Special edition: Mental Health 1

Trains: CN and Conservatives must start taking Sud-Ouest residents seriously Spotlight on mental health Resource guide Champlain Bridge update You told us... Prorogation of Parliament Photo album

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Tyrone Benskin
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT / / JEANNE-LE BER

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Parliamentary Bulletin Autumn/Winter 2013

A message from Tyrone Benskin
Dear neighbours, Nearly everyones life is affected by mental illnesstheir own or that of a family member or friend. According to the Montreal public health department, nearly one in three Montrealers will experience mental illness over the course of his or her life, and on average, nearly 700 residents of our riding alone are hospitalized for at least one night due to their mental health. For young people between ages 10 and 24, suicide is the second most common cause of death. Sadly, only a third of people living with mental illness report having sought and obtained help. The subject of mental health is surrounded by powerful prejudice, falsehoods, and taboos. When someone no longer has the mental and emotional resources to continue their normal activities, they may feel guilty or incompetent. They may fear being labelled or stigmatized. Or they may believe, or be told, that its their own fault. These feelings of shame and isolation mean that many people avoid seeking the treatments that could help them recover. Moreover, it can be very difficult to navigate the various mental health care systems, especially when you are already beyond your limits and struggling just to cope. If you know a person who may need help, or if you are going through a difficult time yourself, its important to take action. Im therefore pleased to present the guide to local mental health resources on page 2, to help you find help near you when you need it most. In Parliament, the NDP is calling for a strategic crosscountry collaboration with the provinces in order to share best practices in mental health and ensure better and more stable funding for support services and specialized training for health professionals. And were also working to protect the social programssuch as low-cost housing and employment insurancethat can keep problems in peoples lives from developing into mental illness. The holidays are coming soon: for many, a time of joy and rest, but for some, a time of stress, sadness, and isolation. Like physical health, mental health is a part of life. Lets work to dispel the prejudices that surround it, show solidarity, and help one another. My hope is that this information helps those in need to find their way to the helping hands and open hearts of those in our community dedicated to our well-being. Be well, Tyrone Benskin MP, Jeanne-Le Ber

Riding ofce

2403, rue du Centre Montreal QC H3K 1J9 Charlevoix Phone: 514.496.4885 Fax: 514.496.8097

Trains: CN and Conservatives must start taking Sud-Ouest residents seriously

We recently saw the second anniversary of the derailment of a freight train right in the heart of Pointe-Saint-Charles, in the early morning of September 24, 2011. Thankfully, no one was injured, neither residents nor railway workers, and the cars were empty of their freight. This winter, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) published its report on the incident, concluding that the accident was attributable to excess speed and ambiguous speed limit signage in the area. Following this incident, many citizens and community groups rightly expressed their serious concerns regarding the risks of such operations, especially when dangerous goods are involved. This is on top of longstanding complaints about the extreme noise levels caused by switching operations late into the night. These operations used to be confined to remote areas but now take place right outside the homes of Pointe residents. Despite several meetings with CN officials, we are still waiting for CN to propose concrete measures to improve the quality of life for Pointe-SaintCharles residents. Meanwhile, Conservative Infrastructure Minister Denis Lebel has dismissed out of hand the legitimate concerns of municipalities regarding the goods transported through their neighbourhoods. The minister flatly denies that the federal government, which is responsible for rail transport across the country, has any role to play in verifying the contents of the trains that pass through our neighbourhoods, leaving it up to the rail companies themselves to decide whether or not our safety fits in with their business plan. The Auditor General has found that a laissez-faire culture has existed for years in federal oversight of the rail system. CONTD P. 4

Ottawa ofce

950, La Promenade Bldg. House of Commons Ottawa ON K1A 0A6 Phone: 613.995.6403 Fax: 613.995.6404 Mail to your MP does not need a stamp. tyrone.benskin@parl.gc.ca tyronebenskin.ca facebook.com/tyronebenskin Twitter: @tbenskin

Spotlight on mental health

Mental illness is a condition of the mind involving alterations in thinking, mood, or behaviour, causing significant distress, suffering, and dysfunction. As with physical illness, mental illness takes many different forms. It can include mood disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, perso nality disorders, eating disorders, addictions, and others. Good mental health means more than just the absence of mental illness. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health as a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her community. Good mental health means a balance between the various parts of ones life, such as ones social, physical, mental, economic, and spiritual life. Reaching and maintaining this balance requires constant effort. When the difficulties and challenges of life exceed your ability to cope, mental health is at risk. You can call on support services to help you find your balance again. Also, it can be difficult to find the services you need, especially since you often have to look for them just when you have the fewest resources to spare. This is why weve put together this guide to make the task easier.

CSSS du Sud-OuestVerdun Your local CLSC

Family doctors or the local CLSC are the first line of access to mental health care for anyone living with anxiety, addiction, mood disorders, relational disorders, personality disorders, or psychosis. CLSCs offer psychological and psychosocial evaluation; individualized care; support for family members; and group workshops on managing emotions and stress, self-affirmation, breakups, reducing distress, and depression. In some cases, your doctor or CLSC can refer you to specialized services. These are covered by Quebec medicare. Contact your local CLSC for more information. CLSC de Saint-Henri 3833, rue Notre-Dame Ouest (Place-Saint-Henri metro) 514-933-7541 CLSC de Verdun 400, rue de lglise (De lglise metro) 514-766-0546 CLSC Ville-mardCte-Saint-Paul 6161, rue Laurendeau (Jolicoeur metro) 514-766-0546 www.sov.qc.ca In Pointe-Saint-Charles, CLSC services are provided by an independent community clinic. It offers mental health care for adults, teenagers, and children. Clinique communautaire de Pointe-Saint-Charles 500, rue Ash (Charlevoix metro) 514-937-9251 www.ccpsc.qc.ca
LAutre Maison, centre dintervention de crise du Sud-Ouest LAutre Maison serves people going through a mental health crisis, a dangerous situation, or suicidal or violent throughts, with a 24hour bilingual listening and support service, care in the home, and short-term crisis shelter beds for women and men. 514-768-7225 www.rccgm.com/ section-16-l-autremaison
More resources for mental health and well-being Bilingual services are marked with .

Douglas Institute This major mental health institution offers services in English and French to all age groups, for anxiety, depression, Alzheimers disease and other forms of dementia, schizophrenia and other forms of psychosis, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, behavioural disorders, and many others. Specialized services are available by referral from a doctor or CLSC and are covered by medicare. 6875, boul. LaSalle (bus 58, 36, 110, 107, 108, 112, or 113) 514-761-6131 www.douglas.qc.ca Emergency room If you need immediate mental health care, the emergency room at the Douglas can help you. Patients are evaluated by a nurse and a psychiatrist, who determine if they should be admitted to the Douglas Institute, released with instructions, and/or referred for specialized services or resources in the community. 514-761-6131, extension 2221 Centre Wellington This site in downtown Verdun offers services for rehabilitation and reintegration of people living with mental illnesses. It offers well-being, work integration, and education activities, as well as therapy groups. 4932, rue Wellington (De lglise or Verdun metro) 514-768-2668, extension 328

Parents et amis du bien-tre mental du Sud-Ouest de Montral Education, support groups, recreation, and respite services for families and loved ones of people with mental illnesses. (Services in French.) 881, rue de lglise (mtro de lglise ou Verdun) 514-368-4824 www.apabemso.org www.avantdecraquer.com
Tel-Ans, individual support at home: 514-738-4873 AMI-Qubec (support groups, services for family and friends): 514-486-1448, www.amiquebec.org Life issues: SOS violence conjugale: 514 873-9010 Montreal Sexual Assault Centre (help line and counselling): 514-934-4504 La Maison Jean Monbourquette (bereavement): 514-523-3596 Gai-coute: 514-866-0103 Solidarity, community, advocacy: Action-Sant de Pointe-St-Charles: 514-933-5771 2423, rue Wellington www.actionsante.org Project PAL: 514-767-4701 861, rue de lglise www.projetpal.com

Support services: Dprims anonymes (listening line): 514-278-2130 Dpendants affectifs anonymes Suicide prevention: Bilingual info line: 514-990-4744 Association qubcoise de prvenSupport group in Verdun (in French) tion du suicide, 24h crisis line: Alcoholics Anonymous: 514-376-9230 1-866-APPELLE (1-866-277-3553) Help by e-mail: aidecourriel@aa87.org Suicide action Montral : Narcotics Anonymous: 514-544-6362 514-723-4000 Portage (addiction) : 514-939-0202 www.suicideactionmontreal.org www.portage.ca General help lines: Phobies-Zro (anxiety and obses Tel-Aide: 514-935-1101 sive-compulsive disorder) Tel-coute: 514-493-4484 Listening line: 514-276-3105 Tel-Jeunes: 1-800-263-2266 Support group in Verdun Support by text: 514-600-1002 www.phobies-zero.qc.ca Support by chat: teljeunes.com Revivre (anxiety, depression, Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 bipolar disorder): 514-738-4873 Halte-Ami (students, youth): www.revivre.org 514-987-8509 Benedict Labre House (mental Tel-Ans (seniors 60+ and their famhealth in situations of homelessness ilies) : 514-353-2463 and poverty): 514-937-5973

Tyrone Benskin, MP

Printed with vegetable inks on 100% post-consumer recycled paper.

Champlain Bridge project public meetings

On September 15 and 17, my office organized public meetings, respectively regarding the new Champlain Bridge project and the recently started temporary causeway to Nuns Island. At these two meetings, some 100 citizens brought up concerns and offered ideas about the projects. I wanted to respond to some of the more frequently raised issues. //Disrepair of the current bridge This is of great concern to us. The Conservatives have repeatedly refused to make studies public and have censored ones that they have released. It took several years and great pressure by the NDP before the Conservatives confirmed that a new bridge would be built. If they had taken the safety of bridge users seriously, construction would have started years ago. As it is, $500 million will have to be thrown out the window to strengthen the bridge until its replaced. Accordingly, the NDP will not stop demanding transparency with any information the federal government has about the safety of the bridge. //Construction hassles This massive construction project could easily cause major nuisances for nearby residents if it is not properly regulated and monitored. Strict standards have been announced for the construction of the Nuns Island causeway. In particular, the construction noise must not increase ambient noise levels by more than 5 dB. For the new Champlain Bridge, the detailed environmental report that has just been issued proposes very strict measures to mitigate the effects of construction. In both cases, my priority is making sure that these good intentions are in fact respected. Do not hesitate to contact my office to tell me about any violation of these standards. //Public transit We continue to support the Quebec governments request to include and fund a light rail system. The federal government is funding or has funded light rail construction in six other Canadian cities; Montreal deserves the same. //Design contest The new Champlain bridge will be much more than a bunch of steel and concrete. It will be the busiest bridge in Canada, an essential lifeline for the whole region, and an iconic element of the Montreal skyline for decades to come. The new bridge must be sustainable and adapted to the 21st century. We are favourable to the request by the City of Montreal and numerous organizations for an open contest for the design of the new bridge. This will also ensure greater transparency, which is essential to preventing corruption and ensuring the proper management of the project. //Keeping the causeway Many Nuns Island residents told me that they would like to see the causeway become a permanent third link with the Island of Montreal. Ill be happy to pass this on to those in charge of the project and find out if this is feasible. Finally, it should be noted that neither the engineering nor financial planning of the new Champlain bridge have reached a very advanced stage. This is by far the biggest federal project in our riding. Your questions and comments will be welcome and will help guide my actions throughout the process.

You told us...

On Senate abolition... Ive supported this for a long time. I think it costs taxpayers too much. I hope it will happen soon. (trans.) I dont see the purpose of this undemocratic institution. Its members are named for life very partisan. (trans.) The money saved by taking out the Senate can go to, e.g., health care and affordable housing. Id rather abolish the Senate and have the postal workers keep their jobs. (trans.) It should be reformed so that it protects regional and minority interests wisely and respectably. (trans.) I come from a country where there is a lot of corruption. My family and I came to Canada, and I want to live in a truly democratic country. (trans.) On the NDPs bill on official languages... Obligatory bilingualism in the Senate and the Supreme Court. (trans.) Canada is a bilingual country, but Mr. Harpers election was a step backwards. (trans.) Bilingualism is an asset to Canada. Why would the Conservatives have a unilingual auditor general or chief electoral officer? Our country is bilingual... It is very important that all Canadians can be understood in their language. (trans.) Your work on this issue is greatly appreciated, especially in light of the Harper governments demonstrated disdain for the Official Languages Act. On keeping the rue Saint-Jacques post office open... The employees at this post office are the nicest and most courteous one could ever hope to encounter. There are 3,500 condos being built less than a kilometre away... 5,000 new clients to serve. (trans.) I am a senior citizen. I have no Internet services...nor can I afford those services. ...The post office is what I use for mailing letters and parcels. Its important. Thanks. If this outlet closes, I am going to be in a very tight squeeze. I have a disability and cant easily go anywhere else. I am significantly alarmed by this decision. What am I going to do? In fact, the government should do the oppositeit should consider opening new ones! (trans.)

In the last issue, we asked you: Do you agree with the NDP that the Senate should be abolished? Heres how your answers broke down: 10.0 %: no

We want to hear from you

Do you agree with the NDP that the Conservatives are neglecting the safety of our railways? o Yes o No Have you ever been bothered by railway operations near your home? o Yes o No
Comments:

(most of which said it should be reformed)

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90.0%: yes I would like to receive e-mail updates

Thank you for your participation!

E-mail: ____________________________________________________

Jeanne-Le Ber

Photo album

1 At the Canadian Multiculturalism Day festival organized by the Centre africain de dveloppement et dentraide, with MP Sadia Groguh (Saint-Lambert) and famed Congolese-Canadian singer MivYv. 2 Visiting with young people working on the new citizen-created mural on rue Knox, in Pointe-Saint-Charles. 3 At the Little Burgundy Festival, now in its 28th year. 4 Public information and discussion session on the new Champlain Bridge, held in Verdun with Hlne LeBlanc, MP for LaSallemard, and NDP Deputy Transport Critic Hoang Mai (BrossardLa Prairie). 5 Press conference with MP Alexandre Boulerice (RosemontLa Petite-Patrie) against the possible closure of the rue Saint-Jacques post office. 6 Public information and discussion session at the Centre Elgar on the temporary causeway bridge that will replace the current Nuns Island Bridge while it is being rebuilt.

Trains in the Sud-Ouest

CONTD FROM P. 1 TSB reports collect dust while the government leaves rail companies to monitor themselves. We now know the terrible consequences of this sort of irresponsibility. The federal government must make the necessary investments to ensure that trains carrying dangerous goods are safe. For years now the NDP has been calling for significant improvements in these key areas: //The government must strictly enforce requirements regarding testing and documentation, in particular to ensure transparency so that muni cipalities can be aware of the materials being shipped through their territory and take appropriate safety precautions. //A diligent program of inspections and spot checks are necessary to ensure that all applicable safety regulations are being followed. The current self-regulating approach must stop. // All DOT-111A train cars, which are dangerous and obsolete, must be retired or brought up to an acceptable standard. I will continue to work to make rail safety a priority. The safety and peace of mind of SaintHenri and Pointe-Saint-Charles residents, and those of railway communities right across the country, depend on it.

Prorogation of Parliament
This autumn, Prime Minister Harper demonstrated his contempt for the parliamentary process once again. Rather than take responsibility, he chose to shut down Parliament in order to change the channel on the numerous Senate scandals that were erupting around him By the time you read this, the House will have finally resumed. But many of the problems caused by prorogation wont be fixed just because Parliament is sitting again: //A special committee on missing and murdered Aboriginal women was cancelled. //The 5-week prorogation meant 1,000 fewer Opposition questions were asked in Question Period. //Several major environmental studies were abandoned. //The Conservatives own senate reform bill died on the order paper. // Work on several pressing issues, such as rail safety and the situation in Syria, has been critically delayed. Despite everything, the NDP continued to hold the government to account. Each weekday during the prorogation, the NDP held a virtual Question Period on Twitter, under the hashtag #QPQ, asking the questions important to Canadians. The Conservatives cannot escape accountability so easily.
@tbenskin, 2013/10/10, 2:54 pm: Railways, level crossings, dangerous cargo: @LRaitt, what is your plan for rail safety? #QPQ [translated]

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My team is here to help you with any concerns you may have regarding federal services, such as immigration, employment insurance, and federal pensions (CPP, OAS, and GRS). I am here to make sure your voice is heard in Parliament. Do not hesitate to write, telephone, or e-mail to let me know your opinions about the issues that affect our community. To see what Ive been saying in the House of Commons and doing in the community, I invite you to follow me on line: Facebook: Twitter: Website: facebook.com/tyronebenskin @tbenskin tyronebenskin.ndp.ca

Tyrone Benskin
MP Jeanne-Le Ber House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6