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CISSS de Laval expecting new patient attendants at CHSLDs by mid-July

Martin C. Barry
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CISSS de Laval expecting new patient attendants at CHSLDs by mid-July

In order to meet an urgent need for support staff at Laval CHSLDs brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, officials at the Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux (CISSS) de Laval say they are expecting more than 300 new graduates from a training program for patient attendants to be on the job beginning in mid-July.

According to the CISSS, the 305 new workers will be deployed throughout the network of CHSLDs in Laval. The number of new patient attendants is greater than those who are currently working in Laval’s CHSLDs, CISSS de Laval management adds.

They say they are making special efforts to ensure that working conditions are conducive to the new patient attendants remaining in a highly challenging job.

Some basic facts:

 On Monday June 15, the 305 students began 275 hours of paid training.

 The new patient attendants are expected to help reduce impacts from a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic anticipated by this autumn.

 The Centre de services scolaire de Laval and the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board are managing the training programs for the candidates in French and English respectively.

 After completing training, the new patient attendants will be receiving an attestation of professional training (AEP), qualifying them to work in Quebec’s health care establishments.

Ottawa approves Bausch Health psoriasis drug to be produced in Laval

Martin C. Barry
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0
Ottawa approves Bausch Health psoriasis drug to be produced in Laval
Laval-headquartered pharmaceutical giant Bausch Health will be manufacturing the first approved treatment for psoriasis in 20 years here in Laval.

Bausch Health, which has its global headquarters in Laval, has received commercial approval from Health Canada to market a new drug in Canada for the treatment of plaque psoriasis.

According to the company, Duobrii will be manufactured at Bausch Health’s Laval production facility and will be available in Canada and the U.S. by the end of this summer.

More than one million Canadians suffer from psoriasis, Bausch Health says, of which approximately 90 per cent have plaque psoriasis, a skin condition often resulting in very itchy red rashes with dry skin that can appear on any part of the body.

The company says Duobrii lotion is the first innovative topical treatment for this type of psoriasis to be approved by Health Canada in 20 years.

Health Canada issues update on hand sanitizers with health risks

Martin C. Barry
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0
Health Canada issues update on hand sanitizers with health risks

Health Canada is advising Canadians that the following hand sanitizers may pose health risks. For more information, including what Canadians should do, visit the online safety alert. 

Health Canada says it 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
Dash Vapes Hand SanitizerDashVapes Inc.Unlicensed (no NPN or DIN on label)1258969April 10, 2021June 11, 2020
IsogelLalema Inc.800989965900 0004May 13, 2021June 11, 2020

Laval to receive $23.3 million from Ottawa in gas tax refund

Martin C. Barry
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0
Laval to receive $23.3 million from Ottawa in gas tax refund
Laval will be receiving more than $23 million this year from the federal Gas Tax Fund, made possible through taxes collected at the gas pump.

The City of Laval will be getting $23,303,973 from the federal government this year as one of the 1,125 municipalities across Quebec that will also be receiving their share of the Gas Tax Fund which is apportioned out between cities across the country annually.

Federal Infrastructure and Communities Minister Catherine McKenna made the announcement on Wednesday that municipalities in Quebec have received $495.7 million through the GTF for the 2020–21 fiscal year. The GTF is funded through a tax on gasoline levied at the pump.

Noting that the GTF provides municipalities with funding for their infrastructure needs, the federal ministry pointed out in a statement that Laval used its GTF funding in recent years to add a new line of electric buses which will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

City to distribute 5,000 Fun Kits to children in Laval

Martin C. Barry
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0
City to distribute 5,000 Fun Kits to children in Laval
The City of Laval is giving away more than 5,000 kits containing fun items to children and teenagers in Laval.

The City of Laval has decided to hand out more than 5,000 kits containing toys, games and other fun things to children and adolescents in Laval whose lives were impacted for more than two months by the COVID-19 pandemic. The city is using $160,000 from its Fonds Place-du-Souvenir fund to pay for the kits.

The 5,000 kits are being handed out to children from 6 to 12 years of age. They contain a ball, a jump rope, a magnifying glass, sidewalk chalk, a coloring book, wax crayons and other items. The city is handing out the kits in conjunction with 4-H Clubs of Quebec and Groupe Promo-Santé Laval.

According to the city, the kits will be distributed through local community organizations sometime this month. Additional kits will be handed out to teens at the Centre jeunesse de Laval. These will contain gear for babyfoot and table tennis, e-readers, construction kits, MP3 players and headphones.

“In these difficult times without precedent, we are especially thinking of the well-being of families, children and the teenagers in Laval,” said Mayor Marc Demers. “Every day we are increasing our efforts, in conjunction with our partners, to overcome the difficulties created by the pandemic.

“It is our hope that these kits and these items will make life a little easier for these young people, while also allowing parents to take have a little bit of time to rest,” the mayor added.

Laval to re-open pools, water parks, wading facilties starting on June 20

Martin C. Barry
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0
Laval to re-open pools, water parks, wading facilties starting on June 20

The city announced on Wednesday that some of its aquatic installations will be re-opening gradually, although with reduced service at first, on June 20, with safeguards against COVID-19 infection being enforced.

Before turning up at a pool or other aquatic facility, residents are being invited by the city to consult this list of outdoor aquatic installations that will be open, as well as the hours and safety rules to be followed. As well, registration will be necessary in order to access a pool. As such, the city says an online registration system will be in place soon.

The City of Laval has announced the gradual re-opening of its pools, water parks and wading facilities as the COVID-19 pandemic starts to recede.

Residents are being invited to follow these three steps, so that everyone’s swimming experience takes place safely:

  1. Plan each visit by first consulting the installations that are open;
  2. Read the rules and respect them, so that everyone is treated fairly;
  3. Be patient: since service at pools will be lower than usual, you may have to wait in line a while.

Here are some other rules to follow:

  • Children 11 years old and younger must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
  • A shower with soap for 30 seconds will be mandatory before entering the pool.
  • Swim suits are obligatory.
  • It is not allowed to enter the pool while wearing a face mask or protective gloves.
  • Walking around the pool will only take place in one direction, and this rule must be respected.
  • Duration of time in the pool will not exceed one hour.
  • People with COVID-19 symptoms should not participate.
  • Access to the chalet, locker rooms and toilets will be limited. Changing on the outdoor terrace will not be allowed. Those using the pool must put on their bathing suit at home before arriving.
  • It is possible that users will be asked to pass a swimming test, at the request of the lifeguard; those without required swimming skills will be asked to wear a flotation device.

Quebec issues reminder about backyard pool safety regulations

Martin C. Barry
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0
Quebec issues reminder about backyard pool safety regulations

Upsurge in pool sales predicted, following COVID-19 pandemic

In view of a drastic increase in backyard swimming pool sales anticipated this summer because of distancing rules made necessary by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Quebec Municipal Affairs Ministry has issued a reminder to potential new pool owners about the regulations regarding the installation of this type of equipment in Quebec.

Quebec is reminding pool owners or those about to buy one of the regulations which make certain safety precautions mandatory around backyard pools.

Among other things, the rules state that all new swimming pools must be surrounded by a protective fence, unless it is an above-ground pool with a height of at least 1.2 metres, or at least 1.4 metres in the case of a pool that can be taken apart.

In the case of a protective fence, it must be 1.2 metres high, and must be able to prevent a spherical object measuring 10 centimetres from passing through. As well, it must be built in such a way as to not facilitate anyone climbing on it.

Rules to be followed

In addition, any access gate to the pool must be equipped with a security mechanism that allows the gate to close and lock automatically. Any patio or terrace adjacent to the pool must be equipped with a surrounding fence and gate in order to restrict access.

A municipal permit is required to build, install or to replace a pool, or to erect any kind of structure giving access to or restricting access to a swimming pool. The ministry noted that municipalities may adopt stricter rules than those contained in the provincial regulations. Pool owners are invited to learn more from their respective municipal authorities about the local regulations governing swimming pools.

CFIB-Quebec welcomes amendments to province’s economic recovery law

Martin C. Barry
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0
CFIB-Quebec welcomes amendments to province’s economic recovery law

Small/medium businesses will be protected from evictions and property seizures

The Quebec branch of the Canadian Federation for Independent Business says it is pleased with amendments the Legault government has decided to make to Bill 61, the law enshrining the re-launch of the post-COVID-19 economy, since the changes reflect suggestions the CFIB had made.

Amendments welcomed

Among the amendments, the Quebec CFIB said in a statement issued last week, were suggestions apparently taken up by the government with potential impact on small and medium enterprises facing eviction from leased premises, and regulations affecting liquor license owners making things a little easier for them during the COVID-19 recovery period.

“Numerous SMEs, especially affected by the crisis, weren’t seeing their preoccupations being taken into consideration by the proposed law that was tabled,” François Vincent, vice-president for Quebec of the CFIB, said last week.

No commercial evictions

“But today, things changed,” he said a day later. “They are pleased to see that the amendments will make it possible to protect those who are in difficulty against evictions or seizure of property on leased premises, and they will also offer several restauranteurs new avenues to explore. In the name of these SMEs, I thank the government for improving on its proposed law.”

According to the Quebec CFIB, the following measures will now be included:

Protection of commercial lease-holders against all forms of eviction or seizure of property on rented or leased premises (Article 35.1); Loosening of rules for liquor permit holders, allowing them to provide up to one-third of their business in the form of deliveries (Article 38.1); Permission to differentiate prices for alcoholic beverages sold for consumption on premises from those sold for take-out (Article 38.2).

A concerted effort

These CFIB suggestions were also included: A reduction in the cost of a seasonal alcohol permit in proportion to the prorate number of days it isn’t used (Article 40.5); Permission to continue selling alcohol or bar service to certain clients even when food service is over (Articles 40.3 and 40.4); Loosening of rules surrounding promotion and publicity for alcoholic beverages (Article 40.5).

“To get through this crisis which is without precedent, the cooperation of all players as well as action by government are necessary,” François Vincent added. “Today, we are taking another step forward to protect businesses in all the municipalities of Quebec. Now it’s the turn of parliamentarians to make good these measures by adopting this draft law before the end of the session.”

Recruitment of workers for CHSLDs undermines home care, says PSW lobby group

Martin C. Barry
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0
Recruitment of workers for CHSLDs undermines home care, says PSW lobby group

Quebec forgetting home-based support workers, who are still earning $23,000 a year

More than two months after the COVID-19 pandemic started, an organization representing the interests of home-based personal support workers says the PSWs are being taken for granted by the Quebec government, leaving elderly and handicapped home-bound patients helpless, they claim.

According the réseau de coopération des entreprises d’économie sociale en aide à domicile EÉSAD, home services provided by the member PSWs are currently on “life support” for several reasons. The federal government’s Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) is motivating home-based PSWs to stay off the job because it pays more, the group says.

Workers drawn away

As well, they say the provincial government’s new salary increases (up to $49,000 annually) to personal assistants working at CHSLDs is also drawing away home-based PSWs (who are typically paid around $23,000 annually). As well, the CHSLD personal assistants will be receiving new benefits as government workers, which their EÉSAD counterparts will not be entitled to.

“All these measures put into place are helping to decimate, from week to week, the EÉSAD network which is trying to serve elderly or vulnerable persons who have chosen to live in their own homes,” said Josée Massicotte, a spokesperson for the at-home PSWs.

Since the start of the pandemic, according to Massicotte, the PSW work force has dwindled from 550 PSWs to only 83 who are still working. The association is suggesting that home-based PSW’s salaries should be greatly increased, the work of the PSWs should be given more professional recognition, and the financial stability of the EÉSAD network should be increased.

Their clients are suffering

Massiccotte provided several examples of EÉSAD clients and what they are going through now.

Jonathan is severely handicapped and quadriplegic. As such, he can’t do his own housekeeping nor can he prepare his own food. Before the COVID-19 pandemic started, a PSW went into his home once a week to clean and every two weeks to prepare meals. Now after more than 10 weeks, his home has become very untidy, and he also needs help doing his clothes washing. While he’s been an EÉSAD client for years, they have no workers available to tend to his needs.

Marthe and Jocelyn are parents in a family that is currently being supervised by the Quebec youth protection office. Marthe has mental health problems and suffers from depression. Jocelyn is confined to a motorized wheelchair and has to receive nourishment in liquid form through a straw. They have a four-year-old son who has an attention-deficit disorder. The youth protection office has ordered that their housekeeping should be done by a PSW once a week, and this is a condition for them to keep their child. However, according to Massicotte, this family hasn’t been able to receive help from an EÉSAD PSW through most of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unable to get PSW help

Nicole lives in a subsidized low-rent housing project and has reduced autonomy. She tends not to do proper housekeeping in her apartment. Her sister who lives outside Montreal used to come help her, but can no longer do so because of COVID-19 travel restrictions. A worker at the housing project informed the EÉSAD that Nicole had become depressed and was no longer eating. As well, her apartment is now very untidy, garbage is accumulating and not being disposed of properly and the smell is getting out into the public hallway. The EÉSAD has almost no one to help her.

Finally, Rita is 96 years old and has had a leg amputated. Currently, she is receiving EÉSAD service at home. However, at the beginning of the pandemic she didn’t receive service for two weeks. Isolated and regarded as highly vulnerable, she has no family to provide help and no other other means other than EÉSAD support to receive food. According to the EÉSAD network, her usual PSW has been contemplating quitting to seek the better-remunerated work at CHSLDs.

CISSS de Laval opens shelter for the homeless in Chomedey

Martin C. Barry
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0
CISSS de Laval opens shelter for the homeless in Chomedey

COVID-19 has made things worse for those with no roof over their heads

Homeless people in Laval – who’ve been left largely without anywhere to stay overnight since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic – are gaining a measure of security with an announcement by the CISSS de Laval of the opening of a temporary shelter at the former Place des Aînés in Chomedey to accommodate up to 30 homeless.

Caring for the homeless

The CISSS is sponsoring the shelter, which opened on June 3 in the senior citizens’ community centre on Curé Labelle Blvd., which remains closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. This new site replaces a homeless shelter that was being operated at the Centre Josée-Faucher in Laval-des-Rapides until June 1.

In keeping with provincial government directives to ensure that the needs of the homeless were being met during the pandemic, and to prevent COVID-19 from being spread unnecessarily, the CISSS de Laval worked in conjunction with the City of Laval and with Travail de rue de l’île de Laval (TRIL), which helps the homeless, to provide the homeless in Laval with meals, medical help and wash-up facilities for their well-being and comfort.

According to the CISSS, the shelter will be offering its services to men and women with no fixed address from 4 pm to 8 am every day.

A collaborative effort

Other groups and organizations that contributed resources to making the shelter possible include the Commission scolaire de Laval, École Mont-de-Lasalle, Carrefour jeunesse Emploi, the Centre d’intégration libre de Laval, Diapason-Jeunesse, L’Aviron, Mesures alternatives jeunesse de Laval, the Oasis mobile intervention unit and SPHÈRE santé sexuelle globale.

Michaël Beaulieu, a street worker with TRIL Laval, is seen here explaining how homeless people’s basic needs for clothing and other items will be met through a distribution centre located at the new homeless centre at Place des Aînés (now known as Axion) in Chomedey. Photo: Martin C. Barry

Community groups in Laval, which normally provide support to the homeless, were forced to greatly curtail their services because of confinement issues. “Because of the economic damage linked to COVID-19, they told us that some people could find themselves without a fixed address,” said Jean Fallon, a community relations intervener with CISSS de Laval.

More homeless now?

A big question being asked now in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic is whether the crisis has indeed driven the numbers of homeless in Laval higher. Over the last two years or so, the CISSS has estimated the number of chronically homeless in Laval to be fewer than 150. Still, Fallon acknowledged to journalists touring the new homeless shelter, some have been living in cars and in other ways just on the margin of homelessness.

TRIL had been operating the homeless shelter at the Centre sportif Josée-Faucher since March 13, allowing 86 people to receive shelter and nourishment in a safe environment. However, the CSDL was taking back the facility for its own purposes, making it necessary to set up the new shelter in Chomedey.

No other place to go

Michaël Beaulieu, a street worker with TRIL, noted that with the forced closing of their usual overnight shelters, persons with no fixed address would otherwise find themselves without access to washrooms and toilets, since restaurants and shopping centres, where they normally go, are closed during the pandemic.

While a safe and comfortable place to sleep at night is important to many homeless, others also appreciate being able to drop by the shelter during the hours it will be open during the day. The sleeping areas will be divided between men and women and there will be security personnel on hand. The shelter has the support of the Laval Police Department and it is expected to remain open for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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