Renata Isopo

Chronic illness can generate feelings of denial, anger, grief. But at some point emotions subside and the harsh reality strikes that you are no longer the person you once were. The illness robs you of your sense of identity and purpose. Can a meaningful life be rebuilt? Yes, if an incredibly strong, courageous fighter who never let go of her will to live, a survivor, one of life’s miracles is any example of how to celebrate life by lighting a candle instead of cursing the darkness. Here’s Alice’s heroic story, told in her own words of inspiration to all.

Uncharted territory

“Rebuilding or redefining normal is a long process,” she says. After spending my teenage years at St. Justine’s Children’s Hospital as a permanent resident, and consequently at the Jewish General Hospital as soon as I turned 20, I felt that things couldn’t get worse. Rebuilding my life required that I explore uncharted territory.”

 What did you miss most about high school?

“It was bleak. I missed my friends, going to class, the activities, and just being a regular teenager. I was home-schooled but too sick even for that. Most days were spent in the hospital. I wanted to graduate with my classmates. My home-school teachers did their best, but it was too hard, they stopped coming, except for one who never gave up and made sure I would graduate with everyone else.

I left the hospital to attend the Laurier Senior High School Graduation Ceremony, an emotional day for me and family, flooded with tears of joy although I was still in much pain. To go on stage for my certificate was my greatest accomplishment, something I will never forget.”

Did you ever lose hope?

“No. I never said, ‘Why me?’ – no matter what debilitating state I was in. On tons of medication, I underwent chemo, cortisone, and radiation therapy although I didn’t have cancer. Often delirious, I developed allergies, and lost my hair several times. I was unrecognizably bloated, weighing 200 pounds from medication and treatments, one experiment after another, hoping the next one would be it. 

My doctor travelled overseas to learn about my illness (Purpura Trombose Trombocitopenique) and how to treat it since very few people are known to suffer the condition. She wasn’t very successful, just more experiments which I willingly took. There was nothing else. Only 14 when struck with the disease, I didn’t understand it, but I learned a lot about it through my medical team.  Explanations and research from across the world helped me face what I was up against.  I never lost hope, knowing God was with me.”

How did the illness affect your family?

“Everyone was affected. It changed their responsibilities and boundaries. For my mom, it was emotionally and physically devastating, pulled in all directions, back and forth to doctors, hospitals, and home. She gave up her job since she slept at the hospital. She became a permanent fixture in my hospital room, was always there, a tower of strength never giving up hope even when there seemed to be no hope in sight. My dad suffered financial strains since he spent days at my bedside also. It was emasculating and frustrating for him to watch his child deteriorating, in pain, hooked to life-support machines.”

After seven years, what is your message to others who are chronically ill?

“Well, my family and I had to create a ‘new normal’ to better understand and find meaning in everyday challenges. To survive, you take it a day at a time, it’s all you can do. Take nothing for granted and realize you’re stronger and more capable than you ever thought you could be.

Never lose hope, stay faithful and true to yourself. Be thankful and positive, things can and often do change for the better. I lost over 100 pounds, still more to go, living at home now. I go for weekly for treatments, but I’m really much better, thank God. I’m planning my future although there are always crisis-mode moments. I’ve been through a lot, but in my heart I believe the best is still yet to come.”

Martin C. Barry

For the fifth year since the Laval Ethics and Integrity Bureau (BIEL) first started, Laval Police chief Pierre Brochet has tabled his latest report on continuing efforts to track and prevent acts of corruption within the City of Laval’s administration.

The BIEL was created shortly after Brochet was hired, in the aftermath of the highly-publicized corruption and municipal contracts kickback scandal involving disgraced former mayor Gilles Vaillancourt.

Arm’s length from city

The office, which operates at arm’s length from the city administration, was given a mandate to oversee internal investigations, while working in conjunction with the Laval Police Department.

“I am truly proud of the results and accomplishments of the BIEL, and all the more so when we know that several municipalities are expressing a wish to create their own integrity bureaus,” Brochet said during a press conference held at Laval Police headquarters on Chomedey Blvd. on April 4 to release the results.

Leading the way

“It is an honour for us to have developed the expertise for a team responsible for investigations of this type,” he added. “Mostly a team that has had to be ahead of things by developing responses, as well as codes of conduct adapted to the reality of the employees and elected officials of Laval.”

According to a summary of the report, just three cases out of a total of 86 potential administrative wrongdoings ended up being reported for in-depth investigation to the Unité permanente anticorruption (UPAC), the Quebec government’s specialized agency that fights corruption, collusion and other economic crimes involving provincial government procurement.

Fewer cases went to UPAC

In comparison, four cases went to UPAC in 2017, eight in 2016, 10 in 2015 and 11 in 2014. Out of the 86 potential administrative wrongdoing cases in 2018, 10 cases were deemed serious enough to merit being investigated by the local police, while 73 others were judged to be administrative problems that could be resolved internally.

The statistics from last year for the 73 administrative cases show that conflict of interest ranked high among commonly reported problems, while breaching confidentiality was also on the radar. The most serious cases in 2018 involved allegations of fraud and theft. However, only one case led to criminal charges. According to last year’s BIEL report, a supervisor was arrested after being seen while in the act of stealing equipment that was the property of the city. He was subsequently fired.

Drivers ‘under the influence’

The report says the BIEL also became involved last year when it was discovered that drivers for some sub-contractors working for the city were operating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Measures were taken by the BIEL as well as by the Laval Police to warn the sub-contractors about their responsibilities.

The BIEL oversaw workshops where up to 2,000 employees received instruction in the ethical standards they are expected to live up to. As well, the BIEL received requests from employees seeking orientation for specific situations involving ethical decision-making.

Six years since crackdown

This most recent report contrasts sharply with the situation in May six years ago, when 37 people – including engineers, contractors and managers – were arrested in the massive police sweep that preceded the City of Laval’s being placed in trusteeship after the departure of ex-mayor Vaillancourt.

Among the compromising situations faced by city employees every year are conflicts of interest. The City of Laval’s code of ethics now clearly spells out the potential for ethical conflicts when employees are holding down a second job somewhere else, or are related to individuals with vested interests.

BIEL seems to be paying off

Some cases can also involve unauthorized use of municipal resources or access to confidential or privileged information. BIEL statistics compiled over the past five years show the City of Laval’s employees have been increasingly consulting the BIEL for guidance when they face uncertain situations ethically.

After releasing the report, Brochet announced that the Laval Police will continue an agreement with the City of Terrebonne on the North Shore which will see them working cooperatively to counter corruption and collusion on their respective territories. Terrebonne is basing an investigative unit of its own on Laval’s BIEL.

Partnership with Terrebonne

“The implementation of this partnership sends a message to all those involved working in the municipal domain in our region,” Brochet said. “Collusion and corruption are not acceptable or tolerated and we are making all the efforts necessary to prevent and control together this sort of crime.”

Service de Police de Terrebonne Marc Brisson said: “The decision to enter into a partnership with the BIEL through the opening of an integrity office by the City of Terrebonne makes sense economically and strategically at the same time. Economically, since it allows for the sharing of a large number of resources, such as offices and personnel. Strategically, since it allows us to share expertise, exchange contractual information and coordinate investigation files more efficiently.”

Martin C. Barry

The Laval Action Table for Entrepreneurialism announced the four winners of its honorary bursaries on March 21, awarded by the Government of Quebec.

In addition to the recognition, the winners also were awarded strategic support and mentoring from Réseau M, with additional assistance provided the Fondation de l’entrepreneurship, as well as automatic participation in StartupFest sponsored by Laval innov.

Honorary bursaries

In order to complement a traditional offer of financing and to stimulate entrepreneurship in Quebec, the Quebec Ministry of the Economy and Innovation offered the honorary bursaries, worth $25,000 each, to entrepreneurs 18 to 35 years old who are working on projects involving the creation of a new business, or the development of a business that has been active for less than five years.

In addition to being a motivator for entrepreneurs to solidify their ideas for businesses or help with their development, the bursaries aim to acknowledge the entrepreneurial spirit and the qualities that go with it, including boldness, determination and innovative spirit.

Four Laval finalists

From this year’s contestants in Laval, four finalists were selected by a jury composed of members of the Laval Action Table for Entrepreneurialism. Each finalist will be receiving a $25,000 bursary, one year of personalized accompaniment by Réseau M and a ticket to participate in Startupfest 2019.

The four finalists are: Myriam Tellier of Planette produits écologiques inc.; Mathieu Benoit of Mathben informatique; Patrick Vigeant of Boursify; and Vyckie Vaillancourt of O’Citrus.

About the finalists

Planette produits écologiques inc. specializes in the manufacture and distribution of natural and ecologically-responsible household cleaning products. Mathben informatique offers expert services in software development as well as support for the development of virtual reality games.

Boursify has developed a software program that simulates stock and investment market strategies, while also offering software support to high-schools, CEGEPs and universities. O’Citrus is specialized in the greenhouse production of fine citrus, including yuzu, Buddha’s hand, caviar lime, kaffir lime, sudachi, finger lime, calamondin, kumquat and pomelo.

Renata Isopo

In a nutshell, the March 27^th Council of Commissioners meeting was an elaborate presentation of all the events, activities, planning, and successes executed in the month of March. The Laurier Board also came out swinging in condemnation of Bill 21 (religious symbols).

The long list of activities included breakfast with Argenteuil mayor Christian St. Pierre, a tour of Crestview Elementary, Vocational Training, Leadership Summit at Laval Junior Academy, partnership with Le Centre de Formation Construct-Plus, a visit to La Chambre Commerce St. Eustache, and a student leadership event “Food for All” at Laval Senior Academy.

Director General, Gaelle Absolonne announced preliminary enrolment of 12,715 students for 2019-20; six more students than the MEQ’s 12,709 projection – “an encouraging and positive upswing” says Absolonne. 

Feasibility Ecosystem Study

Material Resources reported on the financial implications of the Ecosystem feasibility study, which leaves SWLSB with two options: award the contract in September 2019 to move forward with the project or, stop altogether. $350,358 will be allocated for Ecosystem’s detailed feasibility study if savings are confirmed.

In its submission, Ecosystem scored 90.5%, also meeting minimum requirements for two mandatory criteria. Subsequently the “8 envelopes” containing financial figures were opened. According to documentation presented, Ecosystem submitted the best weighted assessment at $1,970 520 for 20 buildings, reducing energy costs 23%, savings of $281,112.

Of trees and seat belts

Commissioner Peter MacLaurin announced that a commemorative tree and plaque have been donated by the Quebec English School Boards Association (QESBA) to former Chairperson Jennifer Maccarone in recognition of her diligent work with SWLSB. Thrilled, Maccarone requested that the tree be planted at board headquarters.

Commissioner Emilio Migliozzi proposed mandatory seat belts on school buses. The next bus contract renewal is in 2022, thus the seat belt implementation must be part of the contract negotiation. “It’s a safety issue and can’t be ignored,” he stated. “This must also be communicated to the Minister of Transport of the Government of Quebec and to the MEQ.”  The potential economic impact of seat belt requirement is unclear until discussions with the bus company take place.

Commissioner Peter MacLaurin made a plea to the Council that each member contact his MNA, communicate to them that the commissioners are doing their jobs. “They are doing what they should be doing,” he stated. This is part of the QESBA, Quebec English School Boards Association, success plan in their fight for retention of school boards.

Public funds disclosure put on hold  

Commissioner Guy Gagnon struck a sour note with Council when he moved to publish expense reports on the Board’s website, proposing that the data be published proactively. “It’s about time the expenses are made public. The last time it was put on the table was in 2015.”

Commissioner Melissa Wall was not convinced of the need, and did not wish to vote on it, stating that this information can be obtained through Access to Information.  Commissioners Bob Pellerin and James Di Sano did not support Gagnon’s motion and moved to postpone it. 

A war of words

Discussion bounced around the definition/difference between the words postpone and table.  Secretary General Stephane Krenn, stated that to table means to “postpone” and was based on the precision and clarity of the words. Commissioner Gagnon objected to move to “Table”. Gagnon also stated that the Lester B. Pearson School Board, publishes reports on line and there’s no reason why SWLSB does not do the same. “It should have been done a long time ago,” he stated. There seemed to be an apparent aversion to being open with the public. TLN’s efforts to obtain comment from commissioner Gagnon were fruitless as he stated that he did not wish to answer any questions from the media. However, TLN requested one response to the question, ”Does the Council prepare and submit monthly expense reports?” He responded, “Not necessarily.” Chairperson Paolo Galati stated that Council should discuss the matter further in order to clarify the process and implications. “I am in favour transparency,” he told TLN.  It was decided to resume the discussion at the April 24^th meeting.

Bill 21

As stated at Council and officially delivered by Communications Coordinator Maxeen Jolin, “The Council of Commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution against Bill 21 prohibiting anyone in a position of authority, including school principals and teachers from wearing religious symbols in the performance of their functions and duties.  Council believes that Bill 21 will alter the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, and for this reason owes it to its communities to take a stance against this legislation. SWLSB is proud to be part of a diverse community and has long embraced values of inclusion and respect.”