Chelsey St-Pierre

West Island Health Authority informs patients of language rights

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

The West Island CIUSSS has placed posters throughout the healthcare institutions it manages to inform patients on their right to be served in English. Why does the health authority feel the need to do this initiative?

The answer lies in the highly criticized 31-page document issued by the CAQ government last July to apply Bill 96 language laws, created to “preserve the French language” and “strengthen” Bill 101, now in health care.

The controversial application of the law to healthcare could restrict complete access to healthcare services for Anglophones and impede on their rights under the Canada Health Act. “The CAQ government is prepared to sacrifice fundamental constitutional rights to life, liberty and security of the person to fulfill its language goals,” Montreal lawyer Julius Grey has stated.

Effective communication is essential in ensuring the safety of patients. Restricting a means of communication in healthcare can be potentially dangerous or life threatening. The CAQ government argues that the law is exempt in emergency situations, however without effective communication a situation that may be urgent, yet unapparent, could be overlooked without a means of communication. Cutting the line between patients and healthcare professionals and/or professionals within the institution is dangerous.

The immediate reactions of elected officials at every level of government, healthcare professionals and the general public generated a “revised” statement by Quebec’s French Language Minister Jean-Francois Roberge in less than a month, but not a retraction.

While the threat of impact on the Anglophone community looms in “revision”, the health authority has taken it upon itself to clarify their basic rights to be served in English.

The Suburban reached out to the CIUSSS-ODIM for comment. The authority’s representatives did not respond by press time. n

West Island Health Authority informs patients of language rights Read More »

DDO teacher gets two year prison term for sexual abuse

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By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

Robert Charpentier was sentenced last Thursday to a two-year prison term for sexually abusing two students in the ‘80s and ‘90s.

The 77-year old former West Island teacher at Emmanuel Christian School in Dollard-des-Ormeaux was convicted in December 2022. The victims were so traumatized by the events that it took them nearly three decades to draw up the courage to come forward.

The victims expressed themselves during their victim impact statement explaining how the abuse had affected them throughout their lives, living with a sense of shame and betrayal. One of the victims stated that the trauma led him to drug and alcohol abuse.

Quebec Court Justice Guylaine Rivest stated in the sentencing the importance of an incarceration period for the crime despite that the accused was a first-time offender. The defence was seeking a lighter sentence of time to be served in the community, while the Crown was seeking a 24 to 30-month prison term.

“The need for denunciation and deterrence is so urgent that those objectives can be achieved only by incarceration. This prioritization must be even more rigorously applied when the offences were committed over an extended period and in a context of trust or authority,” the Judge wrote.

Following his prison sentence, Charpentier will be placed on probation for three years. He must provide a sample of his DNA and will be logged on the registry of sex offenders for a period of 10 years. n

DDO teacher gets two year prison term for sexual abuse Read More »

Pointe Claire Councillors receive death threats

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

Two city councillors in Pointe-Claire were shocked to receive handwritten death threats delivered by regular post at Pointe Claire City Hall last week.

  • The letters read: You AHole, You trou de cul, You go to hell, You foff, You drop dead, God save P.T.C.” with the names of the councillors at the top of the page.

Pointe-Claire Director General (DG) Karina Verdon was quick to take precautions after City Councillor Kelly Thorstad-Cullen received the first note earlier in the week. “She (Verdon) handed me the letter while I was present for an urban planning meeting (on Friday) and asked me to open it in front of her,” City Councillor Eric Stork explained to The Suburban. Once it was confirmed that Stork had received the same threatening letter as Thorstad-Cullen, the DG immediately contacted the local police station 5 of the Montreal Police (SPVM) to book appointments for both councillors to issue their statements to the authorities.

Stork believes that a possible reason he and Thorstad were targeted is because both sit on the housing development committee at the City of Pointe-Claire. “We received this letter right after we approved a social housing project that was met with some controversy,” Stork told The Suburban, “Both my family and I are fearful and concerned by this direct threat. This is what happens when people, especially those with influence over constituents, invite and create misinformation. Rooted in this, I believe is the divisive politics spoken by some elected officials. Regardless, I will continue to represent my citizens regardless of the actions committed by the cowardly few.”

“It was quite a shock to receive a letter with such hateful and threatening messages. These types of behaviours are disgraceful and completely unacceptable. Council members are citizens of Pointe-Claire who work hard to make a difference in our city for all of our fellow citizens. We are mothers, fathers, grandparents, teachers, nurses, firefighters and lifelong volunteers in the community. Respect and integrity must prevail over lies and hatred,” Thorstad-Cullen wrote to The Suburban.

This incident is being taken very seriously and anyone with information related to this incident is urged to contact the local police station at (514) 280-0105 or report anonymously via the Info Crime platform at www.infocrimemontreal.ca or by phone at (514) 393-1133. n

Pointe Claire Councillors receive death threats Read More »

Pointe-Claire woman among 13 arrested for firearm trafficking

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

Thirteen firearm trafficking suspects were arrested by the Quebec Provincial Police (SQ) on Thursday morning in the West Island and throughout the province.

More than 100 police officers and civilians were deployed to execute the arrests and conduct 16 searches early Thursday morning in Pointe-Claire, Longueuil, Boucherville, Saint-Hubert, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Mercier, Saint-Roch-de-Richelieu, Saint-Marc-sur-Richelieu, Repentigny, Saint-Côme, Sainte-Émélie-de-l’Énergie, Fossambault-sur-le-Lac and Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier.

The suspects, ten men and three women, are Samantha Sarika-Singh, 40, from Pointe-Claire; François Plamondon, 38, from Fossambault-sur-le-Lac; Vincent Baril, 40, from Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier; Nicolas Gagné-Mercier, 23 years old from Gatineau; Omar Tissoudal, 21, from Mercier; Alexandre Ovalle, 41, from Carignan; Eddy-Félix Amador-Rojas, 37, from Longueuil; Yann-Michael Hervet, 53, from Saint-Marc-sur-Richelieu; Frédéric Vaillancourt, 52, from Sainte-Émélie-de-l’Énergie; Jason-Benoit Ialenti, 32, from Boucherville; Maxime Lajoie-Noreau, 35. from Saint-Roch-de-Richelieu; Maude L’Écuyer, 28, from Carignan and Marie-Ève Labonté, 43, from the borough of Saint-Hubert.

The suspects were arraigned by videoconference at the Quebec City courthouse on Thursday to answer to charges related to arms trafficking and/or drug trafficking.

The investigation leading up to these arrests was conducted by the Integrated Arms Trafficking Team (EILTA-Québec) and coordinated by the SQ. The operation began in October 2023.

According to authorities. the weapons, including twelve handguns that are most commonly used in violent firearm crimes, were mostly from the United States and were illegally imported into Quebec.

Authorities have not yet determined whether some of the weapons sold by this alleged firearm trafficking network were used. n

Pointe-Claire woman among 13 arrested for firearm trafficking Read More »

No solutions for neighbours of Pierrefonds hoarders

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

A family living on Devlin Street in Pierrefonds has seen their joy of living reduced for the last 25-years due to the hoarding of their neighbour. Numerous complaints were made to city officials in the last two decades and the family has been in direct contact with Pierrefonds-Roxboro Mayor Jim Beis since 2019. Beis even visited the property and spoke to neighbours, promising to do his best to help mediate the situation.

Beis explained to The Suburban that every possible course of action that could be taken by the municipality has been taken. “We’ve issued several tickets (via City of Montreal) and even sent crews to help clean up. At this level, there is only so much we can do regarding private property.” The Mayor also explained that the sensitive intersection between potential mental health involvement and legal considerations is difficult for authorities to navigate. Beis moved the file up the ladder to the City of Montreal and stated to The Suburban that he will look further into the matter in order to come up with answers for the complainants.

“This is a nice neighbourhood, but it is ruined by the ugliness and the stench coming from that house,” The neighbour explained to The Suburban. “It brings in mice and rats. There are things rotting there and it just keeps getting worse.”

The neighbour witnessed the City’s efforts to execute a clean-up of the property in 2021, where the owner kicked the workers off of his property, insisting on keeping his “belongings” in his front and back yard. When asked about this incident Beis said “That’s what I mean (by what was explained earlier) and in that case, all we can do is issue a ticket, which we have many times.”

The Suburban visited the neighbourhood and the putrid odours emanating from the yard were evident. A truck parked on the front lawn was filled with junk and surrounded by junk. The entire backyard had piles of junk, spreading over almost the entire canopy of terrain and reaching just a few feet short of the rooftop in certain spots.

“We understand that there may be some sensitive aspects to this problem, but everyone on this street is forced to live with the consequences. Where is the line drawn? Who is coming up with a fair solution? This certainly is not fair to us,” The neighbour explained. “We are not insensitive people, but its to the point where people are uncomfortable sitting outside on their own properties, at times. The City, or someone, has to come up with a solution. We understand that this is difficult, but for us who are forced to ‘live with it’, is that fair?” n

No solutions for neighbours of Pierrefonds hoarders Read More »

President’s Cup: Event Awesome…traffic a mess

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

The President’s Cup at the Royal West Golf Club that took place last weekend generated a major increase in car traffic crossing the Jacques-Bizard bridge connecting Pierrefonds-Roxboro to Île-Bizard with 30,000 visitors coming in for the tournament daily for six consecutive days. Some residents argued that the drive-in allowance pass system issued by the City of Montreal, distributed just two weeks prior to the event, posed more problems than solutions. With long wait times at the checkpoints, the drive-in pace was further slowed down.

“The majority of people are pretty frustrated by the way things were organized. The system put in place to manage traffic and the volume of traffic has been a mess since Tuesday,” Renaissance Coiffure owner and operator Julian Brun told The Suburban. “A caregiver in charge of bringing medication to an elderly client was unable to deliver. People visiting their parents had to change plans. Most elderly stayed in, not wanting to be involved in this mess. Children had to be kept home from school.”

With no public anglophone schools on the island, the majority of students affected were those attending anglophone public schools and private schools located off Île-Bizard.

A single entry checkpoint was set up on Pierrefonds Boulevard Eastbound between Hamel Street and Jacques-Bizard Boulevard during the cup except for the afternoon rush where access was also permitted from Pierrefonds Boulevard Westbound. The ferry was reserved for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers who were issued passes. The checkpoint for the ferry was set on Des Bois Avenue in Laval. No access restrictions were applied to pedestrians or cyclists. Street parking was strictly forbidden on the entire Île-Bizard island during the event.

In speaking with The Suburban prior to the event, Ile-Bizard Mayor Doug Hurley expressed his reservations about the access passes planned by the Montreal Agglomeration, suggesting that it would only contribute to complicating matters surrounding the event, not to mention the additional expenditure for a “solution” planned without consulting Île-Bizard. “The main solution is to ban street parking and provide a lane exclusive to shuttle buses during arrival and departure times,” Hurley explained. “There is also the aspect of additional security, which is provided by Île-Bizard, but as this is a Montreal event, they should fork the bill. We are best suited to manage locally, but since we are providing a service for a private event organized by the City of Montreal, our residents should not be paying for that. The tickets given out are sent to the city, it does not come back to us. The city should not be using public money for a private event in either case. We can provide the service, because we have the set-up and capacity but someone has to pay that bill, not the public.”

Following the event, The Suburban contacted Mayor Hurley for comment as the City of Montreal did concede to some of his suggestions such as the no-parking rule on the island throughout the event. “All I have gotten is complaints from people (as predicted), such as doctors and nurses not getting access to homes of patients, deliveries to pharmacies and grocery stores being blocked, even school buses. Vehicle fleets (such as these), are interchangeable as they have many vehicles that serve (interchangeably).”

Hurley advocated against the passes for several months prior to the event taking place. “As a former police officer, I know what is involved in stopping and directing cars. Checkpoints slow things down. The time it takes to check for passes and redirect those who don’t have them into another lane (or towards the distribution point for passes) was unnecessary and unhelpful for this event. This is not Ville-Marie. The people running the committee are not from an emergency background, they are from a tourism background and lack the experience of working with emergency services.”

Pierrefonds-Roxboro Mayor Jim Beis shared Hurley’s point of view and added that “checkpoints at the main artery between the East and West of Pierrefonds-Roxboro and on the commercial strip caused loss of accessibility to businesses on the commercial strip (in that same location) and created more traffic through residential areas.”

Both Beis and Hurley advised the police authorities on-site hired by the City of Montreal to direct traffic on how they could potentially relieve congestion. “After a few days they decided to take our advice and the situation improved,” Beis said.

According to Hurley, nearly 100 SPVM officers were deployed over six days to manage the traffic circulation and bridge-pass verifications. n

President’s Cup: Event Awesome…traffic a mess Read More »

West Island coach found guilty of sexual assault

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

Robert Litvack was found guilty of sexual assault and sexual interference on a 13-year-old late last week.

The 44-year-old Dollard-des-Ormeaux (DDO) man who coached various sports teams throughout the West Island was handed the guilty verdict by Justice Josée Bélanger of the Quebec Court.

As a direct result of his trusted position, Litvack managed to attack the young aspiring athlete who faced his aggressor in court, sharing his testimony last July alongside his parents.

At the time that the assaults occurred, Litvack was giving personal baseball training lessons to the teen in preparation for the next season. As part of the training session “preparations” Litvack massaged the teen’s legs, then told him to lower his underwear at which point he proceeded to massage his exposed buttocks for an average of 15 seconds during each session.

Litvack also invited the teen to participate in a disturbing version of a driving lesson, first allowing him to steer his car, then asking him to sit on his lap. During some car rides, Litvack tickled the teen on his inner thigh and repeated the same unwanted tickling while the teen was cornered in a baseball batting cage.

The privacy of the training sessions was further enhanced by the Covid-19 regulations coupled with the colder weather which stipulated that the teen could not be accompanied by his parents while participating in a private indoor training session.

According to the teen’s testimony, the unwanted gestures made him feel uncomfortable to the level where he was apprehensive each time he crossed paths with Litvack. “It’s not that I dreaded the practices, but when they were about to start, I was counting down the minutes,” he told the court last summer.

The ongoing sexual assaults ended after the youngster found the strength to talk about it to his mother, who in turn discussed the issue with his father. Together, the family decided to file a police report.

The AA bantam baseball coach was arrested in DDO in May 2021. The case caused a stir in the West Island due to Litvack’s involvement as an administrator in the Lac-Saint-Louis baseball organization. He was also a hockey coach. n

West Island coach found guilty of sexual assault Read More »

Beaconsfield’s Kim Bellas leads Walk for Wellness

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

Beaconsfield’s Kim Bellas, founder of Sober Is The New Cool (SITNC), will lead the Walk for Wellness on Mount Royal this coming Saturday morning Sept.28. The date was chosen because it coincides with International Recovery Day.

Bellas founded SITNC in 2013. “My 13-year old son Matthew started having grand mal seizures. Needless to say our world was turned upside down. As a mom of course my first reaction was how can I fix him? As medication was our only solution alcohol would be a definite no no,”Bellas said. At the age of 52, Bellas decided to give up drinking for three months to prove that alcohol and drugs were not a necessity to have fun. “Little did I realize the social pressures I would encounter.”

According to Bellas, in 2013, not many people or sites were openly discussing the shame and stigma surrounding mental health and addiction. Bellas created a Facebook page and shortly after the messages started pouring in from people all over the world who felt the could relate to the discussion and who shared her view of normalizing being sober.

Portage and Centre Summit are partnering with SITNC in the Walk this year. Over 25 countries internationally will also be holding Walks for Wellness on the same day. The Walks seek to raise awareness about wellness and recovery, de-stigmatize addiction and create a supportive community for wellness.

For the organizers it’s about all of us being in it together and helping. Why?

Because everybody — at some time or another — is recovering from something painful. Their message is “recovery is possible for everyone.”

The special guest at the walk will be Robert-Baldwin MNA Brigitte Garceau, who will be reading her National Assembly Recovery Day declaration. Other guests will be Allan Farkas, National Director of Admissions and Community Relations at Portage Drug Addiction Rehabilitation Centres; Joshua Haupt, Founder of Centre Summit addiction treatment services and counselling centre and Monica Merleau, yoga teacher and spiritual and mindfulness specialist.

All participants are asked to gather Saturday at 10:30 am at the Mount Royal Chalet, 1196 Camillien-Houde Road for the walk to the Mount Royal Cross. n

Beaconsfield’s Kim Bellas leads Walk for Wellness Read More »

LGH opens “game-changing” Family Medicine Unit

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By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

.A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place at the Lakeshore General Hospital’s (LGH) new family medicine unit last week. The unit will serve to respond to the shortage of family doctors in the West Island, while the average population lacking a family doctor across the province has reached near 30 per cent. It will also serve as a teaching unit with up to 26 residencies taking place over time and 12 expected by next July. 

The ceremony was attended by West Island Mayors Tim Thomas for Pointe-Claire, Michel Gibson for Kirkland, Jim Beis for Pierrefonds-Roxboro and Heidi Ekdvedt for Baie-D’Urfé. “This clinic is not only an important step for the hospital, but a testimony to its greatness,” LGH Director and Associate Chief of family medicine Dr. Shadi Abid told The Suburban. “The immense shortage of family doctors calls for an effort to address that need and that is what we have done here. With each new doctor, we will be able to care for more patients.”

According to the President and Director-General for the West Island Health Authority (CIUSSS-ODIM), Dan Gabay, there are now 6,600 patients already registered to the new clinic, with that number expected to grow significantly as the unit acquires staff in collaboration with McGill’s residency programming. “By acquiring the modular (to renovate the ER), the opportunity for a second floor to position the family medicine unit became possible. By having primary care for patients, it lessens the pressure on the hospital. It is embedded in the hospital intentionally because we want to develop academia within Lakeshore and family physicians are the first big push via McGill with the intention to bring physicians from all specialties (over time).”

“This is an important game-changer for the West Island community. Family medicine is often the first line of care and we have overcome many challenges in bringing this unit to life,” Managing Director at the LGH Foundation Nathalie Kamel said to The Suburban.

“This is an inspiring project. We need to see more responses (like this) to the needs in health care, in the West Island and throughout the province,” Pointe-Claire Mayor Tim Thomas told The Suburban.

“First line medical care and social responsibility are a priority for us,” Marion Dove, Chair of Family Medicine at McGill University, stated. “With the creation of the GMF-U (family medicine unit), we will prepare the next generation of doctors.” n

LGH opens “game-changing” Family Medicine Unit Read More »

Dellar Residence Run in Pointe Claire raises over 300k

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

The 8th edition of the “Course pour la Compassion” run that took place at Valois Park in Pointe-Claire last Saturday raised $307,500 for the Teresa Dellar palliative care residence. The run began at 9:00 a.m. at the park with 730 participants. Champions for Life Foundation Founder and Ambassador for the Course de la Compassion and former national Taekwondo champion David Arsenault led attendees into a fun warm up activity. Arsenault was joined by former National track and field athlete Steve O’Brien. Maya Johnson hosted the on-stage announcements and presentations.

The run kicked off at 10:00 a.m. with runners leaving from the north-side of the park starting towards Belmont Street. Participants were guided throughout the neighbourhood by volunteers at multiple stops along the way cheering on the runners. Two course set-ups, one for 1km run participants and the second for 5km run participants, with both loops leading back to the south side of the park from Donegani Avenue.

In the park, snacks and beverages were served and participants along with volunteers and supporters of the cause mingled until late afternoon. Elected official in attendance included the MNA for Robert-Baldwin Brigitte Garceau, the MNA for Jacques-Cartier Gregory Kelley, Nelligan MNA Monsef Derraji, St-Laurent MNA Marwah Rizqy, Pointe-Claire Mayor Tim Thomas, Pointe-Claire City Councillor Cynthia Homan, Kirkland Mayor Michel Gibson, Pierrefonds-Roxboro Mayor Jim Beis, Dorval Mayor Marc Doret and DDO City Councillor Errol Johnson.

Three-time Olympian in artistic swimming and gold medalist in the World Aquatics Championship, Jacqueline Simoneau participate in the race alongside her grandmother, a former caregiver and ongoing supporter of the residence. The previous day, senior residents from the Cambridge residence along with some of their family members participated in a walk-a-thon raising $13,500 towards the total sums collected.

“I love the inclusiveness of this event and express my heartfelt gratitude to all those who participated. Today also marked an important milestone as this event has now passed the 1-million-dollar mark in cumulative funds raised since the beginning!” Dale Weil, Executive Director of the Teresa Dellar Residence stated. “Our supporters, dedicated volunteers, generous sponsors, and devoted colleagues are the cornerstone of our ability to sustain the delivery of the high-quality palliative care that our patients and their families so deserve. We cannot thank them enough.”

Major sponsors of the event included presenting sponsor Pfizer Canada, the City of Pointe-Claire, Charles River Laboratories Inc., as well as Uniprix Sainte-Anne and Lachine. n

Dellar Residence Run in Pointe Claire raises over 300k Read More »

DDO seniors club celebrates 25th Anniversary

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

The Dollard-des-Ormeaux (DDO) Seniors Club marked its 25th anniversary with a Gala that was held at the banquet hall located in the DDO Civic Centre last week.

The celebratory event was attended by more than 160 members and volunteers. Elected officials in attendance were DDO Mayor Alex Bottausci, MNA for Robert Baldwin Brigitte Garceau along with DDO City Councillors Errol Johnson, Mickey Guttman, Tanya Toledano, Morris Vesely and Anastasia Assimakopoulos.

Founded in 1999, the DDO Seniors Club has been a cornerstone for seniors in the community, offering a welcoming space for social connection, personal growth, and well-being. Over the past 25 years, the club has grown to serve more than 800 members annually, providing a wide range of physical and social activities, and opportunities for seniors to stay engaged and connected.

During the event, special recognition was given to the club’s founding president, Joyce Sweeney, for her visionary leadership, and the current president, Francine Lamotte, highlighted the dedication of the board, volunteers, and members who continue to sustain the club’s success. “I want to pay tribute to all those who have passed through the club, who have evolved with it and who have enabled its sustainability and achievements over all these years. I am talking here about each of you, the members, all the volunteers, the boards of directors and employees as well as our partners, the main one of which is the city of Dollard-des-Ormeaux,” Lamotte stated.

As the club enters its next chapter, it remains committed to its mission of providing a space for seniors to thrive, build friendships, and stay active. With the ongoing support of the City of DDO and valued sponsors, the DDO Seniors Club looks forward to many more years of making a positive difference in the lives of its members. n

DDO seniors club celebrates 25th Anniversary Read More »

“Divisive politics have no place in healthcare!”:Kelley

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

The National Assembly has unanimously adopted a Liberal motion, supported by Québec Solidaire, emphasizing that English-speaking Quebecers do not need to obtain a certificate of eligibility to access health and social services in English in Québec.

In speaking to The Suburban, Gregory Kelley, the Official Opposition critic for relations with English-speaking Quebecers stated that, “No confusion should ever exist in the health network where a person feels they need to prove their right to have access to healthcare. When a patient shows up to a hospital, it is for a medical test and not a language test.”

The motion, tabled by André Fortin, Liberal MNA for Pontiac, requires the government to ensure that any directives given to the health and social services network are clear and explicit on this matter.

In recent months, complete confusion has arisen following the publication of a government directive on the use of languages other than French in the health and social services network. Many citizens have expressed concern that they would not be able to receive health care in English.

According to Kelley, it was imperative to remind the government of its responsibilities, particularly with the presentation of this motion. ‘’The CAQ has finally understood the importance of ensuring that every individual in Quebec, without exception, can access health care, and that language should never serve as an obstacle. They created a 31-page document to explain why and how they are applying language laws to healthcare. Lucien Bouchard (the former Premier of Quebec) said, “When you go to a hospital you may need a blood test but you don’t need a language test.’ Bottom line is that divisive politics do not have a place in the healthcare system.”

When asked for an “on the ground” example of what the confusion relayed to him directly looked like, Kelley told The Suburban about an elderly constituent whose spouse was concerned about bringing him to the hospital as he lost his bilingual capabilities due to dementia. “The senior community, in particular, has been really shaken up by this. It affects everyone. It is wrong. Period.” n

“Divisive politics have no place in healthcare!”:Kelley Read More »

New Ile-aux-Tourtes bridge construction update

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

The anticipation for the new Île-aux-Tourtes bridge continues to grow as traffic related challenges continue to affect residents of the off-island communities.

The first of two structures, namely the westbound structure, is expected to be competed by the end of 2026, according to the Quebec Transport Ministry (MTQ). “At this moment, the building of the first of the two structures to transfer the circulation is expected in two years,” MTQ spokesperson Sarah Bensadoun told The Suburban.

Once opened to traffic, the westbound bridge will have five lanes open to vehicle traffic temporarily until the second structure is completed. Upon its expected completion in 2027, the second structure — which will service eastbound traffic — will have three lanes open to vehicle traffic, as will the first.

Meanwhile the old bridge is slated to be decommissioned toward the end of 2026.The two structures will have three vehicle traffic lanes as well as a cyclist lane, pedestrian lane and emergency lane, totalling six lanes per bridge, in either direction. n

New Ile-aux-Tourtes bridge construction update Read More »

Ile Perrot: Small town hosts big town style blues night

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By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

The 12th edition of the Ile-Perrot VIP Blues weekend, that took place last Friday and Saturday evenings in nearly-perfect weather conditions at Parc des Générations, was the best one yet with dozens of local restaurants serving up Creole, Greek, Asian and Canadian dishes along the walkway on Perrot Boulevard leading up to the stage.

Seb and Jess kicked off the evening with dynamic showmanship gathering a crowd of a few hundred attendees.

The Cite-des-Jeunes High School “Combo Jazz” group wowed the Friday evening attendees who could barely believe that the stellar performance taking place was primarily made up of young high school students.

The entertainment portion of the evening was topped off with a surprise performance by the People’s Gospel Choir, led by Kimble Sherwood who is famous for his composition of a song that was performed at an event held for Nelson Mandela upon his visit to Montreal in 1990. That very song came back to life in the heart of Ile-Perrot last Friday evening, a small town of 12,000 residents.

DJ breaks in between performances allowed attendees that showed up at various times to grab a snack.

Blockades on both ends of the street were set up by the City of Ile Perrot staff members who remained on site to direct traffic throughout the evening and patrol the walkway. Inside the event, pedestrians roamed freely from booth to booth, tasting a variety of culinary delights while being entertained by a juggler on stilts.

A VIP section near the center-right of the stage was set up next to booths serving signature micro brasserie style beers brewed locally. Surrounding the VIP section were crowds of cheering spectators, dancing, clapping and singing along to their favourite tunes.

The live music could be heard several blocks away from the event, serving to gather curious residents towards the park. n

Ile Perrot: Small town hosts big town style blues night Read More »

Pride celebration coming to West Island

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

West Islanders are excited to welcome the first Pride celebration at Edgewater Park in Pointe-Claire this fall.

The West Island LGBTQ2+ Centre is set to host this highly anticipated event on September 14, welcoming all members of the West Island Community.

Participants can expect music, a variety show, awards and a variety of other activities.

“West Island Pride is about celebrating our local community and unifying the community in love and support for our 2SLGBTQIA+ friends, families and neighbours,” West Island LGBTQ2+ Centre Executive Director David Hawkins stated. “It’s an increasingly scary world out there for a lot of queer people with everything going on socially and politically, and so it’s important that we make intentional spaces locally to celebrate and uplift the 2SLGBTQIA+ community here in the West Island.”

Friends, families. neighbours and pets are invited to join the outdoor celebration from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. n

Pride celebration coming to West Island Read More »

Ile-Bizard Mayor slams Montreal response on floods

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By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

Île-Bizard Mayor Doug Hurley says the City of Montreal did not do its part in flood-damage prevention in the eye of the storm where speed is of the essence in an efficient response.

With 157 mm of rain hitting Île-Bizard in a twelve-hour period, Hurley told The Suburban that his staff were quick to hit the ground, however as a result of the Grands Parcs zoning under the responsibility of the City of Montreal, their capacity to significantly reduce some of the water build-up was limited causing additional damages to residences in proximity to those sectors. On the North side of the Island, on 1st and 2nd Avenue, 4-5 feet of water accumulated in the streets.

Hurley deployed his public security force to check on residents and assist the elderly. “People are reaching out to us for answers and we are doing our best to keep them informed, but we have no answers from the Agglo. This rain hit the entire island, this was not a shoreline issue like in the past. We needed to act quickly and we did by moving pumps from the street into the river and sending our crews out to assist residents. We knew we were taking a risk, because we moved the pumps without permission from the agglomeration, who unlike us, are on break outside of office hours. We didn’t have time to wait for answers. Human lives were at stake. What we could not do was shut off the valves in Les Grands Parcs and no one from Montreal, that has access, responded to that emergency in a timely manner, which contributed to more flooding that could have been avoided,” Hurley told The Suburban.

Hurley says the disconnect of the Agglo from municipalities and demerged cities in not a new problem and that this rainfall was one of many examples of that disconnect. “We should have emergency accesses to Les Grands Parc, or in my opinion, full range management. They decided to zone it under their responsibility but that makes no sense. We are here, we know what is needed when. Clearly, they don’t. It’s always like two opposing hockey teams going for the Stanley Cup. That does not serve our population.”

The Suburban reached out to the City of Montreal for a response but none was received by press time. n

Ile-Bizard Mayor slams Montreal response on floods Read More »

Kirkland unveils honour to Claire-Kirkland Casgrain

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

The Town of Kirkland held an unveiling of a photograph and commemorative plaque honouring Claire Kirkland-Casgrain in the presence of her daughter Lynne Casgrain who was moved by the speeches commemorating her late mother in the presence of her husband Julius Grey and their son Charles Grey.

The event was attended by Kirkland Councillor Paul Dufort, Kirkland Councillor Luciano Piciacchia, former provincial Minister Geoffrey Kelley, Jacques-Cartier MNA Gregory Kelley, Robert-Baldwin MNA Brigitte Garceau,Julius Grey, Lynne Casgrain, Charles Grey Kirkland Mayor Michel Gibson, Nelligan MNA Monsef Derraji, Kirkland John Morson.

When Kirkland became a municipality in 1961, it was named after Dr. Charles-Aime-Kirkland who was known for his generosity amongst the rich and the poor alike.

Following the death of her father in August 1961, five months after the City of Kirkland became a municipal corporation, Claire ran in the by-election and became the first woman to be elected to the Legislative Assembly of Quebec.

In the 1962 general election, Premier Jean Lesage made her a Minister without portfolio. She became the first female minister in Quebec’s history. In 1964, she introduced Bill 16, which ended the legal incapacity of married women and allowed them to perform legal acts without their husband’s consent.

Appointed Minister of Transport and Communications from 1964 to 1966, she made road safety her priority. She ran again in the 1966 general election, but this time in the new electoral district of Marguerite-Bourgeoys, which she represented until 1973. In 1969, as part of the Official Opposition, she had the bill concerning matrimonial regimes and the establishment of partnership of acquests adopted. She served as Minister of Tourism, Hunting and Fishing from 1970 to 1972 and prepared a white paper promoting access without discrimination or privilege to hunting and fishing territories, previously the preserve of private clubs; this measure led to the creation of Quebec’s first wildlife reserves. She also presided over the adoption of the Cultural Property Act, the cornerstone of the protection of Quebec’s heritage and cultural development, while she was Minister of Cultural Affairs from 1972 to 1973. She left politics on February 14, 1973, following her appointment as Provincial Court judge and chair of the Minimum Wage Commission. However, before leaving the National Assembly, she led Bill 63, which created the Council on the Status of Women.

“The City of Kirkland is very proud to be linked today to Claire Kirkland-Casgrain, a pioneer of women’s emancipation in Quebec politics and a symbol of the feminist cause in Canada,” Kirkland Mayor Michel Gibson stated at the unveiling. n

Kirkland unveils honour to Claire-Kirkland Casgrain Read More »

West Island school zones on police radar

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

Montreal Police (SPVM) and the Quebec Provincial Police (SQ) forces are calling for vigilance on the road in school zones as we enter the back to school period this fall.

The 2023 “back to school” operation, led by the SPVM, which ran from August 28 to September 22 last year, resulted in 6,246 tickets issued to road users in and around school zones while photo radar surveillance operations, also in school zones, recorded 1,675 infractions.

Lyne, a crosswalk volunteer in the off-island community of Ile-Perrot told The Suburban that despite the heavy police presence at the start of each school year, along with an abundance of speed signs, many drivers and pedestrians ignore traffic regulations. “It’s very disappointing and difficult for me to comprehend why people don’t understand the importance of these regulations,” she explained while speaking in French. “Many of those I see rushing or disregarding the signage are parents who are dropping their kids off at school or daycare.”

SPVM spokesperson Antony Dorelas confirmed to The Suburban that this year’s operations have already begun. “We don’t have the exact statistics at this time as the operation is currently underway. Our hope is that previous operations have sensitized the community and we will see a drop in last year’s numbers of traffic violations.”

In a public statement issued on August 22, the SQ wrote “The presence of school buses, pedestrians, cyclists and crossing guards will inevitably increase (the amount of) traffic on the road network. For prevention purposes, from August 26 to September 6, SQ police officers will intensify their interventions around schools. Road users are urged to be extra careful to ensure a safe return to school for all.”

The Suburban observed over twenty-five speeding infractions in less than fifteen-minutes last Monday morning on a city-installed roadside speedometer across the road from a daycare located between two schools in Ile-Perrot. n

West Island school zones on police radar Read More »

Montreal police nab six suspects in airport car theft ring

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By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

Montreal police (SPVM) arrested six suspects last week in connection with a car theft ring following an investigation that was launched last May after officers recovered 19 motor vehicles that were reported stolen. The vehicles were returned to their owners once identified.

The investigation began with information related to a rise in vehicle thefts at Pierre-Elliott Trudeau Airport in Dorval. The network was also active in multiple sectors of the Greater Montreal Area (GMA). The suspects allegedly took charge of all stages of the process, from theft to export. The targeted vehicles were mainly Toyota, Lexus and Jeep models. The suspects allegedly performed dangerous manoeuvres to protect their stolen merchandise, which at times put civilians and police officers at risk. Some thirty vehicles were stolen throughout the three-month investigation.

The arrests took place in Montreal, Brossard and Longueuil with the collaboration of some fifty officers.

The six suspects apprehended are all men in their early twenties. Two of them were already detained in connection with charges in other cases. The other four were arraigned at the Montreal courthouse last Thursday. In total, 176 charges were filed against the members of the group. In addition to several breaches of court-ordered conditions, charges include theft of a motor vehicle, conspiracy, trafficking of stolen property, possession of burglary tools, possession of a master key, recycling of proceeds of a crime, driving without a license and reckless driving.

The various operations carried out by the SPVM in cracking down on car theft are producing concrete results. Since the start of 2024, a 30% drop in vehicle thefts was noted in the GMA. For the same period from January to July in 2023, 6,914 vehicles were reported stolen. This figure is 4,917 for 2024. Over 500 arrests in connection to vehicle theft were made in 2023 and the number continues to climb in 2024. n

Montreal police nab six suspects in airport car theft ring Read More »

Complete closure of Île-aux-Tourtes September 6-9

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

The Île-aux-Tourtes bridge, connecting Senneville and Vaudreuil-Dorion along Highway 40, will be completely closed to traffic throughout the weekend of September 6 to 9.

According to the Quebec Transport Ministry (MTQ), the complete closure is required in order for construction work to be carried out on the drainage network for the new bridge and implement a new traffic configuration on Highway 40 Eastbound. Continued maintenance work will be carried out simultaneously, including the installation of a membrane and asphalting on the bridge structure.

Traffic management from Friday, September 6, at 11:59 p.m., to Monday, September 9, at 5 a.m. will include a complete closure of Highway 40 Westbound between Exit No. 41 – Ste Anne-de-Bellevue and the entrance from Saint-Charles Avenue in Vaudreuil as well as the complete closure of Highway 40 Eastbound between Exit No. 35 –Saint-Charles (Vaudreuil) and the entrance from Boulevard des Anciens-Combattants.

The ramp leading from Highway 40 Eastbound to the Île-aux-Tourtes bridge will be closed at the Highway 30 interchange. Westbound, access to Senneville Road will be maintained for users who need to go to this area.

According to the MTQ, when the bridge reopens on Monday, September 9, a total of three lanes are expected to be available on the bridge, including two in the direction of traffic flow, Eastbound in the morning and Westbound in the afternoon.

Detour routes will be marked with temporary signage.

“During this closure, the public is invited to use public transit and take advantage of the mitigation measures in place due to the obstructions at the Île-aux-Tourtes bridge. In addition, the toll will be suspended in both directions on Highway 30 to offer an additional alternative,” he Ministry stated.

A second complete closure of the bridge is also planned for the weekend of September 20. n

Complete closure of Île-aux-Tourtes September 6-9 Read More »

Pointe-Claire neighbourhood bands together after floods

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

The heavy rain produced by tropical storm Debbie caused flash flooding in multiple pockets of Pointe-Claire causing significant damage to homes. One of the areas particularly affected was Cragmore Street, bordered by Braebrook Avenue and Concord Crescent.

At the height of the rainfall, the entire street resembled a river overflowing the curbs onto front lawns with the bulk of the flow building up on Braebrook. The drainage capacity of the sewage system appeared to be completely overwhelmed on these streets. It took over an hour for the water levels to subside following the second wave of the storm. Water infiltrated most of the houses and caused entire basements to be flooded by 12 inches of water or more, according to residents.

Residents spent the next 24-48 hours pumping, drying, tearing out walls and floors while sifting through cherished belongings. Some homes are still without amenities such as A/C and hot water, four weeks after the flood.

The street view for two weeks following the August 9 storm showed huge piles of damaged debris that home owners had to remove to prevent mold and mildew. Depending on their economic situations, some home owners were helped by hired demolition crews while others had to do the job themselves. Many reported feeling poorly and attribute that to the humidity and mold, while others simply wore themselves out responding urgently, with a 36-hour time frame to the damages caused to their homes.

Most insurance policies usually specify or limit claims for outside water infiltration because of the low probability of such events occurring in areas outside of known flood zones. As a result, many people were under-insured for this type of claim.

Many residents have expressed thanks and appreciation to the City of Pointe-Claire’s volunteer rescue team who assisted residents in pumping out some basements overnight after the storm subsided. Residents also expressed their appreciation for the City’s prompt organization in arranging regular pickups of the debris over the last few weeks.

A group of residents living on and near Cragmore street banded together to create e-mail chains with City officials to keep themselves up to date and on the same page with the ongoing assessments as well as the future remedial work plans.

Mayor Thomas has acknowledged that Cragmore/Braebrook and Glanlynn/Terra Cotta streets were two areas in Pointe-Claire that were the worst hit . The mayor and Pointe-Claire council members have promised residents that the flooding will be assessed in the next few weeks and the findings will be disclosed . Residents are also calling for a town hall meeting where everyone affected can attend to understand firsthand the issues and the city’s plans going forward.

According to Pointe-Claire City Councillor Eric Stork there is also a possibility that the Cragmore/Braebrook intersection itself may have some underlying stability issues.

At this time, many think that because the water took so long to subside, the capacity of the older sewers in this area may be inadequate. Other streets around the area, some of which had infrastructure updates, did not suffer the same degree of flooding. The City’s assessment due near the end of September should clarify the issues that need addressing .

“I am very anxious to review the City’s assessment and the proposed repair plan and schedule. I certainly hope that they are allocating the highest priority to this disaster . This can occur again . Climate change is evolving the weather patterns. We need to see some action before round two,” one resident said to The Suburban. n

Pointe-Claire neighbourhood bands together after floods Read More »

Suspect charged in murder of Lachine woman

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

The Montreal Police (SPVM) Major Crimes Section arrested a suspect in connection with the murder of a 64-year-old woman that occurred in a Lachine home on July 29.

The victim‘s death was initially considered suspicious by authorities. The investigation concluded that it was a murder. A 28-year-old suspect was apprehended last week at his home located in LaSalle.

The suspect was arraigned at the Montreal courthouse and charged with first-degree murder. He will remain detained until the next steps of the legal proceedings against him.

On July 29, 2024, at around 7:45 p.m., SPVM patrol officers responded to a 911 call alerting them to visit the victim’s apartment located on 32nd Avenue, near Victoria Street, in Lachine. Upon arrival, the officers discovered the lifeless body of a 64-year-old woman. Shortly after, medical technicians confirmed the death of the woman. A security perimeter was immediately established and investigators from the Major Crimes Section were dispatched to the scene as her death appeared to be suspicious.

This was the 21st homicide of 2024 in the Greater Montreal Area (GMA). n

Suspect charged in murder of Lachine woman Read More »

Challenging week for train commuters and businesses

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By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

The commute of more than 21,000 Montrealers was impacted by the CPKN and CN strikes occurring simultaneously last Thursday. Dispatchers walked off the job at 12:01 a.m. along with 3,200 railway workers. In total, 9,300 workers were locked out Thursday until the federal government stepped in to force operations to resume. The strike shut down three important railway lines affecting the Greater Montreal Area (GMA), including Exo’s Candiac, Saint-Jerome and Vaudreuil/Hudson lines. Some Via Rail routes were facing potential transit issues as a result of being caught in the contract negotiation crossfires.

For Vaudreuil/Hudson commuters, this was an additional obstacle to the Ile-Aux-Tourtes bridge restrictions. “If it is not one thing, it is another,” a Vaudreuil resident said to The Suburban. “There are more problems than solutions. This is becoming an impossible situation.” To top it off, in September, two complete weekend closures are slated for repair work on the bridge. Meanwhile, traffic on the daily run is slowed due to intermittent lane closures. “They tell us to use public transport, but when that doesn’t work out, what are we supposed to do? Fly?” Another resident said. “Without the work of the CPKC rail traffic controllers, our trains on these three lines (affecting the GMA) would be unable to run,” Exo spokesman Eric Edström stated a day prior to the strike. “The bus shuttles that will be offered will not be able to compensate for the entire service of the three affected train lines.” GMA train line users were forced to find alternative routes for days, causing disruptions in the local workforce.

Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon — who is just over a month into his cabinet portfolio — invoked powers under Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code that allows the government to refer a labour dispute to the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) for binding arbitration. This effectively ended the strike. CN, CPKC and Teamsters Canada were forced by the invocation to resume operations and go back to the bargaining table.

“Neither CN nor CPKC has relented on their push to weaken protections around rest periods and scheduling, increasing the risk of fatigue-related safety issues,” Teamsters Canada stated prior to the decision.

Two days later, on Saturday, the federal labour board ruled that freight trains must start rolling again first thing Monday morning. Teamsters Canada issued a statement that it will comply with the tribunal’s decision — however, plans to file an appeal are underway.

“It signals to corporate Canada that large companies need only stop their operations for a few hours, inflict short-term economic pain and the federal government will step in to break a union,” president of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference Paul Boucher stated Saturday.

CN stated that while it is satisfied that the labour conflict has ended and it can get back to its role of powering the economy, the company is disappointed that a negotiated deal could not be achieved at the bargaining table despite its best efforts.

Despite the short-lived strike, the economic impact in a matter of hours was significant for goods transportation and public transit. The walk-out interrupted the transport of goods valued at close to $1 billion across Canada and the U.S. The total economic loss will take weeks to determine as thousands of businesses and industries were affected on multi-level platforms. With transit last in line, and some lines only resuming Monday this week, it can be gauged that it took up to five days for the re-routing, re-organizing and departure planning process to take place.

“Not only will the work stoppage negatively affect shipments of raw materials and goods essential for small business operations, but it will also lead to a decreased on-shelf availability of consumer products, including grocery and drugstore essentials and even baby formula,” CFIB chief executive Dan Kelly predicted in a press statement on Thursday. “Some small businesses are already reporting they will need to halt operations as they will no longer be able to receive critical inputs or meet their contractual obligations to customers.” n

Challenging week for train commuters and businesses Read More »

Linda Sestock named president of CFUW

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

The Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) named Linda Sestock as president, following decades of her dedication to the organization along with multiple women’s activist groups.

CFUW provides support to 98 women’s clubs across Canada. It has influenced decisions on subsidized child care in Canada, long term care facility policies, general education and education for the Indigenous population. The organization grants over a million scholarships annually to women getting their masters degree and PhD’s.

While in her busiest year yet in her professional career, Sestock was offered this position and gladly accepted the challenge. “This is an opportunity to bring my experience to the table and bring CFUW out of the background to the forefront. This is my chance to take it to the next level,” Sestock told The Suburban.

Sestock’s day starts early, answering e-mails and setting up meetings all before driving around town to meet clients and serve the community on multiple fronts with a focus on women’s groups. “I have a little time.. for tennis,” she admits.

When asked how she felt about her new role, Sestock responded that she sees herself “more as a supporter in this role, leadership is an opportunity to support more.”

As a known activist for women’s rights and a West Island community leader, The Suburban asked Sestock what her priority focus is at this time. “Autonomy over ones body, supporting women in politics to grow and to be part of the political voice, safety from being attacked for voicing an opinion,” she answered.

Sestock followed in her mother’s footsteps, always giving back to the community and says this is a value that was ingrained in her from a young age. n

Linda Sestock named president of CFUW Read More »

Poilievre addresses housing crisis in Pointe Claire visit

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By Chelsey St-Pierre

Federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre held a news conference in the Fairview Pointe-Claire shopping centre’s parking lot as part of a series of stops where he shed light on hyper-local issues causing delays in housing projects affecting the overall Canadian housing crisis.

Tens of thousands of housing units have been stalled in the Greater Montreal Area, which caught the attention of the Federal Conservative leader. In January, he declared Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante to be “incompetent”, as she continues to stall development.

Poilievre criticized the City of Pointe-Claire for blocking the Cadillac Fairview development plan for part of the mall’s parking lot. “Local bureaucracy is blocking that construction that would allow seniors and students to live next to a massive transit station.”

Pointe-Claire Mayor Tim Thomas disagreed, stating that he was elected for the purpose of slowing down development. “Too many housing units have been built without much thought given to the best way to design the urban fabric. This is sensible, responsible urban planning in a community where developers have been given too many red carpets, and not enough red tape,” Thomas wrote in response to Poilievre’s visit.

One thing Poilievre and Thomas agreed on is that the green space for Fairview Forest should remain untouched in the development plan. Cadillac Fairview’s proposal includes two 25-storey residential towers as part of a first phase and single family units in lieu of the green space as part of the second phase. Both phases of the proposed development project were stalled by an interim control bylaw issued in the spring of 2022.

Poilievre said the City of Pointe-Claire could have managed the development better. He stated that under the Conservative government, all new transit projects would be required to include a housing component. “Trudeau has caused this problem by funding local bureaucracies that block homebuilding,” Poilievre told reporters. “Building homes is a 911 emergency and I have a good-sense plan to get it done.”

Poilievre’s plan includes proposed incentives for municipalities who reach development goals and penalties for municipalities that score below the calculated rate of target development. The calculation would include consideration for the size of the municipality while considering the effect and contribution to the overall economy. n

Poilievre addresses housing crisis in Pointe Claire visit Read More »

Quebec Ombudsman warns of excessive use of restraints at LGH

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre

The West Island health authority (CIUSSS) and the Quebec health ministry received recommendations following an investigation conducted by the Quebec Ombudsman of the Lakeshore General Hospital (LGH), after multiple reports of negligence were filed.

“In January 2023, the Québec Ombudsman received several reports of negligence in the quality of care and services provided by Lakeshore General Hospital emergency staff,” Ombudsman Marc-André Dowd wrote. The Quebec Health Ministry requested an independent investigation into the hospital last February.

According to the report, the West Island health authority (CIUSSS-ODIM) and the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS) are aware of the issues of difficult working conditions and work overload at Lakeshore General Hospital.

The investigation includes concerns about staff practices such as the excessive use of restraints. “The investigation showed that there were several flaws in this area,” Dowd determined. Restraints are control measures designed to limit a person’s movements to ensure both their safety and that of others. They can be physical, such as barriers, bindings and force, or chemical, such as sedatives.

Dowd noted that emergency staff lacked knowledge about the protocol governing control measures; restraints were sometimes used too quickly without alternative measures attempted first and there were shortcomings when it came to supervising and record-keeping use of the control measures.

Several recommendations were made to the Quebec Health Ministry as well as the West Island health authority and both are required to report back to the Ombudsman by April 30.

This hospital serves a population of more than 225,000 and its emergency room receives more than 40,000 visits a year, making it one of the busiest in Montreal. “Despite their heavy workload, all staff members are concerned about providing quality services and care to users,” Dowd stated. n

Quebec Ombudsman warns of excessive use of restraints at LGH Read More »

$680,000 raised at Dellar Residence 25th annual Valentine gala

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre

The 25th Annual Valentine’s Ball in support of the Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence was a triumph raising $680,000, There were nearly 450 guests, sponsors, and donors. The Ball was held at Château Vaudreuil’s Pavillion sur le Lac, under the Honorary Presidency of Barry F. Lorenzetti. Dale Weil, Executive Director of the Residence said, “Tonight, we celebrate our remarkably supportive community, the benevolence of our donors, the dedication of our sponsors, and the tireless efforts of our volunteers and employees who embody the Residence’s mission, providing quality palliative care for patients and their families day-in and day-out. The resonance of support from our community is truly profound, and we are sincerely thankful for their commitment.”

The 25th edition of the Ball not only marked a significant milestone but also provided a moment to honor Russell Williams, co-founder of the Residence.   Amidst the festivities, a special segment was dedicated to acknowledging his contribution to the inception and success of the Residence. The gourmet dinner was followed by a surprise duet performance by Barry and Brittany Kennel and an evening of dancing with The Fundamentals.

Emcees for the evening were Yolande James, Managing Director and Head of Strategic Communications and Global Governmental Affairs at PSP Investment and Jamie Orchard, journalist and Senior Advisor, Public Relations & Media, VIA Rail Canada. Barry F. Lorenzetti, CEO and Founder of BFL Canada stressed the importance of getting involved in the community. Elected officials in attendance included MP Francis Scarpaleggia (Lac-St-Louis), and MNA’s Monsef Derraji (Nelligan), Brigitte Garceau (Robert Baldwin), as well as West Island mayors Jim Beis, Heidi Ektvedt, Tim Thomas, Alex Bottauscii.

Major sponsors were BFL Canada, Broccolini, Pfizer Canada, Merck Canada, Hagen Group, TASK, Delmar International, Voluntas commemoration and Roxboro Excavation.

$680,000 raised at Dellar Residence 25th annual Valentine gala Read More »

Beis slams Plante on failure to help residents with reduced mobility

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre

Pierrefonds-Roxboro Mayor and spokesperson for the Official Opposition on snow removal, Jim Beis along with organizations defending the rights of people with reduced mobility held a press conference to challenge the Plante administration’s failure to respect universal accessibility standards during snow removal in Montreal.

Ex Aequo and the Group of Users of Adapted and Accessible Transport on the island of Montreal (RUTA-Montreal) say they want better conditions for Montrealers with reduced mobility.”I think the most important aspect about accessibility in the winter is making sure that snow and ice chunks are removed from the bottom of curbs, because the curbs often are cracked and when they have extra snow it becomes bumpy and people’s wheelchairs can flip over,” Natalie Cinman, told The Suburban.

Natalie says she saves her medical appointments as much as possible for the spring avoiding travel during the winter months. In 2020, the City of Montreal launched a universal accessibility project aimed to “improve its practices in universal accessibility” which was supposed to lead to the development of a 2024-2030 action plan by the spring of 2024.

“We requested at that time that the mayor look at and be committed to adding a clause to all contracts for snow removal that the areas that we are talking about today, be prioritized and taken care of,” A priority that has been overlooked according to Beis.

According to the 2021 census carried out by Statistics Canada, nearly 158,000 Montrealers have difficulty walking, using stairs, using hands or fingers or to perform other physical activities. n

Beis slams Plante on failure to help residents with reduced mobility Read More »

WI art teacher sells his students’ work for own profit

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre

An art teacher at a public junior high school in Saint-Lazare placed his students’ artwork on his website as well as a U.S.-based public website for sale.The grade 8 art teacher, Mario Perron used the names of the students who produced the drawings in the titles which were displayed above their respective pieces of art on the site, all which could be found under a section entitled “student art” under his seller profile.

Perron has just over 1,700 works of art for sale on the U.S.-based site. He placed 96 student creations for sale with prices ranging from $94.00 — $190.00. “For this guy to feel like he has carte-blanche is extremely alarming,” said a parent named Dave (pseudonym used for this purpose of this article) who contacted The Suburban, on condition of anonymity in order to protect the identity of his minor child.”My teen came home from school telling me that his art teacher is selling students’ artwork online. This is invasive to the privacy of the students that he is teaching.”

The Suburban contacted the school’s administration as well as the school board that refused to comment except for the following, “The Lester B. Pearson school board (LBPSB) is aware of the situation and is taking these allegations very seriously. An investigation is underway so the school board cannot comment on this matter any further at this point,” LBPSB spokesperson Darren Becker told The Suburban.

Westwood Junior High School principal Anna Haller did not respond to The Suburban’s request for comment, however when a parent reached out, she responded with concern for the confidentiality pertaining to staff. “Thank you for your e-mail. This matter is currently under investigation. All matters pertaining to LBPSB employees remain confidential.”

“Mr. Perron did not take into consideration the children’s confidentiality when he posted and then attempted to sell their drawings online without the consent of the children. the parents or the school board. This is extremely troubling and concerning,” Dave explained.

The Suburban ran an online search test and it took less than 10 minutes to connect the dots between where Perron works and view the names of his students starting from the artwork sales site. On his Facebook profile, Perron is listed as a teacher for the Lester B. Pearson school board and links to the sale of his students’ artwork was also connected to his public profile. In his Bio link, it says he teaches at a West Island school. With a quick search of “West Island school’s staff lists and Mario Perron”, it was easy to locate Perron as a current staff member at Westwood Junior high school. n

WI art teacher sells his students’ work for own profit Read More »

WI Brunswick Medical on shaky ground with mounting debt

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre

West Island residents are concerned about the future of one of its busiest medical clinics, serving an average of 300,000 patients annually. The concern about the fate of the Pointe-Claire Brunswick Medical Clinic was triggered when the Brunswick Health Group closed its Children’s Clinic in Montreal last week due to a reported a $42 million of debt.

It is now restructuring under Creditors Companies Arrangement Act (CCAA) protection. According to reports, ELNA Medical Group is a “confirmed” potential buyer for the Brunswick Medical Clinic once restructuring occurs.

The court appointed Ayman Chaaban as insolvency trustee to restructure the company. “Despite Brunswick’s heavy debt, this is not a bankruptcy,” he told media. “That potential purchaser, basically, is going to take over and operate the clinic.”

According to Chaaban, the Brunswick Medical Centre is expected to stay open despite what he calls the “restructuring process”. “This is not a bankruptcy,” he stated.

The CEO of the Brunswick Health Group, Vince Trevisonno, says the clinic’s revenues were heavily affected by the COVID pandemic and inflation.

He stated that he is confident that the clinic’s operations will remain at status quo despite the financial turmoil in the background.

WI Brunswick Medical on shaky ground with mounting debt Read More »

Kirkland restaurant hit by gunshots

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre

A restaurant located on Saint-Charles Boulevard in Kirkland was hit by gunfire overnight Saturday to Sunday.

Around 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Montreal police (SPVM) received a 911 call from a witness who discovered the bullet holes and casings.

When officers arrived, they discovered multiple gunshot points located on one window of the business as well as several shell casings on the ground.

“We did not receive any calls regarding gunshots in this area overnight or earlier in the morning,” SPVM spokesperson Sabrina Gauthier, told The Suburban.

A perimeter was set up by officers in order to allow investigators and forensic identification technicians to analyze the scene throughout the.

No injuries were reported as the business was closed at the time of the shooting.

The Suburban reached out to the business’ owner who politely declined to comment “considering there is a pending criminal investigation”. 

Authorities confirmed that no suspects have been arrested in this case and the investigation ongoing.

Kirkland restaurant hit by gunshots Read More »

Robert-Baldwin MNA demands an investigation of DPJ cases

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre

Concerned by recent disturbing revelations about mothers who are victims of conjugal violence and who have lost custody of their children amid accusations of parental alienation, Brigitte Garceau, Liberal MNA for Robert-Baldwin and official opposition spokesperson for youth protection, presented a motion to the National Assembly, calling for an investigation into these cases. The motion was supported by the entire opposition including the Liberals, QS, the PQ and the independent MNA for Vaudreuil.

Garceau demanded that Lionel Carmant, the Minister responsible for Social Services, launch an investigation into reported cases where children were entrusted to violent fathers under the pretext that the mothers were initiating parental alienation, a concept poorly understood by stakeholders of the Director of Youth Protection (DPJ), due to lack of adequate training.

Studies have shown that a child’s risk of abuse increases after a perpetrator of intimate partner violence separates from a domestic partner, even when the perpetrator has not previously directly abused the child.

Garceau says that Minister Carmant’s inaction on ensuring adequate training on conjugal violence for those employed by the DPJ system, is causing disastrous situations for too many mothers who are victims of conjugal violence.

“Mothers are completely broken and torn by the current situation. The lack of training of DPJ workers on conjugal violence, which includes parental alienation and coercive control, is one of the significant problems at the heart of the issues. Despite this, Minister Carmant still refuses to impose a mandatory four-day training, which would allow them to better understand the issue and to make proper evaluations where conjugal violence is at play,” Garceau stated. n

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