Mr. Steve Bletas was the very first Chairperson of the SWLSB, from 1998 to 2012.
The North Shore News received word on Wednesday May 6 that former Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board chairman Steve Bletas died suddenly at his home. On May 7, the Société de transport de Laval, where Bletas sat as a member of the board of directors, issued a statement stating their condolences.
Mr. Steve Bletas was the very first Chairperson of the SWLSB, from 1998 to 2012. During his 14-year tenure, he was instrumental in negotiating land grants and other agreements with municipal and provincial authorities, securing funding for new schools in Rawdon, Blainville and Repentigny and obtaining renovation grants for schools in Chomedey (John F. Kennedy Elementary) and Duvernay (Jules Verne Elementary). He was also a founding member of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier Foundation, created in 2004. In addition, Mr. Bletas was part of the Executive Committee of the Québec English School Boards Association and, over the years, a member of many different local and provincial education tables. The Council of Commissioners extended its sincerest condolences to his family, in particular to his children, Eva and Michael. “We are deeply saddened by this loss. Steve was a visionary and a passionate and fearless leader. I have always had great respect for him,” declared Paolo Galati, SWLSB Chairperson.
Products: Test kits, including sample collection kits, claiming to diagnose or detect COVID-19. Issue: Health Canada is warning Canadians of the risks of purchasing unauthorized test kits to diagnose or detect COVID-19. What to do: If you have purchased an unauthorized test kit that claims to diagnose or detect COVID 19, do not use it or rely on its results. Consult your local health authority for recommendations on testing and testing services for COVID-19. If you have any information on the potential false or misleading advertising or sale of products that have not been authorized by Health Canada, report it. Health Canada is warning Canadians not to buy home diagnostic test kits, including mail-in sample collection kits, claiming to diagnose or detect COVID-19 because they may provide inaccurate or false results. These products have not been authorized by Health Canada, which means they have not been reviewed for safety, quality or effectiveness. Health Canada has authorized COVID-19 test kits intended for use only by healthcare professionals or trained operators. The Department continues to monitor websites for false claims and is working with online retailers to ensure that unauthorized COVID-19 diagnostic or detection test kits are removed from their websites. Health Canada is also working with the RCMP to take action when unauthorized test kits are found to be sold in Canada, including a recent seizure of over 1500 test kits in B.C. Selling or advertising health products that make false or misleading claims is illegal in Canada. The Department takes this issue seriously and will use all mechanisms and tools at its disposal to stop these activities. What you should do • If you have purchased a test kit that claims to diagnose or detect COVID-19, do not use it or rely on its results. Consult a healthcare professional if you have any concerns. • If you think you may have symptoms of COVID-19, take an online self-assessment or call your local public health authority. • Your local public health authority can provide recommendations on locations for testing and testing services for COVID-19. • If you have any information on potential false and misleading advertising or the sale of products that have not been authorized by Health Canada, report it. • Read the information Health Canada has posted on the risks of buying drugs, natural health products or medical devices online if you are considering buying health products over the Internet. • Report any health product adverse events to Health Canada. Également disponible en français
This cell phone tower in Chomedey, behind a shopping mall on Samson Blvd., was among the towers set on fire since last week.
Sûreté du Québec officials in Sainte Adèle said on Thursday that they have arrested a man and a woman suspected of having set up to seven cellular telephone service towers on fire in the Laurentians and in Laval – including cell towers in Chomedey and Fabreville.
Following reports of more cell tower fires in Sainte Jérôme and Blainville this week, the SQ said it had arrested the pair, described as being in their 20s, around 1:30 am on May 7. Over the past week, there were also fires at cell phone towers in Prévost and Piedmont in the Laurentians.
In recent years there have been incidents in some parts of the world involving vandalism to 5G cell phone towers. The incidents are thought to be linked to unfounded rumours 5G towers help spread COVID-19. As well, there has been controversy over the Chinese government’s high-pressure campaign to have its 5G system made by Huawei installed in western countries. In some incidents, it is believed, vandals mistook 3G and 4G towers for 5G.
This article appears in Laval News which, just like North Shore News, are subsidiaries of Newsfirst multimedia.
Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for the Laval News, marty@newsfirst.ca
The theme of the Mental health week this year May 4 to 10, 2020 is Get Real! In our society, while we are commonly asked how we are, we too often reply with a mere formality saying we are fine. Answering sincerely provides an opportunity to truly connect with another person.
Because everyone needs social connection, self-isolation is a challenge. The CISSS des Laurentides encourages everyone to call a family member, an old friend or colleague, and speak to them from the heart. This will help create a feeling of closeness, of social support, despite physical distance.
During the pandemic
One in every five individuals will experience a mental health issue or a mental illness during their lifetime. However, beyond the statistics, the current pandemic can affect individuals psychologically. In such an unprecedented situation, many people may experience stress, anxiety and depression. Anyone experiencing these symptoms can dial 811 at any time to reach the Info-Social hotline. In the Laurentians, all patients active and on waiting lists have been contacted by the Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux des Laurentides to gain an accurate understanding of each situation and to intervene where necessary. In addition, all of the CISSS Des Laurentides services track individuals deemed at risk and highly vulnerable.
One of the small stories you don’t see often, since it does not carry the fear factor of big virus announcement but important enough to lift someone’s spirits.
In the picture above 2 officers of the Thérèse-De Blainville PD came to the rescue of this little girl by becoming bike mechanics.
As the weather gets warmer it is important for children isolated in their homes to start enjoying the simple and healthy pleasures of a bike ride whilst knowing that our police has them covered for roadside assistance.
Construction resumes on May 11th at the REM Deux-Montagnes train line
Following the most recent directives from the Government of Quebec, the sites of the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) will resume their activities from May 11. All measures to ensure the health and safety of workers will be deployed and applied with rigor. The departments of the organizations (REM, NouvLR and GPMM) will ensure systematic and sustained monitoring of the situation with the competent authorities.
With this lifting of government directives regarding the suspension of all construction sites, execution of the planned work will resume in order to ensure the modernization of the Deux-Montagnes line and the Mont-Royal tunnel.
This work will require the complete closure of the section of the Deux-Montagnes line located between Du Ruisseau station and Central station as of May 11 and will be carried out in coordination with Mobilité Montréal in the implementation of mitigation measures.
There is a file technical information on the mitigation measures deployed, the preferred route during peak hours, travel options, the shuttle schedule, planning tools, including the chrono application (https://chronoapp.quebec/), etc.
“We’ll remember the night we sat at home instead of performing”
For the cast and crew of A nightmare before Christmas, Covid-19 hit just a few weeks before opening night.
By Dimitris Ilias
Participating in a High school musical production has to be one of the biggest highs in a students’ life. For the cast and crew of A nightmare before Christmas, a massive production by the Rosemere High School drama club, directed by Stephanie Cocking, Covid-19 hit just a few weeks before opening night. Now, these talented kids will probably not be able to present their labor of love. They will not savor all these special experiences like seeing their work bear fruit after endless rehearsals hours, that endorphin-inducing applause, those moments on stage when time stops or attempting to stifle a paroxysmal attack of the giggles backstage. Yet the students of Rosemere High are taking it all in stride and their teacher is coming to realize how much more this production meant to them than the end result.
Tickets were already been sold when the production came to a screeching halt because of covid-19
A Nightmare before Christmas
The show was based on the stunning Tim Burton animated film set to music by Danny Elfman. The story follows the misadventures of Jack Skellington, Halloweentown‘s beloved pumpkin king, who has become bored with the same annual routine of frightening people in the “real world.” When Jack accidentally discovers Christmastown, all bright colors and warm spirits, he gets a new lease on life — he plots to bring Christmas under his control by kidnapping Santa Claus and taking over the role. But Jack soon discovers even the best-laid plans of mice and skeleton men can go seriously awry.
Stephanie Cocking, Rosemere High Schools’ intrepid drama club director
More than just a drama teacher
Stephanie Cocking has been teaching drama at RHS for 13 years full time. She is the specialist who actually started the drama program creating the drama club at the same time. She has been favoring musicals all this time and A nightmare before Christmas would have been number 13. “A little bit of bad luck there I suppose” joked Cocking. Production started in September and Cocking was responsible every step of the way wearing many hats as she coordinated info meetings, singing auditions, dance auditions, theatre auditions, backstage crew recruitment, rehearsals and blocking, and much more. “A lot of people blossom in the drama club atmosphere” affirmed Cocking, describing how the audition process brings out talent, igniting self-esteem rise in many students.
“When the school closed mid-March it was devastating for me since we were 3 weeks away from the show” lamented Cocking. At the time, all the big tech rehearsals were about to start, costume fittings had finished and a massive elaborate set was being built on stage including smoke machines, a spinning roulette wheel, scaffoldings etc. A professional make-up artist was going to come in and teach the students how to apply their complicated make-up, the costume department was putting the final touches; all of that came to a screeching halt. “As time passes, hope fades for the musical to happen”.
An explosion of maturity
“It was a real letdown and something that they can’t get back but kids are resilient and will see the silver lining” said Rosemere HS principal Karen Lorenz. She couldn’t have been more right.
Showing an unprecedented level of maturity and empathy, the young cast surprised Stephanie putting together a video montage of them saying how they felt about drama club. How it was so important to them, even though they did not get to have their big moment on stage, just being involved in the project. The cast emphasized how valuable it was for them preparing for the show and being part of the family, how much they learned from each other even though they were students of different ages and grades.
“They really poured out their heart to me and made me feel that… they got it! Being on stage and performing is fantastic, but the kids understood that it is not the destination but the journey that counts”
The massive and elaborate set of A Nightmare before Christmas being built
Bonds forged in heartbreak
Some of the relationships that grow in the cast of a high school show last long. As adults, students remember successful shows, seeing their family in the audience, the flowers, the applause, the tears of relief.
For the citizens of Rosemere Highs’ Halloweentown it looks like they will not experience all this. Hope remains that some form of return-to-school will allow them to perform. Sec 5s are clinging to this hope even more tightly as this is their last year of their beloved drama club. However, bonds forged in heartbreak will last forever and these students don’t have to wait to be adults to prove that. Already cast pool parties are planned, chat groups have been formed and a great appreciation for connections made exists.
NSN has asked the cast members to provide some of their thoughts on this experience. We get to commiserate with the young actors from sec1 to sec5 as they share their disappointments, hopes, memories, optimism and the multitudes of other emotions brought on by covid-19.
Tyler Philion, Sec. 5 (Jack Skellington)
This year was my last play I’d perform in front of my high school. I had gotten the main role of my play and I was proud of myself and was really nervous as well because I wasn’t used to practicing and memorizing a lot of songs and lines, but I worked hard through school and never gave up. Our whole drama club worked so hard for the play that it had to be ruined by this virus. It sucks that we aren’t able to perform, but we have to accept the situation and hope everything goes back to normal. It was hard processing everything at first, but because of everyone in the drama club, we were able to keep our spirits up. I wish for everyone to be safe and to stay healthy and to be reminded that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Corinna Bertolli, Sec. 5 (Sally)
Our drama club has put in so many hours of work in this production. I know that eventually, we will get our big moment to present it. Most of all, I miss my cast mates, my second family. I’ve grown so attached to this group of misfits who love theatre as much as I do. After a long day, nothing made me happier than hopping on stage and acting. Now, I definitely feel a void. If only I had known that’s our final rehearsal was maybe the last one, we’d ever have. I don’t think I would have ever left.
Geneviève Alexander, Sec.4 (Witch Nutmeg)
It’s honestly a little heartbreaking that we, our little family we call Drama Club, were not able to perform. My heart goes out to the Secondary 5 students in Drama Club because all their hard work was put on pause, and who knows when we get to perform this play again, or if we even do. I’m trying to look at the brighter side, and telling myself that I was extremely lucky to have one last chance to perform next year, but for the Secondary 5, that’s not the case. As for everyone else, The Nightmare Before Christmas play will always be remembered, but not in the way it should be. We’ll remember the night we sat at home instead of performing, and those aren’t the memories we deserve for our hard work. Hopefully, we will be able to perform soon, and if not, there is always next year.
Aydan Gronick, Sec.3 (Shock)
Okay, listen here corona virus. I was someone who had to learn the most dancing in the play, and I got it all down. I knew all my lines, and I was able to act perfectly. Shame. On. You. This was my first role where I played a pretty big character, and I was very excited for this.
Maxime Turcotte, Sec. 5 (Barrel)
As a secondary five, drama club has been pretty much the majority of my high school life. It was something that I would look forward to every year. The year seemed to go even faster than it should have, and this time, it didn’t end on a high note. It’s my last year, so I really wanted to make it count! For this play to be memorable like all the ones before it. Everyone keeps saying that we will probably perform but I doubt it. Too many of us are leaving for cégep and our schedules will probably be too tight. Drama club is my family and will always work hard.
Ariella Frank, Sec.1 (Zero)
When they closed down the schools I was really disappointed because I knew the play was supposed to be a few weeks later then the day of the play came and I was super sad because it’s my first big play ever and it was canceled, I still have high hopes that the play will still go on though.
Stephanie Fiardi, Sec. 1 (Elf boy 2/ Cop)
Ms. Cocking our director has been extremely supportive during these difficult times and I still remain optimistic that we will eventually get to perform even if it’s not for a large audience. Although we’ve had a different experience than most when it comes drama club, I will always cherish all the memories we made together as a cast along the way.
Alexis Jaques, Sec. 5 (Vampire Black)
For 4 years I had been too afraid to even think of performing in front of anyone let alone an entire audience, which is why I was so happy that I finally had the courage to audition for this play. Being part of drama club was such an amazing experience that was sadly cut short due to Covid-19. I know everyone was so excited to put on this production but it just wasn’t meant to be. I still have some hope that we will eventually present this amazing play to an audience. For now, we must patiently wait for our curtain call.
Rebecca Connors, Sec. 5 (Lock)
Although we are currently in quarantine, I’m still holding on to a little piece of hope that we do get to perform The Nightmare Before Christmas, even if it isn’t the way we intended. Auditioning for the show, I never suspected I was going to get a role, but I built a connection with so many of the members of our cast. I wouldn’t change my experience for anything in the world.
Brianna Fasoli, Sec.3 (Catwoman)
My role may not have been huge but it was enough for me. But it wasn’t my last chance to joke with my friends in rehearsals, or perform on stage for the last time. It wasn’t the last time I would take a bow. For my friends in secondary five, however, that is what they are going through. The curtains have closed and it breaks my heart. I haven’t been in a drama club for as long as many of them have but I already know what we have together is something special and I wouldn’t trade that for anything. I still hope that the show isn’t really over, if not for myself, then for everybody else who worked so hard.
Note: NSN thanks Brianna Fasoli for her help in gathering the statements of the cast for this article as well as Debbie Adams for putting us all in contact with each other.
Inspector Martin Charron is a 30-year veteran of the Thérèse-De Blainville PD
Inspector Martin Charron talks about new challenges in the Covid-19 Thérèse-De Blainville neighborhoods.
By Dimitris Ilias
Although when we think of front-line fighters in the Covid-19 war we imagine our doctors and nurses (deservedly so), it is easy to overlook the police even if sometimes their role has a more uncomfortable element when it comes to enforcing rules set for our protection. In my interview with inspector Martin Charron, all I could sense was a fierce dedication to the residents of his area and a strong desire to keep them safe during these “twilight zone” times we are living.
Inspector Martin Charron
Inspector Martin Charron is a 30-year veteran of the Thérèse-De Blainville PD. Graduating from the police academy in November 1990 he is currently responsible for the communications office and the Prevention and Operational Support section. He is very proud of being part of a superb team and member of the general staff and he participates in the sound management of the department and in the decisions that are taken regularly to benefit citizen security. He decided to become a police officer at the age of 19 after studying administration in CEGEP. “We are a very open organisation” he told NSN when first asked for this interview.
Covid-19 reality
The RIPTB (Régie intermunicipale de police Thérèse-De Blainville) covers 4 municipalities : Boisbriand, Lorraine, Rosemère and Sainte-Thérèse. According to inspector Charron, these cities acted quickly to implement measures to enforce the instructions of the Government of Quebec. The RIPTB effectuated an emergency measure plan and several actions were quickly implemented to ensure the health and safety of staff and citizens. The new situation caused a dramatic decrease in calls related to criminal acts and the significant reduction in traffic on the region’s roads resulting in a sharp decrease in collisions.
“Daily, we follow press briefings by the Prime Minister and his colleagues from the Ministry of Health and Public Health, we take our role very seriously, we are partners in public health and we know that together we will achieve our goals, keep our citizens healthy and safe” said inspector Charron in his interview with the NSN. The new situation compelled the RIPTB to create working committees with the different divisions and sections and with union representatives as well as to find solutions and put in place actions to promote efficiency.
Opération Voisinage
One such initiative was operation Voisinage which is a type of neighborhood watch covid-style. It urges residents to call the police to report any concerns of theirs that have to do with a situation that they became aware of, that involves physical, psychological abuse or neglect.
“Citizens are not afraid, they do have their worries, of course, but they are well referred by our call center staff and our police” said Charron. The RIPTB advises citizens and refers them to community organizations or the 811.
10 tickets – hundreds of warnings
Inspector Charron confirmed that to date, 10 tickets have been issued and hundreds of warnings have been given for violations that have to do with the law on social distancing. But the overwhelming majority of the citizens understand the situation and respect the rules. Citizens are also invited to listen to press briefings from government authorities, to go to the information web pages and to offer quality time to community organizations if possible. The jebénévole.ca platform is the perfect place to register.
Officer morale and health
“Morale is very good; we work as a team” confirmed inspector Charron. He emphasized that during these hard times, officers take the time to communicate well with each other, they hold zoom meetings twice a day, every day, in order to quickly meet the expectations of staff, citizens, municipalities, partners and the media. The new challenges for the RIPTB are to meet public health expectations and actively participate in the Prime Minister’s objectives, enforce decrees and protect their citizens.
“From the start, our priority was the health of our staff, we have the equipment necessary to deal with this pandemic, human resources are doing an exemplary job, the guidelines are well established and an internal communication chain has been put in place as soon as the start in order to keep staff well informed”
Awareness and information are the preferred approaches by all police forces in Quebec today according to inspector Martin Charron. The police are present and will continue to intervene, while respecting the powers granted to them in the context of a health emergency.
COVID-19 death of an employee of the CISSS des Laurentides
A sad announcement The Integrated Center of Health and Social Services (CISSS) of the Laurentians is mourning the sad death of one of its employees of the COVID-19. She was beneficiary attendant who worked at CHSLD Lucien-G. Rolland of Saint-Jérôme. The lady worked for the CISSS des Laurentides since June 2010 as a beneficiary attendant. An investigation is underway by the Public Health Department to determine whether the latter has been contaminated at his workplace. “I share with our staff a great sadness at the loss of this devoted and appreciated colleague. This employee deserves to be remembered. Today and after the pandemic, we will have to remember her and, to console us, think of all those we will have cared for with humanity, all those we will have succeeded in saving “, underlined Rosemonde Landry, president and director General of the CISSS des Laurentides.
Measures in place Rigorous measures are in place in the CHSLDs to ensure infection control and thus avoid possible contamination. While these measures are sufficient, risk of transmission cannot completely eliminated given the number of people involved. The virus is circulating in the community and some people may be asymptomatic. However, it should be noted that the employees of the CISSS des Laurentides benefit currently from all the protective equipment necessary to ensure the safety of personnel and physicians.
In the event of an outbreak When a COVID-19 outbreak situation is identified in the various living environments, an investigation is immediately initiated. In addition, the following protection measures are also applied: • The residents concerned are isolated; • Containment of one or more units is implemented, if necessary; • Staff travel is limited; • Screening of residents and employees is done according to the conclusions of the investigation; • Appropriate use by personnel of personal protective equipment; • Wearing the procedural mask at all times for all health workers located less than two meters from a resident or a colleague; • The implementation of the INSPQ recommendations.
