Author name: The Suburban

Chelsey St. Pierre – The Suburban LJI Reporter

A new reserved-lane on Provost Street westbound in Lachine will opened to buses, taxis and bikes as of this past Monday.

The performance of five bus lines is expected to increase significantly, serving the area with departures every seven to 10 minutes during peak hours.

The new lane will be open to traffic between 1st Avenue and 31st Avenue, Monday through Friday, from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

“We remain committed to improving this route for public transit customers by ensuring more regular and comfortable service, especially on this stretch of the road, where more than two out of three bus trips are made in the area,” Éric Alan Caldwell, Chair of the STM Board of Directors, said. “The new reserved lane will benefit the 4,500 customers who already use this bus route and encourage local residents to choose public transit as a convenient way to travel.”

The STM’s network of reserved lanes in Montreal is currently estimated at a total of 320 km.

According to Lachine Mayor Maja Vodanovic, the new reserved lane will increase efficiency and fluidity in the sector by 65 percent.

“As with any change, there will be a period of adjustment, but we are confident that our residents will understand the need to move towards more efficient public transit to combat climate change and reduce traffic congestion,” Vodanovic, said. n

Chelsey St. Pierre – The Suburban LJI Reporter

Concerned by the situation at the Youth Protection Agency (DPJ), Brigitte Garceau, MNA for Robert-Baldwin and the Official Opposition Critic for Youth Protection, demanded answers in the National Assembly on a range of issues from Lionel Carmant, the Minister Responsible for Social Services.

Garceau passionately questioned the Minister on the slow and fragmented implementation of the Laurent Commission’s report recommendations, the lack of training for DPJ workers in the area of conjugal violence, the lack of resources and services for parents, the infringement on children’s rights and the labour shortage.

She said the promises of the Legault government have yet to produce tangible results on the ground. Garceau criticized the failure of the government to meet its obligation to smooth the transition of children from the DPJ to adulthood, in addition to emphasizing the Minister’s lack of an action plan. She also expressed disappointment at the absence of the other two opposition parties at the interpellation, which offered a unique opportunity to question the Minister. “The recent troubling news from the DPJ should motivate elected representatives from all political parties to urge this government to act immediately in the best interests of our youth.”

“It has been two and a half years since the Laurent Commission’s report was tabled, and the implementation of its key recommendations, in particular the appointment of a Commissioner for Children’s Welfare and Rights, remains unclear. While the Minister assures that a bill is ready to be presented, he could not confirm the actual date. What disappoints me the most is the Minister’s lack of a sense of urgency in dealing with pressing issues affecting the well-being, and psychological and physical safety of our children. We’re talking about thousands of children in difficulty. It’s a deplorable situation,’’ Garceau stated.

The press secretary to Minister Carmant told The Suburban that, “the projet de loi is ready and we can expect a development at that level very soon. The implementation of recommendations is divided in three phases in a six-year plan. We decided to do it over a shorter stretch than Régine Laurent, president of the Special Commission on the rights of children and protection of youth, had suggested over a 10-year span. Phase one is complete and advancements are going well. As for the MNA’s comment concerning the work force depreciation, it is quite the opposite as (since 2019) we have 7,000 new social service workers and 3,000 new youth centre workers.”

According to the press secretary, at the start of his mandate, the situation in Youth Protection was degraded and he considers the reform to be of a high level of importance. “Is everything perfect? Of course not. We have a lot more work to do.”

“Never has a government done so much in terms of youth services and youth protection. We are the first government to have put in place financial incentives for work at the DPJ following the creation of the CISSS and CIUSSS and we want to continue to improve their working conditions. We fundamentally reformed the Youth Protection Act last year. Adopted unanimously in April 2022, this law marked the first milestone in this major project for our children. One of the key points of this reform is that we have put in place strong leadership by appointing a national director of youth protection, Ms. Catherine Lemay, so that there is a competent authority with the necessary powers to intervene when required.” n

Chelsey St. Pierre – The Suburban LJI Reporter

A prefabricated modular ER is being erected at the Lakeshore General Hospital (LGH). The Emergency Room will operate within the temporary structure by next spring as a three-year construction project of a new three-storey building is scheduled to begin in 2025.

The current ER has 31 stretchers. The temporary facility will have six additional stretchers.

According to Assistant-Director General at the regional health authority (CIUSSS-ODIM) Jean-Francois Miron, the permanent structure is expected to be announced officially next year by Quebec’s health ministry.

“This is a real step prior to construction, that’s the step just before we go to tender for a novel plan out to start building. I am very hopeful that we will have our new ER and the government has been very supportive for the modular system that they just invested in. Plans for the new (permanent) ER are in the works as we speak,” Miron told The Suburban.

Quebec has committed to investing $14.5 million towards the design phase, a model of functionality and analysis of tenders presented to construct the new ER.

Plans released to date for the permanent ER depict an 8,300 square-meter building housing 38 emergency-ward stretchers in cubicles on the ground floor along with a number of examination rooms, pre-triage and triage zones. On the upper floor, twelve short-term hospitalization beds will be located in a unit reserved for physical health patients and six beds reserved for short-term mental health care will be located in a separate unit. Medical imaging rooms as well as a rapid assessment zone with 10 seats will also be located on an upper floor. A mechanical equipment room will be set up in the basement.

Community activist Sheila Laursen — former board member at the West Island health and social services center — told The Suburban that she is hopeful about the proposed project but is also skeptical. “I’ll believe it when I see it,” she said.

“I was on the board for many years and the population has grown well beyond what it was in 1965. Along the way, many promises of expansion were made, especially around election time and in the end, nothing more than some cosmetic updates were done,”

Laursen noted that while the ER was getting more and more flooded over the years, simultaneously the shortage of family physicians grew, forcing patients to use clinics and ERs, only adding to the issue.

“This is another ‘plan’ and promise. A temporary building is coming up while they say the permanent ER work will start in 2025. Funny how it gets dangled on election years. Politics take place but reality takes place. I’ll believe it when I see it.”

“Now facing Bill 15, we are taking all the bad things and making it worse. CIUSSS is a monolith of healthcare structure management and it is already difficult to respond on a local level. Under Bill 15, hospital management will not be local. Quebec needs to guarantee the funding and allow for adaptability on a local level, rather than patchwork. Health services are only as good as you can get access and in a timely way.”

When asked how this plan is different than other promises made in the past by the provincial government, Miron said:

“We are building the temporary ER and there will be a real announcement by the Ministry. It is not something we can mention because we have to give context around the modular system that we’re putting together, but that will be announced probably in a year from now. The module system is important because it’s a first step in making the emergency a better environment for the community as well as for staff.”

When questioned about plans for adequate staffing with the temporary expansion of the modular, and the eventual ER, Miron responded:

“We are starting to have conversations on how that will be addressed. It’s hard to have full staff, like any emergency room in any hospital in Quebec. What we are creating now with the modular is a better environment, and hopefully that will help us with staffing as well.” 

Chelsey St. Pierre – The Suburban LJI Reporter

Jacques-Cartier MNA Greg Kelley hosted a town hall recently at Cedar Park United Church to discuss seniors issues and listen to concerns of the public as well as private and public organizations. According to Kelley, some solutions and proposed solutions arose from the meeting, which was also attended by observers from the West Island Health Authority (CIUSSS-ODIM).

“I made a pledge on my campaign trail last year to do my best to bring people together, not divide. I’ve heard a lot of concerns over the last year concerning seniors issues, which is why I felt it was important to hold a town hall,” Kelley told The Suburban.

The reintegration specialist at the West Island Mission (WIM) and program director at the West Island Community Resource Center (CRC), Sandra Watson, voiced her concerns for seniors at the town hall. Working with seniors, addressing issues on the ground covering multiple levels, Watson wore “many hats” as she put it, at the meeting representing seniors voices.

As the food bank has reported a significant increase of clients 65 and over with food prices going up while surviving on fixed incomes, Watson is addressing their concerns as many are looking for solutions such as affordable housing and food solutions while juggling costs associated with their medical needs.

“Going forward, prices are not going down and seniors’ income not going up,” she stated.

According to Watson, waiting times for affordable housing are currently hovering around five to seven years in the West Island. “It is an impossible situation for seniors. The CRC helps seniors navigate resources and accompanies them through the processes of applications, but the long wait lists cause isolation and a degeneration of their overall situation.”

The burden is often heavy on community organization workers. Watson told The Suburban that she has even cleaned bathtubs and changed sheets for clients on home care waiting lists who did not receive services for six months or longer.

“We need to maintain contact in the interim to ensure that while our clients are on waiting lists, their immediate needs are being met. One of my clients got hip replacement surgery and she was sent home alone with no caregiver or support. She had my phone number and called me because she had no food and no follow-up care, she couldn’t even bathe. Even with my intervention, it was two weeks before she received any support.”

One message that really hit home is how new seniors envision their golden years and as it turns out, it is not all like what we see on TV commercials. Rather, they are juggling the cost of living and grocery costs with fixed incomes and limited budgets,” Kelley told The Suburban.

Montreal’s only women’s daytime homeless shelter has reported a significant increase of senior women who have fallen “through the cracks” as they face inflation and increased housing costs while living on a limited budget, which is a clear indicator of systemic failure.

Kelley said to The Suburban that he intends to communicate his findings from the town hall to MNA Linda Caron, official opposition critic for seniors, and when opportunities arise in caucus, he intends to speak out on his constituents’ behalf directly.

“I want to make sure that proposals to the government reflect information picked up directly from the concerned community. My objective is to have at least two more town halls and conduct this same type of exercise with our youth.” 

Chelsey St. Pierre – The Suburban LJI Reporter

Kirkland residents received awards and participation prizes at the Kirkland sports complex recently as the “Kirkland in Bloom” season came to an end.

Kirkland Mayor Michel Gibson brought back the “Kirkland in Bloom” contest. It had not been staged for several years.

For Gibson, the activity is ultimately geared to heightening a sense of community amongst neighbours. “It was important to me to bring this activity back to Kirkland. It brings new residents and current residents a sense of pride in their property and their city. The participants that decorate, maintain or manicure their property encourage and inspire their neighbours to do the same,” Gibson told The Suburban.

Winners for each district and category were announced after all participants received a certificate and an 8” x 10” photograph of their home and garden handed to them by their respective councillors. Winners received a plaque with a laminated photo of their property, a trophy and a gift.

Photos of each participating household were placed on display, sparking jovial gardening discussions amongst attendees. Kirkland also posted photos of all winners and their gardens on its social media pages for residents to view.

Prizes were handed out in categories voted upon by residents, in addition to district winners voted upon by Kirkland’s horticultural team, such as the “Coup de coeur” prizes for “south side” and “north side” as well as an “overall winner”. n

Chelsey St. Pierre – The Suburban LJI Reporter

A group of parents from Westpark Elementary School in DDO contacted The Suburban because they were upset after receiving a letter on October 17 from the school’s principal stating that the school would be raising funds for the Red Crescent, a Red Cross associated organization which serves Muslim countries.

According to Westpark principal Diana Martire’s account, only a few parents expressed that they experienced a “tiny bit of controversy”. When asked why the Red Cresent was chosen as a sole beneficiary, Martire told The Suburban that according to her research, the Red Crescent seemed to fit the idea presented by parents at the previous school governing board meeting where the concept of fundraising was brought up as part of a “Help for Hurt” initiative. “We felt like the decision was neutral. As it turns out, it is not as neutral as we thought.” The “we” referred to by Martire in her statement is unknown as it was not the governing board.

Parent sources — confirmed by Martire — said that the governing board was never consulted about the Red Crescent, rather a discussion took place regarding the possibility of hosting a series of fundraisers called “Help for Hurt” for a number of charities. The charities the governing board decided on were the Magen David Adom and Federation CJA emergency funds as the meeting was held on October 10th, soon after the Oct.7 attack on Israel.

According to the letter, the fundraiser was intended “to provide humanitarian assistance for people affected by the ongoing and escalating October 2023 crisis.”The parents — who wish to remain anonymous — took issue with the fact that the Red Shield of David — that is also associated with the Red Cross but which serves Israel — was not included in the planned fundraising activity which was slated to take place on Friday October 20th, while others felt that fundraising of that nature should not take place at all in a public elementary school setting.

They also expressed disagreement with the decision to involve school children in a fundraiser which allows only those who participate in raising funds to “dress down” given the nature of the fundraiser, while others whose families did not wish to donate would have to wear the school colours like any other day and be potentially targeted.

Speaking with The Suburban on condition of anonymity in order to protect the identity of the minors involved, some of the parents who did not wish to send funds via the Red Crescent said that they were concerned that their children were going to be singled out as a result of the school-wide activity and that the position they have taken in regards to the brutal Hamas attack would forcibly be exposed by their child’s elementary school and send mixed messages to their children.

Following some parents complaints, a second email was sent out on October 19, again by the principal, stating that the school would be having a “dress down” day the following day, but that no fundraising would take place.

When parents received the email late evening on October 17th, it came as a shock that the governing board approved charities were dropped and a new charity was chosen without approval. Some parents say that the possibility of approving additional fundraisers was not the issue, rather that the approved organization was missing and that no consultation was made in selecting another.

According to the policy at Westpark, the administration can make changes to a governing board decision only after calling a special meeting which was not done. Draft minutes are normally released as public information shortly after meetings take place and reviewed at the following meeting with updates to follow as necessary. The minutes from this meeting were not released.

The “Help for Hurt” logo was created on October 19 and according to the initial letter sent by Martire to parents, the Red Crescent fundraiser was scheduled to be the first of an intended series similar in nature to previous dress down days. Parents said that dress down days have been ongoing at Westpark for six years supporting a number of charities without the condition of donation where all students were permitted to dress down.

The school had launched fundraisers in the past for charities such as The Cure Foundation last spring where it raised over $4,000 to support breast cancer patients.At the launch of ‘Help for Hurt’ via the principal’s e-mail, it was specified that the “privilege to dress-down” was allowable for “the cost of a donation”.

“Help for Hurt was created to fundraise for issues of importance to the community. For example we have three students with diabetes so one of the ‘Help for Hurt’ days was intended to be allocated for a foundation which would help with diabetes research,” Martire said to The Suburban. “We are all connected in some way, you don’t need to be from Palestine or Gaza to understand hurt. As a public school, we need to respond to those affected by hurts in the world.”

Martire maintains that she and her staff members value neutrality. “We are always looking for ways to help. Our intentions were good.”

LBPSB spokesperson Darren Becker told The Suburban that the school board was not aware of the fundraiser. “We don’t know about every bake sale or every little thing,” while he also acknowledged that “this is not a little thing.”

According to Becker the LPBSB does not have a policy for fundraising. “These decisions are usually made at the school level and/or governing board level.” n

Chelsey St. Pierre – The Suburban LJI Reporter

The family of 77-year old Jacques Blais, a retired police officer who served with the Quebec provincial police (SQ) is suing a psychiatrist as well as the West Island health authority collectively for $310,000, claiming that they failed to prevent his death.

The family also claims that a “cover up” took place following the officer’s death, which happened in the Lakeshore General Hospital’s ER in 2019.

According to coroner Marie-Pierre Charland’s report, a psychiatrist at the Lakeshore knew without a doubt that the officer suffered from suicidal tendencies because at one point during his stay, Blais attempted to hang himself in the ER. The family only discovered the circumstances surrounding his death nine months later when they accessed the coroner’s report.

The psychiatrist who met with Blais on April 20, 2019 following the initial attempt that occurred in the ER noted that Blais posed a danger to himself and potentially to others. Despite these findings, Blais was left unattended in the ER for more than half a day.

Blais was then returned to the same cubical where he had attempted to commit suicide just 14 hours earlier.There, he finally did kill himself.

Seeing as the case is an active lawsuit, Hélène Bergeron-Gamache, a spokesperson for the CIUSSS wrote in a statement issued last week, that it cannot comment, however, condolences to the family were expressed. n

Chelsey St. Pierre – The Suburban LJI Reporter

A revamped neighbourhood watch program launched in the Laserres sector of Dollard-des-Ormeaux in 2013 has yielded positive results.

The program encourages community involvement and has the added benefit of strengthening the relationship between city officials and residents as well as residents with residents.

“Crime comes in pits and valleys. With eyes and boots on the ground, surges in certain areas tend to get cleared up very fast,” Bottausci told The Suburban “We are very quick to meet with neighbours and local patrol street captains in the event of crime escalation in the area.”

“Every once in a while you get a rash.” In 2013, Vesely set up the first watch program The program worked beautifully to the point where it only took a couple of days to clear the area of the ongoing break-ins.

The most recent set up took place in Westpark 2 years ago with vehicles being ransacked in residents’ parking lots.

Since that time, a major decline in that type of crime has been observed in the area.

Though general neighbourhood watch prevention programs have been prevalent in the West Island since the 70’s, Vesely’s structured programing using new-age technology has been cunsulted and adopted by other city officials and residents throughout the West Island municipalities.

According to an SPVM statistics report release in June 2023, there were 411 breaking and entering cases were reported in the West Island in 2022, compared to 506 in 2019.

The program relies mainly on two street captains hand picked by a city councilor throughout the door-to door recruitment process where the goal is to gain one-hundred participating homes per sector. “One-hundred homes means up to two-hundred sets of eyes,” Vesely explained. The team captains are made known to public security as they may be calling frequently representing an entire neighbourhood. The captains act as buffer, communicating minor issues to municipal patrol and major issues to police and municipal patrol. The watch group participants communicate amongst themselves and with the team captains with whatever form of technology they agree to use.

As part of the program, sign are erected around the neighbourhood to let residents and visitors know that the crime-watch is taking place during that period. Notes are sent out to homes in the sector and residents are advised to keep their outdoor lights on and memorize the address of the house(s) located behind their own.

According to Bottausci, break-ins reported in DDO hover around fifty per year over the last few years, representing less than 10% of break-ins reported in the West Island.

“Statistically year over year in total amounts happening on territory remains the same.”

Though the set up is a lengthy door to door process recruiting neighbours to participate, it pays off when a “rash” occurs. “With the program in place, I can have an entire area led by a team captain up and running in five minutes.” n

Chelsey St. Pierre – The Suburban LJI Reporter

Montreal police (SPVM) are investigating a suspected arson that occurred recently in the industrial sector of Dorval.

The fire department was called to a building located near the corner of Hymus Boulevard and André Avenue. Firefighters quickly managed to put out the fire and the SPVM arson squad was called to the site to investigate. Officers found traces of accelerant near the building.

According to authorities, the damage mainly affected the exterior of the building. The full extent of the damages is yet to be determined.

“Preliminary information suggests that the suspect or suspects fled before officers arrived,” SPVM spokesperson Sabrina Gauthier told The Suburban.

Officers set up a perimeter to contain the site. Investigators are reviewing footage from outdoor cameras in the area.

“We are reviewing the camera footage on site to better determine the circumstances surrounding the event.” Gauthier said.

A “molotov cocktail” was thrown at the building located at the same address on Sept. 8.

Last April, 10 tractor trucks parked on a lot at the same intersection were set on fire. n

Chelsey St. Pierre – The Suburban LJI Reporter

Baie D’Urfé parents and toddlers gathered at the park in front of the lake across the street from Fritz Farm recently for National Truth and Reconciliation day.

“It’s tough to bring little ones to downtown Montreal. We keep it here and we keep it local and anyone who would like to join from neighbouring communities are always welcome,” Baie D’Urfé Mayor Heidi Ektvedt told The Suburban.

Ektvedt reached out to Baie D’Urfé resident Oana Silagui, who is commonly known in the neighbourhood for her initiatives in the community, particularly with creating innovative and unique activities for toddlers.

Silagui told The Suburban that she was pleased to host the event as it gives toddlers as well as their parents an opportunity to participate in a way that is possible for them at their stages in life. “It’s just so amazing to sit with the kids and read with the kids and hear their ideas.”

Baie D’Urfé Recreation Technician Megan Smith put together a craft activity for the event in which children, with the help of their parents, were encouraged to partake.

Pizza, beverages and snacks were served to participants.

Prizes from a name draw, including the book itself, were handed out at the end of the reading.

“We share culture and we share a connection and to me there is no better way than storytelling,” Silagui said.

Chelsey St. Pierre – The Suburban LJI Reporter

The Montreal Police (SPVM) handed out 6,246 tickets to drivers as part of its “Back to school 2023” operation that took place from August 28 to September 22.

Photo radar surveillance operations in school zones also took place during which 1,675 offenses were ticketed in 119 hours of operations counting just over five percent of all vehicles captured. “The safety of all road users is a constant priority throughout the year. The start of the school year is obviously a highlight because in addition to ensuring the safety of little ones, we sometimes have to call to order those who have lost certain safety reflexes during the summer period,” SPVM Road Safety Section Chief Stéphane Desroches said. The 2023 school year also saw 1,180 prevention activities taking place in the 29 SPVM neighbourhood station sectors, reaching more than 3,000 people. To further improve safety awareness in school sectors, the SPVM also launched their “living radar” project this year to address the dangers of excessive speed in school zones. The project relies on the participation of students at the start of the school year. A total of 6,246 violations were ticketed, 285 double fines related to school zone speeding, 2,144 for speeding outside, but in proximity to the zone, 93 for failure to stop for intermittent red lights on a school bus and 3,724 “other offences” within and surrounding the school-zone safety project.

Chelsey St. Pierre – The Suburban LJI Reporter

A gathering led by Dr.Paul Saba’s Christian Coalition for Israel was held on Sunday at Place du Canada Park in downtown Montreal. Dr.Saba is the founder of Physicians for Social Justice. Religious leaders and concerned citizens spoke out in solidarity with the Jewish community following the terrorist attacks led by Hamas last week on innocent Israeli citizens as well as Canadian and American visitors to the country.

Prayers, songs and reflections took place throughout the two-hour gathering. Dozens of participants wore Christian Coalition for Israel t-shirts designed with a dove and Star of David intertwined signifying peace and solidarity with Israel.

“If you remain silent in the face of evil, then you are accepting and condoning evil. I cannot remain silent when I see evil acts committed,” Dr. Saba said. “I believe every life is valuable and Jewish lives deserve to be protected and the state of Israel must be defended.”

Remembrances were shared of five Canadians that were confirmed dead as of Sunday afternoon including 33-year old Montrealer Alexandre Look who was brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists while attending a music festival.

The “Our Father” prayer was led by Montreal artist Lisa Hanash and recited by the majority of attendees. “Israel and the Jewish people need our support, our intercession, they need our prayers.” Pastor Jacques Isaac Gabizon told the crowd as he led them into prayer.

“Who kidnaps an 85-year old woman, who kidnaps a baby, who burns babies, who does that?” Rabbi Reuben Poupko exhorted. “Evil flourishes when good people are silent. We are not silent. We want peace but unfortunately there are some people who do not want that and that’s what we are united to stand up against.”

Several masked men waving Palestinian flags appeared across the street shouting anti-Israel slogans at the Christian Coalition gatherers. Montreal police intervened as one of the men crossed the road and began filming the crowd, approaching attendees in a provocative and intimidating manner.

Chelsey St. Pierre – The Suburban LJI Reporter

The official groundbreaking of the new Denis-Benjamin-Viger seniors residence took place last week in Pierrefonds. This project is one of the 2,400 CHSLDs that are slated to undergo renovations or reconstruction over the coming years. The dilapidated CHSLDs will gradually be rebuilt into seniors’ homes with improved features in terms of functionality, safety, comfort, atmosphere, as well as infection prevention and control.

The MNA for Anjou-Louis-Riel Karine Boivin-Roy was present at the groundbreaking on behalf of the Minister responsible for Seniors Sonia Bélanger. “I share the community’s pride in knowing that the work will begin shortly. Soon, residents will be able to discover this new, more adapted living environment in which they will be able to flourish. By transforming CHSLDs into seniors’ homes, our government is demonstrating that it is attentive to the needs of communities. Thank you to the teams who contribute to the realization of this project,” Boivin-Roy said.

According to the Office of the Minister for Health and Seniors, the work currently underway is expected to be completed by winter 2025-2026. Residents of the existing Denis-Benjamin-Viger accommodation centre in Île-Bizard, deemed to be dilapidated, will be moved into the new building in Pierrefonds-Roxboro that will also serve Dollard-des-Ormeaux upon completion of the project.

The new residence will accommodate 192 occupants and will include individual rooms with adapted toilets and showers.

“The start of work on this new seniors’ home is an important step for the population of western Montreal. We will offer residents a warm environment, where the organization of care and services is focused on their needs. Seniors deserve the best. This is why our government is continuing to transform now dilapidated facilities into places of accommodation where the quality of the living environment is the priority,” Sonia Bélanger, Minister responsible for Seniors and Minister for Health said.

Assisting in the groundbreaking were Brigitte Garceau, MNA for Robert-Baldwin; Jim Beis, Mayor of Pierrefonds-Roxboro; Alex Bottausci, Mayor of Dollard-Des-Ormeaux; Jean-François Miron, CEO of CIUSSS West Island; and Marie-Ève Gaudreau, Political Advisor. n

Chelsey St. Pierre – The Suburban LJI Reporter

Bombardier’s “Women in Engineering” group held a science fair for the families of its employees. Over 1,000 attendees visited one of the company’s facilities located at 500 Côte Vertu Blvd. West in Dorval.

The fair was designed to encourage girls and boys aged from six to 14 to consider careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Security personnel guided participants on a walk through the warehouse where dozens of planes could be seen up close, into an open area with over 25 kiosks set up by some 120 employee volunteers.

The Suburban attended a guided tour led by Bombardier spokesperson Christina Lemyre McCraw, Manager, Public relations and communications. “Volunteers took the extra steps to find ways to make science fun for kids at this event. Bombardier supported the idea as it wants to be proactive in supporting initiatives to stimulate interest from youth,” she explained as she pointed out the various activities and kiosks.

The in-house initiative, organized entirely by Bombardier team members, introduced the attending employees’ children and spouses to the Ecojet research platform, aircraft configuration, industrial design, thermodynamics and aerodynamics with kid-friendly comprehensive activities and demonstrations at the various kiosks.

Participants were also able to “fly” via virtual reality headsets.

T-shirts along with other souvenirs were handed out to children at table-stops set up throughout the fair.

According to Kathleen Dussault — Technical expert in aircraft architecture and organizer of the science fair, the event was launched with the aim of challenging young people to consider the world of science for their future careers.

“We want to give them a taste of what the outcome of their studies could be. They can see what all the hard math, homework and science studies amount to in their future experience,” Dussault told The Suburban. n

Chelsey St. Pierre – The Suburban LJI Reporter

The Lachine borough held a community concert last Thursday evening at Lachine’s cultural center, “L’entrepot” where it launched a video entitled “Making Lachine Dance”. Directed by Maude Lecours, creator of “Making a Village Dance”, 230 Lachine residents are featured in the video dancing in various symbolic places throughout the borough to a song Au rythme de l’eau composed by Lachine resident, singer-songwriter, Joseph Boonen.

The video highlights maritime, heritage and industrial attractions unique to Lachine. It highlights the collective culture native to Lachine residents inclusive to persons of all ages, ethnicities and religious backgrounds. Elected officials, borough staff, firefighters, merchants and residents gathered in a variety of locations to demonstrate their attachment to Lachine by dancing.

“Composed by a young singer-songwriter from Lachine, this video is a great way to celebrate a sense of belonging in our community,” Maja Vodanovic, Mayor of Lachine told The Suburban. “We are so happy to participate in this project which celebrates our collective pride in being ‘Lachinois’.”

Boonen says that he was glad to answer the call to bring people together. “It was easy for me to find inspiration. I am proud of my roots as a French Quebecer and ‘Lachinois’,” Boonen said to The Suburban.

The Making a village dance project was launched in 2018 by Maude Lecours and Marie-Claude Lord to demonstrate the joy of living in the Brome-Missisquoi region. At the end of May 2018, the team produced and directed the first video in a series by filming people dancing in their community in Cowansville, Dunham and Frelighsburg.

The duo continues to expand the project to other regions by encouraging Quebec communities to dance in order to promote themselves and gain a sense of pride as members of a collective community.

Lachine is the first borough of Montreal to join the movement.

Chelsey St. Pierre – The Suburban LJI Reporter

The Minister responsible for Social Services, Lionel Carmant, as well as the session chair and Member of Parliament for Anjou-Louis-Riel Karine Boivin Roy, held the official inauguration of the Kirkland “Open Air” youth drop in centre in the West Island of Montreal last week.

Located at 2820 Saint-Charles Blvd. in Kirkland, the drop-in centre houses a network of integrated services for young people aged 12 to 25. It was developed in collaboration with young people in the community, families and partners in order to meet the needs of the clientele it serves.

The drop in centre is equipped to receive youth seeking mental health services, in particular. Youth can also find support concerning a wide range of issues that may affect all areas of their lives.

The $40 million Open Air project is one of the measures that are an integral part of the 2022-2026 Inter-ministerial Mental Health Action Plan.

According to Carmant, by 2026, the (CISSS or CIUSSS) expects to have 27 of the 80-90 planned centres for the province on its territory.

Currently, 24 establishments offer services throughout the province, of which 22 service points are officially open.

Carmant advocates on the importance of local accessible services for youth.

“Speaking to youth, they often say that when they knock on a door for help and there is no response, they don’t go back,” Carmant told The Suburban.

For Carmant, the participation of youth in the creation of the project was key to manifesting an environment that answers their actual needs in a way that is familiar and recognizable to them. “The concept was created by youth for youth on every account from choice of services right down to the décor.”

Youth services are normally geared towards pre-teens and teens aged 12-18, however the new Open Air centres offer services for youth until age 25.

“Youth fall between the cracks between 18-25. This is why it is important to assure a continuum of service until 25 years of age,” Carmant explained.

This new centre offers the services of a general practitioner directly on site.

The realization of the Kirkland centre was made possible as a result of a collaborative effort between Carrefour Jeunesse Emploi de l’Ouest-de-l’Île, the YMCA and the surrounding school network (school boards and CEGEPs).

This site also benefited from a generous vehicle donation, which allows team members to expand their awareness activities and provide assistance to young people in need of transportation.

“This is a magnificent project that will allow young people in Kirkland and the surrounding area to benefit from a range of free and confidential services. I am proud to see this great team, made up of workers who will be able to listen to young people and help them, regardless of their concerns or their needs, settle in the region. I would like to thank all the partners as well as all the young people who have worked hard over the last few months to implement such a unifying project for the community,” Karine Boivin Roy, MP for Anjou-Louis-Riel, said. n

Chelsey St. Pierre – The Suburban LJI Reporter

A 43-year-old man was the victim of a violent assault in an apartment in Lachine. The scene of the assault was on Louis-Paré Street, near 30th Avenue. Police at the scene had the victim transported to hospital by ambulance. He is in critical condition.

According to authorities, the victim suffered multiple wounds caused by a sharp object and is currently recovering in hospital. SPVM spokesperson Carolyne Chevrefils said police officers questioned a 31-year old woman who accompanied them to the police station voluntarily. She was not under arrest at that point.

Following further police questioning, the woman was charged and arraigned in court Wednesday. “The circumstances surrounding the event were not clear at the moment when the woman was initially transported to the investigation centre,” Chevrefils told The Suburban.

According to Chevrefils, the stabbing victim is also expected to be questioned as soon as his health allows.

The apartment has been sealed off while the investigation continues. Authorities have not confirmed what the connection is between the man and the women allegedly involved in the incident.