Dear Ms. Archard,

On August 2^nd of this year I wrote to you complaining about the absence of English language announcements on the Montreal subway system. I received a response within a very few hours from you stating that you would forward my letter to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness. Within the next 48 hours I was interviewed by CBC television which resulted in a lead story on the CBC television news on August 5, 2005. Although there had been an earlier response from a spokesperson at the STCUM that there already existed a series of pre-recorded announcements in English in the event of a major emergency, my response was, "Don’t tell me. Show me." In addition to myself they also interviewed Mr. Marvin Rotrand who sits on the Board of the STCUM. Mr. Rotrand concluded his interview by saying that I was welcome to contact him and that he would arrange for me to hear the tapes. I phoned Mr. Rotrand several days later and he said he would arrange for me to hear the recordings. Moments later I received a call from M. Carl Desrosiers of the STCUM who told me he was leaving on vacation the following day, but for me to phone him the week of the 29^th of August. I phoned him on the 30^th and he graciously arranged for me to come to the communication centre the following day. I not only was able to hear the pre-recorded messages, but he also demonstrated how the recordings could be played in one location only or on the entire network. They relate only to emergency evacuation situations but are totally acceptable. M. Desrosiers also assured me that the sound system was being replaced at a steady pace so that the announcements will be more audible. M. Desrosiers was most hospitable and took me on an extensive tour of the communication centre, which I found very interesting and informative. I feel much more secure riding on the Montreal Metro now, knowing that emergency announcements will be done in both language s. My thanks to Ms. Archard, M. Therrien, Marvin Rotrand, Carl Desrosiers and the CBC television network for caring.

 Cordially,

Sol Boxenbaum
CEO
Viva Consulting Family Life Inc.