Renata Isopo

At the April 24^th meeting of Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board (SWLSB), Council of Commissioners, numerous highlights were outlined, however the peak of the evening was a thoughtful and robust plan reflecting Director-General (DG) Gaelle Absolonne’s decision to provide a solid framework for “stability and consistency” ensuring “STATUS QUO” with the exception of three changes for school administrators of the Board’s 35 schools and two centres, as of July 1, 2019.

In documentation presented on-screen, TLN noted it is the responsibility of the DG to recommend to Council the assignment of Principals, Vice-Principals, and Center Directors prior to May 15, annually, in accordance past-precedent. Individuals were requested to submit career plans for 2019-20 to the DG for revision. SWL Administration Associates (SWLAA) and Association Quebecoise des cadres scolaires (AQCS) are presented with the criteria for assignment and transfer of principals, vice-principals, and center directors. Governing Boards also consulted on the criteria of principals for their school, a customary procedure.

As the Assignments came on screen, Commissioner Bob Pellerin’s request to proceed in-camera was unanimously approved and the Council went behind closed doors for 75 minutes, a mystery to everyone in attendance. After the Council came out of seclusion, the meeting resumed and the Administrative Positions were posted. No opposition.

TLN asked Chairperson Paolo Galati if he had been made aware of the assignments prior to the meeting. He responded that it was discussed the week before, but it was not discussed at the Executive level although it was brought to Corporate Committee. Seven commissioners sit on the Executive, including the chairperson. “I was not part of the Selection Committee nor was I consulted on the selection,” stated Galati in a telephone interview.

Galati referred TLN to Maxeen Jolin, Coordinator, Communication Services (SWLSB) for clarification of procedure. When contacted by TLN, Jolin stated that she had to verify with DG Absolonne for the protocol. TLN also made unsuccessful attempts to contact the DG. No response at press time concerning protocol came from either Jolin or Absolonne.

When contacted for clarification on protocol and procedures for in-school administrative assignments, former Chairperson Steve Bletas told TLN that “the DG meets with all the schools’ administrative teams to discuss career plans and objectives. The DG then brings it to the Executive on which the Chair also sits. The DG decides on the placement. Council can oppose the decision, but it must be done by vote. The decisions are vetted thoroughly prior to Council, and Commissioners can ratify at Council meeting. It was always discussed at committee level.”  Bletas stated that this is how it was done when he was chair, for over 15 years

Electronic reporting of Commissioners expenses

At the March 27, 2019 meeting Commissioner Guy Gagnon moved for transparency regarding the publishing on the SWLSB website the Commissioners’ monthly expense reports. It was tabled for Aril 24, 2019. 

The motion was carried, and on the recommendation of the Corporate Committee, the Council of Commissioners will implement a public reporting process for travel and expenses retroactive to 2014-15. Commissioners’ expenses will be annexed to the Council Highlights posted on the board’s website on a monthly basis. Further published reports will include all expenses incurred by the Council of Commissioners.

School year to date

The Board reports that they are on track with expenditures related to the government’s protected measures to school centers ($5 million), and on track with the overall school budget of $169 million.

Student Recognition

Two students, Liana Tarasco, Saint-Vincent Elementary and Catherine Blackhorn, Luaurentian Regional High School, were the recipients of the Tony Licursi bursary.

Autism Awareness Month

Four special guests were welcomed at the head office of SWLSB to celebrate Autism Awareness Month. They are Francesco Renda, Sec. IV, and Samuel Beldie, Sec. V of Laval Senior Academy. They were accompanied by English teacher Rhonda Steiner and Vice-Principal Sonia Garofolo.

And Council gives special recognition to a special student Marlorie Beaufils of Joliette High School for her special efforts on promoting and challenging her school, Council and the public to “No Phone Tuesday”. Marlorie stated to Council and to the curious observers, “Ignore your phone on Tuesday or at least one day a week.” She was awarded a certificate of recognition for her initiative.

(TLN) Last week as the City of Laval was beginning to deal with spring flooding, Lt. Col. Stéphane Tremblay, commander of operational forces in the greater Montreal region, and Master Warrant Officer Patrick Barriault visited the city’s Emergency Measures Coordination Centre.

The two stated their support and the determination of the troops under their command to provide assistance to Laval residents during this time of crisis. Laval Police director Pierre Brochet, who also coordinates civil security in Laval, was on hand to welcome them.

Around 200 Canadian Forces personnel (around a third of the total number of soldiers deployed in Quebec to deal with the flooding) were brought into Laval and have been providing assistance in areas of the city that are most impacted.

(TLN) This year marks the completion of the City of Laval’s implementation of its organic waste collection at residences of seven or less units. From now to the end of September, 44,000 new households will be added to the list, for a total of 130,000 residences taking part in the collection.

A positive response

“In 2018, the organic waste collection made it possible to avoid waste landfill sites, while processing 14,626 tonnes of materials, representing 290 kgs per household,” says Laval executive-committee member Virginie Dufour.

“The response by Laval residents has been greater than expected. We realize that effectively more than 95 per cent of Laval residents served by the collection take part. These positive results will only increase with the deployment of this service across the territory.”

To be fully implemented

Since mid-April, 26,000 households in Laval have received their organic waste kit. From the end of next August, the last 18,000 addresses will be added. The organic waste kits include a small kitchen waste container, an outdoor receptacle on wheels, some documentation and a few other items.

Implementation of the kitchen waste collection program began in the autumn of 2016. The program was a response to provincial government efforts to have kitchen waste programs across Quebec. It should be noted that some sectors of Laval, such as Champfleury, Chomedey and Laval-des-Rapides, have had an organic waste program since 1996.

(TLN) On a tour of flood-devastated Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac north of Laval last weekend, Premier François Legault announced that the provincial government will be donating $1 million to the Red Cross to help victims of the flood.

“This will help for meals, lodging and medication,” Legault said. “There are children who will need clothing, because people had to get out in a hurry.”

With water levels on Lake of Two Mountains expected to remain at high levels by the middle of this week, residents of the area were not expected to their homes any time soon. He said the Red Cross could be counted on to provide help until it becomes possible.

(TLN) While not everyone agrees the plan is fair, Quebec Premier François Legault says the province will help compensate flooded homeowners with sizeable payments, although he is warning that taxpayers shouldn’t be forced to shoulder the bill for flood damage forever.

Last week just days after the flooding crisis started, Premier Legault said the CAQ government would buy out flood-area house owners up to a maximum $200,000. As well, he said the province would establish a ceiling of $100,000 in compensation to owners making claims after flooding.

Limiting compensation

Speaking to media in Gatineau last week while touring the flood-stricken area, Legault said the provincial government will not be able to afford offering compensation “every year to solve problems, but only on a temporary basis.” He said the government preferred to offer incentives to move to stricken homeowners, since the current environmental conditions are starting to become a regular occurrence.

The reaction to Legault’s offer was swift in some quarters. In places affected by the floods, like Laval or Pierrefonds on the other side of the des Prairies River, homeowners have expressed their outrage that Legault would offer such low amounts for properties that in some cases are worth several times what’s being offered.

Relief for tax payers

Provincial compensation aside, another type of monetary relief appears to be on the horizon for those impacted by the flooding.

Revenue Quebec and the Canada Revenue Agency have both announced that they will overlook late filing penalties on income tax normally due April 30, as well as businesses filing for taxes, if the tax files in question are from individuals or businesses impacted by the floods.

However, the two agencies said taxpayers in this situation must make contact immediately to report their circumstances.