TRUSTED, COMPASSIONATE, RESPONSIVE, LEADERSHIP /LEADER DE CONFIANCE ET D'INTEGRITE

 

Trusted, Compassionate Responsive Leadership.

With the continued support of the Council, with the exception of my opponent as well as current and former elected officials from all levels of government, it is my pleasure to continue to offer my service to the community.

As Mayor over the last 5 ½ years and as a Councillor since 1990, and as a demerger leader, I have always considered the role as one of community service. We have seen the benefits of demerger, which allows for direct taxation, control over our unions, our infrastructures, emergency medical services, and so much more.

We have never before had party politics in our city always ensuring that each elected official provides independent leadership.

I shall continue to govern in that manner on all matters, including Covid safety concerns, speaking up against anti-Semitism, racism and protecting minority rights including maintaining our bilingual status. 

We were the first city to mandate masks in public spaces in Canada and are leaders in providing Covid safe programming. We won $250,000 as finalists for our        Smart City initiative providing in-home technology to isolated seniors, an $800,000 grant starting in 2022 making Cote Saint Luc a living lab to support isolated    seniors; received 3.8 million dollars in provincial/federal grant money towards the renovation of Kirwan Park, refrigerated the outdoor ice surface at the annex, renovated our  outdoor pool with handicap access, provided award-winning theatre, a drop-in centre for older seniors and, presented briefs on transit solutions to the ARTM, Hippodrome and Royalmount consultations 

Compassionate, caring, responsive government providing resident satisfaction and happiness.

Priorities:  Covid safe city, train stations at Decarie Square and CSL shopping centre connecting to Parkhaven at the new 27 km corridor vert bike path, Cavendish extension, lead pipe replacement, road repairs, Kirwan Park renovation, support schools, hospitals, and religious institutions, Meadowbrook as a regional protected park, reasonable tax rate. Best services, facilities, and programming for all ages. 

Safety and Security:  

Continue to lead on Covid safety, add traffic calming measures on residential streets including bollards and speed bumps, improve the synchronization of traffic lights, create safe bike paths, ensure Police presence in addition to Public Safety and Vcop patrols. Continue to take advantage of our new accreditation allowing us to train EMS volunteers and expand our Emergency Medical Services. Click here for more on how we managed the Covid-19 pandemic.

Financial Health:

We will continue to improve services while keeping the tax rate below the rate of inflation. Over the last 10 years, the average tax increase has been 1.6% compared to inflation at 2.1%.

Reduce debt by 10% over 6 years thereby reducing the cost of loan payments allowing for more operational revenue.  I have successfully settled collective agreements, finalized the pension plan and pay equity files, and brought in a surplus of 7.6 million dollars in 2020. I was part of the ASM Mayors who negotiated a deal with Montreal whereby CSL has paid less to the agglomeration of Montreal for island-wide services over the last three years and we continue to negotiate towards a better deal for the demerged cities.  We are now in a position to reduce our tax rate while continuing to provide the highest level of service.

Infrastructure:

Road and water-system upgrades and rejuvenation.  Renovate chalets, parks and complete a state-of-the-art sports park at Kirwan Park. 

Transit First solutions: Cavendish extension with rapid transit and Train stations at CSL Shopping Centre and Decarie Square.  Improve the flow of traffic on Vezina and around Namur/ De La Savane. Update the Masterplan creating more business opportunities and other mixed development options. Click here for more on Urban Planning, Public Works, and Environment. transit, and smart cites.

 Parks and Recreation: 

Aquatics and Sports are of utmost importance to the health and welfare of our community.  We’ve built petanque courts and a whiffle ball field, new basketball courts, refrigerated our outdoor ice surface at the annex and have renovated our arena, outdoor pool and improved our tennis courts, indoor pools, gym, fitness centre and dance studio bringing new programs to the community as well as virtual options.  Kirwan park’s renovations have started and will be the dream sports park on the island.  We will continue to improve our facilities with better basketball courts, outdoor ping-pong, fitness and other do-it-yourself activities in our parks. Create one card for library and recreational facility access available to all residents of the city.  Click here for more on Parks and Recreation, 

Performing Arts auditorium.  Partner with the English Montreal School Board using their newly renovated 400 plus seat auditorium with elevator access, to provide increased theatre and social activities to our community. Click and here for more on the Dramatic Society 

Minority Rights/ English Community rights:

I will continue to oppose Bill 96, ensure we maintain our bilingual status, work towards the re-establishment of a public high school at the old Wagar site, and speak up against antisemitism and all forms of racism.  Click here for more on minority rights, and here for more on Antisemitism and Racism Click here for more on Bilingual status and here for more on Remembrance.

Housing: 

Continue to prioritize housing developments and re-developments in consultation with all residents, to accommodate young families while providing housing for the elderly and those in need.  Assist tenants through library referrals and information services assuring they know their rights and recourses. Inspect buildings on a regular basis ensuring codes and by-laws are respected. 

Biography: Mitchell is an attorney, member of the Quebec Bar since 1988.  He was first elected to Cote Saint Luc Council in 1990. Mitchell led the country in Covid-19 safety being the first city to mandate masks in public places anywhere in Canada and has continued to lead on issues of resident health and welfare during the pandemic.  Mitchell was an activist Councillor promoting issues of Canadian Unity, Co-Chairing the Cote Saint Luc Demerger Committee with Anthony Housefather, Glenn Nashen and Ruth Kovac, advocating for Holocaust Remembrance, and opposing Bill 60, the PQ-proposed legislation on the charter of values and Bill 96 the CAQ new language legislation.  He has held the portfolios of Public Works and Parks and Recreation, introduced the Fun Card providing access to CSL recreational facilities, and established the Cote Saint Luc Dramatic Society.  Mitchell actively participates in the programs and facilities the city has to offer regularly swimming in our pools and acting in the Dramatic Society productions which are planned to return to the city in the new year.

 

Profil: LEADER DE CONFIANCE ET D'INTEGRITE

Avec le soutien continu du Conseil, à l'exception de mon adversaire, ainsi que des élus actuels et anciens de tous les niveaux de gouvernement, j'ai le plaisir de continuer à offrir mes services à la communauté.

En tant que maire au cours des 5 ½ dernières années et en tant que conseiller depuis 1990, et en tant que leader de la défusion, j'ai toujours considéré mon rôle comme étant au service de la communauté. Nous avons vu les avantages de la défusion, qui permet la taxation directe, le contrôle de nos syndicats, de nos infrastructures, des services médicaux d'urgence, et bien plus encore.

Nous n'avons jamais eu de partis politiques dans notre ville, en veillant toujours à ce que chaque élu assure un leadership indépendant.

Je continuerai à gouverner de cette manière sur tous les sujets, y compris les problèmes de santé, en m'élevant contre l'antisémitisme et le racisme et en protégeant les droits des minorités, notamment en maintenant notre statut bilingue.Nous avons été la première ville à rendre obligatoire le port du masque dans les espaces publics au Canada et nous sommes des chefs de file en matière de programmes sécuritaires Covid. Nous avons gagné 250 000 $ en tant que finalistes pour notre initiative de ville intelligente fournissant une technologie à domicile aux personnes âgées isolées, une subvention de 800 000 $ à partir de 2022 pour faire de Côte-Saint-Luc un laboratoire vivant pour soutenir les personnes âgées isolées ; nous avons reçu 3,8 millions de dollars en subventions provinciales/fédérales pour la rénovation du parc Kirwan, nous avons réfrigéré la surface de glace extérieure à l'annexe, nous avons rénové notre piscine extérieure avec un accès pour les personnes handicapées, nous avons fourni un théâtre de qualité, un centre d'accueil pour les personnes âgées et nous avons présenté des mémoires sur les solutions de transport en commun lors des consultations sur l'ARTM, l'Hippodrome et Royalmount.

Un gouvernement compatissant, attentif et réceptif qui assure la satisfaction et le bonheur des résidents.

Priorités :  Ville sécuritaire, gares de train à Decarie Square et au centre commercial CSL reliées à Parkhaven par la nouvelle piste cyclable de 27 km du corridor vert, prolongement de Cavendish, remplacement des tuyaux de plomb, réparation des routes, rénovation du parc Kirwan, soutien aux écoles, aux hôpitaux et aux institutions religieuses, protection de Meadowbrook comme parc régional protégé, taux d'imposition raisonnable. Meilleurs services, installations et programmes pour tous les âges.

 Sûreté et sécurité :

Cliquez ici pour en savoir plus sur la façon dont nous avons géré la pandémie

Continuer à prendre l'initiative en matière de sécurisation de Covid, ajouter des mesures de modération de la circulation dans les rues résidentielles, notamment des bollards et des ralentisseurs, améliorer la synchronisation des feux de circulation, créer des pistes cyclables sécuritaires, assurer une présence policière en plus des patrouilles de la Sécurité publique et de Vcop. Continuer à tirer parti de notre nouvelle accréditation qui nous permet de formation des volontaires EMS et de développer nos services médicaux d'urgence.

 Santé financière :

Nous continuerons à améliorer les services tout en maintenant le taux d'imposition en dessous du taux d'inflation. Au cours des 10 dernières années, l'augmentation moyenne des impôts a été de 1,6 %, alors que l'inflation était de 2,1 %.

Réduire la dette de 10 % sur 6 ans, ce qui réduira le coût des paiements de prêts et permettra d'augmenter les revenus opérationnels.  J'ai réussi à régler les conventions collectives, à finaliser les dossiers du régime de retraite et de l'équité salariale et à dégager un surplus de 7,6 millions de dollars en 2020. J'ai fait partie des maires de l'AMB qui ont négocié un accord avec Montréal selon lequel CSL a payé moins à l'agglomération de Montréal pour les services à l'échelle de l'île au cours des trois dernières années et nous continuons à négocier pour obtenir un meilleur accord pour les villes défusionnées.  Nous sommes maintenant en mesure de réduire notre taux d'imposition tout en continuant à fournir le plus haut niveau de service.

 Infrastructure :

Modernisation et rajeunissement des routes et du réseau d'eau.  Rénovation des chalets, des parcs et achèvement d'un parc sportif ultramoderne à Park Kirwan.

Solutions " Transit First " : Prolongement de Cavendish avec transport en commun rapide et stations de train au centre commercial CSL et au Decarie Square.  Améliorer la fluidité du trafic sur la Vezina et autour de Namur/De La Savane. Actualiser le plan directeur en créant davantage d'opportunités commerciales et d'autres options de développement mixte. Cliquez ici pour en savoir plus sur l'urbanisme, les travaux publics et l'environnement. Cliquez ici pour en savoir plus sur les infrastructures, la transit en premier et les villes intelligentes.

 Parcs et loisirs :

Les activités aquatiques et sportives sont de la plus haute importance pour la santé et le bien-être de notre communauté.  Nous avons construit des terrains de pétanque et un terrain de jeu de boules, de nouveaux terrains de basket-ball, on a réfrigéré notre surface de glace extérieure à l'annexe et on a rénové notre aréna, notre piscine extérieure et on a amélioré nos terrains de tennis, nos piscines intérieures, notre gymnase, notre centre de conditionnement physique et notre studio de danse en offrant de nouveaux programmes à la communauté ainsi que des options virtuelles.  Les rénovations du parc Kirwan ont commencé et seront le parc sportif de rêve de l'île de Montreal.  Nous continuerons à améliorer nos installations en proposant de meilleurs terrains de basket-ball, de ping-pong extérieur, un centre de conditionnement physique et d'autres activités à faire soi-même dans nos parcs. Créer une carte unique pour l'accès à la bibliothèque et aux installations de loisirs, accessible à tous les habitants de la ville. Cliquez ici pour en savoir plus sur les parcs et les loisirs,

 Auditorium des arts de la scène.  Partenariat avec la Commission scolaire English-Montréal pour l'utilisation de son auditorium de plus de 400 places nouvellement rénové avec ascenseur afin d'offrir plus de théâtre et d'activités sociales à notre communauté. Cliquez et ici pour en savoir plus sur la Société Dramatique.

Droits des minorités / Droits de la communauté anglophone :

Je continuerai à m'opposer au projet de loi 96, à veiller à ce que nous conservions notre statut bilingue, à travailler au rétablissement d'une école secondaire publique sur l'ancien site Wagar et à m'élever contre l'antisémitisme et toutes les formes de racisme.  Cliquez ici pour en savoir plus sur les droits des minorités, et ici pour en savoir plus sur l'antisémitisme et le racisme Cliquez ici pour en savoir plus sur le statut bilingue et ici pour en savoir plus sur le souvenir.

 Logement :

Continuer à donner la priorité aux développements et réaménagements de logements en consultation avec tous les résidents, afin d'accueillir les jeunes familles tout en fournissant des logements aux personnes âgées et aux personnes dans le besoin.  Aider les locataires par le biais de nos services d'orientation et d'information en bibliothèque, en veillant à ce qu'ils connaissent leurs droits et leurs recours. Inspecter régulièrement les bâtiments pour s'assurer que les codes et les règlements sont respectés.

Biographie : Mitchell est un avocat, membre du Barreau du Québec depuis 1988.  Il a été élu pour la première fois au conseil de Côte Saint-Luc en 1990. Mitchell a mené le pays en matière de sécurité Covid-19 en étant la première ville à rendre obligatoire le port de masques dans les lieux publics au Canada et a continué à agir en tant que leader sur les questions de santé et de bien-être des résidents pendant la pandémie.  Il a coprésidé le comité de défusion de Côte Saint-Luc avec Anthony Housefather, Glenn Nashen et Ruth Kovac, il est un défenseur de la mémoire de l'Holocauste et il continue de s'opposer le loi 60, la législation sur la charte des valeurs, et au projet de loi 96, la législation sur les droits linguistiques de la CAQ.  Il a détenu les portefeuilles des travaux publics et des parcs et loisirs, a introduit la carte Fun qui donne accès aux installations récréatives de la CSL et a créé la Société dramatique de Côte Saint-Luc.  Mitchell participe activement aux programmes et aux installations que la ville a à offrir, nageant régulièrement dans nos piscines et jouant dans les productions de la Société Dramatique, dont le retour dans la ville est prévu pour la nouvelle année.

Peter Trent, author of "The Merger Delusion.  How Swallowing Its Suburbs Made an Even Bigger Mess of Montreal" responds to Robert Libman's "Setting the record straight on the merger/demerger"

https://youtu.be/lB_dFlH6IVMhttps://youtu.be/lB_dFlH6IVM

Peter F. Trent

                                                                                                Westmount, 10 September 2017

Mitchell,

You asked me to comment on a recent flyer sent out by Robert Libman, a flyer that was entitled “Setting the record straight on the merger / demerger myth.” In this document, Mr Libman says:

1.     “In 2001 I was against the government’s forced mergers.”

2.     “The debate about demerging three years later was a complicated debate about municipal structures and taxation. I was not against true demerger, but opposed the Liberal government’s Bill 9 at the time...”

Mr Libman would have us believe that in 2001 he was against the forced mergers that created the Montreal megacity and that even as late as 2004 he was not against “true demerger” – only against the admittedly difficult and diluted demerger process permitted by the Liberals’ Bill 9.

Mr Libman’s own statements at the time run contrary to this rather creative recast of history.

On mergers:

It is true that Mr Libman was originally against the mergers. Mind you, by March 2001, he was helping the transition committee set up by the PQ government to impose them. But Mr Libman seems to have had an epiphany in November 2001 when Mayor Tremblay made him a member of the Montreal megacity’s Executive Committee. His public statements immediately took on a different slant. (Meanwhile, I was still leading the fight against the original forced merger legislation and preparing to go before the Supreme Court.)

Late in November 2001, the Toronto Star published a piece about Mr Libman entitled “What a difference a megacity job makes for outgoing mayor.” Libman told the Star that his new megacity job was “like a dream come true” and hoped the Supreme Court “will make suggestions on how to make this very important piece of legislation better... If we can maintain what we had before in the municipalities and if we can keep a lid on the taxes ... that can be a win-win situation for everyone.” A one-time nightmare had become a dream come true.

On demergers:

Robert Libman said to the Montreal Gazette (7 November 2001): “If there’s a chance to eliminate people’s fears, then the resolve to demerge will gradually die away.”

So Robert Libman was against forced mergers, yet called the law that imposed them a “very important piece of legislation.” And he was not against “true demerger,” yet years before he took a dislike to Bill 9, he was suggesting that the resolve for demerger would die away. One can only stand back in wonder at such agility in “straddling the fence,” as the Toronto Star put it.

On control of spending:

Robert Libman, in his recent flyer, now says suburbs on demerging would have controlled only half their budget. That’s not what he said repeatedly in April 2004 on CTV. He then said that the “breakaway municipalities” (as he termed us) would control only 30-40% of their budgets. How wrong he was. Today, the “breakaway municipality” of Cote St-Luc has control over nearly 60% of its budget.

On remaining a borough:

What Robert Libman will never say today is something that he repeated ad nauseam back in 2004: “boroughs have full autonomy and control over local services.” This is why he campaigned for CSL to remain in the megacity. Again, he was dead wrong. As many of us predicted, boroughs have constantly lost power over local services since demerger: snow removal, arterial roads, parking, human resources, labour negotiations, IT, communications, building management, large-scale zoning, purchasing...the list goes on. In fact, had CSL remained in the megacity, today it would control only around 20% of its spending, not 60%.

On taxes:

In this flyer, Mr Libman wrote: “As CSL taxpayers, we have gone from among the lower tax rates in Montreal to the 2nd highest of all 35 municipalities and boroughs on the island of Montreal.”

When Robert Libman became CSL mayor in 1998, there were four Cities (out of the 14 that eventually demerged) that had a higher tax rate than CSL’s. Three years later, just before CSL disappeared into the megacity with Libman still putatively its mayor, there were only two of these 14 Cities with a higher tax rate than CSL’s – the same two, incidentally, as today. This happened under his watch.

The only reason, as Mr Libman well knows, that Montreal boroughs have lower tax rates than CSL’s is – aside from poorer services – the massive subsidization of the Montreal residential sector by their commercial sector, a subsidy that grew even more once the megacity was created. This also explains why Dorval, TMR and Baie d’Urfé have lower tax rates than CSL – even lower than those in Montreal.

Is Mr Libman suggesting CSL remerge with Montreal to get lower tax rates?

Closing comment:

The above commentary and quotes can generally be found in my 2012 book on the mergers; which, in common with this letter, is a matter of public information.

Your former colleague,

Peter

Campaign for Mayor well underway: Thank you all for the overwhelming positive encouragement.

As the only declared candidate for mayor who is supported by the entire City Council of Cote Saint-Luc and former Mayor Anthony Housefather, our new Member of Parliament, I  resigned as City Councillor for District 7 on Monday, February 8th, despite not being required to resign until I file my nomination papers for mayor which can only be done during the nomination period which will take place between February 26th to March 11th, 2016.  

Although I would prefer to continue to serve and provide value to my fellow councillors for as long as possible my early resignation will allow the City to have a concurrent by-election for District 7.  By holding the by-election for the new District 7 councillor at the same time as the by-election for mayor, the City will be spared the expense of holding two by-elections.  It will also allow our council to move forward as soon as possible with a new member of the team serving District 7.  This is the right thing to do.

I am humbled to have the support of all of my council colleagues and have enjoyed working with each one of them, all of whom contribute so much based on their personal passions, integrity and intelligence.  

Acting Mayor Glenn Nashen served with dignity and excellence until December 31st.  Dida Berku who took over in January will be Acting Mayor until the by-election is complete and will continue to provide excellent leadership.  We are most fortunate to have so many capable members on our team.  I look forward to serving with each of them and the new councillor to be elected in District 7.

When I return to council as mayor I shall endeavour to provide the consensus style of leadership that Anthony Housefather did so well in order to ensure that Cote Saint-Luc continues to be one of the most desirable cities in which to live.

Councillor Mitchell Brownstein running for CSL mayor, The Suburban Newpaper, 

By Joel Goldenberg November 18, 2015

Councillor Mitchell Brownstein has announced that he will be running for the mayoralty of Côte St. Luc early next year, to replace now-Mount Royal MP Anthony Housefather.

“I worked extremely closely with Anthony these past 10 years and I believe together with our most talented council, we can continue to build one of the most desirable communities in which to live,” Brownstein says.

Brownstein has the support of Housefather and all seven of his council colleagues, including Allan Levine, who withdrew his own candidacy for the mayoralty.

“It is very important to me that Cote St. Luc remain a city that empowers and encourages each council member to succeed in their areas while having a mayor that can unite the council and create consensus, ensuring the best services are delivered to residents,” Housefather said in a prepared statement. “I have worked closely with Mitchell as leaders of the demerger movement and on council for the last 10 years and Mitchell is that man. The fact that so many other talented council members who also could have been excellent candidates support Mitchell is testament to his abilities.”

Brownstein was on council from 1990 to 2001 and returned after demerger took place in 2005. He was acclaimed in the 2009 and 2013 elections, and was a demerger leader in Côte St. Luc. “For the past 10 years we have seen the benefits of demerger, which allows for direct taxation, control over our unions, our infrastructures, emergency medical services, and so much more,” said Brownstein.

His portfolios have included parks and recreation and public works, and he founded the Côte St. Luc Dramatic Society, co-chaired the Aquatic and Community Centre Development Project and was a pioneer of the Fun Card concept.

Each remaining council member issued a statement of support for Brownstein.

Côte St. Luc council passed a resolution at Monday night’s council meeting asking the Quebec Municipal Affairs ministry to allow the mayoral by-election to take place on Sunday, April 10, 2016. A notice announcing the by-election will be placed by the city’s returning officer in early December.

Normally, the by-election has to take place four months after a council vacancy is announced — that announcement was made at the Nov. 9 council meeting.

Council’s resolution asks for the extension because of the “numerically substantial” senior population in the city who stay in Florida from December to March, and return in April.

“It is in the best interests of the city to maximize the democratic process and voter turnout by including as many of these seniors as possible in the by-election process,” the resolution adds.

See the full Press release below

HOUSEFATHER AND ENTIRE COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY SUPPORT MITCHELL BROWNSTEIN FOR MAYOR

Côte Saint-Luc City Councillor Mitchell Brownstein has announced that he will be a candidate for the vacant mayor’s position in the upcoming by-election.

Anthony Housefather stepped down as mayor recently after being elected as the Member of Parliament for Mount Royal.  Housefather has endorsed Brownstein for mayor as have all seven other members of council: Dida Berku, Allan J. Levine, Sam Goldbloom, Mike Cohen, Steven Erdelyi, Glenn J. Nashen and Ruth Kovac.

“ In stepping down as Mayor I am not leaving Cote Saint-Luc” said Housefather.  “I still live here and as the federal member of Parliament I will be working very closely with my former council colleagues as well as the other elected officials in the riding.  It is very important to me that Cote Saint-Luc remain a city that empowers and encourages each council member to succeed in their areas while having a Mayor that can unite the council and create consensus ensuring the best services are delivered to residents.  I have worked closely with Mitchell as leaders of the demerger movement and on council for the last 10 years and Mitchell is that man.  The fact that so many other talented council members who also could have been excellent candidates support Mitchell is testament to his abilities.  I firmly believe that Mitchell will deliver the same type of results that I did as Mayor and due to our close friendship I will remain very involved in advising him whenever he wants my input.” 

Brownstein is an attorney by profession and has served on city council from 1990 to 2001. He then joined Housefather, Kovac and Nashen as a co-chair of the successful demerger movement that won the 2004 referendum to reconstitute the City of Cote Saint Luc and returned to council in the 2005 election.  He was re-elected by acclamation in 2009 and 2013.  

As a Cote Saint Luc Councillor he has held important portfolios, including overseeing the two largest municipal departments, Public Works and Parks and Recreation. He founded the highly successful Côte Saint-Luc Dramatic Society, co-chaired the Aquatic and Community Centre Development Project and was one of the pioneers of the Fun Card concept.  As a long time member of the Planning Advisory Committee he was integrally involved in many development projects in the community including the OrHahayim synagogue expansion, the Hebrew Academy building, Beth Chabad, the Cavendish Mall redevelopment project and many residential projects where he put the emphasis encouraging young families to move in to Cote Saint-Luc. He was instrumental in having Hydro move the high tension wires away from the homes on Sabin Ave, that are backing onto the substation.  He played a pivotal role in the upgrading of many parks, including Nathan Shuster, Richard Schwartz,  Arthur Zygielbaum, Allan J. Levine Playground and others.

Brownstein is most proud of his being one of the leaders of the successful Canadian Unity resolution movement in 1996. Cote Saint Luc was the first city to adopt a unity resolution and was followed by more than 50 municipalities and served as a contributing factor in the Supreme Court reference and ultimate adoption of the Clarity Act by the government of Canada.

“For the past 10 years we have seen the benefits of demerger, which allows for direct taxation, control over our unions, our infrastructures, emergency medical services, and so much more,” said Councillor  Brownstein.  “Through Anthony Housefather's portfolio system each one of the councillors has excelled in their areas of expertise pursuing their passions to the benefit of the city. I worked extremely closely with Anthony these past 10 years and I believe together with our most talented Council we can continue to build one of the most desirable communities in which to live.

“Côte Saint-Luc is fortunate to be a relatively small city without a party system, allowing individuals to work together, by consensus, without having to tow the party line.  Most importantly, it allows us to speak up on behalf of our residents on issues of concern to them whether it be Canadian Unity, demerger, opposing the Charter of Values, maintaining bilingual status, maintaining post office home delivery, saving our EMS or keeping our police station in Cote Saint-Luc.”

Councillor Goldbloom said that when he thinks of Councillor Brownstein, the word “innovation” comes to mind. “I am a member of the Dramatic Society and watched how Mitchell built that from scratch,” he said. “When Mitchell has a goal in mind he does not let anything stand in his way.”

Councillor Cohen notes that Councillor Brownstein has been involved with some of the city’s most important files during his time in office. “This council needs continuity and leadership,” he said. “Councillor Brownstein has all of the right qualifications to thrive in this job.”

Councillor Berku said “Given that we just came out of a very divisive federal campaign, and since there are less than 2 years to go until the end of this mandate, it’s a good time for council to rally around one candidate for Mayor while all councillors continue to focus and pursue their areas of interest. I want to promote the best interests of the city by rallying our efforts into team governance,  minimizing tension on and off council and hopefully saving the city the costs and disruption  of a city wide midterm election.”

Councillor Erdelyi said that when he was first elected 10 years ago, it was Councillor Brownstein who provided him with a lot of important insight to the job. “I actually sit right next to Mitchell at our caucus meetings,” he said. “He is a real team player and someone I appreciate turning to for counsel. That is what I want in a mayor.”

Councillor Nashen, who presently serves as Acting Mayor, said that he and Brownstein share a common vision for the city which is why they have run on common issues in every election. “Mitchell and I want to see the rejuvenation of the city, responsible and transparent accountability,  involvement by residents and volunteers. We are concerned about environmental issues and above all are focused on public safety,” Nashen said.

Councillor Ruth Kovac said "We have worked side by side and shared common goals since 1990. One of my proudest moments was the work of our Demerger team consisting of myself, Anthony, Mitchell and Glenn, and getting our City Back. As I chair the Planning Advisory Committee, I know Mitchell has a keen interest in the development of our city. We will continue in the cohesive way we have over the past 10 years.”

Councillor Allan J. Levine, the longest-serving councillor said “As I focus on my priorities representing my district and the city, I will not seek the mayoralty. Councillor Mitchell Brownstein is announcing his declaration to run for mayor, and I intend to fully support him in his campaign. I have worked alongside Councillor Brownstein, and I believe together we can lead Cote Saint Luc in the right direction.”

Major Changes to Canadian Citizenship Eligibility Requirements

May 2015 - The Government of Canada has announced major changes to the Canadian Citizenship Act that will affect the requirements for eligibility among other factors.  It is unknown at this time as to the exact date when the new law will apply, so it is very important for those presently eligible to file their applications as soon as possible.

At present the residency requirement in order to be eligible is physical presence in Canada for three out of the four years prior to the date an application for Citizenship is filed.  Under the new law the requirement will be physical presence for four years out of the six years prior to the date an application for Citizenship is filed.

Other changes include a requirement for individuals between the ages of 14 to 64 to meet a language requirement and knowledge test.  Presently this only applies to individuals between the ages of 18 to 54.

For more information on the many changes that will affect those wishing to apply for Canadian Citizenship please call our office at 514-939-9559 or email us at brownstein@videotron.ca.

Brownstein, Brownstein & Associates Inc.
6000 Cote des Neiges, Suite 590
Montreal, Quebec
Canada, H3S 1Z8
www.brownsteinlaw.com
514-939-9559  Office
514-993-2223 Herbert Brownstein   Herbert@brownsteinlaw.com
514-962-5881 Mitchell Brownstein  Mitchell@brownsteinlaw.com

Catch Me If You Can, The Musical run extended

Catch Me If You Can, The Musical has been extended based on popular demand. Jamie Orchard did a wonderful interview with Brandon Schwartz and myself on Global's Focus Montreal.  Brandon also appeared on the Barry Morgan Show on CJAD with our director Anisa Cameron, and will appear on Breakfast Television this Friday at 7:40 a.m.

Arts writer Heather Solomon says: "Catch Me If You Can is polished, non-stop entertainment with a gripping story and a top-flight band. Brandon Schwartz is astonishing." 

Stuart Nulman of the Montreal Times says: "Briskly paced with an energetic cast and the qualities of a major Broadway production."

Cecile Klein celebrating her 107th birthday with daughter Harriet Nussbaum, and cast members Mitchell Brownstein, Roger Strong; Brandon Schwartz, Frank Abagnale Jr.; Jason Szwimer, Agent Abbot; Craig Dalley, Agent Branton; and Mike Melino, Agent Carl Hanratty

In other news, Cecile Klein celebrated her 107th birthday at the matinee show on Sunday June 15th. Cecile is a regular at our shows and even attended our show last year at Wagar High School, where she easily climbed three flights of stairs to enjoy Fiddler on the Roof. The Cote Saint Luc Dramatic Society and the City of Cote Saint Luc wish her many more years of health and happiness and look forward to seeing her at future performances.

Shows are selling out fast.  Click here to select tickets.  If none are available for the show you wish to attend please come to the door at 5801 Cavendish, Harold Greenspon auditorium at City Hall one half hour prior to the show start time and unassigned seating tickets will be sold on a limited basis.

A week of remembrance: Victory in Europe Day and Yom Hashoah

Sunday, April 27th marked Côte Saint-Luc's annual Victory in Europe (VE  Day) remembrance at Veteran’s Park and City Hall.  The annual Yom Hashoah commemoration took place that evening at Cote Saint Luc's  Tifereth Beth David Jerusalem Congregation.  On Monday morning, April 28th I attended the Yom Hashoah commemoration at Montreal City Hall organized by B'nai Brith Canada Executive Director Harvey Levine and in the presence of Mayor Denis Codere, David Birenbaum, MNA and many other politicians and dignitaries.

With Mayor Housefather , Councillor Nashen and

 Veterans Sidney Barnet and George Nashen at  the VE Day commemoration.

See The Suburban article for more details by clicking here

Lighting a memorial candle with Councillor Berku at Montreal City Hall

Click here for more news on these events from Mike Cohen's blog

Click here for Glenn J. Nashen's informative video on Yom Hashoah

Click here for Glenn's excellent audio and video reports of the VE Day event.