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City of Laval seeks bids from groups for anti-poverty projects

Martin C. Barry
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City of Laval seeks bids from groups for anti-poverty projects

Quebec, CISSS de Laval and the municipality will be providing the funds

The City of Laval is calling on non-profit organizations to submit bids for projects to be completed as part of an anti-poverty program the city is undertaking.

According to the city, the projects, which must be completed on Laval’s territory, should involve segments of Laval’s population identified as vulnerable because of poverty, or else as youths up to 17 years of age.

The chosen projects will be funded through sums contributed by the Quebec Ministry of Work, Employment and Social Solidarity, the Municipal Affairs Ministry, the CISSS de Laval and the City of Laval.

Quality of life issue

“This consolidated fund will facilitate the development of projects that will help us struggle against poverty and social exclusion,” says Sainte-Rose MNA Christopher Skeete. “This call for projects can only have positive effects, notably on improving the quality of life of vulnerable persons on Laval’s territory.”

“Exacerbated by the pandemic, the issues raised by social inequalities in Laval are very preoccupying,” says Laval city councillor for Laval-Les-Îles Nicholas Borne, who is responsible for social development dossiers. “This combined call for projects, made possible by the pooling of funds and agreements overseen by the city, will allow their impacts to be reduced by emphasizing structured actions directly linked with anti-poverty priorities in Laval.”

“In the context of improving the health and living conditions of Laval’s population, the struggle against social and health inequalities is an integral part of the mission of the Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de Laval,” says Christian Gagné, president and CEO of the CISSS de Laval.

“We salute this regional determination to facilitate the development of intersectoral projects with the goal of improving the living conditions of all the people in Laval.”

Meeting people’s needs

“With the sanitary crisis, vulnerable people need support and proximity services more than ever to meet their needs,” says Quebec Minister of Work, Employment and Social Solidarity Jean Boulet.

‘All communities deserve a social safety net that is as strong, inclusive and diversified as possible,’ says Quebec Minister of Work, Employment and Social Solidarity Jean Boulet

“Our regional and local partners are listening to communities and will know how to implement solutions that will respond concretely to the needs of persons in vulnerable situations. It is of utmost importance to support social initiatives that will make a real difference to persons in need. All communities deserve a social safety net that is as strong, inclusive and diversified as possible.” “Our government is sensitive to the issue of the struggle against poverty and social exclusion,” adds Municipal Affairs Minister Andrée Laforest.

“So, it is with joy that we will be contributing to the realization of projects aimed at consolidating the priorities for action in this regard by the City of Laval. And I thank all those who work towards the inclusion of one and all, including my colleague, the Minister Responsible for the Laval Region Benoit Charette.”

Executive-committee takes action against floods and greenhouse gases

Martin C. Barry
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Executive-committee takes action against floods and greenhouse gases

The City of Laval’s executive-committee made some key moves during a meeting on March 31, including decisions involving the protection of the region’s riverside areas from floodwaters, and a special fund set up especially for the reduction of emissions of greenhouse gases.

Flood warnings

The executive-committee approved the awarding of a five-year contract worth $1,109,234.37 (including taxes) to Hydro Météo to provide surveillance and weather forecasting services on the rivers surrounding Laval.

The contract requires the company to forecast flood overflows and ice jams during the cold months. The contract also requires the company to provide service during turbulent weather events. In all, the company will be expected to supply, operate and maintain 14 stream gauge stations across the island.

Greenhouse gas fund

In addition to this contract, the executive-committee took action with regard to the ongoing issue of global warming and greenhouse gas emissions. Since 2011, the City of Laval has had on its books a by-law taking into account future compensation for output of greenhouse gas emissions related to development on Laval’s territory.

According to the city, the idea of the program was to ensure that revenues generated as a result of the by-law’s application would be used to pay for projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In order to consolidate the program, a new by-law has been adopted to allow for the creation of a financial reserve specifically dedicated to the reduction of greenhouse gases.

Committee members The City of Laval’s executive-committee meets regularly to make decisions on a variety of issues.

The executive-committee includes the following people: Mayor Marc Demers, vice-president Stéphane Boyer (also councillor for Duvernay–Pont-Viau) councillors Sandra Desmeules (Concorde–Bois-de-Boulogne), Ray Khalil (Sainte-Dorothée), Virginie Dufour (Sainte-Rose) and associate members Nicholas Borne (Laval-les-Îles) and Yannick Langlois (L’Orée-des-Bois).

Laval-based Nexelis partners with China’s JOINN for COVID-19 studies

Martin C. Barry
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Laval-based Nexelis partners with China’s JOINN for COVID-19 studies

Bioanalytics lab becomes first specialized in vaccine testing to set up in China

Laval-based Nexelis, specializing in vaccine testing research and development, announced last week the signature of a letter of intent with China-based JOINN Laboratories to partner on supporting sponsors conducting bioanalytical studies in China.

According to the company, Nexelis thus becomes the first laboratory specializing in vaccine testing to be established in China.

While the world is currently entering into a third wave of COVID-19, Nexelis says the partnership is notably expected to meet the international needs of leading pharmaceutical companies working on potentially fatal diseases in the clinical phase – including COVID-19.

COVID-19 vaccines

Nexelis says it is currently working with half of the pharmaceutical companies around the world (more than 20 firms) involved in the development of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Nexelis, part of Ampersand Capital Partners, is a leading provider of advanced assay development and laboratory testing services in the fields of infectious diseases, metabolic diseases and oncology.

The company, with locations in the U.S. and Belgium as well as Canada, is seeking opportunities with major pharmaceutical companies, innovative biotechnology companies and governmental and non-governmental institutions who seek to include China in their international clinical programs.

Largest non-clinical CRO

For its part, JOINN Laboratories is regarded as one of the most experienced integrated contract research organizations (CROs) (non-clinical, clinical and testing lab services) in China, and is the largest non-clinical Chinese CRO, with professional teams of more than 1,500 employees.

According to a release from the companies, JOINN Laboratories established a high standard quality system and has been qualified by US FDA and other major regulatory agencies worldwide. The data and study reports generated by JOINN Laboratories have been supporting global filing of new drugs for clients.

Careful choice of partner

Nexelis says it conducted an exhaustive study of the bioanalytical market in China during the last year and concluded that JOINN Laboratories was the best qualified in terms of capacity and quality of services to support international clinical trials led by Nexelis. Both companies agreed upon the terms of a partnership ensuring international sponsors that their timelines and quality expectations would be met or exceeded in China.

‘We are currently receiving requests to support international programs in China almost every week and we are extremely happy to have reached this milestone,’ said Benoit Bouche, CEO of Nexelis

“We are currently receiving requests to support international programs in China almost every week and we are extremely happy to have reached this milestone in the development of a strategic relationship with a company having such an outstanding reputation for scientific expertise and quality work in numerous areas that will enable us to further develop our global footprint,” Benoit Bouche, CEO of Nexelis, commented on the development.

Promising collaboration

“Nexelis’ global leadership and expertise in the vaccine clinical field is impressive and we are proud to soon be in a situation to serve the clinical stage needs of international clients working on life-threatening illnesses including COVID-19,” said Conglin Zuo, Vice-Chairman of the JOINN Laboratories board of directors.

“This partnership will also contribute to the ongoing transformation of our company from a leading nonclinical CRO into one with comprehensive capabilities from discovery through late clinical stages and post marketing service activities,” he added.

A leading provider

With expertise in immunology, five operating sites in North America and Europe, and an offer of services covering the needs of the pharmaceutical industry from lead selection to late clinical stage, Nexelis is regarded as a leading provider of assay development and advanced laboratory testing services in the infectious, metabolic and oncologic fields.

The company says its team of scientists has been instrumental in the development, qualification, validation and large-scale sample testing of assays for almost 100 new entities, including vaccines and biologics, anti-viral drugs, immunotherapy, gene and cell therapy products.

First generation vaccines ‘only the beginning,’ says opinion columnist Robert Vairo

Robert Vairo
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First generation vaccines ‘only the beginning,’ says opinion columnist Robert Vairo

It’s a full-on race between vaccines and Covid virus variants. Every wave of this virus is worse than the previous. We are into the third with some provinces registering more infections in a day than ever before. Isn’t it mind boggling that we can not get a handle on this enemy?

Because vaccines have simply not been into the arms of the world fast enough, virus variants are given more time to develop and multiply. It’s happening in Canada where only 7% of the population has been vaccinated as of April 1, compared to nearly 60% in Israel, 25% in the UK, US 23%. Sadly, Canada ranks 43rd in global rankings of vaccinations per capita. Even by the end of the year, it’s estimated that only 10% will be vaccinated in developing countries. And therein lies a very serious problem, for the poor in those countries, and for the rest of the world.

Epidemiologists tell us as long as the virus has an opportunity to infect, wherever it may be, the more likely it is that mutations and variants will emerge, which could make first generation vaccines ineffective.

There is no sense of urgency in Canada, except for politics. Justin Trudeau choses instead to pick a fight with Ontario’s Doug Ford who needs more vaccines, now, as the PM defends his Procurement Minister. “Anita is doing an incredible job” in getting vaccines. Please! We have a Prime Minister who has never, ever accepted any responsibility for wrong doing, weakness, much less failure.

Pharmaceutical companies are enjoying an unprecedented bonanza of profits at the expense of an infected world. I mentioned in an earlier column that Canadian humanitarian Stephen Lewis urged pharmaceutical companies waive the intellectual property rights during the pandemic only, so that generic drugs can be more quickly and be vastly distributed to poor countries. Since then, more countries and organizations world wide have argued for patent suspension. It is not going to happen because the world needs leadership and we have none, at least no one who is willing to take on the powerful pharma industry.

Imagine if Covid were a country, a country at war with the rest of the world. A health policy advisor with an organization called the People Vaccine Alliance, asks the question, in war, “would governments leave the decision of arms and technology to the manufacturers to protect their own population?”. Absolutely not. Vaccines are our weapons and this IS a war, but strangely and shockingly, there is no sense of urgency to reign in and direct.

This is a world emergency. Our lives are at stake, and we can not allow pharmaceuticals to do as they please for the sake of profit, today and tomorrow. Did you watch Pfizer CFO Frank D’Amelio tell shareholders, there is “significant opportunity” to raise the price of vaccines. “We believe it’s becoming increasingly likely that an annual (if not bi-annual) revaccination is going to take place”. And he made it clear the $19.50 US per dose was pandemic pricing. “Once it’s at the endemic stage, we typically charge $175.00 a dose”.

Aw come on D’Amelio! This is a humanitarian matter. Have you no soul!? It’s a human emergency for God’s sake. The folks in poor countries need to be vaccinated otherwise we will all pay.

Pfizer and the others know exactly what they doing. And their stock prices reflect it. With governments as clients, many of whom pay in advance, it’s a beautiful world. Meanwhile, almost three million are dead so far, the global economy battered, and taxpayers deeply in debt. Shame.

By the way, AstraZeneca, mired in controversy not to mention public relations, has changed its name hoping we will forget the past. The British-Swedish pharma is now called Vaxzevria. It assures governments it’s only a name change, nothing more.

Have you noticed? The election campaign has begun in Canada. The Liberals know they only have to secure Quebec and the GTA to win. So of course, Mr. Trudeau was in Quebec, rubbing shoulders with a winner, Francois Legault, in announcing some money for an EV plant in St Jerome, another in Trois Rivieres for high-speed internet access. Legault needs to buddy up with Trudeau because Quebec needs bigger federal health transfers from Ottawa if it’s to balance its budget by 2025-26, as required by the Balanced Budget Act. It’s all politics folks.

Politics is even in the timing of the first shot of vaccines. Trudeau keeps proudly saying we will get our first vaccine by June, my, just in time for an election. In fact, we should all have received BOTH shots by then, and by the prescribed 21-day interval, not four months. But we’re not, because somebody failed us.

That’s What I’m Thinking.

Robert Vairo

Agape-NPI releases new data on Laval’s English-speaking population

Martin C. Barry
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Agape-NPI releases new data on Laval’s English-speaking population

Latest count of English is 90,975, out of more than 437,000 population

More than 30 persons sharing a common interest in the health and well-being of Laval took part on March 31 in a webcast meeting of the Agape-Networking Partners Initiative (Agape-NPI), during which new statistical information about the changing demographics of Laval’s English-speaking population was presented.

A large turnout

Many of those attending were present at the NPI table for the first time. They included several Laval city councillors, some local MPs and MNAs and their political staffers.

Among those who took part were Vimy MP Annie Koutrakis, staff from the office of Marc-Aurèle-Fortin MP Yves Robillard, Sainte-Dorothée city councillor Ray Khalil, l’Abord-à-Plouffe city councillor Vasilios Karidogiannis, Vimont city councillor Michel Poissant, Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board chairman and city councillor for St-Vincent de Paul Paolo Galati, staff from Mille-Îles MNA Francine Charbonneau’s office, and staff sent by Laval-des-Rapides MNA Saul Polo.

Statistical data sources

There were also staff representatives from the SWLSB, the CISSS de Laval, as well as other key community groups, including some from Laval’s Francophone community.

The data presented was mostly cited from the last available federal census figures from 2016, with tables which were compiled from Community Health and Social Service research consultant Joanne Pocock. Also cited were research data, such as l’enquête québecoise sur le développement des enfants à la maternelle (EQDEM) from l’Institut du statistique du Québec (ISQ), and from renowned public health doctor Melissa Généreux.

Some of the findings

Here are some of the most notable findings:

  • Laval’s English-speaking population has continued to grow (by approximately 40 per cent) since the 2001 (53,390) census until the last census in 2016 (90,975), using the First official Language Spoken definition;
  • Laval’s latest count of English-speakers is 90,975;
  • The greatest concentrations of English-speakers are in and around the Chomedey sector as well as Vimont and Auteuil;
  • When age groups were broken down, such areas as Ste-Rose-Fabreville showed a greater proportion of English-speakers among younger cohorts such as in the 6-14 and 15-24 age groups;
  • Socio-economic vulnerability was demonstrated within the English-speaking community, namely in parts of Pont-Viau and Chomedey districts.
  • Some research based on social determinants of health demonstrated lower educational outcomes as well as a greater proportion of socio-economically disadvantaged members of Laval’s English-speaking population which, when faced with restricted access to health and social services in English, prove to have worst health outcomes over time;
  • Evidence suggests that this is having the largest impact on young children in the 0-5 age group, specifically on their development such as social competence or language and communication skills. (A third of Laval English-speaking children 0-5 are considered vulnerable – that is having lower developmental outcomes in at least one sphere of development);
  • Quebec youth, and English-speaking youth in particular, were shown to have higher rates of anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to French-speaking youth, according to Dr. Melissa Généreux, affecting, as well, caregivers to older parents or loved ones who face more health and economic challenges as a result of their caregiving roles (sometimes excessive), lack of access to health services in their language and having to reduce their work hours to fulfill their responsibilities;
  • Lastly, Laval’s English-speaking seniors were shown to be highly likely to live alone and to live below the low-income cut-off (a measure of economic vulnerability where those who spend a greater proportion of their income on essentials such as food, lodging and clothing would be considered vulnerable).

Language barrier problem

In addition, according to the findings, English-speaking seniors who are older are less likely to be able to speak French adequately and this can have disastrous effects on their health, especially when reduced access to health or social services in English is taken into consideration.

The Agape-NPI says it will soon publish a bilingual document with this evidence base to provide to partners, such as political or health representatives, to help them to better consider Laval English-speakers in future policy and program planning.

Axion and English services

During an exchange of comments and ideas, Councillor Karidogiannis suggested that the Axion 50 Plus seniors’ centre on Curé Labelle Blvd. in Chomedey, which is attended mostly by French-speaking seniors, might begin to provide more services in English if more English-speakers were to go to the centre.

Agape executive-director Kevin McLeod said that before deciding to open the Agape Senior Wellness Centre in 2018, he paid a visit to Axion 50 Plus on several occasions, but found the availability of services in English there to be seriously lacking.

“English speakers, especially seniors, have been so used to being a minority that they want things in English,” he said.

“If I was to work with Axion 50 – and believe me, we’ve tried – would they start putting English signage up for English-speaking senior citizens? No, Vasilios, I know they won’t, right? So, it’s simple: We want an organization where things are going to be in English, everything is going to be available.”

Wellness Centre expanding

McLeod also announced that, as a result of increased demand, the Agape Senior Wellness Centre will be expanding at its current location at 3860 Notre Dame Blvd. to the second floor where they will have four times the amount of space they now have on the third storey. “We’re hopeful that by the end of the summer, the beginning of the fall, we can reopen for seniors with four times more activities we had before,” he said, noting that the wellness centre is currently conducting all activities and health presentations virtually through the online Zoom video-conference platform.

Laval News Volume 29-08

Costa Hovris
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Laval News Volume 29-08

The current issue of the Laval News volume 29-08 published April 7th, 2021.
Covering Laval local news, politics, sports and our new section Mature Life.
(Click on the image to read the paper.)

Front page of the Laval News.
https://lavalnews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/TLN-29-08-WEB.pdfFront page of the Laval News, April 7th, 2021 issue.

Car set ablaze by molotov cocktail on Faulkner St. in Chomedey

Martin C. Barry
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Car set ablaze by molotov cocktail on Faulkner St. in Chomedey

A Nissan Murano parked under a snow shelter in a driveway on Faulkner St. in Chomedey was set ablaze after being struck by a molotov cocktail during the night and early morning hours last Monday and Tuesday.

According to the Laval Police Department, around 4:30 am Tuesday several residents of the street called 911 to report the vehicle burning in the driveway, following which police and firefighters responded.

News reports, quoting a spokesperson for the LPD, confirmed that the incident is believed to be criminal in nature and arson investigators from the Laval Fire Department have opened an investigation.

According to a description of the event (in which no one was injured) furnished by a witness, a suspect was seen approaching the vehicle on foot, tossed an incendiary device, then fled the area.

Work resumes on Val-des-Brises A-440 overpass/interchange

Martin C. Barry
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Work resumes on Val-des-Brises A-440 overpass/interchange

Transport Quebec has announced that work is resuming on the Val-des-Brises interchange, an overpass spanning Autoroute 440 near Autoroute 19 and Pie IX Blvd.

Although the project started in August last year, it was put on hold until April 6 when work resumes.

The work, which is expected to last two years, will be taking place mostly during the day, although some may also be carried out at night in order to minimize the impact on traffic.

Autoroute 440, as well as its service roads and access ramps, could be partly closed at times over the next 24 months because of the work.

When that is the case, detours will be created and speed limits will be reduced within work zones.

The transport ministry is managing the project on behalf of the City of Laval which is sponsoring the project.

Man suffers serious burns in Chomedey house fire

Martin C. Barry
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Man suffers serious burns in Chomedey house fire

A man in his fifties suffered burns over fifty per cent of his body as a result of a fire Thursday evening around 7:30 pm at a home on Châtelaine Ave. in Laval’s Chomedey district.

According to a spokesperson for the Laval Fire Department, the man was alone when the fire broke out, but had managed to escape the blaze by the time firefighters arrived.

While the cause of the fire wasn’t immediately known, the house was heavily damaged and the ground floor collapsed into the basement, said the LFD.

Around 30 firefighters were called in to respond to the blaze.

City blames Hydro-Québec ‘incompatibility’ for broken overpass street lighting

Martin C. Barry
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City blames Hydro-Québec ‘incompatibility’ for broken overpass street lighting

Reacting to an article in the last issue of the Laval News about non-functioning street lights on des Laurentides Blvd. at the overpass over Autoroute 440, a spokesperson for the City of Laval blames the failure on incompatibility with Hydro-Québec electrical equipment, while saying the city is working towards fixing the problem as quickly as possible.

Laval city councillor for Vimont Michel Poissant first reported the problem, while noting that the city is currently encouraging residents to report broken streetlights through an online web portal or through a smartphone app.

Ironically, part of the City of Laval’s promotion campaign includes outdoor advertising billboards, one of which stands on the edge of the des Laurentides Blvd. overpass, adding irony to the issue.

A spokesperson for the City of Laval said in an e-mailed response to questions from the Laval News that the city is doing its best to fix the problem.

“We are aware of the problem in that sector and we are actively working to fix everything,” said Anne-Marie Braconnier, adding that the city recently undertook a major program to furnish and install new LED street lighting.

“During the connection of these new lights, we ran into major a technical issue, this being an incompatibility with the existing Hydro-Québec network in this sector,” she continued.

“We are currently working in narrow collaboration with Hydro-Québec so that the situation gets fixed quickly, since we are aware of the importance of lighting in this very busy sector.”

When asked whether the city has set an approximate date when the lights will be operating, Braconnier added:

“The city’s goal is to reestablish as quickly as possible. We do not currently have a date set. As stated previously, this requires coordination with Hydro-Québec and we are actively working on it.”

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