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COVID-19 vaccination program well underway now in Laval area

Martin C. Barry
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COVID-19 vaccination program well underway now in Laval area

CISSS de Laval has three clinics up and running, and a fourth expected soon

With Laval among the areas in Greater Montreal where a COVID-19 “red zone” remains in effect, it’s clear that efforts to deal with the coronavirus pandemic are still far from over, although there is more hope than before with the start of a widescale vaccination program.

So, while gymnasiums, restaurants, theatres and cinemas can now open on a limited basis in “orange” zones in the rest of the province, the red zone restrictions continue in Laval and the rest of the Montreal region for the time being.

Thousands vaccinated

In Laval, several COVID-19 vaccination clinics opened last week. As of the beginning of March, thousands of Laval residents had already been vaccinated. With up to three vaccination clinics in Laval operating as of this week, a total of four clinics are expected to be up and running in Laval in the coming weeks.

Stéphanie Daigneault, a spokesperson for CISSS de Laval, told the Laval News that the first week the clinics opened went smoothly. “We had 300 appointments on day one of each clinic,” she said. “Day two, three and four we had 600 appointments, and then after that it was 800 appointments a day.”

Three vaccination locations

As of this week, the CISSS de Laval has three vaccination clinics up and running (by appointment). They are located at the Méga Centre shopping mall Notre-Dame in Laval’s west end, at the Quartier Laval shopping centre in central Laval, and at the SmartCentre Laval Est in eastern Laval.

The CISSS emphasizes that vaccination remains the most efficient, reliable and secure way to protect one’s self and others from COVID-19. As part of the ongoing vaccination campaign, the CISSS and the Quebec health ministry have set up a priority list of persons in groups to be vaccinated.

Continue following measures

According to the health ministry, the groups of persons scheduled to be vaccinated are being changed or expanded as the quantities of vaccines being received from manufacturers increase. In the meantime, they urge everyone to continue following preventive measures, including rigorous hand-washing and wearing of face masks.

The CISSS emphasizes that vaccination remains the most efficient, reliable and secure way to protect one’s self and others from COVID-19

The health ministry says vaccines will become available “gradually,” and that as soon as they become more available across the country, the vaccination program here will be expanded to include a growing number of persons.

The current order of priority is considered preliminary, but is led off by persons considered to be vulnerable and suffering a great loss of autonomy and who are living in health care residences and CHLSDs or in group homes.

Priority groups for vaccination

Others in the priority list are as follows:

Workers in health care institutions who are coming into contact with patients or residents.Underway
Persons with autonomy living in seniors’ residences.Underway
Isolated communities or at great distances from urban settings.N/A
Persons 85 years old and over.Underway
Persons 80 years old and over.Underway
Persons 70 years to 79 years old.Underway
Persons 60 years to 69 years old.To come
Adults 60 years old or less suffering from a chronic illness or a health problem made potentially more hazardous by COVID-19.To come
Adults 60 years old or less without chronic illnesses or other health problems, but who have responsibility for persons with those types of health problems at risk from COVID-19.To come
The rest of the adult population.  To come

The health ministry says that a schedule for vaccination of children and pregnant women will be determined after studies on the safety for these groups has been completed.

‘Spend like it’s the Roaring ‘20s!,’ says Newsfirst columnist Robert Vairo

Robert Vairo
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‘Spend like it’s the Roaring ‘20s!,’ says Newsfirst columnist Robert Vairo

What ever happened to the truth? Why is that we are lied to, time and time again? Why is it that politicians can’t look us straight in the eyes and speak frankly to Canadians? Imagine having a friend who is evasive, shifty, lies, but keeps giving you gifts to make it all better. That’s how I feel about the people who make up the Government of Canada.

Did you know for example that two million surgical masks destined for the provinces were stolen from Hamilton airport? This happened eight months ago, on the night of July 4th, 2020 when we were scrambling for PPE, but the government didn’t want us to know. Senior members in Trudeau’s office discussed with ministers withholding information on the government’s inability to procure sufficient personal protective equipment for our front-line health workers, like N95masks, gloves, scrubs etc.

Only today do we learn that Hamilton police “continue to investigate the theft of a trailer at Hamilton Airport”. It is only thanks to some crafty and persistent journalist from Blacklock News, an Ottawa media outlet, that we are today aware that the Procurement Minister Anita Anand made sure word of this embarrassing theft would not reach Canadians. Why not tell us then? Remember the days, not long ago, when Justin Trudeau would walk out of Rideau Cottage and announce another several more billion dollars for one cause or another. Internal memos, directed at Trudeau, urged the PM not reveal details but to keep the message “generic” so as not to raise questions about where and how the funds were handled and directed.

What makes this even worse, is the Prime Minister clearly stated on March 27th, that “transparency around the investments we’re making to support Canadians is important not just from a democratic and parliamentary principle…” What a croc!

And the latest is the snail pace flow of vaccines into Canada. Remember when Trudeau told us “Canada has procured more doses per capita than any country in the world”. It was a shamefully misleading statement. The fact is, we may have told the pharmaceuticals we wanted their vaccines and signed for them, but there is no commitment on when or how many, by any of the pharmaceuticals. And because he naively believed in global supply chains, we are now forced to delay the second shot, for weeks and up to a riskier four months, with circling variants ready to pounce.

I must mention this. While the Prime Minister maintained publicly he was “disappointed” with President Biden’s decision to cancel Keystone XL pipeline crossing the border to the US, one publication quotes the prime minister as saying privately, “thank you” to Biden for cancelling the project, saving Trudeau the international embarrassment of tarnishing his social activist image for a clean environment. So much for “transparency”. So much for honesty.

The wage and rent subsidy program announced just last week was extended, at an additional cost of 15 billion dollars. Is it necessary? Statistics show that either intentionally, or through incompetence, the federal government has already given out far more that is necessary to maintain a stable economy during the pandemic. Our economy actually grew, and substantially more than economists predicted. That’s wonderful isn’t it? No, it is not. It is borrowed money that Canada does not have, and is spent unwisely. As a result, Canadians have managed to actually save, yes save during a pandemic, and in record amount.

Philip Cross, economist at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, says the support programs were “excessive and poorly targeted”. CERB and the rest of the federal programs were meant to compensate for lost income but they did much more than compensate. Instead of targeting lower income Canadians, a lot of money went to people who did not need it, so they banked it. According to a CIBC report, Canadians “are sitting atop $90 billion in excess cash — easily the highest in the country’s history and equal to about four per cent of consumer spending. Canadian businesses, are hoarding another $80 billion.”

That’s a whole lot of cash (all on government credit cards) that will spill into the economy. The Liberals sure know how to win elections don’t they? Buying our love and affection, and our votes.

In the meantime, after you get jabbed, have fun. Spend like ‘The Roaring 20s’. And remember on election day who gave you all that spending power.

Oh, and don’t worry about paying it all back. Our grandkids, and their kids, will take care of that.

That’s What I’m Thinking.

Robert Vairo

Laval News Volume 29-05

Costa Hovris
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Laval News Volume 29-05

The current issue of the Laval News volume 29-05 published March 10th, 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/2021/03/TLN-29-05-WEB.pdfFront page of the Laval News, March 10th, 2021 issue.

Mass vaccination centres open in Laval starting Thursday Feb. 25

Martin C. Barry
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Mass vaccination centres open in Laval starting Thursday Feb. 25

The Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux (CISSS) de Laval says it will begin COVID-19 vaccination of Laval residents aged 85 and over (born in or before 1936) on Thursday Feb. 25.

In anticipation of this massive operation, several centres are becoming operational over the coming days to maximize vaccination options.

The CISSS says that for an appointment to receive the vaccine, you should visit Québec.ca/vaccinCOVID starting on February 25, 2021 at 8:00 a.m.

The CISSS says this is the fastest method. If you are unable to book your appointment online or if you are experiencing difficulties, ask a friend or family member for help, or call 1 877 644-4545.

A person accompanying a resident who is 85 years old and over can also receive the vaccine if he or she meets the criteria set by the government:

  • 70 years old and over;
  • Providing support at least 3 days a week to their loved one who is 85 years old and over;
  • only one person accompanying someone 85 years old and over can get vaccinated.

Location of vaccination centres:
To ensure accessibility for Laval residents, vaccination will take place in shopping centres. They are as follows:

  • In the west, the Méga Centre Notre-Dame, off Autoroute 13;
  • In the centre, Quartier Laval, near place Bell and Cégep Montmorency;
  • In the east, SmartCentres Laval Est, at the corner of Papineau Autoroute and the 440.

Outplay prostate cancer during Procure’s ‘Hockey Nights’

Martin C. Barry
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Outplay prostate cancer during Procure’s ‘Hockey Nights’

Help raise money to combat prostate cancer in men

Missing your regular hockey games with your favourite team? Is your sense of competitiveness itching for a new challenge? Like many people, cancer isn’t on the ice either. When the world went on pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, the relentless disease continued to progress.

From now until March 1, you can participate in the second edition of PROCURE’s ‘Hockey Nights’ and get the chance to bring your team to play a game at the Bell Center  in the presence of this year’s Honorary President Dany Dubé, a well-known play-by-play announcer among Quebec’s French-language radio listeners.

Financing research

PROCURE is a Montreal-based charitable organization engaged in the fight against prostate cancer. It educates, supports, and informs people affected by this disease. It promotes and contributes to the financing of scientific and medical research.

‘We were all very impacted by what happened to Jean Pagé,’ says play-by-play radio announcer Dany Dubé

Last year, amateur hockey enthusiasts were invited to dedicate a match from their regular playing schedule to efforts being made to combat prostate cancer. This year, since no one is able to get onto the ice because of the COVID-19 pandemic, supporters are being encouraged to raise funds for the cause. Up to now, 26 teams and leagues have signed up.

Common in men

Prostate cancer is a disease that usually progresses quite slowly and is completely curable when detected at an early stage. It is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men. In the majority of cases, and in the absence of spread elsewhere in the body (metastases), the survival rate is excellent. Hence the importance of screening for middle-aged men. In Quebec, twelve men are diagnosed daily.

How can you help in the current campaign? Encourage your loved ones to support men with prostate cancer and their families by donating or by buying the La Soirée Hockey PROCURE box, containing hockey essentials for only $99 (Real value: $155).

Remembering Jean Pagé

The participant (individual, team or league) that raises the most funds will win the Jean-Pagé Cup, Jean Pagé being the inspiration behind Les Soirées du Hockey PROCURE. Pagé, who did the play-by-play for the Soirée du Hockey on Radio-Canada for many years, died from prostate cancer in December 2019 more than 20 years after he was first diagnosed.

“We were all very impacted by what happened to Jean Pagé,” Dany Dubé said in an interview with the Laval News. “Prostate cancer is a disease that affects a lot of men in Quebec. And I think it’s important for we who are involved in the field of sports to raise awareness of the cause. Men’s health is important and needs to be talked about and shouldn’t be concealed. I support this cause and I do it in the best way I can.”

How you can help

GET INVOLVED IN 3 STEPS

  1. Register for free as a participant here: https://lsh.procure.ca/en/register.
  2. After registration, you can decide to take up the challenge alone or as a team. Simply open your profile to CREATE or JOIN an existing team.
  3. Raise funds.
  4. As soon as your registration is complete, rally hockey fans around you and suggest they make a donation or buy the LSH PROCURE box, intended for hockey players who want to make a real difference (Price: 99$ – Real value: 155$).

3- Pass the puck on social media. Share your engagment and your hockey memories on social media with the #LSHPROCURE.

Keep remembering that everyday the health of 12 Quebecers is put into play. That’s the equivalent of two teams on the ice.

Cinémas Guzzo owner refuses Legault’s compensation offer

Martin C. Barry
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Cinémas Guzzo owner refuses Legault’s compensation offer

Theatre chain won’t reopen Feb. 26, citing lost snack stand revenues

In spite of a pledge by Quebec Premier François Legault to compensate movie theatre owners for revenue lost after not being allowed to sell snacks when theatres reopen in pandemic red zones on Feb. 26, Cinémas Guzzo owner Vince Guzzo is turning down the offer, saying it’s not worth the trouble.

Film theatres in Quebec have been closed since earlier this year when the provincial government decided to reimpose wide-ranging measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including an 8 pm – 5 am curfew.

Looming March break

The lifting of the closings comes as the province heads towards the annual March school break, when parents seek ways to keep their children busy. One of the rules at reopened theatres will be that film-goers must wear masks at all times during screenings.

Last week, Legault insisted the government has no intention of allowing snack food sales when theatres reopen ahead of the March break. In the meantime, despite the reopenings, the province’s curfew in the Montreal region will remain in place.

“I can understand that a part of the profits for the movie theatres is coming from popcorn,” Legault told journalists last week. “So, we want to open movie theatres for the school break, the March break, for the children, and Mr. Guzzo said that he doesn’t want to open movie theatres, and he has many in Quebec, if we don’t permit him to sell popcorn.”

‘Not a good idea’

Legault said that public health officials have been telling the government that opening restaurants everywhere would not be a good idea, so selling food in theatres should follow the same logic. “If you want people to keep the mask during all the movie, of course, you cannot sell popcorn,” he said.

‘I will not be reopening. I will be waiting for the food restrictions to be removed’

Vince Guzzo, who heads up the largest privately-owned chain of movie theatres in Quebec, has been known over the years, long before the pandemic struck, for stating that film venues rely on the sale of popcorn and snacks for half their revenue.

Possible legal action

“It’s not what I asked for,” Guzzo said in an interview regarding Legault’s offer, noting that it was the theatre-owners’ association that expressed satisfaction with the province’s decision to compensate for the loss of snack food sales.

While Guzzo served as president of the association up to ten months ago, he said he is no longer even a member. “Somebody else asked for money,” he said. “I just want the right to sell my product and offer my service.”

He said he is considering taking legal action against the province, but is waiting until the damage can be fully assessed. “We’ve always seriously considered it on a damage level,” he said. “You have three years after your damage to claim for it. So, damage is ongoing because they’re still not allowing us to reopen adequately.

End restrictions, he says

“He [Legault] wants to compensate – I means it’s his right to – but ultimately [reopening] is all that I want,” he added.

Guzzo was adamant that, given the current conditions offered by the province, Cinémas Guzzo would not be reopening on the date proclaimed by Quebec.

“I will not be reopening. I will be waiting for the food restrictions to be removed,” he said. “There is one restriction they’ve got to remove,” he added, “which is the restriction forbidding us from selling food and drink to be consumed on the premises.”

War Amps launches 2021 Key Tag Service campaign

Martin C. Barry
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War Amps launches 2021 Key Tag Service campaign

CHAMP program has helped Laval student Philippe Monette

As many Laval residents who check their mail regularly may realize by now, the War Amps began its 2021 key tag mailing campaign to Laval residents last week with the theme “You Are a Part of What We Do.”

The start of the 2021 campaign marks the 75th anniversary of the Association’s Key Tag Service, and they are paying tribute to the public for helping make it a success.

While launching this year’s campaign, the War Amps pointed out that it remains committed to making a difference in the lives of amputees like Philippe Monette, 19, of Laval.

Philippe is a right arm amputee and a member of The War Amps Child Amputee (CHAMP) Program, which provides young amputees with financial assistance for artificial limbs and recreational devices, peer support and regional CHAMP seminars.

Philippe Monette, 19, of Laval, who is currently pursuing computer technology studies at Collège Montmorency, says he has benefited greatly from the War Amps CHAMP program.

Computer student

While some CHAMP program members lost limbs through accidental causes, Philippe was born without a right hand because of a congenital defect that prevented the hand from growing normally. He is currently pursuing studies in computer technology at Collège Montmorency in Laval.

‘I encourage everyone from Laval and from other areas to subscribe to the Key Tag Service’

“I encourage everyone from Laval and from other areas to subscribe to the Key Tag Service,” he said, noting that he uses the tags himself, and that he has benefited from the many services the War Amps provides to CHAMP program members.

The Key Tag Service was launched in 1946 so that returning war amputee veterans could not only work for competitive wages, but also provide a service to Canadians that would generate funds for the association’s many programs, including CHAMP.

The Key Tag Service

The Key Tag Service continues to employ amputees and people with disabilities and has returned more than 1.5 million sets of lost keys to their owners. Each key tag has a confidentially coded number.

If you lose your keys, the finder can call the toll-free number on the back of the tag or place them in any mailbox in Canada, and The War Amps will return them to you by courier, free of charge.

The War Amps receives no government grants and its programs are possible through public support through the Key Tag and Address Label Service. For more information, or to order key tags, visit waramps.ca or call 514-398-0759.

Nicolas Macrozonaris running for council seat in Saint-Martin

Martin C. Barry
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Nicolas Macrozonaris running for council seat in Saint-Martin

Former Olympic sprinter makes a second attempt to enter Laval city politics

If there is an ironic lesson to be learned from municipal politics in the City of Laval in recent years, it is perhaps that finishing first in track and field and making it to the Olympics doesn’t guarantee by any means you’ll be elected to Laval city council.

No less than two former Canadian track and field short-distance “sprint” champions who competed at the Olympics have tried, with much less success, to prevail at what you might think would be the easier task of winning a seat on Laval council.

In November 2019, Canadian sprinter Bruny Surin tried to win a seat for Mayor Marc Demers’ Mouvement lavallois during a by-election in the district of Marc-Aurèle Fortin. In the end, he finished in second place after being jilted by voters who chose Parti Laval leader Michel Trottier instead.

Running in Saint-Martin

Two years before that, in the 2017 general election, another one-time Olympic sprinter, Nicolas Macrozonaris, ran for the opposition Action Laval party in the district of Sainte-Dorothée. For all his efforts, he finished third, well behind the incumbent winner, the Mouvement lavallois’s Virginie Dufour, who sits on the executive-committee today.

‘I knew immediately on the night of the election that in four years I was going to try again,’ says Macrozonaris

For the 2021 election in early November, Macrozonaris is back as an Action Laval candidate, although this time in the district of Saint-Martin. There, he’ll be competing against incumbent Mouvement lavallois councillor Aline Dib as well as others who are almost certain to enter the race.

Since officially retiring as a track and field athlete more than a decade ago, Macrozonaris has enjoyed a fair degree of success while operating a training academy and track club for aspiring Olympic sprinters and running athletes.

Developed winning athletes

“Right now, we have three national champions, which is extremely rare in this domain,” he said in an interview with the Laval News. “And it’s been an amazing thing for me to be able to develop these athletes. We’ve had incredible results with them and I am super proud of my athletes.”

Politically, Macrozonaris attributes his weak performance in the 2017 election to his being given too little time to prepare for that year’s voting day. “They asked me about 40 days before the election,” he said.

Action Laval’s candidate in Saint-Martin, Nicolas Macrozonaris.

However, he suggested that he is much better prepared now and feels the same sense of determination to win that helped him at track and field events in the past. As well, he has eight months to get ready this time around.

“I truly did love the experience of running in 2017,” said Macrozonaris. “I enjoyed talking to and meeting people. I really felt like I was in my element. And although I was obviously disappointed that it didn’t work out my way, I knew immediately on the night of the election that in four years I was going to try again.”

Pledges sports complex

Heading up a list of current needs in Laval that Macrozonaris says he would work diligently to fulfill would be the construction of a comprehensive multi-purpose indoor sport centre, not unlike the Claude-Robillard Centre in Montreal, where athletes in a range of multidisciplinary sports often go to train.

The centre in Laval would complement the growing list of sport-oriented facilities that have been built or are on the verge of being built in Laval, including Place Bell and the future aquatic centre. “This is something that already exists in many cities, but we don’t have anything like this yet in Laval,” said Macrozonaris, noting that even the Borough of Saint-Laurent in Montreal has its own multi-purpose indoor sport facility.

Would help the economy

“So, I think Laval needs one of these where different sports could take place and we could continue to produce great athletes,” he continued, while adding that sports activities as diverse as basketball, gymnastics, martial arts, or simply walking and running, could take place under one roof year around without concerns about inclement weather.

While the City of Laval outfitted a special outdoor track and field facility at the Parc-école de l’Odyssée-des-Jeunes in Auteuil/Vimont for the Jeux du Québec, Macrozonaris said that having an indoor facility would attract a lot of national and international sporting events, which in turn would stimulate the local economy.

While saying that the fundamental needs of residents of Saint-Martin are also among his priorities, Macrozonaris added that he feels many people living in Laval would agree it’s time the city got its own indoor sports complex.

Two words from Newsfirst columnist Robert Vairo: ‘Private Enterprise’

Robert Vairo
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Two words from Newsfirst columnist Robert Vairo: ‘Private Enterprise’

I’m hearing and reading a lot about Canada getting more vaccines by the end of each coming week, 500 thousand from India, and Pfizer now says 4 million by the end of March.

There’s also that repetitive point, “by September, vaccines will have been administered to everyone who wants to be vaccinated”-Justin Trudeau. That would mean close to two million vaccines into the arms of Canadians every week. Who is he kidding? This is the end of February and we have only received under 2 million for a nation of 38 million. And with no real system of distribution, and confusing priorities of order set by different provinces, he expects to get this done by then? 70% of Canadians don’t believe him. (National Post) And friend Joe Biden? Forget about it. Biden has kept Trump’s order of no vaccine exports, not even to his good buddy Justin.

What we are not hearing is the manner and method we are going to apply to get these vaccines as swiftly as possible into the arms of Canadians, once they arrive on Canadian soil. Justin Trudeau is quick to defend his so far failing mark by saying “we are working with the provinces to coordinate blah blah…” The leader of the NDP talks about getting “everybody involved like retired nurses and doctors and anyone able”, and licensed to inoculate. Wait a minute!

Should Canadians once again trust our politicians? They have already bungled our vaccination procurement. As of the weekend, Canada ranked “40th in the world on a per-capita basis” of vaccines received today. 40th! That’s behind most industrialized nations and some less developed countries. And now we want to leave the rest of the vaccination schedule, administration, and logistics to these same politicians? I don’t think so. Is there a better way? Absolutely. Two words.

Private enterprise. Why leave a vital and vibrant private sector out of this emergency. They could offer a phenomenal benefit with their experience and expertise. If “everybody” should be involved, then bring in the Costco’s, Walmart’s, drive through restaurants, pharmacies, corporations that own and operate casinos, arenas, and stadiums. Not only do they have acres of parking space and buildings that would provide health professionals the quickest and most efficient way to administer vaccines, but who can best organize, coordinate, focus on clients, (in this case those inoculated), provide excellent management teams, retain good employee talent. They are able to keep detailed records, adjust and innovate for better productivity, even adapt new technology. Unlike inexperienced and rookie politicians during this pandemic, who improvise with no predetermined plan, corporations do this every single day. And they are very successful at it.

I have not heard one politician speak about harnessing talent, know how, and experience from the corporate sector to help out. Have they been approached? Why not? Let’s do it then.

Some U.S. states are working with the private sector. How do you think Israel became leader in per capita vaccinations? Round the clock drive throughs and pharmacies have led to most over 60 vaccinated.

“It tastes awful, but it works”. You recognize Buckley’s tag line, popular since the 80’s. And it’s applicable to our lock downs and curfews. They taste awful but they are apparently working.

Quebec cases have dropped to around 900 after several weeks of the curfew, best since November and hospitalizations are fewer too. Good behavior has to be another reason. I even see people wearing their masks outdoors. Aside from being cautious, it does admittedly keep the face warm in these frigid temperatures.

But, there is a ‘but’. Our progress is being threatened by a potential third wave, brought on by variants. And even Pfizer admits its vaccine may not be nearly as effective, especially against the south African variant. In the end, yes, the pandemic will end at some point, but likely not this endemic virus.

I can’t leave just yet without mentioning another major gaff. Our liberal government still has not learned its lesson. With the two Michaels still in jail, the continued abuse and bullying by China, our government has signed another deal with this regime. According to the Globe and Mail “Chinese police own a company that collects details of people applying for visas to Canada”, through Canada’s visa center in Beijing. Are you kidding me? What is going on? Fix this, immediately, please.

And a tip of the hat to 80-year-old Dr Anthony Fauci, who won a top international prize for “his exceptional work with infectious diseases over his life”. Congrats Doc.

That’s what I’m thinking.

Robert Vairo

Ottawa invests in Laval’s metal products sector

Martin C. Barry
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Ottawa invests in Laval’s metal products sector

Custom Diamond International receives $350,000 for expansion

Vimy Liberal MP Annie Koutrakis has announced a $350,000 repayable grant to Custom Diamond International, a Laval-based company specialized in the manufacture of stainless-steel cabinets and containers for restaurants, as well as medical and laboratory-based industries.

Koutrakis made the announcement last week on behalf of Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages Mélanie Joly.

In Laval since 1997

Established in Laval in 1997, Custom Diamond International (CDI) is part of the family-owned Diamond Group, which has been one of North America’s main manufacturers of restaurant industry stainless-steel containers for more than 85 years.

In more recent years, CDI also began designing, manufacturing and supplying displays, medical and laboratory equipment, as well as custom stainless-steel products for the retail sector.

In Laval, the metal products industry includes a number of dynamic businesses with innovative ideas whose work is adding to the region’s reputation across the country. Challenged by the economic realities created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government says these and other SMEs are now poised to rebound.

Economic recovery

“The government of Canada recognizes the need to intervene based on the strengths and assets present in each region,” Koutrakis said in a statement announcing the subsidy to CDI. “As such, CED’s support for Custom Diamond International will enable Laval to position itself at an advantage to participate in the coming recovery.”

‘CED’s support for Custom Diamond International will enable Laval to position itself at an advantage to participate in the coming recovery,’ says Koutrakis

“The Government of Canada has a mission to accompany the country’s businesses and regions into tomorrow’s economy and to help them seize the business opportunities that will arise,” said Joly, who is also the minister responsible for the six regional development agencies (RDAs), including CED.

“That is why we are providing our support to the specific assets of Quebec’s different regions, such as here in Laval. They will be essential elements in ensuring an inclusive recovery and in creating good jobs in all of our communities.”

New machinery

According to the government, the repayable loan will allow Custom Diamond International to acquire and install new machinery and manufacturing equipment, including three CNC production machines with a generator to complete more complex tasks more quickly.

The government says CDI’s project, aimed at enhancing business productivity, will lead to the creation of 20 jobs. With its 12 regional business offices, Canada Economic Development has a mandate to accompany businesses, while supporting organizations in all regions across Quebec to help the growth of their economies.

The subsidy to Custom Diamond International was granted under CED’s Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program, which aims to support the development of Quebec SMEs.

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