[Marcarc]

I live in Waterloo and I'd heard about this woman before, but I can't find HER website. Any of the research gurus out there who can find it and post it here will be appreciated. This is a local matter so its definitely something I'll be getting involved in.

[FootPrints]

I tried several times to get to her web page with no luck. I found a cached copy:<br /> <a href="http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:zQLM8Fs0lo8J:ca.geocities.com/infringements%40rogers.com/+Activa+%22Louisette+Lanteigne%22&hl=en">here</a><br /> <br /> On one blog I read this quote:<br /> <br /> "I think one or two bad companies are giving the industry a bad name and I think they should either shape up or ship out. It really is that plain."<br /> <br /> City planner Cameron Rapp said inspections will be stepped up in an effort to catch problems.<br /> <br /> "I think what she was saying is pretty accurate, but I don't think it is a problem that we are seeing all over the place. That doesn't mean we don't deal with it."<br /> <a href="http://www.waterlooians.ca/blog/2005_04_03_archive.html">you can read it here</a><br /> <br /> <i>Oh, come on! I work on sites all over the GTA and see this stuff everyday. What a joke.</i><br /> <br /> I have more info about Activa coming, looks like she is going to need a lot of help with this one. I have a few things to sort out right now, will post in a few hours.

[Marcarc]

I'm starting up a website just for the city of Waterloo so I'm going to contact her and essentially duplicate a lot of her stuff, except the risky stuff, I don't need a lawsuit. I know that our local weekly did a story on her a little while ago and listed her website. The odd thing is that I do a lot of web stuff in Waterloo and apart from that one article I've never heard anymore about it, which means essentially the issue is now going to get all the publicity that the company feared.<br /> <br /> I'll post it when I find it, I wouldn't be surprised if our local paper covered it this week, I don't think they're in developers pockets. I"m also going to start some petitions and pamphlets to distribute in the area, and of course contact her and see what she needs. I'll use SOME of her stuff at my website and then maybe she can shut down and avoid the lawsuit-that's not a price ANYBODY should have to pay for their society.

[FootPrints]

Mind if I e-mail you with some info I gathered about Activa. That way if some of it isn't true, I won't be facing a lawsuit myself. <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/smile.gif' alt='Smile'><br /> <br /> Some pretty interesting findings that were essentially taken off the web and could only be found on cached pages.

[Dr Caleb]

[QUOTE BY= FootPrints] Mind if I e-mail you with some info I gathered about Activa. That way if some of it isn't true, I won't be facing a lawsuit myself. <img align="absmiddle" src='images/smilies/smile.gif'>[/QUOTE]<br /> <br /> Post the links to the cache. Don't worry. Vee know <a href='http://www.motgs.com/images/schultz1.jpg'>nothing!</a><br /> <br /> Plus, cache copies are not your postings, they are just alternate copies of the originals.<br />

[FootPrints]

You are too funny Dr.C <br /> <br /> A question: There is one cached page I have tried to post here today and each time I preview it, it doesn't come up. It says that the page doesn't exist. Well it does, I have it right here on my puter. What's up with that? Any suggestions?<br /> <br /> Also here are a few more links of interest: <br /> <a href="http://mghiemstra.com/post/1/68">A flurry of activity over Louisette Lanteigne</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.electionsontario.on.ca/stats/099files/files/cr1/pcp23701.htm">1999 CANDIDATE CAMPAIGN PERIOD RETURN PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE PARTY</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://search-recherche.gc.ca/cgi-bin/query?mss=canada/en/simple&browser=IE&what=web&q=activa+holdings&site=main&enc=iso88591&user=searchintranet&kl=en&op=a&pg=aq&stq=0">Government of Canada Search of Activa Holdings</a><br /> <br /> (I can't get the info, but it looks like a name change has been applied for at some time)<br /> <br />

[Marcarc]

I checked out the cached site and some of the above posted links, along the way I discovered that since she has a geocities website she has exceeded her alotted number of hits. Whether Activa has ordered the site shut down I don't know. I have emailed her and I'm going to get my site up and running this week and print all her info but with a disclaimer (to save MY ass). I think then I'll pay her a visit and volunteer to take some pictures as well. The company is suing her to stop taking representations of their interests-in other words stop taking pictures of workers in unsafe conditions. If this is allowed, my question is whether I can sue my bank to stop taking pictures of me when I use the ATM!<br /> If that can actually happen, what is the use of having 'freedom of speech' if you can't tell people when somebody is breaking the law?

[FootPrints]

I am going to hold off posting the info I found because it may not be the same company. I'd like to find out if they had in-fact applied for a name change. Which is not uncommon in this trade.<br /> <br /> It is beyond me why the Ministry of Labour isn't all over this site. It should be shut down for safety violations. Builders turn a blind eye to safety infractions because they just want the job done. They have investors and a time line and they want to keep it. <br /> <br /> You couldn't GIVE me a home in a sub-division. As a sub-contractor, I've worked for plenty of builders. It's the same wherever you go. We call then "hack-jobs". Every trade is so rushed they don't have time to do it properly, just get in and out. The finish trades cover all the imperfections that will inevitably start showing in a year or so, after the warranty runs out.<br /> <br /> I've taken pictures to protect my work from being blamed. Like seams where you can see outside, insulation that shouldn't have been passed the inspection. Leaks and ice on walls and ceilings. <br /> <br /> Out of all the builders I have done work for there are 3 that I would actually buy a home from, and they are very small companies.<br /> <br />

[Marcarc]

Amen, we bought a home that was built by builders a long time ago and it's an embarassment. The basement wasn't finished so I could see up to the kitchen floor and could see that they didn't even hit the studs when they nailed the floor down in the kitchen. Three more years then we're outta here.<br /> <br /> But the reason the ministry isn't all over it is obvious:<br /> <br /> 1.workers aren't unionized, most are low skilled grunts<br /> 2.the work keeps them out of the unemployment office<br /> 3.the ministry of environment has been gutted so has no staff<br /> 4. developers have lots and lots of money-which means clout.<br /> 5. they put up homes fast which is what is needed down here in sardine country<br /> <br /> Why in gods name every new election has ALL politicians talking about SMART growth is beyond me. Now it should be NO GROWTH. Technically we should be throwing people out, but that's really not politic.

[Dr Caleb]

When in doubt, a <a href='http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=Activa+Holdings+Louisette+Lanteigne&btnG=Google+Search&meta='>Google</a> turned up a <a href='http://crookedincanada.blogspot.com/2005/11/activa-holdings-inc.html'>blog</a> that has a <a href='http://infringements.blogspot.com'>copy</a> of her website.<br />

[Marcarc]

Good link, still can't get hold of her pictures though. I'm going to do some digging on this Activa company.

[FootPrints]

Found a blog that has a link to the photos. Scroll down the page to find them<br /> <a href="http://www.hainsworth.com/">here</a><br /> then click on the "Discuss" below it there are 2 sites with pictures listed.

[Marcarc]

hey, I can always count on you! I downloaded the pictures in case they somehow 'vanish' in the future. I'm waiting til tonight to see whether the local media is going to cover it, if not t hen I'll send a letter to the editor.

[FootPrints]

This is interesting!<br /> <br /> This document has a Valerie Schmidt of Activa holdings...<a href="http://www.wilmot.ca/clerks/Minutes&Agendas/Apr04-05Minutes.pdf">here</a><br /> <br /> And then this document from the Region of Waterloo has this statement:<br /> "4. DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST UNDER THE MUNICIPAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST ACT<br /> <br /> a) N. Jamieson declared a pecuniary interest on Items 6 b) and c) due to his employment<br /> with Stantec. <br /> <br /> b) B. Trushinski declared a pecuniary interest on Items 6 b), c) and 7c) as he is employed<br /> with the City of Kitchener.<br /> <br /> c) D. Schmitt declared a pecuniary interest on Items 6 b), c), 7 b) and c) due to his<br /> employment with the City of Kitchener.<br /> <br /> d) D. Juneau declared a pecuniary interest on Items 4 a), 6 a), b), 7 a) and b) due to his<br /> employment with the consultant responsible for the project.<br /> <br /> check out what this pertains to <a href="http://jobs.region.waterloo.on.ca/web/region.nsf/8f9c046037662cd985256af000711418/28ff8a3330a9b84985256b82006b399c!OpenDocument">here</a><br /> <br /> "b) Copy of Letter from Beth Doran, G.R.C.A., to Peter Armbruster, Stantec Consulting Ltd, dated December 19, 2001, re: Final Stormwater Management Plan for Lyndale Estates, City of Kitchener, Lackner Woods [E.S.P.A. 25] was received for information."<br /> <br /> <i>(Peter Armbruster from Activa)- Footprints</i><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Are the Schmidt names listed on this page any relation to Valerie? Maybe ask around?<br /> <a href="http://www.region.waterloo.on.ca/web/Region.nsf/c56e308f49bfeb7885256abc0071ec9a/ED2AC66E1D71846785256F47006C29CD?OpenDocument">REGIONAL GROWTH MANAGEMENT STRATEGY</a><br /> <br /> This may mean nothing but worth looking into.<br /> Should I be covering my butt by noting that I am in no way implying any people mentioned here have anything to do with any wrong-doing?"<br />

[cdnviking]

[QUOTE BY= FootPrints] <br /> It is beyond me why the Ministry of Labour isn't all over this site. It should be shut down for safety violations. <br /> [/QUOTE]<br /> <br /> As a private sector safety manager for a major Canadian general contractor (ICI, NOT residential), I have been in touch with both the MOL contacts I have and the CSAO about this situation.<br /> <br /> Rest assured, a "blitz" is pending against the whole K/W region by the MOL.<br /> <br /> Both the "high risk company" inspectors and the regular ones are going to be inspecting EVERY jobsite in K/W soon. It is also a big topic with the Labour/Management Construction Safety Committee down there.<br /> <br /> If you are going to post something regarding "infractions", make sure you have photos. ]<br /> <br /> OHSA infractions are called "strict liability" offences, so you are guilty till proven innocent.<br /> <br /> ACTIVA will have a HARD time proving defamation, etc., against this woman because she has PHOTOS to back up her allegations, particularly the environmental and safety stuff.<br /> <br /> Watch your language and how you construct your sentences folks, but post away. Keep the language neutral and make sure "due diligence" is encompassed in your postings.<br /> <br /> I report site conditions of other sites where I see "iminent danger" all the time. I am making a "good faith effort" to ensure the safety of workers by reporting these "life threatening" actions/behaviours.<br /> <br /> If she takes this tact, she should be ok in the lawsuit.