CJPAC Jet Setter Action Party 2013

Last night Cote Saint-Luc Mayor Anthony Housefather, Councillors Dida Berku (and masterful mingler husband Jacob Kincler),  Mitchell Brownstein (and elegant party wife Elaine) , Steven Erdelyi and I attended the Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee (CJPAC) Action Party at the Starlink Aircraft hangar at the Dorval Airport.

MP Isabelle Morin, Cllr. Glenn J. Nashen, MNA Lawrence Bergman, Mayor Anthony Housefather

CJPAC is a unique national, grassroots, independent organization whose mandate is to engage the community in the political process. CJPAC mobilizes the grassroots across the country, builds relationships with elected officials – of all political parties – and works for Jewish community interests, on a multi-partisan basis, during and between elections.

We met with several elected officials and their staff from all levels of government along with many young people interested in engaging with politicians.  You’d think that Mount Royal riding, encompassing Cote Saint-Luc, Hampstead, Town of Mount Royal and a slice of Snowdon was up for grabs as former conservative candidate Saulie Zajdel made the rounds while the current liberal MP’s (Irwin Cotler) Chief of Staff, Howard Liebman, worked the other side of the room.  Meanwhile, former Mount Royal Tory candidate Neil Drabkin was also in attendance easily working his way across the floor connecting with younger voters.

Mayor Anthony Housefather with former Darlington Councillor Saulie Zajdel and Chief of Staff Howard Liebman

The keynote speaker at the dinner earlier in the evening was former PM Brian Mulroney.  Former Senator Leo Kolber warmly maneuvered among the younger crowd as did several community stalwarts including Herbert Paperman and his son Joseph, Elliot Lifson and Jon Wener.

D’Arcy McGee MNA Lawrence Bergman is always a crowd pleaser shaking hands with the younger set, this time with his new chief (and future Premier), Philippe Couillard.  Mount Royal MNA Pierre Arcand was also among friends from TMR.

Liberal MP and Montreal Mayoral hopeful Denis Coderre was out shaking hands and making many new contacts within the Montreal community.

Councillor Mitchell and Elaine Brownstein with Neil Drabkin and Councillor Herbert Brownstein in the hangar at Starlink Aircraft

CDN-NDG Borough Mayor Lionel Perez is a superb local leader who has rapidly risen in power in the West End and is a name to watch. Also in attendance was NDG-Lachine MP Isabelle Morin, with whom I have had a few opportunities to meet. Isabelle is a delightful young woman who has given all of her energy to learn the role of MP and dutifully represent her constituents with passion and devotion. Having worked as a school teacher certainly helped to build her character a a compassionate young leader.

Former ministerial chief of staff and tory candidate Neil Drabkin could toss his hat in the local ring in the next federal election

Another former teacher who made a significant impact at the party, and across the country, was none other than Justin Trudeau.  Partygoers had their smartphones snapping for shots with Justin.

Hampstead Mayoral Candidate Bonnie Feigenbaum considering new transportation options for her town

DDO Councillor Herbert Brownstein, Hampstead Councillor and mayoral candidate Bonnie Feigenbaum, Veteran St-Laurent Councillor Maurice Cohen (31 years on council!!), Hampstead Councillor Michael Goldwax, Snowdon Councillor Marvin Rotrand and Loyola Councillor Peter McQueen were all in attendance representing their cities and districts.

Local liberal love-in: Howard and Heather Liebman greet Justin Trudeau

The Action Party is a terrific opportunity to turn young voters on to voting and becoming involved at all levels of government.  The organizers did a stellar job at setting up a superb venue.  The outdoor terrace area was essentially the runway with flights taking off just over yonder while the jets in the airport hangar were parked like sports cars spit polished for show. Amazing venue, creative decor and superb opportunity to mingle with the next generation of young leaders, influencers, policy makers and shakers.

Kudos to the sponsors and committee for a job well done and greatly appreciated.

A visit to the Montreal Emergency Preparedness Centre

L-R: CSL Public Security Chief Jerome Pontbriand, Montreal Fire Department Section Chief Gordon Routley, CSL Cllrs. Glenn J. Nashen and Ruth Kovac, FD Assistant Director Rick Liebman, CSL PS Director Jordy Reichson

As Emergency Preparedness Week is marked across Canada I took part in a site tour of the Montreal Agglomeration Emergency Preparedness Centre located at the Fire Department’s headquarters on Mount Royal.  Housed in a stately, mansion-like structure on sprawling grounds rolling down to Park Ave, the centre is ready, 24/7 in case of a large scale crisis anywhere on the Island of Montreal.

The mission of the Emergency Preparedness Centre (Centre de sécurité Civile) is to ensure the prevention of major accidents and to prepare boroughs, suburban cities  and central city services related to major risks and provide strategic support to the coordination of stakeholders in civil safety during disasters and disaster recovery.

While the website of the Emergency Preparedness Centre is full of information and resources, it is quite absurd that none of this information is available in English.  I was sure to point this out to fire officials on the tour, as I have done in the past.

Another excellent feature launched some months ago by the centre is an emergency notification service, also known as Reverse 911. This service will make outbound calls to thousands of agglomeration residents’ landline phones to signal a large scale emergency, such as warnings to stay indoors in case of chemical explosion, or to evacuate, or to boil water.  You can also manually register your cell phone for SMS and voice notifications.

Inexcusably, the registration page is not available in English however emergency centre officials assured me that the outbound calls are in French as well as in English.

I find it amazing that millions of dollars are well invested in emergency preparedness to save lives and property unless of course you cannot speak or read French, in which case does the city of Montreal really care about you at all?

I attended this otherwise excellent tour and information meeting with Cote Saint-Luc Councillor Ruth Kovac, Public Safety Director Jordy Reichson and Chief Jerome Pontbriand. Hats off to the personnel of the centre in doing fine work to try to keep us all safe.

Digital-savvy pair launches bid to save 42-year-old Canadian Jewish News from sinking | National Post

A professional duo of 29 year olds from Toronto are seeking to save the CJN.  With some 2000 signing a petition to save the paper new hope has appeared.  Read about Rachel Singer and Alana Kayfetz in today’s National Post: 

Digital-savvy pair launches bid to save 42-year-old Canadian Jewish News from sinking | News | National Post.

This is Emergency Preparedness Week

Emergency Preparedness Week (EP Week) is an annual event that takes place each year during the first full week of May. This national event is coordinated by Public Safety Canada, in close collaboration with the provinces and territories and partners.

Creating a personal emergency plan for you and your family is a crucial first step.  All information on the Public Safety Canada website is bilingual and very informative.

A day of remembrance, honour and appreciation

Victory in Europe Day was marked today in the City of Cote Saint-Luc.  This annual event marks the day in history that ended World War II.  In Cote Saint-Luc we have held our annual commemoration on VE Day for nearly two decades as our veterans have grown older and November 11 has become too cold for them outdoors and it is difficult to draw a crowd.

Cote Saint-Luc cenotaph in Veterans Park

The event is held in Veteran’ Park on Cavendish Boulevard next to City Hall.  Dignitaries including diplomats and elected representatives from all levels of government join with clergy, veterans and their families, city staff, emergency personnel and volunteers to mark the solemn occasion.

I was particularly pleased to have my three year old son and 10 year old daughter join me and my wife along with my father, 89 years old and a veteran of the Royal Canadian Air Force.  My father served in London, England and shares his memories of the bombardments and of friends who never returned from the front lines.

Cote Saint-Luc volunteer Emergency Medical Services honour guard: Kelly Malka, Louis-Pierre Fournier, Adam Gossack

Mayor Anthony Housefather never disappoints with his traditionally passionate speech of appreciation to those who served and to those who returned to build our city and community.

Howard Liebman, Chief of Staff to Mount Royal Member of Parliament Irwin Cotler gave an eloquent speech on behalf of the MP.  Cotler was in Jerusalem on this day.  Liebman’s speech highlighted the numerous interventions by the MP to signal gross violations of human rights, genocides and unspeakable atrocities that continue around the world.  He said that it is the obligation of all free people to speak out against such horrors such as that which is going on today in Syria, Iran, on the African continent and other hotspots around the world.

Police Commander Sylvain Bissonnette and Public Safety Director Jordy Reichson

D’Arcy McGee Member of the National Assembly Lawrence Bergman spoke of the importance to respect those currently serving.  He singled out the PQ’s Bill 14 as being fundamentally unjust to those serving in Quebec in the Canadian Armed Forces who would be forced to educate their children in French rather than English   The provision in Bill 14 would add a level of stress upon the soldiers, Bergman said, should they be transferred with their families to another province where there children would then be at a disadvantage in an English school.

MNA Lawrence Bergman

As the City Councillor responsible for Public Safety I was honoured to join Cote Saint-Luc Public Safety Director Jordy Reichson in laying a wreath on behalf of the department. The department includes EMS, vCOP, Public Security, Emergency Communications and Emergency Preparedness.

The event was emceed by the Legion’s Brigadier Frederick Kisch Branch 97 president, Frank Levine. The co-chairs were Councillors Ruth Kovac and Allan J. Levine.

Members of the Cote Saint-Luc volunteer Citizens on Patrol

The hot sun and slight breeze was comforting for the aging veterans, who, sadly, are fewer in number each year.

Mayor Anthony Housefather with veterans looking on

Dutch Honourary Consul and Cote Saint-Luc resident for 25 years, Michael Pollak, noted that while not nearly enough Canadian kids are conversant and knowledgeable enough about WWII, that is certainly not the case for school kids in the Netherlands.  Pollak said that the lessons and experiences of the war are etched into Dutch psyche, and his countryman know full well about the heroic liberation led by Canadian soldiers, some of whom were likely sitting right before him in today’s crowd.

Three generations of Cote Saint-Lucers: George, Glenn and Jeremy Nashen

The 306 Wing Maple Leaf Concert Band:

Read more on Councillor Mike Cohen’s blog

Global News coverage

Veteran Michael Kutz

Howard Liebman delivers a stirring message

Mayor Anthony Housefather with veterans looking on

Legion member Sandy Bernstein

vCOP Team Leader Elaine Meunier

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V-E Day commemoration ceremony in Côte Saint-Luc on Sunday, May 5, 2013

Royal Canadian Legion (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Members of the Brigadier Frederick Kisch Branch 97 of the Royal Canadian Legion, Mayor Anthony Housefather, the Côte Saint-Luc city council, dignitaries, veterans and residents will commemorate Victory in Europe (V-E) Day on Sunday, May 5 at 2 pm at Veterans Park.

 

“My generation and those of my children and grandchildren will never be able to fully pay back the Canadian soldiers who fought to defeat tyranny during the Second World War,” said Ruth Kovac, who is the co-chairperson of this event with Councillor Allan J. Levine. “By liberating Europe our veterans also ended the genocide against the Jewish population of Europe and others targeted by the Nazis.”

 

VE Day parade in Cote Saint-Luc 2008

Councillor Levine said we must continue to honour those who have served and those families who lost loved ones for our country.

 

“I encourage everyone to come on May 5 and show support for our veterans who still continue to do so much for our community and look after their own,” Councillor Levine said. “Indeed, this year our veterans raised more than $31,000 during last November’s Poppy Fund Campaign. Those funds were then returned to the community through donations to local organisations, such as the Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation, the Royal Victoria Hospital, the Jewish General Hospital, the Salvation Army, the Old Brewery Mission and many others.”

 

Cote Saint-Luc cenotaph in Veteran’s Park

Victory in Europe (V-E) Day was May 8, 1945, the date when the Second World War Allies formally accepted the unconditional surrender of the armed forces of Nazi Germany. The cenotaph at Veterans Park honours the memory of those who gave their lives in the First World War, the Second World War and the Korean War.

 

VE Day 2008: Mayor and City Council with Parade Marshall Bob Feldstein in CSL Veterans Park

This year’s commemoration will be conducted by Brigadier Frederick Kisch Branch 97 President, Frank Levine. Veterans Park is located next to the City Hall and library (5801 Cavendish Blvd.) In the event of rain, the ceremony will be held indoors at the City Hall.

George Nashen in front of the Cote Saint-Luc cenotaph in Veterans Park on VE Day 2012

The strictest language laws in the world: CNN’s view on Quebec

Last night CNN carried a piece on Quebec.  Topping out its “11 things to know before visiting Quebec,” CNN points out that Quebec is “French soil” along with “some of the strictest language laws in the world.”

The Quebec government should be very proud that despite its millions of dollars in tourism advertising that its relentless pursuit of linguistic cleansing is played in major media outlets read, watched and heard around the globe.

To CNN”s credit they do indeed mention our renowned poutine, plentitude of maple syrup, frozen lakes and crumbling roads and overpasses.

The exposé is actually an offshoot of the main article, “O Canada! Our home and delicious land,” where Anthony Bourdain bundles up – then bundles up again – to head to the Great White North where he finds nostalgia for the cuisine ancienne in the French-speaking province of Quebec.

Cotler rises in the House of Commons to salute Holocaust survivors

Mount Royal Member of Parliament Irwin Cotler rose in the House of Commons on April 23, 2013 to salute and praise survivors of the Holocaust.

Andy Nulman: With Tragedy Comes Beauty

Andy Nulman: With Tragedy Comes Beauty.

Huffington Post: 04/19/2013

No, this is not about the horrific situation that has gripped the city of Boston.

This is about a horrific situation that gripped a family. My extended family. My cousins, to be exact.

A few weeks ago, my cousins Warren Roll and Kelly Goodman were told that their four-year-old daughter Jayden had cancer.

Tough to write, tough to read. Tougher still for a parent to hear. Watch this news report from Canada AM, or this one from CBC, if you really wanna choke up.

How Warren and Kelly responded, however, was inspiring. Even more inspiring is how you, the public, have responded.

Your response can help save a life…but it has already changed at least one, Warren’s. He shared his feelings with me, but I suggested he put it in writing so that I–and he–could share then even further.

So without any further ado, heartfelt words from Warren Roll, a grateful parent:

——————————————WITH TRAGEDY COMES BEAUTY
It’s been nine weeks now and every day is a new day. Sounds corny, but not when you live it.

We were a normal Canadian family living (relatively) carefree, when one day, just before Valentine’s day, our four-year-old daughter Jayden told us she had a headache. A few more days of uncharacteristic heavy fatigue from this rambunctious girl and we took her to the doctor. Fast forward two weeks, four IVs, one bone marrow biopsy and one transfusion and my wife Kelly and I are told our daughter has a rare blood cancer and her only hope for survival is a stem cell transplant.

These terrifying words are every parent’s worst nightmare.

The emotions are indescribable, and impossible to put into words.

And yet, it got worse. After testing Jayden’s two younger brothers to see if they were compatible donors the results were negative. We lost complete control and felt helpless as cancer robbed us of our ability to protect our baby.

We cried. A lot. We still cry. But we realized that now was the time to be strong and stay focused while Jayden was/is stable and with us. What could we do while waiting to see if there were other potential donors around the world? I told my family maybe we could find our own donor for Jayden, and for the thousands of kids and adults that are currently waiting for the right match in Canada, the U.S and around the world.

We started a Facebook Page. The word got out about our devastating news fast. First there was one friend, then 10, then 100 and then hundreds…there are a lot beautiful people out there in this world. Today there are 250,000 beautiful people that are reading and sharing the details of Jayden’s condition and reaching out to help save her.

We organized a stem cell drive in Montreal and through our network of incredible friends and family, drives to help save Jayden popped up all across North America. We have already tested the DNA of 3,500 people that want one help save her…and we are not done. We have drives scheduled in Toronto, New York, New Jersey, Long Island, San Diego, Los Angeles, and yes, even Boston.

Before all this, I had lost faith in the average human being. As we get older we become more cynical. I have too. I’m guilty of becoming selfish and pouring my energy into my career and my family, and disregarding friends and strangers in need. I didn’t expect much from my fellow neighbor…and I was dead wrong.

People care. There is a lot of heart in the world. More than I ever imagined. Not only friends and family but absolute strangers all over the globe… from Italy to Thailand from Israel to Australia, help and support continues to poor in to help save a little girl in Canada that just wants to grow up.

It gives me strength and courage to fight hard knowing how many good guys are left that want to fight together with me and my family.

Yes, we have been hit with a tragic situation. But through it, we have discovered a new beauty.

Thank you for helping us discover it.

 

Related articles

• Family seeks marrow donor to save four-year-old Jayden (montreal.ctvnews.ca)
• Stem cell donor drive held in Vancouver for Montreal girl (cbc.ca)
• Search for stem cell donor for sick four-year-old Montreal girl heads to Toronto (news.nationalpost.com)
• Stem cell donor drives for four year old girl in Vancouver, Toronto and U.S. (gjnashen.wordpress.com)

 

MP Cotler’s support of linguistic minorities must guide parliament

I’m very pleased that our Member of Parliament, Irwin Cotler, has broken a long parliamentary silence and has come out to denounce Bill 14. Cotler is internationally recognized for his support of human rights of oppressed peoples around the globe. This is his opportunity, as he likely approaches the end of an illustrious political career, to take a bold stand in support of the majority of his constituents, indeed for all Quebecers who stand for human rights and equality of all Canadian citizens.

There’s a new bitterness around Bill 14, one that hasn’t been manifested since the Alliance Quebec days. The community is very, very displeased by the divisive, mean-spirited direction the PQ has taken us in.  We are also concerned by the continued silence of parliamentarians of all stripes in all legislatures in this country.

If this discrimination was happening to any other group in Canada there would be a loud (and even international) outcry. Idle no more – Anglo style?.

Why has it been acceptable to ignore and trample the rights of Quebec Anglos?

Thank you Professor Cotler. Now the challenge is yours to convince not only the Liberal Party of Canada but the Government of Canada to speak up in defence of Anglo Canadians in Quebec who have had their rights diminished for far too long.

Acceptable no more!

Cotler breaks federal MP silence on repressive language legislation

The following article appeared in The Metropolitain.

Our Linguistic Duality Must be a Legal Reality

By Hon. Irwin Cotler on April 22, 2013

In the words of René Lévesque, “A nation is judged by how it treats its minorities.” Regrettably, linguistic minorities in Canada have often had to fight for just treatment, and that struggle continues against the backdrop of several troubling recent developments that threaten the rights of minority language communities throughout the country. Simply put, it is critical to ensure that minority language communities feel welcome and are able to thrive, and this is as true for Anglophones in Quebec as it is true for French-speakers elsewhere in Canada.

Regrettably, Quebec Anglophones have recently come under increased pressure in the form of Bill 14, which would amend the French Language Charter with the goal of enhancing protection for French. All Quebecers – indeed, all Canadians – have an interest in ensuring the continued vibrancy of the French language and culture in our province, but this can and must be accomplished while respecting the rights of the English-speaking minority.

To that end, Bill 14 is problematic in several respects. It would:

• Allow the provincial government to strip municipalities or boroughs of bilingual status against their will if the population of mother-tongue Anglophones drops below 50%.

• Empower OQLF inspectors to seize property without a warrant, and to refer infractions for prosecution without giving alleged offenders an opportunity to comply.

• Prohibit English CÉGEPs from considering Francophone applicants – regardless of merit – until all Anglophone applicants have been accepted.

• Remove an exemption allowing members of the armed forces to send their children to English schools.

• Modify the Charter of the French Language by replacing “ethnic minorities” – a defined term in international law – with “cultural communities,” a concept lacking legal clarity.

• Make French the “normal and everyday language” in which government agencies are addressed, and require citizens applying for government assistance to apply in French or pay for translation. As the Quebec Bar Association recently noted, this could limit access to justice in English, particularly for low-income Anglophones and Allophones seeking legal aid.

Moreover, as the Quebec Bar Association also noted in its analysis of the legislation, Bill 14 could allow public servants to refuse to acknowledge anything said to them in English and require that files be translated in French at the expense of the applicant. Further, it places new and unnecessary burdens on employers with multilingual staffs, while translation inconsistencies in the bill may give rise to unnecessary litigation while burdening the delivery of social services.

Above all, however, Bill 14 would amend the preamble of the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms to say that “rights and freedoms must be exercised in keeping with … the values of Quebec society, including … the importance of its common language and the right to live and work in French.” In so doing, Bill 14 renders Quebec’s Charter a document designed to entrench the supremacy of the majority, whereas a primary purpose of constitutions is to establish individual and minority rights that cannot be suppressed by simple majority rule.

As the Supreme Court stated in the reference on Quebec’s secession, “there are occasions when the majority will be tempted to ignore fundamental rights in order to accomplish collective goals more easily or effectively. Constitutional entrenchment ensures that those rights will be given due regard and protection.” Accordingly, while the Francophone majority may certainly seek to ensure the sustained vitality of its language and culture, the rights of the Anglophone minority must be protected even if their protection complicates the majority’s goal.

In constitutional democracies such as ours, it is the constitution that protects minority rights from what Alexis de Tocqueville called “the tyranny of the majority.” Indeed, without constitutional safeguards, a majority-elected legislature would be legally empowered to oppress minority groups. Therefore, for Quebec’s Charter to subordinate all other rights to the importance of the majority’s language would be to undermine the very raison-d’être of a human rights charter.

Inasmuch as the language minister has expressed her hope that the amendments to the preamble will affect Supreme Court decisions about Quebec’s language laws, Bill 14 seeks manifestly to reduce constitutional protections for linguistic minorities. Yet such protections must be robust, both for Anglophones in Quebec and Francophones elsewhere in Canada.

Last October, at a meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Union held in Quebec City, Canada signed an international agreement to “uphold cultural, linguistic, ethnic, racial, political and religious diversity as a global value which should be celebrated, respected, encouraged and protected within and among all societies and civilizations.” It is time for government decisions – at both federal and provincial levels – to adhere to this noble ideal.

Irwin Cotler is the Member of Parliament for Mount Royal and the former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. He is an Emeritus Professor of Law at McGill University. 

 

If you will it, it is no dream

This evening, Joel Lion, the Consul General of Israel, welcomed hundreds of diplomats, elected officials from all levels of government and leadership and friends of Israel and the Jewish community to the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organization’s expansive and impressive world headquarters.  The occasion was a celebration in honour of Israel’s 65th anniversary of independence.

Notables including former premiers Jean Charest and Bernard Landry were in attendance as was PQ minister Jean-Francois Lisée, Montreal Mayor Michael Applebaum and city councillors from Cote Saint-Luc, Hamsptead. St-Laurent, CDN-NDG and as far away as Alma and St. Agathe.

Israel’s Consul General Joel Lion delivers powerful words

His Excellency. Mr. Lion, welcomed the entire gathering with a passionate, energized speech citing that the Jewish Nation’s connection to the State of Israel may be 65 years old in the modern context but extends back 3700 years.  Jerusalem forms the physical and existential heart of the Jewish People, Lion said, and has been so for thousands of years.

Lion spoke of two historical figures, Napoleon and Herzl:

The story is told that Napoleon was walking through the streets of Paris one Tisha B’Av. As his entourage passed a synagogue he heard wailing and crying coming from within; he sent an aide to inquire as to what had happened. The aide returned and told Napoleon that the Jews were in mourning over the loss of their Temple.Napoleon was indignant! “How come I wasn’t informed? When did this happen? Which Temple?” The aide responded, “They lost their Temple in Jerusalem on this date 1,700 years ago.”Napoleon stood in silence and then said, “Certainly a people which has mourned the loss of their Temple for so long will survive to see it rebuilt!”

As to Theodore Herzl, who was born some 153 years ago this week, Lion cited the visionary, founder of modern Zionism, in saying, “If you will it, it is no dream.”  The Jewish People, Lion stated, never lost hope of returning to Zion, even after 2000 years of exile.

Quebec Minister of International Relations Jean-Francois Lisée addresses audience as Israel’s Consul General, Joel Lion looks on

Lion then welcomed Minister of International Affairs, Jean-Francois Lisée who didn’t find much sympathy with the largely federalist, anglo crowd by speaking of his vision of the common path of the State of Israel and Quebec. Once warmed up he spoke more personally about his upbringing in Thetford Mines. Lisée indicated that he had no knowledge of the Jewish community.  His only reference point, he said, were the letters INRI, inscribed above the head of Jesus, in the church.  The inscription signified Christ was, “King of the Jews.”

It wasn’t until Lisée moved to Montreal as a 22 year-old that he learned that the familiar Steinberg’s and Greenberg’s retail chains he knew from his hometown were actually owned by substantial Jewish families.  Only upon moving to the big city did he learn about anti-semitism, he said.

The very friendly crowd were most pleased to greet one another, shake hands with some of the personalities and enjoy the Israeli wine and off-beat musical entertainment (A Jewish rapper? Oy vey!).

Councillors Glenn J. Nashen, Ruth Kovac and federal representative Howard Liebman in ICAO entry hall

Cote Saint-Luc was well represented by Councillors Ruth Kovac (with husband Peter), Dida Berku (and Jacob Kincler), Mitchell Brownstein (and Elaine Yagod), Allan J. Levine (with Rhoda) and yours truly (with Dr. Judy Hagshi).  D’Arcy McGee MNA Lawrence Bergman was also present and received warm applause   Mount Royal MP Irwin Cotler, who is in Ottawa (as Parliament is currently sitting) was represented by his trusty attaché, Howard Liebman.

CJN to cease publication

The Canadian Jewish News announced today that it will cease printing its publication after 42 years.  Read the announcement here.

The CJN has been a major source of information to Canadian Jewry, with offices in Montreal and Toronto.

The last print edition will be June 20, 2013.

New world record in freestyle swimming at CSL’s ACC, Mayor Housefather sets provincial record

A new World Record was recently set at the Cote Saint‐Luc Aquatic Centre by Lynn Marshall of Carleton, Ontario.

Lynn’s time of 17:49.23 broke the existing record (17:51.33) of Suzanne Heim‐Bowen of the USA in the 1500 Freestyle in the women’s 50‐54 age group.

Also, the CSL Aquatic team hosted the Coupe de Quebec series with 21 CSL swimmers amongst the 135 swimmers at the meet. CSL placed 2nd of 23 teams. Ilka Lowensteyn set a new provincial record in the 1500 freestyle in the women’s 45‐49 age group (19:16.09) and the CSL relay team of Ilka Lowensteyn, Aquatics Director Martin Levine, Noemie Brand and CSL Mayor Anthony Housefather set a Provincial record in the 160‐199 age group for the 4×100 Mixed Freestyle Relay (4:13.95).

This is great news as well for Cote Saint-Luc’s flagship ACC, already a significant venue in the competitive world of aquatic sport.

Drivers welcome in Florida, eh?

Kudos to Florida Governor Rick Scott.  When the governor and state legislature realized the error of their ways in imposing driving restrictions upon millions of visitors back in January, especially upon Canadians, they wasted no time in admitting their error and apologizing.  The creative and catchy ad just above appeared prominently yesterday in the Globe and Mail and this news posting shows to what extent the governor went to repeal the law.

Here’s the governor’s mea culpa:

So congrats to the governor and to the State of Florida.  I visited just last week and thoroughly enjoyed the warm weather, the beach, the welcome plurality of languages and local hospitality.  It’s just too bad Florida can’t be a Canadian province!