Breton explorer Jacques Cartier features on a $200 silver coin the Royal Canadian Mint issued in 2013
On today’s date in 1535, the second voyage of Breton explorer Jacques Cartier arrived at the Iroquois village of Stadacona
where he met Chief Donnacona while traversing the St
Cartier’s three ships were called the Grande Hermine
Cartier made known his desire to push upriver to Hochelaga
which was another Laurentian Iroquois settlement
according to Jon Parmenter’s 2010 book The Edge of the Woods
Cartier found no willing guides among his Stadaconan hosts
“After a preliminary discussion with Donnacona on September 15
1535 (which Cartier believed had established ‘a marvelous stedfast league of friendship’)
Donnacona clarified the nature of the arrangements in a formal ceremony two days later at the site of Cartier’s anchored vessels,” writes Parmenter
“Following a round of singing and dancing
Donnacona moved all his people to one side
[and] caused the Captain [Cartier] and his men to stand in it.’ He then presented Cartier a gift of three Stadaconan children
which Taignoagny explained were offered to Cartier (as a sign of alliance) on the condition that he not travel to Hochelaga
The spatial gesture represented by the ring drawn in the sand
represented the Stadaconans’ conditional offer of allegiance
an offer that depended on Cartier accepting their power to control his freedom of movement and binding himself as an ally of the community with kinbased obligations of reciprocity.”
where he stayed for about a year while claiming the area for France and calling it “Canada,” which was an alteration of the Iroquois word “kanata,” which means village or settlement
Québec city (or “Ville de Quebec” in French) is named after the St
Lawrence River promontory by which it’s located
“Kebec” is an Algonquin word meaning “where the river narrows.”
the Royal Canadian Mint issued a $200 gold coin featuring Cartier as the second of six issues in its “Great Explorers” series
With a limited mintage of 2,000 coins – 1,000 fewer than the series’ first coin – this gold piece has a weight of 15.43 grams
a diameter of 29 millimetres and serrated edges
the coin’s reverse features a full-length portrait of Cartier standing atop a riverbank and surveying the land
He’s flanked by French soldiers and an aboriginal guide
with surrounding inscriptions reading “CANADA,” the year-date “2013” and the face value of “200 DOLLARS.”
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Meet Acting Sub-Lieutenant (A/SLt) Marianne Forest from Montreal
who joined the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) Reserve in 2017
As a volunteer for the Sea Scouts and a member of the Canadian Forces Sailing Club
she met a number of individuals who suggested she consider becoming an officer with the RCN
A Naval Warfare Officer at her home Naval Reserve Division, Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Donnacona in Montreal
A/SLt Forest is presently employed as a Personnel Readiness 2IC (second-in-charge) Data Coordinator
Her work is important to her and she finds it fulfilling that as a member of the military, she can get involved with both the military and local communities, noting 2019’s Operation LENTUS, where the Navy was deployed in the Greater Montreal area to help flood victims.
The best part about being in the RCN for A/SLt Forest is the variety of jobs, tasks and opportunities available.
“The most interesting part of working in the Navy is the wide variety of taskings that one can be called upon to accomplish from day to day. It is easy to stay motivated when I can switch from driving a ship, to writing reference documents for my unit, to organizing outreach events.”
A memorable highlight for A/SLt Forest was participating in Pride parade.
“I particularly enjoy working with the public, so another of my highlights would be when I was asked to coordinate HMCS Donnacona's participation in the Montreal Pride Parade in 2019. As a member of the LGBTQ + community, it was my first time walking in the parade and the atmosphere of support demonstrated by both the Forces and the public was very empowering!”
The constant new and fresh opportunities is what keeps A/Slt Forest in the RCN.
“There is always something new to do, new things to learn, new challenges. The prospect of advancing in my career and always having new opportunities is very motivating.”
Her advice to those who might consider a job with the RCN is to thoroughly research the job opportunities offered.
“There are many more options than you might think at first glance, not all military personnel go into the field; support professions are just as vital. The important thing is to choose a career that will inspire you to give your best performance.”
Donnacona’s first trip was to Port Colborne. - Peter van der linden photo, courtesy Bob Campbell
Skip Gillham, Ships & Shipwrecks. Two ships named Donnacona have been part of the century old Canada Steamship Lines.
This article is over a year old, and the information within may be out of date.
Two ships named Donnacona have been part of the century old Canada Steamship Lines. The first was a small canal ship that perished in the First World War. The second served the company for 55 years and was once the largest Canadian bulk carrier on the Great Lakes.
The second Donnacona was built by the Western Dry Dock & Shipbuilding Co. of Port Arthur, Ontario, and launched as W. Grant Morden on April 14, 1914. CSL was less than a year old when the company took delivery of the 190.50 metre long vessel. The first cargo was iron ore taken aboard at Escanaba, Michigan, for delivery to Port Colborne.
Setting Great Lakes cargo records was common in the early years and included 760,066 bushels of oats in 1915, 504,908 bushels of wheat in 1916, 14,955 tons of iron ore in 1928 and a world record 587,844 bushels of barley taken aboard on April 30, 1947.
It is shown in a photo by Peter Van der Linden, courtesy of Bob Campbell.
CSL changed the name to Donnacona in 1926 and the ship continued regular service on the upper four Great Lakes. On Aug. 27, 1932, the ship made its first trip down the newly opened Welland Canal, opening Lake Ontario ports, particularly Kingston, as a destination.
A fire disabled the ship in Lake Huron on Dec. 16, 1964, before an SOS could be sent out. The blaze did serious damage to the wheelhouse and forward cabins and these were replaced at Windsor over the winter of 1964-1965.
Donnacona last operated in 1968 and laid up at Midland. Following a sale to Spanish ship breakers, the ship raised steam one last time and came down the Welland Canal under her own power on June 14, 1969. A week later, it was taken in tow at Quebec City and delivered to Bilbao, Spain, on July 12 for dismantling.
Skip Gillham, now in his 17th year with The Leader, is the author of a number of books. His book “Postwar Ships of Canada Steamship Lines” is available at The Leader, Crew’s Quarters and the Port Col borne Museum.
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HeadlinesLatest NewsPodcasts (new window)EnglishENHomePoliticsFederal Politics Military fines MP Kevin Vuong for failing to report criminal chargeVuong
was fined $500 for a service charge under the National Defence Act
Independent member of Parliament and Royal Canadian Navy reserve officer Kevin Vuong takes questions from reporters after the military fined him $500 for failing to disclose a criminal charge to his commanding officer in 2019
A Royal Canadian Navy official imposed a $500 fine on Independent MP and Royal Canadian Navy reserve officer Kevin Vuong Wednesday for failing to inform his commanding officer of a criminal charge against him
Vuong elected to face a summary trial instead of a court martial
The trial took place Wednesday morning at HMCS Donnacona
Vuong was facing a service charge under the National Defence Act for conduct to the prejudice of good order and discipline
told CBC News Vuong admitted to all particulars of the charge during the trial
Landry concluded a $500 fine was the most appropriate punishment
Toronto Police charged Vuong with a single count of sexual assault in April 2019
Military law requires Canadian Armed Forces members to disclose any such charges to their commanding officers — something Vuong failed to do
The Crown withdrew the charge six months after it was filed
Vuong said he would be commenting in more detail at a later time
I'm here in uniform out of respect to the (Canadian Armed Forces)
I don't believe that this is the right venue and that now is the right time
but I want to encourage all of you to please reach out to my office to find a time and ..
is currently the only Independent member of Parliament
The Liberal Party dumped him as a candidate during the 2021 federal election campaign after information about the past sexual assault charge against him emerged
The party said Vuong did not tell them about the charge during the candidate vetting process
The party's disavowal of Vuong came too late in the campaign to remove his name from the ballot as the Liberal candidate
He was elected in the Toronto riding of Spadina—Fort York with 38.9 per cent of the vote
Vuong has denied any wrongdoing and has called the allegation behind the charge a "fantasy (new window)." He's also pointed to the withdrawal of the charge as evidence of his innocence
Richard Raycraft (new window) · CBC News
International fugitive returned to B.C. after being arrested in Middle East International fugitive returned to B.C. after being arrested in Middle East. Posted: 10 hours ago. VPD say Cody Casey disappeared in 2022 after removing his ankle bracelet while on bail
Alberta premier’s Mar-a-Lago visit cost more than $10,000, documents reveal Alberta premier’s Mar-a-Lago visit cost more than $10,000, documents reveal. Posted: 11 hours ago. CBC News obtains travel details through Freedom of Information request
Conservatives signal they are willing to back Carney’s Liberals on some legislation Conservatives signal they are willing to back Carney’s Liberals on some legislation. Posted: 14 hours ago. Tory House leader says party will stand with Carney in U.S
E.M. recalls details of ‘degrading’ alleged sex assault in testimony at trial of … E.M. recalls details of ‘degrading’ alleged sex assault in testimony at trial of ex-world juniors players. Posted: 14 hours ago. 'It was all just a joke to them,’ complainant tells London
Hudson’s Bay backtracks on cutting workers’ commission pay, but still won’t offer … Hudson’s Bay backtracks on cutting workers’ commission pay, but still won’t offer severance. Posted: 12 hours ago. Flip-flip follows CBC News report and grievance filed by some in the workers' union
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Vuong was facing a service charge under the National Defence Act for conduct to the prejudice of good order and discipline.
told CBC News Vuong admitted to all particulars of the charge during the trial
Landry concluded a $500 fine was the most appropriate punishment
Military law requires Canadian Armed Forces members to disclose any such charges to their commanding officers — something Vuong failed to do
The Crown withdrew the charge six months after it was filed
Vuong said he would be commenting in more detail at a later time
is currently the only Independent member of Parliament
The Liberal Party dumped him as a candidate during the 2021 federal election campaign after information about the past sexual assault charge against him emerged
The party's disavowal of Vuong came too late in the campaign to remove his name from the ballot as the Liberal candidate
Vuong has denied any wrongdoing and has called the allegation behind the charge a \"fantasy.\" He's also pointed to the withdrawal of the charge as evidence of his innocence
Richard Raycraft · CBC News
VPD say Cody Casey disappeared in 2022 after removing his ankle bracelet while on bail
CBC News obtains travel details through Freedom of Information request
40-year-old man charged with assault and assault causing bodily harm
Flip-flip follows CBC News report and grievance filed by some in the workers' union
'It was all just a joke to them,’ complainant tells London
Tory House leader says party will stand with Carney in U.S
Cybersecurity expert warns Air Canada customers could be ‘sitting ducks’ after couple’s travel credit stolen
Officials discuss Gaza plans on condition of anonymity as Israeli military calls up reservists
Country is making co-ordinated push to work with Canada amid uneasy U.S
Revised result close enough to be subject to automatic recount
As the Liberal Party prepares for its fourth consecutive term
and its first under Prime Minister Mark Carney
The airline says it dropped the case because
court hearing her recollections of night that led to charges against 5 accused
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say they lived in dirty housing and were underpaid
Prime Minister Mark Carney says he'll call a byelection quickly: 'No games'
MontrealNewsTens of thousands of dollars in drugs seized at Quebec prisonBy The Canadian PressPublished: January 20, 2023 at 1:57PM EST
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seized at Quebec’s Donnacona Institution over three daysAlmost 184.5 grams of cannabis concentrate and just shy of 300 grams of weed intercepted
A federal maximum-security institution in Quebec has proved a magnet for illicit products
with the Quebec arm of the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) reporting that cannabis and other contraband with an “institutional value” topping $211,000 was seized over three days last week
the three seizures included 184.5 grams of cannabis concentrate
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has been in place at all federal correctional institutions since 2008
The total estimated institutional value of the seizure is $131,400
while the community value of the seized drone used in the attempt is $2,500
Emphasizing that CSC is heightening measures to prevent contraband from entering its institutions
the statement notes tools at its disposal include ion scanners and drug-detector dogs to search buildings
Following installation in the booking and visitation process in 2015
“the jail has had no contraband instances.”
correctional institutions in Canada are no stranger to contraband and attempts to get what’s outside inside
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Meeting between Donnacona and Jacques Cartier // Photo: Digital Collection of the Bibliothèque nationale du Québec
The following is an article by Niigaan Sinclair
Department of Native Studies at the U of M
You’re going to hear a lot of stories this summer about Canada 150
Go to Ottawa; the entire city is papered with posters
The entire country is going to join it this weekend
What you’re probably not going to hear though is the most important story of all
you understand the name you understand how to live
which holds a millennia of understandings of how life operates best here
The fact Indigenous languages are threatened at the same time environmental disaster is imminent and our very lives are at risk is no coincidence
If you understand the word “Canada,” or rather “Kanata,” you can understand how to negotiate life here
You might even boil some maple syrup once in a while too
This story doesn’t come from 150 years ago though; it starts with a little meeting almost five centuries ago – in 1534
Turtle Island in the 16th century was a village made of thousands of villages
this was a place of large and small governments and communities who worked collaboratively and competitively
trading and warring and sharing and migrating over the seasons and with many reasons
Not one bit of this changed when Europeans arrived
Europeans were just a new leaf on an already existent tree
One of the first to arrive was Jacques Cartier
who came to North America looking for a path to Asia in May of 1534
Cartier was terrible at relationship-building
Reaching the eastern shores of Turtle Island
he first encountered groups of Mikmaq and traded furs for metal
the first recorded trade between Europeans and Indigenous peoples this far north
Jacques commanded his men to shoot at them
he and his men spent a few days shooting over 1000 birds on his way inland
// Source: Library and Archives Canada/MIKAN 2836742
Cartier travelled to the mouth of Kaniatarowanenneh
and landed near a village called Stadacona
A few hours later he did what most Europeans did: claiming everything he saw for his King
He signified this by planting a 10-metre cross in the earth with the engraving “Vive le Roi de France” on it
was that he was standing in someone’s living room
Arriving soon after was a Iroquian leader named Donnacona
Introducing himself as a chief at Stadacona
he asked Cartier what he was doing and gestured that planting a huge monument without permission was a little disrespectful
Some of his men even started to take the marker down
The Stadaconans clearly had law and it dictated that individuals did not simply walk into someone else’s territory and take over the place
Cartier invited Donnacona onto his ship with the promise of trade
Accompanied by his three sons and carrying furs to exchange
He sought from the Frenchmen metal and immediately refused trinkets or decorations
saw an opportunity to achieve the real purpose of his journey: spices and gold
Cartier took two of Donnacona’s sons – Dom Agaya and Taignoagny – captive and told the chief they would be returned the following season
profit and resources was the primary reason he came to the New World
likely seeing an opportunity to get a new trading partner
no doubt wondering if he would ever see them again (I have always wondered how he explained this to their mother)
What he found instead were communities who invited him into relationships and didn’t appreciate his obsession with riches
Cartier turned to Dom Agaya and Taignoagny and demanded his two captives tell him where the riches of North America were
The boys told him that the riches they knew of resided in “Kanata,” the “great village.” Cartier then marked his map with the name “Canada” and vowed to return to fulfill his vision
Cartier returned with the young men years later
they escaped from Cartier’s captivity and returned to their father
for the men had reached their riches: their community
almost succumbing with his men to a scurvy epidemic
Cartier continued to search for his illusion
He could not see Kanata for what it is: a place of relationships
much of Canada still lives under Cartier’s delusion
Nowadays we call spices and gold by other names: oil
and exploitation of the land in the name of resource “development” is the foundation of Canada’s past 150 years
Canada’s biggest project has been its manipulation
and attempts to assimilate Indigenous cultures and communities
Literally every segment of this country has been built off of Indigenous backs
From the sprawling cities to the national policies Canada “invented” to the very names Canadians carry on their drivers licenses
Indigenous histories are everywhere – even if the textbooks and teachers “forget” to mention this.
Canada was never founded by two nations but hundreds
with French and English communities bringing food to an already bustling and full feast
English and French communities are just two new members of a great village
We will do well to see Kanata for the riches it is rather then the Canada we think we see
for one is real and the other is an illusion
The more flags and crosses we drive in the earth to divide ourselves
the more we buy into visions of profit instead of people
and the more we tell one-dimensional stories of one another the less we know about ourselves and our history
The more we fantasize about ourselves as Cartier’s Canadians and less about who we really are
a great village with riches of relationships
the less we will reach our fullest potential
The riches of Canada lie not in imaginations of gold and spices – and the policies and stories we create from this vision – but in strong
That’s the Kanata we deserve to tell stories about
Faculty of Arts, Indigenous, Native Studies
We’re glossing over Turtle Island’s history, celebrating 150 years of colonization
campus community, podcast, president
Alum architect ignites introspection among students through unique art form
campus life and redeveloping the Hudson Bay building
Homepage stories
It is good to read something off the beaten tracks and that tells historical truth
Someday it will be listened to and respected
I have felt badly that the indigenous people have been ignored
I was drawn into the misconception that the residential schools were a good thing but at the same time my heart cried for the separation of children from parents not even realizing the additional problems of abuse
I’m glad to hear of so many well spoken indigenous people who are able to tell their stories on the CBC radio
I’m a 72 year old grandmother of 10 grandchildren 6 of whom are part indigenous
The Sûreté du Québec’s Cannabis Smuggling Investigation Service, in collaboration with the Québec City Police Department, conducted searches on the morning Thursday, November 14 in connection with illicit cannabis and other substances
The operation, say police, sought to dismantle a criminal organization engaged in the production, distribution and sale of illicit cannabis and other substances in the Portneuf region between Quebec City and Trois-Rivières
both aged 32 in the course of four searches of two residences located in Donnacona and Cap-Santé
The operation involved around thirty police officers
SIJ technicians and dog handlers from the Sûreté du Québec
The ACCES Cannabis program (Actions Concertées pour Contrer les Économies Souterraines) is a provincial initiative set up in 2018 by the Ministry of Public Security
Earlier this month, police in Quebec arrested six and seized a large quantity of cannabis in connection with what they say was a hash processing facility.
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Volume 70, Issue 9, May 5, 2025
Aug 20, 2020 | Latest News
A naval reservist who returned in June from her work at a long-term care home in Quebec has one small request of Canadians: Wear a mask and follow the guidelines of health experts
“It’s vitally important that all people in all parts of the country follow the rules because it will save countless lives as this global pandemic unfolds,” says OS Eloise Lavoie
“Even if you live in a region of the country with a low number of reported cases
and social distancing is not that hard to do and is the easiest way to reduce the spread of COVID-19.”
The 22 year old is a member of Montreal-based reserve unit NCSM/HMCS Donnacona
She was one of approximately 1,500 military members deployed to 54 long-term care facilities in Quebec and Ontario in April
OS Lavoie and other members from Donnacona were deployed to a seniors residence in Manoir Verdun
many residents at the nursing home had become infected with COVID-19
Military members were tasked by the government to help as approximately 1,200 staff at long term care facilities in Quebec had not shown up to work due to illness
“Many residents in the Verdun nursing home simply couldn’t get their regular daily care and were left on their own for hours at a time because they were so short of staff,” said OS Lavoie
When the request came from her unit for volunteers she was one of the first to step forward
“I called my supervisor and said I want to do this
and have the nursing skills that I could put into helping people who need our assistance immediately.”
She spent most of her time working on a quarantined floor of the nursing home designated for approximately 20 people who had tested positive for COVID-19
Her role was categorized as non-medical but the duties she performed were essential to the patients
She helped residents in every facet of their daily routine
An added hurdle was many of the residents suffer from Dementia
She was housed in a nearby hotel with other members of her unit
Since they could not attend restaurants because they were self-isolating
a catering company provided their daily meals
OS Lavoie says sometimes the Personal Protection Equipment they wore irked residents
protective yellow medical gown covering their entire body
“It was hard for many of the residents to completely grasp or understand what was going on and they were a little bit anxious when they saw someone arrive in their room with all that gear.”
military members and staff wrote their names on their protective shields which immediately reduced the level of anxiety
“We were able to speak to them and they could also see the expression in our eyes which was very important because happiness and other emotions can be conveyed through the eyes.”
After returning home last month and reflecting on her experience
she says the big payoff was being able to help make a desperate situation better
to let them know things were going to be okay
and knowing that they trusted you and looked forward to seeing you was the greatest reward I could have had.”
While the long-term care facilities phase of Operation Laser is currently in a draw down state
a contingency task force of 10 civilian care teams remain at the ready
They will be on call to respond to any COVID-19 outbreaks that overwhelm staff and provincial response capabilities
OS Lavoie was rewarded for her work at Manoir Verdun by the Montreal Battalion Group Task Force East 2.1
Her commendation was presented by LCol Alain Cohen
Demystifying Service Under the Sea with the CSF’s First Female CoxswainMay 5
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One of the men convicted in the mass murder of six men in Surrey is looking for love on a website that aims to connect prisoners with people on the outside
Matt Johnston, found guilty last year and sentenced to life in prison for the 2007 execution-style killing, says in his profile on canadianinmatesconnect.com that he believes in making the best of a negative situation and is looking for a "special girl" to share his love and strength with
Johnston is now 30 and says he's watched himself grow and has learned a lot from "a few very good people" in jail
"All the good I hold on to as I continue to improve," he writes from Donnacona Penitentiary in Quebec
is an honest and positive person and never turns his back on a friend
Johnston and fellow Red Scorpion gang member and co-accused Cody Haevischer were convicted of six counts each of first-degree murder and one of conspiracy to murder in the largest gangland slaying in B.C
The two planned to kill rival drug dealer Corey Lal
but also shot to death Lal's brother Michael and Lal's associates Ryan Bartolomeo and Ed Narong
who were all in a 15th floor suite in the Balmoral Tower apartment building
a 22-year-old who was headed out to play basketball that afternoon and was pulled into the death suite
who was servicing gas fireplaces in the building
While the inmate profiles usually say what they're in prison for (ie
Johnston notes in his profile that while his expected release date is 2033
Both he and Haevischer are appealing their convictions
The prisoner matchmaking site garnered attention earlier this week when it was discovered Luka Rocco Magnotta
who made headlines worldwide for the grisly killing and dismemberment of a university student in Montreal in 2012
Magnotta says he's looking for his "prince charming" for a long-term
The website has been criticized by Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney
who has asked that Correctional Service Canada ensure dangerous and violent criminals aren't able to further exploit individuals
“This website is outrageous and offensive to victims of crime," said the minister's spokesman Jeremy Laurin
"The operator of this website should seriously reconsider the platform she is giving to convicted criminals."
Dialogue and debate are integral to a free society and we welcome and encourage you to share your views on the issues of the day. We ask that you be respectful of others and their points of view, refrain from personal attacks and stay on topic. To learn about our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines
A new day has dawned for the employees at Alliance Forest Products’ Donnacona
a dawn that provides the promise of a secure future
were acquired by the newly-formed Alliance Forest Products in 1994 when Domtar decided the mills did not fit into its future plans
slower machines and producing commodity products
the sands of time were quickly running out on both mills
Dolbeau was the first beneficiary of the new regime with a rebuild of what is now PM 5 (Pulp & Paper Canada
Then it was announced that Donnacona’s PM 3 would be rebuilt
In an interview with Pulp & Paper Canada in October 1998
Alliance president Pierre Monahan said the company changed its mind about rebuilding PM 3 because it realized the problems with PMs 1 and 2 would remain
the company committed to the $275-million PM 4 project
The company also announced that PMs 1 and 2 would be shut
the company is spending to upgrade PM 3 also (see sidebar)
it will be able to produce 152 000 tonnes per year (t/y) of SC-B and SC-A paper grades for catalogues
flyers and inserts (brightness levels up to 72)
the medium-term goal for Alliance is to have the Dolbeau mill produce SC-B grades and Donnacona produce SC-A paper
The capacity of PM 3 will remain at 89 000 t/y
former mill manager at Dolbeau and involved with the PM 5 project
the wood furnish will be 100% spruce chips
virtually all of them black spruce with a sprinkling of white spruce chips
The mill’s existing TMP (530 t/d) system will be used to produce the pulp
The key to Donnacona’s pulp processing for PM 4 will be fibre fractionation
The process will be similar to the one used to great effect at Dolbeau
but a slightly more sophisticated version with more energy available
The fractionation needs to be improved for SC-A grades
The long fibres will go through two Andritz 14 000-hp refiners
The long and short fibres will then go through two Sunds (now Valmet Fibre Technology) Conflo refiners
is a 40 freeness pulp as the final TMP for PM 4
Simard believes that fibre fractionation produces a better pulp than third stage high-consistency refining
This is because the latter refines all the pulp at high consistency
you are refining pulp (short fibres) that doesn’t need to be refined,” he explained
“We can custom refine pulp to its stage of development
shorten fibres that don’t need to be.”
The main target the mill is trying to reach with its pulp is for the best printing characteristics for SC-B and SC-A grades
Good pulp strength is also critical to minimize the need for kraft pulp
we can lower the freeness without losing strength,” Simard added
“We feel TMP quality is the big factor in final SC paper quality
That’s why we invested in fractionation
We need to put lots of energy into our pulp to get top quality.”
the changes made to the production process ahead of the new paper machine were the addition of Noss hydrocyclones
Sunds Delta screens and HC refiners as well as the Sunds post refiners
PMs 3 and 4 will have separate dedicated systems with disc filters
This will give the machines better stability
Another $12 million is being spent to install a second peroxide bleach plant
It will be operational in April 2001 The two bleach plants will be able to serve both machines
The showpiece of the modernization is the Voith paper machine
triple-nip press with a NipcoFlex shoe press
DuoStabilizer single tier vacuum-assisted dryers
a Janus multi-soft nip calender and a Sirius reel
There are four large approach flow screens: primary
The primary screen is Voith’s new MSA model and at the time of purchase was the largest in North America
designed to eliminate velocity fluctuations in the accepts chamber
Differences from Dolbeau include a different design turbulence section in the headbox and the shoe press in the third press position
The top side drainage unit is vacuum-assisted with multiple blades
The pressure of the opposed blades can be individually controlled
The former features a slightly different design than Dolbeau’s
It has a larger forming roll and the wires separate over the couch roll
Di Re said this should provide good ash retention
The NipcoFlex shoe press is in the third press position
It is designed to increase sheet consistency into the dryer section
the mill opted for a dryer design that is half single-tier and half conventional two-tier
The first three sections include 16 single-tier dryer cans in the Voith DuoStabilizer configuration
The sheet is fully supported by the felt for the single-tier run
This design provides complete support of the sheet for better runnability
One novel innovation at Donnacona is a modern dryer drainage system that uses advanced controls to increase sheet quality
eliminate flooding and reduce energy consumption
The Johnson TechDry Pro system uses pre-programmed drying curves for specific grades of paper to optimize drying
The dryers are equipped with Johnson PT steam joints and cantilever stationary syphons allowing the system to operate with low differential pressures and blowthrough steam flows
Operators can program preset drying curves for various grades and can adjust the system upwards or downwards if needed for special circumstances
7-nip Janus online calender stack is the key part of the paper machine in producing SC-A quality paper
Successful start-ups with similar Voith equipment at the Lang Papier (Ettringen) and Haindl (Schongau) mills in Germany have given Donnacona confidence in its choices
The reel is the latest generation Sirius design and features a centre wind assist throughout the roll building process
Simard said they would be able to synchronize the two drives on the drum and reel spool
This should lead to better starts and less crepe wrinkling
the torque differential between the reel drum and the jumbo roll
The mill can independently and sensitively control the nip load and the sheet tension
PM 4’s wire width is 6.6 m and its trim width is 5.9 m
Alliance opted for a Valmet Winbelt winder
Advanced Dynamics supplied the roll handling equipment
This included the equipment needed to transport rolls from PM 3 to the common wrap line
The mill had to build a 50-m tunnel connecting the PM 3 machine room and the new PM 4 building
As the rolls off PM 4 will weigh up to 8400 kg
Advanced Dynamics’ Ray Banham said the equipment had to be built with this in mind
Advanced Dynamics devised the heavy-duty equipment with special cushioning controls
is to handle the rolls as gently as possible
The new Lamb wrap line will handle all production from both machines
This gives the mill access to the new generation of roto presses
KSH Tessag of Montreal was the main consultant
A new warehouse has been built attached to the PM 4 building
About 67% of production is shipped by truck
CN will service the mill with its new design rail cars
which first went into service for the new Stora Port Hawkesbury paper machine
“We want to be a very good SC paper producer,” Simard stressed
“equal to or better than our competitors
but especially on smoothness and gloss (both paper and print).” Alliance’s strategic plan calls for the mill to be a low-cost (cost per tonne) producer (in the first third) in specialty and SC papers It is also aiming to position its products in markets with good long-term demands
Manhours per tonne are expected to drop to 3.0 from 4.0 when PM 4 is at design production
This is competitive for a value-added producer
Helping to reduce the manhour per tonne figure is the new machine’s controls system
It is said that PM 4 will be one of the most integrated paper machines in Canada
ABB is supplying virtually all the controls including the complete drive system for the paper machine
an AccuRay quality control system including web inspection system
The dcs integrates all systems into a single platform
It also integrates third-party supplied control systems
Europe has used these types of systems for years and North America is slowly moving in that direction
An integrated system maximizes the transfer of information and enhances a mill’s ability to implement its control strategy in the most technically effective way
an important aspect of Donnacona’s operation
The machine will have continuous retention monitoring in the wet end
The dry end will feature all the “classical” scanners: thickness
The profile reporting will be more sophisticated
It will be tied into the ModuleJet dilution headbox
Donnacona will have a complete mill wide network
Simard compared the process network system to a big doughnut
It will include all areas of the mill — TMP
paper machines — including the roll tracking and quality control systems
A process information system is being installed on the network
The last purchases for the information system included a Honeywell high-speed camera system for PM 4
This will track breaks and defects and give operators a visual record of them and their causes
An SKF temperature and vibration monitoring system for the paper machine bearings will also be installed
The addition of the new paper machine will not increase the load to the effluent treatment system as two older machines will be shut at the same time
The bigger effect will come from the new bleach plant
“With PM 4 and the second bleach plant
we will have to spend some money to add polymers to the primary and secondary clarifiers,” Simard said
There will be a learning curve for winding
There will be new winding “recipes”
“The paper is very smooth so it reacts differently on the winder
thickness and smoothness of the paper are all different from what employees know now.”
an intensive training program for the people who will staff PM 4 was started in late 1999
Those who wished to work on the new machine applied
A series of tests were given and standards had to be met
The mill identified five people as coach/trainers
They have been involved with the project since its beginning
they devised the training programs and helped write the manuals
There will be five crews staffing the new machine
each will have its own coach/trainer for the duration
This is because the machine crews are also responsible for fractionation
A new labor agreement included scheduling and vacations during the PM 4 start-up period
manpower movements and the introduction of semi-autonomous teams (production and maintenance)
Although the number of employees will drop from 376 to 335 when PMs 1 and 2 are shut and PM 4 comes online
Simard said the mill was able to absorb close to 100% of the job cuts through attrition or retirement packages
There is another important human resources point to make
Simard said Alliance is working hard to ensure it has one mill in Donnacona with two paper machines
there will be no “second class citizenship status” with those working on PM 3
A participative management principle is also being followed with employee participation
An executive committee meets monthly to discuss safety
performance and working organization issues to name a few
The new style of management is going over well
“People are excited about the new machine because they realize it gives a future to the mill
They had been hoping for this project since 1991
They know the mill could not have survived otherwise
It is a challenge for them because it is a high-tech
production on PM 3 will switch to 100% book grades with a brightness range between 59 and 75
The amount to be added will depend on the grade but the high brightness grades will need the most for opacity purposes
Paper thickness will range from 76 to 127 microns
An improvement plan for the machine began in 1999
other companies that supplied equipment to the PM 4 project include:
Cutler-Hammer (Eaton) Transformers and distribution centres
Falk Gear reducers — dryer group 1-6
Provan (DeZurik) Precision electric control valves for basis weight
This article was published more than 11 years ago
Ontario Court Justice Melvyn Green’s criticisms of federal justice policy add fuel to a simmering battle over mandatory minimum prison terms and harsh penal reforms.KEVIN VAN PAASSEN/The Globe and Mail
A knife-wielding prison inmate disarmed by a gunshot to the hand by a corrections officer has lost his bid for injuries suffered during the jailhouse standoff
The Federal Court has dismissed the $45,000 lawsuit brought by convicted killer Shem Trotman
who along with another armed inmate advanced on a prisoner in the gymnasium of Donnacona Institution in 2007
having ignored at least four warnings shots fired by guards at the maximum security penitentiary near Quebec City
The shot that halted the attack was the culmination of a violent spree that evening in which three other other inmates were allegedly stabbed in altercations involving Mr
who is serving a life sentence for the 2002 murder of his 24-year-old girlfriend in his apartment in Burnaby
a knife attack a judge called "one of extreme violence and of a sadistic nature."
Donnacona prison was under a state of high alert following the initial attacks
and inmates were searched and ordered to return to their cells
At least three inmates remained in the gym: Mr
who was apparently following a convict's code and refusing to walk away
He was bleeding from the ear after being stabbed by Mr
ignored several warning shots fired by at least three officers
The corrections officer who fired the final shot
submitted an affidavit to the court in which he said the pair were approaching Mr
McGowan from either side of the pool table
Beaulé had opened a window in his guard station and told Mr
McGowan to leave the area and another officer opened a door to allow him to leave
"Shem Trotman and Jason Kooger looked like two predators waiting for the right moment to attack their prey
I truly felt that if Shem Trotman and Jason Kooger got to Jason McGowan
"We had tried using several methods to stop them
I sincerely believed they were going to kill Jason McGowan or seriously injure him
I made several attempts to stop them; if I hadn't taken action right then we would have lost complete control
Shem Trotman and Jason Kooger were close to Jason McGowan and were ready to jump him and attack him with their shanks...
So I shot him in the hand that was holding the shank
I made the decision because I had to stop Shem Trotman before someone got killed."
In his statement of claim seeking damages for his injured hand
Trotman said the guard had less harsh measures available to him
and that there was no danger that anyone was about to die
But the court official who ruled on the case said video evidence and testimony from other officers proved prison staff acted as "reasonable
"The court feels that this measure was taken by Officer Beaulé as a last resort after several prior dissuasive measures had yielded no tangible results
acted incrementally and took a measured approach," wrote Richard Morneau
Kooger are serving life sentences for second-degree murder
was serving a sentence for a string of violent offences
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Eric Atkins is a transportation reporter for The Globe and Mail’s Report on Business
He began at The Globe and Mail in 2005 after working at the National Post
Eric studied communications and political science at York University and business at Seneca College
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