The magnitude 7.8 quake was the strongest to hit the country since 1979. It was centered on Ecuador’s fishing ports and tourist beaches, about 170 kilometers northwest of the capital of Quito.

The Public Health Agency of Canada is collaborating with federal and provincial public health partners to investigate an outbreak of Hepatitis A infections in three provinces linked to the frozen fruit product: Nature’s Touch Organic Berry Cherry Blend. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued a food recall warning advising Canadians of the recall of the frozen fruit product that has been distributed in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Public Health Agency of Canada advises Canadians not to consume the frozen fruit product Nature’s Touch Organic Berry Cherry Blend sold exclusively at Costco warehouse locations in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador.  If you suspect you have been exposed to the recalled product, or have symptoms consistent for Hepatitis A, see your health care provider immediately. Vaccination can prevent the onset of symptoms if given within two weeks of exposure.

The overall risk to Canadians is low. Hepatitis A is a disease that can cause inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis A can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months. You can get the Hepatitis A virus by eating contaminated food or water or through contact with an infected person’s stool. Adequate vaccination can protect against the Hepatitis A virus.

Investigation Summary
Currently, there are 12 cases of Hepatitis A in three provinces related to this outbreak: Ontario (9), Quebec (2), and Newfoundland and Labrador (1). Individuals became sick in February and March of this year. Some of the individuals who became ill have reported eating the recalled product. The majority of cases (58%) are male, with an average age of 37 years. Three cases have been hospitalized.

Who is most at risk?
Hepatitis A infections can occur among people of all ages; however, symptoms are likely to be more severe among the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.

What you should do to protect your health?
If you have Nature’s Touch Organic Berry Cherry Blend frozen fruit in your home, do not eat this product. For more information on this product including stores that these products were sold at, please read the recall notice.

If you are unsure whether a frozen fruit product you have in your home is part of the food recall warning, do not consume it. Secure the product in a plastic bag, throw it out and wash your hands with warm soapy water.

Symptoms
People infected with Hepatitis A can have a wide range of symptoms. Some do not get sick at all, though they can still spread the infection to others. Others may experience symptoms including fatigue and jaundice.

Most people with Hepatitis A develop the following symptoms two to seven weeks after being infected with the virus:

• fever
• loss of appetite
• stomach cramps
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
• dark urine
• fatigue

Symptoms are usually mild, and the illness usually lasts one to two weeks. Although severe cases can last several months, most people recover without treatment. It is rare for healthy adults to die from Hepatitis A, and the illness does not become chronic.

There is an approved vaccine for Hepatitis A. If you are immune to the Hepatitis A (because you already had the virus or you have been vaccinated), this will last your entire life.

What the Government of Canada is doing
The Government of Canada is committed to food safety. The Public Health Agency of Canada is leading the human health investigation of this outbreak and is in regular contact with its federal and provincial partners to monitor and take collaborative steps to address the outbreak.

Health Canada provides food-related health risk assessments to determine if the presence of a certain substance or microorganism poses a health risk to consumers.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency conducts food safety investigations into the possible food source of an outbreak.

The Government of Canada will continue to update Canadians if new information related to this investigation becomes available.

(SOURCE: Public Health Agency of Canada)

Doris was known as playing Raymond’s mom on “Everyone loves Raymond”, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”, “Gramma’s Boy” and many other telephone shows.  On Sunday Doris passed away at the ago of 90.  She is survived by her son Michael.

Laval, April 5, 2016 – David De Cotis, President of the STL’s Board of Directors; Guy Picard, Director General of the STL (Société de transport de Laval), and Chantal Provost, President and Director General of the Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de Laval, are pleased to announce the launch of a new on-call shared taxi service for the Eastern Industrial Park between boulevards Lite and Leman. The Omni Brokerage Group Ltd has also joined the process, representing the area’s businesses.

“The STL is working in close collaboration with local actors to find adapted solutions that meet the needs of clients” explains David De Cotis. “When the Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de Laval and Omni Brokerage Group Ltd contacted us, we listened to their needs and developed a tangible solution”.

The route, stops and schedule for the taxi service are all established in advance, allowing for transfers to and from the regular STL network. The service has over 80 departures seven days a week. Clients who would like to use the service must reserve a spot at one of the scheduled stops by calling Co-Op Taxi Laval at 450 688-8700.

Reservations must be made at least 30 minutes before the departure time. To use the service, clients must be at the stop location they requested and show the driver their OPUS chip card with a valid fare for public transportation on the STL network. Information about the on-call taxi service is available at stl.laval.qc.ca, under the schedules and routes tab.

The issue of access to the industrial park via public transportation was raised by Chantal Provost following discussions at the Chambre’s business members’ meetings held in the fall. This collaboration between the STL and the Chambre came about following reflections on adapted transportation solutions to reduce the costs associated with commuting by car and to encourage greater accessibility for workers.

Nancy Salloum, Human Resources Director for the Omni Brokerage Group Ltd adds that “the implementation of an on-call shared taxi service is a solution that suits us perfectly for the time being. This service provides our employees with the advantages of public transit and allows us to determine the popularity of this type of service by the project’s end in December 2016. “

Guy Picard concluded by stating that “our mission is offering quality service to all taxpayers in the City of Laval. We have a team that truly understands how to implement optimal solutions that are best adapted to the specific needs of our clients.”

At a recent Council of Commissioners meeting Chomedey MNA Guy Ouellette was honoured for his contribution in education. Mr. Ouellette received a mural created by various students.

The following note was on the Sir Wilfrid Laurier school board’s Facebook page:

“At this evening’s council meeting, the Chairperson as well as council honoured MNA Guy Ouellette for his implication and contribution to our schools! Mr. Ouellette is a proud supporter of our school board and for that we are very grateful! We had a mural with students drawing made for his office in Laval! Thank you Mr. Ouellette! ”

The mural has been placed -for all to see- as you enter Mr. Oullettes Chomedey riding office.

Mr. Dimitris Illias and Mrs. Maria Diamantis were also honored that night, along with the teachers involved in the Golden Touch project:

“Thank you to Dimitris Illias, Maria Diamantis, and the teachers involved in The Golden Touch musical production. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed! Your passion is contagious and your dedication admirable!”

Martin C. Barry

Presenting the City of Laval’s revised Master Urban Plan earlier this week following years of preparation, Mayor Marc Demers said citizens will very shortly begin seeing the city’s central area blossoming into a true downtown core worthy of a major municipality.

A vision for the future

“Basically what this plan is saying is this is how we want to develop Laval for the next 25 years,” Demers said in an interview with the Laval News following a press conference for the unveiling at Collège Letendre in the heart of the city’s education district on de l’Avenir Blvd.

The Master Urban Plan is being updated after not being revised since 1990. It now goes to local public consultation, following which it will be examined by the Montreal Metropolitan Community and finally by the Quebec government. Beginning late next year, the plan will form the basis for further development in Laval over the next quarter-century through municipal zoning and by-laws.

Development downtown

According to the mayor, development in Laval’s downtown – which is beginning to fill up although there are still many bare patches – will start accelerating in 2017 when the plan is finally in place. “Within the next five years there’ll be over $1 billion invested in the centre-ville by private investors,” he told the Laval News.

“A strategic vision inspires the development of a city, while a master urban plan demonstrates more substantially the major orientations of planning, as well as the goals and the actions needed,” said city manager Serge Lamontagne. He said the major actions the city plans to make include concentrating on Laval’s agricultural areas, identifying the nature preserves which need to be conserved, the consolidation of transit Oriented Development (TOD), determining the crucial district poles and the downtown, and fixing maximal heights for buildings.

Height restrictions coming

“We’re finally going to be dealing with heights,” said Councillor Paolo Galati who represents the eastern Laval district of St-Vincent-de-Paul. “Right now there’s no regulation as to how high you can go. But soon each territory will have a limit. And the only place that won’t have a limit is the downtown area which is very particular. We’re really focusing on rebuilding the city and giving it a distinct image and a new vision for the next 15 to 25 years.”

Planning the future layout of the City of Laval is taking place in conjunction with a specific principle the Demers administration adopted shortly after being elected in 2013. It foresees all future development occurring while taking into account Laval’s basic rural, urban and industrial components. The stance was taken to ensure that development takes place in a balanced manner, laying the ground for a city truly in step with 21^st century values.

Preserving historic legacy

The Master Urban Plan will also be taking into account the historic legacy present in many buildings throughout the city. Vasilios Karidogiannis, the councillor for the district of Abord-à-Plouffe, sees this as a valuable tool for the preservation of tradition not only in his area but across Laval. “I’m very proud that this is going to be the legacy of the administration from 2013 to 2017,” he said of the plan.

Information about the revised Master Urban Plan, including a complete version with details and facts, can be seen at the web site www.repensonslaval.ca. As well, the city will be holding public information sessions on May 16, 18, 24 and 25 at 7 pm, during which the plan will be explained in detail and questions can be asked.