The Montreal Pinoy Post » Marvin Rotrand

Immigrants Helps Our City Grow

Marvin Rotrand — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 11:55:42 +0000

               One of Montreal’s great strengths is that it is a cosmopolitan multicultural city. It’s hard to believe that anyone would question the benefits of immigration from around the world to our city but I wonder if that’s what some City Councillors are doing.
               Over the past months Richard Bergeron, the leader of the smaller opposition party at City Hall, has been suggesting that Montreal is in decline because people are “leaving the island to live off island”. He indicated that 22,000 people had left in 2011 and 240,000 in the past decade.
               Of course Mr. Bergeron’s comments were totally out of context, perhaps purposely so. With construction cranes all over the city these days and new housing starts at high levels not seen in years, with growing property evaluations and the perceptible boost in public confidence, most Montrealers know that things are going quite well.
               Still, the media articles covering Mr. Bergeron’s comments could have caused some people to question our city’s vitality and wonder if Montreal’s efforts to attract and retain young families through major construction projects such as The Triangle district in Snowdon, Griffintown, the Viger neighbourhood, and the eventual development of the former Blue Bonnets hippodrome are valid strategies.
               The phrase that comes to mind in relation to Mr. Bergeron’s analyze is lies, damn lies and then there are statistics. The selective use of statistics on his part led to a totally misleading conclusion. So how is it possible for the population to grow when so many leave?
              Mr. Bergeron, who I see as “Mr. Doom and Gloom”, harms our city by always claiming everything is terrible. He didn’t explain that the Institut de la statistique du Québec’s report, the source for his comments, contained an important caveat that people moving off island are replaced by people moving here from elsewhere in Quebec, from all over Canada and indeed around the world as well as by a phenomenon called births. How about that people move away and other people move here!
              Moreover the recently released 2011 Canadian census shows Montreal’s plan is working. For example, Ville Marie and St Laurent Boroughs showed substantial growth of 7 per cent and 11 per cent respectively and overall the City of Montreal has grown by 29,000 persons since the last census in 2006. Other than Westmount which lost 2.7% of its population, the on-island suburbs registered modest growth as well.
              That should have closed the matter. However it hasn’t. In a response to my letter to The Suburban, the spokesperson for Mr. Bergeron’s party tacitly admitted my figures were right but asked us not to rest on our laurels and lamented that it was “families” that were leaving the island and being replaced by “international immigration.”
              While I think just about everyone would agree with the platitude that we should not rest on our laurels and continue to aim for excellence, the implication that immigration is somehow not desirable or less desirable than “families” should be vigorously pushed back.
               I am proud to represent Snowdon district in the Cote des Neiges – Notre Dame de Grace Borough, one of Canada’s most multicultural neighbourhoods. The neighbourhood exudes energy and vitality based on the interaction of people from all over the world. I recognize my own family history in the efforts of these new Canadians to lay down roots in their adopted country and work for a better future for their children. My parents who immigrated here in 1948 did the same.
               New Montrealers, be they Filipinos, Sri Lankans, Jamaicans, Russians, Mexicans, Chinese or from wherever have families. They bring talent, skills and drive to help build our city, province and country. So why would anyone want to suggest that its bad that “families” are leaving and being replaced by “international immigration” ? The immigrants have families too and have made the conscious choice to live here. Many are fluent in three or even more languages and their contributions ensure Montreal’s growth and prosperity.
               Pinoy Post readers should know that Mayor Gerald Tremblay, Borough Mayor Michael Applebaum and I will always work to assure that Montreal’s multicultural reality is well represented in the Union Montreal party and that the City’s policies take into account everyone’s needs regardless of origin.
              We want a colour blind Montreal that is harmonious and tolerant and where everyone regardless of origin has opportunity. In a city as diverse as ours there are so many wonderful cultures to discover. Continued immigration assures our continued success.

Housing Boom Transforming Our Neighbourhood

Marvin Rotrand — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 03:00:09 +0000

           Allow me to share warm holiday greetings with all Pinoy Post readers and wish everyone all the best for 2012.
           2011 has been a very successful year for the Union Montreal administration of Mayor Gerald Tremblay both at City Hall and in the Borough of Cote des Neiges – Notre Dame de Grace (CDN-NDG). Montreal’s economy is doing very well with construction cranes dotting the horizon everywhere. Indeed, Montreal has not seen this type of growth since the 1960s. The housing boom is very evident in CDN-NDG.
           In the past year over 1000 people have moved to the Triangle district (formerly called Namur-Jean Talon). CDN-NDG Borough is also approving permits for 3200 more housing starts for this new neighbourhood which will add another 5000 plus residents by 2015.
          To the north of the Triangle, near the de la Savane metro station, some 100 housing units are now in construction and the Borough is
examining an additional smaller version of the Triangle project to redevelop the potential of the area near the de la Savane metro.
          Less than a kilometre to the south sits the former Armstrong Lock Company site. Now vacant, discussions are starting toward conversion of
this land with up to a possible 1000 new housing units.
          Across Decarie Boulevard lies the Hippodrome site. The Government of Quebec has closed the racetrack, The Borough’s plans are for
redevelopment into housing. Negotiations are continuing. Ultimately this land could also see 5000 to 10,000 units built depending on eventual heights and densities determined through public consultations. Just these projects alone could add more than 25,000 people to Snowdon over the next ten years. Much of the new housing will be family housing.
            The City of Montreal has budgeted more than $50 million for major infrastructure work for these new neighbourhoods for its 2013 – 2015 capital spending. The new housing acts as a hedge against urban sprawl by providing housing for families and seniors who want to stay in our neighbourhood while drawing many new residents formerly from Laval, the West Island, St. Laurent and elsewhere. These residents want to
be closer to downtown and appreciate the rapid access via the nearby Namur and De la Savane metro stations.
            Borough Mayor Michael Applebaum also informs me that there is a potentially large housing projects in southern NDG near the site of the new McGill superhospital.
           Many of the new residents in Snowdon and NDG will be seeking admission to English language public schools. Pinoy Post readers may be aware that Mayor Applebaum and the Councillors of CDN-NDG oppose the proposal of the English Montreal School Board
(EMSB) to move Royal Vale High School from NDG to the City of Cote Saint Luc.
            Royal Vale is a real success story and moving it makes little sense particularly as the bulk of its students live close by. The Councillors ask where does the EMSB want these students to study ? There are no plans at the moment to build new English schools in the neighbourhood and moving schools only aggravates the situation. We urge the community to support the campaign to keep Royal Vale just where it is in signing the online petition at http://saveroyalvale.com/ and clicking on the Sign Petition button.
            Looking back on 2011 I am proud of the partnership between the Borough and the organizations representing the Filipino community in CDN-NDG. The Borough provided financial support for Pista Sa Nayon and Philippines Independence Day. Grants were provided to FAMAS
for its youth program and various social activities. The Borough provided money for basketball helping PBAM and Marquis keep hundreds of kids active. The Fil Can Chess and Social Club received funding to buy chess sets and host a tournament. Grants were given to organizations such as Pamana ng Luzviminda, the United Pilipino Seniors and Bicol Association, among others.
            A very special event this year was the celebration at the monument at Mackenzie King Park of the 150th anniversary of the birth of Dr. Jose Rizal. Mayor Applebaum and I were honoured to be able to address those present at this event hosted by the Knights of Rizal and Ladies of Rizal Montreal Chapter on this special occasion which was so poignant to the Filipino community. The Borough was able to provide financial support for this event.
            2011 was a special year for Union Montreal as well. We celebrated both our 10th anniversary as a party and as the municipal administration of Montreal. On November 5 the party held a Congress to begin discussions toward updating our program for the 2013 election. A large delegation from CDN-NDG was present offering a series of important resolutions which were all accepted by the Congress.
            A dozen of the CDN-NDG delegates were from our neighbourhood’s Filipino community and they were very clear as to why Union Montreal is their party. These delegates indicated that Union Montreal is the voice of those who believe in a welcoming, tolerant and multicultural Montreal. Indeed, Mayor Tremblay has always made the building of a diverse city offering opportunity to all the guiding principle for our administration. Seeing the harmony and cooperation of the nearly 600 delegates present representing persons of so many ethnicities and cultures was an
excellent example of what we can accomplish together.
            On a sadder note, I’d like to say how saddened I was by the untimely passing in November of Alberto Floresca, a man who gave so much of himself to serve the community. Albert was a long time constituent of mine and I know how devoted he was to assuring the success of the Filipino community in our city. He gave generously of his time and effort and he will be missed by many.

Union Montreal Administration to Improve Parks in 2011

Marvin Rotrand — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 12:45:57 +0000

              In 2005, Côte des Neiges – Notre Dame de Grâce Borough Mayor Michael Applebaum and I were able to launch an ambitious park improvement program across our Borough. Between 2005 and 2009 that program pumped $4 million into parks in Snowdon district which I represent. The 2005-2009 park program saw a $500,000 refurbishment of Macdonald Park, the construction at a cost of $1 million of a much needed community centre in de la Savane Park to serve the Mountain Sights North neighbourhood, a major upgrade of $1 million of Mackenzie King Park, and investments of $450,000 for new equipment and landscaping at Rosemary Brown Park and the same amount for Maurice Cullen Park.
             Similar improvements were made to parks in the other districts in our Borough. Citizens were the winners enjoying better green spaces.
            Union Montreal campaigned in the 2009 election on renewing our park improvement efforts. We have delivered on our promise as Mayor Tremblay in 2010 launched the City’s Family Policy which includes $21 million for park upgrades citywide. In 2010, Snowdon received a $400,000 investment from this program for new play equipment at Van Horne Park and the news for 2011 is even better.
            This year, some $750,000 more will be invested including:
- Repair to the drainage system, repairs to the chalet and improvements to the soccer field at Macdonald Park – $300,000
- New water games, new urban furniture, better lighting and a new fence at Mandela Park – $400,000
- New play equipment for children 5 to 12 years old at de la Savane Park – $50,000
             I have spoken with Councillor Lionel Perez (Darlington), Councillor Helen Fotopulos (Côte des Neiges) and Councillor Susan Clarke (Loyola) all of whom inform me their districts will also benefit from park projects in 2011. I believe that green space improvements significantly impact quality of life in a positive manner and make the neighbourhood more enjoyable for all.

Borough Council News
            Several items passed at the January and February Borough Council meetings will interest Pinoy Post readers. Mayor Applebaum, Councillor Perez, Councillor Fotopulos and I sponsored a grant of $1000 to the new Fil-Can Chess and Social Club to aid the group in acquiring chess boards and setting up chess clinics. About twenty members of the club including its President, Alberto Florseca were present.
            We are impressed with the club’s rapid growth now counting nearly 200 members. That number is nearly 400 when spouses are counted. The organization has already organized several major activities to meet its members needs. Permit me to wish the club good luck in its consolidation and growth.
            The Borough also adopted a motion to take part in Earth Hour, March 26 between 8:30 and 9:30 PM. The Borough will turn off all lights in municipal buildings except those required for security reasons. The City of Montreal, the STM and various city agencies as well as provincial agencies and several major private companies will also turn off their lights as part of this world wide effort to focus attention on the need to conserve energy and promote good environmental practices. The public is urged to take part by also turning off lights at home and at work and fostering a dialogue with young people as to our responsibility to conserve.
           Council also received a report on the Borough’s efforts to serve better food at our facilities such as our gyms and arenas and to urge restaurants in our territory to use healthy oils and greases that do not contain trans fats. The Council mandated the services to come back in several months with a Healthy Lifestyles Policy that will encourage residents to live a more active and healthier lifestyle.

150th Anniversary of Birth of Dr. Jose Rizal
            Next June 19 will mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of Dr. Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines and a beacon of light for those who believe in racial equality and democracy. Dr. Rizal’s work lead to the ultimate independence of the Philippines with a message that was anti-colonialist but based on peace, cooperation and the rule of law.
            The Borough has been informed that the Knights of Rizal will as always be marking June 19 as a special day. A ceremony will be held at the Rizal monument at Mackenzie King Park. Mr. Rey Balansi, Knight Commander, Knight of Rizal, Montreal Chapter, has reached out to the Borough and indicated that the Knights will be reaching out to the community at large so that all may become better aware of Dr. Rizal’s life and accomplishments.
             The Borough is pleased to be associated with this special occasion and will lend its support to the Knights of Rizal to assure a motion is adopted at Council and that the Borough can lend support for the activity at the monument. Please stay tuned for further information.

Richler Petition Proposes to Honour A Great Writer

Marvin Rotrand — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 15:00:17 +0000

Many members of Montreal’s Filipino community have taken note with great interest of a petition campaign that Michael Applebaum and I have recently launched to honour the great Canadian writer Mordecai Richler.

July 3, 2011 will mark the 10th anniversary of the death of Richler, a Montrealer who was considered a beacon of light among Canadian authors of his generation. Moredcai Richler’s work represented a remarkable testimony to the immigrant experience, particularly the Jewish immigrant experience, in Montreal during the 1930s and 1940s and beyond.

Ten years after his death his work continues to inspire an international readership in the millions. Many Montrealers recognize their history or that of their families in Richler’s work.

To recognize Richler’s standing as one of Canada’s pre-eminent novelists, and as a political journalist and screenwriter, Mr. Applebaum and I have asked the City to find an appropriate gesture to recognize Richler’s contributions. We further asked community organizations and citizens to support our efforts by signing the petition.

We intend to present the petition at the December 15 City Council meeting. Mordecai Richler’s awards during his active career were many. He won the Governor General’s prize for literature on 1968 and 1971, the Giller Prize in 1997, the Screenwriters Guild of America Award in 1974 and the Ruth Schwartz Children’s Book Award in 1976. His book “Solomon Gursky was Here” won the Commonwealth Writers Prize in 1990.

Richler’s novel “The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz” became a popular film that launched the career of Richard Dreyfus as a major Hollywood actor. If the buzz around the recent screenings are correct, “Barney’s Version”, the movie to debut in December, based on Richler’s work of the same name, should do extremely well at the box office.

While to date, some 100 persons in the Filipino community in Cote des Neiges – Notre Dame de Grace have signed the paper version of the petition, it is even easier to sign the on-line edition.

May I urge all to go on line to http://www.gopetition.com/petition/40303.html and sign.

It takes but a few moments but will be of great use to the specialists of the City’s Place Names Commission which will ultimately look at this request.
STM – Simply The Best

Many Pinoy Post readers are aware that the Société de transport de Montreal (STM) of which I am the Vice President, was nominated for the American Public Transit Association’s (APTA) prestigious prize as Best Transit Agency in North America.

On October 5, the STM won this prize, beating out 1500 other agencies. William Millar, APTA’s President, was here in Montreal on October 27 to present the award.

This good news did not happen all by itself but is the result of hard work and commitment. Mayor Gerald Tremblay promised to make public transit a priority and indeed the Union Montreal administration has done just that.

Over the past four years alone, bus service has been increased 13%, metro service 17%, and overall ridership has soared 8%, hitting record levels that eclipse even those recorded during the 1940s, the “golden age” of public transit.

The STM is quickly replacing older and less reliable vehicles. New larger articulated buses are on the road. Studies are beginning on adding trolleybuses and the strategic plan proposes a big boost in ridership every year right up to 2020. New measures such as adding real time passenger information, preferential measures allowing buses priority through busy intersections, more bus lanes, etc will help meet the ridership goals.

Still there is a debate needed as to how to finance transit. The STM wants to keep our fares affordable and the City does not want to put too much pressure on the property tax. New sources of revenue are needed to assure the long term success of transit.

News from the City and Borough

Marvin Rotrand — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 15:00:22 +0000

Allow me to wish everyone the best as we enjoy these last days of summer and to urge all to note the important information below.

Homeowners should be aware that a new property evaluation roll will be issued this September. The roll will be used for the next three years to determine municipal taxes. In the province of Quebec, municipalities charge a rate determined by their City Councils for each $100 of property evaluation. The evaluation is determined by the Evaluation Service of the Montreal Agglomeration.

To assure fairness, the roll has to accurately reflect what a property would fetch on the real estate market on July 1 of the year before the roll is issued. The Evaluation Service compares each property with similar properties in the same neighbourhood and analyzes the price of properties sold in that neighbourhood to set what it believes is a fair and accurate evaluation.

The roll that will be tabled will be used as the benchmark for 2011, 2012 and 2013 unless the Government of Quebec decides to change the rules by legislation. (That is what happened when the last roll was table in 2006. The Government extended the validity period to four years, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.)

Taxpayers may contest their evaluations but can do so only until April 30 of the year following the tabling. Those who do not contest forfeit their rights to contest unless there is some truly exceptional reason.

That being the case, please take the time to assure that your property is correctly evaluated. You should receive notice by mail by late October with instructions on how to proceed. You should also be able to consult your evaluation at the Borough’s Acces Montreal office at 5160 Decarie and if necessary obtain the forms needed to file a contestation.

When your case is heard, you will need solid proof that your evaluation is incorrect. Evidence from real estate agencies and professional evaluators are important in helping prove that the evaluation may be inexact.

Tenants too have an interest in assuring that a property is properly assessed. An evaluation that is too high may see taxes on that property rise. If it is a rental property, the owner may pass on part of the tax increase to his/her tenants.
Borough Posts Great Financial Results

Attendees at the recent Cote des Neiges – Notre Dame de Grace Borough Council meeting were delighted to learn from the Borough’s annual report that good fiscal management by the Union Montreal team had seen the Borough close 2009 with a $3 million surplus.

This was accomplished while the Borough improved services, cut costs, moved forward on the delivery of new sports and library facilities (ahead of schedule and below projected cost!) and continue to financially support the Borough’s multicultural diversity.

In typical prudent fashion, Borough Mayor Michael Applebaum indicated that the Union Montreal team would not squander these funds but rather use the money wisely. Much of the surplus will go to the snow reserve to assure the security of the population even under a worst case scenario and much of the remainder will be allocated to emergency sidewalk, road and water work. Indeed the Borough Council has just authorized an additional $250,000 in sidewalk reconstruction to be carried out in September.

Both Mayor Applebaum and I explained that there will be no change of course in 2010. New three year snow removal contracts were voted that were brought in at a lower price than the previous contracts. Our major priority continues to be the redevelopment of the north part of Snowdon where the former industrial area will be transformed into housing for families and seniors. As part of this project, we continue to work for the redevelopment of the Blue Bonnets raceway site which we hope to see converted to housing as well. Union Montreal sees the north of Snowdon both as a hedge against urban sprawl and also a way to offer affordable housing for our young families and seniors right here in our own neighbourhood.

All in all, the 2009 financial report is good news for Cote des Neiges – Notre Dame de Grace residents and confirms the wisdom of the voters’ decision to re-elect Union Montreal as the majority in the Borough and at City Council.

Good News in the Borough and at City Hall

Marvin Rotrand — Fri, 28 May 2010 13:00:31 +0000

            Recently, Borough Mayor Michael Applebaum and the Union Montreal City Councillors were able to share good news with Côte des Neiges – Notre Dame de Grâce residents. The new $15 million sports centre at Benny and Monkland will be completed ahead of schedule and nearly $400,000 below budget. The facility with an indoor pool and full service gym will significantly enhance recreational facilities in the borough.
            Six months after the last municipal election that good news is indicative of the leadership of the Union Montreal team both in the borough and at City Hall. Our approach is to solve problems, stimulate investment and jobs, improve services, keep services affordable and promote harmony, tolerance and cooperation among Montreal’s increasingly multicultural population.
            Our commitment to good government and prosperity seems to drive the two municipal opposition parties into a frenzy. But more about that later.
            In the last few weeks alone in our borough, Union Montreal has improved bus service on Côte des Neiges, adding the longer articulated buses onto the 165 and 535 routes. The Borough Council authorized $2 million in spending for road repaving on residential streets and extended a traffic calming plan to add bollards and speed bumps to various streets. The redevelopment of the Namur – Jean Talon area has begun which will eventually see 3000 new homes.
            We have also launched the final phases of the plan to redevelop Côte des Neiges Street, begun discussions with the Government for funding of new projects for Van Horne Park and Nelson Mandela Park. Meetings to foster intercultural communications are taking place on a regular basis and the Borough Council has voted grants to promote cultural and recreational projects promoted by various ethnic organizations. Residents are beginning to enjoy the fruits of the $3 million Victoria Avenue revitalization recently completed as they are the improvements to Kent Park.
            In all modesty, that is a very good beginning to the 2009-2013 mandate.
           At City Hall, Mayor Gerald Tremblay negotiated a deal with the mayors of all the cities of the Montreal Metropolitan Community which has now been endorsed by the Government of Quebec to pump additional funding into public transit. The Mayor has assured that Montreal has one of the best transit systems in North America and one with among the most affordable fares.
            Mayor Tremblay announced a new family policy that includes large investments in park improvements and traffic control and supports families purchasing homes in the city. Michael Applebaum, in his capacity as an Executive Committee member, is working with the Government in a program that will invest tens of millions into refurbishing Montreal’s arenas and recreational facilities.
            The Union Montreal administration has approved projects that will see more than $100 million in private investment on St. Catherine and is working with the Government for the ultimate redevelopment of the Blue Bonnets site to counter urban sprawl and to build thousands or affordable residences in this choice location.
            Our administration has also been able to improve the park on Mont Royal, find additional funding to protect ecologically valuable forests island wide by purchasing them for the regional park network, nominated an ethics Councillor, began broadcasting Council meetings on the web and is moving forward with the completion of the Quartier des spectacles. Housing starts remain robust and investors have confidence in our economy.
            That doesn’t seem to sit well with the opposition. The opposition parties seem to take their lead from the opposition parties in the Quebec National Assembly. It’s almost guaranteed that every time Parti Quebecois leader Pauline Marois or Quebec Solidaire leader Amir Khadir attack Premier Jean Charest their interventions show up at Montreal Council as motions pushed by the municipal opposition parties.
            I have always believed that the municipal parties should and can be vehicles that unite citizens around a vision of the city and can encourage cooperation on purely civic issues. This certainly is not the case in this mandate of Council. Both Vision Montreal and to a lesser extent Projet Montreal are becoming the mouthpieces of the provincial parties and in my opinion abdicating their responsibility to act as reasonable critics, the traditional role of the opposition.
            Nonetheless, Union Montreal will push ahead with a liberal progressive agenda. In particular at the borough and at City Hall, we will work to assure that Montreal’s growth and prosperity are shared by all.

City Continues Transit Improvements

Marvin Rotrand — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 14:00:48 +0000

          As Vice President of the STM, it was my pleasure recently to appear before the Agglomeration Council’s Finance Commission particularly as the news we had to offer was good.
          The Tremblay Union Montreal administration, with the support of the on island suburbs, this year is boosting the recurrent subsidy from the Agglo Council to the STM to $359.4 million from $332 million. This is an increase of $27.4 million or 8.3% an is the highest amount subsidy ever to public transit from the municipality. The STM will use this money to add $32 million in new bus service in 2010.
           This support provides 33% of the STM’s $1.090 billion budget. Costs actually paid by riders through the fare box are 46%. In Toronto, riders pay 80%. Union Montreal has taken a political decision to keep fares affordability so as to stimulate ridership and cut traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions.
           The strategy is working. In 2009, despite a deep recession, the STM carried 382.5 million riders, the most since 1949. Since 2007, the STM has augmented metro service by 17% (not counting the Laval extension), added 6.5% more bus service and gained 5.5% more riders. We believe we will boost ridership again in 2010.
           The big challenge in Montreal is the need to replace the older subway cars and the older buses while increasing the size of the bus fleet. The STM will have to spend $2 billion in the next 3 years on capital improvements. This increases our debt and we need new sources of revenue to manage this.
           The Government of Quebec needs to identify how we will obtain these funds. Efficient transit is a societal choice requiring a societal solution. The costs to boost services and replace old vehicles outstrip the capacity of island taxpayers to afford through property taxes.
           The Charest Government has endorsed the Copenhagen objectives to fight climate change and made public transit a key priority in its strategy. However, where the funding will come from on a dedicated, indexed and recurrent basis have not yet been identified. It is vital that finance minister Raymond Bachand address this in February’s provincial budget.
           This year, the STM is raising its monthly pass from $68.50 to $70. This will produce an additional $6 million for the STM and will go directly into the $32 million more in improved services that I mentioned above.
           The STM recently carried out a survey of 2010 transit fares elsewhere in North America. We were very proud to have confirmed that we not only provide top notch service but also have among the most affordable fares.
            Below Pinoy Post readers will find a comparison of a regular monthly STM pass for 2010 versus other transit agencies fare.
           The STM Board will continue its meetings in public and those wishing to make representations can do so. The next meeting is February 3 at 5:30 PM at Place Bonaventure.

Quebec
STM – $70
Laval -$78
Longueuil – $81
Quebec – $71.55
Gatineau – $77
Elsewhere in Canada
Ottawa – $84.75
Toronto – $121
Brampton – $102
Mississauga – $107
Oakville – $88
Hamilton – $87
Sudbury – $70
Windsor – $79
London – $81
Vancouver – $99
Calgary – $85.25
Edmonton – $81.50
Winnipeg – $74
Halifax – $85
Saint John – $65
St. John’s – $70
Regina – $59
United States (exchange rate $1 US = $1.07 CAD)
New York – $95.27
Chicago – $92.05
Philadelphia – $83.49
Dallas – $80.28
San Francisco – $74.53
Miami – $107.04
Portland – $92.05
Seattle – $86.70
Boston – $63.15
Los Angeles – $66.36 (limited zones)

Filipino Voters Choose Union Montreal

Marvin Rotrand — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 03:00:08 +0000

            On November 1 in what was a higher than usual turnout for a municipal election, voters re-elected Mayor Gerald Tremblay and gave the Union Montreal team a majority on City Council. In the Borough of Cote des Neiges – Notre Dame de Grace (CDN-NDG), the heart of Montreal’s Filipino community, Union Montreal re-elected Michael Applebaum as Borough Mayor and won four of five of the City Council seats.
            Filipino voters citywide opted in large numbers for Union Montreal. In CDN-NDG Filipino voters went almost unanimously for Union Montreal with virtually every community leader actively endorsing the Union Montreal candidates and encouraging Filipinos to volunteer for the local campaigns. So many took up the challenge that the Union Montreal campaigns in all five districts in the Borough were able to send out canvassers to door knock in Tagalog and to reach every Filipino voter by telephone.
           The strong Union Montreal team from the CDN-NDG will play a major part in Mayor Tremblay’s third term of office. Michael Applebaum was named to the prestigious post of Vice President of the Executive Committee responsible for services to citizens and housing. I was appointed as Leader of the Majority and reappointed Vice President of the Societe de transport de Montreal.
          Councillor Helen Fotopulos was also appointed to the Executive Committee in charge of culture and heritage. Councillor Susan Clarke of Loyola district was nominated as a member of the very influencial Public Security Commission which oversees police, fire and emergency measures. Councillor Lionel Perez has been mandated to the Finance Commission which over the next months will study the 2010 municipal budget.
           In all, these important appointments will mean clout for the CDN-NDG Borough and will allow the Councillors to move forward dossiers important to the entire population of the Borough.
           Some may ask why the Filipino community works so closely with Union Montreal. The answer is very simple. Union Montreal reflects the values of the Filipino community. Union Montreal also has a long history of common endeavour to assure the success of the organizations and associations that serve Filipinos throughout the Montreal region.
            No municipal party has worked as hard to promote the recognition of Montreal’s multicultural and multiracial reality as Union Montreal. No municipal party has recruited as many members from cultural communities as Union Montreal. No party has assured as regular contact with the organizations in the Filipino community.
            To highlight this link, Gerald Tremblay as Mayor and party leader has always been available to attend and dialogue with ethnic communities. The Mayor is a regular attendee at events such as Pista Sa Nayon, has visited FAMAS at its headquarters and has mainstreeted along Victoria Avenue with members of the Filipino community.
            Union Montreal is a voice for tolerance and inclusion in our city and I am convinced that is our party’s greatest strength.
            But there is another fundamental reason as well to explain Union Montreal’s appeal. We believe in decentralization of certain responsibilities to the Borough level. That empowers citizens. Our opponents in Vision Montreal led by ex-P.Q. Minisiter Louise Harel who now sits as the opposition leader at City Council propose to centralize power back into the hands of the Executive Committee which would gut the gains of the enhancement of local democracy at the borough level.
             The Filipino community organizations and associations believe in participatory democracy. They have always worked closely with the boroughs. This is particularly true in CDN-NDG where the easy accessibility of the Borough Council has allowed for an excellent working relationship to be built between the community groups, the local City Councillors and the municipal services. This has allowed for the rapid and successfully resolution of many dossiers.
             Decentralization helped win the Victoria Avenue project which saw $3 million in improvements to the street. Decentralization helped win funds to refurbish Mackenzie King Park and to beautify the Joe Rizal monument. Decentralization sees the Borough support PBAM and Marquis, FAMAS, Filipino Folk Arts Society, Pamana Dance Group and many other Filipino associations. I believe support for these organizations would be lost in the bureaucracy with centralization and I feel CDN-NDG’s Filipino population agrees.
              In 2010 Union Montreal has auspicious plans for the CDN-NDG Borough. A new sports center will open in NDG and work will begin there for a new library. Some $1.3 million will be invested to improve the Cote des Neiges library and the Cote des Neiges Sports Centre. Finishing touches will go ahead to Victoria Avenue, Cote des Neiges and to Kent Park. The Borough will launch a road repaving program which will also see additional centre city investment for repairs to arterial and collector roads.
             Amidst all this major work, the Union Montreal team in CDN-NDG won’t forget its support of the Filipino organizations and associations. I am hopeful that the contacts will become even stronger.
             Permit me to thank all the volunteers of Filipino origin who worked on my re-election campaign. Your friendship and support is much appreciated.
             Allow me to wish all readers of the Pinoy Post all the best for the holiday season and a very happy and healthy 2010.

Filipinos Chosen to Guide Union Montreal Re-election Campaign

Marvin Rotrand — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 02:00:46 +0000

By: Marvin Rotrand

Union Montreal candidates will soon launch their door to door re-election campaign in Cote des Neiges – Notre Dame de Grace borough and they will have lots of help from the Filipino community.

Some 700 Union Montreal members were on hand last June 29 at the Centre Sportif Cote des Neiges, 4880 Van Horne, to nominate Michael Applebaum as candidate for Borough Mayor, Marvin Rotrand for Councillor in Snowdon, Helen Fotopulos in Cote des Neiges, Lionel Perez in Darlington and Marie Josee Mastromonaco in Notre Dame de Grace district. Susan Clarke was elected in a contested nomination in Loyola district.

About 100 of those in attendance were of Filipino origin. As its first order of business the nominating meeting elected a Cultural Communities Committee to provide counsel and support to the Union Montreal candidates. Six Filipinos will sit on the 30 person committee including Riza Esmeralda, Flor Rillo, Ed Tupaz, Rey Balensi, James de La Paz and .Nida Quirapas.

“Union Montreal under Borough Mayor Michael Applebaum has always been close to the our community, “says Riza Esmeralda “The presence of a cross section of our community on the Cultural Communities Committee will assure that the Borough’s action plan will continue to reflects our needs.

During the meeting Councillor Rotrand who is the President of the Borough’s Intercultural Commission told members that their number one priority should be to promote Montreal’s multicultural diversity. Rotrand says that Union Montreal has and will continue to promote tolerance, understanding and cooperation between ethnic groups.

“We must build a city free of prejudice with opportunity for all. We are the only municipal party to have always worked to promote the multicultural reality of Montreal.” Councillor Rotrand declared.

Mayor Applebaum urged the members to get the vote out on election day, November 1 reminding them that Union Montreal is the only municipal party that is inclusive promoting the active participation of people of all races, cultures and creeds.

PRESS RELEASE
SPLISH SPLASH Waterfest on Sunday, August 16
Loads of family fun!
Montréal, July 29, 2009 – The annual Splish Splash waterfest is back. The fun event for young Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough families will be held simultaneously at the Confederation Park and Kent Park swimming pools, on Sunday, August 16, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There will be music, inflatable games, supervised activities and other surprises. A number of picnic tables will be available near the pools, for those who want to bring lunch.

The Confederation Park swimming pool is located at the corner of Biermans and Kensington avenues, in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce. The Kent Park swimming pool is located at the corner of avenue de Kent and chemin Hudson, in Côte-des-Neiges.

The event will be cancelled if it rains.

Source: CDN—NDG borough
Information: François Puchin: 514 868-3483
Lyne Des Trois Maisons: 514 868-4018
Communications Co-ordinators

Greetings to the Readers of the Pinoy Post!

Marvin Rotrand — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:25 +0000

By: Marvin Rotrand

It was my pleasure to have attended the official launch of the Montreal Pinoy Post last April 19. An enthusiastic audience indicated that it found the Post’s format aimed at promoting community news to be what many readers are seeking.

At the behest of those present, including a most eloquent entreaty by Dr. Gene Santander, I have agreed to provide a column for this issue of the paper that will provide a summary of the dossiers of the Cote des Neiges – Notre Dame (CDN-NDG) Borough Council. After all, CDN-NDG is home to about 11,000 persons of Filipino origin and represents the heart of the Filipino community in Quebec.

Victoria Avenue – City Council voted to improve Victoria Avenue at its April 27 meeting. Councillor Saulie Zajdel and I announced the details at a press conference held at the Sariling Atin Restaurant in Victoria Avenue on April 30.

The Victoria improvements have already commenced with water pipe repairs. Once the pipe work is completed, the City will strip off the old asphalt between Edouard Montpetit and Jean-Talon and repave. The repaving will be accompanied by sidewalk reconstruction. This work represents about $2,750,000.

To this will be added another $150,000 from the Borough to plant about 40 trees and add benches and garbage cans. Some of the Borough’s work may only be completed in the spring of 2010.

As well, the street has been added to the list of commercial arteries eligible for building renovation subsidies. Commercial proprietors may apply for grants to cover up top one third the cost of up to $100,000 in renovations.

I want to note the exceptional support of the merchants of Filipino origin in helping move this dossier forward. In November 2007, Sariling Atin Restaurant allowed us to use its facility to host a meeting with the City planners. Representatives of the Philippine National Bank, Fiesta Filipino and other businesses have been at the various meetings.

I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the support of Mayor Gerald Tremblay who assured that the Victoria improvements would receive the approval of City Council. All in all, the Victoria revitalization is good news for the entire neighbourhood.

Supporting Filipino Community Events – It is truly an honour for me to attend events hosted by various social, recreational, cultural and fraternal organizations representing Montreal’s Filipino community.

These organizations accomplish excellent work and they deserve the Borough’s support. Indeed with the close collaboration of my colleague Borough Mayor Michael Applebaum, the Borough has forged close relationship with many of these organizations.

I am proud to say that partner organizations of the Borough include FAMAS, PBAM, Marquis Basketball Club, Philippine Folk Art Society, PAMANA ng LuzViMinda and others.

Last autumn the Borough worked closely with the Knights of Rizal to beautify the Jose Rizal monument in Mackenzie King Park. Many thanks to Rey Balansi for his leadership in working with the Borough and my office to have the work quickly completed. I am looking forward to participating in this year’s June 19 event to honour Jose Rizal’s contribution to Philippine Independence, anti-colonialism and the promoting of human rights and democracy.

My Candidacy – After some reflection, I have decided to seek an 8^th term of office. I will be presenting my name as a candidate to the Union Party nominating convention in the Cote des Neiges – Notre Dame de Grace Borough which is slated for June 29. I again hope to have the support of the members in view of the November 1 municipal election in which our team will include for re-election Mayor Gerald Tremblay for City Mayor, Michael Applebaum for Borough Mayor.

Pinoy Post readers wishing to become members or who wish to volunteer for the campaign can contact me at 514-489-8899 or marvinrotrand@hotmail.com

General – Pinoy Post readers who would enjoy books in Tagalog should note that there is a Tagalog book collection at the Borough’s Intercultural Library at 6767 Cote des Neiges.

Finally, in 2005, Manila and Montreal accepted my proposal of a declaration of friendship. Council declarations were adopted by both municipalities. However, I would like to take this work farther. Should anyone have ideas as to areas where Manila and Montreal could cooperate, please send your written proposal to me at: Marvin Rotrand, City Councillor, 5160 Decarie #710, Montreal, QC. H3X 2H9.

                                                                                                    Report on the
                                                                “Everybody Pitch In!” Clean-up Day in CDN—NDG
              MONTRÉAL, May 29, 2009–The Côte-des-Neiges & Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (CDN-NDG) borough and its two Eco-quartier offices wish to thank and congratulate everyone who took part in the 2009 cleanliness campaign, on the theme of “Everybody Pitch In!”
              All in all, nearly 150 people lent a hand on Saturday, May 16. They started out by signing up on the borough website and explaining what they planned to do for the cleanup drive. They all chose a place that deserved a good spring cleaning, organized a team and set themselves a goal.
             “This shows that cleanliness remains a priority for our borough and that people care about their environment. I want to thank them all for taking part,” said Marcel Tremblay, Councillor for the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce district, who helped out a team cleaning up Mackenzie King Park.

The sites that were cleaned up were:
Côte-des-Neiges:
1. Mackenzie King Park
2. Around 3751 avenue Linton, near chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges
3. Avenue Decelles, between Kent Park and chemin Queen-Mary
4. In front of the CDN Black Community Association, at 6999 chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges
5. Around the Plamondon housing co-operative, at 4645 and 4655 avenue Plamondon

Notre-Dame-de-Grâce:
1. Lane between Wilson and Melrose streets, Monkland and Notre-Dame-de-Grâce avenues
2. Royale Vale School, on avenue Somerled
3. Benny Farm, including the Benny residential projects, Project Chance, Les Maisons transitionelles O3, Co-op
Zoo and Co-op Benny Farm
4. Walkley Centre, at avenue Walkley and chemin de la Côte Saint-Luc

Representatives from the borough’s two Eco-quartier offices made the rounds to see how the clean-up teams were doing and offer encouragement. Two winners were chosen:
Côte-des-Neiges- Arnold Rortiz, for the Montréal Filipino Alpha Phi Omega Association (Mackenzie King Park); Notre-Dame-de-Grâce: Michelle Ohnona, for the Benny Complex.
The winners will receive prizes from the borough’s Green Fund, to be presented at the Borough Council meeting on June 22.

Source: CDN—NDG borough
Information: Magdalena Bober: 514 868-4231
Communication Co-ordinator

                                                                                              PRESS RELEASE
                                                                            Reminder: Green Waste Pick-Up
MONTRÉAL, May 11, 2009–The Côte-des-Neiges & Notre Dame de Grâce borough reminds all residents that they will once again be able to put their green waste out for pick-up this spring. It must be left at the curb, in an easy-to-handle container such as a garbage can, orange or transparent garbage bag, bin or cardboard box.
                  Pick-up dates are Wednesday, May 6, 13, 20 and 27, and June 3, 10 and 17. For more details, see the borough Website, ville.montreal.qc.ca/cdn-ndg.

Source:          CDN—NDG borough
Information: Magdalena Bober: 514 868-4231
              Lyne Des Trois Maisons: 514 868-4018
              François Puchin: 514 868-3483
               Communications Co-ordinators