Anglais

Former director of scandal-plagued York school board seeks more than $2M after firing

Published

5 années ago

janvier 17, 2019

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The former director of the York Region District School Board — fired after a scathing provincial report cited his poor leadership and allegations he ordered staff to spy on each other — says his dismissal was unfair and that he is entitled to more than $2 million.

According to his statement of claim filed in Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice, J. Philip Parappally is seeking $1.93 million in lost salary and car allowance over the remainder of his controversial 10-year contract, as well as unspecified damages for the loss of benefits and “moral damages” for “bad faith conduct” by the school board.

Parappally also wants compensation “in an amount to be determined” for “loss of opportunity” because his unusual decade-long contract also included a job-for-life clause, providing him with a position as a senior superintendent in 2024 after serving as director, his claim states.

He is also seeking another $500,000, saying in his statement of claim that the board did not accommodate a disability — which he says arose out of the stress of the negative media attention and the report on the York board under his tenure — and instead let him go, in addition to a further payout for “intentional infliction of nervous shock.”

As director of the board, Parappally earned $276,000 a year, and his statement of claim notes he “had no disciplinary history whatsoever leading up to the termination of his employment” since he began working there in 2000.

He was let go shortly after the report was released, and after then-education minister Mitzie Hunter ordered the school board to take steps to improve.

The provincial report detailed Parappally’s behaviour, saying his actions fostered a climate of mistrust, and that “a skilled leader would have risen above these difficulties.”

In its statement of defence, the York board said it had every right to terminate Parappally with or without cause — the latter providing a payout of one-year’s salary.

The board says the report outlined “very serious misconduct” by Parappally, including “sharing a confidential email with a community member, trading favours for the benefit of personal constituent agendas of individual trustees” as well as “cultivating an environment of distrust and intimidation,” according to the statement of defence.

The board also notes concerns that Parappally was “requesting that senior staff spy on other senior staff, including that a meeting be videotaped without the presenter’s knowledge” and “sending laptops of other staff surreptitiously for testing,” the statement of defence says.

An April 13, 2017 note from Parappally’s doctor was brief, saying he “should be off work until at least April 24 for medical reasons,” and the board’s statement of defence says “the medical evidence that he provided to the YRDSB did not indicate a disability.”

It goes on to say that “it is evident that Mr. Parappally reacted in a negative manner to the review report, for good reason. While his reaction may have involved a degree of stress, that does not constitute an illness, let alone a disability.”

In his statement of claim, Parappally says the provincial reviewers — sent into the board in February 2017 — were “overwhelmed” with submissions, and that the comments they received online “may not have been entirely reliable, as the reviewers did not take steps to confirm the identities of individuals providing information.”

He said the reviewers suggested training, an outside performance review, and that the board renegotiate his contract, while also improving the “transparency and accountability” in the board.

“At no point did the report or Minister Hunter state that Mr. Parappally’s employment should be terminated,” his statement of claim says.

Parappally also says personal animosities fuelled his firing, according to his statement of claim.

His lawsuit has become a focus for parents who have asked the board if there is any connection to it and the recent resignation of trustee Anna DeBartolo, who cited personal reasons.

Director of Education Louise Sirisko, when reached by the Star, said she cannot comment on a lawsuit.

“I want to assure members of our community and the public that the YRDSB is upholding its mission, its vision, its integrity” and the law, she said.

Since taking over as director a year ago, Sirisko said she and the board have worked hard to rebuild relationships with the community and with parents.

“We cannot comment on the specifics of a legal proceeding,” added board spokesperson Licinio Miguelo. “Our board has made significant progress since the ministry’s report in April 2017, and we continue to focus on the work of improving student achievement and well-being.”

Sirisko noted the board, and the director, have no authority to force a trustee step down.

Kristin Rushowy is a Toronto-based reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow her on Twitter: @krushowy

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Anglais

Nostalgia and much more with Starburst XXXtreme

Published

3 années ago

août 10, 2021

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Get a taste of adventure with Starburst XXXtreme based on the legendary NetEnt Game. The nostalgic themes are sure to capture fans of the classic version as they get treated to higher intensity, better visuals, and features. The most significant element of the game is its volatility. Patience will not be an essential virtue considering the insane gameplay, and there is a lot of win potential involved. It retains the original makeup of the previous game while adding a healthy dose of adrenaline.

Starburst Visuals and Symbols

The game is definitely more conspicuous than before. The setting happens over a 5-reel, 3-row game grid with nine fixed win lines, which function if a succession from the left to the right reel is present. Only those players that that attain the highest win per bet line are paid. From a visual standpoint, the Starburst XXXtreme slots illustrates lightning effects behind the reels, which is not surprising as it is inherited from the original version. Available themes include Classic, Jewels, and Space. The game is also available in both desktop and mobile versions, which is advantageous for players considering the global pandemic. According to Techguide, American gamers are increasingly having more engaging gaming experiences to socialize to fill the gap of in-person interaction. Starburst XXXtreme allows them to fill the social void at a time when there is so much time to be had indoors.

Starburst XXXTreme Features

Players get to alternate on three features which are Starburst Wilds, XXXtreme Spins, and Random Wilds. The first appears on reels 2,3, or 4. When these land, they expand to cover all positions while also calculating the wins. They are also locked for a respin. If a new one hits, it also becomes locked while awarding another respin. Starburst XXXtreme offers a choice between two scenarios for a higher stake. In one scenario with a ten times stake, the Starburst Wild is set on random on reels 2,3, or 4, and a multiplier starts the respin. The second scenario, which has a 95 times stake, starts with two guaranteed starburst wilds on reels 2,3, or 4. it also plays out using respin game sequence and features. The game also increases the potential with the Random Wilds feature to add Starburst Wilds to a vacant reel at the end of a spin. Every Starburst Wild gives a random multiplier with potential wins of x2, x3, x5, x10, x25, x50, x100, or even x150.

The new feature is sure to be a big hit with the gaming market as online gambling has shown significant growth during the lockdown. AdAge indicates the current casino customer base is an estimated one in five Americans, so Starburst XXXtreme’s additional features will achieve considerable popularity.

What We Think About The Game

The gambling market has continued to diversify post-pandemic, so it is one of the most opportune times to release an online casino-based game. Thankfully Starburst XXXtreme features eye-catching visuals, including the jewels and space themes. These attract audience participation and make the gameplay inviting. The game also has a nostalgic edge. The previous NetEnt iteration featured similar visuals and gameplay, so the audience has some familiarity with it. The producers have revamped this version by tweaking the features to improve the volatility and engagement.

That is characterized by the potential win cap of 200,000 times the bet. Starburst XXXtreme does not just give betting alternatives for players that want to go big. The increase of multipliers also provides a great experience. If the respins in the previous version were great, knowing that multipliers can go hundreds of times overtakes the game to a new level.

Players should get excited about this offering. All of the features can be triggered within a single spin. Whether one plays the standard game or takes the XXXtreme spin route, it is possible to activate all of the features. Of course, the potential 200,000 times potential is a huge carrot. However, the bet size is probably going to be restricted and vary depending on the casino. It is also worth pointing out that a malfunction during the gameplay will void all of the payouts and progress. Overall, the game itself has been designed to provide a capped win of 200,000 times the original bet.

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Anglais

‘We’re back’: Montreal festival promoters happy to return but looking to next year

Published

3 années ago

juillet 23, 2021

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In downtown Montreal, it’s festival season.

In the city’s entertainment district, a musical act was conducting a sound check on stage Friday evening — the second day of the French-language version of the renowned Just For Laughs comedy festival. Tickets for many of the festival’s free outdoor shows — limited by COVID-19 regulations — were sold out.

Two blocks away, more than 100 people were watching an acoustic performance by the Isaac Neto Trio — part of the last weekend of the Festival International Nuits d’Afrique, a celebration of music from the African continent and the African diaspora.

With COVID-19 restrictions continuing to limit capacity, festival organizers say they’re glad to be back but looking forward to next year when they hope border restrictions and capacity limits won’t affect their plans.

Charles Décarie, Just For Laughs’ CEO and president, said this is a “transition year.”

“Even though we have major constraints from the public health group in Montreal, we’ve managed to design a festival that can navigate through those constraints,” Décarie said.

The French-language Juste pour rire festival began on July 15 and is followed by the English-language festival until July 31.

When planning began in February and March, Décarie said, organizers came up with a variety of scenarios for different crowd sizes, ranging from no spectators to 50 per cent of usual capacity.

“You’ve got to build scenarios,” he said. “You do have to plan a little bit more than usual because you have to have alternatives.”

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Anglais

MELS new major movie studio to be built in Montreal

Published

3 années ago

juillet 23, 2021

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MONTREAL — MELS Studios will build a new film studio in Montreal, filling some of the gap in supply to meet the demand of Hollywood productions.

MELS president Martin Carrier said on Friday that MELS 4 studio construction will begin « as soon as possible », either in the fall or winter of next year. The studio could host productions as early as spring 2023.

The total investment for the project is $76 million, with the Quebec government contributing a $25 million loan. The project will create 110 jobs, according to the company.

The TVA Group subsidiary’s project will enable it to stand out « even more » internationally, according to Quebecor president and CEO Pierre Karl Péladeau. In the past, MELS Studios has hosted several major productions, including chapters of the X-Men franchise. The next Transformers movie is shooting this summer in Montreal.

Péladeau insisted that local cultural productions would also benefit from the new facility, adding that the studio ensures foreign revenues and to showcase talent and maintain an industry of Quebec producers.

STUDIO SHORTAGE

The film industry is cramped in Montreal.

According to a report published last May by the Bureau du cinéma et de la télévision du Québec (BCTQ), there is a shortage of nearly 400,000 square feet of studio space.

With the addition of MELS 4, which will be 160,000 square feet, the company is filling part of the gap.

Carrier admitted that he has had to turn down contracts because of the lack of space, representing missed opportunities of « tens of millions of dollars, not only for MELS, but also for the Quebec economy. »

« Montreal’s expertise is in high demand, » said Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante, who was present at the announcement.

She said she received great testimonials from « Netflix, Disney, HBO and company » during an economic mission to Los Angeles in 2019.

« What stands out is that they love Montreal because of its expertise, knowledge and beauty. We need more space, like MELS 4, » she said.

There is still not enough capacity in Quebec, acknowledged Minister of Finance, the Economy and Innovation Eric Girard.

« It is certain that the government is concerned about fairness and balance, so if other requests come in, we will study them with the same seriousness as we have studied this one, » he said.

Grandé Studios is the second-largest player in the industry. Last May, the company said it had expansion plans that should begin in 2022. Investissement Québec and Bell are minority shareholders in the company.

For its part, MELS will have 400,000 square feet of production space once MELS 4 is completed. The company employs 450 people in Quebec and offers a range of services including studio and equipment rentals, image and sound postproduction, visual effects and a virtual production platform.