Renata Isopo

As TLN projected October 24, 2018, the posts of Chairperson and two commissioners were officially filled at that evening’s regular Council of Commissioners meeting by a vote of the seven remaining council members.

Hardly a surprise to the sparse audience of board officials and a handful of interested parties in, Paolo Galati snapped up the Chair in a secret ballot that cast former commissioner Ailsa Pehi aside.

The filling of the two vacant seats for commissioners, no surprise either.  TLN had already revealed the names of the two retained candidates, James Di Sano and Anick Brunet, who were confirmed by acclamation.  This was probably the easiest and most effortless walk to a commissioner’s chair ever recorded, unless you bring up the in-secret appointment of Melissa Wall to replace Robert Dixon.

Business as usual? Not this time. Eustace unleashed

Following this publicly questioned election, the seven still sitting Commissioners of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board (SWLSB) approved several motions which had been agreed to before the gavel had struck the meeting open.

Discussions ranged from soup to nuts but make no mistake, the deliberations had little or nothing to do with pedagogical, psychological, emotional, physical, spiritual, social or cultural needs of 14,000 children and young people, and 2000 employees working at the board.

Well, much to the delight of the stakeholders and taxpayers at the meeting, a voice that would not be stilled sprang into action. Chris Eustace, activist and defender of English educational rights whose concerns have been widely and regularly published in numerous newspapers in Quebec and the rest of Canada, in both official languages, rose in muted anger to assail the commissioners with several questions which went unanswered.

At the microphone during question period, holding up his familiar “Anglo” sign, Eustace caused quite a stir with two pedagogical questions regarding school curriculum.

Black History Month and Bicycle riding courses

To his first question – “Is Canadian Black history properly represented in your history course?” – Interim chairperson Dean Dugas responded, “I am not aware.”  No response or intervention from Council or school board administrators either.  Holding up a book for all to see, Eustace then asked, “Are students in grade 5 and 6 taught the Bicycle Riding course?” “I am not familiar with this book,” stated Dugas, unable to hide obvious discomfort.

Threatened by the Chair to be shut down and warned to cease and desist, Eustace stood his ground, insisted and persisted in asking – “Are you commissioners going to go on with QUESBA (Quebec English School Boards Association), donating $114,368.48 of public funds  to support a newly elected manager sitting in a chair for a minimum salary of $120,000 per year?”

In other words, every one of the 14,000 or so students of SWLSB is deprived of $8.33, so that the board can, in the words of Chris Eustace, “aid and abet an organization that is under severe attack from several sides both from within the educational system and from the community-at-large. According to Eustache these precious funds should be put to better use by allocating them for the reduction of class sizes, and or providing better learning tools for teachers and students. Eustace ended his intervention with a challenge that resounded in the council hall from wall to wall.  “Will this board take steps against QUESBA, knowing the falsehoods they are spreading for self-preservation?”  No response.

Former chair Jennifer Maccarone supported QESBA

It’s important to keep in mind that this collection of commissioners inherited this controversy from the departed Jennifer Maccarone who exhibited overwhelming support for QESBA while serving as chair of the board for four years, part of which she spent as president of this lobby group, while at the same time holding sway over SWLSB’s affairs as its chief elected official.

Former commissioner Robert Dixon was so strongly opposed to board funds donated to QESBA that before departing he voted against funneling money to an organization he described in published reports as “…Ineffective,” stating his case to then chairperson Maccarone: “I’ve never supported payments to QESBA for the previous work it has done. I don’t think they deserve it.”

On September 11, of this year, QESBA announced that Russell Copeman, former Côte-des-Neiges/Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough mayor and former Member of the National Assembly for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, has been appointed as their new Executive Director.

“Education has long been an interest of mine. As both a graduate of the English public education system and the parent of three children who attended English public schools, I know the importance of high quality English education. Our school boards are essential institutions for the English-speaking community and I am looking forward to working with the elected commissioners who make up the Board of the QESBA and its staff to ensure the best possible public education for our students,” stated Mr. Copeman.

Gallati elected as chairman

Paolo Galati was the favored candidate of enough of the seven commissioners to win the job.  A secret vote was moved by commissioner Peter MacLaurin who also moved to have the votes destroyed.  When Commissioner Anne McMullon requested an official count of the vote to be made public, she was denied, with this response from the Chair “It’s a majority.”  Murmurs quickly spread through the stupefied audience over the apparent lack of transparency, although the law makes it possible to have a “secret” vote in a public domain.

Newly installed Chairperson Paolo Galati will represent all SWLSB schools and centers.  TLN invited Galati to a post-election interview which he cancelled due to personal reasons. Subsequently, TLN emailed him a series of questions which went unanswered in time for publication.

In the meantime, outgoing commissioner Ailsa Pehi, retains her role as Vice President of the  Laurier Foundation, a non-profit organization that raises funds from the community, in support of needs in the Laurier Board’s schools and centers.  In a phone interview with TLN,  Pehi thanked constituents who elected her four years ago. “It has been and incredible ride. I hope I served with dignity, integrity, and honor,” she stated.  “It has always been about the students,” she told TLN in a cheerful voice.

Interim Chairperson moves on

In view of another upcoming grand “exodus” for one or two sitting commissioners of SWLSB, TLN has learned that Dean Dugas is moving on, making way for Secondary Parent Commissioner Bobby Pellerin to replace him, by appointment.  A source in the know at the school board told TLN that this has already been decided, without consultation and devoid of a call to the community-at-large for candidates interested in filling the vacancy.

The question is,” What is the protocol and was it applied?” TLN made two attempts to contact Dugas for confirmation of his resignation, but he, too, did not respond.

Parent Commissioner Sergio Di Marco resigned his seat a few weeks ago.  No news on who has replaced him.  This seems to be in line with being consistent with inconsistencies at SWLSB, losing count of turnovers and revolving doors on several levels of the political hierarchy.

A parent speaks

“Continuation of poor practices  and tweaking that works are the order of the day when insiders are ‘appointed’ school board chiefs. For heaven’s sake, To counteract what’s happening in the system – the dysfunction, mediocre performance, proliferation of problems, and the accompanying disarray, for heaven’s sake, let’s put pressure on the school board’s decision-makers to seek outsiders and invite them to be part of a democratic process,” stated Amanda Pujolle, a concerned parent observer.

“I’ve been following Laurier School Board affairs for a long time, and I know that outsiders can sometimes do great things in renewing and refreshing the work of all aspects of the system. ‘Outsider’ Paul Lamoureux, Director-General who sadly passed earlier this year, is proof positive that this approach can be highly effective.”

TLN is interested to hear other parents views on the issues that derive from their school board policies.

Martin C. Barry

Laval mayor Marc Demers, who is currently recovering following a cancer diagnosis, is challenging elected officials all over Quebec to emulate him and throw their support behind the 2018 Bowvember campaign to draw attention to the fight against prostate cancer.

Mayor’s cancer diagnosis

Demers and other prominent Procure supporters gathered at an Old Montreal hotel on Oct. 31 to mark the fifth year Procure is holding its campaign whose symbol is a stylish bow tie. The campaign hopes to raise $500,000 this year.

“It is with a great deal of emotion that I decided to join you this year, even it has been four years since the City of Laval supports Procure through our city council,” said Demers, noting that he was diagnosed last April with prostate cancer and underwent therapy for it.

Started last year

“This was something that started in 2017 in terms of tests,” added Demers. “And it’s difficult for the family. It’s difficult while you don’t know where it’s going, when the diagnosis has been made, because you’re telling yourself that all these specialists aren’t doing all this for nothing. But finally, thanks to research and thanks to science, I received a diagnosis that left me feeling more secure and that allows me to continue all my activities normally.

“And so if today I am here with you and in good health, it’s among other reasons because of Procure. Procure has played an essential role. Its awareness-raising campaigns and fundraising have made things such that men like myself are able to continue being fathers, husbands, brothers – and, in my case, even mayors.

Challenge to Quebec mayors

“And so it’s just in this context that I am issuing a challenge to all the mayors of Quebec, as well as to all elected officials, provincial, municipal and federal, to support this cause by proudly wearing the bowtie during the month of November.”

Demers will be asking all members of Laval city council to wear the Procure bowtie during the Nov. 6 public meeting of Laval city council. “It’s a sign of hope for all the people who, unfortunately, must face the challenges of testing and diagnosis for prostate cancer,” he said.

Dubuc designed bowtie

This year, Procure teamed up with Philippe Dubuc, the designer behind the 2018 bow tie symbolizing the fight against this disease with which 4,600 men in Quebec are diagnosed each year. Twenty-four celebrities are joining Procure in encouraging the public to buy the 2018 tie and wear it throughout the month of November.

They’re also encouraging the campaign’s supporters to share photos of themselves wearing the bow tie on social media to raise awareness, especially on Nov. 19 for Quebec Prostate Cancer Awareness Day. Procure is looking to reach a total of $2 million raised in the last five years.

Another cancer survivor

“Let’s remember these past five years faced with dignity, and remain strong for the years to come,” said Laurent Proulx, president and CEO of Procure and himself a prostate cancer survivor. “We’re looking forward to the next five years together.”

The bow tie is now available for purchase for $35 at bowvember.ca and from partner retailers including Centre du Rasoir, Philippe Dubuc, Greiche & Scaff and Simons. A complete list of retailers can be seen on the Bowvember website: noeudvembre.ca/en/retailerspartners.

Procure’s official ambassadors

Procure will be bringing back 12 veteran ambassadors and inviting 12 recruits to bring awareness to the 12 men who receive a prostate cancer diagnosis every day in Quebec. Procure is having the former and current ambassadors compete in two teams throughout November to see who can collect the most additional donations for the cause.

Designer Philippe Dubuc and host Maripier Morin worked together to design a new box set of five chic bow ties — the Marvyn Kussner Edition — to celebrate Bowvember’s fifth anniversary. Production was limited to 100 box sets, which include the 2018 bow tie.

A cure for prostate cancer

Procure was founded in 2003 by Marvyn Kussner with the mission to provide scientists and the community with the means to better prevent and cure prostate cancer. Procure is the only charity in Quebec dedicated to fighting prostate cancer through research, education, information and support for men living with this disease, as well as for those close to them.

Since it was founded, Procure has invested $8 million in prostate cancer research through its Biobank project. The money raised by the 2017 Bowvember campaign has made it possible for Procure to offer crucial support services to men living with prostate cancer and to their loved ones, including: a 24-hour support line to speak with nurses specialized in prostate cancer Providing 4,100 high-quality Biobank biospecimens to researchers.

Martin C. Barry

If one thing became clear during a public consultation held at Église Saint-Martin in Chomedey Oct. 24 on Laval’s parking policies, it’s that an overwhelming majority of people want the city to abandon its wintertime policy requiring car owners to park on alternate sides of streets to accommodate snow removal.

“It’s about time I think,” Chomedey city councillor Aglaia Revelakis said in an interview with the Laval News. “The residents in my district have come to me numerous times to complain about this issue.”

New parking rules coming

Under the city’s recent rules for winter season street parking, car owners have been required to abide by posted restrictions prohibiting parking from Oct. 30 to April 30. However, according to Revelakis, this year because of warmer than usual weather the city decided not to begin the winter season parking period until Nov. 1.

While the alternate-side parking regulations will be in effect this winter, a new system of parking rules is expected to come into effect next year, reflecting suggestions made by the residents during the consultations. In addition to the Oct. 24 consultation meeting, the city has also been holding consultations in other districts of Laval.

Facts on parking here

Some basic facts about cars and parking in Laval: In all, there are 250,000 cars in Laval. That number breaks down to 1.6 automobiles per household. Excluding private driveways, there are 520,000 parking spaces in Laval (42 per cent on the street, 58 per cent off-street. Three-quarters of the drivers in Laval have at least two parking spaces located on private property.

Following a plenary session, during which the nearly 80 residents at the meeting broke up into a half-dozen focus groups to discuss parking problems, an overwhelming majority agreed the city should abandon the wintertime alternate-side street parking system and find another way to carry out snow removal.

Alternate parking disliked

“Alternate parking has got to go – it should never have been there in the first place,” said longtime resident Nick Furfaro. “Second, is that the city should rethink its whole cycling situation. Because I think that too much importance has been given to having the cycling paths, in comparison with how many people actually use them.

“We’re not in Europe,” added Furfaro. “We’re in Quebec. We know exactly our situation in summer and winter. So should we have some cycling paths? Yes. But should we have them to the extent that we now have them and in the space that they occupy? I think the answer is no.”

Many parking complaints

In an interview with the Laval News, l’Abord-à-Plouffe city councillor Vasilios Karidogiannis conceded that, like Revelakis, he too has had to contend with grievances about parking. “Complaints in general about the parking,” he said.

“In the winter, it’s inevitable because of the snow and the parking situation gets tighter. It’s a combination of factors. Used to be that if it snowed on a weekend, the city wouldn’t be able to tackle it until the start of the week. But the rules have changed now. The employees for the city will be working all weekend so hopefully that will improve things.

Changing the culture

“It’s very hard to change the culture of people,” Karidogiannis added. “Thinking that they can dump their snow wherever they feel like. When you clear your driveway, that snow has to stay on your property. It doesn’t go out onto the street. That just augments the problem.

“There are all sorts of little things like this during the winter. But as we have learned during this consultation, there is an abundance of parking in Laval. We just need to find ways to maximize its potential. I think there are a lot of people who think that the space for two or three vehicles on the street in front of their home is their space, and if they can’t find parking in front of their home they get upset.

Garages not being used

“And a lot of people also don’t use their driveways for whatever reason or their garages,” said Karidogiannis. “A lot of them have been turned into storage spaces. Mind you, the size of cars has changed from what they were back in the day. In any case, there are a lot of adjustments to make in the thinking of people. We’re a growing city – especially Chomedey. It’s very dense, a lot more housing and a lot more cars. So parking a short distance from your house or around the corner or on another street is a reality we have to face and hopefully people start adjusting their attitude about it.”

Martin C. Barry

Patriotic Greeks from all over Montreal joined elected officials from across the region and leaders from the Hellenic community for a ceremony on Oct. 28 at the Greek Community Centre in Côte des Neiges marking the 78^th anniversary of the historic day during World War II when Greece rejected its occupation by Axis forces.

Ohi Day is celebrated throughout Greece, Cyprus and Greek communities around the world each year to commemorate the refusal by Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas when presented with an ultimatum made by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini on Oct. 28, 1940.

When Greece said ‘No’

The ultimatum was presented to Metaxas by the Italian ambassador to Greece. It demanded that Greece allow Axis forces to enter Greek territory and occupy certain strategic locations, or otherwise face war. The name for the day comes from Metaxas’ straightforward reply. “No,” he is reputed to have said curtly, following which he added, “Then it is war.”

In response, Italian troops stationed in Albania, which was an Italian protectorate, attacked the Greek border, marking the beginning of Greece’s involvement in World War II. On the morning of Oct. 28, Greeks took to the streets, irrespective of political affiliation, shouting “Ohi.” Since 1942, it has been a national celebration marked annually.

Many dignitaries present

Dignitaries who attended this year’s event organized by the Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal included the Consul General in Montreal for Greece Michalis Gavriilidis, the Ambassador from the Republic of Cyprus Vasilios Philippou, Vimy Liberal MP Eva Nassif, Saint-Laurent Liberal MP Emmanuella Lambropoulos, Park Extension city councillor Mary Deros, Laval city councillor for Chomedey Aglaia Revelakis, Montreal city councillor for Bordeaux-Cartierville Effie Giannou, and local Greek community representatives.

In a keynote address, HCGM president Nicholas Pagonis noted that Ohi Day, which took place near the beginning of WWII, marked the first time an Axis power encountered firm resistance. “That was something remarkable which no other nation at that point in time had been able to achieve,” he said.

The new Greek Consul

In an interview with Newsfirst Multimedia, Consul General Gavriilidis said that in the two months since he arrived in Montreal, he’s already had the opportunity to meet many local Greeks as well as other Canadian citizens and residents. Previously stationed in the Austrian city of Vienna, Gravriilidis’s duties there included multilateral diplomacy.

He takes over responsibilities in Montreal which were previously handled by former Consul General Nicolas Sigalas. “Greeks often need the Greek state next to them to help them get through all the paperwork they sometimes have to do to manage their affairs in Greece,” Gavriilidis said. “The Montreal community is very close to Greece and we are here to support them in any way we can.”

Martin C. Barry

Is marijuana a gateway drug? Is it addictive? Are teenagers vulnerable to the effects of marijuana? Recently Canada became one of the few countries in the world to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes.

The debate surrounding its legalization has been in the spotlight in Canada and most westernized countries. Proponents of legalization frequently point out the huge social, economic, political and law enforcement costs related to the “war on drugs.”

Scientific evidence

Despite all these things, one thing has become certain: Now it is time that to use science to answer to some of the questions relating to the use of cannabis.

In a highly-detailed and scientifically-focused presentation on Oct. 18 at Concordia University’s Loyola Campus on the purely evidence-based aspects of the effects of cannabis on people, Dr. Mary C. Olmstead, a professor of psychology and addictions researcher at Queen’s University, discussed the long-term impact of cannabis use on brain function.

Teenagers most at risk

Although she didn’t necessarily have all the answers to the questions, Dr. Olmstead maintained that continued neuroscience research should inform the development of guidelines for recreational marijuana use in the future, while suggesting that so far the issue has been driven primarily by political considerations. Her exposé also made clear that adolescents are primarily at risk if they start using cannabis.

Regarding the persistent rumor that today’s marijuana is many times stronger than the substance which was produced and smoked by an earlier generation during the 1960s and 1970s, Dr. Olmstead confirmed that in the last 40 or 50 years “the compound composition of cannabis – at least street cannabis – has changed dramatically.

Rising psychoactivity

“In the 1960s, the average cannabis plant that would be confiscated on the street in North America contained around 3 per cent of THC [the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana]. And within the last 10 years this has risen sometimes as high as 30 per cent.”

Conversely, cannabidiol (CBD), another cannabinoid found in marijuana which does not have intoxicating effects and is believed to actually counter THC, has fallen by a comparatively equal amount, she added. “So it really is true that the marijuana that’s on the streets these days is far more potent than it was 40 years ago.”

The ‘gateway drug’ theory

Describing the effects of THC, Dr. Olmstead said that “at relatively low doses there’s often a feeling of euphoria or well-being. As the dose is increased, there’s feelings of anxiety, impaired cognition.”

If she didn’t necessarily debunk certain beliefs often associated with drug abuse, Dr. Olmstead pointed out nonetheless that some ideas, like the notion of a “gateway drug” that invites individuals into full-blown addiction, had its origins in a New York City adolescent drug use study during the 1970s. According to the findings, the use of marijuana always preceded the use of other illicit drugs.

Teenage use of cannabis

“If you’re using cannabis during adolescence, the risk of increased addiction is much higher,” she acknowledged. “In fact, in some of these studies they talk about the linear relationship: the younger you begin, the more you use, the higher the risk. So I would say that is actually not debated.”

Citing other studies involving exposure to harder drugs, she continued, “There is something unique about the adolescent brain that makes it particularly vulnerable to the detrimental effects of drug administration, that seems to be coming across.

Risk of psychiatric disorders

“If cannabis is administered or if there’s a high level of cannabis exposure during this period, then the vulnerability to psychiatric disorders increases dramatically,” she continued, noting that teenagers are particularly vulnerable to psychiatric disorders during adolescence.

Of all the evidence compiled in a review of health problems caused by cannabis, Dr. Olmstead said “the one thing that is emerging that is reasonably conclusive is that in vulnerable individuals, someone who has risk factors for psychotic conditions who begins using cannabis in adolescence, the risk of psychosis is increased.”

TLN

The Giant Steps Foundation hosted its annual general assembly on Oct. 17. The audited financial statements were presented and another terrific year was reported by the foundation. The board members were elected and a review of the events of the year was confirmed. Giant Steps’ annual auction, the school’s largest event for the 2018-2019 year, will be held on May 8 at Le Windsor in downtown Montreal. For more information on this event, please write to foundation@giantstepsmontreal.com.