Election results reaffirm Cote Saint Luc is the best place in the world to live.

CELEBRATING THE ELECTION WIN WITH MY DEMERGER CO-CHAIRS ANTHONY HOUSEFATHER, GLENN NASHEN AND RUTH KOVAC

I have always believed that the suburban city of Cote Saint Luc is the best place in the world to live.  We benefit from being part of the beautiful metropolis of Montreal, in the only province in Canada with a European flavour, in an internationally respected leading federal democracy with one of the highest qualities of life in the world.   I have been sending that message since first elected to Council in 1990, passing resolutions on Canadian Unity and the Charlottetown Accord in 1992, joining a Raise the Flag grass roots organization in 1993, followed by resolutions to remain a part of Canada in 1996 and speaking out against the most recent PQ Charter of Values in 2013.

I continue to tell my children, friends and relatives how lucky we are to live here and that as time goes on, Quebecers of all backgrounds are learning to appreciate all the benefits that exist right here in our community.  Where else can you live in a city like Cote Saint Luc with one of the best recreation, library, and emergency services, while at the same time being minutes from downtown Montreal, an hour from the lakes and mountains of the Laurentians and our United States border communities?  Where else can you find real estate whether housing or rental apartments of the calibre offered here at affordable rates? Where else can you have access to learning two languages with ease and run a business at affordable cost? As a Canadian Immigration attorney I only truly feel at home after travelling to Asia, Africa or Europe, when my final flight takes me from Vancouver or Toronto to my home right here where my family has now lived for four generations.

It is important to note that the 18 to 24 years old voters in this election voted 2 to 1 against the Parti Quebecois indicating a bright future for a strong Quebec within Canada.  Based on popular vote the Liberals received 41.5%, the CAQ 23%, the PQ 25% and the Quebec Solidaire 7.5% which indicates that if a referendum were held today approximately 65% of voters would vote to remain a part of Canada. There is a clear movement by young French Quebecers to become members of our global community and the old view of being insular is no longer attractive to our youth.  Although some soft separatists may like the idea of an independent Quebec, they do not want to deal with the issues of constitutional reform, borders, currency, passports or other issues that may effect their quality of life as it is today.  Their concerns are the economy and jobs and they feel comfortable in Quebec, Canada and in the global community at large.  Our future is bright.

Politicians, Mayors and City Councillors endorse Anthony Housefather for candidate of the Liberal Party of Canada

On Friday, March 14, 2014 Anthony Housefather held a press conference to officially announce his candidacy for Member of Parliament for the Liberal Party of Canada for the riding of Mount Royal. All eight Councillors for the City of Cote Saint Luc including myself, Mike Cohen, Steven Erdelyi, Alan Levine, Dida Berku, Glenn Nashen, Ruth Kovac and Sam Goldbloom showed our support for Anthony's candidacy.

Anthony Housefather	Mitchell Brownstein

Also present or sending a letter of endorsement were Lawrence Bergman, Member of the National Assembly for D’Arcy McGee, Philippe Roy, Mayor of Town of Mount Royal, Peter Trent, Mayor of Westmount, Benny Masella, Mayor of Montreal West, Bill Steinberg, Mayor of Hampstead, Jack Edery, Warren Budning, Leon Elfassy, Michael Goldwax, and Karen Zajdman, Councillors for the Town of Hampstead, Elizabeth Ulin, Councillor for the Town of Montreal West, Syd Wise, Angela Mancini and Marvin Helfenbaum, Commissioners for the English Montreal School Board.

Peter Trent	Philippe Roy	Sid Wise

I have known Anthony for more than the twenty years he has served as a City Councillor and Mayor. At the age of twenty-four he was first elected as a City Councillor for the City of Hampstead and not only did he serve his residents well, but he was a leader and an inspiration for many Mayors and Councillors to take stands on issues of Canadian Unity.  It was thanks to his involvement in a unity initiative that I presented, in November of 1996, the first of many Canadian Unity Resolutions in Cote Saint Luc.

Canadian Unity Initiative 1996

When Anthony was a City Councillor for the Borough  of Hampstead, Cote Saint Luc, Montreal West during the merger years and the Liberal Charest government gave municipalities the right to hold referendums on demerger, he stood by his promise to fight for demerger and I was honored to serve with him and Councillors Glenn Nashen and Ruth Kovac as co-chairs of the Cote Saint Luc Demerger Committee. He was also a member of the Hampstead Demerger Committee and a leader for all suburban municipalities during the demerger effort.

Anthony was elected as Mayor of Cote Saint Luc in 2005 and this is his third term in office. His accomplishments include the building of an Aquatic and Community Centre, saving our Emergency Medical Services, keeping Police Station 9 in Cote Saint Luc, spearheading environmental initiatives including composting and urban agriculture, and creating new programming in competitive swimming and theatre with the Cote Saint Luc Dramatic Society, to name but a few.  The Cavendish Mall redevelopment project as well as the townhouse projects that are being built in the city are a testament to the many young families that continue to move to Cote Saint Luc thanks to his leadership.

Anthony is a team builder and leader by example.  He participates in our programs including the masters swim team  and the dramatic society.  He won seven medals at this past summers Macabia games. Anthony not only inspires each Councillor to pursue our passions, but when we disagree he finds solutions and builds consensus that results in our ability to move forward and contribute in a positive way to our community.

Based on his twenty years of political experience, his extensive business experience as Vice-President of a multi-national corporation, Dialogic and his reputation of integrity and a defender of minority rights, Anthony is a star candidate for the Liberal party of Canada and will serve our country well.

Interfaith Celebration against Bill 60, Quebec's Charter of Values

Canadians for Coexistence presents "Interfaith Celebration" Sunday March 9, 2014

Reverend Darryl Gray, Ron Silverstone, President & Rabbi  Alan Bright, Shaare Zedek congregation, Bishop Thomas Dowd, Iman Azeddine Hmimssa, Hindu Priest Ramnaraine P. Tiwari Balbahadur,   Norman Simon, Mayor Anthony Housefather, Father John Walsh

On Sunday, March 9th I had the pleasure of attending an interfaith event opposing Bill 60, Quebec's Charter of Values.

Anthony Housefather wearing a kippah adorned with fleur de lys symbols, spoke of the inherent dangers of Bill 60, stating that the law would place the French language above freedom of expression, that the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms would be amended to place secularism above freedom of religion and that municipalities, and boards will have to pass a resolution within one year that they accept the values of Bill 60.  He emphatically stated that Cote Saint Luc will never pass such a resolution and that we would challenge the law vigorously before the courts.

Rabbi Lisa Grushcow, of the Temple Emanuel stated that everyone, whether religious or not has had moments in their lives where they have felt a connection to and received comfort from religion and that we must never allow the State to interfere with this most important freedom.

Bishop Thomas Dowd, auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Montreal, stated that this law provides a license for people to show intolerance and hate.

Iman Zijad Delic, Iman of South Nepean Muslim Community, came from Bosnia and then lived in Croatia, immigrated to Canada in 1995 after studying the benefits of immigration to the United States, Canada and Australia and chose Canada as the most open of countries.  He expressed how this law is the opposite of openness in so many ways and must be stopped.

Hindu Priest Pamnaraine P. Tiwari Balbahadur, of the Hindu Devotional Society, stated that not only is Bill 60 unconstitutional but it is wrong and sinful.  He further pointed out that the Federal soccer association recently ruled that turbans, kippahs and hijabs are allowed to be worn when playing socer and that if we can play together we can live together.

Darryl Grey stated that this law is reminiscent of the struggle for equality in the Black community. We are living in serious and dangerous times when we speak of justice and need security outside the place of worship where we congregate. He continued by stating that if government can tell us what to wear and how to wear it then we live in very serious times. He went on to say that just because a law is legal doesn't make it right and made reference to Hitler's laws and the segregation laws. He closed by saying that our leaders will not let us go. They will not let us leave Quebec as they will speak up on our behalf and insure that we all go to the polls to vote on April 7th

Rabbi Bright, of the Shaare Zedek congregation, stated that if you walk for just a few minutes in any major cosmopolitan city, you meet more people of different backgrounds than an 18th century anthropologist would meet in a lifetime.  He went on to point out that is the beauty of today's society. He closed by saying that we who had gathered there this day, must be a group a people who assembled for a certain purpose in order to create a team of builders to teach those who fear the stranger to love the stranger.

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Op-ed in La Presse and The Suburban

The following op-ed was published in La Presse on September 25, 2013 and The Suburban on September 18, 2013.  I argue that the Charter of Quebec Values creates an atmosphere where immigrants feel they are not welcome here and that present law would consider enforcement of the Charter of Values as a wrongful dismissal since individuals would have to chose between their religious beliefs and economic well-being.

Comme un congédiement déguisé Publié le 25 septembre 2013 La Presse, page A22 MITCHELL BROWNSTEIN L'auteur est avocat en immigration et en droit du travail, et conseiller municipal de la Ville de Côte-Saint-Luc. La charte des valeurs québécoises proposée est une agression flagrante des droits fondamentaux. Dans une province dotée d'une telle richesse et diversité des communautés ethniques, je ne peux croire qu'un projet de la sorte puisse devenir une loi. Le gouvernement du Parti québécois envoie un message insidieux que certaines personnes ne sont pas bienvenues au Québec. En tant que Québécois responsables, nous avons le devoir de nous opposer à cette charte et de faire connaître à tous les citoyens les dangers d'une telle proposition. Des avocats de notre firme ont participé à des missions d'affaires avec le gouvernement du Québec (Équipe Canada et Missions Équipe Québec) et ont constaté que nos gouvernements provinciaux, qu'ils aient été libéral ou péquiste, faisaient la promotion du Québec comme étant une communauté multiculturelle qui accueille les personnes du monde entier, qui leur offre la possibilité de devenir membres à part entière de notre société, tout en conservant leurs croyances religieuses et leur culture. Le paradoxe est qu'après une telle sollicitation, le gouvernement Marois décide que ces mêmes personnes ne sont pas les bienvenues au Québec. Plusieurs de nos clients qui ont choisi le Québec comme patrie portent le hijab, le turban, la kippa, des croix ornementales et autres symboles religieux. Ils sont médecins, avocats, enseignants, ingénieurs, gens d'affaires, étudiants. Ils viennent ici avec le plus grand désir de contribuer à la société québécoise. Ils travaillent dans les secteurs privé et public et ont choisi de s'établir à Montréal parce qu'ils pensaient qu'on les accueillerait comme membres à part entière de la société et qu'ils pourraient y exercer leur droit à la liberté religieuse. Si cette charte entre en vigueur, les personnes qui travaillent dans le secteur public comme enseignants, infirmières ou médecins seront incités à renoncer de porter leur habit religieux ou culturel, ou bien à démissionner. Les Québécois ne devraient pas avoir à choisir entre leurs croyances religieuses et leur bien-être économique. En droit du travail, c'est ce qu'on appelle un congédiement déguisé. En vertu du droit existant, un congédiement déguisé confère à l'individu les mêmes droits et recours contre ses employeurs qu'un licenciement injustifié, puisque les changements dans les conditions d'emploi, forçant l'individu à démissionner, équivalent à un congédiement. Cet argument est celui que le gouvernement fédéral devrait utiliser pour illustrer la nature inconstitutionnelle de ce projet de charte des valeurs québécoises. Si ce projet devait être adopté à l'Assemblée nationale, elle va clairement violer les droits religieux de l'individu garantis par la Charte canadienne des droits et des libertés. En tant que conseiller municipal de la Ville de Côte-Saint-Luc, je suis très fier de faire partie d'un conseil dirigé par le maire Anthony Housefather, à l'intérieur duquel nous défendons ardemment les droits des minorités individuelles. >> http://www.lapresse.ca/debats/votre-opinion/201309/24/01-4692789-comme-un-congediement-deguise.php Facebook Twitter Website Mitchell's Blog   Immigrants not welcome here? Letter in The Suburban September 18, 2013 Page 10 As an attorney practicing Immigration Law since 1990 and more recently representing clients in wrongful dismissal claims, it is clear that the proposed Quebec Charter of Values is a wanton aggression on fundamental rights. In a province with such a rich diversity of communities I cannot believe that this is something that could ever come into law. The Parti Quebecois government is sending an insidious message that some people are not wanted here. As responsible Quebecers we must oppose it and let all Quebecers know what the dangers of such a proposal are. Lawyers from our firm have travelled on business missions with the Government of Quebec (Team Canada and Equipe Quebec Missions) and have watched our provincial governments whether Liberal or Parti Quebecois promote Quebec as a multi-cultural community that welcomes individuals from around the world, offering them the opportunity to become full members of our society, while maintaining their religious beliefs and culture. They have encouraged immigration and presented Quebec as a place that welcomes individuals of diverse religious beliefs and culture. It is ironic that after such solicitation and encouragement, that the Marois Government has now decided that these same individuals are not welcome.  Many of our clients, who have chosen Quebec as their home, wear Hijabs, Turbans, Kippahs, ornamental crosses and other religious symbols. They are doctors, lawyers, teachers, engineers, business people, and students and come here with the greatest desire to contribute to Quebec society. They work in the private and public sector and chose Montreal as the place they thought welcomed them as full members of society, including their right to religious freedom.  Should this Charter come into law individuals working in the Public Sector as teachers, nurses, doctors or other professions will be told to take off their religious/cultural garb or resign. Quebecers should not have to choose between their religious beliefs and economic well-being. In Labour law this is called constructive dismissal and under existing law, provides the individual with the same rights and recourses against their employer as wrongful dismissal, since changes in the terms of employment that force an individual to quit are tantamount to being fired. This argument is one that the Federal Government should use to illustrate the unconstitutionally of this proposed Charter of Values, should it come in to law, as it clearly infringes on an individual’s religious rights as guaranteed in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Mitchell Brownstein is managing partner of the Law Firm Brownstein, Brownstein and Associates specializing in Immigration and Wrongful Dismissal Law. He is also a Municipal Councillor for the City of Cote Saint Luc. >> Read the article at TheSuburban.com (see page 10)

CSL Council Members to Demonstrate Flair for Comedy

CSL council members to demonstrate flair for comedy
Joel Goldenberg, The Suburban
May 16, 2012
The Suburban Côte St. Luc mayor Anthony Housefather and council members always try to inject a little light humour at monthly council meetings, with little quips and contemporary cultural references to avoid an overly formal atmosphere. But this time the comedic talents of Housefather, Côte St. Luc Councillors Mitchell Brownstein and Sam Goldbloom, as well as Dollard des Ormeaux Councillor Herbert Brownstein, will be seen in their full glory, when the Côte St. Luc Dramatic Society presents Norm Foster's Office Hours from Thursday, May 24 to Saturday, May 26, in the Harold Greenspon Auditorium at 5801 Cavendish Blvd., the basement of Côte St. Luc city hall. (Herbert Brownstein is Mitchell Brownstein's brother.) “Côte Saint-Luc is committed to community theatre,” Housefather said. “I hope that my participation helps draw attention to this great community initiative." "Participating with my fellow politicians and so many talented community actors has been a real treat,” says Brownstein. “This play is hysterical and playing my role as a stereotype 'off the wall' salesman is a blast." Norm Foster is described by the Halifax Daily News as “Canada's mostproduced dramatist.” Office Hours is described as a “fastpaced” comedy which takes place on one Friday afternoon in six different offices in a large city. The six separate stories that take place in each office eventually interconnect. According to a Côte St. Luc Dramatic Society announcement, the stories involve a newsman “who will do anything to keep his job, a Canadian producer willing to overlook the shortcomings of a down and out director, an entertainment agent caught in a scandal, a lawyer with big news to share, a delusional jockey, a love-starved therapist and a man on a ledge.” The society promises the play will “send the city into hysterics.” Anisa Cameron, who directed the previous Côte St. Luc Dramatic Society production of the musical Grease, is doing the same for Office Hours. Ariel Sterlin, who played Frenchy in Grease, is the production stage manager; and Scott Drysdale return as the lighting and technical director for the production. The shows are at 8 p.m. There will also be two 2 p.m. matinees, one on Friday, May 25, and one on Saturday, May 26.
Tickets are $15 plus tax and are available at the Eleanor London Côte Saint-Luc Public Library (5851 Cavendish Blvd.), the Côte Saint-Luc Aquatic and Community Centre (5794 Parkhaven Ave.), or by telephone at 514-485-6806 ext. 2200. Credit card or Interac will be accepted.

Norm Foster's OFFICE HOURS opens May 24th

Local politicians play leading roles in upcoming production
Isaac Olson
NDG Press, May 8
While some might say politics is full of drama, the Côte St. Luc Dramatic Society’s upcoming play will be full of politicians. “Politicians are natural actors as they are comfortable in front of people and it definitely shows in their performances,” said director Anisa Cameron, citing the participation of CSL councillors Mitchell Brownstein and Sam Goldbloom as well as Mayor Anthony Housefather and a councillor from Dollard des Ormeaux, Herbert Brownstein (Mitchell Brownstein’s brother). “They have a particular stage presence because of their experience and they have also been my most devoted cast members.” The fast-paced comedy by Norm Foster, Office Hours, is set in six different offices with a cast of 15 actors and, while the scenes are separate, it all comes together in the end as the connections are revealed. For this play, Cameron said she had a flood of actors wanting roles but she had to select carefully to ensure characters are appropriately cast for age, gender and so forth. The councillors and mayor, she said, fit the part and they have continued to demonstrate a dedicated interest in putting the Dramatic Society on the map. “They see the community is really excited about having a community theatre,” said Cameron. “The city really wants to support this initiative and there is no better way than to get directly involved.” Housefather’s performance in the Dramatic Society’s first production was his first real acting experience, he said, and he is “thrilled” to be in another play. “I believe my participation,” he said, “signals the incredible interest that our council has to make CSL a city of theatre — our desire to make this a city that offers both sports and cultural programs that, in a few years, will be second to none.” Councillor Mitchell Brownstein commended the mayor’s participation, describing him as a skilled actor that “is very involved on the ground level ... I think it’s going to be a hysterical play and I think we now have a reputation for putting out great performances.” Goldbloom, who has professional acting experience in both plays and movies, said he enjoys being on stage and he believes in the dramatic society’s importance as it draws in people of all ages. “We want to continue to make the city as attractive as possible for young families move in as well as offering people of all ages an opportunity to express themselves theatrically,” said Goldbloom. Opening night is May 24 and the play will be performed in city hall’s Harold Greenspon Auditorium. There will be a 2 pm matinee on May 25 as well as 8 pm showing and that schedule repeats itself on the 26th. If the play sells out as quickly as the last production, Grease, there is the possibility of having a final showing on Sunday, May 27. For more information, contact city hall or email: csldramaticsociety@ gmail.com.

Brownstein speaks about his father-in laws survival of the holocaust in the Warsaw Ghetto.

Castel Royale residents commemorate HolocaustApril 25, 2012
Joel Goldenberg, The Suburban

The annual Yom Hashoah commemoration of the Holocaust at Côte St. Luc's Tifereth Beth David Jerusalem Synagogue is the most widely known community remembrance of the atrocities of the Nazis. But several other events were held last week to also remember the six million Jews who perished during World War II. One such ceremony was held at the Castel Royale residence in Côte St. Luc, where a smaller version of the community commemoration was held. Residents lit candles in memory of those who died, and also to represent the partisans who fought Nazis, veterans, the Polish army, the Russian army, the Israeli army and Castel Royale itself. Rabbi Mark Friedman, of the Castel Royale, offered words of inspiration. Eva Bass, a Holocaust survivor, said it would be impossible to explain everything she experienced during that time in Hungary. “I don't wish what we went through on anybody in the world.” Castel Royale director Sonya Miles told of a trip to Europe she took as a teenager. While there, she visited the house of Anne Frank, the Jewish girl who wrote her famous diary as her family was being hidden from the Nazis in Amsterdam. “This really meant a lot to me,” Miles said. “I remember the day like it was yesterday. When I went back to Europe two years later, I went to Poland and I wanted to go to Cracow, and I visited Auschwitz and Birkenau. When I crossed the gate, I felt very emotional.” Councillor Mitchell Brownstein said his father-in-law, Eddy Yagodzinsky, survived the Warsaw Ghetto through various harrowing means, including hiding in a barn, dressing as a Christian, living under a Polish man's identity and hiding in the ruins of the Warsaw Ghetto after the uprising, where he was found and saved by a man named David Landau. Yagodzinsky is now 92. “The blood that goes through my children is thanks to his survival,” Brownstein pointed out.