Author name: The Suburban

“Bigotry is going unchecked!”:Douglas Murray

Local Journalism Initiative / / / ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

A sense of resolve and no small amount of courage filled Chevra Kadisha Synagogue last week as hundreds gathered for a rare Montreal appearance by Douglas Murray, the British author and political commentator known for his piercing criticism of  Islamism and support for Israel.

The event took place against a backdrop of rising antisemitism worldwide, a climate that Holocaust survivors have warned closely resembles the dangerous rhetoric and attacks that preceded the Holocaust itself. In this atmosphere of fear, the act of gathering to speak openly was itself an act of bravery.

Among the notable attendees were Consul General Eliaz Luf of Israel, Hampstead Mayor Jeremy Levi, Côte Saint-Luc Mayor Mitchell Brownstein, and the Honourable Irwin Cotler, former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, with his wife Ariela.

Chevra Kadisha President Aaron Bloom opened the evening with a deeply personal reflection. He spoke of listening to his daughters and their friends, all students at Concordia University, share their fears about being openly Jewish on campus. “They told me how uncomfortable and anxious they feel attending classes,” Bloom said. “I didn’t know what to tell them, and ruminated on what parents may have told their children in 1936 Germany. What keeps me grounded is remembering who I am, and drawing strength from Rabbi Jacobson, this community, and its mission to do good.”

Bloom returned to this theme throughout the evening, reminding the crowd that showing up in this climate is an act of courage. “The bravery it takes to gather here tonight cannot be overstated. We are here not just to listen but to stand together and have our presence and message acknowledged.”

Rabbi Asher Jacobson followed Bloom, emphasizing unity and the responsibility to support one another. “We are seeing hate rise and bullying intensify,” he said. “Tonight is about standing up to that hate. We must reaffirm our values and our commitment to each other.”

Douglas Murray began his address by focusing on the immediate realities facing Jewish communities in Montreal and other Western cities. “Jews are wondering if it’s safe to live here,” he said bluntly. “This is not just Israel’s problem but ours, where bigotry is going unchecked.” He warned that fear has led many to self-censor. “People are afraid to say what they know is true. We have to teach our kids to stand strong—even when it’s unpopular.”

Moderator Emily Austin then guided the conversation towards international issues. She asked Murray about Canada’s recent declaration that it will recognize a Palestinian state. “Do you think this is a victory for Hamas?” she queried.

“No,” Murray replied. “States aren’t created by outside actors to threaten their neighbours. States are earned, not announced from a distance. Right now, there is no trust in the region’s leadership.”

Austin pressed further: “There’s an assumption that statehood might solve persecution of minorities. Would things really improve?”

Murray answered firmly, “Changing lines on a map doesn’t erase generations of hatred or persecution.”

He also stressed that the war will not end while hostages remain in Hamas’s hands. “They cannot pretend they are going to release hostages if they are not going to release them.”

As the event closed, attendees lingered in conversation and reflection. Bryan Wolofsky summed up the mood: “Douglas Murray expresses things I think and feel in ways that I can’t. He is absolutely brilliant.”

In a time when Jewish Montrealers face open hostility and calls for Israel’s destruction echoes locally, organizers say gatherings like this are lifelines. “We can’t afford to retreat,” Bloom said. “Standing courageously together reaffirms who we are and what we stand for.”

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LBPSB stays silent over Saunders controversy

Local Journalism Initiative / / / ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

The Lester B. Pearson School Board (LBPSB) continues to remain silent as vice-chairman Allison Saunders faces calls for accountability after sharing social media posts this summer that were widely condemned as antisemitic and anti-Israel. Despite repeated outreach from community members and The Suburban, LBPSB leadership has not addressed the situation publicly or clarified whether any disciplinary action will be taken.

The controversy began when Saunders shared a translated French-language post on her personal Facebook page that used derogatory language about Jews, including terms that implied Jews are perpetrators of genocide. The post also criticized Quebec leaders for a lack of empathy, expressed “shame” over the province’s perceived hostility toward Muslims and Arabs, and ultimately blamed “the ultra-rich” as the root cause of societal issues.

After her posts came under fire, Saunders acknowledged that her actions “caused harm for members of the Jewish community” and insisted she does “not condone antisemitism or any form of hate.” Still, she maintained in an interview with The Suburban that she stands by the content of the post.

Raquel Lobaton, a teacher and parent at John Rennie High School who works with the Foundation for Genocide Education, told The Suburban how damaging Saunders’ actions were. “It’s disturbing that someone representing LBPSB would post such material,” Lobaton said. “Our community is diverse, and we have a duty to stand against hate in any form—especially when it comes from those elected to serve all families. This isn’t just about a single post. It’s about the message it sends to students, staff, and Jewish families like mine.”

Lobaton noted that Saunders eventually deleted the original post and issued what she called “an apology that is not really an apology,” but the damage had already been done. “She tried to frame her response as compassionate, but her post was anything but. Calling legitimate concerns ‘tattling’ is dismissive. This isn’t about creating division; it’s about holding our leaders to the standards they claim to uphold.”

Saunders herself referred to the apology as a “side apology” to appease the “complainers”.

To seek clarification, The Suburban emailed Judith Kelley, chair of the Council of Commissioners, directly asking whether the LBPSB stood by Saunders’ comments and what disciplinary measures had been taken. The email also questioned whether the board’s silence signalled acceptance of Saunders’ actions. Kelley did not respond.

Instead, LBPSB spokesperson Darren Becker replied, stating that Saunders had issued an apology that, according to him, had not been removed. When informed that the apology he referenced was not the same as the one initially posted and that Saunders had since taken down her original apology — no further clarification was provided.

Saunders herself, after reading the published article, told The Suburban that she had not used Google Translate and that she posted the full translation of the French post, not selectively highlighting any particular elements.

LBPSB leadership has not addressed whether Saunders’ actions conflict with the board’s stated values or if she will be held accountable. The ongoing silence from the board sends a message of its own — one that many in the community interpret as tacit acceptance, or at best indifference, toward the spread of antisemitic rhetoric by those in leadership positions. n

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Ile-Bizard woman who killed cyclist faces lengthy sentence

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

An Île-Bizard woman could be spending nearly three and a half years behind bars after being found guilty in a collision that killed a cyclist in Pierrefonds in 2021. Christine Pryde was convicted of dangerous driving causing death, impaired driving, and criminal negligence for her role in the crash that claimed the life of Irène Dehem, a 50-year-old mother of three.

This week, the sentencing hearing unfolded at the Montreal courthouse. Prosecutor Anik Archambault called for a 42-month prison sentence and an eight-year driving ban, telling Judge Dennis Galiatsatos that Pryde’s efforts to deal with her anxiety since the crash were noted, but the gravity of her actions required a serious response. “Had these efforts not been present, a higher sentence would have been suggested,” Archambault stated. The prosecution’s position was clear: public safety and deterrence need to be at the forefront.

The events of May 18, 2021, were recounted at trial. Pryde, feeling tired and worn out at work, got behind the wheel of her Hyundai Accent around midday, opting to drive out for an iced coffee instead of sticking with what was on offer at her workplace. Her route took her down l’Anse-à-l’Orme Rd., where Dehem was out cycling. According to eyewitnesses who recounted their experiences at trial, Pryde’s vehicle was moving quickly, swerving into the opposite lane, and struck Dehem almost instantly as she rounded a corner on her bike. One witness estimated Pryde’s speed at about 80 kilometres an hour.

The aftermath of the collision, as recounted at trial, was chaotic and emotional. Christine Pryde stayed inside her car until police arrived on the scene. Montreal Police officer Sylvain Carrier testified that Pryde told him she had fallen asleep at the wheel. When Kathleen Crawford, a motorist who stopped to help, checked on Pryde just before officers arrived, she found her sitting in the car, crying, clearly in shock and repeatedly pleading, “Please help her, please help her.” Both Officer Carrier and Crawford recounted at trial that Pryde explained she was exhausted and heading to Tim Hortons for an Iced Cappuccino. Witnesses described her as disoriented and overwhelmed by what had happened.

As for Dehem, other motorists rushed to her aid, but despite efforts to revive her—including CPR performed under the guidance of a 911 operator—she died at the scene. Witness testimony recounted at trial painted a picture of a crash that happened in an instant, leaving little chance for anyone to react.

Evidence at trial revealed Pryde had taken Ativan, a prescription medication for anxiety, before getting behind the wheel that day. She’d struggled with anxiety for most of her life, and the judge ruled that she was fully aware of her condition and the risks involved in driving after taking her medication.

Pryde’s defense lawyer, Jessy Héroux, argued for a much lighter sentence, pointing out that in similar cases, sentences have varied from 90 days in jail to conditional sentences served at home. Héroux also argued that the intense media coverage of Pryde’s case, which escalated after a controversial ruling on Quebec’s new language laws, has already been a heavy burden for her. He asked the court to consider a 15-month conditional sentence with extended probation and a long driving prohibition, emphasizing Pryde’s ongoing efforts to seek treatment for her anxiety since the accident.

The case was complicated further by the province’s Bill 96, which requires court decisions to be delivered in both English and French. Judge Galiatsatos said he will only deliver his decision once both versions are available, tentatively aiming for October 6. Both sides agree that only the impaired driving conviction should stand, with the other charges to be stayed. The judge’s final decision will weigh Pryde’s responsibility for what happened against her efforts at rehabilitation, and the devastating loss suffered by Dehem’s family. n

Ile-Bizard woman who killed cyclist faces lengthy sentence Read More »

Dorval man charged with sexual assault

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

Montreal police (SPVM) are seeking possible victims of Mark Pomeranz, 54, arrested on August 27 in connection with a sexual assault case. Investigators believe there may be additional victims, particularly within the Indigenous community, and are hoping to gather further information from anyone who may have witnessed or experienced similar incidents.

According to the investigation, the assault took place in Dorval on August 8, shortly after midnight. Police allege that Pomeranz approached his victim in a public space, gained their trust, and offered them a ride. Once the victim was isolated, Pomeranz reportedly used threats and intimidation to commit a sexual assault before leaving the scene.

Investigators say their findings suggest Pomeranz could be linked to other similar cases. The suspect is described as a white male, 54 years old, 5’5” (1.75 m), 180 lbs (82 kg), with brown hair and hazel eyes. He speaks English.

To assist the public, police have released a photo of the vehicle used during the last incident—a car with the license plate AMB 68M.

Anyone who may have been a victim or witnessed Pomeranz’s actions is encouraged to contact their local police station, reach out directly to the SPVM’s sexual assault section at 514-799-7225, or call 911 to file an official complaint. Support is also available through Indigenous community organizations and social workers for those who wish to be accompanied.

Information can also be shared anonymously with Info-Crime Montréal at 514-393-1133 or via infocrimemontreal.ca. n

Dorval man charged with sexual assault Read More »

Traffic chaos at schools as electric buses grounded

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban

There was traffic chaos around Montreal island schools Sept. 12,15 and 16 as more than 1,200 Transco LION electric school buses were not able to transport elementary and secondary students.

Parents were first informed at around 9:30 p.m.Sept. 11. There had been an electric school bus fire Sept. 9 in the area of Jean Talon West and Victoria. No one was injured.

“As a precautionary measure, Transco has decided to temporarily remove all electric vehicles from service in order to conduct a full inspection of their fleet,” an English Montreal School Board advisory said. “As a result, no transportation will be available tomorrow for students who normally use these electric buses . We kindly ask that parents make the necessary arrangement to transport their children to and from school for this day only.”

The advisory added that non-electric diesel buses were operating as usual.

“There will likely be increased traffic around the school during drop-off and pick-up times.”

The same message was sent to parents Sunday for the Sept. 15 school day and Monday for the Sept.16 school day. For the EMSB schools, affected routes are 101, 102, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 113, 114, 117, 118, 119, 121, 122, 124, 126, 130, 132, 133, 134, 201, 202, 203, 204, 206, 207, 208, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 220, 222, 227, 228, 229, 230, 233, 234, 235, 236, 238, 239, 240, 242, 243, 244, 248, 249, 254, 256, 257, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 265, 266, 269, 271, 274, 275, 276, 277, 284, 285, 501, 508 and 511.

For the Lester B. Pearson Board, the affected routes are 1, 2, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 45, 61, 62, 63, 65, 68, 69, 73, 602, 607, 105, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119 and 120.

That was indeed increased traffic Friday in the area of Roslyn School, as well as much pedestrian activity at both school entrances. The Suburban spoke to some of those who had to bring children by car.

Raphael Bouskila said he heard about the grounding of the school buses “pretty late, about 10:30 p.m. Thursday.

“We did not see an explanation, other than safety,” he added, at which point we informed him of the school bus fire earlier in the week.

“I heard about that. It was pretty scary. Fortunately, I was able to contact another parent and carpool with them. It’s all right, but it was obviously a departure from the norm. There was previously a school bus strike, where they were out for a month. I hope it doesn’t last that long.”

Parent Ahmed Farag also said the news came to him by email that the electric buses were not running came suddenly.

“I’ll have to leave my work [later] to come here,” he added.

Carole Canzer brought her grandchildren to Roslyn.

“They’re always driven to school, but I had to park far away because of the fact some of the parents couldn’t bus their kids. We knew there would be a ton of cars here. We got here earlier than usual, it really wasn’t too much of an inconvenience. My son-in-law and daughter sent me the email notification this morning, but I think they found out last night.” n

Traffic chaos at schools as electric buses grounded Read More »

Pro-Hamas protesters arrested at cycling Grand Prix

Local Journalism Initiative / / / ,

By Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban

Seven anti-Israel protesters who were at the Grand Prix Cyclistes de Montréal Sunday, at the foot of Mount Royal on Park Avenue, were arrested by the SPVM for obstructing SPVM officers and assaulting a peace officer.

The race was able to proceed without interruption through areas of the city — many streets were blocked to cars Sunday morning and afternoon, including parts of Park, parts of Côte Ste. Catherine and many others.

The protesters, who demonstrated in Quebec City as well, opposed the participation of the Israel-Premier Tech (IPT) team as part of the event. Those demonstrators were Divest for Palestine, Bikers4Palestine, and Palestinians and Jews United.

“If the cities of Montreal and Quebec do not want to remove Israel Premier Tech from the race for their support of the ongoing genocide in Gaza, Premier Tech should disassociate itself from Israel, the genocidal state,” A Facebook message from PAJU says.

There were also several incidences of graffiti, but no one was arrested in those cases.

Julien Corona of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs wrote last week that the protesting groups were “continuing their intimidation strategy.

“‘Bullies and their methods are two terms used to describe the actions of those who seek to obtain something through force or intimidation,” he added. “These terms can evoke violent processes and therefore insecurity. Two phenomena that affect Jews, particularly through anti-Semitism, and society as a whole.”

Corona also cited this past summer’s assault of a Jewish man in Park Extension, death threats against Jews in the borough of St. Laurent and violence during the Montreal Pride parade.

“The rise in insecurity and anti-Semitism are intrinsically linked,” Corona wrote. “Therefore, the fight against them must be as well. The climate of hate is here. It ‘gives the go-ahead to more and more people to act violently. The bullies are those who want to attack our shared values. The bullies are also those who behave like delinquents towards citizens who have asked for nothing. Here, the bullies attack Jews or their ‘business’ simply because they are Jewish.” n

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STM releases strike schedule

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban

The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) has released its public transit schedule in light of the decision to strike by its maintenance workers.

The essential services schedule is in effect during the strike period of Sept. 22 to Oct. 5.

The Métro is running Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., 2:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. and from 11 p.m. to closing. There will be no service otherwise.

As well, the Métro will “gradually close during the morning rush hour starting at 9:30 a.m., during the afternoon rush hour starting at 5:45 p.m. and at its usual time in the late evening. The STM will close stations as the last Métro runs.”

The regular schedule is in effect Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

As for the buses, they will run Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays until 1:15 a.m., 6:15 a.m. to 9:15 a.m., and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

From 11:15 p.m., “all buses that began a departure during these times will complete their route to the terminal.” There will be no service at the hours not listed on those three days.

As with the Métro, the regular schedule for buses will be in effect Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. As well, the Paratransit service is being maintained at all times. n

STM releases strike schedule Read More »

CSL legalizes another residential synagogue

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban

A long-existing synagogue in a home at 5748-5750 Parkhaven was legalized for “conditional use” during the recent Côte St. Luc council meeting.

“We’re responding to a need in a responsible way,” Mayor Mitchell Brownstein said.

Changes were proposed to the home to secure council’s approval. Four homes in four zones were identified in which surrounding residents are generally approving of the synagogues.

Council recently legalized another residential synagogue at 6501 Baily, and CSL also approved the demolition of 5727 Léger near Kildare, which will result in a new two-storey detached home that can become a synagogue.

During the approval process at the Sept. 8 CSL council meeting for the Parkhaven home, Councillor Dida Berku said the residential synagogue issue has been going on for years.

“I’m very pleased, in this mandate, that we finally adopted four areas of the city, four zones, where you have conditional use and them we agreed to the conditional use on Heywood, on Léger and then Baily, and now this brings it to a fourth on Parkhaven,” she said. “I think it’s a great achievement. I’m very, very proud of this council. We did something that we were talking about for many years before and we figured out a way. I spoke to a councillor from Outremont, who called to ask how we are managing these non-conforming uses and how we are integrating them to our zoning, to make them more secure and regularized, and legalized. We’re showing a great example.”

Berku added that the city has to be strict.

“We have four zones, four places of worship that have been approved for conditional use and the others [on other streets] are going to have to get in line, in the sense that they will have to adjust to the new reality.”

Brownstein, who said the synagogue in the Parkhaven home has been in existence for 25 years, pointed out that the front facade will generally remain the same with some planned exceptions, including two front doors that will be converted to one front door with windows and a double garage door that will be converted to a single garage door with a new exit door added.

“We’ve ensured that it’s safe, that it has sprinkler systems and there’s soundproofed walls,” the Mayor added. “It’s done in a way that will minimize the inconvenience, rather than increase something that’s been there for 25 years. The situation has improved…for the neighbours and the individuals who will be using it. There are ways to accommodate and enforce parking restrictions and for neighbours to treat a religious institution in a different way now that it’s legalized. The religious institution has to be good neighbours.”

Councillor Steven Erdelyi said he had been concerned about safety, but “I’m happy to see with this renovation, it will increase the number of emergency exits, and access and egress. If, God forbid, there is an emergency, people can escape safely.”

Councillor Mitch Kujavsky said the residential synagogue will comply with building codes.

“We should be proud of what we’ve done.”

Councillor Lior Azerad said, “we were able to get through this because lines of communication were open between residents and different institutions, as well as through the council.”

Earlier in the meeting, Azerad, in response to a resident, said the city should not be looking at the overall issue as a residential synagogue problem.

“We need to look at this from a service point of view. Are we allowing more services in our communities? There are home-based businesses that aren’t legal. We’re not going around saying ‘why is this business open in a home?’ Let’s not point it out as religious institutions because that’s targeting a specific group. We need to look at it as a non-conforming business or institution, and how do we make it conforming because that’s what our residents want.”

Councillor Andee Shuster, responding to a concern brought up by a resident earlier in the evening, said the residential synagogue will have discreet signage, “so it’s not a surprise when you move into the neighbourhood of what’s there — nice discreet classy signage that will integrate well.” n

CSL legalizes another residential synagogue Read More »

Montrealers mourn victims of Palestinian terror

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban

Montrealers gathered last week at Dorchester Square downtown to mourn the latest victims of Palestinian Hamas-approved terrorism — Levi Yitzhak Pash, 57, Yaakov Pinto, 25, Yisrael Matzner, 28, Rabbi Yosef David, 43, Rabbi Mordechai Steintzag, 79, and Sarah Mendelson, 60.

The victims were shot at a Ramot Junction bus stop in Jerusalem by two terrorists, who were themselves killed by an Israeli soldier and several civilians.

The vigil, which included photos of the victims and six lit candles in their memory, took on an even more sombre atmosphere as it took place hours after the assassination of conservative personality, devout Christian and staunch Israel defender Charlie Kirk, who had been speaking at an outdoor event at a Orem, Utah university.

The Montreal event was organized by Concordia student Ashley Steinwald, a member of the pro-Israel student group StartUp Nation, and featured singer Steven Abadi’s powerful renditions of You’ll Never Walk Alone and Hatikvah.

“The purpose of this vigil is not only to mourn the loss of the victims, but to honour them, their memory and to ensure that even in the face of terror, we do not forget!” Steinwald said. “We must stand together as a community that values life, remembrance and resilience. Am Yisrael Chai!”

Rabbi Reuben Poupko of Côte St. Luc’s Beth Israel Beth Aaron Synagogue said that “we’ve lost way too many,” including more than 900 IDF soldiers who have been killed since the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel.

“Every one of them is sacred and a world unto themselves,” Rabbi Poupko said, emotionally referring to the IDF soldiers as “the finest generation of Jews to walk this earth.”

The rabbi added that those killed at Ramot “represented an authentic picture of that area of Jerusalem — each one has a really wonderful story, people dedicated to Jewish education, to religious Zionism, one had a famous bakery in Ramot, really wonderful people.

“Here’s what we know…there’s only one argument that matters. That’s the argument being made on the battlefield and the skies of Israel by the Israeli army and air force who have rewritten the map of the Middle East. They are the ones who are supporting us, defending us, because, remember, Ramot was a terror attack, but in the last year, hundreds of terror attacks have been stopped before they happened. That’s the argument that matters, not the encampments, recognition of phantom states, not the boycotts. None of that is going to make a difference in history. What will make a difference is what Jews in Israel do, what the Israeli army does.” n

Montrealers mourn victims of Palestinian terror Read More »

CSL, Hampstead Mayors condemn assassination of Charlie Kirk

Local Journalism Initiative / / / ,

By Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban

Côte St. Luc Mayor Mitchell Brownstein and Hampstead Mayor Jeremy Levi condemned the assassination of U.S. conservative activist, media personality and willing debater of anyone who disagreed with him Charlie Kirk.

Kirk was killed Sept. 10 in the midst of such a debate at a Utah university. Tyler Robinson, 22, of Utah has been arrested for the crime. Reactions to Kirk’s death have ranged from mournful and respectful from both sides of the political spectrum to celebrations of his murder, in some cases from Canadian academics and politicians. Some in Canada and the U.S. have been fired or put on leave for their posts.

Levi said, “Hampstead bows its head in grief at the loss of Charlie Kirk. The world has lost not only a champion, but a steadfast defender of truth and conviction. He stood firm where others faltered, and his voice carried strength in an age of weakness. Though his loss weighs heavily, his courage endures as a guiding light.”

Brownstein said he was deeply saddened by the killing, and expressed condolences to Kirk’s wife Erika and their two children, ages 3 and 1.

“I am concerned by what this horrific act says about our ability to debate and discuss issues,” he added. “The point of democracy is that it allows us to debate issues and decide who will lead a government without resorting to violence. Political violence and intimidation are damaging to democratic societies.”

Brownstein also pointed out that there has been a “troubling increase in violence and intimidation since 2020, including in the Montreal area.

“People who want to prevent others from holding events have been able to do so using the threat of violence and disorder. This, too, is damaging to democratic societies. I will always stand for respect, dialogue, and the peaceful exchange of ideas. Leadership at every level must help restore civility, and uphold the principles of a peaceful and just society.”

Brownstein also encouraged political leaders to “recall the words Senator Robert F. Kennedy said in an April 5, 1968, speech following the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. ‘What has violence ever accomplished? What has it ever created? No martyr’s cause has ever been stilled by his assassin’s bullet. No wrongs have ever been righted by riots and civil disorders. A sniper is only a coward, not a hero; and an uncontrolled, uncontrollable mob is only the voice of madness, not the voice of the people.’”

Statements mourning Kirk’s death also came from Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, Prime Minister Mark Carney, who was criticized for reacting much later than many other notables; and Mount Royal MP Anthony Housefather, on X.

The MP posted, “the murder of Charlie Kirk is a tragedy and I pray for his family. I hope that those on this and other platforms that repeatedly personally attack people and incite hate against them look at this and see the potential real life consequences of targeted hateful rhetoric.” n

CSL, Hampstead Mayors condemn assassination of Charlie Kirk Read More »

Court allows Jewish groups to intervene in SPHR case

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban

Superior Court Judge Louis Charette has ruled that Jewish groups at McGill can intervene in support of McGill University’s case against the anti-Israel group Students For Palestine’s Honour and Resistance McGill (SPHR).

The Jewish groups — Hillel Montreal, Hillel McGill, McGill Jewish Law Students Association, Chabad at McGill, Israel on Campus McGill, Students Supporting Israel at McGill and Alpha Epsilon Pi McGill — asked that they be allowed a voluntary conservatory intervention in which, according to Arbitration Matters, “a third party, who is not originally part of a lawsuit, voluntarily joins the proceedings to support or assist one of the existing parties.”

This past April, Quebec Superior Court granted McGill’s request for a provisional 10-day injunction against SPHR. The injunction had been sought just after a three-day student strike at McGill during which classes were interrupted, Jewish students intimidated and much vandalism committed. The university pointed out that the injunction was needed at this time as exams were underway.

McGill has also sought an interlocutory injunction, preventing actions before a case is resolved; and a permanent injunction “to restore a climate of security on campus,” alleging that SPHR has “repeatedly participated and encouraged acts of violence on McGill campus.” The interlocutory hearing is set for Sept. 18 and 19.

The Students’ Society of McGill University, an impleaded party in the case and intervenors the Association of McGill University Support Employees, the Association of McGill University Research Employees and the Association of Graduate Students Employed at McGill (referred to as the “opposing groups”) are opposing the intervention of the Jewish groups.

The Jewish groups argue that they should be allowed to intervene, saying that members have been victims or have witnessed events that took place during the April student strike. The groups opposing the intervention request by the Jewish groups argue that they “do not possess sufficient interest to intervene.”

The judge disagreed for several reasons, amongst them “while McGill’s Application may at first glance appear as a private dispute, there can be no denying that issues of public interest are at the heart of the litigation,” including “rights protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.” The judge also pointed out that McGill did not oppose the intervention of the “opposing groups”

The judge also pointed out the mandates of the Jewish groups include “defending the interests of Jewish McGill students, including their right to openly express their opinions; and the expression of a positive image of the State of Israel and defending the right of Jewish and non-Jewish students to openly discuss their affinity with the State of Israel.”

The judge added that the sworn statements of individuals from some of the Jewish groups “raise concerns about the atmosphere of intimidation and hostility towards Jewish students at McGill.

“Although it may be true that none of the [Jewish student groups] have alleged an immediate impact on an activity or event, the fact remains that their members suffer the immediate consequences of the intimidation and hostility towards Jewish students like none of the other parties currently involved in the litigation.”

For this and other reasons, the judge allowed the Jewish groups to intervene in support of McGill University against SPHR. n

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School bus fire not due to battery

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Dan Laxer
The Suburban

Several pictures of a school bus engulfed in flames were posted to social media on Tuesday, and dismissed by many as fake. But it was indeed real.

The bus was carrying five CSSDM elementary school students to school Tuesday morning. It was traveling east on Jean Talon when the bus driver smelled smoke coming from the vents. He quickly pulled over at the corner of Victoria and evacuated the children. Nobody was injured. And the children were kept safe in a nearby building, accompanied by two police officers, until a new bus could be dispatched to pick them up.

The bus was a LionC bus operated by Transco.

While the cause of the fire is as yet unknown, speculation is that it might have been components in the heating system. But Montreal Fire Department Operations Chief Martin Guilbeault assures The Suburban that, although the bus was indeed electric, the battery was not the cause of the fire. Guilbeault said that the fire department was on the scene in under five minutes, and were able to douse the flames before they got anywhere near the battery.

Had that been the case, it would have run the risk of a thermal runaway, which is what happens when fire erupts in a battery spreading from cell to cell. When that happens it’s a longer process of dousing the battery to cool it down while fighting the fire.

As it was the fire was extinguished in less than an hour.

As far as the cause is concerned, in an email to The Suburban, Loïc Philibert, spokesperson for Lion Electric, said “an analysis is being conducted to determine the circumstances of the event. There is no further comment as to what may have happened.”

A statement from Alain Perron, spokesperson for the CSSDM, said “In accordance with our contracts, the carrier’s vehicles are subject to strict mechanical inspection requirements, and they are recent. We remain in close communication with the carrier to determine the cause of the incident. Student safety is and remains our top priority.” n

School bus fire not due to battery Read More »

DDO family accuses police of racial profiling

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Dan Laxer
The Suburban

A 15-year-old boy in Dollard des Ormeaux was approached by police, told to put his hands out and drop what he was holding which, at the time, was his phone, his keys, and bag of birthday cards.å

It was his birthday.

According to a spokesperson from the SPVM, the officers stopped Jadon Squires because they believed his behaviour to be suspicious.

The boy’s father, Jason Squires, had just started his car in the driveway of his home when Jadon was walking home from just down the street.

Squires had walked away from his car for a moment, and returned to see the police interacting with his son. They asked him why he appeared to be running from the car. Jason insisted he’d done nothing wrong. His father told the officers that the car – a Cadillac – was his. He says they didn’t believe him, and ran the license plate to confirm ownership. Once they ascertained that Squires was telling the truth, they left the scene.

Both Squires and Fo Niemi of the Center for Reseach-Action on Race Relations wondered whether to what extent racial profiling played a role in the police officers’ actions. Racial profiling has been cited in the courts when a police intervention that started off as simple escalates. If racial profiling was an issue here, Niemi suggested, then police need to approach the family and make amends for any breach of trust that may have occurred as a result.

In Quebec, the court system, right up to the Quebec Court of Appeal, has ruled that racial profiling is a problem in the province, something that Premier Francois Legault refuses to accept.

As far as the Squires family is concerned, the experience has left them shaken, and they may yet decide to file a complaint with the police.

The SPVM says it is looking into the matter to ascertain what happened and why. n

DDO family accuses police of racial profiling Read More »

Second fire in nearly two weeks in CDN-NDG

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Dan Laxer
The Suburban

Firefighters were still on the scene of a fire that broke out the morning of Sunday, September 14. The fire was in an abandoned building on Elmhurst and Harley in the CDN-NDG borough, around the corner from the fire that displaced 16 households in a building at Westmore corner St. Jacques nearly two weeks ago.

The Montreal Fire Department was called to the scene just after 9 a.m. The fire started in an abandoned and boarded-up apartment building. Since it was abandoned, there was no electricity or gas hooked up to the building, although a truck from Energir was on the scene anyway. Police had the streets blocked off in the area. By about 11:30 there were more than 90 firefighters at the scene.

There were no injuries reported. And an adjacent building was evacuated.

Desirée McGraw, Liberal MNA for NDG, was also on the scene later in the day. She pointed out that building, which is owned by the Societe d’habitation du Québec (SHQ) has been abandoned since 2017. “For the three years, I have been working to restore three boarded-up social housing buildings, including this one.” She wrote that she has repeatedly tried to get the Quebec government to demolish the building and replace it with social housing. “The government’s inaction in this matter,” she wrote, “constitutes negligence, and this morning’s fire is the predictable consequence.”

And then she added “My thoughts also go to the neighbourhood residents, who had to endure the enormous cloud of smoke and the inconvenience caused by the work. It is clear that their fears about the risks this abandoned building poses to the neighbourhood have unfortunately been confirmed.”

The smoke from the fire could be seen rising into the sky from several points in the city. The smoke and fumes wafted into Montreal West.

Firefighters were on the scene for most of the day. n

Second fire in nearly two weeks in CDN-NDG Read More »

Attacker of Jewish father not criminally responsible

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

by Dan Laxer
The Suburban

Sergio Yanes Preciado, the man who beat up a Hasidic Jewish father in front of his three daughters, has been found not criminally responsible due a mental defect or illness.

The 23-year-old was arrested last month after video surfaced of him beating up the victim before walking away and tossing the victim’s kipah into a puddle. The victim’s three little girls, who witnessed the attack, can be heard screaming. The attack occurred in Dickie Moore Park in the Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension borough.

Friday, September 12 should have been Preciado’s bail hearing. He had been held at the Philippe Pinel institute for a 30-day psychiatric evaluation. The report was supposed to have been presented in court on Friday so the judge could decide if the man is fit to stand trial.

But after a full day of hearings, the report was not presented.

At around 4:40 p.m., Crown Prosecutor Isabelle Major and Preciado’s defense lawyer Gracinda Fernandes let the judge know that they needed more time to go over the report, and asked that the case be held over to Monday.

Major told The Suburban at the time that she had spoken with the victim to bring him up to date with the new elements in the case and, given that the Pinel report is in French, made sure that she translated the details properly and that he fully understood. The victim, Major said, is her top priority.

Sources tell The Suburban that the police had recommended to the prosecutor that the attack be treated as a hate crime, which Major did say would be brought up before the court. But she also talked about the prospect of the Preciado’s mental illness, which the preliminary criminologist’s report and Preciado’s family alleged. Should the case go to trial, Major explained, it would be up to Preciado if he would want to use that as a defense.

On Monday the judge said that the psychiatric report shows Preciado was incapable of understanding what he did due to delusion and schizophrenia.

Zev Feldman, the victim’s brother-in-law, says the family’s reaction to the ruling is mixed; it is not known when the court will make a decision, or what that decision will be. Preciado has been remanded into custody at a mental health facility until the court can be updated on his status. However, that said, he has been ordered to stay away from the victim, and from the victim’s family. If that means that he could be released soon, it’s worrying. “You have to remember,” Feldman says, “the attacker and the victim don’t live that far from one another. In fact, he was arrested literally a few blocks away from where the victim lives. So, if he is released, and the kids see him, this can undo five months of therapy.”

The victim was actually at the courthouse, but did not enter the courtroom where the hearing was taking place. Facing his attacker would have been too hard. But he had written a victim impact statement which was read into the court record.

Feldman says there was a lot of contradictory testimony as to whether Preciado was under the influence of marijuana or not, and whether he knew that what he tossed into the water was a kipah.

Rabbi Saul Emanuel, the executive director of the Jewish Community Council of Montreal, said that the ruling “is a profound miscarriage of justice.”

“It is not punishment. It is not deterrence. It is a bureaucratic evasion dressed in clinical language, and it will do nothing to reassure a community already under siege from rising antisemitic violence.”

Attacker of Jewish father not criminally responsible Read More »

Westmount council adopts redevelopment plan

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Dan Laxer
The Suburban

On September 18 a special council meeting was held in Westmount to announce that council had unanimously adopted the plan to redevelop the south sector of the town.

The Special Planning Program (PPU) referred to as Imagine Westmount has drawn a lot of ire from those who believe the town’s character is at stake, but also support from the many who believe, as Smith does, that the area is in dire need of the kind of change inherent in the plan.

Opening the meeting, Mayor Christina Smith said she knew that she was “not changing any minds here in this room tonight.” She said that council knew any decision made regarding the redevelopment of the area would be divisive. She acknowledged that there were many who had hoped for more time, who had hoped the issue would be deferred to the next council to be elected on November 2.

Delay, she said, has led to nothing being done for nearly a decade, “with further decline, more vacancies, and no investment.” Crime and homelessness have become big problems in the area, she said. “Delay has not solved these problems. Delay has made them worse.”

At one point Smith made an error, referring to the south side of the Dorchester instead of the north side, before she was corrected. She assured those present that she was not pulling a sneaky move and changing the plan, “even though I think that majority of you in the room think I would.”

In the end council voted to implement that plan that Smith said was “years in the making,” adding that it cannot be delayed again.

The councillors present each took a few minutes to speak, taking the opportunity to reiterate their arguments either for or against implementation or further delay. Matthew Aronsons went over some of the changes made to the plan prior to the vote, including what he referred to as “incentive zoning” to give the city more bargaining power with developers moving forward, and even reducing the proposed height of the some of the buildings in the plan. After suggesting that the plan is the best possible plan for the community and can’t be improved, councillor Kathleen Kez spoke, saying “the current plan is not ready, and needs more time to mature.” She listed several elements that she felt were missing from the plan, and called for it to be carried over to the next newly elected council.

“The Special Planning program should be a source of pride, and not a division for Westmounters,” she said. “I am not prepared to take a leap of faith and adopt the current plan as it stands. It needs to mature before we commit.” She was applauded after saying that if council chose, rather, to move forward, she would have no choice but to vote against it.

Mary Gallery, who is running for mayor in the upcoming elections, saying “This is not rushed; this was clearly designed from the start.”

“Let me be clear,” she added, “this is not a blank check for developers, this is a framework to attract serious, responsible investment.” By moving the plan forward, Gallery said, the next council will have something to work with, even if they make changes. “Adopt and adapt,” added councilor Conrad Peart.

Residents had their time to question or comment on the plan, with one, Dr. Caroline Reinhold, present a petition with more than 10,000 signatures, “ten times the number who attended each of the public consultations,” Reinhold said, “and three times the number who responded to the city’s online survey,” calling for a delay.

The adopted plan will now be in the hands of a new council to be elected on November 2. Smith announced some time ago that she is not seeking re-election. n

Westmount council adopts redevelopment plan Read More »

EMSB joins QESBA in challenge to education cuts

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Dan Laxer
The Suburban

The English Montreal School Board voted unanimously to join the Quebec English School Boards Association’s legal challenge to the CAQ government’s budget constraints.

From last fall to late last spring the Quebec government slashed a combined $570 million from education. Then, in July, they announced $540 million in “investments” in education. But those investments came with conditions that EMSB Chair Joe Ortona says are not only not feasible, but put education in Quebec in jeopardy.

Ortona recalled the government-imposed measure to cut $10.6 million from the 2025-26 budget, along with a measure threatening $10.4 million in penalties “if we cannot meet an unrealistic staffing cap.” He added that schools are “barred from accessing $7.8 million of our accumulated surplus, funds that could protect vital programs.”

“The resolution before us mandates our board to join the QESBA’s legal challenge, led by (law firm) Power Law, to contest the Quebec government’s 2025-2026 budgetary rules and seek a stay of their application.”

The EMSB is inviting other boards, including French school service centres, to join the litigation, “despite Bill 40 constraints.”

“This fight extends beyond our board,” Ortona said. “French school service centres face similar barriers, and through the “Ensemble, unis pour l’école” coalition, we stand united.”

When asked why the board decided to join the QESBA’s lawsuit, Ortona said there was no other choice. Without a stay of application, he said, “we would have to make harmful cuts that would have a detrimental impact on the future of the students.”

The cuts that boards could be forced to make would affect any number of services and staffing. “I think of support services for special needs students. I think of music programs, arts programs, sports concentration programs, extracurricular activities, breakfast programs. All of these things,” Ortona emphasized, “are in jeopardy all throughout the province.” Families whose children would be affected by these cuts “are outraged,” Ortona told reporters, “and they have every right to be.”

He fully expects the government to fight back, which Ortona says would be shameful. “What the government should have done is just reverse the cuts that they tried to implement before.” n

EMSB joins QESBA in challenge to education cuts Read More »

“We need to restore order!” says Martinez Ferrada

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Dan Laxer
The Suburban

A little over a week after the Auditor General blamed mismanagement and poor planning for the state of Montreal’s roads, Soraya Matinez Ferrada announced her party’s plan to get city’s roads and roadwork projects in order.

The Ensemble Montréal leader, and candidate for Montreal mayor, held a news conference in Carré Chaboillez at the corner of Peel and Ste. Catherine Streets, a part of the city that has been under construction for some time. She was joined by Saint Laurent Borough Mayor Alan DeSousa, and CDN-NDG candidate Alexandre Teodoresco, all of whom battled, at times, to be heard over the excavators and front-end loaders behind them.

“Montrealers are tired,” Martinez Ferrada said. “They’re tired of finding construction the day after, waking up not even knowing that the road was going to be closed.”

DeSousa said the purpose of the day’s announcement was to eliminate the orange cone as an international symbol of Montreal.

“We need to restore order,” Martinez Ferrada told reporters. “We need to restore coordination to all construction site management in Montreal.”

The measures announced include a complete inventory of all of the city’s worksites within the first 100 days of Martinez Ferrada’s mandate, should she be elected (as she does at other news conferences, she referred to herself as “the future mayor of Montreal”).

She also pledged to prohibit excavation on the same street segment more than once in five years, except in emergencies.

She called for the use of quality materials adapted to the city’s climate to reduce the need to repeat work down the road, as it were, and for real-time updates for residents and business owners impacted by major work, with QR codes on all signage to identify contractors.

Teodoresco added that they plan to leverage university research centres and the business community to make Ville-Marie “a laboratory for innovative solutions to construction management challenges.”

“We have the greatest research centres in the world,” he added. “We have the godfather of AI, for God’s sake, Yoshua Bengio, living right here in our city. So, how come we are on that leadership position as a city, but at city hall we’re the worst in class?”

The announcement comes with several major project either slated to begin or already begun. It was the first day of school, and the first day of major repairs that will have the Décarie Expressway tied up at the Cote St. Luc Road overpass for over a year.

And it comes two weeks after the announcement of eight-year closures for the McTavish Reservoir repairs.

“How come it takes eight years,” Martinez Ferrada asked, responding to a question from The Suburban as to whether she will be able to speed up projects announced or started before the election. “We have to accelerate the work that we’re doing in Montreal. It’s not normal,” she said, “that we can build a bridge in 42 months and not a road in less than that.”

Echoing DeSousa’s words, Martinez Ferrada said “I want to turn the page of having the orange cone as a symbol of Montreal.” n

“We need to restore order!” says Martinez Ferrada Read More »

Hippodrome is a go. Cavendish is a no.

Local Journalism Initiative / / / ,

By Dan Laxer
The Suburban

Hippodrome yes. Cavendish no.

The Federal government and the City of Montreal made an announcement, Monday morning, of a joint investment of $320 million for the infrastructure necessary for the development of the first phase of the Namur-Hippodrome project.

However the mayors of Cote Saint Luc, Town of Mount Royal, and the St. Laurent Borough say the plan is incomplete without a Cavendish Boulevard Extension.

The total sum combines a federal government investment of $128.3 million with $192.5 million from the City of Montreal. The Namur-Hippodrome District is an ambitious plan to develop up to 20,000 new housing units, including 50% off -market housing, a complete neighborhood with shops, services, and 14 hectares of green space, public and active transport networks, plus schools, community, sports and cultural centers, a library. and health care centers.

However, a release signed by the mayors of The City of Cote Saint Luc, Town of Mount Royal, and the St. Laurent Borough says “it is our firm belief and conviction that in order for this project to be a success, the full north-south Cavendish extension must be included in the plan to redevelop the site. Failure to include the Cavendish extension would be an omission that would undermine the integrity, safety, and viability of the entire development.”

The leader of Ensemble Montreal, mayoral candidate Soraya Martinez Ferrada agrees, saying “Cavendish isn’t just a road, it’s the backbone for housing, transit, and sustainable growth in Montreal’s went end.”

The Suburban reported last month, quoting Montreal traffic consultant Rick Leckner, that, according to his sources at City Hall, a Cavendish extension is “off the table.” This despite the fact that Monreal Mayor Valerie Plante – whose mandate ends in just weeks — had once promised “we’re doing Cavendish for sure.”

At the press conference to announce the joint investment, held on the Namur-Hippodrome site, Plante said she is “extremely proud,” adding that the investment announcement marks “the start of construction” of the project.

The long-promised Cavendish extension is nowhere to be found the announcement.

Proponents of the extension have long argued for its importance to economic development, public security, and urban planning and political commitment.

“We call on all three levels of government to work together to ensure that the Cavendish extension is completed as part of the Namur-Hippodrome redevelopment project. And we call on the Provincial government to insist that City of Montreal honour all its obligations under the 2017 agreement through which the land was ceded by Quebec to Montreal.”

Côte St. Luc councillor Dida Berku told The Suburban Monday that it is interesting that the federal and provincial governments are investing in a major project with 20,000 housing units, but that the planned “water and sewer infrastructure usually takes a road plan, because you put that infrastructure under the roads.

“The City of Montreal hasn’t finalized that plan! They have Jean Talon [to Décarie), they have Devonshire [to Paré], but they don’t have the third link, which has to go west towards Côte St. Luc. They’ve given us all kinds of options (Clanranald into Côte St. Luc from Jean Talon, Mackle in CSL to Jean Talon), but the only option that is viable is the Cavendish connection. The three Mayors are insisting that they come up with a comprehensive road plan and that it be integrated with Cavendish.” n

Hippodrome is a go. Cavendish is a no. Read More »

First sentence in 2021 TMR killing

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Dan Laxer
The Suburban

Stenley Guercin was just 18 years old when he was killed at a 2021 Christmas party at a home in TMR. Two men, Léonardo Joseph and Jonathan Guerly Estimé – both 22 – were convicted in Guercin’s killing.

One of the two, Joseph, was handed a nine-year sentence at the Palais du Justice on Friday.

The two men, who were 20 when they were arrested, were convicted at trial last July. Joseph was found guilty of manslaughter, and Estimé of second-degree murder.

The sentence was handed down by Quebec Superior Court Judge Alexandre Boucher.

The trial heard that several youths were seeking out Guercin, who allegedly owed a gambling debt. There had been words exchanged online on social media. Then, at around 1:40 a.m. on December 24, 2021 the gang had tracked down Guercin at the Christmas party in question. A woman who was at the party on Trenton Avenue and recognized Guercin reached out to the group via text message.

When they got to the party and found Guercin, Joseph and Estimé grabbed him. A scuffle ensued. Estimé drew a gun and shot Guercin twice.

The crown prosecutor had recommended a sentence of 14 years. Joseph’s defense lawyer asked for no more than five. Time served awaiting the results in the case means that Joseph will end up serving five years and seven months.

Joseph’s role in the killing was secondary, the judge ruled, saying “he was not the person who shot the victim.” But he is still criminally responsible as a “co-author.” The judge said that Joseph should have known the danger the victim was facing.

Estimé’s sentencing hearing is coming up in November.

He was already serving time for another crime at the time of the arrest. In April he had been arrested for possession of a loaded weapon. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced, at the time, to 912 days.

Another suspect, Bertina Desire, who was also 20 at the time of the killing, was charged with being an accessory after the fact. She is also scheduled to return to court in November. n

First sentence in 2021 TMR killing Read More »

Dryden passes away at the age of 78

Local Journalism Initiative / / / ,

By Mark Lidbetter
The Suburban

Montreal Canadiens’ legendary goaltender Ken Dryden born Aug. 8, 1947, died last Friday at the age of 78 following a short battle with cancer. The Hockey Hall of Fame member led the Canadiens to six Stanley Cups in the 1970s. Dryden became a lawyer while playing for Montreal and in his retirement, was an author, TV analyst, hockey executive and a member of Canada’s Parliament.

Dryden represented his country on and off the ice. He was a key member of the 1972 Summit Series team that had a historic win over the Soviet Union and in his post-playing days as a member of Parliament served his constituents for three terms. That commitment to Canada saw Dryden named as an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2013. “Ken Dryden was an exceptional athlete, but he was also an exceptional man,” Montreal Canadiens president Geoff Molson said in a statement from the organization. “Behind the mask he was larger than life. We mourn today not only the loss of the cornerstone of one of hockey’s greatest dynasties, but also a family man, a thoughtful citizen, and a gentleman who deeply impacted our lives and communities across generations. He was one of the true legends that helped shape this club into what it is today.”

Following the announcement of his death, fans began to arrive at his statue outside of Place Bell and his famous The Goalie statue outside of St. Laurent’s Raymond Bourque Arena to pay their respects and to leave flowers or a memento. One such fan was Domenic Pascarella, a Toronto native and a lifelong Habs fan. The 57-year-old Pascarella was in Quebec City with his wife when he heard the news and made it a point to stop in Montreal on his way back home to pay his respects and remember how Dryden had thrilled him in his youth. “It was something not expecting him to pass, it was something that was shocking,” Dominic Pascarella said. “I was eight years old, watching them beating the Toronto Maple Leafs. watching them in the playoffs. You have to give respect to the whole team that that they had in the 70s. He did represent a lot of us in Canada. And growing up as an immigrant Italian, hockey was the number one sport in our house.”

Dryden has ties to NDG as at the start of his career he lived in the L’Scale West on Monkland. When local kids caught word of that, they’d hang out every now and then trying to catch a glimpse or an autograph. He also played tennis at the Monkland Tennis Club.

Dryden’s legacy will be forever present as the statue of his iconic pose The Goalie, created by Canadian artist Robin Bell stands in front of St. Laurent’s Raymond Bourque Arena. When it was dedicated there, Dryden liked the fact it was a nod and a wink to the Habs’ longstanding rivalry with Bourque’s Bruins. “I hadn’t even thought of that until Alan (St. Laurent Mayor DeSousa) mentioned it,” Ken Dryden said in a 2023 interview. “It’s perfect,” “I think to this day, and it was certainly during the time that it was great. The best games the most interesting, the most testing games we had were against the Bruins, and there was no team that we wanted to beat more than the Bruins and happily we did.”

Dryden’s path to the professional ranks started when he was selected by the Boston Bruins in the third round of the 1964 NHL Draft. Two weeks later Boston traded the 16-year-old goalie’s rights to the Canadiens, but prior to what would have been his first pro training camp, Dryden chose to attend Cornell University. As a member of the Big Red, Dryden posted a record of 76-4 with one tie and a 1.59 goals-against average in 83 games during three seasons (1966-69) for Cornell. He then had his first opportunity to represent Canada as he played in the 1969 IIHF World Championships.

Dryden made his professional debut in 1970-71 with the AHL’s Montreal Voyageurs where the lanky netminder went 16-7 with eight ties in 33 games. That effort saw Dryden called to the parent club when Rogatien Vachon was injured. After playing in six regular-season games, Dryden went on a tear between the pipes, leading his team to the Stanley Cup title. His play was so strong that Dryden won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs’ most valuable player.

The following season Dryden would earn the Calder Memorial Trophy as the League’s best rookie for 1971-72. In that rookie campaign he led the NHL with 39 wins and ranked in the top four in the league in goals-against average (2.24, fourth), save percentage (.930, third) and shutouts (eight, second). “From the moment Ken Dryden joined the Montreal Canadiens as a 23-year-old rookie in 1971, he made an immediate and lasting impact on the NHL, the Canadiens franchise and the goaltending position,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said.

In a brief eight-year career with the Canadiens Dryden led the Habs to six Stanley Cup championships. He won five Vezina Trophies as the League’s top goaltender, including four consecutive awards from 1975-76 to 1978-79. The McGill alum was named as a member of the League’s Greatest 100.

Dryden, who had earned his law degree at McGill, got to put it into practice clerking with a Toronto law firm as he sat out the 1973-74 season. He decided to retire at the age of 26 due to being unhappy with the contract offered to him by the club.

Dryden returned to the fold in the fall of 1974 looking like he hadn’t missed a beat during his brief retirement. With Dryden in nets, the Canadiens began a run of four consecutive Stanley Cup championships starting with a sweep of the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1976 Final. The 1976-77 Canadiens became the first team in NHL history to win 60 games during the regular season, then proceeded to put the broom to the Bruins in the Final. They bested Boston again in 1978 and dropped the New York Rangers in 1979 for their fourth consecutive title.

Dryden retired for good following the 1979 championship, while many felt he was still at the top of his game. His career numbers are 258-57 with 74 ties, a 2.24 GAA, .922 save percentage and 46 shutouts in 397 regular-season games (389 starts). He was 80-32 with a 2.41 GAA, .915 save percentage and 10 shutouts in 112 playoff games. Dryden was tapped five times as the Vezina Trophy recipient in his eight NHL campaigns. In 2007 his No. 29 was retired and raised to the rafters of the Bell Centre.

In 1980, Dryden got to take part in more hockey history, this time as a television analyst. Dryden was in the booth at Lake Placid’s Olympic Arena alongside Al Michaels for Team USA’s Miracle on Ice win over the Russians. Dryden served as an analyst for the 1984 and 1988 Olympic broadcasts as well.

With the release of “The Game” in 1983, Dryden became a best-selling author. The book focused on Dryden’s 1978-79 season and is considered to be one of the best books on sport, not just hockey, to be written. Dryden went on to pen several more books, including his final tome, “The Class”, published in 2023.

In 1997 Dryden was named president of the Toronto Maple Leafs. A position he held until 2004. The reason for Dryden departing was to run for a seat in Parliament as a member of the Liberal Party. Dryden won handily and was appointed as Minister of Social Development. He held onto his seat in Toronto’s York Centre riding in 2006 and again in 2008, then lost in 2011.

At request of the Dryden family, those wishing to honor his memory are encouraged to make a donation to the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, or the Concussion Legacy Foundation. n

Dryden passes away at the age of 78 Read More »

Safe exchange zones in Kirkland and DDO are vital resources

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

If you’ve ever tried to sell a laptop on Facebook Marketplace or pick up a used bike from a stranger in the West Island, you know the anxiety that comes before the meetup: What if this goes wrong? Montreal police (SPVM) reports show these worries aren’t unfounded as officers in the West Island have responded to a growing number of calls about scams, thefts, and even assaults tied to in-person marketplace transactions over the past year. What starts as a simple buy-and-sell can quickly turn into a police file if the wrong person shows up.

That’s what makes the safe-exchange zones at SPVM stations in Kirkland and Dollard-des-Ormeaux such an easy choice. Instead of rolling the dice with a parking lot or someone’s front porch, you can meet under 24-hour video surveillance, right outside the station doors. There’s no need to worry about being set up or scammed when you’ve got real security watching over the exchange.

And it’s not just buyers who are at risk. Sellers often feel pressured to hand out their home address or invite strangers onto their property — opening the door, sometimes literally, to theft or worse. Meeting at a safe-exchange zone takes that risk off the table. You don’t have to worry about who’s showing up at your house, or what they might be scoping out while they’re there.

The risks aren’t just hypothetical. One West Islander told The Suburban about a deal gone wrong in a parking lot: “He even had a fake receipt,” he recalled. “I went into my car to put the phone on the charger and as soon as the home screen opened up I could tell it was a fake, but the guy was already gone and I was out $1,200.” He didn’t even bother calling police as he knew the thief was already gone in the wind.

It’s the kind of scenario that’s a lot less likely at one of the West Island’s SPVM safe-exchange zones. If the transaction had happened at the Kirkland or DDO police station, the buyer could have walked right inside for help. With cameras rolling and officers on site, there’s a real chance the scammer would have been caught before he had a chance to disappear.

The numbers back it up. According to a 2023 Statistics Canada report, about one in five Canadians who bought or sold something online in the previous year worried about their personal safety during the exchange. And while most transactions are uneventful, the risks jump considerably when large sums of cash or high-value goods are involved. Even a quick handoff can go sideways with fake bills, no-shows, or worse.

Meeting at a safe-exchange zone isn’t just about peace of mind, either. It’s a way to send a clear signal: this deal is above board. Most people with bad intentions will back out the moment you suggest meeting at a police station. Regular folks get a safety net, and anyone trying to pull a fast one moves on.

For West Islanders, these designated SPVM zones at Kirkland and DDO stations are a resource — use them. Marketplace trades shouldn’t feel risky, and with these options, they don’t have to. n

Safe exchange zones in Kirkland and DDO are vital resources Read More »

Police ramp up road safety as schools reopen

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

As students return to classrooms across Montreal and the rest of Quebec, police forces are stepping up their presence around school zones, reminding drivers to slow down and stay alert. Both Montreal police (SPVM) and Quebec provincial police (SQ) are launching targeted operations during the back-to-school period to reinforce safe driving habits and protect children as they travel to and from school.

SPVM officers, in collaboration with neighbourhood stations, road safety teams, and motorcycle units, will be active around school zones during peak hours. The goal is to encourage drivers to obey speed limits, watch for signage, and be mindful of increased pedestrian activity. The start of the school year is particularly busy, and police say heightened vigilance is critical.

Last year, the results spoke for themselves: between August 26 and September 20, 2024, SPVM handed out 8,571 traffic tickets across Montreal, for violations in or near school zones.

Outside the city, the SQ is also increasing patrols near schools from August 25 to September 5. With students back on the roads, the number of school buses, crossing guards, cyclists, and pedestrians rises sharply. SQ is reminding all drivers to be patient, follow the rules, and help ensure a safe start to the school year.

Several key regulations are being emphasized. Speed limits in school zones are strictly enforced, and fines for speeding during school hours — typically 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, September through June — are doubled. If there’s no posted signage, these hours apply automatically. Drivers and cyclists must stop at least five metres behind any school bus or minibus with flashing red lights or an extended stop sign.

When traffic is being directed by a police officer, crossing guard, or construction flagger, their instructions take priority over all other signals and signs. At crosswalks, vehicles must stop when a pedestrian is crossing or showing intent to cross.

Both the SPVM and SQ are also urging parents to follow posted rules around schools, particularly in bus zones, no-parking areas, and designated drop-off points. Unsafe actions—like double-parking or making U-turns — can create dangerous situations for children and other road users.

These measures are part of a province-wide strategy to improve road safety through partnerships, education, and targeted enforcement.

With the new school year underway, both police forces are asking everyone behind the wheel to be patient and cautious. A few extra moments of attention can make all the difference in keeping kids safe. n

Police ramp up road safety as schools reopen Read More »

Man charged with second degree murder after CDN stabbing

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban

Brendon Emmanuel Wilson, 39, was arrested and has been charged with second degree murder after 48-year-old Stanley Bellot was stabbed to death at the Vegas Lounge Bar in Plaza Côte des Neiges this past Aug. 9.

The arrest was made by the SPVM’s Major Crimes Section. The killing was the 25th homicide of the year on the island of Montreal. The suspect appeared Sept. 4 at the Montreal courthouse and was also charged with assault causing bodily harm to Mike Kakha Razmadze, 36. The SPVM also searched a home in Côte St. Luc, but some reports say the suspect actually lives in the borough of St. Laurent.

The SPVM recounted that on Aug. 9, at approximately 2 a.m., “911 received reports of two people injured by a sharp object in a bar located on Côte des Neiges Road, near Barclay Avenue.

“Upon arrival at the scene, police located two victims, a 36-year-old and a 48-year-old man. The first, who suffered lower-body injuries, was taken to hospital and [his injuries are] not life-threatening. The second, who was unconscious and injured in the upper body, was also rushed to hospital but succumbed to his injuries shortly after.

The police are asking anyone with information to contact 911 or a local police station.

“Individuals who prefer to submit new information anonymously and confidentially can do so by contacting Info-Crime Montréal at 514 393-1133 or via the reporting form available on the website infocrimemontreal.ca.” n

Man charged with second degree murder after CDN stabbing Read More »

Martinez Ferrada says Cavendish link is “super-important”

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban

A Cavendish Boulevard link between Côte St. Luc and St. Laurent is “super important”, Ensemble Montréal mayoral candidate Soraya Martinez Ferrada told The Suburban following a press conference in St. Laurent Monday.

We asked the candidate if she would commit to the link along with the Hippodrome project in CDN-NDG, as promised by Montreal when the Hippodrome was transferred to Montreal from the Quebec government. Traffic expert Rick Leckner recently told a CSL district meeting hosted by councillors Mike Cohen and Dida Berku that he has heard from Montreal sources that the extension is “off the table” as of now.

“Cavendish is super important,” Martinez Ferrada told The Suburban. ”If we want to develop all of the sector, we need to find a way to open Cavendish and that’s something I’ve said many, many times and I’m committed to looking at it and making sure that everything we do in Blue Bonnets, we have to work to open Cavendish.”

We pointed out that the current plan from the Plante administration is not to connect the Hippodrome development to Cavendish save for a proposed Jean Talon to Mackle Road link, which Berku says is impractical.

“You have a Mayor in St. Laurent (Alan DeSousa) that’s been very vocal about that, I’ve been vocal about that and I’ll be committed to looking at that for sure,” the Ensemble Montréal mayoral candidate reiterated.

During the Sept. 8 CSL council meeting, Cohen said local elected candidates need to meet with candidates from Ensemble Montréal and Projet Montréal, to get their position on the long-awaited Cavendish extension.

“What the Plante administration has done over the last number of years is just completely inappropriate, not making any movies towards it,” the District 2 councillor added. “Many of us say we may never live to see the Cavendish extension, I hope that’s not true.”

In light of Cohen’s comments and following the CSL meeting, we played our recording of Martinez Ferrada’s comments to Cohen and Berku.

“I think it’s very positive!” Berku told The Suburban. “I’m looking forward to further collaboration between the City of Côte St. Luc and Montreal after the election so we can move the Cavendish file.” n

Martinez Ferrada says Cavendish link is “super-important” Read More »

McGill will only tolerate peaceful and time limited protests:Saini

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban

McGill will only tolerate peaceful protests on campus going forward, and not situations like the pro-Palestinian encampment that was on the university grounds from April 27 to July 10, McGill president Deep Saini said Aug. 28.

The encampment was cleared by a private company hired by McGill while the SPVM, as well as the SQ, surrounded the area around the campus.

Saini was interviewed at a virtual Zoom town hall by Mount Royal MP Anthony Housefather, who is also the Prime Minister’s Special Advisor on Jewish Community Relations and Antisemitism. Hundreds of people listened in.

Saini said McGill’s actions during the encampment were not perfect, “but did we handle it as well as we could have under the circumstances, I think more or less, yes. The rear view mirror is always very instructive….We are working without a playbook, we’re learning from every experience, and saying ‘how do we do the next thing better?’”

Housefather then asked if there will be enhanced security at McGill this semester, and what will the university do to ensure people feel safer and not have to hear antisemitic chants and have incidents like an effigy of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hanging from the Roddick gates or the occupation of a university building and terrorizing its occupants, as took place.

Saini replied that if there is a peaceful protest on campus “that is not also engaging in targeted hate against a particular community or individual, and it’s an expression of your political opinion, by all means, do that.

“But a protest has a time limit on it. You can’t say ‘I’m going to set up an encampment and that’s my form of protest,’ or ‘I’m going to take over a building.’ Time limited, specified subject in a specified place, you express your views and you move on and you have a debate.”

Housefather said, “and not carrying symbols of terrorist organizations, not chanting things that a terrorist organization would chant.”

Saini replied that “once you cross the line, then we have multiple levels of security now — I don’t want to go into the details of it — but what we have put in place is that depending on the nature of an offence, we will deploy security. We have our own security, we have access to additional help from outside and we have a better understanding with the Montreal police — of what the Montreal police can and cannot do.”

Saini said he feels “we have all the right steps in place that give us the best, at this moment, tools to deal with a disruption.”

Housefather also asked about alleged “abuse of podium” situations in which professor expresses his or her view of the Israel-Hamas war in a class where the subject is not relevant, or where students feel uncomfortable if they take a position contrary to that of the educator.

Saini replied that this past Aug, 22, a note was sent to all faculty and staff “laying out the rules of engagement going forward.

“They include a clear message to our faculty of what is permissible under academic freedom and freedom of speech, and what constitutes abuse of podium, particularly when you’re in a position of power. Nobody would be allowed to abuse their position or podium to make a statement projecting their own beliefs to the people.” n

McGill will only tolerate peaceful and time limited protests:Saini Read More »

Federation CJA’s campaign launch a roaring success

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban

Federation CJA’s Annual Campaign Launch at Hampstead Park featuring highly acclaimed Israeli singer Ishay Ribo and a spectacular drone show, was a roaring success as over five thousand people attended the event.

Last year’s March for Jerusalem, part of Federation CJA’s 2024-2025 campaign launch, attracted 25,000 people and also took place at Hampstead Park.

This year’s campaign has the theme “It’s Up To Us.” The event, billed as a celebration of culture, music and community, also featured, in a large tent, an authentic and atmospheric Israeli-style “shuk” market with a multitude of mouth watering goodies, including cake, fruits, meat, jewellery and many other items. The tent was also packed with enthusiastic shoppers and browsers.

We saw, amongst many others, Côte St. Luc councillor Dida Berku, former CSL councillor Allan Levine, English Montreal School Board chairman Joe Ortona; and Raquel and Alain Look, parents of former Côte St. Luc resident Alexandre Look, who died while defending others during the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel.

Hampstead Mayor Jeremy Levi enthusiastically posted videos on social media, writing “just a regular Tuesday night in Hampstead Park featuring Ishay Ribo! Am Yisrael Chai!”

D’Arcy McGee MNA Elisabeth Prass was also on hand.

“It was truly inspiring to come together and celebrate the strength and vibrancy of our community,” she posted afterwards.

“This night is our moment to stand up and say — It’s Up to Us,” stated Federation CJA president and CEO Yair Szlak. “It’s where our community comes together to take action.When you give to Federation CJA, you’re helping feed families, support the vulnerable, strengthen Jewish identity and fight antisemitism. You’re joining thousands who care deeply about making a real and lasting difference and shaping the Jewish future in this city and province.”

General Campaign chair Heather Adelson said that a successful campaign “is not only measured by dollars raised, but by the unity it fosters and the lives it touches. The launch of our 2025 campaign marks a renewed commitment to building a stronger, more connected community and what better place for us to come together than in the middle of the tradition and culture an Israeli shuk.” n

Federation CJA’s campaign launch a roaring success Read More »

De La Savane cemetery security concerns resolved

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban

Many readers may have heard that the Baron de Hirsch Cemetery on De La Savane in Côte des Neiges-NDG was closed to the public for several hours on Sunday Aug. 31, for security reasons.

There were rumours that there were Arabs nearby screaming about Israel, but that turned out to be not the case. The Suburban was told by sources that people trying to enter the cemetery that day were told to stay away, and the cemetery office confirmed to The Suburban it was closed to the public, as late as 2:30 p.m. The cemetery was open again on Monday Sept. 1 Labour Day, just not to vehicles as per Sunday rules.

We called the SPVM Aug. 31 to determine what prompted the cemetery shutdown. Spokesperson Jeanne Drouin told us that on that Sunday morning, a man at the corner of De La Savane and Victoria was heard yelling.

Police checked the situation out, but determined that the man was known to police and not dangerous, and that his shouting was not related to Israel or the Jewish community. n

De La Savane cemetery security concerns resolved Read More »

Sixteen NDG households displaced by 5-alarm fire

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Dan Laxer
The Suburban

A five-alarm fire has displaced families from a 16-unit apartment building in NDG.

The fire broke out around 9 a.m. last Friday morning on Westmore near St. Jacques, near the Montreal West train station. One hundred and fifty firefighters battled to get the fire under control, many working from the roof of the four-storey building.

CDN-NDG Borough Mayor Gracia Kasoki Katahwa was at the scene, and said that the Red Cross would be helping the displaced residents. Katahwa also confirmed that there were no serious injuries. One firefighter had been transported to hospital after suffering heatstroke.

Katahwa indicated to The Suburban that the borough, along with the Office Municipal d’Habitation de Montréal (OMHM) and the NDG Community Council would be helping the residents.

The cause of the fire is as yet unknown. It may have started in a dumpster in the back of the building, spreading quickly. But that had not been confirmed by deadline.

Damage is estimated to be several hundred thousand dollars.

NDG-Westmount MP Anna Gainey posted to her social media later in the day “My thoughts are with the 16 families affected by today’s fire at Saint-Jacques and Westmore in NDG. I want to thank the firefighters who acted quickly to contain the blaze and protect lives, as well as the community workers and neighbours who are already stepping up to support those displaced.”

“In moments like these,” she added, “the strength of our community shines through. My office will continue to follow the situation closely and offer help wherever possible.”

The firefighters union did not wax as positive. The Association des Pompiers de Montréal, said that though the situation at 2012 Westmore could have been a lot worse, it also could have been a lot better. Highlighting the Auditor General’s recent report on the inefficiencies plaguing the SIM, including problems with inventory tracking, lack of working gear, it said that normally firefighters would have been at the scene in 3.5 minutes. “But not today. The firetruck at Station 77 was parked out of service in the garage, with four firefighters waiting because they lacked certified and compliant PPE (personal protective gear) to respond.”

Station 77 is located on Westminster Avenue in Montreal West, between Nelson and Brock, slightly more than a kilometre away from the fire.

Montreal fire chief Richard Liebman said after the release of the Auditor General’s report that the SIM was aware of the problem, and that the city had already invested more than $6 million for more PPE and other equipment.

But the union pointed out that, as of Friday night, “25 fire trucks are out of service across the island of Montreal, 19 of them due to a lack of compliant PPE.” n

Sixteen NDG households displaced by 5-alarm fire Read More »

Montreal expands hate crime definition

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Dan Laxer
The Suburban

Montreal City Council has agreed to revise its new DEI and antiracism policy to include hate crimes, antisemitism, and Islamophobia.

Initially the policy had left them out, a glaring omission that echoed a similar exclusion of antisemitism from the city’s anti-racism report last year.

The Centre for Research-Actin on Race Relations (CRARR) had originally held a news conference last weekend to denounce the omission, and to call on the City of Montreal to revise the policy. CRARR was joined by four other organizations representing racialized communities: The Black Community Resource Center, the Chinese Association of Montreal, the Canadian Council of Muslim Women – Montreal Chapter, and the Filipino Family Service of Montreal.

CRARR Executive Director Fo Niemi underlined that hate crimes and extremism have become “major threats to community safety and public security in Montreal,” saying it needs to be acknowledged in the policy. Leaving it out would send “a deplorable message of disrespect and dismissiveness to individuals, families, and communities in Montreal who have been badly hurt by hate.”

The original policy was adopted on August 14 by the Executive Committee, and was supposed to have been ratified – as is – the following week by Montreal City Council. In its original form, Niemi says, the policy listed just about every form of discrimination except antisemitism and Islamophobia, which Niemi says was “rather shocking.” Niemi could only speculate that it may well have been an oversight, or a deliberate omission to avoid controversy. Either way, CRARR and the other groups were calling on the city to “be explicit about these challenges.”

Then, at last Monday’s council meeting, opposition councillor Sonny Moroz (Snowdon District, CDN-NDG Borough) tabled a motion to include antisemitism, Islamophobia, hate crimes, and hate incidents in the policy.

Council voted in favour. It’s a major development, Niemi says, because “in the past there has always been some sort of pushback on the issue of antisemitism,” likely because of the difficulty, Niemi suggests, in defining it.

The currently-accepted definition of antisemitism is the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition. The federal and provincial governments have both adopted the definition, as has the CDN-NDG borough. The City of Montreal has not.

Moroz is on the Commission sur le développement social et la diversité. He says that every time they looked at the policy as it was taking shape, he noticed the “lack of a plan to deal with the rise of hate crimes and hate incidents,” a lack that had not been amended by the time it got to the Executive Committee. So, in council he suggested what he says are very simple amendments: Islamophobia, antisemitism, and all forms of discrimination based on religion. The amendments also include hate crimes and hate incidents.

“I was very pleased that when it came to the negotiation table at City Hall, that the person responsible for racism and discrimination, the mayor of Côtes des Neiges-NDG (Gracia Kasoki Katahwa), for the first time saw it in her benefit to include antisemitism in her plan.”

“We get to build on that,” Moroz says. “And we get to say that the City Council of Montreal unanimously agreed to this, which is something that I think is fantastic.”

Niemi agrees, saying “people have to understand the magnitude of the inclusion and the explicit recognition of these things that were finally integrated in the policy. Now,” he says, “no one can deny that these things exist. No one can trivialize them.”

CRARR has since written to Maty Diop, the City of Montreal’s new Commissioner for Fighting Racism and Systemic Discrimination. He would like to arrange a meeting with several groups present, including the Jewish community, “to talk about the need to have a united approach to tackle hate,” particularly for English-speaking communities. At the time of this writing, CRARR had not yet received a reply. n

Montreal expands hate crime definition Read More »

DocTocToc: Montreal’s new mobile pediatric clinic

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Dan Laxer
The Suburban

It took some time to get DocTocToc rolling. But since July the mobile pediatric clinic has been providing low-income families who have children up to five years old with primary pediatric care.

The name is a play on words with the French expression “toc toc toc,” which is, of course, “knock knock knock” in English, and calls to mind the days when doctors made house calls. It may also remind younger parents of the TV show Toc Toc Toc, which ran on Radio Canada and Télé-Québec.

The clinic is a bus-turned-clinic with an examination room, an office, a bathroom, and a seating area. It travels throughout three – soon-to-be-four – boroughs seeing patients of up to five years old who are not being served by health and social services.

The project started to take shape in 2017, the brainchild of Montreal Children’s Hospital pediatrician Dr. Rislaine Benkelfat and Jean-Philippe Couture, a financial analyst specialized in public funding for nonprofit organizations.

The bus was inaugurated last March, started operations with the first test clinics in April, and then the official launch of the clinics on a regular basis ramping up in July.

Benkelfat is a tertiary care pediatrician, which is specialized care, meaning she sees patients with more complex issues. But she and her colleagues would also see primary care patients who would show up at the emergency room because they didn’t know where else to go, or because they couldn’t get access to a healthcare professional.

She would often treat kids “who presented late for issues that could have been dealt with way earlier and with probably better outcomes had they been known ahead.”

The idea behind DocTocToc is to democratize healthcare for young children, to break down the barriers to healthcare.

Benkelfat explains that DocTocToc meets families in the community to answer their basic needs, and then refers them to the healthcare professionals who can best meet their needs.

There are no doctors onboard the DocTocToc bus. There are nurses who do clinical assessments on a walk-in basis for both medical and psycho-social issues, and then help orient families to the appropriate resources in the community. They then help them navigate the system, even giving them the tools they need, and empowering them to seek health services on their own down the road.

At some point they will even start to offer vaccinations.

And DocTocToc comes to the patients. For the time being they’ve been rolling into Montreal-Nord, St. Laurent, and Ahuntsic, and soon they’ll include Cartierville. They find the patients rather than the patients having to seek them out, relying on their partners in community organizations who work with families who are newcomers, for example. They may also participate in community events and activities to let communities know that they are there. And potential patients know that the DocTocToc bus will be at a specific spot on a specific day.

Benkelfat says they may branch out into other boroughs, like CDN-NDG, one day. “Right now, we’re concentrating on consolidating what we’re doing in the northern part of Montreal,” she says, adding that at some point DocTocToc may branch out, or even inspire others to follow in the footsteps. Or their tire tracks.

Benkelfat says that the government has generally been supportive of DocTocToc as the model evolved. But that support, she says, has not been financial. n

DocTocToc: Montreal’s new mobile pediatric clinic Read More »

F.A.C.E. school’s new building lacks critical facilities

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Dan Laxer
The Suburban

The students of F.A.C.E. Elementary School, English and French sectors, started the year off in a new building at 4835 Christophe Colombe, with the French sector, overseen by the CSSDM, starting last week, and the English sector, overseen by the EMSB, this week.

In the spring the Quebec government decided that badly-needed renovations to the building that used to house the school — the old Montreal High School building on University Street — would prove too costly. The education ministry opted, instead, to separate the students, moving them to two different buildings (the high school students will actually stay in the building on University for the next few years until they move into the old Sun Youth/Baron Byng School building on St. Urbain).

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at about 9 a.m.

Parents of new students were excited to start the year. Some did have concerns about the tight one-way streets and the challenge of the morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up. For still others the morning and afternoon commute is longer and more difficult. But those whose children know the old building are somewhat disappointed, saying they’ll miss how the younger kids mixed with and learned from the older kids, and how well English and French blended in the old school. And there were kids who were excited to start school in the new building, but there were also those who expressed that they would miss the old building.

English Montreal School Board Chair Joe Ortona, who was on hand when the French sector started its year in the new building last week, spoke positively about the start to the year, but said he hopes the old building on University still has a future. In April Ortona and EMSB commissioner Maria Corsi had tabled a motion to save the school, calling on the CAQ government to honour its original commitment to the renovations.

At the time, Geneviève Gueritaud, a mom of F.A.C.E. students, told The Suburban that the new locations are inappropriate to the school’s arts-core education. They don’t have the facilities required, or the space, to accommodate its curriculum.

The new building also has no actual library. Instead, there are bookshelves in the corridor. There is also no cafeteria; students will be eating their lunch in the gym.

Proponents of the movement to save the old building on University say the movement is as strong as ever. They say it’s not just about saving the building, which has the facilities the school’s arts core curriculum requires, it’s also about preserving a community. n

F.A.C.E. school’s new building lacks critical facilities Read More »

Anti-semitic attacker sentenced to Pinel for 30 days

Local Journalism Initiative / / / ,

By Dan Laxer
The Suburban

Sergio Yanes Perciado appeared in court for the second time in two days, on Wednesday. The man who is accused of beating a Hassidic Jewish man in front of his three young daughters in Parc Extension last week, faced a charge of assault causing bodily harm.

His appearance at the Palais de Justice in courtroom 3.07 was by video link where Quebec Court Judge Martin Chalifour ordered him remanded to the Philippe-Pinel Institute for Forensic Psychiatry for a 30-day period.

He is due to appear in court again on September 12.

The accused was ordered to undergo a psychiatric assessment on Tuesday. However Judge Chalifour decided a full psychiatric evaluation was in order.

The victim’s brother-in-law, Zev Feldman, was also in court with several members of the victim’s friends, extended family, and community members. Feldman says they are satisfied with the ruling because it keeps the accused behind bars, and away from the victim and his family for now. “We hope that the judge will keep on sending messages that this is unacceptable.”

The psychiatric assessment is to see if Yanes Perciado is fit to stand trial. “He was fit enough to go to school, he was fit enough to be a soccer player, he should be fit enough,” Feldman said. “He was fit enough to attack a father in front of his three kids. He should be fit enough to stand trial.”

The family is not happy that, so far, there was no mention of the incident being deemed a hate crime, but they are still hoping the crown will upgrade the charges.

As is now well-known, Yanes Perciado attacked the victim in Dickie Moore Park in the Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension borough. Police say he first threw water on the victim, and then pushed him to the ground, punched him several times, and kneed him, leaving him badly bruised with a broken nose.

His three daughters cried as they witnessed their father being beaten.

In a viral video of the incident, the attacker is then seen tossing what is believed to be the victim’s kippah into the water of a splash pad.

The victim’s name is still being kept private. In fact, Feldman refers to his brother-in-law as “the victim.” He is said to be doing better, physically, although emotionally he is still not himself.

The victim’s daughters are also said to be recovering. “But everybody can imagine what happens when a child sees it,” Feldman adds. “It’s going to take time.” n

Anti-semitic attacker sentenced to Pinel for 30 days Read More »

Blueberries thrive in Martin Luther King Park

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Dan Laxer
The Suburban

Residents of the Darlington district in the CDN-NDG borough may have noticed garden beds and planters, some containing blueberry plants, in Martin Luther King Park. In fact, when a reporter from The Suburban had gone to investigate reports of a homeless encampment in the park, there were workers from the borough installing the garden beds where blueberries and other produce were to be planted. There are several around the park’s baseball field, near the chalet, and in other locations.

And there are large pots also containing blueberries placed along the front face of the park’s chalet, where the homeless encampment was just a few weeks ago. As reported in The Suburban, the homeless people and their belongings had been moved after police and a social worker were called, and the pots were put in place shortly after.

The pots and garden beds are part of the borough’s Nourishing Community Development Plan, whose objective is to help fight food insecurity, “to facilitate access to healthy, local food, right in the communities where residents live,” foster food autonomy and socio-ecological resilience in the face of climate change, reduce the ecological footprint of the food system, and position the borough as proactive in promoting healthy lifestyles.

There are similar planters in other parts of the borough, such as Place Guillaume Couture, a parkette that was a point of contention for area residents when it was installed three years ago. Residents were upset about the short notice, and the loss of parking space and driving access to the streets on which they live.

Stephanie Valenzuela, Ensemble Montréal councillor for the Darlington district, is happy to see the planters in the park, but is also concerned about the homeless people that were there before. The pots being placed in front of the chalet, she says, is “clearly a measure that they put in place in order to remove the homeless encampment that had been there for quite some time.”

Valenzuela says that in the subsequent cleanup, city workers found old discarded syringes that had been tossed into the bushes. The homeless people that had been there before have not returned to the park. “But now they’re dispersed across the borough,” she says, “and we don’t have an idea of where they actually are.” Social workers are having a difficult time finding them. Valenzuela says she hasn’t heard complaints from her constituents of late because the cohabitation issue seems to have been taken care of. Until they actually find the homeless people that had taken up residence in the park, she says, she won’t know for sure if the problem has been solved in the way that she had hoped.

As for the blueberry plants, while they seem to be fine, at night, when there is no supervision, Valenzuela worries that there is no guarantee that they are safe from any kind of mischief. n

Blueberries thrive in Martin Luther King Park Read More »

Burgundy Lion gets rare apology from OQLF

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Dan Laxer
The Suburban

The Office québécois de la langue française has reversed its decision regarding the Pub Burgundy Lion, and has apologized, says co-owner Toby Lyle.

A breathless Lyle told The Suburban that he had just left the gym, where he did not have his phone, and found a flurry of emails, texts, and messages congratulating him. He got the good news last Thursday, two days after a language inspector had paid a visit to the pub.

Brigitte Hernando, the OQLF’s Director of Business Support and Partnerships, had emailed Lyle asking him to call her.

It has also put out a statement saying that the inspector who had visited the pub, telling Lyle that the word “Burgundy” was not French enough and would have to be changed had acted prematurely.

“This is a regrettable situation,” the OQLF said in an official statement, “and we are sensitive to the reactions it has generated, both from the company and the public.”

“The sign stays,” Lyle triumphantly told The Suburban. “Nothing changes.”

The OQLF statement affirms that the Pub Burgundy Lion sign “is compliant” after all. The inspector had also told him that certain whiskey designations would have to be changed. However, those, too, will be allowed to remain as they are.

“We will do everything possible,” the OQLF said, “to ensure that similar situations do not recur.”

Lyle tells The Suburban that whatever else had to be changed on the pub’s menu and website, which he had no problem with, were done immediately.

After the initial announcement that an OQLF inspector had been to the pub, ordering Lyle and his partners to change the name, a prankster had the pub listed as “Permanently Closed” on Google, which Lyle had remedied right away. He also said that some had posted one-star reviews in the aftermath of the OQLF visit. But it still has at least 4.4 stars at present.

The pub has been around just shy of eighteen years, “almost old enough to drink,” Lyle jokes. It is named for its neighbourhood – Little Burgundy, or Petite-Bourgogne. That would have been Lyle’s defense in the fight he promised to wage against the OQLF, the “Little Burgundy” is a place name used by residents for generations.

It was just the latest in a spate of business name changes in the wake of Bill 96 which saw businesses like Walmart and Canadian Tire spend tens of thousands to bring their outdoor signs to compliance.

“My issue with this case,” Lyle had written in a Facebook post after the language inspector’s visit, “is that it contributes to the increasing polarization of our city and our province.”

Earlier this week, the Coalition Avenir Quebec government suffered a serious setback when it lost the Arthabaska riding to the Parti Québécois in a byelection. Premier Francois Legault was scheduled to meet with his ministers on Thursday to discuss that apparent negative comments and feedback he and the party have gotten from people throughout the summer months. Before the scheduled meeting, Legault stepped out to meet citizens in Quebec City. n

Burgundy Lion gets rare apology from OQLF Read More »

Suspect arrested in Snowdon break-ins

Local Journalism Initiative / / / ,

By Dan Laxer
The Suburban

The Suburban has reported on the recent rise in commercial break-ins in the CDN-NDG borough, particularly along Victoria Avenue, in the area between the Plamondon and Côte-Sainte-Catherine Métro stations. There were also break-ins reported in other parts of the borough, on Queen Mary Road and Décarie Blvd.Last week the police made an arrest.

A 44-year-old man – a resident of Montreal West – was picked up last Tuesday night around 11:30. He appeared in court the following day to answer several charges of break-and-enter, or in French, “effraction dans un endroit autre qu’une maison d’habitation.”

The addresses in each count correspond to Coco Café on Cote des Neiges and Mon Ami Express on Victoria Avenue. He was also charged with one count of attempted break-and-enter, and one count of breaking into a home on Décarie Blvd near Place Kenmore.

In each incident the accused committed or attempted to commit theft.

The crimes he is accused of all took place between July 25 and August 10.

SPVM spokesperson Melanie Bergeron told The Suburban that investigations into other break-ins are still underway, but she would not give specifics so as to not compromise investigations.

Police have stepped up patrols in the areas. Commandant Stéphane Rodrigue of SPVM Station 26 told The Suburban that the police are putting all their efforts into identifying and arresting suspects to “put an end to these break-ins.” n

Suspect arrested in Snowdon break-ins Read More »

Eight years of road closures for McTavish reservoir reconstruction

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Dan Laxer
The Suburban

The McTavish Reservoir and Pumping Station is in need of an upgrade. The good news is it’s getting that upgrade, starting this week. The bad news is that it could take eight years.

Some might joke that the reservoir surface – Parc Rutherford – looks like something out of Harry Potter book, a Quiddich field, perhaps. That’s because the reservoir, which holds 37 million gallons of water, is served by pump-houses that were built in a Châteauesque style, non unlike the Château Frontenac hotel in Quebec City, or the Château Laurier in Ottawa.

The pumping station was, according to the Ville de Montreal, built between 1928 and 1932. “Its aging equipment must be replaced to ensure the efficient distribution of drinking water.”

According to the city’s website, the work will include making the structure more earthquake resistant, and pumping equipment and water distribution pipes will be upgraded, along with the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. There will be some landscaping, architectural renovation – while preserving the station’s heritage character, and other work.

The work will require road closures in the area. In fact, the Ville-Marie borough announced last Friday that Docteur-Penfield Avenue is going to be closed from McTavish Street to Pine Avenue through to 2033. That is not a misprint. That’s eight years from now. There are signs, though.

One section of Pine Avenue West will have to accommodate two-way traffic between Docteur-Penfield and Peel. And there will be no parking on either street in the construction zone.

Pedestrians will still be able to access the McGill University campus, and McGill parking lots on McTavish will be accessible.

Work is scheduled from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, with some work to be done in the evenings and on weekends if necessary. n

Eight years of road closures for McTavish reservoir reconstruction Read More »

Futur Montreal has plan to fight hate-crime

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

by Dan Laxer
The Suburban

Two days after Sergio Yanes Preciado, the man accused of beating up a Hassidic Jewish man in Parc Extension, appeared in court to face charges of assault causing bodily harm, Montreal’s newest municipal party has pledged to do more to fight hate crimes and hate related incidents. Last Thursday the party announced a new AI-powered measure to target hate crimes.

Futur Montréal, which was founded by Joel DeBellefeuille and Matthew Kerr, and was granted official party status last month, recently unveiled Project Sentinel, which the party describes as “a comprehensive Anti-Hate Action Plan.”

DeBellefeuille says the party is the first in Montreal’s history to put such a plan forward. “This is bold, practical, and ready for immediate implementation,” he said. “It delivers real-time detection, instant action, and court-ready proof to tackle hate head-on.”

Project Sentinel will combine official SPVM definitions with rapid-response enforcement and AI-powered threat detection.

“If elected,” DeBellefeuille said, “Futur Montréal will launch Project Sentinel within our first 90 days in the boroughs hardest hit by hate. This is not a study,” he added, “or a promise for years down the road, it’s a detailed, action-ready plan to ensure hate has no safe space in our city.”

The idea is to dispatch Hate Crime Rapid Response Officers within minutes. The Hate Crime Rapid Response Officers would be equipped with secure municipal smartphones for encrypted photo, video, and audio capture. Evidence captured would be ready to be used in court.

The project also calls for a zero-tolerance hate by-law which would ban public displays of hate symbols, graffiti, as well as public intimidation toward protected groups, and for AI-powered monitoring of public online spaces for Montreal-specific threats.

It should be noted that Preciado has not been charged with a hate crime despite the community’s belief that the victim was indeed targeted because he is Jewish. And there were complaints that police did not arrive until an hour after calls were made to 9-1-1.

The party says Project Sentinel would be rolled out in phases, starting with a targeted pilot, scaling citywide once proven, and as the AI gets better at tracking evolving slang, coded hate speech, and emerging online platforms.

Futur Montreal has plan to fight hate-crime Read More »

Cops manhandling teens caught on video

Local Journalism Initiative / / / ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

He might have a few bruises on him tomorrow. Have a good evening” an SQ officer allegedly said sarcastically and grinning to a distressed mother who just picked up her teenage son following an arrest.

The day started with Marco, 17, (fictitious name to protect his identity) volunteering at the Pincourt Firefighters day. It is an annual event where families from all municipalities on Île-Perrot island get together to celebrate alongside local firefighters. Marco is a player on a local football team, has no criminal record, and comes from a strict Italian family.

That day, he was in charge of peeling corn in the hot sun all day long in service of his community.

In an interview with The Suburban, Marco and his parents, visibly shocked days later, review the events of August 9.

“I was in constant contact with him throughout the day. I made an exception for him to stay out a little later for the fireworks seeing as there were police everywhere on that day for the festivities. I thought he would be more safe,” Marco’s mother explains. She pauses sobbing. “I was so, so wrong.”

Marco and his six friends were walking on a “safe” suburban street where many police cars were present nearby the festivities. Shortly before midnight, he touched base with his mother, who texted or called him about every 30 minutes throughout the day.

Just after midnight, Marco and his friends — while passing by some police cars on their walk — jokingly made hand gestures towards them that they saw on Tik Tok, a common gesture seen at many protests against police violence that shows one hand covering the other hand that “would have” the middle finger pointed up.

Marco was shocked when a police officer jumped out of the car suddenly to confront him. “She was a big lady and very aggressive, getting in my face, yelling, I could barely understand what she was saying,” he said to The Suburban. “I don’t really understand French,” he said to the officer at which point according to Marco, the officer got even closer to him in what Marco describes as a rage. “I just started to run because I thought she was going to hit me and I just wanted to get to a safe distance away from her so I can show that my hands were up. I was scared that if I did that while she was standing too close to me like that — she would have attacked me.”

A second officer with his taser in hand, along with the female officer, can be seen on video footage obtained by The Suburban, chasing after him across the street, dozens of metres from where he was confronted. Once he reached the other side of the road, Marco stopped voluntarily, putting his hands up. The male officer tackled him to the ground, and sat on his back while he proceeded to handcuff him. The female officer stuck her knee onto his neck and can be seen pushing his head into the ground. The force caused his glasses to break while he was wearing them. The male officer can then be seen bouncing on his back. “I was in so much pain in so many different places,” Marco said.

The video clearly shows that Marco voluntarily stopped with his hands up and did not resist the arrest.

Other officers rushed over to the group standing and filming, flashing their lights at their phones to block images being recorded. The male officer, after threatening to pepper spray the teens filming, tells a group of several officers to “Get this trash out of here”. Police told them to leave as they continued filming across the street, warning that if they did not, they would be given tickets for loitering.

At the station, Marco was allegedly told: “You are lucky we did not bring the K9’s out. They like blood.”

Originally, when Marco’s mother arrived at the station to pick him up, she was told by officers that he was simply arrested and that “nobody touched him.” She double-checked, just by maternal instinct. Feeling reassured, she left with her son. But as soon as Marco got into the car and felt safe to speak, he broke down, telling his parents, “They hurt me bad.”

One of the officers said they arrested him because they had to double check that he was not in a gang. He has no criminal record and goes to church regularly with his family where he also volunteers to help feed needy families.

Marco’s mother is left thinking, “What about kids with less support at home who rely on authorities to protect them? They see this and think they have no one to turn to for help. I can’t imagine what they go through.”

There was also a Black teen arrested at the scene for “Failure to identify himself.” Police did not believe the name that he gave them as it is a traditional Italian name. That teen’s father showed up at the scene, finding his son handcuffed in a police vehicle, demanding to have him released and succeeded.

The family spoke to the station commander on August 12, but felt their complaint was not taken seriously. On August 13, the family filed an official complaint with the Police Ethics Commissioner.

Meanwhile, the family waits to know if the crown will retain the report for fleeing police and whether or not he will be charged. At present, he has two tickets for insulting a police officer and for consuming alcohol.

“I had a couple of beers that day, much earlier on and I was not drunk or anywhere near being drunk,” Marco explains.

The mother of another teen present during what she refers to as “the attack” told The Suburban, “This will affect their trust in police for the long term. And ours. Things like this hurt everyone in the community.”

The Suburban reached out to the Quebec Provincial police (SQ) who stated that they we’re unable to comment before press time. n

Cops manhandling teens caught on video Read More »

Kirkland man who killed teenager in car crash is paroled

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

Francis Lawrence, the man convicted in the car crash that killed 15-year-old Veronica Gashi on Highway 40, has been granted parole less than two years after his sentencing. The decision comes from the Parole Board of Canada, which cited a low risk of reoffending after reviewing Lawrence’s conduct while incarcerated and his plans for reintegration.

The fatal collision happened on March 6, 2021, on Highway 40 Eastbound in Kirkland. Emergency crews responded to a multi-vehicle crash just after 6:30 p.m. Several cars were involved, with two vehicles destroyed and burned—one landing on its roof. Police quickly suspected street racing as a factor. Four people were taken to hospital. Veronica Gashi, who was 15 at the time, died as a result of the collision.

Investigators determined that Lawrence had been driving at excessive speed. He was arrested and charged with reckless driving causing death. The case drew public attention as police and local officials pointed to a rise in street racing incidents, particularly among younger drivers.

On February 1, 2024, Lawrence was sentenced to 54 months in prison for his role in the crash. The court found that his driving demonstrated a wanton disregard for the safety of others. He began serving his sentence immediately following his conviction.

The Parole Board’s recent decision allows Lawrence to serve the remainder of his sentence in the community under supervision and with conditions. The Board noted that Lawrence had complied with institutional rules and showed remorse for his actions. In its written decision, the Board found that he posed a low risk to public safety and that his release would support his successful reintegration.

Lawrence will remain subject to standard parole conditions, including regular reporting to a parole officer and restrictions on driving. Any breach of these conditions could result in his return to custody for the remainder of his sentence.

The Highway 40 crash and its aftermath have brought renewed scrutiny to street racing and speeding on Quebec roads. Police continue to emphasize the dangers of reckless driving, particularly among young drivers. The case remains a reference point in ongoing discussions about road safety and sentencing in fatal crash cases. n

Kirkland man who killed teenager in car crash is paroled Read More »

Sun Youth co-founder Sid Stevens passes away at 85

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban

One of Montreal’s most beloved people, Sun Youth Organzation co-founder Sid Stevens, passed away Sunday at the age of 85, the organization announced.

Mayor Valérie Plante posted Monday afternoon, “It is with great sadness that I learn of the passing of one of the founders of Sun Youth. A member of the Order of Montreal, he built an organization dedicated to serving the people of Montreal. My thoughts are with his friends and family.”

D’Arcy McGee MNA Elisabeth Prass described Stevens as a “lifelong champion of inner-city youth and low-income families. Sid transformed a grassroots sports and recreation initiative into an organization that now supports tens of thousands of Montrealers—through food banks, camps, emergency aid, and more. His legacy of compassion, leadership, and community impact lives on across the city.”

Federation CJA said Stevens “embodied the values of compassion, dignity, and inclusivity. His work through Sun Youth provided critical support to vulnerable populations across the city, including members of the Jewish community. His legacy is one of unwavering commitment to helping others, regardless of background or circumstance.

“Federation CJA is proud to have supported Sun Youth’s kosher food program for more than a decade, which helped provide food baskets to Jewish community members in need.”

The organization, in its obituary, pointed out that Stevens “devoted his life to helping Montrealers,” and that at the time of his passing, he was “surrounded by loved ones, leaving behind a rich legacy of generosity, solidarity and community engagement. With great sadness, but also pride, Sun Youth honours the rich life of one of its co-founders, Mr. Sid Stevens. Countless Montrealers past and present are grateful to him for his dedication.

Stevens was born in 1940 in the fabled Jewish area of what is now known as Plateau Mont-Royal. The obituary points out that at the age of 13, “Sid and his friend Earl De La Perralle started Sun Youth by organizing sports and leisure activities for local children. Now, the organization supports around 30,000 Montreal residents annually with food, clothing, financial aid, emergency services, and youth programs.

“Sun Youth originated from the Clark Street Sun, a neighbourhood newspaper sold for two cents. The funds were used to buy sports equipment and organize activities. Today, the organization’s budget has grown from $500 in the mid-1950s to over $8 million.”

Stevens also stepped into the world of Montreal municipal politics, being elected a city councillor in 1978 and hailed for his “down-to-earth approach to community issues. He won the trust and appreciation of his fellow councillors and the public for his dedication to crime prevention and other community initiatives.” As well, he was “instrumental in introducing Crime Stoppers to the city, and was appointed coordinator of the ‘Operation Tandem’, a crime prevention initiative.”

Upon his return to Sun Youth, he established Quebec’s first food bank in 1981 and brought about other innovations to help the local community, including a home delivery service for people with reduced mobility.

Stevens was honoured numerous times throughout his life, by the Knights of Pythias in 1968, the Rotary Club, the Chairperson of Dawson College’s Governing Council, the Citation of Citizenship from Ministry of State for Multiculturalism and Citizenship, and accolades from the Association des Médecins Psychiatres du Québec, the Montreal Citizenship Council naming Stevens an Outstanding Citizen, to honour unselfish service to the community, and an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from McGill University.

Other honours included the Sheila and Victor Goldbloom award, the Commander of the Ordre de Montréal and, in 2022, the Ordre national du Québec, the highest distinction bestowed by the Government of Quebec. n

Sun Youth co-founder Sid Stevens passes away at 85 Read More »

Hampstead’s ‘Pigeon dans la parc’ enters second year

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban

‘Pigeon dans la parc’ powered by Zera Café held a summer kick-off party at its Adessky Community Centre at Hampstead Park locale recently to mark its first complete year of operation and to look forward to its second year.

The event included free sweets and lemonade, music from an excellent Spotify playlist of 1960s and 1970s hits, balloons and face painting. Zera is the Hebrew word for “seed,” and reflects the social enterprise’s’s goal, “that people can grow and flourish when they are nurtured and included.”

The coffee shop, which has been housed rent free at the community centre, is a not-for-profit social enterprise dedicated to providing employment opportunities for neurodivergent adults, including those on the autism spectrum and those with severe ADHD. The establishment operates in partnership with Pigeon Café and the Town of Hampstead.

Alissa Anzerut, director of operations at Zera Café, told The Suburban that the café is “expanding into year 2, teaching our staff more skills and having more opportunities for meaningful employment.”

Eve Rochman, founder and director of the Zéra Café, says “it was quite the year.

“We’re proud of the fact that, this year, our employees are making sandwiches and salads right here, so we’re expanding the skill set that we’re teaching them. We upgraded our Zera Café headquarters [at 5151 Côte Ste. Catherine] during the year, there’s been a lot of changes there, too.

Rochman added that “one of the most exciting things that came out of our project last year is that Pigeon Café is now selling our products that we had exclusively at this branch, it’s a big deal and we’re trying to figure out how to do it successfully. Not only did people in the community appreciate having a local café to come to during the summer, but we now have offshoots that we’re really proud of.

“We’re finding ways to create even more employment opportunities.”

Rochman says the goal for the second year is to do even more, “create new projects.

“We’re really out of space and we’re looking at ways to find space and be able to do more. It’s more than growth, it’s about a new job approach this year and making sure that we are maximizing what we do with our employees in terms of their development and growth. We’re supporting them in the best way possible. Hopefully, they’ll be able to carry their new skills to other areas of their lives.”

Sabrina Taran, executive director of Zera Café, said that in the first year, the café was only able to operate with a grant, “and this year we’re doing it fully on our own.

“We have more neurodiverse staff working here because we’re able to bring some of our regular kitchen staff to get more hours and different experience working in a public facing role here.”

Some of the other Zera Café highlights in the past year have included growth from eight employees in 2022 to 20 in 2024 and a projected 24 this year; sales dollars increased from $90,000 in 2021 to a projected $400,000 this year;  having 15 community partners, donated 200 meals to families in need and now having 50 dedicated volunteers.

Jonathan Dresner, owner of Pigeon Café, was on hand as well to join in the celebration at Hampstead Park.

“I just feel joy, I’m super happy for them and I hope they continue with such a nice team,” he told The Suburban.

Hampstead’s ‘Pigeon dans la parc’ enters second year Read More »

Man arrested after threatening Orthodox Jews in St. Laurent

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban

A man was arrested in St. Laurent Friday after death threats he made to an observant Jewish man and others at the corner of St. Louis and Fraser streets.”Your time will come!” says a man wearing a keffiyeh in a video circulating on social media. “You’re a f–king pig! You understand me? I’m just waiting for the king! F–king monkeys! There is one king — Allah!” The individual then walks away. One of the other individuals in the video says “St. Louis and Fraser,” which is in the southwestern part of the borough.

Another video posted by Hampstead Mayor Jeremy Levi, shot from another angle, features the man saying “we will f–king kill you!”

Sid Ali Tamrabet, 28, had been charged Saturday with one count of harassing a woman and her family and two counts of making death threats to several men between Aug. 10 and 15. After appearing in court Monday, Tamrabet was released with conditions, including not communicating with, “harassing, disturbing, following, or spying on” his victims, and not having a weapon. He is to appear in court again Oct. 29. Court documents say he was to have met with a criminologist this past weekend to determine his mental state.

SPVM spokesperson Caroline Chèvrefils told The Suburban Friday night, “at around 4:40 p.m., several 911 calls were made regarding a man who allegedly made threatening remarks to a group of citizens near the intersection of Fraser and St. Louis streets in the borough of Saint-Laurent.

“When the police arrived at the scene, they quickly located the suspect, a 28-year-old man. Based on information obtained from witnesses, the police arrested the suspect for making threats and hateful remarks toward a group of citizens.”

The SPVM spokesperson added that “following the arrest, the suspect was transported to the investigation centre where he was met by investigators. The suspect [remained] in custody until his appearance in Quebec Court.”

Chevrèfils explained that the “hate crimes and incidents unit will be informed of the case, but since the police were able to quickly locate the suspect following the 911 call and immediately proceeded to arrest him, the case was immediately taken over by investigators from the Western Region, as we had a detainee to meet and a case to submit to the DPCP following the arrest.”

On Sunday, Rabbi Saul Emanuel of the Jewish Community Council of Montreal revealed that one of those threatened is an employee of the JCC, “a man simply doing his job, serving our community, and ensuring that Jewish life in Montreal continues to flourish. To threaten him is to threaten the very institutions that anchor Jewish life in this city.”

The incident comes a week after an observant Jewish man was beaten in Park Extension as his daughters watched. Sergio Yanes Preciado was arrested and he is receiving a psychological evaluation at Pinel.

The Centre For Israel and Jewish Affairs and Federation CJA released a statement Friday saying that “thanks to focused and specific pictures of the individual, the Community Security Network (CSN) has been able to work with the SPVM to identify him. Today, an arrest was made. We will continue to engage appropriately as this case advances. We are pleased to see that an arrest came fast, thanks to our collaboration with our security partners. Those who seek to threaten members of our community must be held accountable. If you see something, say something. Report any suspicious activity to Federation CJA at 514-343-4343 or via http://federationcja.org.” n

Man arrested after threatening Orthodox Jews in St. Laurent Read More »

Three people stabbed in St. Laurent , one dead

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban

One man is dead and two were injured after the three were stabbed with a sharp object at Roman Zytynsky park in the St. Laurent borough around 9:15 p.m. Saturday.

The victim of the 26th murder of the year on the island of Montreal was 22 years old. As of Sunday morning, the second victim, 19, was in critical condition and the third, also 19, was in stable condition, said SPVM spokesperson Caroline Chèvrefils. The incident took place at the corner of Jules-Poitras and Deguire, in the eastern section of the borough. No arrests have yet been made as of Tuesday morning. SPVM spokesperson Jean-Pierre Brabant told The Suburban witnesses are still being interviewed.

An investigation is under way by the SPVM’s Major Crimes Unit and a security perimeter was established at the scene.

The incident came a day after a 28-year-old man with a keffiyeh was arrested in St. Laurent for threatening members of the Jewish community. The 25th murder of the year took place the previous Saturday at a bar at Côte des Neiges near Barclay when one of two victims of a stabbing succumbed to his injuries.

St. Laurent, in recent years, has been the locale of several crimes, including murders, shootings, arsons and attempted arsons and stabbings, as well as extortion. n

Three people stabbed in St. Laurent , one dead Read More »

MoWest had $2.1 million surplus at end of 2024

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban

Montreal West council, at its recent meeting, moved to publish the annual report by Mayor Beny Masella and Councillor Colleen Feeney on the financial situation of the town, for the year ending Dec. 31, 2024.

Masella said he was very pleased with the results of the report.

A summary of the report was already provided at the previous council meeting by Feeney, who has the finance, recreation and culture and Municipalité amie des ainés (MADA) age-friendly portfolios on council. The figures were provided by an external auditor.

The report indicated that the town had an operating surplus of $2,141,020 at the end of 2024 — more specifically, “revenues were $1.49 million over budget and accounted for the bulk of the surplus… mainly due to duties on transfer from the sales of homes $411,000 over budget due to increased sales; interest income $343,000 over budget due to higher interest rates and interest on arrears and recreation revenues $246,000 over budget with day camp, pool, youth and adult program and event revenues higher than anticipated.”

Other sources of the surplus included “an additional $124,000 from government grants for recycling, an ice storm grant and a special one-time transfer for small municipalities; permits revenues $209K over budget due mainly to parking permits (new commercial parking lease) and more building permits; fines and penalties being $61,000 over budget and other services $58,000 higher than anticipated.”

The report also says that total operating expenses were $655,000 under budget and the town had an added $44,000 in expenses for Recreation “as a result of the increased registration and events, and $86,000 in amortization expense related to new accounting regulations.

“This was offset with substantial savings in other areas, notably $411,000 less than budgeted for interest on long-term debt and bank charges due mainly to lower refinancing interest rates, and the decision to delay going for financing of our long-term loan for the new Recreation Centre, thus saving $333,000.”

There were also “$303,000 less in salary costs, $131,000 in Public Works due mainly to lower costs for snow removal and external contracts.

As well, “$265,000 was spent in Capital Expenses as part of our Pay-as-you-go financing which allows us to fund certain projects through our operations budget rather than incurring additional debt.” These expenditures included “$116,000 for Town Hall foundation repairs, new electrical entry and emergency stairs; $49,000 for water flow regulators, $45,000 for capital assets for the new Recreation Centre, $40,000 for new fire hydrants and $15,000 for three photocopy machines.”

Capital investment projects pursued during the year totalled $24.3 million, “which included construction, architectural and consultant fees for the new Recreation Centre ($22.7 million) and the resurfacing of Avon ($179,000).

“With the exception of the Recreation Centre, which has added to our long-term debt, all other capital investments were funded by our accumulated surplus or working and operating funds. At year end, the Town’s net debt stood at $17.3 million, up from $11.5 million in 2023. In the past 10 years net debt has only increased from $16.9 million to $17.3 million despite capital investments of over $45.9 million in the same period. Our unappropriated operating surplus is $2.6 million, while our appropriated surplus is $784,000, and our Working Fund stands at $1.4 million.”

MoWest had $2.1 million surplus at end of 2024 Read More »

The Suburban helps rescue NDG family from Beirut

Local Journalism Initiative / / / ,

By Beryl Wajsman, Editor
The Suburban

For NDG resident Richard Moushian, his wife Sandy and their young daughter it was supposed to be a vacation to his father’s homeland, Lebanon. A visit to where his father was raised and the places he lived. A visit to where the substantial Armenian Orthodox community in Lebanon lives now and the historical places where it had built an important and significant presence and contribution to that country.

It was not to be. For this family — all Canadian born — a nightmare started August 1, the day of their arrival at Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport.The young family approached the customs inspectors at the airport to present their Canadian passports. That’s where the problems began. In 2018 the family had made a tour of the holy sites in Israel. Among them Jerusalem’s ancient Armenian Quarter and Bethlehem. In Bethlehem, tiny stamps were placed by security on the outside of passports. The stamps have Hebrew letters. The stamps were to be removed once one left Bethlehem. Sandy forgot to remove hers.

At Beirut airport, the customs guard noticed the Hebrew letter on Sandy’s passport stamp after having stamped both their passports. Lebanon, Syria, Libya and Algeria are among the few Middle East countries that still do not allow entry to anyone with evidence in their passports of visits to Israel. Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, Bahrain, Tunisia, Morocco and several others have no such restrictions.

Because Richard told the inspector that his father was raised in Lebanon, he was told that Lebanon had authority over him and seized his passport and cellphone to investigate what Richard’s involvement with Israel was and was taken for questioning. Though the stamp was on Sandy’s passport, she was allowed to keep it and her cellphone because she had no familial connection to Lebanon.

The family was allowed to proceed to their hotel but Richard was ordered to appear before a tribunal at the General Security Building on Tuesday August 12. Panic understandably set in. This was Richard’s vacation and his employer is a major financial institution. They tried to contact the Canadian Embassy and were told that “Canada does not interfere with internal legal matters of foreign countries.” The Embassy offered no solutions but that the family should “go through the the process and keep them informed and hire a lawyer.”

Several days later, Sandy contacted The Suburban by Instagram messenger. She wrote that the family “were avid readers of The Suburban.”

She said she “wanted to highlight an issue that may concern your readers”. We contacted her on her What’s App number and she recounted the events described above and asked for help. She also explained that their friends in Montreal had attempted to contact their MP Anna Gainey but received no reply. They also tried Global Affairs and received no help there either.

The family did hire a lawyer and he told them that Richard indeed was to appear in the General Security Office before Administrative Judge Fadi Akiki on the morning of August 12. In speaking with Richard and Sandy, The Suburban told them what we planned to do and with whom and to be very careful with whom they discussed their situation while in Beirut.

The Suburban then started our own investigation. We confirmed that indeed the policy of our Embassies is not to interfere in legal matters. It obviously raised the question of what aid can they offer to Canadian citizens. We were given the same answer when we spoke to Consular Services at Global Affairs in Ottawa. Consular Services is the emergency office all Canadians travelling abroad are supposed to count on 24/7.

We then started to call diplomatic, legal and intelligence personnel we had contact with in a variety of countries. The Suburban kept in constant contact with the Moushians and asked them if there was any progress with the Embassy. They answered that they had received two calls from it astoundingly asking them if they were back in Montreal.

Finally, after some five days of effort, The Suburban made the breakthrough that helped the Moushians get back to Montreal. The Israeli Consul-General in Montreal Amb. Paul Hirschson, who was days away from ending his tour here, suggested we call Laval-Les Îles MP Fayçal El-Khoury. Mr. El-Khoury immediately leapt into action, getting his executive assistant on the line with us right away. He said he knew precisely who to call because a family member of his had gone through the same experience after visiting Israel and then trying to enter Lebanon several years later.

The Laval MP graciously took our call on a Sunday, the Sunday two days before Richard was to appear at the General Security Court. By Monday The Suburban heard back from Mr. El-Khoury that though Richard would have to go to that Security Office to retrieve his passport and phone, there would be no hearing in front of Judge Akiki.

Indeed that is the way it transpired except for one hitch. When Richard arrived on Tuesday morning August 12, a Lieutenant noticed pictures of Jerry Seinfeld in Israel on Richard’s phone. The officer had no idea who he was and grilled Richard for hours on whether this was an Israeli operative and what Richard had to do with him. After four hours, the officer understood who Seinfeld was and returned Richard’s passport and cellphone.

The family called The Suburban after to tell us they were booked to leave Beirut on Turkish Airways via Istanbul to Montreal. We advised them not to discuss the incident even amongst themselves while on the plane and to contact us once they had arrived in Montreal. That is the picture accompanying this story.

We leave the epilogue to this adventure to Richard’s and Sandy’s words. Richard wrote me, “I’m ready to give you the story mainly as a public service. My embassy left me to rot like a stray dog in the third world. You don’t know me from Paul and you helped 100x more than anyone! For that I cannot be more grateful.” Sandy wrote, “Thank you for your support and being someone our family could lean on during this whole ordeal.” n

The Suburban helps rescue NDG family from Beirut Read More »

Suspect in assault of Orthodox Jewish man arrested

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Beryl Wajsman, Editor
The Suburban

The SPVM has arrested a 23-year-old suspect who allegedly assaulted an Orthodox Jewish man in front of his daughters last Friday in Park Extension. The victim is 32 years old. Sergio Yanes Preciado appeared at the Montreal courthouse Tuesday charged with one count of assault causing bodily harm. The Crown has requested a psychosocial evaluation.

The suspect was arrested Monday afternoon as part of an investigative effort led by the North Regional Investigation Section, with the support of patrol officers from Neighborhood Station 31. The investigation is ongoing and the suspect is currently being interviewed by investigators, and a charge sheet will be submitted to the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions (DCPP).

The SPVM states that it spared no effort to locate the suspect and is continuing its investigation to shed full light on the circumstances of what it has called “this criminal act. “ The SPVM extended thanks to residents who contributed to the arrest by providing information that led to the suspect’s location.

Last Friday, August 8, at around 2:20 p.m., the victim went to Dickie Moore Park with his three young daughters. At the time, the suspect was in the park’s splash pad. The suspect then approached the victim and sprayed him with the contents of his water bottle. The victim attempted to approach the suspect, who pushed the victim to the ground and punched him several times in the face and kneed him. The suspect left on foot at around 2.26p.m. heading east on Beaumont Avenue.

A video of the incident circulated on social media. In the video the suspect can be seen violently beating the victim who is on the ground lying on his back and fighting back with his legs as his little girl cries out beside him. The video shows the attacker crouching down and punching the victim about five or six times. The victim can be seen kicking with one leg but no contact was made.

After a few seconds, the attacker stopped, while the distressed daughters called out and tried to help their father stand up. The attacker is then seen picking up what looks like someone’s belongings as the victim gets up.

A woman’s voice — presumably of the person taking the video — is heard asking “Why?But why?”The assailant then tossed a kippah into the water before walking off. While there were other people in the park at the time of the attack, nobody intervened to try to stop it or to catch the attacker. The woman who took the video then went over to the victim and shared the video with him. The victim himself them called the police.

The victim’s injuries were not life-threatening. He suffered a broken nose and facial bruises. Federation CJA posted about the “shocking and unprovoked attack,” saying “there must be concrete steps taken to ensure the safety of our community.”

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact 911 or their local police station. Information can also be submitted anonymously to Info-Crime Montréal by calling 514-393-1133 or visiting infocrimemontreal.ca.

Suspect in assault of Orthodox Jewish man arrested Read More »

Suburban Exclusive: Israeli Consul-General Amb. Paul Hirschson bids au revoir to Montreal

Local Journalism Initiative / / / ,

By Beryl Wajsman, Editor
The Suburban

Israeli Consul-General Paul Hirschson sat down with The Suburban for a farewell interview before Hirschson completes his mandate this week in Quebec and the Atlantic provinces.

Beryl Wajsman: Ambassador Hirschson, you have been for four years Israel’s Consul General to Montreal responsible for Quebec and the Atlantic provinces. You have been here through incredible times, COVID and the barbarians in the streets. You have accomplished great things including the opening of the Quebec Representative Office (bureau) in Israel, and most of all you have given the community of Montreal the essence of the name of the Israeli National anthem, Hatikvah, hope. What are you going away with after four years? Both your impressions and your greatest sense of accomplishment.

Paul Hirschson: The biggest accomplishment, without question, is the opening of the Quebec Representative Office in Israel, and a whole lot of other things. I’m taking back with me the wonderful community of Quebec, the Montreal Jewish community, a little bit, not enough, of the Atlantic provinces. There have also been some concerns, some disappointments, about our relationship with Canada, what’s been going on in the streets of Montreal, but in the big picture, we’ve got way more friends here than opponents. Trade is growing, investments are growing, tourism is obviously not doing that great at the moment, but it will come back. We’re not worried about that. We would like to see Air Canada renew its flights soon.

BW: What I have found, both among my colleagues in the French press and in French electronic media — for some reason there’s a greater understanding of Israel’s position and the threat of Islamism, and of uncontrolled immigration, among the more nationalist elements of Quebec than amongst the traditional groups where we would expect to see some understanding, including anglophones. Have you found that?

PH: There’s no question that the English-language media and universities have been more antagonistic toward Israel than the French-language media and academics. In the political element, we’ve got a lot of friends across the country, but Quebec has been the most solid and outspoken. The French-language media and academics have more independent and independently-expressed opinions. Much of it more sympathetic to Israel. No question. I will say that in the business community — English and French — you don’t notice the difference. It’s not 100%, but in general, everybody I meet in the business community in Canada is pro-Israel.

BW: And in the general population?

PH: I will tell you this: Francophone Quebecers are not impressed at all, to put it mildly, in seeing prayer services outside their parents’ churches. Francophone Quebec today may well be secular, and proud of it, but also as secular Catholics are proud of their historic institutions. If you’ll allow me a little bit of criticism, both on the campuses and at the municipal level and beyond, there’s a certain amount of weakness in leadership, and it’s driven purely by cowardice.

BW: They’re pandering for votes.

PH: They’re pandering for votes, yes but there are a lot of people out there in the universities, the municipal and the national leadership that have been criticized for being weak on Israel, and it’s not that they’re anti-Israel or antisemitic, but it’s more that they are cowards. They’re simply scared to take a stand and you’ve seen the opposite with the government of Quebec. But the government of Quebec doesn’t necessarily have authority over Montreal.

But I don’t only want to talk about the negative. It’s been a remarkable stay, Montreal is a remarkable city, I see many similarities to Israel, Tel Aviv in particular. We see it in the arts and culture, music, theatre, and in technology. Montreal and Quebec, in particular Quebec, there’s artificial intelligence, gaming, animation, aerospace, the third largest aerospace industry in the world. It’s the meeting of the Anglo and the Franco, it is the meeting of the immigrants and the natives, it’s a remarkably creative place and very much like Tel Aviv.

BW: What message do you have for Montreal Jews, who sometimes seem to amplify every episode to perhaps unnecessary heights?

PH: There’s been a wave of unprecedented antisemitism in the streets of Montreal, on the campuses, we’ve seen shootings, we see Molotov cocktails, let’s not pretend there’s been nothing. But the Jewish community of Montreal has remarkable stories and histories. They have nothing to hide, they have nothing to be embarrassed about. I will say that I do think Israel should be a place that people should think about living in. But this is a remarkable city and the Jewish community is building bridges around the world.

BW: You have said in some of your speeches that if you could, you would take the city of Montreal and transplant it to Israel, and you weren’t sure if you would be in Tel Aviv or Montreal. Do you still feel that way?

PH: Absolutely! I’ll get in a little bit of trouble…. I would consider leaving Tel Aviv if I could relocate Montreal to Israel.

BW: It would have to be on the coast, near a beach…

PH: That’s one of the weaknesses, the only weakness.

BW: We have beaches, but they’re not Tel Aviv.

PH: Maybe we can merge the two into one municipality. This is a remarkable, an absolutely wonderful city. The Jewish community has been fantastic, but not only the Jewish community. I spent a lot of time outside the Jewish community, in particular with the francophone component of Montreal and of Quebec, I’ve had wonderful meals in Little Italy, I’ve explored the city and beyond. It’s a remarkable experience. I’m happy to go home, but I’m sad to be leaving Montreal.

BW: Well, we’re sad to lose you, I’m sad to lose you. You’re a great friend and I wish you only good things. Hopefully our paths will cross again. L’hitraot! n

Suburban Exclusive: Israeli Consul-General Amb. Paul Hirschson bids au revoir to Montreal Read More »

SPVM charges anti-Israel agitator at Pride parade

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Joel Goldenberg and Dan Laxer
The Suburban

SPVM officers moved quickly to intervene after anti-Israel protesters at Sunday’s Pride Parade attempted to block the Jewish Pride group Ga’ava from proceeding along René Lévesque East.

The agitators began raising their signs and chanting at the corner of Sanguinet. Numerous officers raced to the protesters and kept them moving, lightly pushing one resister with a baton. We later overheard that a balloon with urine had been thrown by an agitator. SPVM spokesperson Jeanne Drouin told The Suburban that a 35-year-old woman was arrested at 3 p.m., but she could not confirm if the object containing the liquid was a balloon or something else, or if the liquid was urine as of Monday. Drouin said there may not be a need to analyze the liquid, as a charge would be armed assault in any case.

Ga’ava participants as well as CIJA Quebec vice-president Eta Yudin stayed well back of the agitators and away from a lone protester at the end of the parade route yelling in a deranged fashion, “free Palestine!” Notably along the route, most observers cheered Ga’ava as they passed by.

We heard that Ga’ava members were informed by police on Sunday morning that they would be there for the group in great numbers, and their quick efforts during the attempted disruption were greatly appreciated.

Carlos Godoy, president of Ga’ava, told The Suburban “LGBTQ+ Jews belong in all LGBTQIA2+ spaces, we belong in Quebec, in Montreal, in Canada, and LGBTQ Jews today walked in the Pride parade like we’ve done for the past 20 years.

“Attempting to blockade the parade by force and violence is not inclusion and not diversity either,” he added.

Yudin pointed out that 2025 was not the first year anti-Israel protesters tried to disrupt the parade.

“Pride organizers were ready, the police were ready and we saw how swiftly those who tried to disrupt the parade were escorted out,” she added. “That’s the kind of action we expect in Quebec as we all come together to protect our values and fight against hate.”

Otherwise, the parade seemed to go off without a hitch with several groups and floats making their way eastward from Metcalfe with no disruptions.

The controversy that had organizers Fierté Montréal in the spotlight over the past few weeks took a backseat to celebration. The organization made the announcement, last week – along with an apology – that Ga’ava, the Jewish gay group, and CIJA, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Afffairs, would be welcome in the parade after all.

Fierté Montréal had originally banned Ga’ava, the largest gay Jewish group in the country, after one complaint about allegedly politically-charged language. It had also banned the Iranian Montreal Rainbow Association. But there was a small group of revellers marching in the parade carrying a banner that read “Freedom For Iran.”

The group and its supporters were further back in the parade, proudly waving rainbow Israeli flags, with all manner of rainbow-coloured Stars of David on banners and t-shirts. Also marching with them was Snowdon councillor Sonny Moroz.

In terms of political parties, new Quebec Liberal leader Pablo Rodriguez marched with party members. There was also a group marching behind a rainbow-coloured federal Liberal banner and another with a Parti Québécois banner. Projet Montréal party leader Luc Rabouin was spotted marching in the parade along with CDN-NDG borough mayor Gracia Kasoki Katahwa and party supporters.

Following the parade, The Suburban saw that even a Beatle was not spared from anti-Israel rhetoric. A poster not far from the parade route promoting Paul McCartney’s upcoming Bell Centre concert was vandalized with a Hitler moustache on McCartney and the blood libel message “stop genocide now”. n

SPVM charges anti-Israel agitator at Pride parade Read More »

Two cars set on fire in CSL

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban

Two cars were set on fire at about 1:30 a.m. Sunday in Côte St. Luc, one of many incidents of this sort in the Montreal area in the last few years.

Some of those incidents have been in commercial or industrial parking lots, and others on residential streets and driveways. in this case, an SUV was on the street on Mapleridge Avenue and a car was in an apartment building parking lot near Caldwell.

SPVM spokesperson Caroline Chevrefils told The Suburban Sunday night that the incidents are considered to be arson, and that the investigation is in its early days. She also said the Montreal fire department quickly put out the blazes after several 911 calls were made. At least one car was heavily damaged. Both vehicles were towed away. There were no injuries.

Another notable car fire took place in CSL in late 2023, when three vehicles were damaged in a part of the parking lot of Le Montefiore at the corner of Cavendish Blvd. and Mackle Road, right near Quartier Cavendish. 

Two cars set on fire in CSL Read More »

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