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Watering your lawn: not a free for all

Local News

May 31, 2020

Canadians can no longer be assured that our waters are abundant, safe and secure.

By Dimitris Ilias

Canadians have always been enamoured with nature. A well-kept lawn, just like in England, is considered by many a sign of respect, love of nature and care towards your property. Part of taking care of your lawn is watering it especially when you put in new grass. Here in Canada, being the world’s third largest per-capita freshwater reserve, we have been spoiled in the way we use fresh water. When in other countries water is rationed, taxed heavily and sold as a commodity, here it can be used freely to water your lawn. Well…could be used freely but not lately. Canadians can no longer be assured that our waters are abundant, safe and secure. As global temperatures continue to increase, our glaciers melt, permafrost thaws, river flows become unpredictable and lakes warm and fill with toxic algae.

North Shore cities join forces
Keeping these hard realities in mind, the cities of Blainville, Boisbriand, Mirabel and Sainte-Thérèse are joining forces to deploy a vast communication campaign aimed at emphasizing that when it comes to watering, we should not exaggerate. These cities have changed their regulations to better distribute the consumption of drinking water necessary for lawn maintenance and landscaping. The new schedule has been in effect since April 15.
“We all buy our water from the same place in Sainte Thérèse which has the filtration plant so it makes sense for all of the client cities to have a common strategy” said Boisbriand mayor Marlene Cordato.
In addition to provoking a reflection among citizens regarding excessive watering, the cities hope that this campaign will raise awareness among the population of more efficient management of drinking water consumption. It is important for all citizens to mobilize and take significant action to preserve, particularly during the summer period, this unfortunately exhaustible and expensive resource.

Watering tips
Some tips can help maintain land while reducing its water consumption, such as:
Installing a rainwater collection barrel.
Redirect the water from the gutters into the flowerbeds or onto the lawn.
Avoid cutting the lawn during dry periods and keep the lawn 6 cm high so that it retains more moisture.
Practice grass cycling, which consists of leaving the cut grass on the ground when mowing.
Use a rain gauge to find out how much water has fallen on the lawn, as only 2 to 3 cm per week is enough to keep the lawn healthy. If you have not already done so, citizens are invited to program their automatic sprinkler according to the schedule in effect in their municipality. Consult the section Drinking Water of the City’s Internet site for the new regulations in force.

Rules
Automatic watering with programmable buried sprinklers set to the different times and schedules allowed for each zone and city. For the older mechanical types thy can opened and closed manually as per the schedules for each city.
Hand held gun watering as well as washing of vehicles and watering of flowers is allowed at all times on the condition of strictly using the water necessary for these ends.
Pool filling is permitted every day between midnight and 4 p.m.

Seeding and new peat
During seeding or sodding work, it is possible to obtain a temporary watering authorization allowing automatic watering or mechanical, without schedule restrictions. “We ask people to call and obtain this permit” said Cordato. For the first time in 2020 this kind of permit is also available online. They are free fore Boisbriand but could carry a price tag in other cities, they have a limit of days that can be used and are not renewable.

Use of drinking water for other purposes
It is prohibited to use water from the Municipal aqueduct to clean parking areas and paved driveways.
However, it is permitted to use water from the Municipal aqueduct to clean parking areas and
paved driveways on the strict condition that the cleaning is done with a self-closing lance and that it aims to prepare the surface to receive a protective coating or sealer.
It is prohibited to use the water from the municipal aqueduct to ensure the functioning of a fountain, a waterfall, an artificial waterfall or any such arrangement, unless such arrangement
is provided with a water recirculation pump.

Sainte Thérèse water purification plant
All of these measures are taken by the cities in order to reduce the strain at the filtration plant which serves over 120,000 people. Built in the 1950s, its initial capacity of 13,600 m³ / d but was upgraded many times (1965, 1979, 1992-1993) to reach 126,000 m³ / d in 2008. It was automated during the last upgrade (2005-2008) . The plant has now a daily production capacity of 128 000 m³

My name is COVID-19…and I am not alive! (Part 2)

Featured

Dimitris Ilias

May 31, 2020

My name is COVID-19…and I am not alive! (Part 2)

An in-depth interview with Dr. Christos Karatzios, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics/Infectious Diseases – Montréal Children’s Hospital

Dimitris Ilias

In the continuation of our discussion with Dr. Karatzios we explore more in depth our immune system. This magnificent and intelligent defensive organ in our bodies. We also cover the similarities and differences of Covid-19 with SARS-1 which vanished a few months after it scared the entire world in 2002.

Our immune system always needs training but…
“If you live in a bubble all your life, then your immune system is not trained and does not have memory of things that are out there” said Dr. Karatzios. “Let’s say you live in this bubble and have never been vaccinated then if you venture outside for the first time, you will invariably get sick”. Dr. Karatzios brought as an example how little children with “virgin” immune systems get sick all the time when they first go to school for the first couple of years. Then they come home less sick as their immune system learns how to deal with the different microorganisms. So in a way isolation during covid does not give our immune system the opportunity to spar. As Dr. Karatzios noted, if covid would only give us mild symptoms like a cold, then yes, the immune system should get its time in the gym. “The problem is that this virus we’re looking at so much problems-10% of the people infected end up in the ICU. So do you want to end up in the ICU? And do we have enough ICU beds? No!” emphasized Dr. Karatzios.

Mortality rate
There has been a lot of talk about the mortality rate of this virus that Dr. Karatzios does not care too much about. “We don’t have a good measure of what the mortality rate is. We need to be understood is that to get an accurate mortality rate you need to have a denominator. Number of people that died over number of people infected. Right now, we have no idea how many people have been infected. All we are doing is doing throat swabs of the people that have been sick. How about those that did not go to the hospital and others that were asymptomatic. What we see now is the tip of the iceberg” said the doctor adding that there are probably 50 to 100 times more people infected that we never knew about.

Mutations
Like the flu virus, covid-19 mutates. For the moment it appears that it mutates slowly which is good news. I asked the doctor if it could mutate to a stain less dangerous and less virulent than now.
“It has to mutate in a such a way as to lose its virulence. SARS-1 disappeared. It started November 2002 with a huge mortality rate of 10% and then by July 2003 it was gone” said Dr. Karatzios. Apparently, there are some indications that covid is beginning to show the same signs as SARS-1 but we have not yet peaked in cases all over the world. It is too early to foster hope that the virus will mutate in a way to make itself extinct.

Covid-19 and SARS 1
They are in essence brothers. They are both coronaviruses which came from bats. SARS-1 went from bat to civet cat to human and Covid-19, from bat to pangolin to human. Covid-19 is however a much meaner brother (Complex is the word Dr. Karatzios used) because of all these immune over exaggerations that it causes which have led to thrombotic events, kidney failure and lung emboli. It has caused more stroke type events compared to SARS 1 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).

Testing
Testing speed is a crucial factor in outbreak management. Knowing whether a patient has coronavirus means health care workers know how to act: what treatment to provide; where to place patients in a hospital, especially in communities with dedicated COVID-19 wards; and whether medical staff seeing the patient should conserve or deploy personal protective equipment.
We discussed testing as a possible means to contain the outbreak. I asked if it were possible, eventually to have tests with fast results and in great numbers, isolating immediately any carriers. “We need to have point of care tests that we do not have at the moment” said Dr. Karatzios. You also need to be able to detect all the asymptomatic cases and isolate them as well. “South Korea was able to do it and they are right next to China. They did not close down their economy. They also had excellent virology labs and they were able to test relentlessly while using apps on their phones not to mention that they are a mask wearing society” added the doctor.

North Shore News Volume 16-11

Archives

GBAdmin

May 29, 2020

Front page of the North Shore News Volume 16-11, published May 29th, 2020.
Click on the image to read the paper.

North Shore News: Volume 16 Number 11. May 29th, 2020.

Here is a list of previous issues:

Parc-Extension News 28-10, May 15, 2020.
Parc-Extension News 28-09, April 29, 2020.
Parc-Extension News 28-08, April 15, 2020.
Parc-Extension News 28-07, April 01, 2020.
Parc-Extension News 28-06, March 18, 2020.
Parc-Extension News 28-05, March 04, 2020.
Parc-Extension News 28-04, February 19, 2020.
Parc-Extension News 28-03, February 05, 2020.
Parc-Extension News 28-02, January 22, 2020.
Parc-Extension News 28-01, January 08, 2020.

The CISSS des Laurentides is looking for host families for young people

Local News

Dimitris Ilias

May 28, 2020

The CISSS des Laurentides is looking for host families for young people

The Integrated Center for Health and Social Services (CISSS) in the Laurentians is actively looking for interested and qualified people to become host families for young people aged 0 to 17.
The shortage of resources is still as great for this clientele, regardless of the current COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, the Laurentides region is facing a significant increase in accommodation requests.
The CISSS des Laurentides asks people who have acquired knowledge in the health and social services network or a life experience with this age group to express their interest in becoming a foster family for a child in large need.
All measures will be put in place to avoid the gathering of people wishing to obtain information as to the different basic criteria for becoming host families. New digital technologies now offer the possibility of holding meetings remotely, thus facilitating information sharing.
For the president and chief executive officer of CISSS des Laurentides, Mrs. Rosemonde Landry, the need for foster families for this clientele remains an important issue: “Even during a pandemic, our teams continue to work. Since the schools reopened, our staff has resumed their activities in a more sustained manner. Our children need you. Help us provide them with a healthy and safe environment. “

Consumers advised to stop using Akwaton International Multipurpose Wipes

Local News

Dimitris Ilias

May 28, 2020

Consumers advised to stop using Akwaton International Multipurpose Wipes

Health Canada is advising Canadians to stop using Akwaton International Multipurpose Wipes. These disinfectant wipes are labelled to contain polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride (PHMG) which is used as a biocidal disinfectant, but it is not approved for use in Canada. It can cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction, especially in vulnerable populations such as children.
This product has not been authorized by Health Canada, which means it has not been reviewed for its safety, efficacy or quality.
Since January 2019, Fosfaton-Akwaton International Ltd has distributed an estimated 588 boxes (25 wipes per box) in Canada. In addition to not being authorized by Health Canada, the product expired in November 2015. As a result, the active ingredient may no longer be effective and the water in the product may have evaporated, raising the concentration of PHMG.
What consumers should do
• Stop using this product. Please follow municipal or regional guidelines on how to dispose of chemicals and other hazardous waste. You may also return the product to your local pharmacy for proper disposal.
• Consult with your health care professional if you have used this product and have health concerns.
• Read product labels to verify that health products have been authorized for sale by Health Canada. Authorized health products have an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), Natural Product Number (NPN) or Homeopathic Drug Number (DIN-HM). You can also check whether products have been authorized for sale by searching Health Canada’s Drug Product Database and Licensed Natural Health Product Database.
• Report any health product adverse events or complaints to Health Canada.

What Health Canada is doing
• Health Canada has requested a stop sale and advertising of the unauthorized product to Canadians.
• If Health Canada identifies additional retailers or distributors, the department will take appropriate action and inform Canadians.

Bois-des-Filion among seven municipalities awarded for occupational health and safety

Local News

Dimitris Ilias

May 26, 2020

The 2020 general assembly of occupational health and safety prevention mutuals of the Union of Quebec Municipalities (UMQ) was held on May 26th 2020 online.
On this occasion, the UMQ awarded, for the ninth consecutive year, awards of excellence to seven municipalities to highlight their exceptional performance for the years 2018-2019 within mutuals, both in terms of prevention and funding in terms of occupational health and safety and the management of occupational accidents.
The Union congratulated the winning municipalities and encourage its members to continue their prevention efforts in order to ensure safer workplaces for their employees, particularly in the context of the health crisis caused by the pandemic of COVID-19.
Apart from Bois-des-Filion, Joliette, MRC Etchemins, Matagami, Saint-Lazare, Saint-Raymond and Val-d’Or also were awarded.
About mutual OHS UMQ
Coordinated by the Carrefour du capital humain of the UMQ, Mutuelles de prévention en santé et sécurité du travail, bring together more than a hundred municipalities. They aim to offer their members highly qualified resources in OSH management, prevention and funding, while saving. On average, these have been around 20% over the past ten years. Since 2009, the municipalities that participate in mutuals have benefited from a return of contributions in the order of more than $ 7.5 million following management activities.
The voice of local governments
For 100 years now, the UMQ has brought together local governments from all regions of Quebec. Its mission is to exercise strong leadership for autonomous and effective local governments. It mobilizes municipal expertise, supports its members in the exercise of their skills and promotes municipal democracy. Its members, who represent more than 85% of the population and territory of Quebec, are grouped into affinity caucus: local municipalities, municipalities of centrality, regional cities, large cities and municipalities of the Metropolis.

Denis Martin re-elected to union of Quebec municipalities executive committee

Local News

Dimitris Ilias

May 23, 2020

Denis Martin re-elected to union of Quebec municipalities executive committee

The leaders of the Union of Quebec Municipalities (UMQ) renewed their outgoing members of its Executive Committee for the year 2020- 2021, committee on which the mayor of the City of Deux-Montagnes, Mr. Denis Martin, sits. The meeting took place on May 20th.
Honored by the confidence shown in him once again by the UMQ’s board of directors, particularly in this time of health crisis, Mayor Denis Martin will therefore continue to use his experience on the Executive Committee, the organization’s senior level of authority: “I am extremely committed to the continuation of the work carried out by the committee, in particular since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis. Economic recovery is one of the most important phases and I intend to participate actively in the search for solutions to support municipalities in coping with this important challenge,” he said.
Mayor Denis Martin also occupies the function of president of the Commission on the economic development, which also adds to his role of prefect of the MRC of Deux-Montagnes and member of the commission of transport of the Metropolitan Community of Montreal (CMM).
About the UMQ
For the past 100 years, the UMQ has represented local governments in every region of Quebec. The UMQ mission is to provide strong leadership for effective, autonomous local governments by mobilizing municipal expertise, supporting members in carrying out their functions, and promoting enhanced municipal democracy. UMQ members, representing over 85% of the population and land area of Quebec, are grouped into affinity caucuses: local municipalities, central municipalities, regional cities, major cities, and municipalities in the Montreal metropolis.

Deux-Montagnes reopens!

Local News

Dimitris Ilias

May 21, 2020

As of Monday, May 25, the City welcomes residents at City Hall, the Public Works Department and the Town Planning Department. The library service and the Recreation service remain closed to the public until further notice.
To protect citizens and provide a safe working environment for municipal employees, a series of measures have been put in place by the city of Two Mountains:
Visitors entering the buildings must disinfect their hands using disinfectant gel made available to the public.
A physical distance of 2 meters must be observed between each individual. Floor stickers have been affixed in several places to facilitate compliance with this instruction.
Transparent acrylic panels were installed in the various reception areas.
The maintenance measures have been reinforced to intensify the disinfection of surfaces conducive to contagion everywhere in the buildings of the City.
Cash will not be accepted until further notice.
Municipal Court
Limited access to citizens is maintained for the Municipal Court, in particular for appearances (held behind closed doors) and for the payment of statements, respecting directives aimed at limiting the spread of the virus (hand disinfection at reception, presence of one citizen at a time, etc.).
Services offered at the library
Although the library is closed to the public, a variety of digital resources are available via its website. Also, for a greater number of citizens to benefit from the digital services of the library, it is possible to obtain a temporary subscription by telephone.
Tennis courts open
The tennis courts, located in Olympia Park, are now open for playing single games. A maximum of two people can therefore be on the ground. For the safety of everyone around the COVID-19, a series of instructions must be followed by players wishing to access the courts.

Mobile COVID-19 screening unit soon available the Laurentides region

Health
Local News

Dimitris Ilias

May 21, 2020

Mobile COVID-19 screening unit soon available

On May 25, the Public Health Department of the Integrated Center for Health and Social Services (CISSS) in the Laurentians deploys a mobile COVID-19 screening unit, no appointment required, for the Laurentides region.
The current pandemic has led all of the CISSS des Laurentides’ departments to review their methods of intervention in order to be innovative in meeting the needs of the population.
Thus, the mobile screening unit will serve to significantly increase the number of screenings for COVID-19 and to increase the accessibility of the screening service to the population in areas of particular geographic challenges or with reduced access to services, who are vulnerable or having an outbreak. This mobile screening unit will be of great importance in ensuring the protection and security of the
citizens of the region in the face of the current pandemic.
However, the deployment of such a project obviously cannot be done without the collaboration of different partners. This is why the CISSS des Laurentides partnered with Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie, the Saguenay transport company and the city of Saguenay which loaned the bus as well as the Center de formation du transport commerciale de Saint- Jérôme as well as the Rivière-du-Nord School Board, which made its drivers available.
“In times of crisis, support and mutual aid are at the heart of the action. Thank you very much to our various partners for being there to support the Laurentian Public Health Department. We are extremely grateful to you,” said Dr. Éric Goyer, Director of Public Health.

Blainville: walking and cycling authorized in park Domaine Vert

Local News

Dimitris Ilias

May 20, 2020

Blainville: walking and cycling authorized in park Domaine Vert

Following the recent announcement by Ms. Isabelle Charest, Minister Delegate for Education and Minister responsible for the Status of Women, the city of Blainville that the Parc du Domaine Vert will open its doors on Wednesday May 20 at 8:30 am and will allow the resumption of certain outdoor activities, such as cycling, mountain biking and walking. The park will be open every day within its regular schedule, from 8:30 am to 8:00 pm.

Restrictions of access due to covid-19 apply to people who have symptoms related to COVID-19. The 2-meter social distancing has to be respected and no gathering or moving of picnic tables is allowed.
Also for an indefinite period, the play modules, the groundwork course, the main chalet and the toilet block will be closed.

As usual, residents of Blainville, Boisbriand, Mirabel and Sainte-Thérèse will benefit from free access to the park, while the rates in effect will be applied to users located outside these cities. In addition, it is to be noted that no cash payment will be accepted. Only credit card or debit card payments will be allowed. The Parc du Domaine Vert is making the necessary arrangements which will allow and facilitate opening in compliance with the sanitary and distancing conditions required for the protection of customers, employees and volunteers.