Dorval

Fire hits two homes in Dorval near airport

Local Journalism Initiative / The Suburban / September 9, 2025 / Chelsey St-Pierre, Dorval, fire

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

Firefighters responded to a two-alarm fire on Neptune Street, near the intersection of Cardinal, in Dorval in the early afternoon of Aug. 5.

The call came in at 12:38 p.m., with a second alarm issued at 12:46 p.m. Approximately 30 trucks and 60 firefighters were dispatched to the scene. The blaze was subdued shortly before 2 p.m.

Montreal Fire Department section chief Alain Laflamme told The Suburban that the fire started outside a single-tenant residence and quickly spread to a neighbouring property. Both houses are located less than one kilometre away from Montreal-Trudeau International Airport.

The adjacent building, a house divided into two apartments, suffered the most extensive damage, according to Laflamme. The occupants of that home were absent at the time, while other nearby residents were safely evacuated.

Crews faced additional hazards due to the presence of two major propane reservoirs – each containing about 400 litres. “These types of reservoirs are typically used for pool heating or heat pumps on the property,” Laflamme explained. At least one of the reservoirs exploded into flames, causing the fire to spread rapidly.

No injuries were reported and no pets were declared on site.

Fire officials say there is no indication that the blaze was criminal in nature.

The perimeter set up around the properties, with the collaboration of Montreal police (SPVM) officers, had remained in place as of 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 5, while the fire department continued its examination of the site.

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Marc Doret to run for second term as Dorval mayor

Local Journalism Initiative / The Suburban / September 4, 2025 / Chelsey St-Pierre, Dorval, Marc Doret

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

Marc Doret has announced he will run for re-election as mayor of Dorval in the November 2025 municipal election. Doret first entered local government as a city councillor following Dorval’s demerger from Montreal in 2006, then became mayor in 2021 after serving on council for 12 years.

As mayor, Doret has faced a range of challenges, including leading the city through the COVID-19 pandemic and addressing the pressures that come with public office in the social media age. Voter turnout was low in the last election, with less than a third of eligible voters participating.

In terms of concrete actions, Doret has overseen several initiatives aimed at community safety and inclusivity. Notably, he advocated for and enacted new road signage near areas frequented by members of the Inuit community. The goal was to improve safety and awareness for both residents and vulnerable populations navigating Dorval’s streets. Doret also called for collaborative discussions between municipal leaders and local organizations to address public health and social issues affecting the Inuit population in the city.

During his term, Doret has kept a visible presence at community events and city meetings, highlighting the importance of local engagement. He has also represented Dorval at the national level, serving as third vice-president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

Looking ahead to the November election, Doret plans to present a slate of council candidates and continue work on both ongoing and new projects for the city. He cites direct feedback from residents as a key source of motivation, emphasizing that he believes there is more work to be done to serve Dorval’s needs. n

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Manoir Kanisha to Close After 35 Years Due to Airport Expansion

Local Journalism Initiative / The Suburban / August 4, 2025 / Chelsey St-Pierre, Dorval, Manoir Kanisha, Nicole MacDuff

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

In a bittersweet farewell to the West Island community, Manoir Kanisha, a beloved pet boarding and relocation facility, closed its doors permanently on January 31, 2025. This decision comes as Aéroports de Montréal reclaims the land for a significant expansion of the Montreal-Trudeau International Airport.

Founded in 1990 by Nicole MacDuff at 175 Jenkins Avenue in Dorval, Manoir Kanisha began with humble origins when two small houses were transported by flatbed truck and placed on what was then an empty field. From these modest beginnings, the facility grew into a comprehensive pet care center, offering boarding, grooming, and specialized international pet relocation services, particularly valuable given its strategic location on the grounds of Montreal International Airport (YUL).

The closure affects not only the facility’s dedicated staff but also countless pet owners who have relied on their services. Many clients have been bringing their pets to Manoir Kanisha for generations, appreciating its convenient airport location and trusted care services. The facility has served thousands of animals over its 35-year history, becoming an integral part of Montreal’s pet care infrastructure and earning recognition as an IPATA-certified pet shipping facility.

ADM Aéroports de Montréal’s expansion plans, which necessitate the reclamation of the Jenkins Avenue property, are part of a broader initiative to modernize and expand the airport’s facilities. The development includes new terminal facilities, improved access roads, and additional parking infrastructure.

For West Island pet owners, the closure creates a significant void in available pet care services. The facility’s unique position as both a boarding facility and international pet transportation hub made it an invaluable resource for the community. Its services extended beyond basic boarding to include specialized care programs, exercise sessions, grooming services, and comprehensive international pet relocation assistance for families moving abroad.

The property, which has served as a second home to countless dogs, cats, and other pets since 1990, will be incorporated into the airport’s expansion project following the January closure. While the development promises improved travel experiences for Montrealers, the loss of Manoir Kanisha marks the end of a cherished West Island institution.

The closure is part of ADM’s ambitious $4 billion airport transformation plan set to unfold through 2035. The comprehensive project aims to address increasing passenger volumes and congestion issues at Montreal-Trudeau International Airport. Plans include expanding terminal facilities, creating additional drop-off areas, enhancing parking facilities, and improving overall airport access. The initiative represents one of the most significant infrastructure developments in the airport’s history since its transition from the original Dorval Airport. n

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Historic Dorval convent’s fate sparks heated debate

Local Journalism Initiative / The Suburban / August 4, 2025 / Chelsey St-Pierre, Désiré Girouard, Dorval, Fernando Pellicer

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

A retired conservation architect has raised serious concerns about the City of Dorval’s plans for a historic building at 12 Dahlia Avenue, challenging the financial and environmental wisdom of its proposed demolition.

The property, steeped in local history, represents a significant piece of Dorval’s heritage. The site was originally home to Désiré Girouard, who became Dorval’s first mayor when the town was incorporated in 1892. The main residence, known as “Quatre Vents” (Four Winds), was built in 1873 and has undergone several architectural modifications throughout its 150-year history.

The building at the centre of the current controversy, known as the Annex, has its own rich history. The Congregation de Notre-Dame acquired the property in 1970, converting it into both office space and residential quarters for the sisters. The four-storey structure, which later housed 75 nuns, served as a testament to the religious community’s presence in Dorval until its recent acquisition by the city for approximately $3 million.

Fernando Pellicer, a conservation architect with 44 years of residency in Dorval, contacted The Suburban critiquing in detail the city’s November 26 information session where five options for the building’s future were presented. The session, which drew significant community attention, focused on the Annex building’s fate.

Pellicer’s analysis reveals allegedly misleading cost estimates in the city’s proposals. While the city estimates $700,000 for total demolition, Pellicer argues the true cost would approach $2 million when including necessary site restoration. Combined with the initial purchase price, taxpayers could be looking at a $5 million expenditure “for a 10,000 sq. ft. lawn,” as Pellicer puts it.

The controversy has mobilized community action, with over a thousand Dorval residents along with non-residents signing a petition demanding a comprehensive study of the site’s future with community input. The property, which encompasses three distinct buildings — the historic mansion, a cement block structure, and the Annex, represents a unique architectural ensemble within the city’s landscape.

“You don’t demolish an asset before deciding what to do with it,” Pellicer argues, proposing instead a $7 million renovation plan that would fully modernize the building while preserving its historical character. This alternative, he suggests, would be significantly more cost-effective than the $18 million estimated for a comparable new structure.

City officials paused their decision following public pushback after their April 2024 announcement of intention to demolish. The city’s position, based on an architectural report, maintains that the building has limited heritage value, though this assessment is disputed by preservation advocates.

The City of Dorval originally purchased the property to protect its historical and heritage value, making the current demolition proposal particularly controversial among preservation advocates. With mounting tensions between preservation advocates and city officials, the outcome of this historic site remains uncertain, highlighting the challenges municipalities face in balancing heritage preservation with modern development needs. n

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Dorval man loses house and beloved dog in Christmas fire

Local Journalism Initiative / The Suburban / August 4, 2025 / Bella, Dan Laxer, Dorval, Stephen Flood

By Dan Laxer
The Suburban

Tragedy struck early last Christmas morning for Stephen Flood. The Dorval resident woke to find his house in flames. He managed to escape with his life, suffering second-degree burns to his legs, face, and head. But he lost everything in the fire, including his beloved dog, Bella.

A GoFundMe page has been set up for Flood by his son, Matthew.

The fire broke out around 3 a.m. The house on O’Connell Avenue was completely destroyed and Flood lost everything, including a valuable collection of Montreal Expos baseball memorabilia, and Christmas gifts meant for family.

“Most tragic of all,” his son wrote on the GoFundMe page, “is that his poor little dog Bella, a two-year-old puppy he loved so dearly, didn’t make it out.”

Flood said he could hear her whimpering inside the burning house but could not get back inside to save her.

“To lose every single thing you own is unimaginable, but the loss of his little Bella hurts him most of all,” Flood’s son said. “We are trying to do what we can while his body heals from burns and his heart heals from the tragic loss of his angel.”

There has already been a show of support from the community in the way of donations, including clothes. Matthew Flood posted his gratitude on his Facebook page, adding that his father could use household items or gift cards for groceries and other supplies.

Just over $15,000 has been donated via the GoFundMe page, so far.

At the time of this writing investigators still don’t know what caused the fire. n

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STM consults with Dorval residents on new service

Local Journalism Initiative / The Suburban / December 24, 2024 / Chelsey St-Pierre, Dorval, Éric Alan Caldwell, STM

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

Montreal’s public transit network STM is launching a public consultation in order to gain insight into the public transit needs of City of Dorval residents.

The consultation is part of the bus network redesign project to serve the growing and everchanging demographics.

“The bus network redesign is one of the STM’s major initiatives,” Éric Alan Caldwell Chair of the STM Board of Directors stated. “It will eventually allow us to connect our various modes of transportation and improve mobility for hundreds of thousands of customers on the Island of Montreal. While it takes time for both customers and the STM to adapt to each stage of the redesign, the goal is to keep improving our services for public transit customers. I’d like to take this opportunity to reiterate that the redesign is being delivered at zero cost and takes into account everyone’s travel needs in order to provide the best possible service to as many people as possible.”

Dorval Mayor Marc Doret welcomes the consultation, stating that it is an excellent opportunity for Dorval residents to share their views and ideas on the major changes coming to the municipality over the next few years. “The public transit landscape in Dorval and the West Island is set to change, especially with the opening of the REM, and it’s important that local residents have their say through the STM’s consultation process,” Doret said.

Users who take part in the consultation will have two ways to tell the STM about their transportation needs. They can either join the virtual information session on October 17 at 6:30 p.m. or comment in writing on the dedicated consultation website until October 30.

Consultation participants will have the opportunity to comment on the ideas of others including those of the STM, suggest ideas and receive comments from other participants and be made aware of the results of the consultation once they become available.

To date, the STM has rolled out additional services in Lachine, LaSalle, Verdun, Sud-Ouest and the southern part of Ville-Marie. n

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Two cars torched in Dorval parking lot

Local Journalism Initiative / The Suburban / July 19, 2024 / Dorval, Joubert Avenue, Montreal police

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

Two vehicles parked in a residential lot in Dorval were a total loss following a fire last week that Montreal Police (SPVM) are investigating as arson.

Firefighters quickly put out the flames spitting from an SUV and a van parked side by side in the parking lot on the property of a private residence on Joubert Avenue, near Lakeshore Road. Both vehicles were engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. The immediate priority was to avoid the spread of the flames to the residence and neighbouring residences, which was done successfully.

Firefighters summoned police to investigate. No accelerants were found at the scene. Police officers taped off the driveway and investigators from the SPVM arson unit examined the site and the vehicles were towed to undergo further examination in order to better determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

No arrests in connection with this incident have been made to date. n

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Second suspect caught in Dorval hit and run

Local Journalism Initiative / The Suburban / July 18, 2024 / Dorval, Guthrie Avenue, Lachine

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

The second suspect who had escaped after the hit and run that left a Montreal police officer injured on April 22 has been arrested. The 25-year-old suspect who is alleged to have deliberately drove into an unmarked vehicle in order to flee a police interception near the intersection of 55th Avenue and Guthrie Avenue in Dorval had managed to escape after the car was parked at a residential building in Pointe-Claire.

The suspect is facing multiple charges, including vehicle theft, trafficking in property obtained by crime, dangerous driving causing bodily harm and armed assault against a peace officer. The suspect is also believed to be involved in another attempted vehicle theft that occurred on the same day in Kirkland.

The suspect’s alleged accomplice was arrested moments after police officers located the stolen vehicle in Pointe-Claire and is facing charges of vehicle theft and receiving stolen property.

On April 22, patrol officers noticed two suspects attempting to steal a vehicle, at half past noon, near 55th Avenue in Lachine. A suspect was apprehended while the second suspect managed to flee from officers on foot towards another alleged stolen vehicle parked nearby with an accomplice already in the driver’s seat. The duo fled at high speed smashing into a police vehicle that hit a police officer nearby who was on foot before fleeing via Highway 20 at which point police lost sight of their whereabouts.

The West Island community was shocked to discover that a police officer was injured while on duty, particularly in relation to an alleged petty car theft. Montreal Police reassured the community that it is taking the incident very seriously and that it intends to send a strong message. “The SPVM takes this opportunity to remind the population that attacking police officers is simply unacceptable. Such acts will not be tolerated in our society. People who commit them will be arrested and held accountable for their actions,” the SPVM stated. n

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