The current issue of The North Shore News volume 17-19 published May 7th, 2021.
Covering North Shore local news, politics, sports and other newsworthy events.
(Click HERE to read the paper.)
North Shore News 17-19
Deux Montagnes Council meeting
The City of Deux Montagnes council meeting took place on May 6th, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. once more virtually due to the safety regulations for covid-19.
New online service
Mayor Denis Martin announced a new online service with the service d’urbanisme which will allow citizens to apply for different permits from the comfort of their homes without having to travel to the city-hall. All permit requests for tree-felling, tempos, sheds, commercial occupation certificates, demolition permits, private garages, watering permits and pools etc. will be available online. The service will be available by the end of May.
The mayor announced the repair of major streets in Deux Montagnes with high quality materials since the last time the streets were repaired was in 2002. There will be also new speed indicators in the streets to remind drivers of the speed limits for the safety of all.
Three by laws were amended and financial assistance payments were given to five recognized organizations. At the skate park in parc Olympia, a contract for the installation of a slab concrete was approved.
The “united for the climate” declaration of commitment
By a resolution adopted at the municipal council the City of Deux-Montagnes is committed to its citizens to make the fight against climate change a priority, by adhering to the Declaration of Commitment United for the Climate, initiated by the Union of Quebec Municipalities (UMQ ).
The declaration United for the Climate recalls the leading role of municipalities in the fight and adaptation to climate change. It allows municipalities to make a clear commitment to their population, to act and take concrete steps to fight and adapt to climate change.
“No one can turn a blind eye to the climate emergency. As a municipality, we have a duty to make decisions that will reduce our ecological footprint on the territory, through different spheres, such as infrastructure, our urban planning tools, mobility, to name a few. By adhering to the United for the Climate declaration of commitment, we are assuming our responsibilities and expressing our willingness to act as an example to generate measurable and positive effects on the climate today and for future generations”, declared the mayor, Denis Martin.
Here are some concrete examples of commitment taken by the city of Deux-Montagnes to fight against climate change:
Adoption of a tree policy (more strictly restricting felling)
Planting of hundreds of trees
Modifications to municipal buildings to make them less energy-intensive
Change to the refrigeration system at the arena for a more ecological system
Continue to replace municipal vehicles with electric cars
Acquisition of properties to create new green spaces
Change of infrastructure to eliminate overflows
Wooden play modules
Commitment declaration United for the Climate
The declaration of commitment United for the Climate, adopted by the UMQ stresses in particular that climate change causes global changes and that these changes require local responses (concrete measures must be taken to forward by municipal decision-makers to adapt living environments, infrastructures and services to the population). It also recalls that climate change require political commitment and for a shared response: we are all part of the problem, but we are also all part of the solution, governments, as citizens.
Save water and energy without compromising your comfort in Rosemère
In collaboration with Hydro-Québec, the Town of Rosemère is offering a 50% rebate when residents puchase a WaterSense® labeled kit of water- and energy-saving products. These products use 40% les water than conventional products. These energy efficient products can save you up to 100$ per year on your energy bill.
Approximately 230 kits, each worth between 26,17$ and 35,05 $ (plus taxes) are available at a reduced cost of 13,09 $ to 17,53 $ (plus taxes). The Town of Rosemère and Hydro-Québec will cover the difference. This amount includes home delivery.
A maximum of two kits is available per household and each kit includes :
A low-flow showerhead with 5.7 l/min flow rate;
A bathroom faucet aerator with 5.7 l/min flow rate;
A swivle kitchen faucet aerator with 5.7 l/min flow rate;
A 5 minutes shower timer;
Teflon tape for sealing pipe threads;
Easy installation;
All products garanteed 10 years.
To purchase a kit residents must visit: https://www.hydroquebec.com/residential/energy-wise/hot-water/energy-saving-products.html. The 50% rebate will be automatically applied to their bill when they have completed your purchase; no promotional code required.
Research on treatments against COVID-19: the CISSS des Laurentides in action
The Integrated Health and Social Services Center (CISSS) des Laurentides is among a list of 127 centers and units of research across the world participating in clinical trials to develop treatments for COVID-19.
The Clinical Research Unit of the CISSS des Laurentides, under the scientific direction of Dr. Yves Pesant, is carrying out these studies at the Saint-Jérôme Regional Hospital and, more recently, at the Saint-Eustache Hospital.
Dr. Sébastien Poulin, for his part, acts as principal investigator for all projects dealing with COVID-19. Clinical trials conducted at the CONCOR-1 project establishment: aims to determine the effectiveness of a plasma transfusion from patients recovered from COVID-19 to treat hospitalized patients suffering from this disease.
RESOLUTION project: aims to verify whether the drug LAU-7b can reduce the severity of coronavirus disease, prevent rapid progression to severe breathing difficulties and decrease the need for additional oxygen during illness.
OSCAR project: evaluates the effectiveness of the new drug Otilimab on the needs for supplemental oxygen in patients with COVID-19. In addition, this study also aims to counter the phenomenon called “cytokine storm” a complication of COVID-19 corresponding to an overreaction of the immune system that can lead to death.
Mr. Jean-Philippe Cotton, Deputy Chairman and CEO of the CISSS des Laurentides, stressed the importance of these clinical trials in the establishment: “In a situation of health crisis like the one we are currently experiencing, clinical research constitutes a key element in our fight against COVID-19. I am very proud that our Clinical Research Unit is contributing to international efforts to develop effective treatments for this disease. We can count on this committed team and all their partners, just like all the CISSS des Laurentides teams who have been doing exceptional work since the very beginning of the crisis.
Vaccination soon open to the general population
A much-awaited stage of the vaccination campaign was announced, as the Minister of Health and Social Services, Christian Dubé, confirmed that appointments for the general population will begin shortly.
As of April 30th, depending the goal is to open vaccination to everyone within two weeks.
| Opening of making appointments | Age group | Target population vaccinated (75%) | First dose | Scheduled meetings for 1 dose | Appointment to take to reach the target |
| 30 April | 50 to 59 | 866 387 | 475 737 | 129 643 | 261 007 |
| May 3 | 45 to 49 | 396 921 | 158 258 | 61 887 | 176 776 |
| May 5 | 40 to 44 | 439 574 | 99 556 | 48 150 | 291 868 |
| May 7 | 35 to 39 | 423 543 | 87 039 | 39 974 | 296 530 |
| May 10 | 30 to 34 | 415 429 | 74 090 | 34 891 | 306 448 |
| May 12 | 25 to 29 | 413 982 | 69 939 | 29 316 | 314 727 |
| May 14 | 18 to 24 | 498 348 | 67 588 | 28 923 | 401 837 |
Large confirmed deliveries of vaccine doses are expected during the next few weeks and vaccinations for the general population will begin shortly. The total number of planned doses is 2,517,080, broken down as follows:
- 594,770 doses during the week of May 3;
- 458,640 doses during the week of May 10;
- 458,640 doses during the week of May 17;
- 458,640 doses during the week of May 24;
- 546,390 doses during the week of May 31.
“After opening vaccination to all priority groups, we are finally able to start making appointments for the rest of the adult population. This is great news. I am very proud of what we have accomplished so far, and also of the public’s response. Vaccination is the best solution that will allow us to return to normal life. Several weeks will still be needed to protect a sufficiently large part of the population, but we are approaching the goal. » said Christian Dubé, Minister of Health and Social Services
- Over the past few days, appointment scheduling has been extended to people with a disability, as well as one caregiver per person in this clientele, and pregnant women.
- Following the confirmation, on April 27, of the death of a person following a thrombosis with thrombocytopenia (VIPIT) which occurred after the administration of a viral vector vaccine against COVID-19, namely the vaccine AstraZeneca (Covishield), the public is advised to take into consideration that these cases remain very rare. The benefits of the vaccine are considered to far outweigh the risks. However, it is important to remember that people who have received this vaccine should consult a doctor or Info-Santé promptly if, particularly within 4 to 20 days following vaccination, the following symptoms appear:
- shortness of breath, pain in the chest, leg swelling, or stomach pain;
- a severe headache or a headache that has lasted for a few days, blurred vision or bruising on the skin.
Patients with autism spectrum disorder get involved in the community
Since October 2019, the participants of the Tremplin work platform of the Integrated Health and Social Services Center (CISSS) of the Laurentians create sleeping pads using bags of milk. These participants all have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their work of creating mattresses, at the Tremplin work platform, allows them to help homeless people in the region.
Resulting from the collaboration between the CISSS des Laurentides, the Société de l’Autisme des Laurentides and a street worker for the distribution of mattresses, this project takes into account the skills and interests of the participants. Indeed, people with ASD generally appreciate repetitive and structured tasks. By explaining to them the logic behind the cutting of the milk bags, the stitching together with knots and the weaving that forms the mattress, they can visualize the end result and understand how useful the mattress is thus generating a great interest in the work.
“Three hundred bags of milk are needed to create a mattress. Participants worked hard to donate three mattresses to homeless adults in the area. Knowing that a person will be happy and not cold, thanks to a mattress that is waterproof and insulating, is a great source of motivation for these patients. Everyone can help make their community better and the participants of the Le Tremplin work platform often demonstrate this with their great achievements,” proudly emphasized Jean-Philippe Cotton, Deputy President and CEO of the CISSS des Laurentides.
The bags of milk were collected in large part with the help of the Les Croquignoles childcare center, located in Blainville. No bag collection system is in place at this time. The project is in parallel with the mission of the Le Tremplin work platform, which consists of carrying out work tasks in partnership with various traders and the CISSS des Laurentides.
Finally, patients with an autism spectrum disorder receiving services from the CISSS des Laurentides can notify their pivotal worker of their interest in participating in this work platform. People with an autism spectrum disorder who do not receive services from the CISSS des Laurentides and who wish to register for the work platform must first submit a service request via the santelaurentides.gouv.qc.ca website.
North Shore News 17-18
The current issue of The North Shore News volume 17-18 published April 30th, 2021.
Covering North Shore local news, politics, sports and other newsworthy events.
(Click HERE to read the paper.)
COVID-19: vaccination extended to two new groups
The Minister of Health and Social Services, Christian Dubé, provided an update on the vaccination campaign today, accompanied by the director of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Quebec, Daniel Paré, and the director National Public Health Officer, Doctor Horacio Arruda.
The operation continues to accelerate in Quebec, with the expansion in recent days of vaccination for certain people with a chronic disease and essential workers in environments at significant risk of outbreak, as well as the offer of the vaccine. AstraZeneca for people aged 45 and over.
Until now, people with a chronic disease with a very high risk of complications have been offered vaccination in hospitals where they are followed, or by a pharmacist. Increased vaccine dose deliveries over the coming weeks now allow vaccination to be expanded to two additional groups, before opening to the general population.
“With the large arrivals of vaccine doses expected in the coming weeks, we are able to extend vaccination to even more vulnerable people. This is great news. The experience gained over the past few months, with a more limited number of doses, has made it possible to confirm the excellent functioning of the logistics in place and to prepare us for the stage of vaccination of the general population, which is approaching in giant steps”, said Christian Dubé.
Next groups
As a first step, people with chronic diseases who are under the age of 60 will be able, as of April 23, to make an appointment at a vaccination center or at a pharmacy by going to Québec.ca / vaccinCOVID. This expansion will make it possible to offer the vaccine, over the coming weeks, to approximately 300,000 additional people suffering from chronic diseases under the age of 60.
In addition, as of April 28, anyone with a motor, intellectual, speech or language disability, visual, auditory or associated with other senses, or linked to an autism spectrum disorder may also make an appointment on the page Québec.ca / vaccinCOVID. Once again, the vaccination can be done in a vaccination clinic or in a pharmacy. One family caregiver per person belonging to this clientele can also register. Approximately 250,000 people, and as many caregivers, will be able to potentially obtain their first dose.
These two groups of people represent 1 million people in total, including the 200,000 people announced last week who are actively monitored in hospitals and whose vaccination has started. 800,000 new people are added to the current vaccination.
Vaccination to the general population will begin at the end of May.
AstraZeneca vaccine available in the Laurentians
As of April 21st, individuals aged 45 and over can receive the AstraZeneca vaccine without an appointment in dedicated clinics. The location and schedule of these clinics is available on the CISSS des Laurentides website. People that are interested can also make an appointment online via the ClicSante website. To be noted that, with or without an appointment, the AstraZeneca vaccine is available at all the vaccination centres in the Laurentians, but at dedicated time slots. Also, the CISSS des Laurentides reminds everyone that the AstraZeneca vaccine is available only to those aged 45 and over. Residents therefore must be 45 years old at the time when they get the vaccine (age will take precedence over year of birth).
Thérèse-De Blainville PD recycles masks
The Thérèse-De Blainville PD continues to surprise us with the expansion of its scope of services and initiatives. This time around it goes beyond civilian protection and into the environment.
As part of Earth Day, the Régie intermunicipale de police Thérèse-De Blainville is proud to be associated with the union of its civilian employees affiliated with CUPE, local section 4708.
Indeed, the RIPTB will collect the masks of its employees while encouraging a Quebec company located in Magog. With a simple, low-cost solution, this company disinfects and recycles different types of face masks to turn them into plastic materials which are then recycled into new products. The RIPTB and the union invite businesses in the area to recycle their masks and thus take concrete and significant action for the environment. RIPTB invites all residents to consult the RECYC-QUEBEC website to identify companies that offer recycling of personal protective equipment (PPE)
North Shore News 17-17
The current issue of The North Shore News volume 17-17 published April 23rd, 2021.
Covering North Shore local news, politics, sports and other newsworthy events.
(Click HERE to read the paper.)
