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Laval to implement new measures to counter police profiling and racism

Martin C. Barry
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Laval to implement new measures to counter police profiling and racism

‘We have a duty to fight against social exclusion,’ says Mayor Marc Demers

Following recent events in the U.S. involving police violence and widespread accusations of racism, the City of Laval has decided to revise its policies with regard to ethnic and intercultural relations – with emphasis on taking a serious second look at the actions of its police department.

Changing demographics

The City of Laval’s decision to move forward on this issue comes as its population from multicultural and ethnic origins is growing in leaps and bounds. According to some of the latest statistics, more than a quarter of Laval’s population (28.5 per cent) consists of persons from immigrant backgrounds.

Laval mayor Marc Demers, left, is seen here in this screenshot from the city’s webcast on its planned new intercultural and police relations policy with city manager Jacques Ulysse.

As well, when parents and grand-parents with immigration roots are taken into consideration, the percentage of the population with immigration-based origins rises to 35 per cent. From 2001 to 2011, the number of people in Laval who are immigrants rose an astounding 84 per cent. In recent years, Laval has become the second-ranking city in Quebec for the number of immigrants it welcomes.

Emphasis on inclusion

“Laval wishes to continue to be at the forefront with regards to the welcoming and the inclusion of citizens in all aspects of our activities,” Mayor Marc Demers said during a recent presentation of the new policy webcast for the media.

“We have a duty to fight against social exclusion while encouraging accessibility,” he continued. “We also have a responsibility to ensure a living environment that is secure and inclusive for our citizens, without distinguishing between their ethnic origins or social status.”

Demers said the goal of the new measures is to strengthen the bonds that citizens from immigrant backgrounds feel for their city from the standpoint of confidence and security. He said the strategy includes several aspects, as well as the implementation of key indicators to allow the achievement of the goals to be monitored.

A common objective

“We are aiming for a culture of integrated inclusion that is comprehensive, efficient and shared as much by the administration of the city as by the peace officers and the whole of the population,” said Jacques Ulysse, the City of Laval’s director-general.

The strategy will be taking place in three phases and in up to a dozen detailed measures. Here are some of the principal elements:

Phase One will involve surveying the City of Laval’s territory to acquire a better understanding of its ethnocultural diversity, its issues and the interventions that might be necessary. According to the city, new measures will be taken to gain a better understanding of the ethnocultural diversity, while establishing a strategy to improve relations with communities.

New training for police

As part of Phase One, the city will also put into place a program for the continuous training of police officers and other city staff in intercultural relations and diversity. The training of police in this respect will be mandatory and designed to assure the quality of relations by police with citizens.

Phase Two will include measures to see that the Laval Police Department implements a program to increase representation in its ranks by people from visible and ethnic minorities through dynamic recruitment strategies designed to retain employees. Working in conjunction with the human resources department, the police department will have goals to reach in terms of hiring of minorities.

The city says it wants to improve the way Laval’s police officers do their work in several respects, including raising their awareness of ethnic and multicultural issues, while seeing that they’re better informed, better trained and made aware of things impacting under-represented minority groups.

Meeting the objectives

Phase Three concerns tools the city wants to put into place to attain the goals of its overall program. The City of Laval’s Ombudsman will be given a new mandate to oversee its effectiveness and will make a report every year in that regard. The city says detailed records and documentation will be kept to see that racial profiling doesn’t take place and that corrective measures are taken if and when it does happen.

Over the coming weeks and months, the Laval Police Department will be putting into place the groundwork to open a dialogue with Laval residents regarding measures they feel are necessary to improve security while being respectful towards minorities.

As Mayor Demers pointed out, the city already has two committees in place to deal with related issues: they are the Consultative Committee on Intercultural Relations and the Consultative Committee on Youth. Their current mandate is to provide counsel and advice to the executive-committee on intercultural and youth issues. The executive-committee has decided to give the following mandates to the two sub-committees:

Two key committees

  • The Consultative Committee on Youth will be asked to recommend to the administration what measures it believes should be taken to improve mutual understanding between the city and youths, while improving dialogue between the Laval Police Department and youths who live here.
  • The Consultative Committee on Intercultural Relations will be asked to produce an opinion on the phenomenon of racial profiling, its causes and its consequences for people in Laval perceived as being members of visible minorities or who are immigrants. In addition, the committee will be asked to produce an opinion on the measures that should be taken for the city to achieve its set goals for equal access in employment, and so that there is better overall sociodemographic representation.

Existing measures

A detailed breakdown of the population of Laval in terms of its immigrant residents can be seen on the city’s web site web site (www.laval.ca/). In addition to the city council committees, the City of Laval was also instrumental in helping to create the Table régionale en immigration, diversité culturelle et inclusion de Laval (TRIDIL), which looks at related issues from a regional perspective.

Newsfirst columnist Robert Vairo’s ‘That’s What I’m Thinking’

Robert Vairo
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Newsfirst columnist Robert Vairo’s ‘That’s What I’m Thinking’
Newsfirst columnist Robert Vairo.

Irreconcilable differences. Canada China relations ruptured!

I am fed up with pandering to China. Truth be told, we do not have a relationship with China.
A relationship implies “state of being connected”. We are connected with this authoritarian, autocratic, dictatorial super power by grief, anxiety, and bullying. What the hell kind of relationship is that!

Irreconcilable differences. Any couple in that kind of relation would be granted a divorce.
Brian Mulroney agrees. It’s time for ““an immediate and urgent rethink of our relationship with
China”. They interfere with our justice system. They kidnap our people. They steal our intellectual
property. They buy our companies, with an agenda. They just purchased TMAC Resources in
Nunavut. Just for the gold mine? Don’t kid yourself. They have just reinforced their foothold in
Canada, in the Arctic. What’s in the Arctic? It’s a most desired, convenient, straight line Pacific
connection to China, new trade routes with melting ice, and exploration for Arctic oil and gas.
One estimate suggests the Arctic holds “nearly one-third of the world’s natural gas and 13% of
global oil reserves”. Should Canada limit Chinese investment in Canada? Absolutely. Huawei is
now openly spying in Canada under the guise of “lobbyists expanding AI research in Canada”.
I can’t believe TELUS installed Huawei equipment for its 4G network. Huawei stole NORTEL
data, once a Canadian world leader in wireless technology. It’s a spy network. Huawei is an arm
of the communist Chinese military. They continue to steal our technology. How clear can I be!

If China doesn’t like something we do, they retaliate. They not only kidnap, but they cut off
our canola seed exports because of the Huawei Meng arrest. And because of the latest extradition judgement, China has “found insects in our lumber”and charged the two Canadians they kidnapped. Now China wants a Covid waiver from Canadin lobster fishermen. I have two
words for China!

China is also in a fight with Australia over the call for an independent investigation into the
“origin and spread” of COVID-19. Good for Australia, and rightly so. This China originating
virus (and now another swine flu) has ravaged the global economy, infected 11 million, and
killed 525 thousand. These are not just numbers. They are human beings. China MUST be held
accountable. China was predictable in its reaction. Threats of consumer boycott, and accusation that Australia is “a gum stuck on the sole of China’s shoes”. What disrespectful bullies!

If China really had nothing to hide, it would not be defensive and engage in smear campaigns.
There’s more. The Chinese espionage machine is embedded in the Huawei 5G equipment for
the wireless network they want in Canada. Why didn’t Justin Trudeau just say no, long ago?
Is it because China contributes to the P.E.Trudeau Foundation? “Cash for access and favours”
suggests Rona Ambrose. By the way, contributions to the P.E. Trudeau Foundation from foreign
governments, including China, have increased since Justin became PM. Harper handled them
well, stopping China from buying our natural resources. A great start, but it all unraveled with
the Trudeau regime. Trudeau says “they don’t understand our system”. What? They HATE our
system. They’d like to destroy it, like trampling on democratic Hong Kong with a police state in
defiance of the 1997 deal with England. Trudeau says “everything is being done” to get the two
Michaels back.

Not true. We can’t do this alone. Canada and western democracies must stand
together against China. Suspending the Canada-Hong Kong extradition treaty is a small first
step. But may I suggest granting Hong Kongers asylum, sanctions, recalling ambassadors, tariffs
on Chinese imports, withdrawal from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Arrest, charge,
or deport Chinese pressuring Canadians critical of China. Revoke the visas of 140 thousand
Chinese studying in Canada. Less trade. Hurtful at first but consider this. We import 75% of
trade dollars from China. Mainly junk. Electrical components that work temporarily or not
at all, furniture that’s flimsy, often doesn’t fit properly, toys loaded with lead, fertilized crops
full of chemicals, and let’s not talk about their car parts.

What do we export? Quality stuff my friends. Lobster, wood pulp, oil seeds and grains, ores, mineral fuels and oil.
They stopped canola imports from Canada, wheat and pork from the US, soybeans from Australia. Sooner
or later they have to come back to Canada because we have what they want. We want the two
Michaels back and not a dubious relationship. Stand up Canada! Get respect from this lying,
cheating, evil beast. Divorce!

That’s what I’m thinking.
Have a safe summer!

Optimism buoys City of Laval’s economic recovery plan

Martin C. Barry
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Optimism buoys City of Laval’s economic recovery plan

City focuses on key industries and businesses in post-COVID-19 strategy

With a high wind of optimism blowing through its sails, the City of Laval is moving ahead this week with a sweeping new economic development strategy designed to give a badly needed boost to the city’s waning economy in the uncertain aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dubbed ‘Laval, capital of opportunities’ by the Demers administration, the primary focus of the campaign is to provide support to entrepreneurs and business owners during the economically-challenged post-pandemic period.

COVID-19 fallout

Despite setbacks from the COVID-19 pandemic, officials wilth the City of Laval have tabled an optimistic plan for the region’s short and longer-term economic recovery.

In a statement issued by the City of Laval prior to Demers’ official presentation of the policy during the monthly city council meeting on Tuesday, city officials acknowledged that Laval has been as impacted by the fallout from COVID-19 as any other municipality in Quebec or around the world.

According to the city, six out of 10 businesses in Laval find themselves currently in “precarious” financial circumstances, ranging from moderate to severe, based on an evaluation conducted by E&B Data and numerical information provided by Statistics Canada for the Montreal Metropolitan Community (CMM).

Non-residential tax affected

“This precariousness generates a significant risk, notably with regard to non-residential property tax,” states an outline of the recovery strategy provided by the city. It further notes that Quebec is expected to be the most impacted province in the country, with a Gross Domestic Product falling by 8 per cent in 2020, compared to Ontario and Saskatchewan which are each expected to lose 7.5 per cent GDP.

More troubling, according to findings provided by the Institut de la statistique du Québec, is that unemployment in the City of Laval rose from 4.1 per cent – as measured this past February when COVID-19 hadn’t yet taken a hold in Canada – to 14.2 per cent in May when the pandemic was well underway.

Facing the consequences

“The government had to put the economy on pause in order to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus while trying to avoid over-burdening the health system,” Mayor Marc Demers says in the preface to a document outlining the recovery plan.

“With an equal amount of courage, we must now face the consequences of the confinement on our economic health. We are currently going through a crisis without precedent, with effects that are devastating on employment and the Gross Domestic Product of the whole region.

A two-phase recovery

“Our corporate citizens, our workers and enterprises are terribly in need of support to get through this difficult period, while adapting to new realities and becoming confidently and audaciously part of the economy of tomorrow,” adds Demers, noting that the new economic development strategy will be deployed by the city over the coming months and years.

The city is taking a two-phase approach to the recovery: first they want to stimulate Laval’s economy to generate immediate results and wealth; and second they want to develop more sustainable projects which would become the basis for long-term economic progress.

Councillor Stéphane Boyer, vice-president of the City of Laval’s executive-committee who is also responsible for economic development dossiers, suggests that significant support for businesses must be prioritized if there is to be an economic recovery.

Business a priority

“The City of Laval is working relentlessly to provide aid directly to those most affected by the current situation,” he said in a statement. “While new paradigms are emerging, such as social distancing, ecological transition, food and medical security and automation, we must take a second in-depth look at ways of thinking in order to seize all the opportunities when they become available.”

According to the strategy outline, the Canadian and Quebec economies are only expected to begin improving sometime in 2021, with relaxation of confinement rules this year contributing to a rise in economic performance in the second half of 2020. But at the same time, it is expected that governments will gradually decrease their interventions.

Unemployment high

The city’s outline notes that the federal deficit, which stood at $24.9 billion in 2019-2020, will stand at $252.1 billion by fiscal year 2020-2021. As well, it points out that the fallout from unemployment will be even more severe than it was during the three most recent economic crises in 1981-82, 1990-92 and 2008-2009.

Between February and May this year, unemployment in Laval rose from 4.1 per cent to 14.2 per cent. The City of Laval recently revealed that it anticipates an eventual $60 million post-COVID-19 deficit. Officials at the City of Laval’s economic development department analyzed the municipality’s commercial and industrial sectors and came up with a list of sectors where growth or economic shrinkage are predicted.

Focusing on some sectors

On the positive side, computer software design, scientific research and food production and distribution emerge as areas where gains are already being made. However, retailing, tourism, entertainment and aerospace have lost a lot, although two of the three were on the decline already.

Other areas of Laval’s industrial sector seen as potentially productive going forward include pharmaceuticals, plastics (used in face mask and shield manufacturing), as well as engineering and architecture.

The City of Laval says it is budgeting up to $20 million for the recovery plan, only around $6.3 million of which will come out of the city’s own coffers. The remainder would come from federal and provincial programs and subsidies. The strategy would be deployed over a period of 18 to 24 months.

City to use ‘virtual currency’

A particularly fascinating aspect of the recovery plan is the city’s decision to begin using a type of “virtual currency” – similar to Bitcoin and other emerging digital moneys – as a tool to promote local buying.

Whereas perks and points programs have been used in the past by credit card companies and retailers to encourage client support, a digital currency exists through computer “blockchain” technology, which allows them to operate independently from national currencies like the Canada or U.S. dollar or the EU Euro.

Additional hand sanitizer health risk warnings from Health Canada

Laval News Contributor
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Additional hand sanitizer health risk warnings from Health Canada

Health Canada is advising Canadians that the following hand sanitizers made with industrial-grade ethanol, which is not authorized for use in hand sanitizers, may pose health risks. For more information, including what Canadians should do, visit the online safety alert. 

Health Canada maintains a list of hand sanitizers that may pose health risks, so that Canadians can easily identify products they may have purchased and take appropriate action. Canadians are encouraged to check the list regularly for updates.

ProductRecalling CompanyNPN or DINLot Number(s)Expiry DateDate Added
Adclean (Technical)Adfast Canada Inc.80098241200423-114854April 2022July 10, 2020
200505-114929May 2022
Frid + Russell Hand SanitizerGreen Dolphin Systems Corp.Unlicensed (no NPN or DIN on label)All. Lot number not printed on the label.Not printed on the label.July 10, 2020
Germ Eliminator677042 Ontario Ltd. (DBA Donview Manufacturing)80101737150301December 2020July 10, 2020
150302
150304December 2023
Vima-San Hand SanitizerGreen Dolphin Systems Corp.Unlicensed (no NPN or DIN on label)All. Lot number not printed on the label.Not printed on the labelJuly 10, 2020
VitalpurLaboratoire Capillaire Guy Décaux801000231 2 3 7 8 9 10Not printed on the labelJuly 10, 2020

City consulting public on central library location

Martin C. Barry
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City consulting public on central library location

The City of Laval is holding an online public consultation from July 10 to Aug. 10 on the location that residents feel would be best for a central branch of the public library system to be located.

The new central library is slated to be located somewhere in downtown Laval. The city is holding the consultation through an interactive platform at the web address repensonslaval.ca, where residents can post suggestions for the new central library on a “virtual wall.”

“I invite all our citizens to share their dreams and their ideas on this big central library project via the interactive reponsonslaval.ca interactive platform,” said Renaud city councillor Aram Elagoz, noting that the platform also features videos with information about the project.

Laval adds electric charging stations to growing network

Martin C. Barry
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Laval adds electric charging stations to growing network

By the end of July, the City of Laval expects to have 26 new electric vehicle charging stations in various locations across its territory thanks to an implementation program being conducted in conjunction with Hydro Québec.

The new stations are being added at these locations:

  • Cartier Arema (2);
  • Émile-Nelligan (2), Philippe-Panneton (2) and Gabrielle-Roy libraries (2);
  • Firehall no 4 (2);
  • Auteuil (2) and Montrougeau community centres (2);
  • Cosmodôme (2);
  • Pavillon du Bois-Papineau (2);
  • Laval Police Department headquarters (2);
  • Public parking at berge des Baigneurs (Centre d’interprétation de l’eau) (4);
  • Public parking at Chomedey drinking water facility (2).

The addition of the new units will bring the total number of charging stations in Laval to 71. The program is part of the City of Laval’s overall efforts to combat global warming, which is caused partly by exhaust from conventional internal combustion car and truck engines.

Outbreak of Cyclospora infections linked to salad, says Public Health Agency of Canada

Martin C. Barry
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Outbreak of Cyclospora infections linked to salad, says Public Health Agency of Canada

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is collaborating with provincial public health partners, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Health Canada to investigate an outbreak of Cyclospora infections occurring in three provinces, one of which is Quebec. The outbreak appears to be ongoing, as recent illnesses continue to be reported to PHAC.

Based on the investigation findings to date, exposure to certain Fresh Express brand salad products containing iceberg lettuce, carrots and red cabbage, has been identified as a likely source of the outbreak. Some of the individuals who became sick reported having eaten Fresh Express brand salad products containing these ingredients before their illnesses occurred. The source of illness for the remaining individuals continues to be under investigation. The investigation is ongoing and this public health notice will be updated as the investigation evolves.

On June 28, 2020, the CFIA issued a food recall warning for certain Fresh Express brand salad products containing iceberg lettuce, carrots and red cabbage that were distributed nationally in Canada. The recalled salad products begin with lot code “Z177” or a lower number and have best before dates up to and including 20JUL08 – 20JUL14. For more information on the recalled product, please consult the CFIA’s website. 

Canadians are advised not to eat the recalled products. Retailers and food service establishments are advised not to sell or serve the recalled products, or any items that may have been prepared or produced using these products.

The CFIA is continuing its food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. If additional products are recalled, the CFIA will notify the public through updated food recall warnings.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are also investigating a multi-state outbreak of Cyclospora infections that has been linked to bagged salad mixes containing iceberg lettuce, carrots, and red cabbage produced by Fresh Express.

Investigation summary

As of July 8, 2020, there are 37 confirmed cases of Cyclospora illness linked to this outbreak in three provinces: Ontario (26), Quebec (10) and Newfoundland and Labrador (1). Individuals became sick between mid-May and mid-June 2020. One individual has been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. Individuals who became ill are between 21 and 70 years of age. The majority of cases (76%) are female.

Some of the individuals who became sick reported having eaten certain Fresh Express brand salad products containing iceberg lettuce, red cabbage and carrots before their illnesses occurred. The source of illness for the remaining individuals continues to be under investigation.

Cyclospora infections occur each summer in Canada. PHAC is working with provincial partners to determine if other recent cases of Cyclospora infection are linked to this outbreak.

It is possible that more recent illnesses may be reported in the outbreak because of the period between when a person becomes ill and when the illness is reported to public health officials. For this outbreak, the illness reporting period is between two and four weeks.

What you should do to protect your health

Check to see if you have any Fresh Express brand salad products in your home. If you do, follow this advice:

  • Do not to eat recalled products with production codes beginning with lot code “Z177” or a lower number and have best before dates up to and including 20JUL08 – 20JUL14.
  • Throw these products out immediately and properly wash and sanitize any containers and refrigerator drawers or shelves that were used to store these products before using them again.
  • If you have any Fresh Express brand salad products without the original packaging and are unsure of whether these products are included in this advice, do not eat them. Throw them away just to be safe.
  • Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds immediately following contact with any of the recalled products.

Who is most at risk

Cyclospora is a microscopic single-celled parasite that is passed in peoples’ feces. If it comes in contact with food or water, it can contaminate food and cause infection in the people who consume it. This causes an intestinal illness called cyclosporiasis. It is unlikely for Cyclospora to be passed from one person to another.

You are at higher risk for a longer or more severe illness if you:

  • are a young child
  • are an older adult
  • have a weakened immune system (cannot fight disease easily)

Symptoms

Most people develop the following symptoms within one week after being infected with Cyclospora:

  • watery diarrhea
  • abdominal bloating and gas
  • fatigue (tiredness)
  • stomach cramps
  • loss of appetite
  • weight loss
  • mild fever
  • nausea

When you eat or drink contaminated food or water, it may take 7 to 14 days for symptoms to appear. If left untreated, you may have the symptoms for a few days to a few months. Most people have symptoms for 6 to 7 weeks without treatment.

Symptoms may go away and then return.

If you become ill, drink plenty of water or fluids to prevent dehydration from diarrhea. If you have signs of illness and have reason to believe you have cyclosporiasis, contact your health care provider who may request a laboratory test to confirm the illness.

Antibiotics may be given to treat the illness.

Revelakis wants city to set up committee for police/multicultural relations

Martin C. Barry
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Revelakis wants city to set up committee for police/multicultural relations

Following the Demers administration’s recent announcement of new measures to deal with racial discrimination, Chomedey city councillor Aglaia Revelakis says Laval should start a new non-partisan committee to deal with issues involving the Laval Police Department and multicultural communities.

“The City of Laval is extending its hand towards nearly one-third of its population and this is a remarkable gesture,” she said in a statement. “We must nonetheless involve representatives of these very people in the actions to be taken.”

Chomedey councillor Aglaia Revelakis wants the city to set up a committee to examine issues concerning relations between the police and Laval’s multicultural communities.

Saint-Vincent-de-Paul city councillor Paolo Galati, who is supporting Revelakis’s motion, agrees that a committee made up of elected representatives would be able to delve seriously into examining the matter at hand.

“The participants in this consultation should be heard directly by their elected representatives,” Galati said. “The separation between the executive-committee and the police is a basic democratic principle, and the suggestion of my colleague for a non-partisan committee of council is a means that will ensure the complete transparency of the effort.”

Laval man fined nearly $500K for tax evasion

Martin C. Barry
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Laval man fined nearly $500K for tax evasion

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) announced this week that Robert Kalfayan, a Laval resident, pleaded guilty at the Laval courthouse to tax evasion charges. He was fined $495,614 in relation to the offences, on top of having to pay the income tax and all penalties and interests that apply.

Mr. Kalfayan was arrested on December 23, 2019, at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport upon his return to Canada.

The CRA investigation showed that, for the years 2009 to 2013, he tried to evade the payment of more than $700,000 in federal income tax using a complex scheme to shield his luxurious Laval residence from CRA collection measures.

The scheme included a fake loan, a nominee and several international bank transfers, as well as the use of one of his companies incorporated in Belize, Lowcrest Marketing.

The investigation also revealed that, for the 2014 and 2015 tax years, Mr. Kalfayan contravened the Income Tax Act by making a fraudulent proposal to creditors in which he failed to declare all of his international assets (real estate, cryptocurrency and cash) in order to evade the payment of income tax.

City sells off discredited ex-mayor’s $1 mil. condo reduced

Martin C. Barry
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City sells off discredited ex-mayor’s $1 mil. condo reduced

Last week, the City of Laval reached what appears to be the closing chapter in the saga involving former mayor Gilles Vaillancourt, with the sale of Vaillancourt’s luxury condo at a price considerably lower than its initial estimated $1 million price tag.

Gilles Vaillancourt
Ex Mayor of Laval Gilles Vaillancourt

Located in a condo tower in Laval’s exclusive Île Paton neighbourhood, the city took possession of the condo after Vaillancourt’s departure from office as charges of corruption against him were being made.

The ex-mayor eventually agreed to an $8.6 million settlement with the city, the condo being a part of it.

According to city council documents, the city stands to make a little more than $127,000 net from the sale, since the unit’s value ended up being estimated at considerably less than its million dollar value, and the broker stands to earn a $22,645 commission.

However, after being initially placed on sale more than a year ago, there were no buyers until recently.

Vaillancourt ended up being sentenced to six years imprisonment and was paroled in December 2018.

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