Laval favourite son, Martin St. Louis Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame
Renata Isopo
Born and raised in Laval, Martin St. Louis was recently accorded hockey’s highest honour – membership in the Hockey Hall of Fame, something he says he will carry in mind, heart, and soul for the rest of his life.
Now 43, the product of Hockey Laval, is an example of accomplishment through hard work, perseverance, dedication, a never-say-die attitude, and lots of blood, sweat and tears – all in the pursuit of excellence, no matter the odds.
Small in stature by height and weight in athletic standards, St. Louis was not deterred by these artificial limitations in his dream of a hockey career, not just professional hockey but hockey at the highest level – the world–renowned National Hockey League (NHL).
Under normal circumstances, players who reach the NHL land there through the league’s annual draft of junior-age players. Rarely does anyone who hasn’t played major junior hockey in Canada, or in any other country that calls hockey a major sport, ever make it to the world’s best league.
Undrafted, but undaunted by the slight from professional scouts who have a large say in who gets drafted, St. Louis beat the odds, securing a contract from the Calgary Flames in 1998, five years after his ‘class of 1993’ was drafted’.
But it wasn’t easy. I came only after four years of skills-honing in top level university hockey, with the University of Vermont Catamounts in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, better known as the NCAA. Pursuing his NHL dream, this hockey dynamo and future NHL superstar earned top-ten honours for the Hokey Baker award for best college hockey player in the U.S. The NCAA includes hundreds of colleges and universities who compete in hockey conferences throughout the United States.
Native born Lavaler, Martin St. Louis accorded hockey’s highest honour—Hockey Hall of Fame
1000 games, 1000 points, Olympic Gold
The early NHL years were full of challenges, obstacles and disappointments for the future hall of famer as he bounced around several NHL and American Hockey League teams. Landing in Tampa Bay in 2000, he went on to play more than 1000 games and record more than 1000 points in a 17-year career, feats of heady heights.
Hockey Hall of Fame membership is rare, earned only by the best of the best. Martin St. Louis would not be denied in his first year of eligibility, after collecting a shelf-full of hockey gold, including a Stanley Cup ring in 2004 with Tampa Bay Lightning. During his fabulous stint in the NHL, he won trophies as most valuable player, top scorer (twice), and most gentlemanly player (three times). Playing in six all-star games, in 2013 at the ripe old age of 37 (for hockey players), he became the oldest Art Ross Trophy (top point getter) winner in NHL history.
In 2014 he capped off stellar runs in international hockey with Olympic Gold for Canada in Sochi, Russia, after helping Canada win several gold medals at the annual World Championships.
“For you, mom.”
“My mom told me to believe in myself and never quit,” St. Louis told family, friends, former teammates and hockey glitterati gathered in Toronto for the 2018 Hockey Hall of Fame ceremonies.
In humility and gratitude, passion dripping with emotion, the tough little competitor thanked parents Normand and France, sister Isabelle, his wife Heather and their sons Ryan, Lucas, and Mason for being his bedrocks.
“I could not have done it without you,” he said, just moments before leaving the podium with a heart-wrenching. “This one’s for you, mom,” in sweet tribute to his mother who passed away a few years ago.
Hôtel de ville de Laval – Laval City Hall. 1 Place du Souvenir, Laval, Québec, Canada.
East End Multi-Service Center
The Executive Committee approved the awarding of a contract in the amount of $ 161,392.71 to Hébert Zurita Danis Smith Architects in exchange for professional services for the conceptual elaboration and technical development of a Multi-Service Center for the east end community of Laval. The City of Laval is looking to install this service center in the strategic area of the Saint-François and Duvernay-East neighborhoods in order to improve accessibility to municipal services in this sector.
This integrated project will be characterized by the presence of a library, a community center including the municipal recreation office satellite (BML) sector 1 and a neighborhood police station.
Settlement of a lot infringement on Fernando-Pessoa Street
In order to resolve a situation of a property infringement that has persisted for many years, the Executive Committee has agreed to authorize the exchange of a city property consisting of two lots with a total area of 3,878.7 m2 and $ 80,500 against another property belonging to the Club Laval-sur-le-Lac, with an approximate area of 3,000.5 m2 and a value of $ 62,000. This exchange is conditional on the payment of a balance of $ 18,500 to be paid to the parks and playgrounds of the City of Laval. These are lots located between the property boundary of the Laval-sur-le-Lac Golf Club and the back yards of properties facing Fernando-Pessoa Street.
Bid solicitation for the supply and installation of gaming equipment
The members of the executive committee agreed to ask for tenders by public bidding for the supply and installation of children’s playground equipment in various parks in the Laval region. The bidders will be asked to propose gaming equipment meeting a series of technical, artistic and thematic criteria established by the City for eleven different locations. This lot assignment approach will allow potential bidders to submit different proposals for different locales making full use of their capabilities and equipment inventory. This will also provide give the City a greater variety of options from which to select.
Grant to Laval Regional Badminton Association
The executive committee has agreed to award a $ 45,000 grant to the Laval Regional Badminton Association (ARB Laval) to support the rental of indoor training areas for badminton. ARB Laval, a non-profit organization, has been an important partner in the development of badminton practice among Laval residents since 2004.
Give a gift
On Saturday December 1st 2018 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Laval’s families are invited to meet Santa Claus at Marcel-Gamache Park. As it is the season of giving, residents are invited to use this occasion to donate toys or books that are in good condition to Santa Claus. He will then make sure that they will be distributed to Laval children in need through local community organizations. The occasion is marked by many family friendly seasonal activities that include; sleigh rides, Christmas music concert, Christmas Ornaments workshop, library activities and plenty of warm coffee and hot chocolate.
Acquisitions for conservation purposes
The Executive Committee recommended for city council approval the acquisition of part of Lot 5,300,267, located in the Auteuil district bordered by Avenue des Terrasses and Rivière des Mille-Îles. The cost of this purchase is $ 963,346 (net taxes included). This transaction is part of the conservation of natural environments program the city has instituted. The Bois d’Auteuil sector is a high value property and has been given a high index of prioritization by the city urban development services. This purchase will help preserve an 18.4 hectares large marshland as well a beautiful natural environment that includes the Brodeur stream.
Final settlement Place Bell lot
The executive committee agreed to recommend for council approval a final conciliation agreement in the Administrative Tribunal of Québec in the City of Laval case against Concorde-Corbusier LP, concerning the acquisition of lot 2 866 043 of the Québec cadastre, on which Place Bell is now built for a sum of $5.6 million. To this amount interest added at the legal rate and the additional indemnity awarded brings the total amount of the settlement to $7,582,400 (tax-free), which constitutes a complete and final settlement.
Naming directors of Laval’s Public Transport Agency (STL)
The executive committee has agreed to recommend for city council approval the reappointment of Mr. Michel Reeves as an independent director of the Société de transport de Laval (STL). This appointment is selected from among residents and transit users of the city of Laval and the renewable term is for four-years. Suzanne Savoie and Mélanie Martel were also named as administrators, chosen from among the residents of the city, for a renewable four-year term.
Appointment of a member of the urban planning advisory committee
In accordance with By-law L-9503 founding the Urban Planning Advisory Committee, the Executive Committee has agreed to appoint Mr. Omar Waedh as a resident member of the City of Laval of the Planning Advisory Committee, for a term of office of two years, renewable. This committee is composed of 8 members. Four members are selected from the members of the City Council and four members are chosen from the residents of the City of Laval.
City representative on the Board of Directors of the Corporation du Centre du Sablon
The Executive Committee will recommend to city council the appointment of Mrs. Hélène Milot as a director on the Board of Directors of La Corporation du Center du Sablon for a renewable term of 2 years. The Board of Directors of The Corporation du Center du Sablon is composed of seven members, including six elected from among the user members, non-resident users or volunteers of the Center and a director appointed by the city council of the city of Laval.
Nomination to the toponymy committee
The members of the executive committee agreed to recommend to the municipal council the appointments of Mr. Pierre Bibeau, Madame Dominique Bodeven, Mrs. Alexandra Lemarcis and Mrs. Mireille Lacombe as members of the toponymy committee. Theirs is a two-year renewable mandate.
A toponymy committee, made up of Laval citizens and an elected representative, was created to implement the Toponymic Naming Policy. On the basis of the analysis and choice criteria set out in this policy, the mandate of the committee has the responsibility of analyzing any toponymic name request and forward recommendations to the Laval administration.
From the left, Sainte-Rose CAQ MNA Christopher Skeete, Quebec Finance Minister Éric Girard who is also Minister Responsible for Laval, Laval mayor Marc Demers, Duvernay-Pont-Viau city councillor Stéphane Boyer who is also vice-president of the Laval executive-committee, Marc-Aurèle-Fortin city councillor Gilbert Dumas, Chantal Rouleau, Minister Delegated for Transport and Minister Responsible for the Metropolitan Montreal region, are seen here during a ceremony to sign the City of Laval’s Golden Book.
(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.
Marking the 75th Anniversary of the independence of AL-JUMHO-URIYA-AL-LUBNANIYA (Lebanon) at Laval City Hall
Renata Isopo
At the November meeting of Laval City Council, Mayor Marc Demers made a special announcement in recognition of the 75th 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 100th 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 10th. 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.
Mayor Marc Demers surrounded by his loyal female councilors and president for the black bow tie event.
“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.
CISSS de Laval president and executive-director Caroline Barbir.
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.
Right, CISSS de Laval president and executive-director Caroline Barbir provides details of the agency’s most recent fiscal year, with board member Jean-Claude Beaudry beside her.
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.
The CISSS de Laval, which oversees public and health and social services in the Laval region, held its annual general meeting at Cité de la Santé on Nov. 15.
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.
From the left, Independent city councillor David De Cotis, Action Laval Interim Leader Achille Cifelli, Chomedey city councillor Aglaia Revelakis and Senator Leo Housakos during the Action Laval brunch.
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).
Action Laval councillor for Chomedey Aglaia Revelakis had to wipe away tears at times while acknowledging the applause and appreciation from party members during a fifth anniversary brunch held at the Palace last Sunday.
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.
Members of the organizing committee of the Action Laval brunch are seen here at the Palace with Action Laval city councillor Aglaia Revelakis and interim leader Achille Cifelli (both at centre).
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.”
The current issue of the Laval News volume 26-22 published November 21, 2018, (Laval’s English Newspaper), covers local events such as politics, sports and human-interest stories. It features editorials and other columns. Click on the image to read the paper.
Front page of Laval News, Vol.26-22 November 21, 2018.
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.
Power and Politics at Laurier School Board: Chris Eustace, activist and defender of English educational rights during question period.
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.
Power and Politics at Laurier School Board: From left: Newly elected James Di Sano, Commissioner, Paolo Galati (Chairperson) Anick Brunet (Chairperson)
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.
