adult leading this country?

Notes

Twenty thousand volunteers have gone to the Ukraine to help fight the Russian butchers, such as this Canadian soldier from the Royal Canadian 22nd Regiment, one of the most feared marksmen in the world. “It’s like a firefighter that hears the alarm”. The sniper goes by the name of “Wali.” The 40-year-old left his wife and baby son (Canadian location undisclosed) packed his bags and went to Ukraine. He served in Afghanistan where he earned his reputation with killer shots, taking out Taliban more than two miles away. Go get ‘em “Wali” and please take care.

Canadians have left to help the homeless of war and the injured, including this Prince George BC nurse, 45-year-old Christy Woods a former firearms officer. Signing the waiver that read “you may be injured or killed,” she wrote, “put me where you need me.”

God bless you Christy.

That’s What I’m Thinking

Robert Vairo

robert@newsfirst.ca

Ottawa says pre-arrival Covid testing for travellers to end on April 1

Martin C. Barry

March 23, 2022

Ottawa says pre-arrival Covid testing for travellers to end on April 1

Feds to consider further easing of measures, says Health Minister Duclos

Starting on April 1, the federal government will be eliminating pre-arrival testing for COVID-19 for fully-vaccinated travellers on the last day before their vacations end.

The change in regulations was announced in Ottawa last week by Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, with input from Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra and Minister of Tourism Randy Boissonnault.

Rules enforced until then

Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos has announced that on April 1 Ottawa is eliminating pre-arrival testing for COVID-19 for fully-vaccinated travellers on the last day before their vacations end.

According to a statement issued on March 17 by the Ministry of Health, effective April 1 at 12:01 am, fully vaccinated travellers will no longer need to provide a pre-entry COVID-19 test result to enter Canada by air, land or water.

However, fully vaccinated travellers seeking to arrive in Canada before April 1 must still have a valid pre-entry test. It should also be noted that travellers arriving to Canada from any country, who qualify as fully vaccinated, may need to take a COVID-19 molecular test on arrival if selected for mandatory random testing.

No change for unvaccinated

Travellers selected for mandatory random testing are not required to quarantine while awaiting their test result. For partially or unvaccinated travelers who are currently allowed to travel to Canada, pre-entry testing requirements are not changing.

“Adjustments to Canada’s border measures are made possible by a number of factors, including Canada’s high vaccination rate, the increasing availability and use of rapid tests to detect infection, decreasing hospitalizations and growing domestic availability of treatments for COVID-19,” Duclos said during a webcast.

“As vaccination levels and healthcare system capacity improve, we will continue to consider further easing of measures at the borders-and when to adjust those measures-to keep the people in Canada safe,” he added.

Test still required for some

Unless otherwise exempt, all travellers five years of age or older who do not qualify as fully vaccinated must continue to provide proof of an accepted type of pre-entry COVID-19 test result in accordance with the following criteria:

A valid, negative antigen test, administered or observed by an accredited lab or testing provider, taken outside of Canada no more than one day before their initially scheduled flight departure time or their arrival at the land border or marine port of entry; or
A valid negative molecular test taken no more than 72 hours before their initially scheduled flight departure time or their arrival at the land border or marine port of entry; or
A previous positive molecular test taken at least 10 calendar days and no more than 180 calendar days before their initially scheduled flight departure time or their arrival at the land border or marine port of entry. The government pointed out that positive antigen test results will not be accepted.

Cautious and calibrated

All travellers five years of age or older who don’t qualify as fully vaccinated must continue to provide proof of an accepted type of pre-entry COVID-19 test

All travellers continue to be required to submit their mandatory information in ArriveCAN (the free mobile app or through the website) before their arrival in Canada. Regardless of their vaccination status, travellers who arrive without completing their ArriveCAN submission may have to test on arrival and quarantine for 14 days. Travellers taking a cruise or a plane must submit their information in ArriveCAN within 72 hours before boarding.

“Decreasing COVID-19 case counts, coupled with Canada’s high vaccination rates and strict vaccination requirements for travel, have set the stage for the next steps in our government’s cautious and calibrated approach to safely easing the measures at our border,” said Transport Minister Alghabra.

System recovering

“Lifting the pre-entry testing requirements for travellers to Canada will make it easier for Canadians to safely take advantage of emerging opportunities for personal and business travel, as Canada’s transportation system recovers from the pandemic,” he stated.

Minister of Tourism Boissonnault said that after a challenging two years, virtually all participants in the Canadian economy, including the tourism sector, are looking for a rebound and renewed growth. “We in government have been listening to the concerns of tourism businesses across the country,” he said.

“We are confident that, thanks to all that Canadians have done to protect one another, we can now take the next step forward and remove testing requirements for fully vaccinated travellers entering Canada. The economy, workers and tourism business owners will benefit from this next step in opening Canada up once again to the world.”

Quebec bets on automation to help boost productivity at MEP Technologies

Martin C. Barry

March 23, 2022

Quebec bets on automation to help boost productivity at MEP Technologies

But company’s CEO won’t necessarily count on China, should global war disrupt sourcing

Regardless of the current state of the world and the looming prospect of a global war disrupting key supply chains to major nations like China, Laval-based MEP Technologies’ CEO Armand Afilalo says that come what may, he knows already what he might need to do to find alternative sources of materials.

On the MEP website, the company says that in order to meet customers’ needs, they offer both domestic and offshore capabilities with an international outsourcing program.

Sources in Far East

As such, MEP has developed strategic partnerships with Far East manufacturers to source components and assemblies in China. Still, Afilalo suggested last week that in business, few things are written in stone when it comes to competing in an increasingly challenging economic environment.

Sainte-Rose CAQ MNA Christopher Skeete (far left) is seen here with MEP Technologies CEO Armand Afilalo (centre), and with officials from Investissement Québec and the company. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia)

“I wasn’t born yesterday,” he said during a press conference organized by Sainte-Rose MNA Christopher Skeete to announce a $1.3 million package of loans by Quebec to help finance MEP’s $1.65 million plan to upgrade automation at its production plant, while creating 30 jobs simultaneously.

Disrupted global trade

The month-long war between Russia and Ukraine has been on a lot of business owners’ minds lately, especially as China has taken an ambiguous stance, refusing to condemn Russia’s actions, while contributing to fears the conflict could escalate into a global confrontation that could interrupt the normal channels of commerce.

‘My wish is for this team to have continuing growth thanks to this investment which is focused on innovation and automation,’ says Skeete

“I have never wanted to depend on anything,” said Afilalo, suggesting he always likes to be ready for any eventuality. While noting that the company has benefited greatly from being able to source materials relatively cheaply in China, he added, “If we have to move, it’s easy for us to do what we’re doing there over here.”

Electromechanical integration

MEP Technologies is considered to be an important player in the metal manufacturing and electromechanical integration industry in Quebec, in Canada and elsewhere in the world. At its facilities on Peugeot St. in Laval’s industrial park, MEP’s team of specialized engineers and project management experts serve a client list that includes many from the high technology and medical sectors.

“Firmly rooted for more than 60 years in the riding of Sainte-Rose, MEP Technologies is a major contributor to the vitality of the regional economy, as well as a contributor to the growing expertise of our manufacturing sector,” said Skeete.

Sainte-Rose CAQ MNA Christopher Skeete said MEP Technologies “is a major contributor” to the vitality of Laval’s regional economy. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia)

Continued growth, says Skeete

“So, my wish is for this team to have continuing growth thanks to this investment which is focused on innovation and automation. Allow me to say just how much I am proud to have you in my riding, how proud we are to have you in Laval and how proud we are to have you in Quebec. Thank you for choosing Quebec, please continue to choose Quebec, but mostly keep up the good work which is important.”

Founded in 1960, the company has cultivated a special niche in the manufacturing and assembling of sometimes complex electro-mechanical machinery, which are also favoured by players in the fields of communications and semi-conductor production. Besides its facility in Laval, MEP has three other highly-automated plants.

MEP’s specialized expertise

“While pursuing its digital transformation and emphasizing the automation of its equipment, MEP Technologies is giving itself the means to increase its production capacity in order to be able to answer the growing demand for its specialized expertise,” Guy Leblanc, CEO of Investissement Québec which helped facilitate the loans, said in a statement.

“Our team based in Laval has all the tools to answer to the needs of entrepreneurs who, like Mr. Afilalo, would like to encourage their growth while staying competitive.”

SQ seizes $1 million in drugs after A-13 seat belt stop

Martin C. Barry

March 17, 2022

SQ seizes $1 million in drugs after A-13 seat belt stop

A 27-year-old man who was stopped by police while driving along Autoroute 13 last week because he was not wearing his seat belt ended up being arrested when more than $1 million worth of street drugs were found in his rented Toyota Camry.

The driver, identified as Brandon Iannelli, was stopped by an officer in an SQ patrol car who had set out initially to give him a ticket for not wearing the seat belt.

However, things took a turn for the worse when Iannelli identified himself to the officer, using the name of his brother, because his driver’s license had been suspended.

After doing a radio check, the SQ officer began to suspect something wasn’t right, and so called for backup so that Iannelli could be safely arrested as an identity theft suspect.

A short time later, as Iannelli’s vehicle was being searched, SQ officers uncovered a large stash of dope, consisting of 200,000 tablets of methamphetamine, a kilo of crack and 200 grams of contraband cannabis.

As well, they found more than $13,000 in cash, and a set of brass knuckles, which are classified as a prohibited weapon in Canada with possession being a criminal offence.

The $1 million-plus estimated value of the seized drugs is based on a value of $5 per tablet for the methamphetamines, while a kilo of crack is worth approximately $15,000 on the street.

Iannelli was arraigned in court last week through a video link-up to the Palais de Justice in Laval. He faces charges of identify theft, trafficking in narcotics, possession of property obtained by criminal means, and possession of a prohibited weapon.

He was expected back in court for a preliminary inquiry and a bail hearing. According to the Journal de Montréal, this was not Brandon Iannelli’s first encounter with the law.

The Montreal daily says he has previously been charged with identity theft, interfering with police, drug possession and breaking court-imposed bail conditions.

The Francophone tabloid also maintains he is well-known to law enforcement officials as a drug dealer who has links to organized crime.

Recent Laval Fire Dept. calls:

9:50 PM · Mar 4

(Photos: Courtesy of Association des Pompiers de Laval)

Major accident on Autoroute 19 in Laval’s Auteuil sector. The A-19 was closed between Saint-Saëns St. East and Dagenais Blvd. East, South and North. Emergency services were called in.

Some recent LFD staff promotions:

Promotion to the post of investigative inspector in the LFD’s Prevention Division. The Association des pompiers de Laval recently congratulated Fanny Pelletier who has been promoted to this post as of March 7.

Promotion to the rank of Lieutenant-inspector in the LFD’s Prevention Division. The Association des pompiers de Laval also recently congratulated Charles Gauthier who has been promoted to this post as of March 7. The Laval News joins the APL in congratulating these two employees following their promotions.

More than 330 ideas received for city’s first ‘participatory’ budget

Martin C. Barry

March 16, 2022

More than 330 ideas received for city’s first ‘participatory’ budget

The City of Laval says it received more than 330 suggestions from residents during an initial phase last fall in the preparation of the municipality’s first budget, for which workshops will be taking place on March 17 and 31.

In a statement last week, city officials said the idea-gathering phase was a great success, since the number of suggestions that came in exceeded their expectations. Registration for the workshops, which will continue the consultative process, can be done online at repensonslaval.ca.

A detailed account of the 330 ideas can be viewed at repensonslaval.ca/budget-participatif. However, the city cautions that not all the ideas were considered practical, and so the list provides information on which ones met the criteria for acceptability. According to the city, just 81 of the 332 suggestions received were retained for further consideration.

On Thursday March 17, Laval residents will be able to discuss among themselves and with city officials the priorities and needs in six sectors. It’s an opportunity to influence the decision-making process. By March 31, the list of accepted suggestions will be reduced to priorities to be developed into potential projects, to be further analyzed in depth by the city.

The idea for doing a participatory budget announced as a pilot project in August last year, and subsequently $600,000 was set aside by the city to develop and implement it. This summer, a list of projects under serious consideration will be submitted to Laval residents to vote on. The implementation of the chosen projects will then take place over the next two years.

Council of Laval Women tables its recommendations for equality and inclusion

On International Women’s Day last week, the Council of Laval Women issued its first report on the eventual adoption by the city of a new policy for the promotion of equality between women and men in Laval.

The notice includes a summary of the current state of women’s rights in Laval, while listing 38 recommendations towards making Laval a city that offers more equality and inclusion.

The report comes following a mandate granted in 2020 by Laval city council’s executive-committee to the members of the consultative council.

“The City of Laval is showing true leadership in matters of equality in the municipal world,” said Laval city councillor for Souvenir-Labelle Sandra El-Helou, who is responsible for women’s equality issues on the executive-committee.

“For the first time, the population of Laval elected a municipal council with parity, which led in turn to an executive-committee also with parity. In 2020, the city also adopted an action plan that included 32 corrective measures in order to have greater diversity and inclusion in employment.

“Of coure, there remain numerous challenges to be met, whether that is on the political, professional or citizen levels. We are overjoyed with the dynamic participation of women in Laval’s municipal politics, and this will be helping us to further pursue the implementation of real initiatives within the values we believe in, those being equality, equity, freedom and respect.”

Some of the main recommendations:

Updating of gendered statistics and the implementation of a triennial action plan dedicated to equality;
Efforts to counter poverty, along with initiatives aimed at food security, with an emphasis on how it impacts women;
Efforts to counter violence done to women;
New measures to conciliate the family/work relationship;
More efforts to achieve male/female parity on City of Laval committees;
Better support for elected officials, particularly to counter intimidation harassment, as well as to encourage mentorship.

Montreal Jewish community appeals for help to assist Jews in Ukraine

Martin C. Barry

March 16, 2022

Montreal Jewish community appeals for help to assist Jews in Ukraine

War-ravaged nation’s Jewish community is the fifth largest in the world

Federation CJA, the Montreal Jewish community’s central fundraising agency, has launched an urgent appeal in conjunction with Jewish Federations of North America and its global network to amass $20 million in relief funding for Jews in war-torn Ukraine.

“We are an integral part of a worldwide campaign to provide humanitarian assistance to alleviate suffering and safeguard Ukraine’s Jewish community, as well as Jews in neighbouring countries,” said Yair Szlak, CEO of Federation CJA.

“We are proud that over one thousand community members have already stepped up and donated close to five hundred thousand dollars in support of these efforts. But, so much more is needed on an urgent basis.”

Support urgently needed

“Thousands of Jews living in Ukraine are trapped in conflict zones,” says the federation. “Thousands more are on the move – including many to be relocated to Israel and elsewhere.” They say an unknown number will seek shelter in Montreal, Laval and across Canada. The organization says it is committed to supporting its partner agencies on the ground, in Israel and at home, to ensure the well-being of these Jewish refugees.

“The immediate support from the public is critical in helping to secure families who are trapped in Ukraine and those who are on the run,” Szlak added. “The needs are urgent. By donating to the Ukraine Emergency Relief Fund, you will be helping during this incredibly difficult time. We hope for an immediate cessation to this horrific tragedy and pray for peace for the Ukrainian people.”

On the ground in Ukraine

As the crisis in Ukraine escalates, the federation notes that thousands have come under fire in areas across the country, while hundreds of thousands more have fled the fighting. “These people, and thousands more, require our immediate assistance,” the federation said.

The federation says the emergency funding it will be channeling will focus on the following:

· Helping people make Aliyah (immigration) to Israel;

· Securing the local community and its institutions;

· Maintaining critical welfare services;

· Assisting internally displaced people in multiple locations;

· Securing temporary housing for people in transit;

· Purchasing satellite phones to maintain communications across the region;

· Securing five Jewish schools and training staff to manage crisis needs.

Here at home

According to federation CJA, work is well underway to support those affected in Montreal as well, since others will soon arrive here. The federation says its social service partners, Agence Ometz and Cummings Centre, currently are:

· Keeping current clients with family in Ukraine informed, connected and supported by providing psychosocial support and trauma-sensitive services in Ukrainian and Russian languages;

· Coordinating with local and national partner agencies across Canada to ensure preparedness;

· Gathering resources for newcomers: families who are ready to provide emergency shelter, employment offers, basic needs, and psychosocial support;

· And organizing post-arrival settlement and integration service responses.

The federation says its advocacy arm, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), is working with various government agencies to ensure that Jewish refugees who wish to come to Montreal can do so.

200,000 Jews in Ukraine

It is estimated that during World War II and the German Nazi occupation of Ukraine, more than 1 million Jews were shot and killed by German paramilitary death squads and by local Ukrainian supporters in various regions of Ukraine.

According to a number of information and data sources available on the web, including the World Jewish Congress and the European Jewish Congress, the Jewish community in Ukraine is the third-largest Jewish community in Europe and the fifth-largest globally.

Writing in The New Yorker on Feb. 28, Montreal-born journalist Bernard Avishai noted that Ukraine is home to about 200,000 people who qualify, by Israel’s definition of who is a Jew, for Israeli citizenship, and could therefore emigrate to Israel under the law of return.

Ukraine’s president is Jewish

While Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, is himself a Jew and has pledged to keep fighting the Russians, Avishai maintains that Israeli leaders believe a significant number of other Ukrainian Jews would rather emigrate to Israel, rather than resist a continued Russian assault or occupation.

“We’ll be happy to receive any Jew that wants to immigrate from Ukraine,” he quotes an Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson as having told Newsweek. Yet, presumably, Avishai continues, a mass evacuation wouldn’t be possible if Israel incited Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s anger, or provoked an outburst of Russian anti-Semitism. By Avishai’s account, there are some 175,000 Jews still living in Russia.

#NewsMatters: The National Assembly Report

Laval News Contributor

March 16, 2022

#NewsMatters: The National Assembly Report

“Anglophones need to stop being hostages of the Liberal Party”: Éric Duhaime

Quebec Conservative Party leader seeks common ground with English-speakers

Raquel Fletcher in Quebec City

Éric Duhaime is categorical that Bill 96, the government’s French language reform legislation, is fundamentally flawed. Applying the notwithstanding clause upfront so that the bill cannot even be challenged in the courts goes against the very spirit of the Charter of Rights, he says.

Quebec City correspondent for Newsfirst and Global Raquel Fletcher.

“Our concern is regarding human rights, basically,” Duhaime says in an interview. “Even people who are very nationalist or sovereignist should be against this bill.”

The leader of the Conservative Party of Quebec is hoping to find some common ground with the province’s anglophones, the vast majority of whom also do not support the legislation. According to an online Angus Reid poll last October, 95 per cent of English-speaking Quebecers are somewhat or strongly opposed to Bill 96.

“I want the Conservative message to be heard among anglophones,” Duhaime says. He is courting the protest vote. He sees his party as a credible alternative for federalist English-speaking voters looking to send a message of their discontentment with the current CAQ government, as well as those who may be disillusioned with past Liberal governments.

“I think Anglophones need to stop being hostages of the Liberal Party,” he says.

In second place among francophones

Duhaime’s party is becoming increasingly popular. Recent polls put him second behind the Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) among French-speaking voters, even if the gap between the two parties is still in the double digits.

Since taking over as leader in April 2021, he’s increased the membership of his party ten-fold from 500 members to almost 50,000. He has established riding associations in 105 of 125 constituencies according to a recent report by Radio-Canada.

For now, his support appears to be concentrated in the Quebec City region, where Duhaime is most well-known, due to his long career as a host on trash radio. However, Duhaime is confident he can also make inroads with the anglophone community, largely represented on the island of Montreal.

A similar message

His message is similar to what the CAQ tried to convey in the 2018 election. In a memorable speech during a party convention, leader François Legault said: “If you wish for Quebec to flourish within Canada, if you have had enough of being stuck with the Liberal Party that is worn out, if you’re tired of being taken for granted, you now have an option. Join us.”

It didn’t resonate. The CAQ was elected with an overwhelming majority but received very little support from Quebec anglophones. English speakers fed up with the Liberals were more likely to stay home on election night then cast a vote for the CAQ. So why would Anglophones vote for the Conservative Party this time around?

“We’re not a spin-off of the PQ,” Duhaime replies, referring to Legault’s past as a Parti Québécois cabinet minister.

Asked if he thinks anglophones will respond to his anti-health measure message, the Conservative leader credits much of his newfound support to Quebecer’s frustration over health measures, particularly during this last COVID-19 wave. Duhaime supported the trucker convoy and other protestors in Ottawa and Quebec City and says the Legault government went too far with health measures, which he has qualified as excessive or even “abusive.”

He has been particularly critical of shutdowns, curfews and masks for kids in the classroom. The province should have “protected the most vulnerable,” namely seniors, without preventing everyone else from living their lives, he says.

“You have to take into consideration the population as a whole… everything was focused on COVID,” he explains. “We imposed measures on youth that have never been imposed on them. What will the long-term effect be on them?”

Duhaime denies that his position is radical. “I just believe in freedom of choice.” Will Quebecers see his party as a credible choice in the upcoming fall election? It’s definitely a long shot, but I wouldn’t count him out.

Getting the message out about violence to women – and its survivors

Martin C. Barry

March 16, 2022

Getting the message out about violence to women – and its survivors

Shield of Athena launches new ‘For the Love of Women’ campaign’

With spring finally arriving in Laval and Montreal and the Covid pandemic hopefully behind us, the time seemed right last week for Shield of Athena to launch a new campaign to build even greater awareness of domestic violence, as well as the trauma it has caused many families over the past two years.

Shield of Athena executive-director Melpa Kamateros (standing) is seen here with Chris Ann Nakis, president of the board of directors. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia)

‘For the Love of Women’

Shield of Athena’s new ‘For the Love of Women’ campaign was launched last week at the Casa d’Italia community centre in east-central Montreal, with thirty guests attending a few days after International Women’s Day.

They included Laval city councillor Sandra El-Helou (who is responsible for status of women dossiers on Laval’s executive-committee), Montreal city councillor for Park Extension Mary Deros, and Montreal city councillor from NDG Despina Sourias (responsible for the Status of Women on Montreal’s executive-committee). Shield of Athena has offices and offers services in Laval and Montreal.

Getting the message out

“As we all know during Covid, we had a difficult time getting information across to women who could access the services and know the laws,” said Chris Ann Nakis, president of Shield of Athena’s board of directors. “This is our contribution to promoting more knowledge on the very important issue of violence against women.”

Melpa Kamateros, the organization’s executive-director, said the concept arose from the realization they could combine an earlier Shield of Athena book project, Recipes and Stories from Athena’s Kitchen, dealing with the turmoil experienced by actual survivors of violence, and joining it to another medium with important messages and information on the resources available to victims.

Clientele getting younger

Kamateros said staff at Shield of Athena’s shelters are seeing ever-younger women lately. She noted that on a list of women who died as a result of conjugal violence in recent years, 60 per cent were between the ages of 18 and 40. “Which means that society hasn’t changed its perception of conjugal violence or violence against women,” said Kamateros.

Laval city councillor Sandra El-Helou, who is responsible for status of women dossiers on Laval’s executive-committee, said she found Shield of Athena’s efforts “profoundly touching.” (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia)

“I find all your efforts profoundly touching,” said El-Helou. “As the person responsible for women’s issues with the City of Laval, I carry this dossier like a standard every day so that as women we may all have solidarity towards the constant improvement of conditions for women.” She noted that in recent years the City of Laval has taken a lead in promoting the well-being of women in workplace settings, as well as throughout the community.

Has ‘seen the sad killings’

“Thank you for helping constantly to improve the quality of life of these women,” said Deros, while noting that she has followed Shield of Athena’s progress over the 23 years she has sat on Montreal city council. “I have seen the results. I have also seen the sad killings, the lack of human appreciation of a partner. But worse, I know of two cases where the husband killed the woman.”

In all, 24 new videos created by Shield of Athena are being made available in French and English and will be distributed for viewing over different broadcast and web-based media. The project was funded by the Quebec Ministry of Justice, with the financial participation of the federal Ministry of Justice.

Recipes joined with messages

The videos use a different and original format to raise awareness of the cause, through recipes inspired by women who have stayed in the organization’s shelter. They have shared their recipes and stories in a special cookbook entitled ‘Recipes and Stories from Athena’s Kitchen.’

This is our contribution to promoting more knowledge on the very important issue of violence against women

Shield of Athena believes the women’s strength and resilience will serve to encourage many other victims to seek help. The recipes have been combined with 12 messages to convey valuable information to victims and their relatives in an effective and more attractive way.

From the left, Shield of Athena executive-director Melpa Kamateros, Montreal city councillor responsible for women’s issues Despina Sourias, Montreal city councillor for Park Extension Mary Deros, Shield of Athena president Chris Ann Nakis, supporter Pearl Eliadis, board member Litsa Pelonis, and Laval city councillor Sandra El-Helou. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia)

The message includes legal information, showing women the help resources that are available, while providing some statistics on domestic violence. The organization hopes to raise awareness on conjugal violence in this time of strife, when people find it difficult to access information and often have to remain confined.

Broadcast on TV and other media

Both of these factors can increase the complexity of leaving a conjugal violence situation, and place more women at risk and increase the occurrence of femicide worldwide. The videos will be broadcast by Shield of Athena’s media partner, ICI television, as well as other media in English and French, and later in ten other languages on various media and websites.

Shield of Athena says the concerted action will allow them to reach thousands of Quebecers and help vulnerable victims. The organization has taken the initial step of launching the program in French and English on a YouTube channel. The rest of the vignettes are being released in stages until May 12. The release dates were not chosen at random, as they all have an important meaning for women.

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Sanctions needed on Russian-owned Canadian real estate

Ottawa says pre-arrival Covid testing for travellers to end on April 1

Feds to consider further easing of measures, says Health Minister Duclos

Quebec bets on automation to help boost productivity at MEP Technologies

But company’s CEO won’t necessarily count on China, should global war disrupt sourcing

Laval News Volume 30-11

SQ seizes $1 million in drugs after A-13 seat belt stop

More than 330 ideas received for city’s first ‘participatory’ budget

Montreal Jewish community appeals for help to assist Jews in Ukraine

War-ravaged nation’s Jewish community is the fifth largest in the world

#NewsMatters: The National Assembly Report

“Anglophones need to stop being hostages of the Liberal Party”: Éric Duhaime

Quebec Conservative Party leader seeks common ground with English-speakers

Laval News Volume 30-10

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Laval News Volume 34-04

Polar vortex impacts attendance at city’s 2026 ‘Laval en Blanc’

Laval man arrested by RCMP after being tracked to Mexico

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