(TLN) Laval mayor Marc Demers had the opportunity recently to meet face-to-face with Minister Delegated for Transport Chantal Rouleau, as well as Minister of Finance and Minister for the Metropolitan Region Éric Girard and Sainte-Rose MNA Christopher Skeete.

Accompanied by Duvernay-Pont Viau city councillor and executive-committee vice-president Stéphane Boyer, and Marc-Aurèle-Fortin city councillor Gilbert Dumas who oversees mass transit issues in the region, the officials discussed the priorities for Laval with regards to transportation, as well as the financing of sports and cultural activities infrastructures in Laval.

Renata Isopo

At the November meeting of Laval City Council, Mayor Marc Demers made a special announcement in recognition of the 75^th anniversary of the independence of Lebanon from France, an event which dates back to 1943.

.  Noting that 20,000 people of Lebanese origin call Laval home, Demers emphasized the important contributions in business, finance,  technology, education, culture, entertainment, and politics made by this community to the vibrant life of Quebec’s third largest city.

The mayor proudly acknowledged, in particular, the presence on Council of Aram Elagoz, Sandra El Helou, and Ray Khalil, all three of Lebanese origin. The Lebanese community will be celebrating its Independence Day on November 22 at the Lebanese Festival.

Apparently, you can fight city hall

On the ‘more of the same’ side of the council session, citizens voiced the usual complaints and objections over ridiculous and inconvenient bicycle paths, excessive parking issues, and  extending the pink line of the metro system to St. Vincent de Paul (Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante’s plan).

The environment once again took center stage, drawing ire and anger from concerned citizens demanding explanations, solutions, and resolutions to ecological issues that have been put on the back burner, in the opinion residents.

.  Problems of traffic management, reduced road safety, and severely restricted parking  were brought to Council by angry residents of Louis Payette Avenue, in Chomedey. The complaints specifically came down hard on bicycle paths situated on both sides, creating a narrow and dangerous street for vehicles and for snow removal. Pointing to severely reduced parking, residents were fit to be tied.

Mayor Demers explained that the paths were conceived and developed, taking safety into consideration. With the anger of residents threatening to rise to a crescendo, Demers exercised suitable prudence and discretion in promising to launch an investigation of the bicycle paths and the surrounding issues presented by the numerous residents of Louis Payette in attendance at the meeting.

To the mayor’s credit, action on this problem was swift, considering how slowly move the wheels of politicians when it comes to solving problems raised by taxpayers. On Friday, November 16, 2018 residents of Louis-Payette Avenue received a public notice from Philippe A. Guilbeault, Chef de division, Relations avec le milieu, announcing the simultaneous closing, for the winter (November 15 – April 14) of the bicycle path and reopening of parking on both sides of the Avenue between Curé Labelle Boulevard and 100^th Avenue. New signs for alternate parking will be installed in the next couple of days, says Guilbeault in his public notice. It is stipulated that on the respective north and south sides of the Avenue, vehicles will have to park within the bicycle path limits on days when it is allowed. Kudos for citizens who spoke up and congratulations to city hall for responding to their legitimate concerns.

A clean environment and green Infrastructure

Vimont resident Yannick Langlois raised several environmental issues, addressing  questions to Vimont councilor  Michel Poissant.  In his response Poissant stated that there are recommendations to take action to make the city of Laval a healthier, cleaner, and more vibrant place to live.

Mayor Demers disclosed that an array of sensible strategies and goals to improve the environment and livability were already under discussion. These include lowering energy costs through energy efficiency improvements, expanding mobility with more public transportation, and the continuation of free transportation for senior citizens which is already in effect.

Ste-Rose councilor Virginie Dufour addressed the issue of climate change and reminded everyone of the Montreal demonstration planned for November 10^th.  Of major interest to all municipalities and their mayors, the Montreal march was to set out a series of potential short-term/long term actions for municipalities to take to improve the environment.  Laval residents were expected to join the demonstration.

The goals consist of improving air and water quality, ensure responsible use of land and green space, increase resource efficiency, and promote awareness to save the community and the planet from pollution and global warming.

Mayor Demers described the plan as an integrated approach to recognizing the strong  dependency of the environment, the economy, and society on each other.

“Step up to help, buy a black bow tie, join the ‘Bowember’ campaign in the fight against prostate cancer” – says Mayor Marc Demers

 Renata Isopo

At the November meeting of Laval City Council, mayor Marc Demers elegantly sported a black bow tie looking rather debonair, as did other members of Council who also wore the tie. The black bow tie has become the symbol of the fight against prostate cancer in Québec.

Demers humbly kicked off the meeting by publicly revealing his personal battle with this insidious disease that afflicts so many men throughout the world. He assured that his illness is under control and not at a life-threatening stage.  “It is the least aggressive form,” he stated.

More importantly, he also declared his active support of the campaign to raise public awareness of prostate cancer, calling for community involvement in helping to raise funds for research into the causes of the cancer and toward the development of treatment and eventual cures for those affected.

Proudly pointing to the black bow tie he was sporting, the veteran politician and ex-police officer threw out a challenge to everyone in the Council chamber and beyond to endorse the “Bowvember” campaign by buying a bow tie. The money raised goes directly to support programs and projects sorely needed to help save lives.

Demers, ever the eloquent and articulate speaker in both of Canada’s official languages, is taking the fight against prostate cancer very seriously, making the rounds of local and regional media in the past couple of weeks in a concerted effort to raise awareness and appeal to the population at large to do their part in beating the disease.

Last week his voice connected with the 150,000 residents of the Greater Montreal area who listen in on the Andrew Carter morning show on CJAD radio 800. In a typical interview characteristic of Carter’s genuine commitment to community causes and his unstinting support of legitimate appeals for help, Demers bared his soul in a moving 10 minutes of air time that reached across the airwaves and into the hearts of listeners.

In addition to, and concurrent with his illness, the mayor has also dealt with an enormous amount of political pressure the past six months. The Mouvement Lavallois party which the mayor has headed since 2012 in partnership with founder David De Cotis, in late spring of 2018 showed signs of falling apart, washing its dirty linen in a public display of disunity full of recriminations, accusations, innuendos, and denials on both sides of the rift which saw Demers and De Cotis on opposite sides.

To the audience in general,  to the councilors loyal to the mayor, and perhaps to the ‘rebels’ as well, the sight of Marc Demers back on the rails and raring to go must have been heart-warming, despite the differences, disagreements, and disappointments of the past few months.

Martin C. Barry

CISSS de Laval, which is the agency that oversees management of public health and social services in the Laval region, finished its latest fiscal year with a deficit of $2,747,565, the CISSS board reported during their annual general meeting at Cité de la Santé on Nov. 15.

Most revenue from Quebec

“What we are presenting to you today is an abbreviated version of the significant accomplishments of the CISSS de Laval over the last year,” said CISSS de Laval president and executive-director Caroline Barbir, adding that a complete version of the annual report in digital format can be downloaded from the CISSS de Laval website.

According to figures outlining revenues and expenses at CISSS de Laval for the period ending last March 31, the agency had total revenues of $894,551, 329, of which $803,230,141 were subsidies received from the Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services.

A $2.75 million shortfall

More than $90 million in revenue was from user fees and other sources. Most of the CISSS’s expenses were from salaries ($525,146,934), and more than $75 million for medications and medical supplies. In the end, expenses exceeded revenues by nearly $2.75 million.

Of the $24,213,174 the agency allotted in the last fiscal year to affiliated health and social service community organizations in Laval, the largest amount ($5,553,321) was to groups dealing with mental health issues, followed by general health and social services ($4,255,507), support for seniors with loss of autonomy ($4,202,067) and troubled youths ($3,581,149). The smallest amount ($1,047,591) was allotted to organizations in Laval dealing with substance abuse problems.

Emergency waits down

According to Barbir, the CISSS succeeded last year in reducing emergency department waiting times by 2.2 hours compared to 2016-17 and “we continue to work on this issue.”

As well, she continued, the CISSS’s implementation of a nurse practitioner program (through which registered nurses could take additional training to enable them to prescribe some medications) was completed successfully by 90 per cent of the nurses who applied.

Signing up for family doctors

During the same period, the CISSS succeeded in persuading more than 22,000 Laval residents to sign up to become patients of family practitioners, for an increase of 4.7 per cent, raising the number of residents now enrolled to 77.1 per cent.

In terms of providing palliative care services, CISSS de Laval provided this service to 943 persons for a 3.5 per cent increase over the previous year. For services involving intellectual disabilities or autism spectrum disorders, the CISSS says that since 2016-17 they were able to reduce the average wait time by 102 days for such services for children less than 5 years old.

Six psychologists hired

For psychiatric services, they say 13 additional beds for short-term mental illness stays have been made available. As well, more than six new employment positions were created for psychologists in this sector of activity within the CISSS.

For its formal user complaints procedures, the CISSS de Laval reported a drastic rise in the number of general complaints filed by service users in 2017-18 (724), compared to 2016-17 (482). There was an 88 per cent increase in the number of complaints (77) of a medical nature.

In all, 65 complaint files were dealt, with 19 being the subject of recommendations on how to improve services. Conversely, 28 complaint files were rejected. Out of all the complaints, only four were referred to CISSS authorities for possible disciplinary measures. The department that was primarily the target of the complaints was the emergency.

Martin C. Barry

When friends and supporters of the Action Laval municipal party gathered at the Palace convention centre for their annual brunch last Sunday morning, they held a double celebration.

Not only was it the fifth anniversary of the founding of the party, but it was also the fifth consecutive year for Aglaia Revelakis as the Action Laval city councillor for the district of Chomedey.

A base of supporters

More than 400 people – including many moms, dads and kids – turned up for the event, which drew some notable people from other levels of politics.

Among them were Senator Leo Housakos, Laval-les Îles Liberal MP Fayçal El-Khoury, Alfred-Pellan Liberal MP Angelo Iacono, Montreal city councillor for Park Extension Mary Deros, and Independent Laval city councillor David De Cotis (formerly deputy mayor and former vice-president of the city’s executive-committee).

Crossing all boundaries

Housakos acknowledged it isn’t often a member of Canada’s Upper Chamber sees fit to outwardly express support for a deserving municipal representative.

“I don’t support municipal political parties and haven’t since I got named to the Senate – but I do support people who have integrity and who work hard for their constituents,” said Housakos, whose principal residence is in the Montreal borough of Saint-Laurent, although he was raised in Laval and his parents still live here.

Has Senator’s support

“I never forget that, even though I’m in the Senate of Canada, that politics is local and is always about people. And Aglaia Revelakis is one of those municipal politicians who loves her community, loves the people she represents and is a tireless servant for them.”

Although De Cotis – who founded the Mouvement Lavallois but had a falling out last June with Mayor Marc Demers – now sits as an independent member of the opposition, he said in an interview with the Laval News that he is still a Mouvement Lavallois card-carrying member.

“My status is that I’m still with the Mouvement Lavallois,” he said, noting that he renewed his ML membership last May. “I still have a membership with the Mouvement Lavallois party. I’m here today just to support the strong opposition that’s required in the City of Laval for the people of Laval to have a true and democratic process.”

Constructive criticism

Action Laval was founded in 2013, on the eve of the elections of the same year, by former Laval mayoralty candidate Jean-Claude Gobé and a few supporters.

Since then, Action Laval members have distinguished themselves in and outside Laval city council with rigorous criticism of the Demers administration, along with what they says is an unconditional defence of the interests of Laval residents. Today, the party is led by Achille ‘Archie’ Cifelli, serving as interim leader, and is represented on Laval city council by its sole elected member – Aglaia Revelakis.

Five years of work

“Five years now,” said Cifelli. “We have been working for five years to represent the interests of thousands of Laval residents, to defend their rights and to promote their interests. But also five years that Aglaia Revelakis has proudly represented Action Laval at city hall. We are proud of her work.”

Cifelli declared that a 3-step plan to get Action Laval ready for the next election in 2021, and which was first presented to the media last May, is being followed. It consists of the following: To re-structure Action Laval with new bylaws; To elect a new Leader, through a democratic process; To convince voters that Action Laval is the alternative to Marc Demers and to win the next elections.

Moving forward, says Cifelli

“The first step is completed,” continued Cifelli. “We will invite the members to the general assembly at the beginning of 2019 to adopt our new bylaws. We are moving forward.” It was with a standing ovation that Revelakis stepped onto the stage to speak in English, French and Greek. Holding back tears at times, she thanked the citizens of Chomedey for their support and confidence.

“I am privileged and honored to represent an district that is so unique,” said Revelakis. “Chomedey is the district that is the most mosaic in Laval. For this reason, Chomedey is in my heart. As the municipal councillor for Chomedey, I have been present for my citizens and I work for them to help find solutions to their problems. The citizens of Chomedey are my priority. Chomedey is my priority.”

TLN

During his official bilateral visit, Prime Minister Trudeau met with Armen Sarkissian, President of the Republic of Armenia, and Nikol Pashinyan, Armenian Prime Minister, to further strengthen the strong relationship between Canada and Armenia. The leaders discussed their intention to begin talks on expanding air services between Canada and Armenia, which would facilitate travel, tourism, and trade, and strengthen the ties between the people in both countries. Prime Minister Trudeau also launched the Arnold Chan Initiative for Democracy in Armenia. He made the announcement in the company of Member of Parliament Jean Yip, in memory of her husband, Member of Parliament Arnold Chan, who passed away last year and was the former co-leader of the Canada-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group. The initiative will help develop democratic institutions and strengthen the democratic process in Armenia. It will also support various projects aimed at protecting the right to education and the empowerment of women and girls, encouraging young people’s participation in the democratic process, and promoting the sustainable development of communities through environmental education.

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.