If your sense of smell is reduced or you’ve lost it completely that could be an early indicator of brain disease.

The nose knows
While temporary loss of smell is often linked to having a cold, COVID-19 or a respiratory virus, ongoing and progressive smell loss may be one of the most important signals of brain health and an early indicator for Parkinson’s disease.

According to a research study sponsored by The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF), up to 30 per cent of people experiencing smell loss have shown brain changes associated with Parkinson’s disease – a chronic, neurodegenerative disease that affects an estimated six million people worldwide and over 100,000 Canadians.

What’s more, smell loss can happen years or even decades before traditional Parkinson’s symptoms appear, including tremors or difficulty with balance. However, studies have shown it can be surprisingly difficult to identify smell loss – seven in 10 people living with it didn’t know until they were tested.

A scratch-and-sniff test to the rescue
While scientists are hard at work trying to understand why smell loss occurs with Parkinson’s, they all agree that it could be an important part in understanding the disease, including who’s at risk, who gets it, who doesn’t and why.

There is a simple screening tool to measure the risk for brain disease – a scientist-developed scratch-and-sniff smell test, which is available to all Canadians over 60 living without Parkinson’s. The free test, which can be ordered and delivered right to your door, involves 40 multiple-choice scratch-and-sniff questions. Answers are submitted online and the results have the potential to change the understanding of brain disease.

Smell tests and the evolution of Parkinson’s
Results are analyzed by scientists and may lead to the submitter being asked to join a landmark brain health study, the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) – now in Canada. The global study seeks to enroll 100,000 participants with and without the disease, working with people both in-person and online, to provide insights into Parkinson’s disease, including the link between smell loss and brain health.

Not everyone with smell loss will go on to develop brain disease, but everyone can play a role in helping find better treatments, cures and even ways to prevent brain disease altogether.

Find out more about the smell test at mysmelltest.org/canada.

(Source : News Canada)

L’article New smell test helping detect brain disease est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

However, as much fun as travel can be, careful planning can go a long way towards helping your trip be successful. Here are some tips presented by TD Insurance that could help you prepare for your upcoming travels.

1. Well ahead of your trip, make sure you have all required documentation including your passport and booking confirmations. Remember to check your passport’s expiry date and any visa or entry requirements specific to your destination.
2. If you are travelling outside your province of residence in Canada or internationally, you may want to consider purchasing travel insurance. Travel insurance policies can include coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption or emergency medical costs.
3. Before travelling, select a travel insurance plan that fits your needs and carefully review your coverage, including any limitations and exclusions so you understand what you’re covered for. Remember, the cost of medical bills, travel interruption or cancellation expenses could outweigh the cost of travel insurance.

(Source : News Canada)

L’article Upcoming travel plans? Here are a few tips to help you prepare est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

L’article 3 hacks to get through Canadian customs with ease est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

“There are a multitude of benefits and credits available to self-employed and freelance workers,” said Yannick Lemay, tax expert at H&R Block Canada. “One of the biggest things my clients ask me is what expenses they’re able to claim, and the short answer is a lot!”

Here are some of the best refund-maximizing tips he shares with self-employed clients:

1. Keep records. Save all receipts that pertain to your gig work, be it gas expenses if you drive for a ride-sharing company, cell phone expenses, parking costs or vehicle insurance. Separate these purchases, so there are no household or personal expenses on business receipts. This way, it’s obvious these expenses are work related. Lemay says it can look fishy if you’re claiming toilet paper for your Airbnb on a receipt that has other expenses clearly purchased for personal use.
2. Report your income. Even if you’re paid in cash, it’s the law to report all income, including tips. This means keeping self-reported records of tips you receive per shift, which can be done with free apps, spreadsheets or even notes in your phone.
3. Register for and charge GST/HST. When you earn $30,000 over 12 consecutive months, you’ll be required by law to register and charge these taxes. Depending on your situation, it might make more sense to start collecting this before you hit that threshold. You should also look into the quick method of accounting, which can help you save a lot of money.
4. Make your contributions. All self-employed workers must pay into Canada Pension Plan (CPP). However, if you are a gig worker, you should do your research to see if this applies to you. If you intend to collect CPP or Quebec Pension Plan in retirement, you’ll need to have paid into it. Also, though it’s required, you might consider opting into Employment Insurance in case of an emergency.

(Source : Canada News)

L’article Confidence-boosting tax tips for the self-employed est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

Thoughtful tax planning is one way to save some cash.

“With a little preparation, Canadians can keep more of their hard-earned money in their pockets this tax season. By adopting a few key strategies, you can take advantage of opportunities to significantly save at a time when every little bit counts,” said Christine Van Cauwenberghe, head of financial planning at IG Wealth Management.

Below are four strategies to help you save money this tax season.

Know your personal tax information

It’s important to know what options are available based on your past tax filings. Check the Notice of Assessment (NOA) sent to you last tax year by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) or access it through your My Account information on the CRA website. My Account can go even further, helping to ensure you’re not missing out on deductions or any carry forward information like any losses, and you can even arrange for direct deposit of any tax refund.

Make sure you have all your tax slips

The failure to include an income amount on your tax return can result in a penalty. The exact penalty is a complex calculation but note that you should ensure you have all your tax slips (T4, T4A, T4RSP, T5008, etc.) and that you include all of them on your tax return. Any missed slip could mean a financial penalty.

Don’t forget to organize your tax receipts

Ensure you have all your tax receipts related to any tax deduction or credit claim. Receipts for any childcare expenses, medical expenses, charitable donations or other claims can minimize the taxes you pay.

Meet with a financial advisor

From maximizing your tax credits and deductions to staying on top of important deadlines and dates during the year, a financial advisor can suggest the best options for your unique circumstances to help save you money at tax time.

Find more information on financial planning during tax season at ig.ca or speak with an advisor.

(Source : News Canada)

L’article Why it pays to plan for tax season est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

Most of the medalists were participants of the 55^e Finale des Jeux du Québec – Laval 2022 (Quebec Games). That evening also made it possible to recognize the dedication of all organizers of the event.

“They’ve worked for more than three years to brilliantly welcome sports delegations from all regions of the province, and promote our municipality,” said member of the executive committee and responsible for leisure and sports files at the City of Laval, Nicholas Borne, by press release.

Members of the board of directors and organizing committee of the provincial competition received a personalized gift during this evening.

For their part, the young athletes of the 22 sports disciplines of the Quebec Games were honoured. Nine gold medals (international level) were awarded, followed by 15 silver (national level) and 82 bronze (provincial level).

Pierre-Marchand Prize

The Pierre-Marchand prize was awarded to triathlete Émile Pichette.

Pichette tried triathlon for the first time in 2021 to keep in shape for the alpine ski season, despite the pandemic. During that first summer, he participated in two triathlons, without obtaining performances comparable to those he reached on the ski slopes.

“He remained motivated, and his perseverance finally allowed him to qualify for the Quebec Games in 2022, after having reached the standards of the three triathlon disciplines,” specified the City. “His evolution continued during those Games, when he obtained a better result than what he had achieved in the Laval triathlon.”

Pichette also participated in four competitions during the summer, finishing with a second place in his last triathlon, in Valleyfield.

Alexandre-Despatie Scholarship

The Alexandre-Despatie scholarship, aimed at rewarding a high-level athlete, whose commitment and performance are directly linked to the City of Laval’s Physical Activity Policy, was awarded to boxer Marie-Bathoul Al- Ahmadieh.

In addition to being a provincial champion, the Laval resident was selected to represent the national junior boxing team on several occasions.

In recent months, she has won a gold medal with Team Canada at the Brandenburg Box Cup, in Germany, in addition to being named Boxer of the Tournament.

Winner of the silver medal at the Golden Girl Boxing Championship, in Sweden, she also repeated the feat at the Bornemissza Memorial Tournament, presented in Hungary.

Still on the rise, Al-Ahmadieh currently ranks first in the Canadian rankings, in the Women Jr, 57 kg category. (N.P.)

translated by Alec Brideau

L’article 106 Medalists at the 64th Mérite sportif lavallois est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

That phenomenon, called “ghosting”, will indeed be on the rise.

37 per cent of respondents also reported that candidates didn’t show up for their interview, and/or abandoned the hiring process in the last 12 months.

“Ghosting is frustrating, and wastes time and energy they don’t have,” noted Jasmin Guénette, vice-president of national affairs at CFIB, in a press release. “Candidates and employees are not forced to accept or keep a job they don’t like, but should at least clearly communicate their intentions to the employer, instead of abandoning the process without warning.”

According to the latest CFIB Business Barometer, shortages of skilled or semi-skilled labour continue to limit growth for 53 per cent and 38 per cent of businesses, respectively.

Employment Insurance

The situation prompts the CFIB to ask the Government of Canada to take into account the impact that the changes to employment insurance, planned by the government itself, could have.

“Business owners, who have experienced ghosting, tell us some candidates prefer to continue collecting benefits for as long as possible,” added Guénette. “They’re applying for, or are accepting a job simply to meet the eligibility requirements.”

Guénette specifies that “the vast majority of employment insurance claimants probably intend to find work”, but that “the changes the government intends to make to the system should not discourage them from accepting, or start a job”.

The CFIB recommends that the government authority “not make employment insurance coverage mandatory for self-employed people, which would create significant costs for many SMEs”.

It also wants to see the federal government undertake a detailed analysis of the cost of its expanding plan, and lay out a plan to ensure that employment insurance remains viable without imposing additional costs on the employers. (N.P.)

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L’article 36% of SMEs are Facing Candidate “ghosting” est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

“With a third consecutive winter under the influence of La Niña, in the Pacific Ocean, and the presence of the polar vortex, Canadians can expect cold and active weather for the start of the winter season,” said by press release Chris Scott, MeteoMedia’s chief meteorologist.

“Unlike recent years, winter is off to a strong start in Quebec,” added André Monette, head of meteorology at MeteoMedia, in that same press release. “Several regions already have a good snow covering, and it will continue to grow. Due to the active corridor present in the Saint-Laurent valley, several storms are expected. The abundance of snow is expected in Quebec this winter, which is excellent news for enjoying outdoor activities.”

Quebec and Ontario

Winter conditions arrived quickly this year, compared to recent winters, where there was sometimes no snow on Christmas Day.

“The polar vortex will be more in the centre of the country, keeping the coldest anomalies far from the two provinces,” the press release specified. “Some incursions of arctic air are still to be expected. With a mild anomaly present on the American east coast, Quebec and eastern Ontario will find themselves in the axis of an active corridor.”

Elsewhere in Canada

The Prairies will be entitled to below normal temperatures with the repeated presence of the polar vortex. For the Atlantic provinces, they will be favoured by a pronounced mildness, thanks to the abnormally mild temperatures of the Atlantic Ocean.

In the Rockies, more storms and snow are expected. Therefore, that will help the sector’s outdoor activities. (A.B.)

L’article A Tough Winter to Come est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

“Quebecers agree that Legault’s government must focus on the real problems of the province’s health system,” said CDVQ spokesperson Valérie Gallant. “The irony is that if provincial regulators accepted vaping as a tool, there would be public health benefits. We visited cities and towns in Ontario and Quebec to educate, empower and engage. The results are unanimous: let’s save our flavours.”

In a new survey by the CDVQ and Rights4Vapers, when asked to prioritize 10 different issues affecting the province’s healthcare system, one in three Quebec residents (33 per cent) ranked access to health services as their highest priority, compared to one per cent who ranked nicotine use by minors as their highest priority. One in three (34 per cent) ranked underage nicotine use as the lowest priority.

“Flavours are essential for adult smokers,” Gallant said. “It’s dissociating vaping from smoking. We want everyone to understand that flavours are fundamental to making vaping an effective tobacco harm reduction tool.”

Despite constant threats of flavour bans, nicotine restrictions and tax increases, as well as a persistent misinformation campaign, Canadian adults who are smoking aren’t getting discouraged in their fight to keep vaping products available, accessible and affordable from coast to coast.

“Our survey revealed that Quebecers consider vaping to be a significantly less harmful alternative to smoking,” said Maria Papaioannoy, spokesperson for Rights4Vapers, one of Canada’s vaping rights organizations. “The problem’s that we have governments, and other publicly funded organizations, that continue to put obstacles in the way, and spread inaccurate information about the harm reduction capacity of vaping.”

Opinions and attitudes of Quebecers toward vaping are supported by recent academic and scientific studies, which show that vaping is a less harmful alternative than smoking.

Public health authorities around the world have made it clear that vaping can be an effective tool in helping smokers quit. However, that’s if the right regulatory and societal frameworks are in place.

translated by Alec Brideau

L’article A Survey in Favour of Vaping est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

The Laval native is concluding is first full season on the ATP Tour with the best ranking of his career so far (204th), and some impressive matches to build on for 2023.

Galarneau made a statement in August, when he played his first main draw of the National Bank Open,  in Montreal, on Central Court.

The professional athlete retains a lot of positive from this season, having played the final of the Winnipeg National Bank Challenger as well. However, he said his match against Grigor Dimitrov, in Montreal, was extra special.

Playing the Davis Cup is unique. Unlike regular ATP Tour tournaments, players represent their country, and face other flags in a competition that sees one country raise the cup at the end. High-ranked players like Félix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov are therefore playing with Galarneau, in the same team.

That makes it ever more special, since Auger-Aliassime and Galarneau are long-time friends. Laval’s prodigy said it’s great to be able to share some time on the court with his friend, since normally, during the season, it’s more about texting and calling each other.

L’article Alexis Galarneau Comments on Davis Cup and First ATP Tour Season est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.