Protesters hold up a sign reading “it took three months to recognize a genocidal ‘state’. Do you really think the CAQ is worried about its tenants? Liberation for all.” Photo Andraé Lerone Lewis
Sarah-Maria Khoueiry Local Journalism Initiative
On Feb. 3, around a thousand protesters gathered in front of the Saint-Édouard Church on the corner of Beaubien and Saint-Denis Street, where organizers handed out pamphlets and chant guides to the crowd.
The protest, organized by the Coalition of Housing Committees and Tenants Associations of Quebec (RCLALQ), aimed to publicly oppose Bill 31. This bill, if passed, will allow landlords to reject lease transfers with no valid explanation, and then cancel the lease.
“The rents are already too high, and they will be higher after that,” said Martin Blanchard, the coordinator of the RCLALQ. “There are other things that we are mad about, but the lease transfer thing is the most damning.”
Among other concerns expressed by organizers such as Rosalye, the community organizer of the Comité logement de la Petite Patrie, is the discrimination against tenants from marginalized communities. Rosalye’s last name is revoked for fear of being refused an apartment in the future. She believes that expressing a negative opinion on current housing management could deny her housing in the future. Rosalye thinks France-Élaine Duranceau, Quebec’s housing minister, is directly “attacking tenants” by only consulting with landlords rather than talking to tenant rights’ organizations.
She also explained that the bill would allow municipalities to sell social housing (HLM).
“The fact that people will be able to buy HLM [is] so problematic,” she added. “That’s something we should be proud of as Quebecers to have for people that have less revenue.”
Most chants called for the resignation of Duranceau. The RCLALQ also demanded a rent freeze, rent control, abolishing security deposits, and the conservation of lease transfers.
The protesters marched down Beaubien Street, all the way to Marché Jean Talon by way of Little Italy, and finally reached the Centre de Ressources et d’Action Communautaire de la Petite-Patrie (CRACPP). The centre is home to the Comité logement de la Petite Patrie, an organization that helps people facing issues with housing, such as rent increases, vermin, discrimination, and gentrification.
Many speeches also brought up the link between the housing crisis, immigration influx and asylum seekers.
Cédric Dussault, the spokesperson of the RCLALQ, argued in an introductory speech that the housing crisis had touched regions with low immigration rates, like Gaspésie, discrediting the link between the two issues.
“It’s trying to deviate the tension from something else,” said Blanchard. “The problem [is] that the rates are too high and that the owners have too much leeway driving up rents.”
Among the attendees was Rich, a 64-year-old man living in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce who was recently evicted from his house, and who wished to remain anonymous. He believes the government doesn’t have a clear idea of how passing this bill will affect the population on a long-term basis.
“I just wish we weren’t here today,” he said. He expressed his disappointment in regards to the government’s lack of vision as to what the decisions are today and how they’re going to affect us. “It’s just going to get worse,” he said.
He believes that protesting gets exposure in the news that can help bring change.
“Through advocacy, you’re never alone,” Rich said.
Multiple attendees were waving Palestinian flags and wearing keffiyehs. A sign written in the colours of the Palestinian flag read, in French, “Three months to recognize a genocidal ‘state.’ Do you really think the CAQ cares about tenants? Liberation for all.”
Juan Carlos Angel Ramirez, a protester with the Alliance Ouvrière contingent, thinks that the issues are interconnected.
“If the people here rise up against the [Canadian] government […] maybe, that’s how we can change things [everywhere] somehow,” he said.
A former mayor of Danville and two former councillors have launched a petition calling on Minister of Municipal Affairs Andrée Laforest to launch an independent inquiry into the situation that led to the municipality falling three years behind on its financial statements.
“We don’t want to accuse anyone – the inquiry will tell us if anyone on the council or the administration did wrong, including any of us,” former mayor Michel Plourde, who served from 2013-2021, told The Record. Plourde and his former council colleagues Nathalie Boissé and Jean-Guy Dionne launched the petition Jan. 25. “We’re sticking our necks out. People might say, ‘You’re doing it to clear your reputation,’ and in a way, we are, but we want answers too.”
Between 2017 and the departure of the previous city manager in 2021, the city did not file a single annual financial statement according to Plourde. “The mayor has a duty of surveillance [but] the mayor and council cannot do that job [of filing the annual reports],” he explained, citing the Cities and Towns Act, which gives that responsibility to the town’s clerk or treasurer. In addition to the missing annual statements, Plourde alluded to missing interim statements and delayed council meeting minutes. For legal reasons, he is unable to discuss the circumstances of the town manager’s departure, although he said he hoped an inquiry would allow more information to be made public and shed light on whether financial misdeeds were committed.
Plourde, who left office in October 2021 and did not seek a third term, said he asked the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs (MAMH) on three occasions – in May and December 2020 and September 2021 – to put the town under administration in order to address the delayed financial reports. The MAMH denied the requests at the time. Plourde, Boissé and Dionne are now calling on Laforest to intervene and name an independent investigator to review the town’s finances dating back to January 2017. “We’re calling for an independent investigator because the MAMH didn’t do its job the first time,” he said.
Plourde’s successor, Mayor Martine Sartre said she felt “kind of foreign to the file” because she was not involved in municipal politics or administration during Plourde’s tenure. “It’s his right [to call for an inquiry] but for the municipality, it doesn’t change anything,” she said. “Since our administration came in, we’ve seen nothing that led us to believe there has been wrongdoing.”
She said the town had appointed external auditors to assess the town’s financial well-being, and the 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 financial statements had been completed in the past two years.
“It’s really difficult, because it’s hard to access government subsidies [for development projects] if our financial statements aren’t up to date.”
Amid a labour shortage, inflation, deteriorating infrastructure and a divisive dispute over taxation and service fees, Sartre said she and her administration “didn’t have the energy to go back over the past.”
It is unclear whether Laforest has the inclination or the power to order such an inquiry. An inquiry to her office was redirected to the MAMH. MAMH spokesperson Sébastien Gariépy said the Commission municipale du Québec (CMQ) is “the only one-stop shop” for citizens and internal whistleblowers calling for “municipal integrity investigations.”
“The town of Danville is currently [receiving] specialized support in municipal finances offered by the MAMH. The ministry is monitoring the situation closely and remains available to answer questions from elected officials, municipal officers and citizens,” Gariépy added. No one from the CMQ was immediately available for comment. [1]
Photo caption: Moisson Outaouais chef David Gagné readies a nutritious meal that is to be served hot and ready to 1,250 students across four primary schools in Outaouais.
Photo credit: Courtesy of Moisson Outaouais
One thousand two hundred and fifty students across four additional primary schools in the
Outaouais region will be able to learn on a full stomach thanks to a collaboration between
Moisson Outaouais and La Cantine pour tous.
Since January 15, the two have joined forces to supply accessible meals to primary schools in the
region in an effort to combat the growing issue of food insecurity.
With costs rising across all avenues, the increasing total at the grocery till has taken its toll on
Canadians’ wallets.
PROOF, a research program out of the University of Toronto, found household food insecurity in
the ten provinces rose from 15.9 per cent to 17.8 per cent from 2021 to 2022, the highest recorded to date.
Leaving almost 1.8 million children under 18 to experience some level of food insecurity
throughout 2022, meaning one in four children lived in households who suffered food insecurity.
But the need for access to a healthy meal doesn’t stop at the home dinner table. A recent study
from l’institut de recherche et d’informations socioéconomiques discovered only 13 per cent of
primary school students in Outaouais have access to a meal service at school.
Without the necessary funding and a kitchen to call their own, it can become difficult, if not
impossible, for a school to provide a meal service to its students.
Moisson Outaouais has been pumping out ready-to-eat meals for the Outaouais region since the
inclusion of its transformation kitchen in 2020.
Supporting mainly food banks, soup kitchens, shelter services, and family homes, an average of
26,000 kilograms of food is distributed to affiliated organizations each week. The initiative
continues to grow with the addition of four primary schools.
“Our mission is twofold: to ensure that every child in our schools can eat their fill with dignity,
without stigmatization, and to strengthen our mission to our community,” said Moisson
Outaouais general director Armand Kayolo. “It is a model that not only nourishes our children,
but also our collective future.”
Through La Cantine dans les écoles program, healthy and nutritious meals are distributed across
11 regions of Quebec, benefitting 34,379 students.
“La Cantine dans les écoles program is an accessible practical solution to make life easier for
parents so that their children can eat well at school, regardless of the economic situation at
home,” said Amandine Paulin, director of La Cantine dans les écoles. “School feeding is a social
issue. The collaboration with Moisson Outaouais means that we can reach 1,250 children throughfour additional schools. There is something to be proud of.”
Despite pushback from Canadians, Canada is the sole country among the Group of Seven, an
intergovernmental political and economic forum, without a national school nutrition program,
according to the Breakfast Club of Canada.
La Cantine pour tous works to ensure every person in Quebec can benefit from healthy and
accessible food. The collective brings together social and solidarity economy organizations to
help combat food insecurity and other food issues in their area.
Through La Cantine dans les écoles program, over 100 primary schools have gained access to
affordable school meals in collaboration with 25 social caterers.
With three alternating menus containing 60 recipes, Moisson Outaouais has created a varied
menu to please even the pickiest of eaters.
“Every day offers a new culinary experience, promising to nourish not only bodies but also
curious minds,” read a press release from Moisson Outaouais.
Dishes range from teriyaki chicken with rice and vegetables, Chinese pork macaroni to
vegetarian options like the barbecue tofu plate or bean alfredo pasta.
Along with a dessert, meals are delivered hot and ready to eat to schools 180 days a year at a
flexible cost to parents.
With a $6 per meal cost and a $1 per meal minimum, parents are able to select the amount that
meets their budget.
“We’re very optimistic that we will be able to add more schools in the future,” said Moisson
Outaouais communication coordinator Rabinzel Hanna.
by Lorraine Carpenter, Local Journalism Initiative reporter
A protest against Quebec’s Bill 31 will be taking place in Montreal on Saturday. The demonstration’s organizers, the Coalition of Housing Committees and Tenants Associations of Quebec (RCLALQ), are also demanding a rent freeze in Quebec and that Housing Minister France-Élaine Duranceau step down.
“As Quebec goes through the most profound housing crisis in its history, as rents surge and evictions multiply, the government has proposed a bill that represents a direct attack on tenants. This is shameful!”
The protest will begin at noon at 425 Beaubien E. (corner St-Denis).
by Lorraine Carpenter, Local Journalism Initiative reporter
The Quebec government announced today that minimum wage in the province will increase by 50 cents per hour to $15.75 on May 1. This corresponds to a 3% increase in the minimum wage, which is less than the current rate of inflation of 4% in Quebec.
Québec Solidaire MNA Alexandre Leduc, who represents Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, called the announced increase “not sufficient” and “ridiculous.”
In a solemn remembrance ceremony held at Plymouth Trinity United Church on Monday evening, community members gathered to reflect on a harrowing incident that occurred seven years ago. The event, etched vividly in the memory of those present, unfolded on a Sunday evening when a shooter entered the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec, leaving six people dead and five injured.
The annual commemoration activity, organized by Actions interculturelles executive director Mohamed Soulami and Abdelilah Hamdache, president of the Institute of the Arab and Muslim World of Estrie, saw the participation of 12 organizations, including the Federation of Cultural Communities of Estrie, the Transcultural Educational Association, the Diocese of Sherbrooke, and the Islamic Cemetery of South-Eastern Quebec.
Others including Samuel Dansokho, Ahmed Chraibi, Aurélie Caldwell, and Gérard Coté, collaborated in the commemoration ceremony. As a diverse assembly gathered for a symbolic minute of silence and contemplation, candles were lit by young people from the Muslim community, symbolizing a collective remembrance and a call for unity.
Inside the Plymouth-Trinity Church, over 50 people paid tribute. Voices of diversity project members, Nesrine and Jessica hosted the ceremony, adding a nuanced touch influenced by the current global context.
Mohamed Soulami said during the ceremony that, “I turned on the television. The news was everywhere. What I felt at that moment, yes, it was a great shock. Lots of misunderstanding too. How could anyone do something such as that?”
Reflecting on the tragic day, Soulami emphasized the importance of commemoration ceremonies. He stated that, “We must always remember what happened if we want to reduce the risks of such a tragedy happening again.”
The ongoing war in the Middle East, with its impact on Muslim communities globally, became an integral part of the commemoration’s tone. Soulami condemned the conflict as a “dirty war, totally unacceptable, which violates the human and universal values established by all countries since 1945.”
Soulami stressed the need to distinguish between global conflicts and local initiatives. “We are aware that we must not mix things up. Today, what we want is to remember the inclusive and pacifist values of our society. It is a call that wants to stop gestures of Islamophobia as well as those of antisemitism, a call that wants to stop all discrimination. What we advocate is living together.”
Living together, however, faces challenges, as evidenced by incidents of racism or discrimination, such as the one Mohamed recalled from the fall. Despite such challenges, efforts to build bridges and connections persist.
The commemoration ceremony was held in Pastor Samuel V. Dansokho’s church, which symbolized unity beyond differences. The pastor, who recently commemorated the Shoah (The Holocaust), expressed solidarity with the victims of Islamophobia.
“These are different events that call us to go beyond everything that divides us to connect with everything that unites us. Each time it is a fight against hatred, each time a fight for peace, understanding, harmony.”
CAMPBELL’S BAY – On January 17, Carrefour jeunesse-emploi du Pontiac (CJEP) announced a new ski and snowshoe loan program to be hosted in a cabin adjacent to their Campbell’s Bay office. The program is part of the Circonflex Project, an initiative of Loisir Sport Outaouais (LSO) in collaboration with Ski at School and several local partners including CJEP, the Maison des Jeunes and Le Patro de Mansfield. Sylviana Geoffray, a development officer at LSO, explained that Ski at School is looking to expand its popular programs to make cross-country ski equipment accessible to the general public. She said that to begin, the loan centre will be open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and that anyone can borrow skis or snowshoes for free, on a first-come, first-served basis. She said they are working on implementing an online booking system.
Campbell’s Bay Councillor Jean-Pierre Landry said the project fits well with his municipality’s vision for outdoor recreation, as they have invested heavily in the infrastructure of nearby Maurice Beauregard Park and the municipality wanted to offer something for the winter months. “It fits in well with the development of our year-round activities. So, Maurice Beauregard Park has been ‘3 seasons’ and now we’ve just added a fourth season, with skiing. As a result, we will have a year-round service offer for recreation and sports right here in Campbell’s Bay.”
According to Karim El Kerch, Executive Director of CJEP, this new project should also generate economic benefits for merchants and demonstrates the potential of the recreational tourism sector in the Pontiac. “The Carrefour, their main role, or mission is supporting the development of the population of the Pontiac in a general way through continuing education, access to the job market, and personal, social and professional autonomy.” explained El Kerch. More details are available on site in Campbell’s Bay or on the CJEP website.
MRC PONTIAC– The MRC Pontiac’s Council of Mayors’ monthly meeting was held January 24 at the MRC headquarters in Litchfield.
Law 25 denounced
Council denounced legislative amendments introduced by Law 25 – an act to modernize legislative provisions regarding the protection of personal information. They’re concerned Law 25 will impose an administrative burden on municipalities at a time when the municipal workforce is already stretched thin and overloaded due to labour shortages.
The resolution claims the new law accentuates bureaucratic burdens citizens and municipal stakeholders face by “increasing the complexity of the legal environment in which municipalities must operate.” It goes on to say the new legislative provisions are imprecise and difficult to interpret, thus risking disparities in application between different municipalities and levels of government. Council stressed the government has failed to provide support tools, including funds to hire new staff and compensate for additional hours needed to meet the Law’s obligations, in a timely manner.
The resolution will be forwarded to the Minister of Municipal Affairs (MAMH), the Union des municipalités du Québec (UMQ), the Fédération québécoise des municipalités (FQM), local members of the National Assembly, and other Outaouais MRCs.
Lights, camera, action!
The MRC was approached by TVA Sports with an offer to film episodes highlighting the Pontiac’s winter recreation. Two episodes of Alexis le Randonneur will be filmed showcasing winter tourism in the Pontiac and one episode of Motoneiges.tv will feature Pontiac snowmobile trails. Both programs promise to highlight local businesses as well.
The filming of Alexis le Randonneur is in partnership with Tourisme Outaouais and the Pontiac Tourism Association, with the MRC contributing up to $4,500. The MRC will contribute $6,000 to filming the Motoneiges.tv episode, with funds for both projects coming from the 2024 tourism envelope ($75,000 available) of the second stream of the Regions and Rurality Fund (FRR 2).
Cell service, NOW!
Council passed a resolution brought forward by Waltham Mayor Odette Godin and L’Isle-aux-Allumettes Mayor Corey Spence demanding that the western portion of Highway 148 – Mansfield, Waltham, and L’Isle-Aux-Allumettes – be made an immediate priority to receive cellular coverage. The resolution states the absence of cell service impacts residents, emergency services, the economy, social health, and the region’s overall connectivity.
“Emergencies documented in Waltham have revealed the life-threatening consequences of unreliable cellular connectivity,” says the resolution. Godin stated that two Letters to the Editor published in the Journal last November will be attached to the resolution when it’s sent to the provincial government. The letters detail two recent emergencies in Waltham that were worsened by the lack of cell service. In one instance, a death may have been prevented if those present had been able to reach 911.
The resolution explains that new fibre optic landlines are vulnerable to severe weather events as they run along above-ground hydro poles, so it’s impossible to reach emergency services during infrastructure failures. It proposes government-owned infrastructure, including the Chapeau/ Chichester CBC Tower and Brennan’s Bluff Sheenboro, be leveraged as immediate solutions.
The resolution will be forwarded to Premier François Legault; Pierre Rodrigue, Associate Secretary General for High Speed Internet and Special Connectivity Projects; Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of Economy, Innovation, and Energy; Mathieu Lacombe, Minister responsible for the Outaouais region; François Bonnardel, Minister of Public Security; and MNA André Fortin.
The next Council of Mayors meeting will be held February 21.
CAMPBELL’S BAY – On January 9 at the Campbell’s Bay courthouse, a Pontiac man was sentenced to 78 months (6 1/2 years) in prison for sexually assaulting a minor. To protect the victim, a publication ban was issued and the identity of the convicted man hasn’t been revealed.
Simon Pelletier, Criminal and Penal Prosecution Prosecutor for the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions (DCPC), elaborated on the sentence and publication ban.
“In almost all cases involving a minor who is the victim of a sexual crime, their identity will be protected by the courts. In some cases when there’s some connection between the victim and the accused, the name of the accused can’t be reported either. That’s the case here. I can’t go into detail on the relationship, however. If we were to report the name of the accused, it would have the almost inevitable effect of identifying the victim,” he said.
Pelletier said the sentence was a mutual agreement between the Crown and the defence. “It’s common. In the majority of cases, we look at the crime’s details and suggest a fitting sentence. In cases involving sexual crimes against children, the sentences are always very severe. Since the Supreme Court’s Friesen decision, the sentencing scale for sexual crimes against children has been increased. Why? The Supreme Court has sent a message that sexual crimes against children are unacceptable and if a person commits this offence, they should go to jail and receive a sentence that hurts,” he told the Journal.
Crime Victim Assistance Centres (CAVACs) provide front-line services to victims, their loved ones, and even witnesses. Janie Landry of the Pontiac CAVAC said help is available whether or not the perpetrator is identified, arrested, prosecuted or convicted. More details about CAVAC are available at https://chipfm.com/chip-1019-d….
On average, homeowners in La Pêche will pay an extra $208 on their taxes this year as the municipality has adopted its 2024 budget with an 8.6 per cent tax increase for the median homeowner – the highest tax increase in the municipality over the last five years.
Of the $208, almost half of that – $85 – is due to the municipality’s new 1,400 square-metre town hall, with a price tag of $10.7 million. La Pêche Mayor Guillaume Lamoureux explained that the municipality secured over $5 million in grants for the project, bringing the overall contribution by La Pêche to $4.87 million.
He explained that the town hall’s financial impact – for the owner of a median home priced at $290,300 – will be around $85 this year, but added that in following years it will be lower, around $47 for the remaining 20-year borrowing period.
“In 2024, the cost of financing the project is $516,000, but this includes costs for a temporary line of credit,” he said. “But these costs are not going to be repeated in 2025. Next year, without the short-term loan impact, if interest rates stay at five per cent, it’s going to be $396,000, starting in 2025.”
La Pêche adopted a $23.1 million budget on Jan. 22 – a 15 per cent increase from 2023’s $20.1 million budget, with the biggest jumps coming in waste management – up 13.24 per cent – and snow removal, which comes in at a whopping increase of 29.45 per cent.
Lamoureux said that his council is aware of the big jump in snow removal and garbage services, and that the municipality is now analyzing the cost-benefit of providing snow removal in-house.
The municipality would have to purchase its own fleet of vehicles. While that would require a more significant up-front investment, Lamoureux said the municipality would be better positioned to control costs.
“We are at a point now where we estimate that the comparison between what [snow removal] would cost internally and what it costs externally, was about even,” said Lamoureux. “If you do it internally, the yearly increases are much more predictable and consistent.”
La Pêche is also looking at a similar garbage, compost and recycling pickup solution. With costs rising by over half a million for waste, Lamoureux said the significant increase is coming from the MRC des Collines side of things, as the cost of taking waste to the landfill in Lachute has increased considerably.
Lamoureux said that La Pêche, Cantley and Chelsea are joining forces to work on an “inter-municipal service” for waste management.
“The three municipalities would contract out their waste management to one company,” he explained.
“So, there are always efficiency cost savings that can happen or you can attract bigger companies or other companies. We had one bidder in our last [waste management] call for tender, so having a larger contract, you can attract more players and save money.”
Lamoureux said that police costs rose “reasonably,” rising 2.7 per cent to just over $3.3 million. Much of that increase is due to the cops’ new contract, which saw them receive a 17.6 per cent raise over the next five years. The mayor admitted that it was difficult to adopt this year’s budget with a more than eight per cent increase, especially with inflation rising and grocery and gas costs increasing across the country.
He said he understands how difficult this may be for some residents but added that the municipality broke this year’s tax levies into four payments instead of three to help struggling families.
The municipality also realized some quality green projects in 2023, with La Pêche doling out more than $190,000 for eight projects, including a waste reduction plan at the Rupert Community Centre, Lac Gauvreau environmental remedies and Phase 1 of a septic compliance inventory and inspection program.
Lamoureux said he’s looking forward to funding more green initiatives, and added that calls for projects will go out in the spring and fall.
In its triennial expense program, La Pêche has several projects on its wish list, including a generator for the Masham arena at an estimated cost of $400,00 – half of that expected to come in provincial grants. La Pêche also has put aside money to upgrade the Wakefield and Masham sewer systems at nearly $1 million over the next three years.
The new town hall will also impact the municipality’s debt load. While Lamoureux didn’t have 2023 numbers, he confirmed that La Pêche’s debt load was at $12.8 million on Dec. 31, 2023. He added that the $4.87 million for the town hall will be added to that debt load. La Pêche’s 2024 budget presentation states that the municipality is spending $2.3 million – or 9.9 per cent of its 2024 budget – on debt servicing.
Are cellphones a major distraction for students or an invaluable resource for education? It’s a question being asked by many in light of the recent decision by the Quebec government to ban cellphones in classrooms.
In August 2023, Quebec’s Minister of Education, Bernard Drainville, announced that the government would be implementing a directive to ban cellphones in all public elementary and secondary classrooms beginning on Dec. 31, 2023.
The directive does offer some flexibility for teachers to include cellphones or other personal devices for pedagogical purposes.
By Dec. 31, schools must have made a policy detailing specific parameters for cellphone use on campus.
The Low Down has seen the policies in place at three regional secondary schools: St. Michael’s in Low, Hadley Junior & Philemon-Wright in Hull, and Des Lacs in Masham.
Here’s how each institution is handling the challenging task of managing teenagers’ cellphone use during the school day.
St. Mike’s and Hadley Junior & Philemon-Wright
Although there are very slight variations between their policies, for the most part St. Mike’s and Hadley Junior & Philemon-Wright, which are both part of the Western Quebec School Board, have a nearly identical approach to dealing with cellphone use in school.
Both schools offer exceptions to the ban, including if teachers require personal devices to be used during a lesson; if a cellphone or other personal device is deemed necessary for a student’s health; or to accommodate a student’s special learning needs.
At both schools, departments are responsible for deciding what constitutes appropriate use of a personal device for educational purposes.
If a student needs to have a phone or other device with them for health reasons, it is up to parents to contact administrators to arrange this.
At St. Mike’s, a student’s special needs are determined by the content of their Individual Education Plan, whereas at Hadley Junior & Philemon-Wright parents need to make a request to administrators for accommodation.
Consequences for inappropriate cellphone use at both schools include: a warning for the first offence; a 25-minute detention for the second; a 50-minute detention and a note home to parents for the third; a 50-minute detention and one hour of community service for the fourth; and a one-day suspension for the fifth offence.
Hadley Junior & Philemon-Wright’s policy states that devices used without permission will be confiscated and remain in the office for the remainder of the school day.
St. Mike’s policy states that students must have their phones turned off and kept in their pockets unless given express permission otherwise.
Des Lacs Secondary School
“At Des Lacs Secondary School, the possession and use of personal electronic devices [including smartwatches and listening devices] is prohibited in the classroom during class hours. Students must place their devices in their locker before coming to class,” the school’s cellphone policy states, according to regional school service centre communication’s director Maude Hébert.
A modification to the rule of conduct was added on Jan. 15 stating, “However, an electronic device may be permitted when use is required by the educational intervention methods taken by the teacher, by the state of health of a student or by the particular needs of a student with disabilities or who is struggling.”
Hébert did not disclose consequences for students who break the rule. Unlike the policies at St. Mike’s and Hadley Junior & Philemon-Wright, Des Lacs does not appear to outline the procedure for determining when cellphone use is considered necessary for a student’s health or to assist a student’s special educational needs.
There may not be much movement on the real estate market right now, but with interest rates holding firm this winter, the Hills should see a busy, “frenzied” spring, according to at least one Hills realtor.
“I think we’re gonna see a pretty active spring,” said The Agency’s Erica Bernstein. “We live in a pocket where there’s always demand to live here. But there’s never really enough listings to meet that demand.”
The Bank of Canada announced on Jan. 24 that it would be holding its overnight interest rate steady at five per cent, which prompted economists at TD Economics to predict a potential rate drop this spring – the first since the early days of the pandemic.
Because of the desirable nature of the Gatineau Hills, which most real estate agents agree on, Bernstein said the region didn’t see the significant drop in sales like other regions did, including across the river in Ottawa, which saw home sales drop 11 per cent from 2022, according to the Ottawa Real Estate Board.
Local agents agree that November through to the New Year has been slow, but with “buyers chomping at the bit,” Bernstein expects the market to get red hot this spring.
She added that the market has been quite unpredictable lately, with some homes selling immediately while other, similar homes sit empty on the market for months.
“It’s not quite frustrating; this is just sort of the nature of the game,” said Bernstein. “Real estate is kind of emotional. And it’s a bit of a roller coaster.”
Century 21 broker Stephen Lynott told the Low Down that, while January–February is typically the slowest time in real estate, a home priced well is still selling and fetching top dollar. But he said there isn’t much to shop for online, and until more homes show up on MLS.ca, the market won’t start moving until the snow starts melting.
“It’ll be interesting come April–May, I think, as more stuff comes on the market, but no, prices aren’t really going down because there’s no supply,” he said. “The demand is still pretty strong, and there’s really no supply still.”
A search on MLS.ca brought up just 56 properties in La Pêche at one point during the winter – less than half of what is usually available, said Lynott.
“Pre-Covid, that would be 90 to 110 listings active. So again, there is not a lot of supply. Demand is still pretty good, so if the right house comes along, we have a lot of buyers.”
Part of the reason sellers aren’t showing up right now is because of the interest rate. Lynott explained that many potential sellers aren’t ready to bow out of their low-interest mortgages and are waiting to see if the Bank of Canada drops the interest rate. Lynott said, while the market is still strong for well-priced and quality homes, sellers shouldn’t expect to unload their homes within 24 or 48 hours.
“We may very well sell your house quickly, but you can also count on three to six months as a normal time,” said Lynott. “We live in a place where people want everything yesterday, so if they want to move now, they are going to move now, but that’s not always possible.”
From left, Allan Dean (Foundation); Natalie Romain (Coordinator); Rusenstrom family: Joan and children Heather, Stephen, Michael and Edward; and Nicole Boucher-Larivière (Director of Pontiac Local Service Network). (Photo: CISSSO)
Tashi Farmilo LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE
SHAWVILLE – The Pontiac Community Hospital has taken a significant step towards enhancing patient comfort by introducing adjustable beds, a move made in memory of local farmer David Rusenstrom. Rusenstrom, who stood at 6’4”, found the hospital’s standard beds inadequate during his extended stay. In his memory, his family encouraged donations to the Pontiac Community Hospital Foundation (PCHF) to buy an extra-long bed suitable for taller patients.
Rusenstrom’s wife, Joan, reflected on the initiative: “The idea came from my personal experience with my husband, who often struggled with the length of hospital beds during his illness. Through this I realised the need for more suitable beds… Our goal was to make everyone comfortable, regardless of their height.”
Terry Campbell of the Shawville Lions Club recalled: “Dave Rusenstrum spent far too long in a hospital bed during the last inning of his life. His legs were always bent because he couldn’t stretch out. The beds were too short; not something the average patient would have to consider.”
On the anniversary of Rusenstrom’s passing, the hospital celebrated the arrival of an $8,000, longer bed as a result of the combined efforts of the PCHF, Shawville Lions Club and donations in Rusenstrom’s memory.
“The PCHF and hospital board started the initiative, with initial contributions coming from donations in Dave’s name. The Lions Club committed to topping off whatever dollar value was needed to make the purchase of the first bed in Dave’s name a reality,” added Campbell.
The hospital has since committed to replacing all existing beds with adjustable models that can extend as required. To date, 15 new beds have been installed.
Nicole Boucher-Larivière, director of the Pontiac local service network, said the change ensures all patients, regardless of their height, can rest comfortably. “It’s a fitting tribute to Mr. Rusenstrom and a testament to the community’s spirit,” she told the Journal.
Campbell reflected on Rusenstrom’s legacy: “He was incredibly community oriented. His family carries on his legacy in Shawville and Bristol through various community activities. His heritage is in the Pontiac, and his connection to many members of our club crossed virtually every aspect of our daily lives.”
QUÉBEC– The Federation of Bus Transporters is launching its annual “M’as-tu vu ?/Did you see me?” campaign, calling on road users, schools, students and parents to enhance safety on and around school buses through various measures and precautions. The awareness campaign spans from January 29 to February 9.
The campaign’s central theme, prominently featured in its online content and YouTube series, emphasizes school buses aren’t just vehicles, but protectors of young lives. The initiative highlights the necessity of vigilant driving near school buses, advising drivers to slow down for flashing yellow lights and to stop at least 5 meters away when confronted with flashing red lights or the bus’ extended stop sign. The YouTube videos play a crucial role in the campaign, demonstrating the critical importance of alert drivers and safe bus operations in safeguarding children. The videos showcase appropriate reactions to various traffic situations involving school buses, using relatable stories to educate and foster safer driving habits.
Schools like Dr. Wilbert Keon in L’Isle-aux-Allumettes are actively participating in the “M’as du vu?/Did you see me?” campaign with unique safety activities and strategies. Klinda Brennan, a teacher at the school, elaborated: “We take part in the “M’as du vu?/Did you see me?” campaign every year with various activities to promote bus safety, including visits and presentations from bus drivers, which are much more effective when conducted on the bus itself. We also try to arrange visits from the Lasalle mascot ‘Bubus’. Our approach includes using YouTube videos on bus safety, and displaying posters and artwork around the school, which involves coloring sheets and crafts. Additionally, we organize a drawing contest for posters, brochures, and banners, which is coordinated by Lasalle Bus Lines. Our curriculum involves reading books on bus safety and bus safety modeling. To reinforce these messages, we frequently remind students of bus safety rules and have drama classes where they can reenact them – an activity students absolutely love. Furthermore, we conduct frequent check-ins with bus drivers, when necessary, to address school bus behavior.”
In addition to road safety, the campaign sheds light on the often unrecognized dedication of school bus drivers. On the campaign’s social media page, Diane Loranger, a driver with 35 years of experience, spoke passionately about her profession, emphasizing the importance of recognition and gratitude for bus drivers throughout the year. “[We’re repsonsible for] the most precious cargo one could ever have,” she said.
The “M’as du vu?/Did you see me?” campaign is a crucial reminder of the shared responsibility of road users to ensure the safety of children. It aims to instill a culture of vigilance and respect around school buses, ultimately creating a safer environment for everyone. For more information about the campaign and its initiatives, visit www.mastuvu.info.
QUEBEC – On January 9, following an agreement in principle with striking teachers, Quebec’s Education Minister, Bernard Drainville, announced a $300 million academic catch-up plan to help students who’ve fallen behind. How much money each school board receives depends on the resources each school in its jurisdiction has requested. For the Western Quebec School Board, it boils down to about $1 million.
The support measures, based on recommendations from school staff following an assessment of student needs at the beginning of January, began January 29. Parents were informed of supports proposed for their child during the week of January 22.
The Minister’s plan includes: tutoring during and outside school hours; specialized help outside school hours for students needing special instruction; free summer classes for Secondary 4 (math and science) and 5 (history and French) students; support for organizations involved in education (dropout centres, literacy); and schools will be open during spring break to pursue catch-up activities.
The Minister said this extra work is voluntary and teachers will be remunerated. He called on retired teachers, student teachers and professional staff to assist in this major catch-up plan.
In addition to these initiatives, a new calendar will be established for ministerial exams, with up to a week delay to allow more teaching time because of the compressed exam schedule. There will be no exams after June 24.
In terms of the weighting of ministerial exams, Secondary 1 and 2 exams will be worth 10% of the final mark (instead of 20%) and Secondary 4 and 5 exams will count for 20% of the final result (instead of 50%).
The second report card period may be delayed until the end of March, as determined by each school board.
Katherine Korakakis, president of the English Parents Committee Association (EPCA), said she’s pleased with the initiative; “If done correctly, this will help children succeed. We’ll need everyone on board, including parents.”
Korakakis said this kind of initiative should’ve been implemented after COVID when many days of instruction were lost. Students in level 4 and 5 writing ministry exams endured two major impacts on their learning (COVID and striking), so she’s optimistic weighting formula changes will help them immensely.
Korakakis is hopeful school boards will find the specialized help for those who need it. “School boards with rural populations may have difficulty enacting some of these tutoring measures because of problems with bus transportation for after school activities,” she said.
According to George Singfield, director of the Western Quebec School Board, the Ministry recognized schools need extra support by providing meaningful assistance.
QUEBEC – Students are no longer allowed to use cell phones in Quebec public school classrooms except for pedagogical purposes, following a province-wide policy that took effect January 1.
Quebec’s Minister of Education, Bernard Drainville, made the initial announcement in August, giving school boards a four-month heads-up. Drainville based his directive on a UNESCO report that found student learning is hindered by cell phone use in classrooms for non-instructional purposes.
Quebec isn’t the first to enact such a prohibition. Ontario did so in 2019 and countries including Great Britain, Portugal, Italy, China, Ireland and the State of Florida are pursuing similar policies.
Policies banning cell phones don’t go far enough, say some. While 92% of teachers in Quebec’s Federation autonome de l’enseignement (FAE) approve of the measure, some believe cellphones should be banned totally on school grounds. Others like Katherine Korakakis, president of the Anglophone Association of Parents, contend that the policy should include studies on issues like the effects dependence on technology and social media have on youths.
Brian Smeltzer, president of the Western Quebec Teachers’ Association, worries school boards may lay enforcement at the feet of teachers, potentially adding to their duties. It’s not clear if the Ministerial directive came with suggestions on enforcement or punitive measures.
Heritage Hurricanes men’s basketball team with head coach Justin Edwards (right). Photo: Saīda Sambour, Heritage College.
By Greg Newing, The Aylmer Bulletin LJI Reporter
The Heritage Hurricanes men’s basketball team had a successful start to the 2023-2024 season, finishing 2nd in the South West Division 2 league at the end of the Fall semester and climbing to 1st after winning against Cegep André-Laurendeau on January 20 and Brébeuf College on Friday, January 26.
With a record of eight wins and two losses and lying ahead of Montreal’s Dawson College, the Hurricanes are optimistic about the second half of the season, “We’re really on a good path right now. We finished six and two at the end of the first semester and we’re going into the second semester strong,” said Franck Abraham, a small forward from Aylmer.
Players highlighted the supportive team spirit and encouragement from their new head coach, Justin Edwards, as reasons for their strong performance this season. “It’s an amazing team,” said guard-forward Joyce Dumbu. “Some of us have known each other for years and others are new this year, but we’re really like a family. We care about each other and we always push each other to improve.” Hans Biboum, who plays shooting guard and small forward, added, “Our coach really keeps us accountable. He tries to look for the best opportunities for us and really looks out for everyone. All of us are grateful to have him.”
Coach Justin Edwards said he expects the Hurricanes will make the provincial championships again this year after the team participated in the 2022-2023 championships last April. “I’m very optimistic about this season. Last year we finished 5th in the province and I think we’re going to be back in the mix again this year,” he said. “We have a competitive basketball program at Heritage, I think it has a lot to do with the culture. The quality of the student athletes has been getting better and better in recent years,” he said.
Edwards, who is serving his first year as Head Coach after nine years as lead assistant Coach, added that the team has not only been successful on the court, but has also excelled academically. “We’re proud that our student athletes continue to perform well in competition and in the classroom. Playing collegiate sports is a lifestyle; it’s not for everyone. It takes tremendous focus, effort and motivation to be an organized individual and balance all the competing responsibilities,” he said. He noted that an increased focus on academic performance in Heritage’s athletic programs meant that only a handful of the approximately 130 student athletes at Heritage ran into academic difficulties this year – a significant improvement compared to recent years.
The Hurricanes have four games coming up in February against Vanier, Édouard-Montpetit, Ahuntsic, and Dawson. If the Hurricanes maintain their high ranking, they will move on to the provincial championships in April.
MUNICIPALITY OF PONTIAC – The Municipality of Pontiac’s monthly council meeting was held January 23 at the Luskville Community Centre; three residents attended.
Administration
Bylaw 01-24 establishing tax rates for 2024 was passed. The residential tax rate per $100 of property value is 0.6081 and 1.218 for businesses. Services like recycling and garbage pick-up and in Quyon, drinking water and sewage, are extra.
Several contracts were awarded for services in 2024 (tax not included): Legal services from RPGL Avocats: 97.5 hours; legal services from DHC Avocats, a bank of 40 hours; services from PMB Huissiers de justice, a maximum of $25,000; planning services from Cardo Urbanisme, a bank of 20 hours; for the Quyon and Luskville parks development project, A4 Architecture+Design, $20,000 based on a bank of hours, and Loisir Sport Outaouais, $12,500; biological advice on various road and urban planning projects, AP Enviro-conseil, $9,900 (90 hours); appraisals from Société d’évaluation immobilière de l’Outaouais, max $3,500; and staff training by PG Solutions, $2,565.
Draft bylaw 02-24 regarding agreements between residents and the municipality on municipal infrastructure work and cost sharing was tabled.
Council confirmed to the Ministry of Transport that they will use the remaining local roads grant (PAVL) on eligible work, with work already done on Braun, Hammond, Wilson, Rivière, Elm, Beaudoin, 3rd, 5th, and 6th Concessions, and Proven.
The municipality’s share (10%) of the Pontiac housing office’s deficit for 2023 is $4,001.
A law student from the University of Ottawa will provide volunteer legal assistance to citizens, as part of the U of O’s community involvement learning program.
Public works
The best offer received through SÉAO to buy an excavator was from Empire for $165,179 including tax.
Managers of the drinking water and sewage plants were asked to provide administration details with a report on their potential capacity, including the network and pumping stations.
Planning
Draft bylaw 03-24 on maintaining buildings was tabled to control dilapidated buildings.
Two “flood lots” owned by the municipality will be leased to neighbouring owners on Du Ruisseau and Saphir roads.
A 1.6 km recreational trail on the former rail-line between Terry-Fox and Sumac roads will be created as planned, at the developers’ requests.
DHC Avocats were mandated to continue legal proceedings in the Superior Court against the owner of a cottage at 217 Cedarvale road, which should be demolished.
See the online minutes for full details of new bylaws including tax rates.
CAMPBELL’S BAY – The trial of Emily Rumleskie, charged in the accident causing the death of Sylvain Bégin in Mansfield in September 2020, is expected to begin at the end of February.
However, Rumleskie has already been behind bars for a few months for failing to comply with the conditions of her release. Simon Pelletier, Prosecutor for Criminal and Penal Prosecutions for the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions (DCPC), elaborated on the next steps and what put Rumleskie behind bars:
“Ms. Rumleskie is charged with, among other things, dangerous and impaired driving causing death and is now detained. She was released initially [but conditions were violated] so she was detained and released yet again before [committing more breaches] … So, she’s been in custody since September or October. Preliminary hearings took place over about 8 days. On February 27, there will be a preliminary inquiry before a judge at the courthouse in Campbell’s Bay where the investigating officer and witnesses will be heard. This date will hopefully end the preliminary hearing [process] in Ms. Rumleskie’s case,” he explained.
The February 27 hearing, to take place at the Campbell’s Bay Courthouse, will be open to the public.
by Lorraine Carpenter, Local Journalism Initiative reporter
On Tuesday, the City of Montreal unveiled a new plan for nightlife in Montreal, which aims to identify areas most conducive to nightlife activity, and build on offerings in the area, in conjunction with the boroughs as well as “cultural, economic and community partners.” Regulations in these areas would be adapted accordingly, says the draft policy, with tranquility in residential neighbourhoods being a priority.
Having already announced intentions to build an all-night party zone in the Quartier Latin, Projet Montréal’s proposal covers three stages of nightlife (evening: 6 p.m. to 12 a.m., “heart of the night” 12 to 4:30 a.m. and early morning: 4:30 a.m. to 6 a.m.). The plan highlights the following goals:
Offer new business opportunities and distribution possibilities to our commercial and cultural partners, ensuring healthy coexistence between nighttime activities and the needs of the population.
Offer a dynamic and safe nightlife, which focuses on entrepreneurship and the Montreal cultural experience.
Ensure the maintenance of current nocturnal activities and equip developing sectors.
This proposal will be evaluated by the Commission on Economic and Urban Development and Housing, which will hold a public consultation Feb. 13.
In the vibrant community of Aylmer, the St-Paul Scouts stand as a shining example of how scouting can positively shape the lives of young people. This movement, dedicated to the holistic development of children and adolescents, comes alive through their engaging and diverse activities. At its heart, scouting is about more than just outdoor skills; it’s a journey of learning and growth. Young members learn essential life skills like setting up tents, making wood fires, and organizing campsites. More importantly, they learn the value of teamwork, creativity, and fun outside the confines of technology.
The St-Paul Scouts of Aylmer, the largest group in their region, is an exemplary model of this philosophy. With 118 young members aged between 7 and 17, supported by 63 adult volunteers, they represent a diverse cross-section of the community. Their inclusivity extends to children from all cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, offering them opportunities for self-discovery, community service, and resourcefulness in nature. To support their activities, the Scouts usually engage in fundraising activities like selling calendars, soaps, cheese, and chickens, and wrapping gifts at grocery stores.
This year, the St-Paul Scouts are excited to announce the return of their “Souper bénéfice” event on February 24th. This dinner event, a major fundraiser, aims to support the adolescent groups within the scouts. Proceeds will go toward new camping equipment and funding various camps throughout the year. Last year’s highlight was a memorable canoe camping trip in the Verendrye Park for 28 scouts aged 12-15.
The event promises an evening of fun and camaraderie. It will feature a sketch competition among various scout groups, including Beavers (ages 7-8), Wolf Cubs (ages 9-12), and Explorers (ages 12-15). The Pioneers (ages 15-17) will host the evening, engaging attendees with quizzes and entertaining competitions. Additionally, a silent auction and a mocktail bar managed by the scouts will be part of the festivities. Popular mocktail choices like “Akéla on the beach” and “Bloody Mowglie” are expected to be a hit.
Tickets for the “Souper bénéfice” are available online and at the door, with special pricing for early reservations. The Scouts also welcome support from local businesses for their auction. This event is not just a fundraiser; it’s an embodiment of the Scouts’ spirit – bringing the community together, celebrating the achievements of their young members, and laying the groundwork for more adventures and growth.
Every contribution, big or small, is greatly appreciated. Donations can be made through various means, including Interac transfers, cash, or cheques made out to the Corporation des scouts de l’Outaouais. The Scouts also welcome in-kind donations or gift certificates for their auction. All donors will receive an official receipt from this registered charity organization.
The St-Paul Scouts of Aylmer’s commitment to the holistic development of youth through engaging and challenging activities stands as a testament to the enduring relevance and positive impact of the Scouting movement. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit: https://lepointdevente.com/tic….
Photo: Upcoming ‘Souper bénéfice’ event by the St-Paul Scouts of Aylmer, set to unite the community for a night of fun and fundraising in support of youth scouting activities. (TF) Photo courtesy of the St-Paul Scouts of Aylmer
With notes from Mary Baskin, Marie-Eve Turpin and Lily Ryan
Ralph Lang was elected president of the Pontiac Agricultural Society (PAS) for 2024 at the organization’s annual general meeting held in Shawville on Thursday evening. The meeting, held at the PAS office at the Shawville fairgrounds, also saw four new members join the board – Gerald Lance, Scott Lemay, Ben Younge, Kait Meilleur-Theriault – bringing its membership to a total of 29. “We got four brand new directors with a diverse skill set and backgrounds, and we got all of our current directors returning,” a buoyant Mavis Hanna, the PAS general manager, told THE EQUITY on Friday. The meeting reviewed the financial statement for 2023 and, according to Hanna, it told a very positive story. “It was a very positive year. We had a lot of projects on the go. We had summer students who did a lot of work around the grounds. We made a lot of capital improvements, painting and execution of other projects around the grounds and buildings, so that worked out really well. As for attendance at Shawville Fair, “We had lots of people through, between 40 and 45,000 people coming through the gates. We’re back up to pre-covid times,” Hanna said. Vaughan Bastien, who operates a Shawville-based tire business, nominated Clarendon crop farmer Ralph Lang for president at Thursday’s meeting. When someone else nominated Bastien, he declined. After serving as president for the past three-and-a-half years, he says it just felt like it was time to go. “I just felt it was time. Sometimes you know, new blood is good,” Bastien told THE EQUITY on Friday. “It was time to let somebody else come in with new ideas, maybe better ideas, and take over,” he said. Recalling his time as president, Bastien said parts of it weren’t easy. “The second year, we came out of covid, it was tough, we lost money. And then the third year, we did well,” he said. “You know, they worked so hard last year as a team, and we did such a great job,” he said referring to the board. “There was not a director there that would not help another director, or go out of their way to do something for them. We achieved so much, but we also came out almost like family. I felt part of a family, I could depend on them at any time. “I’m going to miss it, truly I’m going to miss it,” Bastien said. “It’s great to take over from Vaughan. There’s no issues,” Ralph Lang told THE EQUITY on Sunday. “It’s kind of like a boxer stopping when he’s on top, so it makes it easier for me to come in because there’s no issues to deal with,” he said. “So, we’re in a good position,” Lang said, looking forward. “We want to reinvest in the fairgrounds again, and rejuvenate the arena. It’s been 30 years since it’s been revitalized. So, it’s time to form a committee in the community and hopefully revitalize it and renovate again, whatever we have to do.” “I think it could be a great facility for daycare, camps, or lacrosse or basketball, or whatever, with people managing it all year long, but that’s only my idea,” said Lang. “Vaughan brought up the idea of pickleball the other day, it could be our new thing,” he added. Lang has a long history with the fair board. He has served on the board for a total of 15 years, and as one of the vice-presidents last year. His father, Elwyn was a president almost 40 years ago, and his late mother, Lynn, was president about 15 years ago. His aunts Joan and Joyce and his late uncle Jack, and their families, have long been part of the volunteer workforce that makes the fair happen every year. “It’s always like a family homecoming for the Langs to come back and help out, and do whatever. It’s like a reunion every year. And it’s like that for a lot of families that are involved” he said. Lang is a crop farmer. His company, RM Lang Farms grows corn, beans and wheat on about 4,000 acres of land from Luskville to Calumet Island, half of which it owns and half it leases. It also operates a commercial grain elevator, buying and selling grain, with a trucking company on the side. Last year, he added sunflowers to the mix. Raised on his parents’ dairy and beef farm, which he took over in 2005 and switched to cropping, Lang has deep roots in agriculture. “I learned how to run a meeting at 4H, so hopefully I’ll be able to run a meeting at the fair board,” Lang said. “We have a good general manager in Mavis Hanna, and that’s going to make my job easy,” said Lang. “She’ll make me look good, hopefully.”
2024 Pontiac Agricultural Society Board of Directors
Ralph Lang President Vaughan Bastien Past President Josey Bouchard First Vice President Holly Campbell Vice-President Kelly King Vice-President Kendal Lang Vice-President Jason Wilson Vice-President Hayley Campbell Secretary Heather Dale Financial Officer Ken Bernard Director Rayden Besharah Director David Bobier Director Lisa Coles Director Ryan Currie Director Gerald Dagg Director Sandra Dale Director Tanya Greer Director Beth Knox Campbell Director Gerald Lance Director Elwyn Lang Director Scott Lemay Director Kayla McCann Director Tyler McCann Director Kait Meilleur-Theriault Director Mike Rusenstrom Director Paul Scheel Director Lee Stanley Director Nancy Tubman Director Ben Younge Director Mavis Hanna General Manager
A sea of plaid filled the Pontiac Conference Centre at the Spruceholme Inn in Fort Coulonge on Friday evening for the annual “Night of Memories” Lumberjack Dinner, a gathering dedicated to remembering and celebrating the forestry industry that for so long was at the heart of Pontiac life. “They say you have to know where you’ve come from to know where you’re going,” Pontiac Warden and host of the event Jane Toller told the crowd. Over 100 guests dined, mingled and reminisced as video footage displayed both historic and modern scenes from the logging industry on a loop behind the stage. “They [forestry workers] didn’t wear lifejackets, they didn’t wear helmets. And yet they had that thrill of being out on the water, running across the logs with their cork boots,” Toller said. “And that is what built the Pontiac.” Toller, also mentioned her own great-great grandfather, George Bryson, a key figure in the development of Pontiac’s forestry industry in the 1800s. Quyon’s Gail Gavan provided musical entertainment for the evening, joined onstage by renowned fiddler Louis Schryer, Gillan Rutz on guitar, Erin Leahy on keys, and Marie-Jeanne Brousseau on accordion. The group performed an array of music highlighting the various cultures of the Valley, including Irish logging songs (to the stomping feet of the attendees), and some Scottish tunes as a nod to Robbie Burns Day, which had fallen a day earlier. Schryer’s daughters, Chelsey and Kaitlyn also performed, showing off the Ottawa Valley style of step-dancing, which originated in lumber camps. “When I meet these gentlemen that risked their lives to get on the Ottawa River, to make log drive happen, I get pretty emotional,” Gavan said as she took the stage. She invited a round of applause from the audience for “every single log driver, lumberjack and woodsman that ever worked in the Pontiac,” before explaining that her own father, as well as a number of other men in her family, worked on the log drive. “My dad taught me all these old songs when I was a kid and I didn’t know what they meant and I couldn’t have cared less about them,” she later told THE EQUITY. “Now I realize the value of them.” “In Pontiac here, we’ve got to keep staying proud of our heritage, because it’s pretty special. And if we don’t do nights like this, we forget, and the next generation won’t even know about it,” she said. Lumberjacks new and old Retired bushman Frank Doyle worked as a “timber cruiser” – collecting data on trees on a given piece of land, including size, quality and species, to determine the value of the timber before it is harvested. “I also did the Schyan River drive,” Doyle said, recalling his time on the river northwest of Sheenboro. “I was in a pointer boat and I got quickly thrown out of it,” he said with a laugh, crediting his dismissal to his inability to follow the pointer’s instructions. Doyle said he attended the event with his wife, as well as his “chum” Roger Rivet. “I was glad to bring Roger here tonight,” said Doyle, explaining that Rivet, 91, first started on the log drive at the age of 14. “He lived, worked and raised a family in the bush all his life. There was no solar power then. You had to heat your home with wood and go out and get your own food,” said Doyle of Rivet’s experience. “I appreciate this night, I appreciate people coming from all over the place, Ontario, Quebec and maybe other provinces as well,” he said. “It’s our history.” Melanie McCann Lang recently moved back to the Pontiac after a number of years away and decided to attend the event with her husband to reconnect with the community, and to celebrate their family’s history. “My father-in-law worked at the pulp and paper mill for many years and retired there as well,” she explained. Sarah Christick, a student in urban forestry at Algonquin College, was perhaps one of the youngest ‘lumberjacks’ at the event. “I thought it would be cool to meet some people in the industry, and just check it out, learn some things,” she said. “I’m glad I came.” Also in attendance were three MRC Pontiac mayors, Sandra Armstrong of Mansfield-et-Pontefract, Christine Francoeur of Fort Coulonge, and Lynne Cameron of Portage du Fort. A silent auction boasting a vast array of work by local artists lined the back of the conference hall, the proceeds of which would be donated to the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS). “With this event, we remember the past but we look forward to the future,” said Toller, who promised more details in the coming months of “major investment” being made to the local forestry industry. “Forestry is going to move further ahead in 2024. For certain,” she said.
The Quebec government has plans to release new permanent flood maps for the province this spring, to replace the interim maps and zoning regulations that were introduced following the floods of 2017 and 2019. The maps will update which areas are considered to be at risk of flooding, will change how the flood risk information is presented, and will include new regulations to be implemented by municipalities around how land in flood zones can be used. “Although it is impossible to presume the result for a particular sector, it is expected that in the majority of cases the flood zones will be more extensive following their new delineation,” Josée Guimond, a spokesperson for the province’s environment ministry, wrote in an email to THE EQUITY. Guimond emphasized that while the maps will likely place new properties within a flood zone, “the mapping simply illustrates the risk of flooding that is already present or will become so due to expected climate changes.” Kari Richardson is an environmental land use planner with MRC Pontiac. She said the MRC has been involved in a working group that has been giving feedback to the province on how the new flood zones should be drawn. Richardson confirmed flood zones will be redrawn in some places to include homes that were not previously in flood zones, but that changes will include feedback municipalities offered on the original set of maps that were rolled out after the 2019 flood. “It’s really going to be helpful for municipalities in their day to day management, including the issuing of building permits and that kind of stuff,” Richardson said. Flood risk presented differently Pascale Biron is a hydrologist and professor at Concordia University in Montreal. She has been working with a group that the government has been consulting on the development of its new maps. Biron explained the updated maps will present flooding data in two new ways. First, the assessment of risk in each flood zone will be presented differently. Rather than describing a zone’s likelihood of flooding as a one in twenty year or one in one hundred year chance, a framing of flood probability that is often misunderstood, the maps will categorize flood zones as high, medium, or low risk. Each risk category will be determined by both how often an area floods, and at what depth it usually floods. Extreme weather events will also be included in the modelling, but coded differently. “So far, in the current flood maps, nobody is talking about the depth. It’s either you’re inside or outside a zone, but you don’t know what will happen if you are indeed flooded,” Biron said. But the new maps will do this differently. “They’ll represent not just the probability or likelihood you’ll be flooded, but how much water there will be if you are flooded,” she said. Each risk zone will be accompanied by its own set of regulations that will determine how the land can or cannot be developed. “In my opinion the main use [of the maps] is to better plan in the future and stop developing areas where we should just give it back to nature,” Biron said. “If that space is available to be flooded, then less flooding will happen downstream.” Biron said she imagines the government’s new legislation will distinguish between people who are already living in new flood zones and people with ambitions to build in new flood zones, but said she is not sure of the details. The municipality of Mansfield-et-Pontefract sits on a piece of land that is hugged by the final bend in the Coulonge River before it flows out into the Ottawa. The municipality’s mayor, Sandra Armstrong, has lived there her whole life, and so has grown familiar with how and when the community floods in the spring. She said she does not anticipate the updated maps will present any surprises when it comes to where the new flood zones are drawn. “There’s flooding every year. We know what sectors will be affected really bad,” Armstrong said. She is, however, unsure about how the accompanying flood zone regulations will affect land zoning in her municipality. According to Armstrong, Mansfield now owns 20 waterfront properties that residents sold to Quebec’S Ministry of Public Security following the 2019 floods, that the ministry then sold back to the municipality for a dollar – an effort on the part of the province to move residents away from flood-prone shorelines. Armstrong explained that holding onto these waterfront lots, which used to be some of the most valued land in town, has been somewhat of a burden for the municipality because it has had to keep them clean while not collecting any tax revenue from them. “We cannot sell those lots because we don’t know the regulations from the government yet,” Armstrong said. The release of the maps this spring will be followed by a 45 day consultation period, open to the public, after which a finalized set of maps will be implemented. Once the maps are made official in the fall of 2024, the MRC will have to integrate the new regulations into its own land use planning framework, which municipalities will then need to implement.
Kebaowek First Nation has requested the federal government step in to halt construction of the nuclear waste disposal facility at Chalk River, which was given a green light by the government’s own nuclear safety regulator in January. The First Nation, located near Témiscaming, Que., is requesting Environment and Climate Change Canada not issue the proponent, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), a permit under Canada’s Species at Risk Act until Kebaowek is given the chance to present its own findings and concerns to the review board. A species at risk permit is required before construction begins, and will contain mitigation measures to be followed by CNL. The application for the permit is currently under review. In a Jan. 23 press release, Kebaowek cited concerns around what it views as a lack of proper evaluation by the regulator, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), of how the disposal facility, which is is set to contain up to 1,000,000 cubic metres of low-level radioactive waste, will affect species at risk on the site it is to be built. The CNSC’s record of decision assures the disposal facility “is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects,” but Kebaowek’s Chief Lance Haymond says the regulator has not adequately investigated the impact the nuclear waste disposal facility will have on certain key species. “The extent of the presence of endangered species, as well as the potential impacts on their crucial habitat have not been adequately investigated,” Haymond said in the release, listing the black bear, the eastern wolf, the peregrine falcon, as well as the endangered black ash tree as species of concern. Kebaowek also said CNSC had not done sufficient work to understand the long term effects of the disposal facility on the lake sturgeon and the hickorynut mussel that live in the bodies of water surrounding the site, two species scientists at the Canadian Museum of Nature have also flagged as vulnerable. CNSC’s final record of decision notes that in the final licensing hearings, a representative of Environment and Climate Change Canada confirmed the department was reviewing the permit application, and did not raise any concerns in their testimony. Justin Roy, Kebaowek’s consultation coordinator, said on Jan. 29, the First Nation had not received any response to its request, which it sent out nearly two weeks earlier. Kebaowek cries wolf, proponent says there are none Led by long-time conservation expert Rosanne Van Schie, Kebaowek’s consultation team spent several months on the site of the proposed waste facility tracking species at risk to understand how many might be vulnerable.
First Nation requests licensing pause
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE The team paid special attention to the eastern wolf which is currently listed as having “special consideration” under the Species at Risk Act but which the federal government is considering reclassifying as “threatened” to ensure the species is afforded appropriate protections. “If it gets uplifted to threatened, and we can show that there are active wolf dens on site, now that area becomes a species at risk habitat, so then there’s no going in there whatsoever,” Roy said, explaining he believes this could lead to the cancellation of the nuclear waste facility mound altogether. Roy explained that in Kebaowek’s extensive ground research on the waste facility site, team members spotted evidence the site is an active habitat for what it believes are eastern wolves, including wolf dens filled with wolf pups and wolves caught on trail cameras at other locations. The federal government says these wolves have not been genetically tested, but that similar wolves on a nearby CFB Petawawa property have been confirmed to be eastern wolves. CNL, for its part, stated it is aware there are eastern wolf packs and dens on the larger Chalk River Laboratories site, but that the dens on the site of the future waste facility are inactive. Roy said his team has photo evidence that proves the opposite, and hopes ECCC will wait to approve any Species At Risk permit until Kebaowek is able to present its findings. “We’re not just Indigenous people crying wolf,” Roy said. “No, there’s scientific facts that we want to present.” Beyond this request for a licensing pause, Roy confirmed the First Nation is considering filing for judicial review of CNSC’s licensing decision, and is also looking into requesting an injunction to immediately pause any construction.
Access to healthcare emerged as a major area of concern at the Campbell’s Bay community focus group organized by the Connexions Resource Centre at AutonHomme Pontiac on Tuesday evening. “We don’t have enough doctors around here, we need better healthcare,” said Paulette Lamothe, one of the session’s attendees. Connexions is a non-profit organization that aims to link the English-speaking community of the Outaouais with a variety of health and social services. Its focus group on Tuesday was the third in a series being held across five different Pontiac communities to gather information about the needs, challenges, strengths and opportunities defining each. “My wife has been diagnosed with pulmonary thrombosis and she doesn’t have continuity of care,” said Earl Greer, who moved to Campbell’s Bay with his wife two years ago and has been on a waitlist for a family doctor ever since. “Without a [family] doctor, nobody’s looking after you. Nobody is responsible,” Greer said, explaining that his wife now depends on doctors in walk-in clinics. “You see them once, he [the doctor] does what he thinks is the right thing in the moment, and the next time you go there’s no follow-up. And if you die, it’s nobody’s fault, because you didn’t have a [family] doctor. It’s horrible,” Greer said. Manon Cronier retired to Campbell’s Bay in 2021 after 35 years as a registered nurse, 25 of which were spent working at various locations around the Pontiac. She believes access to healthcare in the area will only become more problematic once the province’s recently passed healthcare reform legislation, Bill 15, comes into effect. Sshe fears the bill will further centralize care and limit local access to essential services. “How bad is it going to get?” Cronier asked. “You can’t even have your baby in Pontiac anymore . . . There’s been so many cut-offs [to services].” “We need to do something, especially for the elderly,” Cronier said. “They’re at home with no care.” Another key issue that arose during the focus-group session was the need for easily-accessible information for residents, particularly pertaining to community programming and social events. As put by attendee Richard Gratton, “The most important thing is to find a way to let people know exactly what’s going on.” Shelley Heaphy, Connexions community outreach coordinator for the MRC Pontiac region, said the information gathered during the sessions will be used to update a series of “community portraits” first created in 2018. These updated portraits will help the organization target its services according to the information gathered, as well as advocate to community partners and apply for relevant funding. Connexions’ final two community focus groups will be hosted Jan. 30 in Portage du Fort and Feb. 6 in L’Isle-aux-Allumettes.
The Pontiac Hospital is now equipped with a new “long bed” for taller patients, thanks to donations made in memory of local farmer David Rusenstrom. Rusenstrom, who passed away last January, was a patient of the Pontiac Hospital for an extended period of time. At 6 ft. 4 in., he found the existing hospital beds to be short and uncomfortable. “I had seen the problems he had had with short beds over the years,” said Rusenstrom’s wife, Joan, explaining that her husband had been hospitalized on several occasions. Joan explained that the hospital tried as best it could to accommodate, but that a series of health conditions caused sores to develop on her husband’s feet from repeatedly trying to push himself up in a bed that was too short for him. “I knew there was something, somewhere that was available,” Joan said. “Kids aren’t getting any smaller these days!” When Rusenstrom passed away, his family requested any donations be made to the Pontiac Hospital Foundation to collect funds to purchase an extra-long bed for tall patients, valued at $8,000. On Jan. 5, the eve of the anniversary of Rusenstrom’s passing, a brand new long bed arrived at the hospital. Allan Dean, board member of the Pontiac Hospital Foundation, said when the Rusenstrom family approached the hospital about the possibility of ordering a long bed, the foundation got involved. “We were able to secure some extra funding from the Lions Club,” Dean said. “But it had originally started with the donations that were made when Mr. Rusenstrom passed away, just from the community.” Going forward, the existing beds at the Pontiac Hospital will be replaced by adjustable beds, which can extend as necessary. To date, 15 adjustable beds have been installed to ensure greater comfort for patients.
Bill Smith has been tickling the ivories for about 65 years. Thanks to a generous donation from the Shawville Lions Club, he will be able to continue doing so for the enjoyment of residents at Les Ami(e)s du Manoir St-Joseph, a private senior’s residence in Campbell’s Bay. “They really enjoy it, I think, and so do I,” Smith said. Smith’s mother, Marjorie Webb Smith, lived in the residence for about two years, prior to her passing in 2018. During his mother’s time there, Smith and his wife June picked up the habit of striking up a tune on the manor’s old piano and singing along. “The residents love it, it’s kind of a singalong that goes on, and everybody participates,” said Colleen Larivière, Director General of the home since 2012 and mayor of Litchfield. Even after his mother’s passing, Smith and his wife, who live in Bristol, continued their singalong tradition on a monthly basis. “He never stopped coming, which is kind of extraordinary,” said Larivière. “I wouldn’t call myself a performer, I don’t crave a big audience, but I do enjoy playing,” Smith said. ”In the case of St-Joseph’s it’s about 19 people near my piano, singing with me and my wife, and I really enjoy that.” Smith said the only issue was that the residence’s old piano had sticking keys, and would frequently need to be tuned. “I’m a bit fussy about tuning in pianos. If they’re really out of tune I really don’t want to play them.” Smith said he was speaking casually with his brother Eric at a family event about the possibility of purchasing a digital piano when Eric, a member of the Shawville Lions Club, suggested approaching the club to source the funds for the purchase. The club, which often funds community events and causes, agreed, and Smith went to Ottawa to test a couple different instruments. The piano, a Kawai digital, was purchased, and set up by the two brothers at St-Joseph’s Manor last week. According to Eric, there was plenty of excitement when the piano arrived. “The residents there were very pleased. They have a very keen interest in music,” he said. Larivière said she was in her office and could suddenly hear music and singing. “I came out to see, and the residents were all gathered around. One of the ladies was playing the piano, it was very nice to see,” she said. “It’s a beautiful piece of equipment,” she added. “You couldn’t ask for a nicer gesture. It’s very much appreciated.” Smith said it is his own love of music that inspires him to keep visiting the residence. “Just to hear people enjoy singing, and they really do,” he said. “The group that’s there now sings surprisingly well,” he added. “We’ll start and next thing you know, after about three seconds, somebody’s singing it, and they’re singing it in tune!” He said he and his wife even made up a book of lyrics with about 75 songs ranging from Broadway show tunes to popular music from the 40s, 50s and 60s, as well as some newer pop songs. “I think that for people that are in seniors homes, a variety of activities is great,” Smith said. “And I think music is really one of the best.”
Ski Pontiac made good on the promise of a night to remember by hosting the first of two Moonlight Ski events on Saturday evening at Astra Estates in Norway Bay. With the allure of trails lit with torches, roaring outdoor fireplaces lined with chairs in which to lounge, live music, a cozy restaurant for pre- or après-ski and mild temperatures, people came out en masse. From the young to the less young, this event had broad appeal and joyful fellowship was evident in every corner. Mark your calendars for their next Moonlight Ski on February 17 or head over to www.skipontiac.ca.
The Pontiac Community Players had a successful run on the Pontiac High School stage with its production last week of The One-Act Play That Goes Wrong. Nearly sold out across all four shows, word of mouth made this the must-see event over the course of the weekend. At show’s end, director Greg Graham presented PHS vice-principal Luke McLaren with a cheque in contribution to the continuing improvements to the stage and seating of the auditorium which has been generously provided by the school. It’s a win-win arrangement where everything goes right, much like the play just now finished, title notwithstanding.
About 100 civilian employees at CFB Valcartier have been on strike since Jan. 22.
Non-public funds (NPF) staff at the base, represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), include ac- countants, financial services personnel and gym and reha- bilitation staff including kine- siologists, receptionists and equipment rental managers. According to Capt. Hermione Wilson, public affairs officer at CFB Valcartier, daytime, pre- and postnatal and advanced classes at the base’s fitness centre are cancelled due to the strike. The Clement-Boulanger Arena on the base is closed and the Centre Castor outdoor centre has reduced hours with no access to the restaurant or equipment rental facility. Three of the four messes are closed, and the on-base store and dépanneur are operating on reduced hours.
The strike is part of an On- tario- and Quebec-wide move- ment. Along with Valcartier employees, NPF staff at bases in Bagotville, Kingston, Mon- treal, Ottawa, Petawawa and Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu are also on strike. A total of 500 NPF workers are on the picket line.
PSAC executive vice president for Quebec Yvon Barrière said the current collective agreement expired in 2022, and the union hopes to cor- rect a longstanding imbalance. “Our members in Valcartier are paid 30 per cent less than those in Ottawa for the exact same tasks,” Barrière said. “We also have staff working 31.5 hours per week because at 32 hours a week, the federal govern- ment has to pay insurance costs. There are inappropriate salary differences between us, military members and federal civil servants…. We are the least well paid in the federal government. There are a lot of obsolete elements in our agreement.”
Barrière also accused the federal government of attempting to hire strikebreakers, an allegation which Wilson did not address.
The union made headlines after blocking the entrance to CFB Valcartier on Route de la Bravoure on Jan. 22 and 23. Workers moved the picket line after the Ville de Shannon asked the Sûreté du Québec to intervene. “It’s true that traffic slowed down, but if we don’t cause disruption, we don’t have an impact,” Barrière said.
“Although the city respects workers’ rights, it asked stakeholders to quickly find solutions to stop obstructing the entrances to Base Valcartier and restore access to the Route de la Bravoure to the population of Shannon and surrounding areas,” Shannon communications director Marie-France Lambert said in a statement. “Rest assured that the city will keep citizens informed of any developments of which it is informed in connection with this situation.”
The president of Quebec’s main nurses’ union has said negotiations with the provincial government are going “pretty well.
“We’re no longer talking to a wall like we were a few weeks ago; we’re no longer in a situation where they’re discussing their solutions and ignoring ours,” said Julie Bouchard, president of the Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec (FIQ) at an online round table on Jan. 22.
The FIQ represents 80,000 health-care professionals across the province, including nurses, nursing assistants and respiratory therapists. It has been negotiating separately from the massive Front Commun bloc, which reached an agreement in principle with the government just before the New Year (see below). The FIQ has yet to reach an agreement.
In October, about 95 per cent of FIQ members voted for an escalating sequence of strikes, potentially leading to an unlimited general strike. In November and December, the union went on strike for eight non-continuous days before requesting the appointment of a mediator. Although progress has been made since then, according to the union, major sticking points remain.
Contentious issues include obligatory movement of staff, professional-patient ratios and financial incentives. “We want a salary [increase] that has an impact on our retirement – with bonuses and other cash incentives, we get more money, but it doesn’t impact our retire- ment; we want salaries, not bonuses,” FIQ negotiations spokesperson Marc-André Courchesne explained. The union also wants to end forced reassignment of staff – “You would never ask a heart surgeon to work in a CHSLD because that’s not the best use of their expertise … but the government seems to think one nurse or nursing assistant is as good as another,” said Courchesne.
“We are still far from an agreement, but it’s very respectful and we are even seeing a certain openness to our demands,” Bouchard said. “We
will take the time to present [members] with a proposal that will make a difference to our working conditions.” No further strike days are planned as of this writing.
Front Commun votes progressing; FAE agreement hangs in the balance
The Front Commun bloc, which represents more than 400,000 public sector work- ers in health, education and social services, announced an agreement in principle in late December; individual union locals are now voting on the main agreement and sectoral agreements for their fields. Voting began two weeks ago, and results will continue to roll in until mid-February. “I can’t give [detailed] results for the moment, but for the moment, we’re optimistic [the agreement will pass],” Yves De Repentigny, vice president responsible for CEGEPs at the Fédération des enseignants et enseignantes du Québec (FNE- EQ), affiliated with the CSN, of which the CEGEP Champlain- St. Lawrence teachers’ union is a member, told the QCT. “We recommended sending the agreement to a vote, but we don’t recommend people vote one way or another. That said, we wouldn’t send it to a vote if we thought it was terrible.”
St. Lawrence union president Stéphanie Plante said St. Lawrence teachers voted 91.7 per cent in favour of the deal. The Central Québec Teachers’ Association, also affiliated with the Front Commun through the Quebec Provincial Association of Teachers and the CSN, approved its sectoral agreement by a 59.3 per cent margin and the main agreement by 75.8 per cent.
The Fédération autonome de l’enseignement (FAE), whose members returned from a monthlong general strike after the holidays, is facing a make-or-break moment with its own agreement. So far, four member unions have voted for it and four (including the union representing teachers in the Quebec City region) have turned it down. The Syndicat d’enseignement Haute-Yamaska, in the Eastern Townships, casts the deciding vote Jan. 31.
Accommodation Massawippi will be closing by the end of February. Owner Yingming Ning, known to locals as Ming, said he plans to close the North Hatley dépanneur by Feb. 26. The landlord, Patrick Lajoie, who also owns the Pilsen restaurant and pub, said no new dépanneur will open once the lease ends.
Ning confirmed the lease is ending following a legal dispute with Lajoie. He declined to discuss the specifics of the case for this article.
The dépanneur is currently home to North Hatley’s SAQ agency. Épicier J.L. LeBaron, the town’s grocery store, aims to take over the SAQ license. “It’s not a done deal, but we will apply for it,” said owner Elliott Sharman.
Since word got out of Accommodation Massawippi’s imminent closure, rumors have swirled on the Friends of Massawippi Lake Facebook page. A post asking for further details had amassed 116 comments by press time Jan. 30. Speculation has been especially rampant around what Lajoie might replace the dépanneur with.
Reached for comment, the Pilsen owner would only confirm that the dépanneur was indeed closing and that a new one would not open in its stead. “I don’t want to discuss this at all,” Lajoie said. “With all that’s been written, I won’t live long enough to explain myself to everyone.”
Pressed for further details, Lajoie hung up the phone.
North Hatley building inspector Matthieu Abran said the soon-to-close dépanneur is in a commercial-zoned area. Under current zoning rules, the town permits most possible uses, including residential.
“The municipality would like to retain a dépanneur, but the owner of the building still has the ability to do what he’d like, within permitted uses,” Abran said. Should the dépanneur close, he said there wasn’t much the town could do to encourage a new one.
Under proposed zoning changes, the North Hatley council will seek to prevent the ground floor of buildings in the town’s centre from including residences. That zone includes the dépanneur’s current location, Abran said. But as it stands now, residences, alongside most other uses, are allowed on either the second or ground floor of the building.
As a pastry cook in the Mile-End, French is part of Louisa Sollohub’s daily life. Her neighbours and coworkers are francophone, and her vocabulary including “derrière” and “chaud” has helped her get by at the restaurant.
However, working in kitchens is not Sollohub’s end goal.
Back-of-house jobs are coveted by Montreal anglophones and allophones who can’t find other work, and Sollohub is among them. She feels her current intermediate level of French is not enough to pursue her ambitions in the film industry or marketing, let alone to obtain permanent residency.
Sollohub lives in Montreal as an American on a post-graduation work permit with hopes to immigrate to Canada.
To improve her French, she took publicly funded French classes through Francisation Québec last winter.
For four months she juggled two day jobs while taking French night school, but was overwhelmed by the amount of work it became.
To support non-francophones, the Quebec government offers free French language classes through the Ministère de francisation et de l’immigration (MIFI). These French classes are full-time, running Monday through Friday for 25 to 30 hours over a ten-week session. Students can receive up to $230 per week for taking the classes under the condition that they maintain perfect attendance.
“I got burned out after maybe two sessions [of French classes],” said Sollohub. She asked the school to take a break from the classes with the intention of returning after around a month, and they promised to save her spot. However, when she tried to return to the class less than one month later, Sollohub discovered it was not possible.
Quebec implemented Bill 96 in June 2022, placing strict measures on the use of English as well as implementing changes to their public French education program. Enrollment at the public French schools is now controlled by the provincial government through a centralized online portal, Francisation Québec, and out of the hands of the individual schools. In the past, admissions were managed by each French language school.
With the new enrollment process, Sollohub had lost her spot in the class and was put on a centralized waitlist. She was told by the MIFI that the average wait time to get a spot in the classes was three months. Being put on the waitlist eats halfway through the six-month grace period immigrants now have to access government services in English.
The pressure for immigrants to learn French in Quebec long predates the bill, but since Bill 96 was introduced 18 months ago, new arrivals to the province now have a deadline. After six months of living in Quebec, they cannot receive any government services—including healthcare, educational services, and housing and tax ministries— in English. At a hospital, for example, doctors and nurses are meant to refuse to speak English to their patient, unless the patient provides proof that they have lived in Quebec for under six months.
For many non-French speaking immigrants, Quebec’s imposed six-month timeline to learn French is not realistic.
According to a 2018 Cambridge study, it takes about 500 hours of guided learning to achieve basic fluency in a language, equivalent to four or five months of full-time Francisation Quebec classes. However, for many immigrants, especially those supporting families, the $230 weekly income is not enough. Sollohub, and others working multiple jobs, say the full-time class schedule is not feasible alongside full-time work.
Maya Tanatwi, an international civil engineering student at Concordia from Qatar, was also told by the MIFI that she would have to wait three months to take French classes. Upon receiving the news, Tanatwi was somewhat relieved. She said she feels overwhelmed taking full-time French classes alongside her full-time Engineering studies. “I’m pushing it, but I think it’s hopefully doable.”
It does not seem like the waitlists will shorten anytime soon. Gabriel Bélanger, the media relations director at the MIFI, confirmed in an email that “there have been no changes to the funding arrangements for French-language learning services for school service centers and school boards in 2023-2024.” He wrote that 41,438 people took Francisation Québec courses from April 1 to Sept. 30 in 2023. Bélanger did not comment on the length of the waitlist.
Stewart, who did not wish to provide his last name for privacy reasons, is the academic coordinator with the Excellence through Quality Improvement Project (E-QIP), a private language school in downtown Montreal. He said he has noticed the stress of his students rise over the last 18 months.
“Some of the [immigrant students] are with families. Some of them have made quite large sacrifices to come,” he said. “It takes a lot of time and energy to move to another country and take up a position. And then they’re kind of threatened with the prospect of not being able to stay.”
Stewart said that in the past, what drove his students to take French classes was self-motivation. Now he believes, “it’s more of a push, not a pull.”
The high workload and new immigration rules are not the only stressors of learning French amid Bill 96. The bill has also come with a set of bureaucratic barriers.
For Sollohub, the enrollment process for the classes has been “unnecessarily difficult.” She noted that the website has been hard to navigate because ”it’s all in French,” and she still doesn’t know French well enough to understand “specific government details.”
Tantawi has struggled with this same issue. “Every type of communication you want to have with the [MIFI], it’s all in French,” she said. “So if you don’t understand French, it’s almost impossible for you to know what they’re saying.”
Sollohub additionally faced issues with submitting her paperwork required to enrol. She received a confirmation email when she signed up for the classes online but didn’t hear back for several months.
According to Solluhub, the process to enrol is “supposed to take a long time, so I thought it was normal.” At the three-month mark she called the MIFI. She was told her documents weren’t accepted because they were submitted virtually rather than through the mail. “It was very not clear that you’re supposed to do it through the mail because they had an option to submit it virtually,” Sollohub said.
Sollohub now has to wait another three months to take the classes.
Bélanger from the MIFI wrote in an email that the new Francisation Québec system “makes it possible to consolidate requests in a single location,” which in turn will “enable better course planning.”
If someone can’t get into the public French courses, it is likely they will have to turn to private lessons, which might not be a feasible option for everybody. The private group classes at the language school E-QIP cost $60 to $75 per person for one 45-minute lesson. For Tantawi, the zero dollar price tag for the Francisation Québec course made it the clear option. She believes, to achieve fluency by taking the private lessons, one ends up paying half of their income. “I wasn’t willing to pay that,” Tantawi said.
The types of students E-QIP attracts has changed, according to Stewart. Since Bill 96, E-QIP has drawn in many business executives and professionals from private companies. Stewart said the students “need to meet the French requirements [to immigrate] and the resources available to them for free are not enough. It won’t get them over the hump in the amount of time they need [to pass the French test for permanent residency].”
Stewart said they receive many students at E-QIP who are dissatisfied with the public system. He said it is challenging to learn a language with more than eight people in a room, “because you’re just not getting the attention you need.”
With regard to the new language laws, Tantawi said she will leave Quebec if “that’s how they feel about us.”
“If I’m going to get paid almost the same thing in other places, why would I stay here?”
Despite the barriers with the French language, Tantawi has appreciated the quality of education she has received at Concordia. “We get very good education,” and “we are treated fairly in Canada education-wise.”
For Sollohub, Montreal is home.
“I have so much motivation to take classes and learn French,” said Sollohub. “I want to have a job where I’m speaking French and be part of [Montreal’s] culture.”
A speaker addresses the crowd at the vigil in remembrance of those who lost their lives. Photo Solène de Bar
Julia Cieri Local Journalism Initiative
On Jan. 29, dozens gathered in the cold at Parc metro station in remembrance of the lost lives of Azzeddine Soufiane, Aboubaker Thabti, Khaled Belkacemi, Abdelkrim Hassane, Ibrahima Barry and Mamadou Tanou Barry. They were killed in the 2017 Islamic Cultural Centre shooting.
Organized by the Muslim Awareness Week association (MAW), the vigil commemorated the seventh anniversary of the massacre.
Organizers spoke in front of six posters of the victims whose lives were brutally taken. The organizers spoke out against Islamophobia in the province, the remembrance of lost Muslim lives, and solidarity with Palestinians and Arab diasporas.
“We are not here to victimize ourselves,” Samia Laouni, co-founder of MAW explains. “We are here for duty of memory towards the lost lives of the six Muslims, towards the people who were left handicapped until the end of their lives because of it, and towards the orphans that were left without a father simply because he was Muslim.”
On Jan. 29, 2017, Quebec bore witness to one of the deadliest mass shootings in Canadian history; along with the six Muslim men who were killed, five men were critically injured by gunman Alexandre Bissonnette at the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec City.
The gunman entered the mosque after evening prayers had ended, shot the men with his pistol, fled in a car and turned himself in 20 minutes later. He pleaded guilty in 2018 with six counts of first-degree murder and six counts of attempted murder, but was not charged with terrorism-related offenses.
Religious tension in Quebec has always been contentious, particularly the visibility of religious symbols within the province. Since the early 2000s, provincial governments have implemented bills seeking to “regulate” them.
Laouni believes that the federal government does not do enough to incite concrete change against the problem of Islamophobia within the country. “I get the feeling that whatever they’ve done is a mask, and their words do not follow their actions.”
Mayada Elmousawi and Zainab Ridha, a mother and daughter who attended the vigil also expressed their disappointment with the government. “We need their collaboration and we need their help,” they said. “We ask for a lot more work to be done to help fight Islamophobia.”
In 2019, Bill 21, an act “respecting the laicity [secularism] of the State”, was enforced through the use of the notwithstanding clause, officially prohibiting the wearing of religious symbols in public service. The provincial legislature of Quebec decided that State laicity was of fundamental importance.
Research has shown that controversial secular laws such as Bill 21 are connected to the increase in hate crimes throughout the province. Ontario and Quebec are provinces in Canada with the greatest number of Islamophobic crimes. Most muslims in the country live in these provinces. According to Angus Reid, Islamophobia is most intense in Quebec.
Ridha perceives this bill as a form of Islamophobia and finds it impedes on her freedom of religion. “They’re trying to limit what we can do, if I wanna follow my religion, I think I should be able to do it freely,” she expressed. “I’m not harming anyone, I’m not disturbing anyone.”
Reporting has shown that job applicants whose family names suggest an Arab background are up to two times less likely to be hired. Since the events of Oct. 7, 2023, hate crimes and Islamophobic acts have skyrocketed, exceeding levels seen after 9/11. There has been a 1,300 per cent increase in Islamophobic incidents since Oct. 7, according to the National Council of Canadian Muslims.
“Our community has suffered a lot and continues to suffer with the current crisis in the Middle East,” said Salam El-Mousawi, another co-founder of MAW. “We think it’s important to shed light on the root cause of these issues and hope that everyone comes together to fight against injustices of all people.”
Disclaimer: If someone is dying or in immediate danger, please call 911.
According to its 2022 activity report, the Montreal police responded to over 1.4 million calls. Over 13,000 of these calls were about domestic disturbances. The SPVM’s specialized mental health team, the Équipe de soutien aux urgences psychosociales, has responded to 14,000 calls since 2012.
These numbers pale in comparison to the calls received by non-police entities that correspond to the same issues. From April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, SOS, a domestic violence support line, fielded over 50,000 requests for support, and Tracom, a mental health crisis intervention centre, conducted 13,000 interventions.
Based on these statistics, many people are reaching out to these organisations instead of the cops. But why?
Claudine Thibaudeau, SOS’s manager of support and training, said that it may be due to the high stakes associated with taking action through the police.
“For example,” she said, “Let’s say I’m with my partner, and we live together. He hits me, and I press charges. He’s going to be arrested, he might be incarcerated, he might lose his job. That’s gonna impact me.”
Involving police can also be stressful for people without proper legal documentation. The SPVM recommends going to a hospital or local community services centres, known as CLSCs for psychological aid. But as Maria Lorelli, Tracom’s clinical administrative coordinator, pointed out, these services typically require registration with the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec.
Tracom clients do not need to be registered, which allows them to help people who may not have proper legal status. They also do not need any form of medical diagnosis to receive aid. “Some of the people we see don’t want to consult, and they don’t want a diagnosis or medication,” Lorelli said.
According to Thibaudeau, another reason for people to avoid calling the SPVM is because pressing charges is not always a safe option for victims. In one such case, Nathalie Piché, a 55-year-old woman, filed domestic violence charges against her spouse with the SPVM in December 2020. After he signed a peace warrant pledging to not bother her, the charges were dropped. Later that year, Piché was killed by the same man.
The care provided by SOS and Tracom also extends beyond what the SPVM can offer. Tracom offers more than interventions, creating safety plans with people in crisis, helping them explore coping tools such as breathing and grounding exercises. SOS’s referral network covers over 4,000 organizations, such as legal aid and shelters.
“A victim of violence will have many different needs…. [Violent partners] use anything in order to create a prison around a person. Our job is to find out, what can we do to help people break those bars?” Thibaudeau said.
She added that SOS puts a lot of work into the prevention of domestic abuse by providing education to people who may not even be aware that they are experiencing violence. “It’s almost like a vaccine,” Thibaudeau said. “If you don’t know what subtle kinds of violence look like, you might not recognize it.”
All the people answering the calls at Tracom and SOS have backgrounds in psychology, social work, criminology, psycho-education and similar fields. Once hired, the employees go through a training process (three weeks at SOS, three months at Tracom). In contrast, the SPVM crisis training mainly consists of a mandatory two-day containment and de-escalation training program. “There are a lot of interventions that perhaps could have ended up being in a 911 call, but were diverted to something else,” Lorelli said.
SPVM online resources for domestic violence state that “if you are aware that an attacker is subject to conditions laid down by the Court […] call 911 immediately,” and that “you should speak up as soon as possible to break the cycle of abuse.”
Thibaudeau pointed out that the most crucial aspect of helping victims of intimate partner violence is to not push them into making decisions. “Violence is someone taking away your choices. To help someone, you have to do the opposite,” she said.
SPVM resources for those experiencing mental crises also remain limited to two options. Their pamphlet on helping a loved one with a disturbed mental state lists the following: Either get the person to go in for a psychological evaluation—no further information is offered on how to do this—or try to get provisional custody over them and force them to have a psychiatric evaluation. This is a distinctly bureaucratic process that entails an applicant to state their case in front of a judge.
“It’s really hard for people to get past the shame involved with not doing well […] The shame sometimes blocks people from reaching out for help,” said Lorelli. “When family or friends call, [we] say ‘Go see that person. Talk to them, show them care, empathy, and then call us together.’”
If you or someone you know needs support, low-stake options are available.
To reach SOS, call +1 (800) 363-9010 To reach Tracom, call (514) 483-3033
The Town of Brome Lake has received an official warning from the province’s public-sector financial regulator, the Autorité des marchés publics (AMP), after it granted a five-year contract for snow removal in the Iron Hill sector to an ineligible bidder.
The bidder, 9221-2745 Québec inc. was the only company to bid for the contract. According to the AMP decision, it “did not hold an authorization issued by the AMP on the date of its submission, although the amount of this submission ($1,214,136, taxes included) is higher than the government threshold [of $1 million] beyond which businesses must have an AMP authorization to bid.” The amount of the contract, just under $1.1 million including tax, also differs from the amount of the bid.
“The AMP also noted that on two occasions, the town negotiated the price of the bid received with the aim of ensuring that the final amount was lower than the government threshold. However, no negotiation is possible when it concerns a non-compliant submission; the town has therefore not respected the normative framework in force,” AMP communications director Stéphane Hawey said in a statement. “The city acknowledges that the submission received was not compliant.”
Brome Lake director general Gilbert Arel said the municipality was “very aware of the AMP rules” and town officials believed they were in the right. They were not aware, however, that the company lacked AMP authorization or that the final price with tax included would be above the $1 million threshold. He added that in past years, the municipality negotiated snow removal contracts for three seasons at a time, but that this contract was for five seasons; both the town and the company were managing a longer-term bid for the first time. The previous three-year contracts, he said, didn’t normally exceed the $1-million threshold.
“There was a complaint from another contractor who was aware that the bidder was not signed up, and [the AMP] started investigating,” said Arel. He said that since only one submission was received, officials believed they could negotiate one-on-one with the bidder in the hope of getting the amount below the threshold – which the AMP also took exception to. “That was the error we made,” Arel recalled.
The AMP recommended that the city end the contract at the end of the present season, put in place procedures to ensure that all bidders have the requisite authorization and scale up the training offered to employees – all of which the municipality plans to do. Another call for tenders for snow removal in Iron Hill will be launched in August.
No one from 9221-2745 Québec inc. could be immediately reached for comment Monday. “As far as we know [they are] in the process of signing up with the AMP,” Arel said.
Brome Lake will not face financial penalties because the AMP does not have the power to issue fines.
In September 2019, a local mother struggling with postpartum loneliness made a post in Aylmer’s community group. In the post, she shared her struggle with the isolation of early motherhood and asked if any other mothers in the community were having a similar experience. What followed marked the formation of a support network for new mothers that fostered a communal experience of motherhood.
The Devcore group, at a recent press conference, provided an insightful update on Camp Guertin’s role in addressing homelessness since its launch on December 18. Camp Guertin, an initiative of the Devcore Group, was endorsed by the city as a temporary solution to alleviate homelessness.
Currently, the camp is a haven for 49 individuals, offering them shelter from the harsh winter in 48 heated tents. Sylvain Henry of the “Tent City Network” on Facebook reports that these red Devcore tents are equipped with electricity, but initially faced issues with water resistance. As the snow melted, it would seep inside the tents, creating a risk of fire and possible electrocution.
To address this, black waterproof tarps have been added over the tents, ensuring better safety for the residents. Of these tents, 95% are now occupied, with the remaining few waiting for tenants from temporary encampments. To qualify for a heated tent, residents must fill in details and pass a screening test, which includes agreements not to use drugs, drink alcohol, or smoke inside the tents. Those who have been refused a tent likely did not agree to these conditions.
Additionally, there are about 15 or so temporary tents remaining from the old area behind “Le Gite Ami” shelter and near Brewery Creek. The City of Gatineau is responsible for cleaning up the existing debris, as it is on city property.
Nancy Martineau, director of humanitarian projects at Devcore, highlighted the camp’s significant role in building trust and aiding reintegration into society. “The stability of a camp allows the establishment of a trust bond, and also aids in concrete progress,” Martineau stated.
She elaborated on the assistance provided to residents, including obtaining Medicare cards, social security enrollment, and tax return filing, thereby facilitating their integration into the system through personalized plans. A notable achievement of the camp is the marked decrease in drug use and violent incidents, attributed partly to the implementation of a “code of life” for residents.
The Devcore Group had promised access to hot showers and a laundry facility in a nearby abandoned building. Unfortunately, these amenities remain inaccessible due to a roadblock from the Outaouais Housing Office (OHO), which owns the former school building at 117 Carillon St.
The OHO stated that the building did not meet fire and safety standards, a situation that Martineau described as “incomprehensible” given the checks and field visits conducted with OHO representatives and Gatineau City preventionists.
This impasse has left about 50 residents of Camp Guertin without convenient access to basic hygiene facilities, forcing them to walk a kilometer to shower and leaving them with no place to wash their clothes. Additionally, a proposed solution by Devcore to renovate a building on Morin Street for these purposes fell through as the building was condemned. An alternate plan for a trailer with six showers was also scrapped due to building code regulations or other issues.
Photo: Condemned and abandoned: The boarded-up building on Morin Street, initially earmarked for renovations by Devcore Construction to provide essential facilities for Tent City residents, now stands condemned due to its deteriorating condition, leaving the fate of the community’s amenities uncertain. (TF) Photo: Colin Clarke
With notes from Mary Baskin, Marie-Eve Turpin and Lily Ryan
Amidst the crisp embrace of winter, the Canadian Ski Marathon (CSM) announces its 58th annual return, offering an extraordinary blend of endurance, community spirit, and the serene beauty of Canada’s winter landscape. This event, far more than a mere athletic competition, is aprofound celebration of the human spirit’s resilience against the chill of the Canadian winter.
Set against the backdrop of the scenic Laurentians, the CSM, established in 1966, has evolved into a hallmark of North American cross-country skiing. Its picturesque route, winding through classic groomed trails amidst forests and lakes, captures the imagination of winter sports aficionados. Held every February in the beautiful Outaouais region, the event invites participantsto embark on a journey centred around the charming Montebello area.
Unique in its structure, the CSM eschews the traditional race format. Instead, it unfolds as a personal skiing adventure, offering a range of distances from a modest 12 kms to the ambitious 160 kms. This inclusive approach caters to skiers of all ages and abilities, ensuring a rich and varied tapestry of participants.
Real Perriard, President of the Canadian Ski Marathon, encapsulates the event’s ethos, “It’s more than a marathon; it’s a winter adventure. Our focus is on participation, celebrating the spirit of being part of something greater than a race.” Indeed, the CSM’s charm lies not in the pursuit of speed, but in the joy of participation and the shared experience of braving winter.
As the event nears, anticipation ripples far beyond the local community. The CSM has attracted a diverse following, with participants journeying from the United States, western Canada, and as far as the Yukon. The event commences with an inaugural gathering at the iconic Chateau Montebello, marking the start of a two-day skiing journey through some of Canada’s most breathtaking winter landscapes.
The marathon’s structure is a finely woven tapestry of challenges, split into five sections each day, covering a total distance of about 80 kilometers. It offers categories like the ‘Tourer’ for a less demanding experience and the ‘Coureur des Bois’ for those seeking the ultimate challenge,including an overnight outdoor stay in sub-freezing temperatures.
Beyond the physical test, the CSM is a cultural cornerstone in Canadian winter sports. Originating as a centennial celebration, it has become a breeding ground for future Olympians and a source of inspiration for young skiers.
This year’s marathon reflects an adaptation to climate change and post-pandemic realities, focusing on sustainability and reducing the carbon footprint. Perriard and his team are dedicatedto delivering a safe, memorable experience, continually evolving with the dynamics of winter sports and community engagement.
As Perriard rallies winter sports enthusiasts, he reminds us, “It’s time to step out of the post-COVID shadows and rediscover the joys of winter.” The Canadian Ski Marathon, in its essence, is not just a sporting event but a cultural phenomenon, uniting people across ages and skills in acelebration of winter’s challenge and beauty. For more details and to join this incredible winter adventure, visit the Canadian Ski Marathon website at https://skimarathon.ca/ .
Photo: Set to unfold in the frost-kissed Canadian landscape, the 58th annual Canadian Ski Marathon (CSM) promises a harmonious blend of endurance, communal camaraderie, and the tranquil splendor of winter’s embrace. (TF) Photo courtesy of the CSM
With notes from Mary Baskin, Marie-Eve Turpin and Lily Ryan
This winter, the Gatineau Hills are resonating with the melodious sounds of chamber music, thanks to The Hills Winter Music Festival. This unique event, which is the National Capital Region’s first winter chamber music festival, is setting a new standard for intimate, high-quality musical experiences in rural Canada.
Founded in 2022, The Hills Winter Music Festival has rapidly established itself as a sought-after destination for chamber music aficionados. Under the co-direction of five renowned musicians – pianist Carson Becke, soprano Meghan Lindsay, clarinetist Juan Gabriel Olivares, cellist Julia Maclaine, and horn player Louis-Pierre Bergeron – the festival showcases a diverse range of talents and styles.
Scheduled from February 9 to 11, the festival invites music lovers to immerse themselves in an array of enchanting performances. The opening concert on February 9 at Café Earle in Wakefield, promises to be a dynamic display featuring all the festival artists, setting the tone for a weekend of musical excellence.
On February 10, the festival moves to La Fab sur Mill arts centre in Chelsea, for an evening of varied chamber music. The repertoire spans Spanish, French, German, and Turkish influences, offering something for every taste.
The closing concert, which will also be held at the La Fab sur Mill on February 11, is a showcase of the artists’ favourite works, including pieces by Korngold, Piazzola, Rodrigo, and Gershwin. This event promises a blend of vocal and instrumental performances that are sure to leave a lasting impression on the audience.
In addition to the core team, the festival features other talented artists like cellist Cameron Crozman, flutist Lara Deutsch, pianist Meagan Milatz, and guitarist Adam Cicchillitti. Each artist brings their unique flair and expertise, contributing to the festival’s rich tapestry of sounds and styles.
The Hills Winter Music Festival is more than just a musical event; it’s a testament to the commitment to a sustainable future for classical music in Canada. By focusing on environmentally sustainable practices, the festival aligns with modern values while preserving the timeless beauty of chamber music. It’s an experience that feels like home, welcoming, intimate, and heartwarming, nestled in the picturesque Gatineau Hills.
For those planning to attend all three concerts, the festival offers a weekend pass, providing a cost-effective way to enjoy the full range of performances. This initiative not only encourages music enthusiasts to experience the entire festival but also fosters a sense of community amongattendees. For more information about the festival and the artists, and to purchase tickets, please visit their website: https://www.hillsmusic.ca/2024… .
Photo: Showcasing a convergence of talent at The Hills Winter Music Festival, where world-class chamber music thrives under the leadership of Carson Becke, Meghan Lindsay, Juan Gabriel Olivares, Julia Maclaine, and Louis-Pierre Bergeron, in the National Capital Region’s first winter music celebration. (TF) Photo courtesy of The Hills Winter Music Festival
With notes from Mary Baskin, Marie-Eve Turpin and Lily Ryan
by Lorraine Carpenter, Local Journalism Initiative reporter
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante has confirmed that over 50 new social housing units will be built in the heart of the Plateau-Mont-Royal.
Plante made the announcement on Twitter, saying, “We continue to accelerate our efforts to house more people and fight the housing crisis.”
Earlier this month, the City of Montreal put out a call for proposals to build 700 affordable housing units on the site of the former bus station between Berri and St-Hubert streets, and de Maisonneuve boulevard and Ontario Street.
Elections Quebec has unveiled its selection of 21 cities set to participate in Quebec’s inaugural internet voting trial during the upcoming 2025 municipal elections.
The initiative will bring online voting options to specific districts or boroughs within the cities of Magog, Drummondville, and Granby, with the determination of participation to be decided by each municipality throughout the year.
The announcement stems from Élections Québec’s call for interest in taking part in the online voting pilot project, initiated in May 2023. A plan was then created for targeting municipalities with populations exceeding 20,000 residents. The focus on more populous areas aims to address the issue of unopposed elections and to ensure active voter engagement.
In an interview with Elections Québec, spokesperson Julie St-Arnaud-Drolet explained the many aspects of the pilot project to take place.
Although internet voting has not been implemented or experimented with in either provincial or federal elections in Quebec, its possible advantages have attracted the attention of various governments and legislatures. Drolet stated that “over the last decade, Ontario, British Columbia, New Brunswick, and the federal government have all undertaken studies on internet voting”.
This is alongside countries in Europe such as France, Switzerland, Norway and Estonia that all have online elections now, she added.
According to a study conducted by Elections Quebec on online voting initiatives around the world, municipal administrations adopting internet voting are primarily doing so to enhance accessibility and convenience for voters. In some instances, there is also a hope that it will lead to increased voter turnout.
“In Estrie in 2021, the election turnouts in municipal elections were 33.8 per cent in Drummondville; 39.2 per cent in Magog; and 41.4 per cent in Granby,” Drolet said. All of these are well below the 62 per cent turnout that was seen at the 2021 Canadian general election, and still below the average voter turnout in Quebec by-elections which is quoted as 41 per cent by Elections Quebec.
The study also notes that many municipalities see internet voting as a solution to the challenge of recruiting elections officers. Additionally, this voting option allows for an extension of the period during which voters can cast their ballots. The process of introducing internet voting is not uniform across municipalities, as each is responsible for managing its own elections. For instance, the duration of internet voting availability, the registration process, and the combination of different voting methods such as paper, mail, and telephone, vary from one municipality to another.
Drolet also mentioned that “Municipal administrations adopting internet voting are doing so for enhancing accessibility and convenience for voters.” Those that Drolet mentioned included those with disabilities, who live in rural areas, and those who are eligible to vote in Quebec elections outside of the province who will benefit the most from this initiative.
The selected municipalities vary widely in administrative region and size, providing a comprehensive overview of internet voting usage in diverse environments. However, around 300,000 voters will be able to the test the vote via the internet.
Regarding security, Drolet explained that Elections Quebec is set to employ an online voting system crafted by a specialized firm.
A call for proposals went out on Oct. 16 to identify a proficient supplier.
“We would like the company to carry out these online elections to have already worked on one in the past,” Drolet said.
The chosen company will be disclosed in the summer of 2024, after undergoing a meticulous selection process. Drolet further stated that, “the selected company must fulfill over a hundred specified criteria and successfully undergo testing and safety evaluations,” to ensure the security of the vote.
Elections Quebec also announced that this won’t be the only way to vote while these trials are taking place. Electors who will be able to vote via the internet will also have access to all other voting arrangements. They will therefore be able to choose to vote via the internet or in person.
Voting via the internet will be offered over two three-day voting periods. During these periods, it will be offered continuously, 24 hours a day. It will not be available on advance voting days or on election day.
In 2021, Loto Quebec launched Espacejeux, an expansion of their services that offers players access to online gambling through their four casino’s websites, including the Casino Lac Leamy. The expansion came amid the rise of unregulated private online gambling that the Quebec government has been grappling with for years.
Hoping to combat the rise of privately owned gambling companies, in 2015, the Quebec government proposed Bill 74. Bill 74 aimed at regulating online gambling by forcing internet service providers to block access to illegal gambling websites. The bill was polarizing and eventually landed in Quebec’s superior court, where it was ultimately rejected for violating net neutrality.
Since then, the government has taken to providing their own online gambling services through Espacejeux and has continued to expand the types of online gambling offered. There have been calls for the government to work with privately owned companies and create regulatory standards for non-governmental gambling, but the Quebec government hasn’t made any movements toward regulation.
In a press release detailing the third fiscal quarter of 2022-2023, Loto Quebec revealed casinos have seen a 60% increase in profit, amounting to $829.3 million dollars in revenue. Of that staggering amount, online gambling through casinos brings in less than a quarter of the sector’s profit. This reflects the reality Quebec lawmakers have been struggling to mitigate for nearly a decade now: the monopoly private gambling companies have on the industry.
In May of 2023 the Québec Online Gaming Coalition (QOGC) was launched. The coalition is made up of the industry leading online gambling operators and was created to address the increasing need for regulation of Quebec’s private online gambling sector. According to a survey conducted in 2023 by the QOGC, 73% of Quebec’s online players opt to gamble on privately owned gambling sites — websites that don’t have to adhere to the protections of players enforced by Loto Quebec. —
Loto Quebec imposes a limit on how much money players can deposit into their account, allowing a maximum of $500 a week. Players must also set limits on the amount of time they can access the website per day. These regulations don’t apply to the private gambling companies, increasing the risks for players to gamble irresponsibly. They also don’t have to be licensed through the government, making it difficult to create protections for players. These gaps in protection have led to calls for Quebec to establish an independent regulatory body to oversee gambling regulations in the province.
For players who recognize they have a problem and decide to they need to stop gambling all together, Loto Quebec’s protections prove inadequate as they fail to prevent players from turning to the unregulated online industry. The self-exclusion program, created to let players disallow their use of gambling services provided by Loto-Quebec for up to five years, is less of a fail-safe when players aren’t also barred from online services that operate in Quebec.
The government’s failure to recognize the need to regulate the growing online gambling industry leaves players vulnerable to forming unhealthy gambling habits, and the protections put into place by Loto Quebec have failed to adapt to the industries changes.
As the industry continues to show record growth, the need to regulate privately operated online gambling grows. If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, you can call the Gambling Help and Referral Line at 1-800-461-0140.
Photo:Ecological Transition Director Frédéric Vandal takes questions from the Committee on the Environment and the Fight against Climate Change on the city’s Climate Plan. (TC) Photo: Screenshot from Committee on the Environment and the Fight against Climate Change meeting on Oct. 19, 2023
The Committee on the Environment and the Fight against Climate Change reviewed year one of Gatineau’s Climate Plan at its meeting on Oct. 19, 2023.
The Climate Plan was set into motion with the creation of the Ecological Transition Service in May 2022 to provide a framework for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and quickly responding to climate-related emergencies.
Reducing GHG emissions to be carbon neutral by 2050, adapting to climate change, reducing vulnerabilities, and ensuring open governance were among the plan’s four objectives.
The objectives span over 12 priority projects which were made up of 44 priority measures identified by citizens and experts. Totaling 231 measures, Ecological Transition Director Frédéric Vandal said things were still constantly evolving.
The estimated cost of the measures was $104 million but Mr. Vandal noted the estimate was not to finance the plan but its actual value.
Since the plan’s adoption in 2021, major achievements like conducting vulnerability studies of water plants, the Urban Forestry Plan, and the beginnings of the Biodiversity Charter have been checked off the list.
The new year will bring new projects like reviewing and amending the actions and measures in the plan, establishing funding sources, and striking up an annual inventory of GHG emissions.
Among the suggestions from the commission members included informing and raising awareness among the population about the actions set out in the plan and promoting the mobilization of citizens by involving them more.
“What is the involvement of the companies in the region to ensure that we achieve our objectives,” said Benoit Delage with the Regional Council for the Environment and Sustainable Development in the Outaouais. “Yes, we can regulate with regulations to complete the actions, but we can go even faster and further, embarking together.”
The results of the Climate Plan will be presented to the municipal council during the study of the budget on Oct. 30.
Jean Chrétien, at 90, seems a safe distance from having a foot in the grave. He even boasts he is in better shape than 81-year-old U.S. President Joe Biden. Indeed, there’s a famous video of Chrétien slalom water-skiing when he was the same age as Biden is now.
So, while it may be premature to roll out the obituary reflections on the long career of Canada’s 20th prime minister, his public birthday appearances, media interviews and a big Parliament Hill party have prompted some reflections on his legacy, some of them harsh.
Perhaps the most scathing came from the National Post’s Chris Selley, one of the newspaper’s stable of generally Liberal-loathing, Pierre Poilievre-loving columnists.
In a Jan. 16 piece titled “More pearls of nonsense from Jean Chrétien,” Selley takes apart the words and deeds of le petit gars de Shawinigan with gleeful viciousness. Quite frankly, though, one would be hard-pressed to dispute much of his criticism.
Selley takes specific aim at Chrétien’s handling of Indigenous issues, particularly residential schools. Chrétien has claimed that as minister for “Indian Affairs,” as it was called during his tenure in the late 1960s, he knew nothing about anything amiss going on, contrary to the recollections of other officials involved in the issue back in the day.
Selley referred to a 2021 appearance Chrétien made on Radio-Canada’s Tout le Monde en Parle, where “[h]e likened abuse at the residential schools to his own at the academically elite Joliette Seminary. He made light of child sexual abuse, suggesting he mightn’t have been interfered with at Joliette because he hadn’t been ‘pretty enough.’”
“It was disgusting,” Selley writes.
Maybe so, but it was vintage Chrétien, whose 10 years and 38 days as prime minister, on top of the 23 years he spent as MP for Shawingan and minister in Pierre Trudeau’s and briefly rival John Turner’s government, was rich in controversy sparked by his cocky attitude and street fighter reputation.
Look up the “Shawinigan handshake” for one example. There’s even a beer named for it.
It seems implausible now, but Chrétien won three consecutive majorities, a feat bested only by Canada’s first francophone PM, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, who won four straight. Even his mentor Trudeau the Elder managed only three, with a minority and a defeat between 1968 and 1980.
This unlikely prime minister, who cultivated his rough-hewn image yet was an aficionado of classical music, had the great timing to arrive at the helm of the Liberal Party when the voting public was bone-weary of nine years of Brian Mulroney’s Progressive Conservatives.
The 1993 election saw the utter demolition and fragmentation of the once proud and intermittently progressive conservative movement into the western-based Reform Party, the tiny surviving PC rump (hello Jean Charest) and the Bloc Québécois under Mulroney’s star Quebec recruit Lucien Bouchard.
Such was Chrétien’s good fortune that the opposition forces at the time were almost numerically incapable of forming a government. Hence you had the wacky situation of Bouchard, a fiery separatist, as leader of Her Majesty’s loyal opposition, the Bloc having won the second most seats – 54 to Reform’s 52.
In various birthday interviews, Chrétien said his proudest achievements were balanced budgets, not joining the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and the Clarity Act. The latter was the response to the razor-thin federalist win in the 1995 referendum, which, depending on who you believe, could have gone the other way were it not for some shady tactics on the Non side.
Mired in scandal (Shawinigate, the sponsorship mess) and hounded by the impatient mutinous forces of Paul Martin, Chrétien read the room and retired from politics in November 2003.
What advice does the Liberal éminence grise offer Trudeau the Younger with a federal election possibly a mere 18 months away? Stay or go? You’d be at a loss trying to glean a straight answer from the man whose autobiography is titled Straight from the Heart.
All this carping about Chrétien’s legacy aside, it’s quite possible this enduringly popular populist prime minister could have won a fourth straight election in 2004, although probably not a majority.
After all, his less charismatic successor Martin, hobbled by the sponsorship scandal, still pulled off a win over new Conservative leader Stephen Harper in the election that first brought Pierre Poilievre to Parliament, nearly 20 years ago.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s condemnation of the mayors of Montreal and Quebec City as “incompetent” in promoting housing development appears to have been prompted in part by a tour of a Quebec City construction site with a prominent developer.
Poilievre sparked an uproar last week with an attack on Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante and Quebec City Mayor Bruno Marchand in a Jan. 18 message on X (formerly Twitter).
The Conservative leader decried a “massive drop in construction in Quebec, while [Prime Minister Justin] Trudeau pays billions to incompetent mayors, Marchand and Plante, who block construction sites. Federal money for cities will be linked to the number of houses and apartments built when I am PM.”
On Jan. 16, Poilievre posted on X several pictures of himself touring the construction site on the Place Fleur de Lys shopping centre property in Vanier.
The text says, “The family business Trudel Construction is building 3,500 housing units in the heart of Quebec City by repurposing a former shopping centre. It’s time to break down bureaucratic barriers so innovative builders like William [Trudel] and his team can build more affordable housing.”
Poilievre’s Quebec lieutenant and Charlesbourg–Haute-Saint-Charles MP Pierre Paul-Hus reposted the X message the same day. Paul-Hus’s constituency office had not replied by press time to a QCT request for comment on his leader’s “incompetent” attack.
The Trudel Alliance project does not involve “repurposing” the shopping centre, but rather building housing units, a hotel and other structures around the upgraded mall.
The Quebec government agency, Investissement Québec, has contributed $43 million in a repayable loan to the developers, on the condition the project provides a certain level of social housing. The plan calls for 15 per cent “affordable” units and 250 social housing units.
On Jan. 19, William Trudel was making headlines by denouncing government delays as an obstacle to building projects. In a Radio-Canada report, Trudel said it’s taken more than five years to begin construction on the first phase of the Fleur de Lys development, a 480-unit housing project. Trudel said the city’s regulatory framework is too cumbersome, especially when a project requires a zoning change to move forward.
“It will take political and administrative leadership in Quebec City to shorten deadlines and make decisions more quickly.… The development model in Quebec currently is not sustainable,” Trudel said.
Whatever prompted Poilievre’s attack on Plante and Marchand, reaction was harsh and swift from many political players, particularly the primary targets.
Marchand responded initially on X, saying, “Poilievre’s ‘common sense’ is to insult the elected representatives of Quebec. Frankly, this is not only contempt for elected officials, but for all those who work on housing issues in our city. This is petty politics. Quebec does not deserve this contempt.”
Marchand later added in a media scrum, “For a man who wants to be prime minister, to act like this … is not at all common sense. Common sense is to respect people.”
Plante, meanwhile, responded to Poilievre, offering a lesson in how Ottawa-Quebec relations work. The Conservative leader, she said on X, does not understand “that in Quebec, federal funding for housing does not go through the cities. Common sense is also to understand the financing mechanisms specific to each province.”
Trudeau, in Nunavut for a land transfer ceremony, told reporters Poilievre’s comments showed “condescension” to Quebec’s political leaders and an “ignorance for how things work between the federal government and the provinces.”
It was not the first time Poilievre has used the word “incompetent” to describe Quebec politicians.
In September, while in Quebec City for a party convention, the Conservative leader, referring to the rising cost of the city’s tramway project, said, “The federal government should not pay for cost overruns. Zero. It’s not my money; this money belongs to the taxpayers and I’m not going to continue throwing billions of dollars into projects poorly managed by incompetent politicians.”
30
William Trudel (left) gives Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre a tour of the Place Fleur de Lys construction site.
There’s nothing official about expanding the league yet, but there’s a desire among the players at Quebec City Hall to have a Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) team in the city.
In what might be called a faceoff, Coun. Anne Corriveau of Québec D’Abord, the official opposition party at City Hall, proposed in a statement at the very end of the Jan. 16 city council meeting that the city “encourage” the acquisition of a PWHL team.
At 7:30 the following morning, Limoilou Coun. and Transition Québec leader Jackie Smith sent out a notice of a news conference later that morning to discuss “the return of professional hockey to Quebec City.”
Regardless of which city councillor won possession of the political puck, the city executive committee member responsible for sports, Coun. Jean-François Gosselin, a one-time professional hockey player, was quick to jump into the play.
Gosselin told a media scrum, “It’s a good idea. If there is a promoter who comes forward, we will respond.” He added, “Quebec is a hotbed of talent and it would help boost women’s hockey, which is very intense and very physical even if there is no body checking.”
In a statement, Smith said, “A PWHL team would only be positive for Quebec City. It would be good for hockey fans, good for our young girls, good for the local economy and the Videotron Centre.” She added, “The revival of the historic rivalry between Quebec and Montreal would be a major asset for this emerging league and the players would play in a modern and certainly noisy arena.”
While there are still some die-hards, such as the Coalition Avenir Québec government, who believe in the eventual return of a National Hockey League team to the Quebec capital, Smith said she believed it was time to move on.
“I hope that politicians will tell citizens the truth: the NHL will never return to Quebec; economic reality does not allow it; the league does not see the point in it.… Let’s leave the past behind us – the future of professional hockey in Quebec is female. Let’s open our arms to the PWHL, and I am convinced that before long, we will have a professional hockey team in Quebec,” Smith said.
In her proposal, Corriveau, noting the Montreal PWHL team sold out its home opening game at the Verdun Auditorium on Jan. 13, said, “Given that the female representation in a predominantly male sport helps eliminate discrimination in sport … the creation of a PWHL team in Quebec would be an opportunity to encourage the sport and once again demonstrate the passion of the people of Quebec for professional hockey.”
Despite the enthusiasm at City Hall and elsewhere, the wait may be a long one for an interested promoter to formally apply for a PWHL franchise.
In an email to the QCT, PWHL communications director Paul Krotz said, “We are gratified by, and deeply appreciative of, the enthusiastic response our league has received from our founding fans and business partners. The PWHL community has been growing daily since our launch this month, and we are committed to extending that growth and momentum as we go forward.”
Regarding new franchises, Krotz said, “To this point, our focus has been on sharing the stories of our athletes and on creating an environment in which they can excel and entertain. While a time may come when the expressions of interest we’ve received from other markets can be given the attention they deserve, that time has not been identified. We launched our league on a remarkably aggressive timeline, and our current priority is to serve our inaugural six markets to the best of our ability.”
The PWHL, created in August 2023, currently has six teams – Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, Boston, New York and Minnesota – all owned by the league, which is backed by American billionaire Mark Walters, owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Players earn between $35,000 and $80,000 US, plus bonuses. Those amounts will rise by three per cent annually over the course of the eight-year deal. The salary cap is $1.26 million US.
The teams do not have names other than those of their host cities. The inaugural season, which began on Jan. 1, will have 24 games; next year’s full schedule, beginning in November, will have 32.
There is speculation that a March 16 game between Toronto and Montreal, currently marked “to be determined” on the PWHL schedule, may be staged in Quebec City.
The Montreal PWHL team salutes the fans at the club’s sold-out home opener on Jan. 13 at the Verdun Auditorium.
Although it may sound like somewhat of a cliché, ‘Out of the frying pan and into the fire’ might be the expression that best describes the overall mood last year.
After nearly three years of living through the Covid pandemic, a lot of people probably expected they’d be going from a bad situation towards some improvement.
But what with galloping inflation, shaky investment markets and new wars threatening to destabilize the world, 2023 turned into a year when it was hard to believe things would ever get back to normal.
July 2023
Opposition parties agreed: New park needed in downtown Laval
In a relatively rare instance of agreement, Laval city council’s two main opposition parties and a third political entity without council seats all agreed that a vacant lot owned by the city in Laval’s rapidly growing downtown sector should be used for a badly-needed public park, rather than for a library as planned by the Boyer administration.
The lot, on Jacques Tétreault St. and a short distance from the Montmorency Metro, had been singled out by the city as the location for a new municipal library building with a cultural centre.
However, the three parties as well as some residents in the mixed commercial/residential area believed it would be wiser to establish a park because of a local lack of green space in an area over-saturated with asphalt and concrete.
Two local members of the Quebec National Assembly, two Laval city councillors and an eminent neurosurgeon met at a Laval-area park to throw their support behind a province-wide campaign to encourage all children and adults to wear protective helmets to safeguard against the devastating effects of head injuries.
“Although we are proud of the cutting-edge care that our entire team is able to offer to patients who have suffered a head injury, the best defence remains prevention,” said Dr. Mathieu Laroche, a neurosurgeon at Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur in Cartierville.
While the crowds were somewhat thinner than usual, a steady downpour of rain during the late afternoon on Canada Day didn’t deter some patriotic Laval and greater Montreal residents from celebrating the country’s birthday, as they got back in touch with their cultural roots at the 2023 Laval Hellenic Summer Festival.
Suspected professional shoplifters believed to be connected to organized crime in Romania were arrested this month in connection with the theft of more than $70,000 worth of merchandise in Quebec. Officers with the Laval Police made the arrests and were encouraging shopkeepers to report similar thefts that may also have been committed by the suspects.
August 2023
Delayed sunshine made up for two days of rain at the Symposium de Ste-Rose
Although two days of rainfall put a dent in the usually strong attendance at the Symposium de Ste-Rose, abundant sunshine on the art exhibition’s last day made up for the shortfall.
The annual three-day artists’ gathering and exhibition drew thousands of appreciators of fine sculpture and exquisite art from all over Quebec as well as other parts of eastern Canada.
“I have to admit that things haven’t been great over the past two days and I was a little discouraged,” Oprina Felicia Dolea, the president of the Corporation Rose-Art which organizes the symposium, said in an interview with the Laval News on day two. “However, they are calling for sunshine tomorrow so let’s hope,” she added.
When Nathalie Seukpanya, whose two children attend Crestview Elementary School in Chomedey, saw that students with autism needed a new tool to help improve communications, she set out along with other parents to find a practical and affordable solution.
The one-of-a-kind bilingual communication board they came up with, made from a rigid durable material and weatherproof for Laval’s challenging weather conditions, held the potential to transform the way children with autism engage and communicate in their educational environment.
“Basically, the board helps them communicate with their educators and their peers,” Seukpanya said in an interview with The Laval News.
In a bid to obtain financial aid from Ottawa’s Housing Accelerator Fund, the City of Laval said it had made a formal application to the federal government for $102 million in order to answer increasing housing needs here.
In a statement the city issued, it noted that funding from the Housing Accelerator Fund must pass through the Quebec government first before being transferred to municipalities and that the logistics of the transfer were yet to be announced.
Chomedey resident Jacob Abramson’s son, Marc, also from the neighbourhood, sent The Laval News reports of his work as a “Helitack Crew Chief,” fighting fires in Manitoba last summer. (Helitack stands for Helicopter Transport Initial Wildfire Attack.)
Large areas of Western Canada were engulfed in wildfires last year and Marc Abramson was at the front where all the action was. He was stationed in the Paint Lake region of North East Manitoba about 750 kilometres north of Winnipeg.
September 2023
Canadian Forces parachuters drop in at Souvenir Elementary
Shortly after 8 am one day in early September last year, when the students would normally be arriving to begin their day, a phalanx of the Canadian Armed Forces Parachute Team – better known as the SkyHawks – jumped out of a small plane hovering around 2,500 feet over the Souvenir Elementary School yard and made a gradual parachute drop into the centre of the field – getting the academic year off to an exciting start.
The 17th annual FILIA Walk a Thon on Sept. 16, which was also the fourth held in Laval, drew a loyal following of FILIA supporters, as well as elected officials who have provided help to the organization over the years.
It was a good day for a refreshing walk in and around the streets surrounding St. Norbert Park in eastern Chomedey, in order to raise awareness of the needs of senior citizens – which includes regular physical exercise.
Laval city councillor for the district of Souvenir-Labelle Sandra El-Helou, an associate member of the executive-committee, said she was focusing increasingly on FILIA, as well as on how the group can help the city meet Laval senior citizens’ needs.
“Every year I come to the walk to show my support for FILIA and also to thank them for the amazing job they do on the ground with our elderly population,” she told The Laval News.
In her final report as the City of Laval’s auditor-general before reaching the end of her 7-year mandate in December, Véronique Boily singled out the Laval Police Dept. for having insufficient controls over motor vehicle fuel purchases made with city credit cards, while taking into account the volume of purchases last year.
“The controls exercised by the Police Department are clearly insufficient for the volume of purchases, which amounted to $1.5 million in 2022,” Boily’s department stated in a summary of her report.
The report also pointed out that the city’s fuel card management system “lacks rigor since there is no mechanism to ensure that active cards are associated with vehicles in service.” The report noted that the city had not carried out monitoring activities or implemented appropriate corrective measures in light of the credit card issues.
The Al Sultan, a Middle Eastern-style restaurant familiar to many because of its strategic location on Curé Labelle Blvd. just north of the Cartierville bridge, became the focus of an arson investigation on Sept. 21 after an unidentified suspect tried to start a fire outside the establishment around 1:30 am. (The restaurant was finally destroyed by fire after another arson attack later in the year.)
October 2023
At work and play, meet Fabre MNA Alice Abou-Khalil
In a wide-ranging interview a year after first being elected to the Quebec National Assembly, CAQ MNA for Fabre Alice Abou-Khalil told The Laval News she was on the verge of persuading the Legault government to build at least one new high school in Fabre to meet the needs of an expanding population that included a large number of families.
“In Fabre there is no école secondaire – there is no high-school,” Abou-Khalil pointed out. “I’m pushing for it,” she said. “But I can’t push if the student numbers are not there as required to build one. I’m not making any promises. But the discussions are there.”
In the meantime, as far as Chomedey Liberal MNA Sona Lakhoyan Olivier was concerned, until you’ve actually served as a member of the Quebec National Assembly, you can’t have a real idea of just how demanding the job is.
Lakhoyan Olivier was back in Laval one afternoon this month for the Thanksgiving long weekend, after spending the previous week in Quebec City working on National Assembly business.
In her role as MNA for Chomedey, Lakhoyan Olivier said she was worried about the riding’s situation with regards especially to the rising number of homeless people, and the challenging security problems they are beginning to generate.
The federal government should build two new military bases in Canada’s Arctic – including one with a deep-seawater port – to boost the country’s presence in its farthest northern regions, while also honoring a commitment to help maintain global peace, former Quebec Liberal Premier Jean Charest suggested during a talk at Concordia University on Canada’s prospects as a “middle-power.”
“Sovereignty over the north and the Northwest Passage in particular for me is an emerging development and an emergency issue,” said Charest, whose Liberal government launched the northern-Quebec-focused Plan Nord in 2008, with an eye to opening up the province’s far northern reaches for industrial/ economic development.
A cooking fire in Chomedey left six families homeless. According to authorities, the blaze started around 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 19 in the basement unit of a six-unit apartment building on 80th Ave. near Perron Blvd. Other units in the building were damaged by smoke, and for that reason, occupants were not be able to return for several days.
November 2023
[31-21 p 3]
Vimy Liberal MP Annie Koutrakis marked her fourth year in office
Four years after first being elected as the Member of Parliament for the Laval riding of Vimy, Liberal MP Annie Koutrakis was recollecting on the two mandates she received, as well as some of the crises she found herself facing.
“So many differences – the world is a different place from when I was first elected in 2019,” she said in an interview with The Laval News. “It’s a real honour to have been entrusted with the portfolio that I have been,” added Koutrakis. “I have an amazing team of colleagues who are helping. We have an amazing staff.”
Vimy Liberal MP Annie Koutrakis.
Quebec public sector union workers who walked off the job in late September, announced three more strike days for Nov. 21 to 23, unless a deal could be reached before then with the provincial government. Around 420,000 public sector employees were on strike as part of a walkout to protest the Quebec government’s latest contract offer.
The common front was demanding an increase of up to 20 per cent over the next three years. The impact of the strike was felt at public schools throughout the province, where teachers picketed and classes could only start by late morning or by the afternoon. A tentative resolution to the labour conflict was finally announced early in the new year.
The Laval Police said they arrested a person under the age of 18 in connection with a stabbing that took place near École secondaire Curé-Antoine-Labelle in Laval’s Sainte-Rose district. On the afternoon of Oct. 23, the LPD had rushed to Roi-du-Nord Park, in front of the high school, where a brawl between several people saw a teenager get stabbed. Although not life threatening, the victim’s wounds were serious.
Although Laval mayor Stéphane Boyer previously announced the 2024 property tax rate while emphasizing that the hike is less than the rate of inflation, there was no getting around the fact it was a whopping 4.8 per cent increase, even though that would only translate into $162 more on a house worth $440,742
In order to make ends meet next year, some serious cost-cutting would lie ahead, according to a statement issued by the mayor’s office. The mayor had already revealed that one way to keep expenses down next year would be to “greatly limit” new employee hirings,
December 2023
Canada positioned to dodge the recession bullet, says federal minister
Pondering the economic outlook for the coming year during an interview with Newsfirst Multimedia, Hochelaga Liberal MP Soraya Martinez Ferrada (the federal minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency in Quebec) maintained that since the country isn’t in a recession now, “that puts it in a good position” in terms of future investments, employment and economic renewal.
“Contrary to what some people might tell you or what Conservatives will tell you, that Canada is broke, Canada is not broken, Canada is in a good position,” she said, while acknowledging that “these are difficult times and we’re making sure that we will continue to support Canadians through this.”
Asked whether the government agrees with some economists’ forecasts that 2024 will see an economic downturn leading into a recession, Ferrada said, “Not at this moment. I think we’re looking at that very closely. But our economy right now is in a very good position.”
For the last 32 years, when many women and children have been in crisis in the greater Montreal region, they turned to the Shield of Athena for help. With that in mind, a cross-section of supporters from the community came together this month to raise $150,000 to help fund Shield of Athena’s biggest expansion to date: the Second Step Shelter, which is being built in Laval.
The Shield of Athena’s Lilac Event, which was held at the Palace Convention Centre, celebrated the work the Shield and its staff conduct on a daily basis. Set to open in 2024, the Second Step shelter will have 17 apartments which will be able to house women and children for up to two years.
If you were hoping to get into the holiday spirit with Christmas less than three weeks away, there was still time to get over to Laval’s Centre de la Nature in Duvernay for the city’s 12th annual Marché de Noël.
Some fifty exhibitors will be offering their creations, including handmade crafts, jewellery, clothing, beauty products, decorations and delicacies. Some of Santa’s helpers were even on hand, making their way around while entertaining the moms, dads and kids.
While soaring inflation and labour shortages are just two of the issues currently afflicting restaurant operators in Laval, Montreal and the rest of Quebec, the province’s restauranteurs were cautiously optimistic about their prospects in the new year, although there were still problems to be worked out.
The Association Restauration Québec (ARQ) had serious concerns about labour shortages, as well as customers who don’t show up after making table reservations, leading the RAQ to ask that they be penalized $20 in instances like these.
