Martin C. Barry

Rodriguez and Milliard were standouts at Laval PLQ leadership gathering

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

If an applause meter had been deployed during a gathering last week in Laval to introduce the Quebec Liberal Party’s four current leadership candidates, the reading might suggest that perceived front-runner Pablo Rodriguez is in for a closer race than some political observers have been anticipating.

As things now stand, the Laval region’s two current Quebec Liberal MNAs have chosen to support two different candidates. Chomedey PLQ MNA Sona Lakhoyan Olivier is endorsing Rodriguez, a former federal Liberal cabinet minister and Quebec lieutenant in the defunct Trudeau cabinet.

Local support split

She was initially supporting Marguerite-Bourgeoys Liberal MNA Frédéric Beauchemin, who later withdrew from the race. Rodriguez also has the support of several other PLQ MNAs, including Mont-Royal–Outremont MNA Michelle Setlakwe.

In the meantime, Mille-Îles Liberal MNA Virginie Dufour is supporting Charles Milliard. Hailing from Lévis, Milliard is the current president of the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec, as well as a former senior executive of the Uniprix pharmacy chain.

Although Milliard has no formal experience as an electoral candidate, he has managed campaigns on behalf of the PLQ for 25 years. While additional candidates for the PLQ leadership have until April 11 to register, there were only two others as of last week – both of whom were at the Laval event.

Stronger economic policies

Marc Bélanger, a tax lawyer from Matane in Quebec’s Gaspésie region, ran unsuccessfully for the federal Liberals in Matapédia-Matane in 2000 and 2004. Like the other candidates, he is advocating for strong economic policies across Quebec to safeguard jobs and businesses against the U.S. tariffs threat – especially in the rural regions.

Finally, Mario Roy, a 31-year-old economist and agriculturalist from the Beauce region, has an extensive background in farm management and production.

In spite of his relative youth, Roy’s prominent positioning within the PLQ might help re-establish the party’s credibility in the regions, where the CAQ government won an almost impregnable beachhead in the last elections, while the Liberals (now concentrated largely in Montreal-area ridings) are in desperate need of support in the regions.

The four contenders were given five minutes each to explain their views and policies during a meet-and-greet hosted by the Laval Chamber of Commerce and Industry at a Centropolis brew pub on Tuesday last week.

Focus on Milliard and Rodriguez

However, Rodriguez and Milliard were obvious standouts, given the heightened presence of supporters who appeared to have been marshaled for the two MNAs’ preferred candidates that evening.

In an interview published last week by The Gazette, Rodriguez outlined elements of his economic platform that would be implemented were he the leader of the Quebec Liberals.

Among other things, he called on Quebec to take a leadership role in tearing down interprovincial trade barriers and to open more offices outside Canada in an effort to reduce reliance on trade with the U.S. He said that if elected Premier, he would sit down with the other provinces and try to bring down as many trade barriers as possible.

However, barriers intended to protect the French language would stay, he added. He said he was assisted in drafting his economic plan by Frédéric Beauchemin and former PLQ cabinet minister Martin Coiteux.

Reading the room reaction

While Rodriguez received enthusiastic applause and nods of recognition from the crowd in Laval last week given his high-profile federal cabinet positions, it was clear from the reaction for Milliard that Rodriguez’s supporters were outnumbered (at least that night) by those in the Milliard encampment.

Milliard, on his assigned PLQ campaign web page, says that his professional background as a pharmacist and corporate leader provided him with “a deep understanding of the issues affecting the economy, healthcare and regional development.”

“Our SMEs, the real economic engines, deserve optimum conditions in which to thrive,” he added. “Our health and education facilities must remain accessible, while meeting the needs and aspirations of all generations.”

Lakhoyan Olivier for Rodriguez

In an interview with The Laval News, Chomedey’s Liberal MNA gave her reasons for supporting Pablo Rodriguez.

“First and foremost because he has the experience,” said Lakhoyan Olivier. “With what’s happening down south in the USA with Trump’s tariffs and everything else, more than ever we need a leader of a party who is strong and who has experience.”

Noting that Rodriguez was an elected rep at the federal level for the better part of two decades, she said he had hands-on experience that would serve Quebec well in being able to deal with the U.S., as well as the Canadian provinces.

Milliard has Dufour’s backing

Virginie Dufour gave her reasons for supporting Milliard. “I’ve known Charles for more than a year now, and from the first time I met him I noticed his human touch,” she said. “When you select a new leader, you also are selecting someone you will be working with as your leader.”

Notably, Dufour said the Liberals “need to get the regions back to the PLQ, and I truly believe that Charles is the best candidate to connect and make this link with the regions.”

Voting for the leadership candidates by registered PLQ members will be taking place from June 9-14. The new leader will be announced on July 14 during a convention in Quebec City.

Rodriguez and Milliard were standouts at Laval PLQ leadership gathering Read More »

Laval’s blue collars and police stage noisy blitz outside council meeting

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The parking lot behind Laval’s interim city hall on Saint-Martin Blvd. was the scene of some well-organized pandemonium early last week.

Unionized members of Laval’s blue-collar staff, along with officers from the Laval Police, made what was probably their noisiest effort yet to pressure the city into signing collective labour agreements.

An old tactic renewed

Their tactic, involving the otherwise peaceful but nonetheless ear-shattering use of air horns in an attempt to disrupt the March city council meeting, has been used as an intimidation method by unionized city workers for years when contract negotiations were lagging.

In a statement issued by the police union (Fraternité des policiers de Laval) last week, the FPL says the show of force was motivated by decisions the city took recently that allegedly impacted public security while undermining the ability of the police to carry out their duties.

Police services reduced

“This action comes amid the recent closure of the east and west service counters, which has significantly reduced access to local services for citizens and eliminated agreed-upon positions – further worsening the situation for members who remain without a collective agreement,” said the statement, alluding to the rationalizing of police services in some Laval neighbourhoods.

The police union maintains that after more than thirty negotiation meetings spread out over years, only four have been held since last summer, “one of which was solely to announce the City’s decision to seek mediation,” states the union.

They claim that this, combined with the closure of police department service counters (allegedly limiting access to local services for citizens) “has further heightened the frustration of FPL members.”

‘Willing to listen,’ says union

“Negotiating is not the same as imposing,” said Sylvain Tardif, president of the FPL. “We have always been present and have shown a willingness to listen to the issues raised by the employer, but this goodwill does not seem to be reciprocal.”

The Laval police officers’ union, which has 700 members, maintains that since December 5 last year, the number of firearm discharges in the Laval area doubled compared to 2023, while also maintaining that extortion-related crimes increased by 44 per cent in two years and that fraud increased by 37 per cent since 2021.

“Members are demonstrating exemplary commitment in the face of this increase in violence and notable increase in criminal matters,” the FPL’s president said. “They are the ones who maintain the quality of services to citizens despite the lack of recognition from the city of Laval. It’s high time for the City’s administration to move from words to deeds at the negotiating table.”

Louder than ever

For their part, Laval’s blue collars joined the police outside Laval city hall, as they capped a recent six-day general strike with a campaign of noise seemingly louder than any of their previous attempts to get attention.

Borrowing a page from Trump MAGA movement supporters in the U.S., at least one Laval blue collar worker was spotted by The Laval News wearing a hoodie with an iron-on decal featuring the face of former mayor Gilles Vaillancourt, along with the slogan, “Make Laval Great Again.”

The dig was clearly meant to get under the skin of the current Mouvement lavallois administration at Laval city hall. The municipal party took power in 2013 on the crest of a wave of voter reaction following the downfall of longtime mayor Gilles Vaillancourt, who was later convicted and served six years in prison after being found guilty of corruption.

Upholding essential services

Without a contract with the city since December 2021, the blue collars union pledged to honor a decision rendered by the province’s administrative work tribunal obliging them to maintain essential services during the labor dispute.

“We are present day after day for all the citizens,” said Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) blue collar union local 4545 president Louis-Pierre Plourde. “It’s now up to the city to be present for its employees.

“Public services are endangered. Investment must be made in our work conditions, because after inflation of historic proportions, four years without salary increases, this is too much to bear and we are no longer able to attract and retain qualified and salaried individuals.”

Union rejects 19.5 per cent

The city’s last salary offer, according to the blue-collar workers’ union, was a 19.5 per cent increase over seven years. The union claims this is unacceptable as it won’t allow its members to recoup the buying power they lost over the past four years.

“The mayor says he has a highly modern vision for his city, but it seems to me that a thoughtful mayor ought to take public services seriously,” added the blue-collar worker union’s president.

“It’s been proven numerous times,” he continued. “Inside expertise is cheaper that going private. The union side was the last to table a settlement offer, and since then it’s been radio silence from the side of management. Disappointing.”

Laval’s blue collars and police stage noisy blitz outside council meeting Read More »

Paving the way for Laval’s women in tech

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Elsa Tannous, founder of DigiWomen, an organization dedicated to promoting the inclusion of girls and women in technology in Laval and across Quebec, is making waves in the tech sector by championing women’s inclusion in an industry where male dominance continues to hold sway.

Women shaping tech

As part of Women’s Month in March and International Women’s Rights Day which was on March 8, DigiWomen is launching “Femmes en Tech, et alors?”, which bills itself as the first Quebec-based documentary highlighting the journeys of women who are shaping the tech industry.

The film will premiere on Friday March 28 at the Banque Nationale du Canada in downtown Montreal, gathering tech leaders, institutional partners and advocates for diversity in the industry. “We need to make the pioneers visible and inspire those who will follow,” said Tannous.

Breaking the ‘glass ceiling’

The documentary shines a light on some of the women who have broken barriers and carved their place in tech – those who shattered “the glass ceiling” as it were. It serves as both a source of inspiration and a call to action for continued efforts toward gender diversity in the digital world.

More than nine women from nations around the world, including some now living in Laval but also elsewhere in Quebec, were interviewed on their experiences working in the technology sector.

The film focuses on the often-overlooked fact that women working in the traditionally male-dominated tech industry must frequently deal with the macho atmosphere that tends to prevail. According to Tannous, women currently account for no more than 20-25 per cent of the labor force in Canada’s and Quebec’s information technology sectors.

‘Not enough,’ says Tannous

“This is not a lot and it’s not enough,” she said, while adding that out of these low numbers, just 11 per cent end up being promoted to management or executive positions. She said the cybersecurity, video game and artificial intelligence (AI) sectors have an especially low representation of women.

Among other things, the film includes an interview with a woman, a cybersecurity specialist, who began her career in the early 1990s. The issues she raises regarding male dominance are compared to the experiences of women who started similar work just five years ago. The unavoidable conclusion is that nothing has changed in more than 30 years.

Speculating on the underlying cause, Tannous said cybersecurity and video gaming “have always tended to be more male-dominated,” while also acknowledging that AI is a relatively recent arrival in the tech industry. Hence, women may have had fewer opportunities to get in.

Male-dominated game sector

But she noted that video game development has been a male-dominated culture practically since the industry’s rise more than four decades ago. As a result, the types of video games that have dominated the market has consisted to a large extent of action- and violence-centered themes, rather than more moderate subjects designed to appeal to girls and women.

“We are not represented in this field,” said Tannous, while adding that she and other like-minded women have been trying to alter the way things are done by pitching new ideas to video game companies like Ubisoft in order to raise the representation of women.

At one point in the documentary, Fabre MNA Alice Abou-Khalil (who had a career in cybersecurity prior to being elected to the Quebec National Assembly) recounts sexist comments she says she sometimes would receive from male colleagues who suggested she’d be better off at home taking care of children and doing housekeeping.

“The whole point of this documentary is to show girls and teenagers that they have the right to be working in the field and that there is room in tech for them, too,” said Tannous.

Programs and initiatives

Founded in Laval in 2024, DigiWomen promotes gender equality in tech, offering mentorship, training and networking opportunities through several flagship initiatives.

They include Women Tech Talk panel discussions; J’ose la Tech hands-on workshops; the Académie TechMoms training and mentorship program; the Journée de la Femme Numérique (JFN) women-focused tech career fair; and Tech & Transmission, a podcast fostering intergenerational discussions on tech and inclusion.

DigiWomen is inviting all businesses, schools, and tech enthusiasts in Laval to join them for the documentary screening. Time: 4 – 7 pm. Address: 800 Saint-Jacques St. Information & Registration link: it.ly/43m7fJP.

Paving the way for Laval’s women in tech Read More »

Laval City-Watch: Emergency sirens triggered

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

It’s to be hoped you didn’t become overly alarmed if you happened to have heard one of several high-pitched emergency sirens that went off throughout the day last Wednesday in various parts of Laval.

It was part of an emergency preparedness exercise undertaken by the city in the eventuality of something more serious.

Sirens located at five Laval businesses and industries were being tested in accordance with the City of Laval’s By-law L-12933. The businesses in question all have some element of potentially hazardous activity in their operations and were taking part in the tests to be ready for the real thing.

“The introduction of emergency sirens is something new on Laval’s territory,” said city councillor and executive-committee member Sandra Desmeules, who is responsible for public safety issues.

She said the goal of the test, which was the first of its kind to be conducted in Laval, was to prepare residents for emergencies. Another of the objectives was to see that residents become familiar with the sound of the sirens so as to recognize them in the future if there is a real emergency.

The sirens, which were programmed to go off one at a time from 9 am to 3 pm, are located at MAPEI Canada chemicals (2900 Av Francis-Hughes), Dyne-A-Pak packaging (3375 Av Francis-Hughes), Supérieur Propane (111 Rue de la Station), Gaz Propane Monin (555 Montée Saint-François), and Produits alimentaires Viau (6625 Rue Ernest-Cormier).

Each siren produced a loud horn sound, rising and falling gradually, for exactly three minutes. They were designed to be heard within a geographic area surrounding the industrial locations.

Were the sirens going off for a real emergency involving the accidental release of toxic or hazardous gases, residents normally would seek shelter inside the nearest building. They would then close all doors and windows and shut down ventilation systems, seal windows and doors with adhesive tape, move away from windows, and follow the instructions of public safety officials.

On the day of the practice exercise, teams from Civil Security, the Laval Police and the Laval Fire Dept. were on hand near the businesses where the sirens are located to answer residents’ questions.

Laval to transform Saint-Martin Blvd. into a safer, greener urban axis

Officials with the City of Laval announced last week that they reached an agreement with the federal government for $10 million in federal funding to improve and transform a 13-kilometre stretch of Saint-Martin Blvd. into a safer route for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians.

The work, for which the City of Laval will be paying $29 million of the total $39 million cost, will include the planting of 525 trees and the installation of 15,000 square metres of plant and shrub embankments.

The vegetation is expected to help absorb up to 2,500 cubic metres of heavy rainfall, thus keeping it out of storm sewers during severe storms.

The work is also expected to include improved security on sidewalks and bicycle paths. Climate change is one of the factors being taken into consideration, as well as the overall improvement of the quality of life.

“In transforming this major axis, we are not only beautifying the area,” says Mayor Stéphane Boyer. “We are also creating a more secure living environment while faced with climate change.”

He said the extensive vegetation and the new trees will be able to contain the equivalent of an Olympic pool of rainwater during heavy rain storms, taking pressure off the sewer system.

“By encouraging active mobility, the safety of users and the greening of living spaces, we are building more inclusive, dynamic and resilient cities while facing today’s environmental and urban challenges,” said federal public services minister Jean-Yves Duclos.

Contracts for the work were awarded at the March 12 Laval city council meeting, and the work will begin in May, with completion scheduled for sometime in 2026.The city will be taking special traffic measures along Saint-Martin Blvd. while the work is underway to limit the impact on traffic.

Merchants and businesses located along the route will be informed by the city of special measures to minimize the impact the work has on them.

Laval City-Watch: Emergency sirens triggered Read More »

Boyer defends Laval’s position, as police and blue-collar disputes boil over

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Although Mayor Stéphane Boyer was uncharacteristically brief in his opening remarks at the start of the March 11 city council meeting, he responded with the following statement during question period when grilled on the labour disputes involving Laval’s police and blue-collar work force.

Answering Fraternité des policiers de Laval union president Sylvain Tardif, Boyer said, “Naturally, we are respectful towards our police officers. And we are looking for an agreement. But we must also have an agreement that respects the capacity of citizens to pay.

Shaky public finances

“I think you know very well the current situation with public finances,” the mayor added, noting that mediation would be resuming the following day.

He said that since speaking previously with the union leader, city management had been working on various options, although they had not yet reached the negotiation table.

“And so my wish is that on your side, as well, you will arrive with a plan and some news so that we can make progress – because our hope is that we can resolve this hopefully as quickly as possible.”

In response to Tardif’s question as to whether the city really wants to negotiate with the police union, Boyer replied, “Yes, obviously.”

Responds to De Cotis

He took exception to remarks on the labour dispute made by Action Laval city councillor for Saint-Bruno David De Cotis – telling De Cotis not to falsely attribute motives.

In some of those remarks, which were made in response to Tardif during public question period, De Cotis said the mayor decided to go on an economic mission to Washington D.C. recently at around the same time the union was announcing its strike intentions.

De Cotis suggested that it would have been more appropriate for the mayor to stay behind and take care of a local issue, while leaving the broader problem of international tariffs to federal and provincial officials.

Off to Washington, said De Cotis

“In Laval, there is only the mayor of Laval who can demonstrate his leadership in negotiations with our employees,” De Cotis continued. “He went to Washington, so we see where are his priorities. We see clearly it’s not the city’s employees, nor is it the services for our citizens.”

Boyer said, “It’s false to say there won’t be any agreement this year,” referring to a related claim De Cotis had made. “It’s false to say that we’re waiting for the 2026 budget. It’s false to say that we’re waiting to pile this onto the 2026 taxes. We have reserves which have been set aside, which is always the case for all collective agreements.”

According to the mayor, the city has a policy meant to take into account additional labour costs that may arise as collective agreements are expiring. He said reserves are set aside for that reason in view of eventually reaching an agreement and to be able to pay any retroactive wage increases.

Overdue wage increases

The mayor also accused Parti Laval councillor for Fabreville Claude Larochelle of “speaking through your hat, not knowing what you’re talking about or what you’re saying.”

Responding to Laval blue-collar workers’ union president Louis-Pierre Plourde’s questions on the city’s determination to end that labour dispute, Boyer said he was fully aware of the inflation issue the union leadership was raising and agreed that wage increases were overdue.

“I think it’s the reasonable, reasoned, realistic thing to do following cost of living increases in the last few years,” said the mayor.

Falling tax revenue

However, he maintained that the impact of the tariff measures taken by the U.S. are bound to be felt as repercussions on local businesses, as well as on the overall local economy and public finances. “If businesses close their doors, that means less revenue from taxation and social needs will be increasing,” Boyer said.

But while agreeing that salary increases were justified, the mayor didn’t rule out the possibility of other cost-saving measures, after noting that President Trump had been conducting a massive cull of the civil service in the U.S., while Canadian Consevative leader Pierre Poilièvre is threatening to do something similar here.

Boyer defends Laval’s position, as police and blue-collar disputes boil over Read More »

Home invasion suspect arraigned at Laval courthouse

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

One of three suspects arrested following a household invasion in early February in Saint-François was arraigned at the Laval courthouse on March 6.

Samuel Pouliot, age 27, remains detained by the Laval Police. He and the two other suspects were arrested on February 11, a little more than a week after the alleged incident.

Pouliot faces charges of break and enter, armed assault, assault causing injuries, extortion and forcible confinement.

On the evening of February 3, the Laval Police responded to a call for intervention at a home on des Mille-Îles Blvd. in Saint-François where a home invasion was reported to be in progress.

Samuel Pouliot, age 27 years, faced an arraignment at the Palais de Justice de Laval on Thursday last week on charges he took part in a home invasion on Mille-Îles Blvd. in Laval’s Saint-François district. (Photo: Courtesy Laval Police Dept.)

Criminal responsibility in Sainte-Rose bus crash to be decided

A Quebec Superior Court judge will be deciding in early April whether former Société de transport de Laval driver Pierre Ny-St-Amand was mentally fit when he drove an STL bus into the entrance of a Sainte-Rose children’s daycare in early February 2023, killing two children and injuring six others.

A crown prosecutor and a defence lawyer say they will be presenting a joint statement of facts at the next hearing.

According to statements made by the crown during preliminary hearings, two psychiatrists who examined Ny-St-Amand have concluded he should not be held criminally responsible because he has a mental disorder.

In addition to a recounting of the facts, the hearing on April 7 is also expected to include testimony from both psychiatrists.

Man dies after being crushed by truck at Laval recycling plant

A 58-year-old man was declared dead at a recycling facility in Laval’s Saint-François district recently after he was crushed by a truck.

The Laval Police responded to the scene at AIM Recycling around 6 am Sunday morning.

As the police could find no evidence of any criminal act, they immediately transferred the case to the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST), Quebec’s worker health and safety agency.

Two CNESST investigators, assisted by officers with the Laval Police, were reported to have visited the site and were there to interview witnesses over the following days.

Recent LFD fire calls

A mechanical or electrical failure is being blamed for a fire that broke out in a home on Riviera St. in Laval-Ouest last month, forcing four occupants to seek shelter elsewhere for the the being.

Just after 8 pm on February 21, a call was received at 9-1-1 that the dwelling near the corner of 24th and 30th streets on the edge of the Mille-Îles River was ablaze.

In spite of the firefighters’ efforts to contain the blaze, damage was estimated at $200,000 by the time it was put out, with an additional $100,000 in damages to interior furnishings and property.

An overheated electronic battery pack was identified by investigators with the Laval Fire Dept. as the probable source of a fire that damaged a house and three cars, including at least one which was a collector’s item, on Mille-Îles Blvd. at the east end of Saint-François on February 24.

LFD firefighters arriving on the scene around 9:50 am immediately spotted flames shooting out of the garage where the three vehicles were parked.

The crew was able to keep the flames from spreading from the garage to the house and they had things under control within less than an hour.

Structural damage to the house were estimated at $70,000, with an additional $100,000 for damaged interior furnishings and property losses.

Home invasion suspect arraigned at Laval courthouse Read More »

With U.S. tariffs poised to kick in, Plastitel isn’t bothered by potential consequences

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

With 25 per cent tariffs on exports from Canada into the U.S. poised to kick in this week, nobody at Plastitel Products in Laval’s industrial park seemed very concerned last Friday about the fallout.

While Vimy Liberal MP Annie Koutrakis was there primarily for a tour as well as to confirm a $900,000 subsidized federal loan to the company, Plastitel management’s motto might well have been What me worry?

Sleeping well, in spite

The plastic thermoforming sub-contractor is the second medium-size locally-based manufacturer to declare to The Laval News in recent weeks that the tariffs don’t have them losing much shuteye at night.

This is partly because Plastitel has a solidly established client base within Quebec. However, they also had the foresight to prepare for a challenge like this by providing themselves with a buffer through expansion into the U.S. years ago.

“There’s no doubt we need to evaluate the situation,” Sabrina Bolduc, general manager of the company, said in an interview regarding the tariffs, while adding that Plastitel benefits from the fact it now has two factories on American soil.

Shift to U.S. not ruled out

While acknowledging that Plastitel’s management has been contemplating the possibility of transferring some operations and assets to the U.S. to compensate for the tariffs impact, she said, “It’s not what we would prefer. But we might not have a choice because we have to focus on development of new clients.”

She noted that some of Plastitel’s customers in Canada were already being served by the company’s subsidiaries in the U.S., just as customers in the U.S. were receiving products from Plastitel’s Canadian factories.

“We’re always good to find our way around,” she said. “There’s no doubt this is not the best of circumstances. But it’s not the last word by any measure.”

Complex plastic forming

Plastitel specializes in contract thermoforming of strategic plastics for the medical, transportation and water treatment industries, with expertise in complex moulding processes such as twin‍-‍sheet moulding.

The business is using the federal loan to acquire and install state-of-the-art digital production equipment, enabling Plastitel to improve the automation of its capacity while enhancing competitiveness.

“This financial support enables us to accelerate our adoption of new automated technologies that will transform our production,” said Bolduc.

“Thanks to this equipment, we are improving our competitiveness by reducing manufacturing times, optimizing the quality of our products and decreasing the physical effort required from our employees.”

Boosting competitiveness

She said the new equipment will also enable Plastitel to reduce its energy consumption and environmental footprint, aligning with the company’s vision for sustainable high‍-‍performance growth.

CED also announced a $600,000 non-repayable grant to Laval économique, the City of Laval’s official regional economic development agency.

According to the federal ministry, the money will be helping Laval économique in its mission to offer advisory services and guidance to businesses in Laval in order to support their efforts to develop and diversify export markets.

Export and innovation

“This funding is that much more important in the current context, as it will be possible to help businesses that want to export, innovate and diversify their markets to pursue their growth,” CED says in its statement.

“Helping businesses in all regions across the country to soar is essential to build an innovative, strong, diverse economy,” said Koutrakis, who is Parliamentary Secretary the Liberal minister responsible for CED. “These investments will make it possible for Laval businesses to grow and be more competitive, as well as dynamize the region. I am delighted with this excellent news for the Laval economy.”

“I want to congratulate you on your efforts to automate your procedures,” said Christine Poirier, who in addition to being on the City of Laval’s executive-committee is the city councillor for Duvernay–Pont-Viau.

“I encourage you to continue on that direction and you can count on me and the support of Laval économique,” she added.

With U.S. tariffs poised to kick in, Plastitel isn’t bothered by potential consequences Read More »

Nick Suzuki and Asista score a hat trick for Service Dog Program

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

As many dedicated fans of the Montreal Canadiens know well, Nick Suzuki has long been recognized for his leadership – both on and off the ice.

With that in mind, the Habs captain, along with the Asista Foundation, proudly began a third year of collaboration recently as partners in the Hero Within All of Us campaign.

Located along the eastbound Autoroute 440 service road in Chomedey, the Laval-based foundation promotes its work by highlighting community heroes, while also raising crucial funds for Asista’s Facility Service Dog Program.

A native of London, Ontario, Nick has been a proud ambassador of the Asista Foundation since 2022, actively supporting the foundation’s mission to provide life-changing service dogs to individuals and organizations in need.

Overcoming challenges

Through his professional experience, Nick has been able to witness the various hurdles faced by people impacted by mental health challenges. He feels confident that his contributions to Asista will raise awareness, promote the cause to the public and have a meaningful impact in the community.

The A Hero Within All of Us campaign highlights the influence and power everyone has to positively change lives through concrete actions and positive support.

Collaborative partners like Nick also support the current fundraising activities of the Asista Foundation and join their voices to raise public awareness of the importance of the foundation’s mission.

Helping to transform lives

Founded in 2011, the Asista Foundation has been transforming lives through a dual mission. It consists of giving a second chance to dogs emerging out of challenging situations, then training them as service animals for individuals facing challenges and organizations who support those with mental health needs.

With 104 service dogs currently in action, Asista serves communities across Quebec and Ontario, providing essential support thanks to the dedication of its volunteers, donors and partners. Continuing the success of previous years, the Asista Foundation is firmly grounded and remains committed to fulfilling its mission.

With Nick Suzuki leading the cause as a dedicated ambassador, the foundation is expanding its reach and impact even further with a mobile version of its Facility Service Dog Program.

Nick’s valuable assistance

“We’re thrilled with how far we’ve come in just a few years,” says the Asista Foundation’s vice-president for public affairs John Agionicolaitis. “Nick’s unwavering support has been instrumental in helping us reach more people in need and bringing new life to the conversation about our work and mental health.”

According to the foundation, the second annual Nick Suzuki Heroes Golf Tournament, held in August last year, was a tremendous success, bringing together athletes, supporters and community leaders, while raising $120,500 for the Facility Service Dog Program.

The 2025 version of the tournament, scheduled for August 21, aims to set new fundraising records with all proceeds from the flagship event and the Hero Within All of Us campaign supporting the Facility Service Dog Program.

Making an impact

“I’m incredibly proud to support such an important cause,” says Suzuki. “Through various initiatives, like the Hero Within All of Us campaign and our annual golf tournament, I’m excited to continue making a meaningful impact in the lives of those who need it most.”

As the campaign grows, the Asista Foundation remains dedicated to rescuing more dogs, training them for service, and providing essential support to individuals and establishments supporting those who are struggling with mental health challenges.

The Asista Foundation invites individuals, businesses and communities to get involved by donating, volunteering or spreading the word.

Every contribution – big or small – leads to a world where mental health resources and compassionate support are accessible to all.

Nick Suzuki and Asista score a hat trick for Service Dog Program Read More »

Hundreds more rental housing units to be built in Laval and Terrebonne

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The federal Liberal government announced last Monday that it is investing more than $257 million to pay for 781 rental units in Laval and Terrebonne on the North Shore through the Apartment Construction Loan Program (ACLP).

The announcement was made by Vimy Liberal MP Annie Koutrakis, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister Responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada Quebec Region.

The EXAL De la Concorde project in Laval will a 268-unit residential complex developed and built by Construgep, in partnership with Groupe MACH and Sarees Investments. The federal Liberal government is contributing $90 million to the project through low-interest loans.

LEED status sought

Situated on Léo-Lacombe Avenue in the heart of Laval, the complex is in a strategic location close to the De la Concorde intermodal transportation station and the Route verte network of cycling trails. The project is aiming for LEED certification, which will guarantee high energy performance and sustainable development standards.

With a design based on sustainability and well-being, EXAL De la Concorde will integrate a number of green initiatives, including electric car-sharing and electric bike-sharing services for residents, urban agriculture on the roof, a bike repair shop and electrical charging stations. In addition, investments have been announced for two other large-scale housing projects, Central Parc Laval and WE Terrebonne.

Central Parc project

Located at 3385 Le Carrefour Blvd. in Laval, Central Parc Laval will be a 960-unit project, with phases 4 and 5 funded by the federal government with a total of $132 million in low-interest loans. Central Parc will offer a complete living environment with numerous amenities, including a bike repair station, electric car charging, an outdoor play area, an outdoor pool and a gym.

“The Government of Canada has committed to working with communities to meet the challenge of building more housing in Laval and across Quebec,” said Koutrakis. “Through the Apartment Construction Loan Program, our government is increasing the supply of new rental housing by investing over $257 million in the construction of 781 housing units. These units will benefit middle-class individuals and families and will have a positive effect on our economy.”

A rapidly evolving market

“The development of Phases 4 and 5 of Central Parc Laval reflects our ambition to offer modern rental housing tailored to the realities of a rapidly evolving market,” said Steven Bastien, director of property management for the Central Parc Laval project.

He said two new phases will introduce 419 additional residential units and a state-of-the-art shared amenity space, designed to enhance well-being and foster a sense of community.

“In a market where rental demand remains high and vacancy rates are historically low, this investment is a concrete response to the needs of Laval’s residents,” added Bastien.

“With the support of the federal government and funding from CMHC, we have been able to accelerate the realization of this ambitious project, which will contribute to Laval’s urban development and continued growth by providing thoughtfully designed living spaces built for the future.”

10-year-long planning

The federal government’s National Housing Strategy (NHS) is a $115-plus billion plan, spanning over 10 years. Progress on programs and initiatives is updated quarterly on the Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC) website.

As of September 2024, the federal government had committed $57.57 billion to support the construction of more than 156,000 housing units and the repair of an additional 297,000.

The measures, according to the government, prioritize those in greatest need, including seniors, Indigenous people, people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and women and children fleeing violence.

Hundreds more rental housing units to be built in Laval and Terrebonne Read More »

CFIB/Scotiabank report suggests more support would ‘empower’ immigrant entrepreneurs

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

As Canada navigates economic challenges – including heightened Canada-U.S. trade tensions this week – a new economic report commissioned by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business concludes it is essential for all entrepreneurs – including immigrants – to be set up for success.

Assisting newcomers

With that in mind, the report (From Challenges to Opportunities: The Newcomer Entrepreneurial Experience in Canada), looks at the leading hurdles facing newcomer entrepreneurs and their motivations for starting a business in Canada.

It also includes recommendations to policymakers and financial institutions on how to better support these important contributors to the country’s economy.

Sponsored by Scotiabank, the report notes that newcomer entrepreneurs – those who have been in Canada less than 10 years – own more than 7 per cent of enterprises in Canada, although they face unique challenges impacting their entrepreneurial growth and integration in the broader business community.

Entrepreneurial experience

“It takes a lot of courage and resilience to move to another country and open a business,” says Marvin Cruz, CFIB’s director of research and the report’s co-author. “Newcomer entrepreneurs play a crucial role in enhancing the Canadian business landscape and economy by bringing in diverse perspectives and skills.”

The top challenges facing newcomer entrepreneurs include securing financing (considering their limited credit history in Canada), navigating government regulations and compliance, building trust and networks, overcoming culture and communication differences, and accessing information and resources.

A range of backgrounds

Newcomer entrepreneurs choose to start a business in Canada for a wide range of reasons, including their previous entrepreneurial experience from their country of origin, access to market opportunities, the country’s strategic location, the pursuit of autonomy and financial success, and the appeal of a high quality of life and safety.

“As Canada navigates economic challenges, including Canada-U.S. trade tensions, strengthening entrepreneurship is more important than ever,” says Francesca Basta, CFIB’s research analyst, who was also a co-author of the report.

“To enhance Canada’s productivity and global competitiveness, it’s essential that all entrepreneurs, including newcomers, are set up for success,” she continues. “That’s why it’s important for policymakers and financial institutions to provide better and ongoing support to Canada’s newcomers in their entrepreneurial journeys.”

Role of policymakers

CFIB recommends that policymakers work to increase awareness of existing government grants and support programs, create an easily accessible and centralized platform to host critical information on tax rules, labour laws, and licensing requirements, and simplify regulatory compliance while enhancing customer service.

CFIB also recommends expanding immigration options for foreign entrepreneurs in Canada and to continue to support and promote newcomer organizations and settlement agencies that have proven to be effective.

As well, it is suggested that financial institutions should continue to promote mentorship programs and financial literacy resources, remove barriers to improve access to capital for newcomer entrepreneurs and simplify the banking setup process.

Immigrant entrepreneurs

According to the report, immigrants are more likely to be entrepreneurs than individuals born in Canada. While immigrants make up 23 per cent of the population, they own 28 per cent of Canadian enterprises. Additionally, immigrant owned businesses have similar longevity to those owned by Canadian-born entrepreneurs, with 80 per cent lasting two years and 58 per cent lasting seven years.

“As the country seeks to enhance its global competitiveness, the role of newcomer entrepreneurs – those who have immigrated to Canada within the past 10 years and are starting, managing, or expanding a business – has become increasingly important,” the report states.

Perspectives and innovation

“They bring diverse perspectives and innovative ideas which enrich and contribute to the vibrancy of Canada’s business landscape. For many, entrepreneurship is a conscious and empowering choice, allowing them to not only forge their own path to success in Canada, but to create jobs and contribute to local economies.”

“Considering most businesses in Canada are small, supporting newcomer entrepreneurs is crucial for driving growth and innovation in this sector,” the report maintains. “As Canada’s productivity remains stagnant, and business openings are struggling to outpace closures, immigrant entrepreneurs play an essential and needed role in strengthening the Canadian business landscape.”

Favourable survival rates

In addition to underlining their resilience, the report says immigrant entrepreneurs play an important role leveraging their international background and knowledge to expand Canadian trade opportunities. It found that the survival rates of immigrant-owned businesses are comparable to those of businesses owned by Canadian-born entrepreneurs.

After two years, on average, 78 per cent of businesses owned by immigrants remained in operation, compared to 80 per cent of those owned by Canadian-born entrepreneurs.

After seven years, the survival rate was 56 per cent for immigrant-owned businesses, closely mirroring the 57 per cent for Canadian-born entrepreneurs.

The report notes that newcomer entrepreneurs bring immense potential to Canada’s economy, but face unique barriers that can impact their growth and integration.

It concludes that strengthening support systems for newcomer entrepreneurs “would empower them to thrive, unlocking their full potential and enriching Canada’s business landscape.”

CFIB/Scotiabank report suggests more support would ‘empower’ immigrant entrepreneurs Read More »

Mayor Boyer in Washington with Canada/U.S. delegation of cities

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The City of Laval announced earlier this week that Mayor Stéphane Boyer will be in Washington D.C. from March 5-7 as Laval’s official representative in a delegation in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative.

In addition to promoting the protection of the Great Lakes and the Saint Lawrence River, the alliance (made up of 244 Canadian and U.S. cities) shares the common purpose of defending its members against President Donald Trump’s 25 per cent tariffs scheme.

In a statement issued by Laval City Hall on Monday, the city says Laval will be representing the interests of its businesses and employees.

During the gathering in the U.S. capital, Mayor Boyer will be meeting elected congressional officials, leaders of economic interest groups and representatives of the Trump administration. “This mission is taking place in a preoccupying economic context,” says the statement.

“Uncertainty is hanging over, while tariff measures are foreseen by the United States, directly threatening cross-border commercial trade.

“A 25 per cent hike on Canadian goods imported into the United States could have grave consequences for the regional economy, putting in peril jobs and the ability of local businesses to compete.”

“The question of tariffs is worrying,” says Mayor Boyer. “Hundreds of jobs are at risk in Laval. We will therefore be collaborating in initiatives aimed at preserving commercial trade from one side of the border to the other.

“We will also be taking advantage of this mission to strengthen the economic links between Laval and other Canadian cities from the Great Lakes region,” he added.

Mayor Boyer in Washington with Canada/U.S. delegation of cities Read More »

Longueuil man jailed 30 months for bombing attempt in Laval

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A 26-year-old man from Longueuil on Montreal’s South Shore has been sentenced to 30 months in prison after being found guilty of a range of criminal charges, including bomb-making, related to a dispute with his former girlfriend and her new partner.

Henri Chevalier Hogue pleaded guilty at the Palais de Justice de Laval in January to the charges, which included possession of explosives and criminal harassment.

In November 2022, Hogue’s ex-girlfriend, identified as Rachel, found a note on the windshield of a car in Pont-Viau belonging to her new boyfriend’s father, wishing them season’s greetings. A little earlier, according to testimony, an unidentified man had been seen placing an object under the car.

A few days later, a man was seen again, but this time placed an object under a car belonging to the new boyfriend, who was identified in court as Jacob, with a note left on the windshield saying “good day” in French.

It was later determined that the bomb had mistakenly been left under the wrong car in the first place, and that the second attempt was made to put it under Jacob’s car.

When the couple became aware of the situation, they called 9-1-1, which sent the Sûreté du Québec bomb squad. The squad proceeded in turn to evacuate part of the neighbourhood.

It was later determined that the object placed under the car was indeed a bomb containing an explosive charge and a load of steel screws capable of inflicting serious injuries and damage.

Following a raid at Hogue’s home, the police found a range of materials for bomb-making, including batteries, explosive powder, electric insulation tape and electric wiring. They were unable to determine exactly how he learned how to make a functioning bomb.

Hogue never admitted to having placed the bomb. The investigators reported that he put up a strong resistance to being fingerprinted, including trying to remove his own fingerprints from his fingers. He could have received a five-year prison sentence, but the court showed leniency, citing mitigating factors.

Laval man posing as DJ charged with online luring

The Laval Police say they have arrested a man suspected of luring children online and investigators believe there may be more victims.

Steve Martin Dubuc, 58, was arraigned on the charge at the Palais de Justice de Laval. Police say the charges stem from actions he allegedly committed between November 2024 and February 2025.

“Using a Facebook profile in the name of Stefano Tremblay and identifying himself as a DJ working at a popular radio station in the Montreal area, the suspect allegedly contacted minors via the Messenger platform,” the LPD said in a communiqué.

Anyone who believes they have additional information is asked to contact the LPD’s crime hotline at 450-662-4636 or call 911. The file is RPY-241124-015.

Recent LFD fire calls

February 12 | 22:35 // Building fire on Trépanier St. in the heart of Chomedey. Residential structure. Flames apparent on rear balcony of 2nd storey and propagation onto exterior wall of the building, as well as to part of the roof.

The Laval-des-Rapides 4th Avenue fire. (Photo: Courtesy APL)

February 4 | 00:56 // Building fire on 4th St. in city’s Laval-des-Rapides sector. Multi-unit residential building. Flames apparent in the garage. Code was 10-09, meaning full assistance required. According to the Laval Fire Dept., this dossier was forwarded onto fire investigators for further inquiry.

Jan 28 | LFD calls in a fire in progress. Building fire on Cléroux Blvd. in the Sainte-Dorothée sector. Residential building. Smoke apparent. Code was 10-07, meaning intervention necessary.

Keep those snowed-over hydrants clear

The Laval Fire Dept. has issued a reminder to all City of Laval property owners who have fire hydrants nearby that they have a duty to keep them clear of now in case a fire breaks out and firefighters need access.

“The storms these last few days have left us with a LARGE white carpet but also a few challenges,” the LFD posted on their X social media feed.

“We remind you to carefully clear your emergency exits and to not bury the fire hydrants under mountains of snow,” they added.

Longueuil man jailed 30 months for bombing attempt in Laval Read More »

Mille-Îles MNA Dufour calls out CAQ for opposing petition’s rail transport request

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Mille-Îles Liberal MNA Virginie Dufour is taking issue with her National Assembly CAQ colleague from Argenteuil Agnès Grondin’s failure to support a petition submitted by some of Dufour’s constituents who are asking the government to support development of rail transport.

“Last week in the National Assembly, I had the opportunity to participate in a work session whose purpose was to persuade elected officials with the CAQ to examine a petition, begun by a citizen of my riding, which requested that the government consider a strategy for the development of railway corridors for the transportation of goods and person,” said Dufour, who is the Liberal Party of Quebec’s official spokesperson on environment and climate change issues.

More rail transport

Since it is estimated that the distance travelled by a corresponding quantity of merchandise by train emits 92 per cent less greenhouse gas on average into the atmosphere, compared to road transport, the petitioners are proposing that a $1.7 billion surplus accumulated in the government’s electrification and climate change fund should be used to plan a transition towards rail transport.

During the working session, according to Dufour, CAQ MNA Grondin, along with her colleagues, opposed the petitioners’ request.

Ditto MRC d’Argenteuil

Dufour noted that in the last few weeks, the MRC d’Argenteuil adopted a resolution making a suggestion very similar to the one in the petition submitted by her constituents.

“Mme Grondin’s opposition is somewhat surprising since she herself, for more than 10 years, was a consultant for environment at the MRC d’Argenteuil,” Dufour said.

“Apparently, the CAQ’s MNA preferred to align herself with the positions taken by her party, rather than defend her citizens, the mayors in her riding and maybe also her personal convictions,” she added.

Mille-Îles MNA Dufour calls out CAQ for opposing petition’s rail transport request Read More »

Chomedey councillor Aglaia Revelakis distances herself from Action Laval

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

For elected as well as unelected members of the Action Laval opposition at Laval city hall, longtime Chomedey city councillor Aglaia Revelakis’s announcement that she was abandoning the Action Laval caucus was as unexpected as it was astonishing.

Three terms in office

Revelakis was one of the first Action Laval city councillors to be elected in 2013 after former mayor Gilles Vaillancourt’s monopolistic grip on Laval city council had finally been broken.

Since then, she won clear majorities in three elections, while retaining a large and reliable base of support for Action Laval from within her territory.

Before entering Laval municipal politics, Aglaia Revelakis gained political experience as a key organizer for councillor Mary Deros’s many election campaigns in Montreal’s Parc Extension district.

Kept Action Laval alive

When Action Laval’s political fortunes were reduced at one point almost to nil, Revelakis remained a reliable supplier of voter support. The Chomedey district could always be counted on to bolster Action Laval’s share, based largely on Aglaia Revelakis’s consistent popularity with voters.

At one point, when the party’s fortunes flagged, Revelakis was the lone Action Laval councillor left on city council, and she managed to hold the fort until Action Laval got back its strength.

During the February 4 council, Revelakis read out a few routine community announcements, before finally getting around to dropping the bombshell about leaving the party.

Announced in Council

“As of today, I will no longer sit as municipal councillor with Action Laval,” Revelakis said, adding that she was giving up her membership in the party at the same time.

“Moving forward, I will sit as an independent councillor to continue representing and serving my citizens of Chomedey who have supported me over the past eleven years,” she continued.

“It has been a privilege and honor to represent them at city hall and I think them for their confidence. The citizens of Chomedey are and will continue to be my priority. Chomedey will always be my priority.”

In a phone interview last week with The Laval News, Revelakis suggested that her decision was closely related to her disagreement with the party’s choice of Frédéric Mayer as mayoralty candidate for the November 2 elections.

Not the right one, she says

“That is my choice and my belief,” she said. “Everybody is allowed to believe whatever they want. I have to go with what I believe. And I don’t believe he was the right candidate.”

She said she was never consulted when a decision on a mayoralty candidate was being made. Although she is registered with Élections Québec as one of Action Laval’s two “dirigeants” (directors), she maintained she was never asked.

“As a dirigeant, I should have had some say in this, but I didn’t even have a say in whom they were going to choose,” she said. “This is who they wanted, this is what they wanted, so I said okay, thank you, no problem, I’ll just walk away, that’s all.”

Difficult choice for Revelakis

In the last three City of Laval elections, Revelakis consistently drew around 50 per cent voter support. She said she found her decision to leave Action Laval was difficult, but “I had to go with my beliefs.”

When asked whether she had considered affiliating herself and running with another municipal party (including the Mouvement lavallois), Revelakis said she’d been approached by the ML, as well as by the official opposition Parti Laval.

“Offers have come around from both parties,” she said. “But it’s too early to say. Right now, I want to concentrate on my district and I want to concentrate on my citizens.”

Action Laval’s response

The Laval News reached out to Action Laval’s leadership for their explanation of the procedures they followed when choosing the party’s mayoralty candidate.

According to AL spokesperson Geru Schneider, party president Achille Cifelli was not available earlier this week as he was away on business outside the country. Longtime Action Laval city councillor for Saint-Bruno David De Cotis provided the following e-mailed response.

“Our nomination process reflects our internal democratic tradition,” he said. “As in 2021, the selection of our candidate is based on an in-depth caucus discussion followed by a vote. This enables meaningful dialogue and a shared decision that reflects the values and objectives of our political party.

Mayer had support, said De Cotis

“I would like to point out that our candidate received overwhelming support for his nomination, demonstrating a strong bond within the party,” added De Cotis. “Representatives have also shown their unanimous support for this nomination, confirming the solidity of our choice.”

As for Revelakis’s recent comments, De Cotis said “we find it hard to understand the reaction of our former colleague, especially as she held a position on the party’s executive board.”

He said “her abrupt departure took the whole team by surprise, particularly given her involvement in our decision-making bodies. Nonetheless, we remain focused on our primary mission: to serve the interests of our citizens and work on our community’s priority issues.”

Chomedey councillor Aglaia Revelakis distances herself from Action Laval Read More »

Call 8-1-1 before going to hospital emergency, Santé Québec advises

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Santé Québec, the agency that now oversees public health services all over the province, is advising patients and caregivers that with influenza rates up and the winter flu season almost peaking, turning up at a hospital’s emergency department isn’t necessarily the best course of action to take when there are other alternatives.

Challenging situation

According to Santé Québec, close to half the visits made by patients to emergency departments between February 4 and 10 were by people whose needs were not in fact of an emergency nature.

“It is a challenge,” Robin Marie Coleman, Santé Québec’s assistant vice-president for access to health services, conceded regarding the misconceptions during a video conference call with journalists last Friday.

Long wait times

“This is definitely something we’re trying to work on,” she added, while agreeing with a journalist that wait times for some of the agency’s services, such as the 8-1-1 medical triage phone central for non-urgent health issues, can be long, although less so in comparison to hospital emergency department wait times.

“Sometimes the wait times are long,” she said. “But to put it in perspective, with the long wait times sometimes in the emergency rooms, it’s better and healthier for people to stay at home if they have non-urgent care, and wait in order to be re-directed to a clinic directly with an appointment, rather than expose themselves in an emergency room when it’s not an emergency situation.”

Sometimes the best option

According to Coleman, 70 per cent of those patients who turned up at emergency departments in early February had family doctors, while others may have had other options available to them. In cases like these, she continued, “the best option is to stay safely at home if it’s a non-emergency situation and be directly directed to the right service.”

But at the same time, she acknowledged that the province’s hospital emergency departments remain inadequate to handle the burden with which they are currently tasked. “We need to improve the different services, and first-line services, and make things much easier for people,” she said.

Dr. Luc Boileau, director of public health for the province, said last week that flu activity in Quebec is elevated and we could be seeing the worst flu season of the past decade.

Worst season in a decade

Late last week, the level of flu activity in Quebec was elevated, said Dr. Luc Boileau, director of public health for the province. He said Santé Québec was following the situation closely, since the province could in fact be facing one of its worst flu seasons in the last 10 years.

He said that in other Canadian provinces, like Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia, the presence of influenza had been notably higher this year. “We expect the peak soon to be reached, or that it soon will be,” he continued.

According to Dr. Boileau, it’s never too late to be vaccinated against influenza, and that it is recommended especially for persons regarded as vulnerable, which includes those with compromised immunity and the elderly.

Call 8-1-1 before going to hospital emergency, Santé Québec advises Read More »

Frédéric Mayer to be Action Laval’s mayoralty candidate in November

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Action Laval has chosen a university lecturer who is also a senior member of its support staff to be Action Laval’s mayoralty candidate in the municipal elections set for Sunday November 2.

Val-des-Arbres councillor Achille Cifelli, the city hall opposition party’s president, made the announcement at a press conference last week that Frédéric Mayer will spearhead their efforts leading towards election day.

They were surrounded by three current Action Laval city councillors and a few candidates who will be on the Action Laval slate this fall.

A Vaillancourt opponent

According to biographical notes furnished by the party, Mayer is a native of Laval and has two teenage sons. He began his involvement in municipal politics in 2009 as a political organizer who was galvanized into action by his opposition to then-mayor Gilles Vaillancourt.

Mayer’s academic credentials are noteworthy. He holds a PhD in public administration from École Nationale d’Administration Publique (ÉNAP), where he is a part-time lecturer. Mayer also completed a Master’s degree in management and international relations.

As well, he completed a thesis on relations between Canadian provinces and China while working for Services Canada and Elections Canada. He was most recently deputy chief of staff for Action Laval’s opposition team at city hall.

From China to Laval

According to his biography, Mayer spent time in China, where he lived and worked for four years. On his return, he was employed as an attaché to former Bloc Québécois MP for Alfred-Pellan Robert Carrier, who was present last week for the announcement.

In 2009, Mayer began working with city councillor for Saint-Bruno David De Cotis to set up the Mouvement lavallois, where Mayer was responsible for the party’s organization and communications. From 2014 to 2016, he was director of the Mouvement lavallois’ office for its elected officials at city hall.

Following De Cotis’s rift and departure from the Mouvement lavallois which he had co-founded, he turned to Mayer to organize Action Laval’s 2021 election campaign.

‘Time to focus,’ says party

Mayer said he intends to draw on his experience as an administrator in both the private and public sectors, as well as his doctoral training at the ÉNAP, in an effort to take control of the city’s finances.

“The city has been suffering from a lack of coherence and vision for too many years and this administration’s third term is one too many,” said Mayer. “It’s time to focus on the services for which citizens pay their city taxes.”

In a statement outlining what is likely to become a part of Action Laval’s election platform, the party said they intend to set up a commission on the city’s finances, as well as to review the relevance of the costs of some of the Boyer administration’s projects.

They also want to lower the city’s debt by carrying out projects paid for in cash up-front rather than through long-term loan by-laws, and to return to the city’s core mission, which they said “is to ensure the delivery of community services at the highest standard.”

Lower council presence

Action Laval has been reduced to three members of Laval city council after recently losing two councillors. Saint-Vincent-de-Paul councillor Paolo Galati left the party caucus after being investigated for spending irregularities by the Quebec Municipal Commission.

Although he was exonerated of wrongdoing, party president Achillle Cifelli said last week that Galati is not being taken back in.

In the meantime, longtime Action Laval city councillor for Chomedey Aglaia Revelakis announced during the February 4 city council meeting that she decided to leave the party and will run as an independent in the November elections.

Frédéric Mayer to be Action Laval’s mayoralty candidate in November Read More »

Mayor Boyer warns of impact on local finances and economy from Trump tariffs

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

During the February 4 meeting of Laval city council, Mayor Stéphane Boyer led off with an issue that’s been on the minds of many people these days – the impact that the policies of newly-inaugurated U.S. president Donald Trump are going to have, not only on countries and regions, but also on cities like Laval.

“It’s true our world is in the process of changing,” he said, while observing that Quebec Premier François Legault had made the same observation about the Trump effect in the National Assembly just a few days earlier.

Local impact of tariffs

While also noting that over the past four years the Covid pandemic caused a lot of disruptions – including inflation, pressure on the city’s revenues, as well as on those of governments in general and on Laval residents – Boyer said, “this is going to affect us here in Laval,” even if relations with the U.S. are a federal issue.

Mayor Boyer had spent the better part of a day a few days before speaking with the leaders of several major businesses located in Laval (including representatives of the food, aerospace and plastics transformation sectors), to be able to assess what’s been happening to them lately.

Looming unemployment

He acknowledged that the picture that emerged “isn’t rosy,” with potentially thousands of jobs which might have been created in Laval now hanging in the balance if Trump’s tariffs go through.

He suggested that a local rise in unemployment could result in a corresponding increase in residents’ needs, for which the city would have to find appropriate solutions. “If businesses close, this will also mean less revenue to pay for our public services,” said Boyer.

“And if tariffs are applied, this will also mean much higher costs for the municipality.” He pointed out that although the city tries as much as possible to make its purchases from local businesses, there are certain types of purchases which are available only from providers in the U.S., including police cars, firearms for police officers and firefighting equipment.

U.S. imports affected

As well, the City of Laval’s water filtration plants use specialized equipment available only in the U.S., “and this will mean much higher bills,” said Boyer. “So, this all means we will have to do more with less. And there could sometimes be choices that will be difficult in the months and years ahead.”

While noting that among the issues to be discussed during the council meeting would be grievances by Laval’s unionized police and blue-collar workers about the slowness of negotiations for new collective agreements, Mayor Boyer said that if this and other issues are to be addressed, “then we will have to be able to innovate, to make compromises – that we rise above partisanship.

More diversification

“We will have to develop an economy that is diversified. During the pandemic, Laval’s economy was fairly resilient, because we have this advantage and we must continue to use this even more so.”

He said local businesses will have to be encouraged as much as possible. “But mostly, we will have to remain attentive to all those who will be the most affected by these impacts, because, yes, unfortunately there will be negative impacts.”

Mayor Boyer warns of impact on local finances and economy from Trump tariffs Read More »

‘Bring on the tariffs,’ says CEO of Laval-based Chemtec

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Although fallout from Donald Trump’s proposed 25 per cent tariffs on imported Canadian goods has yet to make a full impact here, as far as one Laval business owner is concerned, the U.S. president’s threat is a challenge to be accepted.

“Bring on the tariffs,” said Jason Bérubé, CEO of Chemtec Epoxy Coatings, a Laval-based manufacturer and distributor of industrial floor coatings.

The company’s products are used all over North America to extend the life of parking structures, stadiums, garages, basements and many other facilities.

Bérubé, who founded the company more than a decade ago, made the wise decision long before Trump’s announcement to acquire a coatings company in the U.S. That investment has become part of his formula to help shield Chemtec from the tariffs’ impact.

Robotic production

He was speaking during a press conference held jointly by federal and provincial officials to announce $6.2 million in government loans to improve productivity at Chemtec through the implementation of robotic technology.

According to a joint Canada/Quebec news release, Chemtec is acquiring cutting-edge equipment to automate part of its production. The aim of the $7.7 million project is to increase production and foster the growth and development of new Chemtec products.

“Since 2013, Chemtec Epoxy Coatings has been committed to providing products of exceptional quality, following the strictest standards, to accompany their clients in a highly competitive market,” said Bérubé.

In 2019, according to the CEO, Chemtec took a major step with the opening of its first plant in Laval, where thanks to the sustained efforts of their internal research and development laboratory, they are now manufacturing most of the products they market.

Meeting client needs

“Our new cutting-edge laboratory, equipped with the most advanced technology in the sector, will play a key role in formulating innovative products with stronger internal integration, responding to the most demanding needs of our clients,” Bérubé said.

Answering questions from The Laval News, he said the company’s decision to shift some of its focus to the U.S. will probably help Chemtec absorb whatever impact comes from Trump’s tariffs – even if they are as high as 25 per cent.

“Right now, we are selling directly to contractors there, instead of selling only to distributors,” he said, while adding that in the meantime Chemtec is hoping to expand into the European market.” Overall, Bérubé said Trump’s tariff threats had given Chemtec food for thought, but that he wasn’t losing sleep over them.

Loans from Canada and Quebec

Chemtec employs around 30 people. Quebec’s support consists of a loan of $3,080,000 granted under the ESSOR program administered by Investissement Québec as the government’s representative, as well as a loan of $2,200,000 from Investissement Québec’s capital funds.

For its part, Ottawa is assisting Chemtec with a loan of $950,000 under Economic Development Canada’s (CED) Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program. The loans are part of an overall initiative to assist Chemtec to upgrade to Industry 4.0 standards (rapid technological advancement in the 21st century).

“This new equipment will make it possible to increase the business’s productivity considerably and make it more competitive,” said Vimy Liberal MP Annie Koutrakis, who is Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister responsible for CED Quebec region. “This is excellent news for our region’s economy,” she added.

Resilience on another level

Sainte-Rose MNA Christopher Skeete, who isMinister for the Economy in the Legault cabinet, said Quebec’s decision to support Chemtec was based on its belief that “when you invest in automation, optimization and robotization, you bring your ability to be resilient to another level.

“You’re less dependent on a labour force,” he added. “You are equally strengthening your ability to keep costs low. The best vaccination against tariffs is to have low costs and optimal productivity. And this is exactly what he is doing.”

Skeete went on to say there was an industrial productivity issue in Quebec long before the tariffs issue materialized.

“Productivity is what’s going to get us through this,” he said. “We don’t have any control over what happens in the U.S. But we do control how much we invest in our businesses here.”

‘Bring on the tariffs,’ says CEO of Laval-based Chemtec Read More »

Laval’s electronic snow-removal signage is a non-starter in Chomedey

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

It’s been around a year since the City of Laval announced, with a degree of fanfare, that it would be expanding its use of illuminated electronic signage along residential streets, to better keep motorists and residents informed of parking restrictions whenever snow removal ops are about to begin following snowfalls.

During the January city council meeting in 2024, the council members awarded a contract to Pierre Brossard (1981) ltée to install electronic parking regulation signage on a range of streets in districts such as Chomedey in west end Laval.

New system not started yet

The signs, which are programmable remotely, allow municipal employees to inform motorists and residents in “real time,” rather than with the age-old, manually-set up cardboard signs, which have been in usage for decades and must be placed by hand one-at-a-time in snow banks on street curbs.

When functioning, the new illuminated panels light up when needed to display specific times when snow removal (or street cleaning operations during the summer) are taking place. The city decided to opt for the system following tests with several pilot projects over the past few years on its territory.

Cardboard signs for now

That said, however, now comes word from a homeowner on Chenard St. in Chomedey that the city is continuing to use cardboard signs on his street. This is in spite of the fact that some of the new electronic signs have been installed on Chenard, but appear to have been serving no useful purpose up to now.

Widespread implementation of the system began during the summer of 2024, and it was expected to become functional in Chomedey over the current winter period. This was to be followed by the installation and activation of a similar electronic signage system in Pont-Viau and Laval-des-Rapides over the coming summer months.

In an interview with The Laval News, Jason Hope of Chenard St. said he wasn’t particularly put off that the city was still be using the old cardboard sign system, even though the new electronic signage has been in place (although inactive) for some time.

Residents want to know

He said he and a few of his neighbours were “just curious” about the city’s intentions. It’s worth noting that the City of Laval decided to adopt the new automated sign system as part of a package of amendments to its wintertime snow-removal strategy, which previously included a narrow and unpopular no parking policy following snowfalls.

“I had some discussion with my neighbours who were wondering, you know, why they [the city] are still putting out those signboards,” he said, adding that they’d gone online to the City of Laval’s website to see if there was any information, only to see there was none.

“Nothing came up with regard to when they [the new signs] are actually going to be getting used,” he continued. “It would be nice just to get a little guidance from the city – maybe just a little bit of communication as to when. Even though we didn’t get much snow this year, it would just be nice to know when the city will be putting this into use.”

Not yet up and running

The Laval News reached out to the City of Laval for some clarification as to when the new system will be functional.

Carolanne L. Gagnon, a spokesperson for the city’s public affairs and marketing division, said the system is still being installed within an area of Laval’s west end bounded by autoroutes 13, 15, 440 and the Rivière des Prairies.

However, there was no word from her on a precise or even approximate date when the system might be functional. “Before it becomes operational, an official notice will be sent to residents in the sectors which are affected to let them know the official date,” she said.

Until then, she added, the city’s existing methods of informing residents, as well as the portable cardboard no parking signs, will remain in use.

Laval’s electronic snow-removal signage is a non-starter in Chomedey Read More »

Pink in the City presents $317,000 to MUHC Foundation for breast cancer care

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A check for $317,000 was presented recently by officials with Pink in the City to the MUHC Foundation, representing funds raised by Pink last year for holistic care provided to breast cancer cancer patients at the Montreal-based teaching hospital.

Denise Vourtzoumis, president of Pink in the City, took to the podium with heartfelt emotion.

‘A shared purpose’

“This achievement is a testament to what happens when a community comes together with a shared purpose,” she said. “Pink in the City was founded on the belief that love, compassion and action can make a tangible difference in the lives of breast cancer patients. I salute every survivor in the room, you are the reason we are here.”

Dr. Sarkis Meterissian, founder of the Breast Clinic Wellness Program at the MUHC, expressed his gratitude for the vital support that Pink in the City provides.

“This program was created to address the emotional, physical, and psychological well-being of breast cancer patients,” he said. “Thanks to Pink in the City, the MUHC Foundation and their incredible donors, we can continue to offer holistic care that truly meets the needs of our patients.”

Unwavering commitment

“Together, we are creating a future where every woman facing breast cancer feels supported and cared for,” said Marie-Hélène Laramée, president and CEO of the MUHC Foundation. “Pink in the City’s unwavering commitment to this cause inspires us all to dream bigger and strive harder to ensure no more women face a future where breast cancer takes a life.”

Pink in the City has become synonymous with breast cancer care at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC). Since 2014, they have championed the MUHC’s Breast Clinic Wellness Program through the MUHC Foundation and events like Raise Craze and their annual gala.

$1.5 million raised to date

From breast cancer survivors to passionate high school students, Pink in the City never fails to unite their community in the fight against breast cancer. Pink in the City’s 2024 donation to the MUHC brought their total contributions to over $1.5 million.

The funds raised were the result of tireless efforts, which included an inspiring Pink in the Rink campaign last year led by the Concordia University Women’s Hockey Team.

“Pink in the Rink is so much more than a hockey game,” said Julie Chu, coach for the team. “For us, it’s about standing in solidarity with those affected by cancer and showing that even the smallest efforts can create ripples of change. We’re proud to contribute to such an important cause.”

SWLSB’s ‘Raise Craze’

One of the highlights of the year is always Raise Craze, a much-loved event where people shave or dye their hair pink in support of the cause. Students from the Sir Wilfred Laurier School Board raised an incredible $50,000, showing how young people are getting involved in philanthropy.

The Beat 92.5’s co-hosts Lee Haberkorn and Mark Bergman shaved their heads, while Claudia Marques and Kim Kieran dyed their hair pink during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, raising $98K for Raise Craze, which included a generous matching donation from La Vie en Rose.

Pink in the City presents $317,000 to MUHC Foundation for breast cancer care Read More »

Two Laval Liberal MPs throw their weight behind Mark Carney for party leader

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

After several weeks of deliberation over the future of the Liberal Party of Canada following the resignation of Justin Trudeau as leader, two Laval-area MPs have announced their decision to support Mark Carney’s bid to win the party’s leadership.

In interviews earlier this week with The Laval News, Laval-Les Îles Liberal MP Fayçal El-Khoury and Vimy Liberal MP Annie Koutrakis confirmed their decision to support the former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor, whose chief rival for the leadership is former Liberal finance minister Chrystia Freeland.

‘Good economic vision’

“He is a great economist,” El-Khoury said, explaining why he decided to support Carney. “He is the right man. He has a good economic vision for the country, which is exactly what we need right now. If you look at his CV, he is the only man in the world who managed two major central banks. Which is unique.”

El-Khoury noted that during the 2008 global financial crisis, Carney provided key advice to Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper. “So, he is very well known. He has made his mark,” he said.

Although there is a longstanding if unspoken tradition within the Liberal Party of Canada that the leadership should alternate between French- and English-speaking chiefs, some also believe the person who heads the party should always be bilingual.

Carney’s bilingualism

El-Khoury said he was impressed with Carney’s fluency in both languages, while admitting that Carney (who was born in Canada’s Northwest Territories and raised in Alberta) isn’t perfectly adept in French. “Of course, he’s not Victor Hugo,” he said, alluding to the 19th century French author. “But he manages properly. I’ve heard him speak and it is very good.”

Regarding some of the other candidates, El-Khoury said he would have supported a leadership bid by former Pierrefonds-Dollard MP Frank Baylis, whom he described as a very close friend. “But as far as I know, after discussing with many colleagues, he has no chance,” said El-Khoury.

Regarding Chrystia Freeland, he said, “With all due respect, she is a good colleague. But my problem, based on my consultation with my constituents in Laval-Les-Îles and other places also, is that as minister of finance, she was related to all decisions taken by Trudeau and she cannot separate herself from that.”

Carney was praised by Harper

Koutrakis explained why she also decided to support Mark Carney. Like El-Khoury, she noted that Stephen Harper had praised Carney’s work at the Bank of Canada as having helped soften the impact on the country from the 2008-2009 recession. As well, she pointed out that Carney was the only non-British governor the Bank of England had since its founding in the late 17th century.

“Having met him [Carney] and having had extensive conversations with him, I think he is the right leader and the right prime minister for Canada as we go through this very turbulent time,” said Koutrakis.

Regarding Carney’s linguistic proficiency, Koutrakis said she agreed that since Canada is an officially bilingual country, “the prime minister of Canada, and any federal party leader for that matter, should be bilingual.” She said she had heard Carney speak in French.

Koutrakis for Carney

“Although it may not be perfect, he is quite proficient in the French language, and I know that he is continuing in that regard,” said Koutrakis. “Obviously, he is an Anglophone. But I have every confidence that Mr. Carney will be able to master the language even better than he already speaks it.”

She said she had “full respect for all the candidates who put their names out there to be the leader.”

However, with the economic threats the country is facing from its main trading partner (the U.S.), “I really believe that given Mr. Carney’s overall demeanor, experience, educational background and reputation globally, he is the right person to be able to sit across the table from President Trump and his team to renegotiate and make sure that Canada’s economy remains robust and healthy,” said Koutrakis.

Two Laval Liberal MPs throw their weight behind Mark Carney for party leader Read More »

Winter was put on pause for city’s three-day ‘Laval en Blanc’

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Rubino family from Laval’s Duvernay district were among the thousands of moms, dads and children who converged on the Centre de la Nature on the weekend of January 24-25-26 for the city’s Laval en Blanc winter carnival.

As it turned out, Sunday, the final day, was also the best, with bright sun and a moderate coolness just on the edge of warmth under the gentle mid-day sunlight.

“We try to get to different events throughout the year,” said the family’s father, adding that they find it pleasant and convenient to have access so close to home to a large green space like the Centre de la Nature, where they can get out and enjoy the fresh air while also getting some exercise.

The Rubino family of Laval’s Duvernay district enjoyed a mid-winter day in the sun at the Centre de la Nature during the city’s Laval en Blanc festival. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

Fun for everyone

There was snow sledding, ice skating, zip line riding, fireworks, obstacle course racing, snow sculpting, even some musical performances to be enjoyed by kids and their families in warmth inside a pavilion.

For some, the idea of having fun outdoors during the winter, in temperatures hovering around zero degrees Celsius, is a novel concept and a discovery in itself – although it’s the very reason Laval en Blanc is organized each year by the City of Laval.

Winter was put on pause for city’s three-day ‘Laval en Blanc’ Read More »

Mayor Boyer confirms he’s in for another term – despite health problem

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Laval Mayor Stéphane Boyer says he’ll be seeking a second term in the November 2 municipal elections, in spite of the fact he’s facing a health issue which is impacting the quality of his life.

Boyer, who became Laval’s youngest elected mayor in 2021 at the age of 33, made the announcement last week.

Spinal cord arthritis

The 37-year-old told journalists with several media that he was diagnosed more than a decade ago with ankylosing spondylitis, a type of arthritis that affects the spinal cord.

The condition can make it difficult to stand or walk for long periods. It is characterized by long-term inflammation of the joints of the spine, typically where the spine joins the pelvis.

He said wanted to go public about it in case anyone began to notice the symptoms. According to Boyer, it took two years for him to obtain a diagnosis for a disease he said he will have for the rest of his life.

Campaigning started

In interviews with journalists since making the announcement, Boyer suggested that some of the issues he wants to put forward in a second term as mayor would include building another major hospital in Laval, as well as expanding higher education, and providing more assistance to the homeless.

He also expressed a desire to continue initiatives for better economic development, more housing, stronger public security, and more access in Laval to arts and culture.

In addition, he said he wanted to take measures to improve overall efficiency in government.

Mayor Boyer confirms he’s in for another term – despite health problem Read More »

City-Watch: Laval unveils action plan for juvenile delinquency and urban violence

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

During the January 14 Laval city council meeting, officials with the city announced the release of the new Action plan for Security and Collective Well-Being for the years 2024-2026.

It was developed in partnership with a number of institutions and community groups in the region.

The plan is a more detailed version of a strategic plan for security and well-being, which was adopted by city council last June.

It provides a framework for the City of Laval to be able to take means to deal with juvenile delinquency and violence among youths aged between 12 and 35 years.

“This action plan is the end-result of a collective and coordinated effort, denoting the City of Laval’s and its partners’ willingness to act on the issues involving juvenile delinquency and security,” said Mayor Stéphane Boyer.

A collective effort

“By uniting our strengths while working together, we will be able to achieve concrete results that will make a significant impact in matters of prevention. I am proud of this action plan, which aims to make our neighborhoods safer, while allowing us to invest in the future of our youths and their families.”

The project, developed through the co-leadership of the City of Laval’s culture, leisure, sports and social development service and the Laval Police Dept. (SPL), outlines measures to be implemented by the city and its partners.

According to the city, the measures were developed following multiple meetings and workshops held with program partners in the community. The city relied on the partners’ expertise in working with youths over many years to identify what actions might be necessary to accomplish goals.

Measures to be taken

In all, 45 measures are decreed in the new plan, taking into account emerging issues. They include:

  • Acting preventively, by advising youths and their families beforehand on issues linked to cyberspace, like online harassment and intimidation.
  • Providing support for programs and initiatives working towards reducing polarization and radicalization.
  • Providing youths with opportunities to learn more about themselves through cultural and artistic workshops in things like hip-hop music, as well as literary projects.

In addition to investments by the City of Laval, the Quebec Ministry of Public Security invested $4.6 million in the plan.

As well, the federal government and the government of Quebec also provided financial support through a mutual program whose purpose is to help build more secure communities.

City-Watch: Laval unveils action plan for juvenile delinquency and urban violence Read More »

Liberals’ Duclos warns of steep cuts under a Poilièvre government

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

With the prospect of an early federal election more certain by the week, Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services in the outgoing Trudeau cabinet, is warning that a Conservative government under Pierre Poilièvre would almost certainly make deep cuts to programs introduced by the Liberals in the past nine years – including national dental care and access to affordable housing.

“Pierre Poilievre wants to take away dental coverage for millions of Canadians and leave you and your family without the health care you need and deserve,” Duclos said in an interview with Newsfirst Multimedia during a recent stop in Laval to attend a multicultural gathering.

Dental plan threatened, he says

The Liberal government’s Quebec Lieutenant said Poilièvre has gone on record several times trying to discredit the Canadian Dental Care Plan, which was adopted by the Liberals largely at the urging of the NDP minority opposition in Canada’s parliament.

“Any time someone has asked him why he is against, he has said it is because it doesn’t exist,” Duclos said, maintaining that Poilièvre, driven by right-wing ideology, has also been known to refer the dental plan as a “communist” policy.

“So, this is very strange obviously for any sensible person to understand that language,” said Duclos. “But then it’s part of the fake news argument: he pretends that people shouldn’t register because it doesn’t exist, and then because it doesn’t exist, he says we can do without it – which is obviously completely false.”

He said that, to date, more than 3.1 million dental program applications have been approved, with one million in Quebec alone. As well, he said more than 1.3 million Canadians have received dental care through the plan. “More than 95 per cent of all dentist here in Quebec have used the program,” said Duclos. “For now, it is seniors and people under the age of 18. But, in 2025, we are expected to open the program to everyone.”

On affordable housing

On affordable housing, Duclos, who was the minister responsible for the Liberal government’s first national housing strategy, maintained that since 2015 when the Trudeau government first came into office, the Liberals managed to build more than 50,000 units of affordable housing, paid for largely by the federal government.

He claimed that Pierre Poilièvre, as the cabinet minister responsible for housing in the former Harper Conservative government, “built six in total for his whole mandate across the entire country.”

On the Liberal leadership

Regarding the Liberal leadership race, Duclos declined to say whether at this point he is supporting any particular candidate.

However, an outline of his thinking on the matter, furnished to Newsfirst Multimedia by a Liberal administration staff member, noted that Duclos has “said time and time again that the next leader of the party needs to be bilingual and have the interest of all Quebecers at heart.”

Duclos acknowledged that by this definition, the field of suitably bilingual candidates becomes somewhat narrower. Of the two most prominent ones – Mark Carney and Chrystia Freeland – he noted:

“They are not perfectly bilingual, just as I am not perfectly bilingual. Perfectly bilingual Canadians are rare. But what matters is whether you are able to engage with Canadians in whatever language they use. That is absolutely essential.”

Impact of Trump presidency

Duclos said the Liberal government had long been preparing for the eventuality that Donald Trump would be re-elected as president of the U.S. “I would say that people want to be reassured,” he said.

He said the Liberal government “started in late winter, early spring 2024, since at that time there was a high probability that President Trump would be re -elected, so it was possible. And then it became probable that he would be re-elected. So given that, we had to reactivate our engagement work in the United States.”

Dismisses deficit worries

On the country’s growing annual operating deficit – which currently stands at more than $60 billion for 2023-24, compared to $35.3 billion in 2022–23 – Duclos, who has headed the economics faculty at Laval University and has a PhD from the London School of Economics – maintained that the government’s debt is nothing to become alarmed about.

“It isn’t only the debt that matters – it’s also the size of the economy,” he said, noting that Canada’s economy has been assessed by the International Monetary Fund to be the second-fastest growing economy in 2026-27 after the U.S.

Liberals’ Duclos warns of steep cuts under a Poilièvre government Read More »

Man critically injured in Vimont rear-end crash

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A 22-year-old man was taken to hospital in critical condition after a collision after which his vehicle got wedged under a parked truck early last Friday morning in eastern Laval.

According to the Laval Police Dept., the incident occurred around 3:15 a.m. on Dagenais Blvd. East, in the Vimont sector. For reasons police investigators have yet to determine, the driver hit a cube truck that was parked on the side of the boulevard.

As the victim’s vehicle was stuck under the rear end of the truck, firefighters had to free the driver who was alone in his car. Tow trucks were also called in to allow rescuers to access the vehicle.

The driver was taken to the hospital, and the police said the victim was out of danger later in the day following the crash. The Laval police force is continuing its investigation to try to shed light on the circumstances surrounding this accident.

Notre-Dame Blvd. blaze renders six homeless

Six people living in a triplex on Notre-Dame Boulevard in Chomedey are temporarily homeless following a January 6 fire in the building near the intersection of 100th Avenue.

It was just after 3:15 pm when the firefighters arrived on the scene, needing only around 45 minutes to declare the blaze under control.

Damages to the building were estimated at $150,000, with a further $40,000 for damage to furnishings and interior property.

One from Laval among four charged with cocaine trafficking

A 59-year-old man from Laval and three other suspects from Montreal and the North Shore are facing charges they conspired to import and produce cocaine using an ingenious scheme to try and deceive the Canada Border Services Agency.

(Photo: Courtesy RCMP)

In a statement issued by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s Federal Policing Eastern Region division, the force says an investigation by the Airport and Federal Investigations Detachment began in December 2022, after the CBSA intercepted a package from Colombia containing 39 cardboard boxes soaked in cocaine.

“Laboratory analysis revealed that each box contained approximately 29 grams of the illicit substance, for a total of almost 1.3 kg,” according to the RCMP.

During the investigation, police dismantled a clandestine laboratory in a commercial building in Laval, presumably used for cocaine extraction purposes.

Two other commercial buildings were also searched.

Investigators seized several electronic devices, laboratory equipment and notes on how to extract the cocaine from the cardboard.

The suspects were identified by the RCMP as:

  • Jean Bergeron, 59, from Laval
  • Jonathan Gallotta, 41, from Mirabel
  • Laurent-Alexandre Riverin, 31, from Montreal
  • and Aéala Bizien, 30, from Boisbriand

They are scheduled to appear on January 29 at the Palais de Justice de Laval.

The charges they face include cocaine importation, possession for the purpose of trafficking and conspiracy.

Man critically injured in Vimont rear-end crash Read More »

Action Laval asks for seniors’ bus service be restored

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Action Laval city councillor for Saint-Bruno David De Cotis tabled a motion during the January council meeting, asking the Société de transport de Laval to reinstate a special bus service for senior citizens which was terminated last year.

Permanent service cuts

The STL announced at that time that some temporary service cuts it had implemented would in fact become permanent. As a result, a bus route which had been established to provide service specifically for seniors at retirement residences was stopped.

“The decision to cut this service is entirely based on the reasoning that it has to be feasible, but the STL is not a for-profit business – it’s a public service,” said De Cotis. “A public service must also answer to community, social and human needs.”

Not quite as planned

As De Cotis sees it, the STL’s shuttle service for seniors, many of whom can be considered vulnerable, offered a rare opportunity for shut-ins to be able to get out and break free of their isolation. Mayor Stéphane Boyer had initially expected that a new $100 charge added to provincial car registration fees would help pay for the STL’s additional expenses, although things didn’t work out that way.

“Today, we find that we are paying more for our registrations, but we are getting fewer services,” said De Cotis.

“It’s a perfect picture of the break that exists between what we pay and the services that we receive from the city since this administration is in place.”

Action Laval asks for seniors’ bus service be restored Read More »

The Laval News concludes its look back at 2024 with November and December

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Without a doubt, there was a lot happening last year. The Laval News concludes its look back at events in our area in 2024 with a summary of what was happening in November and December.

November

Trudeau ‘buying votes,’ Laval’s Conservatives claimed

As reported in our November 6 issue, Conservative Party organizers claimed the Trudeau government had been “buying votes” in recent years through an extensive program of subsidies – including Covid-era CERB payments.

Conservative Senator Leo Housakos (right), seen here with Toronto-area Conservative MP Anna Roberts and Laval-les-Îles Conservative candidate Konstantinos Merakos, believed the Conservatives were well-positioned to win in Laval. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

Quebec Conservative Senator Leo Housakos said he agreed the Trudeau government has effectively been purchasing votes.

He said that around the same time as the Covid crisis, the government also “went on a spending spree,” giving away millions to non-profit organizations “that didn’t need it.”

‘Eva the Louse’ a hit with kids and parents

After eighteen months of auditions, rehearsals, recording and production, The Adventures of Eva Louse was the culmination of those efforts.

As reported in our pages, development of the massive, multi-level, educational and artistic project culminated in style at The Palace convention centre in Laval with a performance of highlights, as well as the official release of a children’s picture/audio book.

The project, led by Dimitris Ilias and his wife Maria Diamantis, brought together the talents of 175 young choristers from 13 English Montreal School Board schools.

Laval shone a spotlight on contributions of its volunteers

On Wednesday November 6, the City of Laval presented its latest volunteer-recognition evening at the Salle André-Mathieu. The event included musical entertainment, as well as dancing and humor.

Leadership torch passed to James Di Sano at Laurier School Board

Former Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board commissioner James Di Sano launched the SWLSB on a new path of renewal, resurgence, reform and change in his new role of Board Chairman, after being elected on November 3 and sworn in a few weeks later.

The new council of commissioners at the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board.

Russell Copeman, SWLSB Director-General, officiated for Chairman Di Sano and the 12 commissioners, seven of whom were acclaimed, while two were elected, and three were designated as parent-representatives.

Résidence l’Oasis honored six former Canadian Armed Forces soldiers

Six Canadian Forces veterans ranging in age from 70 to more than 100 years were the focus of a special homage paid during a Remembrance Day commemoration ceremony held at the Résidence l’Oasis de Laval on November 11.

Veterans Lucien Gravel, age 90, Jean-Jacques Lavergne, 99, Jean-Pierre Bureau, 70, Jean Poirier, 89, Daniel Legault, 73, and Ernest Robert, 100, all served with the Canadian Forces in a variety of capacities – including World War II defence and combat operations.

New library/community centre opened in Saint-Francois

The Espace citoyen des Confluents (ECC), which is located on a soon to be developed green patch in Laval’s sprawling but rapidly-expanding district of Saint-François, was officially opened by Mayor Stéphane Boyer. The $41 million cost was shared by the City of Laval and the provincial government.

December

Made in Quebec, produced in Laval

The Laval Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIL) launched a campaign to encourage consumers to “buy local,” in Quebec and in Laval, as they contemplated their purchases for the upcoming Christmas holidays.

According to the CCIL, the goal of the $1.4 million promotion was to provide a boost to the local economy, while drawing attention to local businesses that cast Laval in a positive light.

Mayor Stéphane Boyer suggested it was no coincidence the campaign was getting underway just as the Christmas season was also about to start. “Our city is filled with entrepreneurs, artisans and business operators who drive the dynamic in Laval,” he said.

32-23 p 12

‘Lilac Benefit’ brought Shield of Athena closer to $5 million funding goal

As reported in our December 4 issue, nearly 200 supporters of emergency shelters for women and children fleeing abusive households were guests at Shield of Athena’s annual “Lilac” Benefit Gala at the Embassy Plaza, raising as much as $150,000 for the cause during the non-profit’s annual gourmet dinner and art auction.

CJAD Radio host Joanne Vrakas, right, and Global TV’s Eramalinda Boquer took bids during a live auction segment for art pieces at the Lilac fundraiser. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia)

“What we hope is that with events like this, as well as the generosity of people and companies and businesses that keep on giving, we’ll be able to keep on providing our services,” said Shield of Athena executive-director Melpa Kamateros.

Marquise VIII: another opportunity for stylish living for empty nesters

The climax of an ambitious chapter in the history of residential development in Laval got underway in early December last year when a ground-breaking ceremony was held to mark the start of construction for the eighth and final tower of the Marquise on Jean-Béraud Ave. in Chomedey.

For Michel Guilbault, executive vice-president of development at Dév Méta which was a key player in the rental condo project, it was the conclusion of a long journey that began in 2012 when he first guided efforts to raise the first towers of the Marquise project.

Laval’s new Aquatics Complex opened in city centre

Laval mayor Stéphane Boyer was among the very first people to take a high-dive into the waters of the Olympic-size pool at the city’s new Aquatics Complex.

The City of Laval’s mayor went for a swim during the official opening of the new aquatics complex. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

“The opening of this aquatic complex is an important step for our city,” said Mayor Boyer. “Not only does this project answer to the growing needs of our community, but it also is part of our vision of an inclusive and accessible society for all.”

Filia founder presented National Assembly Medal

Chomedey Liberal MNA Sona Lakhoyan Olivier paid tribute to Joanna Tsoublekas, founder of the Filia Seniors’ Association, for her outstanding dedication and unwavering commitment to the well-being of the elderly.

During the celebration of the association’s 41st anniversary, Lakhoyan Olivier presented Tsoublekas with a Quebec National Assembly Medal, an honorary distinction that signifies official recognition for the exceptional work done by outstanding and committed citizens.

The Laval News concludes its look back at 2024 with November and December Read More »

The Laval News continues its look back at September and October 2024

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

As part of The Laval News’s ongoing look back at news and events that took place in our area in 2024, we continue with a summary of September and October last year.

September

Vimy Liberal MP Annie Koutrakis’ summer BBQ

More than 800 guests – most of them constituents in Vimy MP Annie Koutrakis’s riding – chowed down on hot dogs, salad and other outdoor BBQ delights on the afternoon of Sunday Sept. 1 in Laval-des-Rapides’ Bernard Landry Park.

Although it was Koutrakis’s first annual BBQ since first being elected in 2019, she pledged it would be far from the last. “We plan to have this event every year,” she said in an interview with The Laval News.

Burglars snatch high-end clothing at kidswear store

The Laval Police were trying to identify several suspects who took part in a brazen early morning burglary at a designer children’s wear boutique near the Carrefour Laval mall.

According to initial reports, the perpetrators were able to get into the outlet through a commercial address next to the Kid Biz store.

They apparently broke through a wall between the two businesses, through which they managed to get into the high-end children’s clothing retailer around 1:40 am. The store is known for selling designer kids’ apparel and accessories, retailing in some cases for more than $1,000.

Quebec backs Laval’s bid for Carré Laval mixed use project

With a little seed money from Quebec Premier François Legault’s government, the City of Laval was set to transform another expanse of its vast but still largely underused downtown core into a new and sustainably-planned neighborhood, where residential, commercial and light industry are expected to flourish.

Flanked by Sainte-Rose MNA Christopher Skeete (right) and Carré Laval project head Élizabeth Muir Lepage, Laval mayor Stéphane Boyer points at a graphic of the planned Carré Laval project during an official announcement. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

The Carré Laval project will be taking place over a span of 20 years on a more than 40-hectare site that is probably familiar to many if not most Laval residents – the large mostly vacant square of land at the southwest-side intersection of Autoroute 15 and Saint-Martin Blvd.

“The vision for the development of Carré Laval prioritizes quality of life, innovation and sustainability,” Mayor Boyer said during an official launch. He said “Carré Laval will become the nerve centre that establishes the identity of Laval residents and that attracts people from everywhere.”

FILIA Association for Seniors holds Walk a Thon in Chomedey

Smart-looking caps and t-shirts bearing the distinctive ‘FILIA’ logo breathed an air of hope and renewal into last year’s FILIA Walk a Thon, an increasingly popular autumn ritual and tradition in Laval’s Chomedey neighborhood.

The 18th annual Walk a Thon on Sept. 16 drew a loyal following of FILIA supporters, as well as local elected officials who have provided help to the organization over the years.

October

Trudeau on Russia/Ukraine ‘unthinking’ and ‘dangerous,’ said Mulcair

Former Chomedey MNA Tom Mulcair told a gathering of lawyers and law students at Concordia University that Justin Trudeau’s suggestion to world leaders – that they arm Ukraine with missiles to penetrate deep into Russia – was “as unthinking as it is dangerous.”

“I don’t take it seriously when Mr. Trudeau says he doesn’t see any problem with Ukraine using NATO weapons to fire deep into Russia. I just find it so incredibly irresponsible,” said Mulcair, also a former leader of the New Democratic Party.

Indo-Canadians celebrated their country’s 78th year of independence

As reported in the Laval News’s October 9 issue, a good number of Laval and Montreal residents of Indian-Canadian heritage were joined by elected officials from the City of Montreal for a celebration in Laval of the 78th anniversary of the Republic of India’s independence.

The gathering, sponsored by the India-Canada Association of Montreal (ICAM), was a mostly apolitical salute to India’s cultural strength.

A trio of elected officials from the City of Montreal (Park Extension city councillor Mary Deros, St. Laurent Borough Mayor Alan DeSousa and St. Laurent councillor Aref Salem, who is interim-leader of the Montreal city council opposition Ensemble Montréal party) were among the evening’s guests.

Pink in the City’s ‘Magic of Hope’ raised $325,000 for breast cancer

How do you keep hope alive? For 600 supporters of the Pink in the City breast cancer foundation, last year’s Magic of Hope gala was all about creating and maintaining hope – even in the face of cancer.

Nearly 600 guests turned out at the Château Royal in Chomedey to have a little fun, enjoy a gourmet meal, listen and dance to some exciting music, and answer the call to help raise an anticipated $325,000 for the benefit of patients at the McGill University Health Centre’s Breast Center.

Three out of four Laval Liberal MPs running in next election

Saying they had every intention of running in the next federal election, two of the Laval region’s four Liberal Members of Parliament said in an interview with The Laval News that Canadians could actually be heading back to the polls much sooner – as early as January possibly.

“For me, my answer is it’s possible,” Laval-Les Îles Liberal MP Fayçal El-Khoury replied when the question of an early election was put to him. “I think so, too,” Vimy Liberal MP Annie Koutrakis responded, although she was more nuanced in her response.

A third Liberal MP, Angelo Iacono of the Alfred-Pellan riding, confirmed to The Laval News that he would also be running in the next election.

LPD arrests jewellery store robber wanted for six heists

The Laval Police confirmed that an appeal to members of the public to help identify a suspect being sought following a Chomedey jewellery store robbery over the summer of 2024 led finally to his arrest.

The suspect, Alain Bernecky Jr., age 45, faced two charges of theft over $5,000. In the robbery committed in Laval, he made off with a rack of 20 gold chains with a value of $800 – $1,000 each.

The Laval News continues its look back at September and October 2024 Read More »

Laval and Montreal region’s Tamils mark ‘Heritage Month’ at lively and fun event

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

For a seventh consecutive year, members of more than 40 Tamil community organizations gathered at the Château Royal in Chomedey to celebrate the contributions of Tamils since their arrival in Canada.

More than 1,000 guests, including representatives from a number of other multicultural communities as well as elected officials from the three levels of government, took part in the admission-free celebration.

A networking event

Lunch and refreshments were provided, along with a great opportunity to learn and network with fellow leaders and organizations within the Tamil community of Quebec. Among the guests were a number of prominent as well as local elected officials.

They included federal Minister of Public Services Jean-Yves Duclos, Immigration Minister Marc Miller, Vimy Liberal MP Annie Koutrakis, Laval-Les Îles Liberal MP Fayçal El-Khoury, Laval executive-committee members Ray Khalil and Aline Dib, and Chomedey Liberal MNA Sona Lakhoyan Olivier.

Celebrating Tamil heritage

Tamil Heritage Month, which was launched in 2010, aims to celebrate the history of Canada’s Tamil community and its contributions to the social, cultural, political and economic strength of Canada.

While recognizing the Tamil community’s accomplishments and tracing its roots, Tamil Heritage Month also provides opportunities to celebrate the Tamil community’s history in Canada. As well, the month-long observance shines a spotlight on Tamil heritage overall, while helping to rejuvenate Tamil culture in Canada.

Tamil Heritage Month goals

According to organizers of the event, the objectives of Tamil Heritage Month are five-fold:

1. To celebrate the richness of the Tamil language and literature;

2. To celebrate the traditions, arts and culture of Tamils around the world;

3. To educate Canadians of all backgrounds about the language, traditions and history of the Tamil people;

4. To highlight the achievements of Tamils in various fields both in the past and the present;

5. To advance the growth and prosperity of Tamils.

They say the month of January was chosen as Tamil Heritage Month for a number of reasons. The Pongal festival, the most important and widely-celebrated festival amongst Tamils around the world, falls in the middle of the month.

Pongal and a New Year

Pongal is both a time of thanksgiving for the blessings of a past year and a time to look forward to the start of a new year. As well, the first month of Tamil calendar, Thai, begins in the middle of January.

According to tradition, the Pongal festival marks the end of winter solstice, as well as the start of the sun’s six-month-long journey northwards when it enters the Capricorn, also known as Uttarayana. Pongal is regarded as one of the most important festivals celebrated by Tamil people.

Tamil diaspora celebrates

Pongal is observed by the Tamil diaspora worldwide, including Tamils in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Malaysia, Mauritius, South Africa, Singapore and the Gulf countries.

Canada’s Tamil population is among the largest in the western world. From a population of fewer than 150 in 1983, Tamils form an increasing share of the overall Canadian population.

According to Statistics Canada figures, there were 237,890 Tamils living in Canada up to five years ago, a more than 25 per cent increase since 2016. As well, Quebec is home to more than 20,000 people of Tamil origin.

Laval and Montreal region’s Tamils mark ‘Heritage Month’ at lively and fun event Read More »

The Laval News continues its look back at the year 2024

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

As part of The Laval News’s ongoing look back at news and events that took place in 2024, we continue with the second installment, a summary of outstanding stories from the newspaper’s issues from July through December. Without a doubt, there was a lot happening last year.

July

On July 1, the picturesque Centre de la nature de Laval was transformed into a hub of excitement, colors and community spirit.

Families gathered under the bright sun to celebrate Canada Day – a day that resonated with pride, unity and the rich tapestry of the nation.

But last year, there was an extra layer of significance: a swearing-in ceremony for new Canadians, symbolizing their official entry into the Canadian family. From noon until 7 p.m., the park buzzed with activity.

Agape appeals for funds

As reported in our July 10 issue, the Youth and Parents Agape Association announced a $93,809 deficit for 2024 during the Chomedey-based charity’s annual general meeting.

In light of this, they were calling on the City of Laval to provide financial support for the Agape Senior Wellness Centre, which was drawing on more of Agape’s financial resources than had previously been expected.

“It’s going to get better,” said Kevin McLeod. “A lot of that money was due to our Senior Wellness Centre, a lack of funding that we’re having there. But we need more money for the Senior Wellness Centre.”

Pablo Rodriguez said he stood by Trudeau

Scarcely weeks before announcing his departure from the Trudeau cabinet to seek the leadership of the Quebec Liberal Party, Pablo Rodriguez said in an exclusive interview with The Laval News that he still stood behind Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The Trudeau government’s then-lieutenant for Quebec Honoré-Mercier Liberal MP Pablo Rodriguez. (File photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia)

“I will follow him,” said the Honoré-Mercier MP and Quebec Lieutenant for the Liberal government, insisting he’d already made up his mind to run in the next federal election.

Mother Nature smiled during Laval Hellenic Summer Festival

Mother Nature smiled warmly for the 2024 Laval Hellenic Summer Festival a week before Canada Day, in contrast to past years when the weather wasn’t very cooperative.

The four-day gathering outside Holy Cross Church on Souvenir Blvd. in Chomedey brought together thousands of Montrealers and Laval residents with Hellenic roots. It was an occasion to celebrate the country’s origins and multinational diversity – although primarily a celebration of Hellenic culture and values.

August

Laval offered flood assistance after Hurricane Debby

Following the record-setting rainfall that dropped 170 millimetres of water on Laval over a 12-hour period, the City of Laval said its teams were hard at work cleaning up debris and securing damaged municipal installations, while also answering calls from residents facing ongoing emergency situations.

A staggering amount of precipitation, in conjunction with numerous electric power failures, caused an as yet undetermined number of sewer system overflows and floodings at Laval homes and businesses. The city was also offering social and psychological assistance to residents who felt they were emotionally impacted.

Winds give way to sun at Symposium de Ste-Rose

In spite of a weather-related snafu that got the 2024 Symposium de Ste-Rose off to a somewhat shaky start, patrons attending the four-day artists’ gathering last summer enjoyed some splendid weather – in sharp contrast to rainstorms that impacted attendance at symposiums in the past.

According to Oprina-Felicia Dolea, president of the Corporation Rose-Art which organizes the event, high winds on opening day made things a little chaotic. “We had at least one tent fly off,” she said in an interview with The Laval News.

More than 20,000 visitors spent time at the 2024 Symposium de Ste-Rose. The event’s honorary president was Christopher Skeete, the Member of the Quebec National Assembly for Sainte-Rose.

LPD ticketed electric scooter drivers who violated traffic code

As residents of Laval were growing accustomed to seeing electric scooters on the city’s many boulevards, avenues and streets, the Laval Police were handing out more traffic tickets to scooter drivers who burned red lights, drove on the sidewalk or didn’t wear a helmet.

The LPD handed out 37 traffic tickets to electric scooter operators last year between the beginning of January and July 2.

According to current Quebec Highway Code rules, drivers of Motorized Personal Transport Devices (MPTD) such as scooters must be at least 14 years of age and wearing a helmet. Among other things, scooter drivers are not allowed to carry passengers and the fine for breaking that and other regulations is a $200 fine.

Tropical Storm Debby’ aftermath

After gathering up 82 per cent of the debris left behind in Laval following Tropical Storm Debby, the city was keeping cleanup crews on hand to make sure the job was done properly.

Weeks after the storm, intervention teams were going around a second time on streets most impacted by flooding in order to collect any materials which may have been placed out on the curb since a first pickup.

“Since August 12, our teams have accomplished a gigantic task, collecting more than 1,350 tons of debris over 82 per cent of Laval’s territory,” said Mayor Stéphane Boyer. And indeed, the task was enormous.

Hundreds celebrate at Chomedey Neighbourhood Party

Hundreds of residents of Chomedey and adjoining districts got a chance to meet their neighbors while enjoying a day of games and fun on August 17 during the Chomedey Neighbourhood Party.

The Laval News continues its look back at the year 2024 Read More »

Councillors Galati, Warnet cleared of expenses wrongdoing by CMQ

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

After being cleared of misspending allegations by a provincial commission overseeing municipalities, Saint-Vincent-de-Paul city councillor Paolo Galati says he is waiting to learn whether he will be reinstated into the Action Laval opposition party’s caucus.

In a recent ruling, the Commission municipale du Québec said the vast majority of personal expenses claimed by Galati comply with the law and regulations in place.

Report raised questions

The issue of his spending had been raised following an investigative piece published in the tabloid Montreal daily Journal de Montréal, which had focused on Galati’s claimed expenses while overlooking those of any other Laval city councillor.

Among other things, the Journal’s report found that Galati had submitted invoices for expenses that included computer equipment as well as refreshments and food items.

He later said the computer gear was work-related, while the other purchases were used during meetings he organized to touch base with residents of his district. The tabloid characterized the purchases as being potentially for household use – something Galati denied.

A subsequent investigation revealed that Galati wasn’t the only Laval councillor with research funding spending issues.

Councillor Warnet’s expenses

Mouvement lavallois councillor for Laval-des-Rapides Alexandre Warnet was also found to be potentially straying from existing protocols for how expenses funding from the city was supposed to be spent. It was revealed he submitted invoices for life coach training, which Warnet maintained was work-related,

The City of Laval has since then made a commitment to clarify in a more detailed way how councillors’ expenses are supposed to be accounted for and refunded.

In a statement Galati read out during the January 14 meeting of Laval city council, he said, “Today marks the conclusion of a thorough and rigorous investigation by the Commission municipale du Québec, which has unequivocally cleared me of any wrongdoing regarding the recent allegations about my spending.

Galati’s statement to council

“From the beginning, I maintained my integrity and my belief in the truth, and this outcome confirms what I have always known: that my actions were honest, transparent, and aligned with the trust the people have placed in me.

“These past few months have been challenging, not just for me, but for my family, my team, and the citizens I proudly serve,” he continued. “I want to express my deepest gratitude to those who stood by me, believing in my commitment to ethical leadership and public service.

“This experience has only strengthened my resolve. I will continue to fight for the values we share, to serve with accountability and transparency, and to ensure our community thrives. The trust of the people is sacred to me, and I will do everything in my power to honor that trust.

“Let this serve as a reminder: truth and justice prevail. I look forward to moving beyond this chapter and refocusing my energy on the important work ahead. Together, we will build an even stronger, united community.”

No wrongdoing, CMQ said

The CMQ’s findings concluded there was no wrongdoing by the councillors, although it emphasized that the City of Laval’s current regulations provide council members with too much discretion in assessing whether their expenses are admissible or not.

The report included recommendations for updating the regulations regarding reimbursement from the research and support expenses fund, while suggesting the city provide more precise guidelines for certain categories of admissible expenses, including computer supplies and meeting costs.

May run again for council

Given the uncertainty generated by the Journal de Montréal’s initial reporting, Galati (who was also chairman of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board) decided not to run for another term in last fall’s EMSB elections. As well, he decided to remove himself from the Action Laval caucus until the allegations were cleared up.

While saying that he still hasn’t made up his mind about his future in municipal politics, he is leaning towards running as councillor for Saint-Vincent-de-Paul again, even though the elections are more than nine months from now.

In the meantime, he’s waiting to find out whether he’ll be reintegrated back into the Action Laval caucus.

Councillors Galati, Warnet cleared of expenses wrongdoing by CMQ Read More »

Laval City-Watch: Construction going ahead on new municipal courthouse

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The City of Laval says a new municipal courthouse building, set to go up on Place du Souvenir east of city hall, should be completed by April 2027, although its official public opening has yet to be confirmed.

According to the city, the new courthouse is being constructed in an area regarded as strategic, and it will be equipped with some of the most up-to-date amenities.

The new building will contain six legal proceedings rooms, compatible with Quebec Ministry of Justice protocols, compared to only three such rooms at the municipal courthouse’s current location at 55 des Laurentides Blvd. in Pont-Viau.

Some of the other rooms in the new building will be judges’ offices, a legal aid section, prosecutors’ offices, a detention area for suspects in police custody, secure interior parking for employees, and comfortable public spaces for visitors.

The city is currently seeking to have the building certified as LEED-compliant (for environmentally-sustainable design).

It has been designed with some wood incorporated into its structure, with reduced energy consumption, while oriented towards natural light sources to minimize energy needs and to maximize winter heating and cooling during the summer.

STL reaches one-million debit payment target for bus fares

Some good news for once from the Société de transport de Laval.

The region’s public transit agency, which has been struggling with budget constraints these past few years, says it recently reached an important milestone: the first one-million fares paid by Interac debit transaction.

Launched in June 2023, debit payment on STL buses was a first among transit agencies in Quebec. STL management maintains they made the right decision in going ahead with debit payment on buses, arguing that ridership would be increased by making it easier to take the bus.

“The STL is proud to be the province’s first transit agency to introduce this payment system which enhances the experience of our clientele,” said STL general manager Josée Roy.

“Reaching a million trips paid by debit card bears witness to our commitment to offer modern and practical solutions for the benefit of the people of Laval,” she added.

According to the STL, Interac debit payment was used an average of 2,500 times per weekday since last fall to facilitate bus travel on the transit agency’s bus routes. The agency says debit card payment now accounts for 31 per cent of single on-board payments on its buses.

Laval is prepared for snow removal and cold snaps

After undertaking their second major snow removal operation of the current winter season, City of Laval public works crews remain prepared for whatever lies ahead weather-wise, including a cold snap expected around the middle of this week.

The crews have been out spreading salt on the roads and streets, following a thaw that left sheets of water on street surfaces, which quickly froze over when the temperature dropped.

The city is reminding Laval residents that when snow removal crews get to work after a storm, parking restrictions come into effect.

Information on the parking restrictions can be found on the City of Laval’s web page, through its smartphone app (Info-Stationnement), or on street signs where snow removal is scheduled.

Laval City-Watch: Construction going ahead on new municipal courthouse Read More »

Mayor Boyer remains silent on whether he’ll run in Laval’s November elections

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

For the second time in as many months, Laval mayor Stéphane Boyer declined during the January city council meeting to state whether he intends to seek a second term in the municipal elections set to take place on November 2.

In fact, one of the only allusions made by the mayor to the upcoming elections came during his opening remarks – which were unusually brief.

Mayor had little to say

As has been the custom for decades, the mayor usually speaks for at least a few minutes around the start of each public council meeting, delivering a summary of recent events as well as issues which may be on the radar in the weeks and months ahead.

“I wish a happy new year to all our citizens,” was almost all Mayor Boyer said. “And I take the opportunity to wish you in this municipal election year that you have exchanges which are constructive and calm for the best interests of the residents of Laval.”

During question period, former city councillor for Laval-des-Rapides Pierre Anthian noted that it was the second time in as many months that he’d asked Mayor Boyer to state whether he intended to run.

“After all, we are eight months from the elections and I think the citizens have a right to know if he [the mayor] is going to stand for election,” Anthian said.

No answer on his candidacy

While observing that Anthian himself had been a candidate for council and the mayoralty over the past three to four elections, Mayor Boyer stated plainly that he would once again not say whether he’ll be running again.

During a period reserved for the presentation of petitions, Chomedey councillor Aglaia Revelakis tabled one which was signed by more than 70 residents of Jacques Plante St. and Eliot Ave. in Chomedey. They were complaining of not being consulted prior to the implementation of bicycle paths near their homes.

“As is always the case when we don’t consult the citizens before making decisions that directly impact them, this makes them unhappy,” said Revelakis, while adding that the signers are demanding that the bike paths be withdrawn from their streets.

No police contract for a year

Sylvain Tardif, president of the Fraternité des Policiers de Laval which represents the city’s more than 700 unionized police officers, complained to the mayor and council that the police have been without a contract since January last year.

“Negotiations with the city, although they got off to a good start, have slowed down significantly since the middle of 2024,” he said. He said negotiations are now taking place in a context “where the workload of the police is growing heavier and becoming more complex.”

Citing a recent report in the Montreal daily La Presse, that up to last December gunfire incidents had increased by 100 per cent on Laval’s territory over the previous year, while other indicators also suggested increased crime, Tardif said the trend was an indicator of more serious underlying issues, and that the LPD finds itself on the front line to deal with them.

LPD union losing patience

“To assure quality service to the population, the city must offer working conditions adapted to the evolution of the responsibilities of its police,” Tardif continued. “These working conditions, matched to an approach close to the population, will allow us to improve the quality of life of citizens.”

He said measures taken by the city which have proven to be counterproductive in reaching an agreement with the police included the closing of police and municipal services offices in eastern and western Laval, “which unfortunately is adding to scepticism towards the municipal administration.”

Reacting, Fabreville city councillor Claude Larochelle, who leads the Parti Laval official opposition party, said he felt disappointed last November when the city inaugurated the new Espace citoyen building in Saint-François, when he saw that a neighbourhood police station which was supposed to be included wasn’t yet up and running because of municipal budget cuts that had been made.

Mayor Boyer explains

Mayor Boyer acknowledged that since 2019, as part of an overall plan to reform the LPD, the city had been closing some local police stations so as to have more officers out on the terrain.

But while noting that several smaller stations were closed because few residents were going there and they were doing so mostly for routine things, Boyer said the number of available police officers has remained the same.

“We preferred to invest money in various measures, various squadrons, which were created and are well known, rather than to have an officer at a counter where people fill out forms a few times per day,” said Boyer.

Mayor Boyer remains silent on whether he’ll run in Laval’s November elections Read More »

Laval’s firefighters began 2025 with two fires and a dog rescue

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

While many Laval residents were having a well-deserved break during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, Laval Fire Dept. personnel were busy dealing with emergencies that included two house fires and a rescue operation on the Rivière-des-Prairies involving a couple of stranded dogs.

In the first of the fires, a home on 69th Ave. in Chomedey was seriously damaged by flames and smoke on the evening of December 31 following a blaze believed to have broken out as a result of incense embers spilling onto a carpet.

Flames spread quickly throughout the mostly-wooden structure of the building. One person ended up being taken to hospital.

Damage to the building was estimated at $200,000 (a possible insurance write-off), with an additional $50,000 in damages to interior furnishings.

in the second fire, this time around 1:30 am on January 2, a two-storey residential building on de Galais Ave., a few blocks east of 69th Ave., suffered around $50,000 in structural damages and $10,000 damages to furnishings, as a result of a fire that was set off by an overheated electrical connection.

Firefighters determined the source of the blaze to have been in the kitchen of the upstairs unit of the building.

Finally, on the afternoon of January 1, the Laval Fire Dept. was called in to rescue two dogs which had wandered out onto the half-frozen ice on the Rivière-des-Prairies and were unable to get back to safety without expert help.

They were “returned safe and sound to their owner,” the Association des Pompiers de Laval reported on their X feed.

SQ pursuit of inebriated man ends up a tree in Laval

An inebriated 53-year-old man from Saint-Paul near Joliette led Sûreté du Québec on a wild chase last week which culminated in Laval where SQ officers were forced to pull him out of a tree.

After the man was seen leaving his home visibly intoxicated around 7:45 am, the SQ issued a bulletin for officers to be on the lookout. Around 9 am, he hijacked a public works salt truck, but abandoned it later and continued on foot.

He then stole an SUV and made his way to Laval where he reportedly abandoned the vehicle around 10:30 am, after which he climbed into a tree where he remained for nearly three hours.

Following lengthy negotiations with the police, the man was persuaded around 1:30 pm to come down with the help of a ladder furnished by the Laval Fire Dept., after which he was placed under arrest by the SQ.

He faces several charges, which include fleeing the police, dangerous driving and vehicle theft. Additional charges might also follow, according to the SQ.

The suspect, who was reported to have had previous run-ins with the police, was remaindered in custody for an evaluation of his mental state and fitness to stand trial.

LPD seek info from victims of Laval teacher charged with sex crime

A Laval man who taught at two Laval-area schools has been charged by police in the North Shore community of Blainville with sexual assault against a minor.

The Blainville Police allege that François Durocher, age 60, assaulted a minor sometime between 2002 and 2005.

Arraigned at the Palais de Justice in Saint-Jérôme, Durocher taught at École secondaire Curé-Antoine-Labelle in Laval’s Sainte Rose district, as well as at École primaire Villemaire also in Sainte-Rose.

The Blainville Police are inviting potential victims of the former teacher to come forward with additional information. Anyone with information is asked to call 450-434-5305, extension #7250.

Laval’s firefighters began 2025 with two fires and a dog rescue Read More »

A look back at May and June from the pages of last year’s Laval News

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Laval News continues its look back on 2024 with a review of leading stories in May and June.

May

Lanvac expanded with monitoring central and FindMyAlarm.com

Lanvac Surveillance, Canada’s leading third-party wholesaler of alarm monitoring, was foreseeing more milestone events in 2024 – ones that held the promise of expanding the Montreal-based company’s imprint from that of a respected wholesaler into a more instantly recognizable brand.

Members of the Lanvac team were on hand at their corporate booth during the Security Canada East trade show at the Laval Sheraton.

From the left, Lanvac Surveillance reps Jerry Korogiannis, Stephanos Georgoudes (Lanvac’s communications and technology manager), Jake Bosse and Yianni Fokas. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia)

Laval topped list of Quebec’s cities most targeted by fraud

The City of Laval was one of two communities in Quebec that saw the sharpest increases in fraud last year, according to data compiled by the Quebec Association of Directors of Police (ADPQ).

Laval and Quebec’s Mauricie region saw the biggest increases in fraud at 20 per cent. The most frequent frauds in Quebec, according to the ADPQ, were those involving the fraudulent use of gift and credit cards, computers and identity theft.

Eiffel Ave. petition asked Laval to halt street narrowing

In April, homeowners on Eiffel Ave. in Chomedey rose up in protest over plans by the City of Laval to narrow their street while widening the sidewalks during a road reconstruction set to take place over the summer.

“They want to expand the sidewalks on each side,” said Yota Stamatopoulos who helped gather a petition. She said the sidewalks would be extended to 1.8 metres in width after being 1.4 metres for decades.

“That would shrink our already small street,” she said. In addition, she said the city wanted to eliminate all parking spaces on one side of the street.

Bâton Rouge dinner raised $132,000 for Giant Steps Autism Centre

A fundraising dinner for the Giant Steps School held at the Décarie Bâton Rouge Grillhouse & Bar in Montreal on April 29 raised $132,000 for the Giant Steps Autism Centre.

Senator Leo Housakos (centre), Giant Steps School staff and board members, and Bâton Rouge Décarie partners Dimitra Frintzilas and Dimitrios Sotiropoulos (third and second from right) are seen here with an enlarged cheque representing the $132,000 raised during the benefit dinner held for the autism treatment centre in April last year. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia)

The event was hosted by Senator Leo Housakos. “We owe Senator Housakos a huge debt of gratitude,” said Nick Katalifos, vice-president of the Giant Steps School board of directors.

Jules Verne Elementary students raised more than $9,000 for Pink in the City

Students at Jules Verne Elementary School succeeded in raising more than $9,000 for the Pink in the City breast cancer cause during the second annual ‘Spring Raise Craze’ head shave event held at the school in Laval’s Pont-Viau district on May 24.

“We have a hairdresser for everybody,” Jules Verne Elementary principal Melissa Roux said in an interview with The Laval News. She was among the many staff members, parents and school children who wore pink as a sign of their solidarity with the cause.

June

Thousands attended Laval’s 2024 Firemen’s Festival

It was only the second time Laval’s annual Firemen’s Festival took place on the grounds outside Collège Montmorency in the city’s downtown core on June 1-2, after being held for many years previously at the Centropolis mall.

The ever-popular parade of fire trucks, with sirens and warning signals screaming, was on Saturday morning.

Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 am to 4 pm, the site hosted a range of activities, including educational kiosks on fire prevention and safety, a car accident simulation, firefighter museum artefacts, fire truck displays and more.

New social housing for low-income single moms and kids

Nearly two dozen young families from Laval headed by low-income single moms got a better sense of security and a permanent roof over their heads following the completion of a new subsidized housing project in central Laval made possible through the cooperative efforts of three levels of government.

The three-storey 23-unit building on Dumouchel Ave. in Laval-des-Rapides required an investment of more than $10.1 million.

“Every Quebecer deserves a safe and affordable place to call home, regardless of their situation,” said Vimy Liberal MP Annie Koutrakis, parliamentary secretary to the minister responsible for Economic Development Agency of Canada’s Quebec region.

Trudeau stands by Liberal spending during fundraiser in Laval

Although Canadians weren’t expected to head to the polls until October 2025, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau gave a preview in Laval in June of some of the rhetoric that might be expected.

“We have the lowest deficit in the G7,” he maintained, while noting that Canada is rated by international bankers as having one of the strongest-performing economies in the world.

Iacono stirs debate with comments on ‘officially bilingual’ Quebec

In a rare instance of unity, House of Commons MPs as well as National Assembly MNAs were outraged by comments by Alfred-Pellan backbench Liberal MP Angelo Iacono that Quebec would have a lot to gain from becoming officially bilingual, rather than having only French as an official language.

Alfred-Pellan Liberal MP Angelo Iacono. (Photo: Angelo Iacono, Facebook)

Iacono made the comments during a meeting of the Commons’ Permanent Committee on Official Languages. “I believe that Quebec, and I believe that Canada, should be a bilingual country, to be stronger and not just be a unilingual French-speaking province,” Iacono said.

Poilièvre accused Trudeau of sowing division, as Liberal PM’s poll standings dropped

In June last year, Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre got a head-start campaigning in Quebec for an expected 2025 federal election, with a well-attended launch event at a Jewish community centre in Montreal.

Poilièvre laced into the Liberal Prime Minister – much to the delight of the highly partisan crowd.

After nine years of Trudeau, according to Poilièvre, “everything is broken” and “crime, chaos, drugs and disorder rage out of control on our streets. People can’t afford the basics of life. He [Trudeau] promised to help the middle class, but nine years later the middle class no longer exists.”

A look back at May and June from the pages of last year’s Laval News Read More »

The Laval News takes a look back at March and April last year

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

In our first issue of 2025, The Laval News is taking a look at some of the most important newsmakers in our area last year. We continue with March and April.

March

Moderna starts making Covid vaccines in Laval

A new Covid vaccine manufacturing plant that was just completed last February in Laval’s Cité de la Biotech was expected to be up and running by the following fall, according to Moderna, the company that built the facility.

The $250-million plant, which officially opened with federal, provincial and municipal officials present, will eventually produce about 100 million doses of vaccines annually, which is enough for all of Canada.

“The arrival of a major player in life sciences and health technologies in the Laval economic ecosystem is a sign of a dynamic city in action,” said Mayor Stéphane Boyer.

Moderna’s new mRNA facility opened in in Laval in March last year.

“Completing the construction of our mRNA facility marks a groundbreaking moment for Moderna and Canada as we progress towards delivering a domestic mRNA vaccine supply chain,” said Stefan Raos, general manager of Moderna Canada.

Laval takes back $60 million skimmed during Vaillancourt’s watch

Gilles Vaillancourt’s name was invoked repeatedly during a splashy press conference that officials with the City of Laval held at the interim city hall on Saint-Martin Blvd.

The purpose: to close the book on the sad legacy the former mayor left after he resigned from office in 2012, after nearly 40 years as mayor and as a city councillor before then.

Over the past 10 years, the City of Laval filed a string of lawsuits against outside contractors, to ultimately recover $60 million in funds which had been systematically overpaid to them during Vaillancourt’s time. It was a scheme that saw a percentage kicked back to Vaillancourt’s Parti PRO des Lavallois.

Ottawa acted against car thefts, said Treasury Board’s Anita Anand

In an exclusive interview with The Laval News, federal Treasury Board President Anita Anand said the Trudeau government was raising Canada Border Services Agency funding by $28 million for more stolen vehicle investigations – including some that would be using artificial intelligence (AI).

Anand was one of five Trudeau cabinet ministers who took part in Ottawa in the Liberal government’s National Summit on Combatting Auto Theft.

“Never before have we had a conference like this to convene a conversation about how we can each do better to combat auto theft,” said Anand.

Coach leads Riverains M15-AA to victory with a formula for success

The Ligue Hockey Laurentides-Lanaudière’s 2023-2024 season was a fruitful one for Hockey Laval Riverains M15-AA coach Tony Polito. And the last few years were extraordinary under coach Tony’s leadership.

In the last three years alone, the Riverains M15-AA team of promising 15-year-old players had succeeded in clinching as many as six championships. The Laval News profiled the team and the coaching staff in our March 20 issue.

April

Parents, pros share views at ‘Autism in the Early Years’

After several months and countless hours of preparation by an organizing committee assisted by a team of dedicated volunteers, more than 100 parents and professionals with an interest in autism had the opportunity to explore a wide range of autism-related topics during the Autism in the Early Years symposium.

Co-hosted by the Laval-based Youth and Parents Agape Association with the Giant Steps School in Montreal, the symposium drew caregivers, speakers, presenters, panelists and artists who contributed information, opinions and ideas.

Laval, Montreal officials observe Greek Independence Day

As reported in The Laval News’s April 3 issue, elected officials from three levels of government gathered at the Veterans’ Cenotaph near Laval city hall on March 23 to pay respects with residents of Hellenic origin to Greek veterans and soldiers on the occasion of the 203rd anniversary of Greece’s national independence.

Among those leaving commemorative wreaths were a representative from the Consulate General for Greece in Montreal, local and Montreal-area Liberal MPs, Laval-area MNAs, and city councillors from Laval and the City of Montreal.

Raid in Laval nets major haul of meth

As reported by Laval News, officers from the intra-police force Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU) executed a search warrant at a Laval residence, resulting in the discovery of an estimated 1,750,000 tablets of suspected methamphetamine.

According to a statement issued by the RCMP, the tablets were found in an unoccupied house in Laval suspected of having been used for the sole purpose of storing drugs. Significant quantities of chemicals used in the production of illicit tablets, two pill presses and sophisticated equipment for large-scale drug production also were seized.

AS Laval unveiled electrifying, redesigned soccer uniforms

Proud parents, supporters and friends of AS Laval junior soccer gathered for a 5 to 7 get-together in the showroom of BMW Laval, one of the club’s lead sponsors, on April 4 for the unveiling of their latest uniforms.

The jerseys, shorts and socks, in a range of colors with a hint of silver, prominently featured a BMW Laval logo and crest at the centre of the jerseys. There was also an AS Laval crest just below the left shoulder, as well as various sponsors’ insignias and logos elsewhere on the socks, shorts and jerseys.

Storm erupted over ‘Mustang Mach-E’ police car purchase

Mayor Stéphane Boyer was apologizing in April last year for the Laval Police Dept.’s $1.5 million purchase of a small fleet of new electric police vehicles – including one for the police chief costing $94,000 – while publicly reprimanding LPD director Pierre Brochet.

A Mustang Mach-E all-electric police cruiser similar to the 13 cars purchased by the city last year. (Screenshot photo: YouTube)

“I had a good conversation with the chief of police so that this does not happen again,” Mayor Boyer said. “This is not the image we want to project.”

The Laval News takes a look back at March and April last year Read More »

The Laval News takes a look back at the year 2024

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Although the year 2024 had a relatively inauspicious beginning, there were hints part-way through the year of the political turmoil lying ahead.

While Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s popularity was steadily declining in the polls, Conservative leader Pierre Poilièvre was gaining traction.

In our first issue for 2025, The Laval News takes a look at these and other important newsmakers up to June last year. In our next issue, we will examine the following six months.

January

Weapons seized from man who was digging a bunker

Sent to assist a bailiff with an eviction, the Laval Police ended up arresting a 32-year-old male suspect after finding firearms and a bunker at his home in a rental building in Laval-des-Rapides.

Called in to support the bailiff who was in the process of evicting a tenant, police officers entered only to discover several firearms that had allegedly not been stored safely.

While immediately seizing the weapons, the police were also surprised to see that the tenant had dug a hole in his apartment to make a bunker. After evacuating all the occupants of the multiunit building, the police completed an initial investigation of the premises and arrested the suspect.

Tamil community celebrates Heritage Month

Elected officials from the federal, provincial and municipal governments, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, expressed support for the Tamil people during a major event for Tamil Heritage Month held at the Château Royal in Laval, drawing more than 1,000 persons of Tamil origin.

Justin Trudeau was on hand in Chomedey Laval in January last year to celebrate Tamil Heritage Month.

“Canada has one of the largest Tamil diasporas in the world,” said Trudeau, noting that Liberal government under his father in 1983 welcomed more than 1,800 Tamils who came to settle in Canada, starting a wave of further immigration to this country by the Tamil community.

Man dies in house fire on Jarry Blvd. in Chomedey

The Laval Police opened an investigation after a fire that left a 71-year-old man dead on Jarry Blvd. in Chomedey.

According to the LPD, a 9-1-1 call was received, reporting flames at a residence on Jarry Blvd. Firefighters who entered found a man unconscious inside. Although attempts to resuscitate him were made and he was taken to hospital, he was later declared dead.

While a preliminary investigation suggested the fire was accidental, an on-site inspection of the residence’s kitchen found a smoke detector that had no battery.

February

$325,000 donated by Pink in the City to MUHC

Pink in the City’s latest annual contribution to the MUHC Foundation early last year was an astounding $325,000. It was presented to McGill University Health Centre officials during a rousing celebration, including a Pink in the City plaque unveiling, at the hospital in west-end Montreal.

Over nearly two decades, Pink in the City has raised well over $1 million for the MUHC’s Breast Clinic Wellness Program.

Guests at the celebration included Laval city councillor for l’Abord à Plouffe Vasilios Karidogiannis, Montreal city councillor for Parc Extension Mary Deros, Senator Tony Loffreda and a delegation of students from Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board schools, who helped with the fundraising.

Council decision opens development for future movie studio

Elected officials from both sides of the Laval city council floor enthusiastically greeted council’s decision to approve a zoning change in the Saint-François district that will allow the development of a sprawling film production complex to be known as Trudel Studios on a tract of land currently owned by Laval.

“After consulting the population twice rather than just once, we are giving the green light for the creation of this important cinema production complex in Laval,” Mayor Stéphane Boyer said in a statement. “Should it be built, this project will enable the creation of hundreds of jobs, while also developing an altogether new industry on Laval’s territory.”

30 people pepper sprayed at Saint-Martin McDonald’s

As many as 30 people who were enjoying an early evening meal on Jan. 28 at a McDonald’s restaurant on Saint-Martin Blvd. near Le Corbusier Blvd. in downtown Laval suffered burning eyes as well as respiratory irritations after four individuals released pepper spray, while apparently targeting a specific 18-yearold male.

Some of those who were impacted had to be transported to hospital. It was also reported that a general panic broke out inside the restaurant for a few minutes after the suspects released the substance.

Mulcair denounces Legault’s ‘mean spiritedness’

“Values – fundamental values – cannot be withstanded away.”

With those words – echoing perhaps another politician’s assertion in the Quebec National Assembly 36 years earlier that “rights are rights are rights” – former NDP leader and Chomedey MNA Tom Mulcair denounced Quebec Premier François Legault’s endorsement of various pieces of nationalistic and protectionist legislation.

During a talk to followers of Concordia University’s Jurist-in-Residence Conference series, Mulcair described Legault as a cynical politician caving in to political pressures from Francophone nationalists, while suppressing other people’s rights.

The Laval News takes a look back at the year 2024 Read More »

There’ll be fun for the whole family at city’s 2025 ‘Laval en Blanc’

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Thousands of moms, dads and kids will be turning out at the Centre de la Nature in Laval’s Duvernay district on the weekend of Jan. 24-25-26 for Laval en Blanc, a rejuvenating celebration of winter that serves as an annual counterpoint to the city’s popular Fête de la Famille during the summer.

Who would have thought that so much fun could be had during this dismal time of the year? For many parents, fun in the cold and snow is a discovery in itself – although they often learn it through their children, because the kids have known it all along.

Fun for everyone

For some, the idea of having fun outdoors during the winter, in temperatures hovering around zero degrees Celsius, is a novel concept and a discovery in itself – although it’s the very reason Laval en Blanc is organized each year by the city.

There will be snow sledding, ice skating, zip line rides, fireworks obstacle course racing, snow sculpting. There’ll even be some musical performances to be enjoyed by kids and their families safe and warm inside a pavilion.

Friday’s program highlights.

Via ferrata: Come scale simulated mountain peaks. For the whole family, although children (around 7 years old) must be at least 48 inches tall.

Obstacle course: Alone or as a small team, challenge your stamina and balance by racing an obstacle course against time. Eight obstacles in all. Children must be at least three feet tall (around age 3).

And, of course, the ever-popular Zip-Line, taking young and old on a a fast and thrilling trip above snow and ice, will be back at the Centre de la Nature. Minimum recommended height for this is 32 inches (appropriate for kids 2 to 6 years in age).

Winter fun all day

Saturday’s programming is similar, with many other activities that include an outdoor snow sculpting workshop, archery, a snow fort building challenge, strolling entertainers, and snow sledding under the stars for those who wish to linger a little later in the day.

Laval en Blanc will be taking place from January 24 to 26 at the Centre de la nature 901 avenue du Parc in Duvernay. Schedule:

  • Friday, from 6 pm to 9 pm
  • Saturday, from 10 am to 9 pm
  • Sunday, from 10 am to 5 pm

There’ll be fun for the whole family at city’s 2025 ‘Laval en Blanc’ Read More »

Trudeau ‘did the right thing,’ says Koutrakis, after Liberal PM throws in the towel

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Reaction from at least one of the Laval-area’s Liberal MPs was quick earlier this week following news of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s decision to resign the Liberal Party leadership, to step aside as prime minister, and to prorogue Parliament until a new party leader is chosen.

Parliament prorogued

“This morning I advised the Governor General that we need a new session of Parliament,” Trudeau said last Monday morning from the steps of the PM’s temporary official residence at Rideau Cottage in Ottawa. “She has granted this request and the House will now be prorogued until March 24.”

“This country deserves a real choice in the next election,” Trudeau added, noting he had asked the president of the Liberal Party of Canada to initiate measures leading towards the next election. Trudeau said it had become clear to him that if he had to fight internal battles, he could not be the best option in an election.

‘Right thing,’ says Koutrakis

“The prime minister did the right thing,” Vimy Liberal MP Annie Koutrakis said in a phone interview with The Laval News minutes after the announcement.

She said she advised her constituency association caucus members last week of her decision to join other elected Liberal MPs in publicly recommending to the prime minister that he should step aside.

“And many of my colleagues agreed with me,” she continued. “So, even though today is a bittersweet day for me, it was the right thing for the prime minister to do.

“My hope was that he would have come to that conclusion earlier,” said Koutrakis. “But at the same time, we needed to respect the fact that it was his decision to make and he chose to do it today, and we look forward to what comes next.”

‘Good of our country’

“It wasn’t easy for me to come out and ask for him to step down,” added Koutrakis. “But for the good of our country, for the good of our party, not any one person is bigger than the country and the party. He had to do the right thing.”

She said a meeting held last Monday afternoon by the Liberal Party of Canada’s national caucus would set off the internal mechanisms for the eventual choice of new party leader.

She was non-committal in terms of who she might be favoring at this early stage as the Liberals’ new leader. “I think there are many people within government who would make good leadership candidates, and I believe there are also quite a few from outside the caucus that would be interested,” she said.

Seeks a healthy debate

In the meantime, she suggested the process for choosing a new party leader should be positive. “I think that it’s healthy to have that kind of conversation and debate. I think it will allow Canadians to see what the choices are.”

As for Justin Trudeau’s legacy as prime minister, she said Trudeau “will be viewed kindly by history as a very consequential prime minister. But every leader has an expiry date. And unfortunately what we heard from Canadians is that the expiry date came maybe even a year ago. But, like I said, it was his decision to make and his alone and he made it today.”

While saying she hadn’t yet been formally approached by any potential leadership candidates seeking her support, Koutrakis acknowledged she had recently had “conversations with leadership hopefuls, but they have not openly asked me to support or to endorse any of them.”

Koutrakis’ election concerns

With an election call now just a matter of time, Koutrakis, who will be seeking her third term, said she has already begun putting her campaign team into place. “I am actively looking for my campaign office. We want to make sure that my constituents can continue to have faith in me and my ability to serve them.

“And I hope that they recognize that I’m a hard worker, and that I ran not because of status or status but that I ran because I’m not afraid of work and to roll up my sleeves to work for them. I hope that my constituents feel and recognize that and hopefully whenever the next election comes, they will allow me to continue serving them.”

No response from El-KhouryThe Laval News also reached out to Laval-Les Îles Liberal MP Fayçal El-Khoury for his reaction to the announcement last Monday.

El-Khoury was unable to respond to us be deadline as he was about to board an airline flight in Florida early last Monday afternoon.

Trudeau ‘did the right thing,’ says Koutrakis, after Liberal PM throws in the towel Read More »

LPD seeks help ID’ing sex assault on minors suspect

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Laval Police are seeking the public’s help to identify a suspect recently arrested for alleged sexual assaults committed against minors.

According to the LPD, Steve Haddad, age 35, was taken into custody to be processed following allegations of sex crimes committed over the past year.

The charges include child luring, sexual contact, incitement to sexual contact and sexual assault. The LPD believe there may be additional victims.

According to a statement issued last week by the LPD, Haddad, who was arraigned at the Laval Palais de Justice, made initial contact with adolescents through social media.

After gaining their trust, he allegedly would ask them to send him cell phone photos of themselves in sexual poses. The victims were in various regions of Quebec.

Anyone who believes they may have been one of the victims is being by the LPD to call the police Info-Line at 450 662-INFO (4636), or 9-1-1. The file number is LVL 240903-049.

Man sentenced to 30 months for smuggling fake citizen and resident IDs into Canada

A Terrebonne man charged nearly three years ago with attempted forgery and smuggling of counterfeit IDs from China into Canada was sentenced to 30 months in jail last month following a guilty plea at the Palais de Justice in Laval.

Jonghun Lee, 38, was attempting to smuggle more than 1,000 counterfeit pieces, including Canadian citizenship and resident status cards, as well as Alberta and British Columbia driver’s licenses.

The Canada Border Services Agency intercepted a courier parcel he was due to receive from China in January 2022, according to the CBSA.

The CBSA said that once opened at their Montréal–Mirabel International Airport office, the package was seen to contain 509 counterfeit blank Canada permanent residency cards and 506 counterfeit blank Alberta driver’s licences.

A later search of his home by CBSA agents led to the discovery of document-forging equipment, partly finished counterfeit IDs, and close to $140,000 in Canada and U.S. currency.

Also seized during the CBSA’s search operation were printing presses used to counterfeit money, as well as computers and cellphones.

The CBSA said Lee was also convicted of forging documents, including work permits, with the intention they would be used or acted upon by users as genuine.

In a published report Dec. 3 on alleged child-labour violations at a meat processing facility in the U.S. state of Iowa, the New York Times cited a former U.S. Labor Dept. division head who suggested the rising prevalence of false IDs is symptomatic of an underlying problem faced by employers.

“Individuals, including minors, obtaining jobs through their use of fraudulent identification documents,” said Paul DeCamp.

Laval man arrested near Trois-Rivières as suspect in banking card fraud scheme

A 44-year-old man from Laval is one of two individuals arrested in Louiseville 30 kilometres west of Trois Rivières on suspicion of perpetrating a banking card fraud scheme.

The Sûreté du Québec were tipped off by victims who said the man, identified as Pierre Lefebvre by the Trois-Rivières daily Le Nouvelliste, was making the rounds in villages and towns with an unidentified 62-year-old female accomplice from Saint-Jérôme.

It is alleged that up to 15 acts of fraud were committed by the pair since November 30.

Lefebvre was arraigned at the Trois-Rivières courthouse on a charge of fraud of less than $5,000, as well as theft less than $5,000.

He is also accused of being in possession of a counterfeit driver’s license.

Two Laval business owners convicted of tax evasion

Two business owners from Laval were recently sentenced to pay more than a half-million dollars in fines after being found guilty of evading payment of taxes owed to Revenu Québec, the province’s tax collection agency.

Fadi Khoury and Maria Poroshina were found liable for more than $500,641 in unpaid tax, with Khoury receiving an additional 12-month prison sentence.

Both ran an employment agency for factory workers. Each will have to pay more than $250,000.

The court found that Poroshina was acting as a front for Khoury who ran a business under a numbered company name.

She acknowledged having taken steps to avoid paying federal and provincial sales tax on products and services, while he admitted filing tax forms containing false or misleading information with federal and provincial tax authorities.

LPD seeks help ID’ing sex assault on minors suspect Read More »

Hellenics pay their respects to Greek-Canadian veterans at National Field of Honour

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A dozen or so families from the Montreal Hellenic community paid homage on Saturday Dec. 7 to more than 40 Greek-Canadian veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces whose remains lay buried at the National Field of Honour on Montreal’s West Island.

Hosted by Lac-Saint-Louis Liberal MP Francis Scarpaleggia and Vimy Liberal MP Annie Koutrakis, the traditional Greek Orthodox “Trisagion” service honored the memory of 44 Greek-Canadian heroes.

First time, but not the last

Although it was the first time a ceremony was held for Greek-Canadian veterans of Canada’s military at the National Field of Honour, the organizers have pledged to turn it into an annual event.

“Before today, we’ve never done a ceremony to recognize Greek veterans buried here,” Koutrakis said in an interview with Newsfirst Multimedia.

“And being of the Greek community, I thought what a wonderful way to pay our respects and let people know that there are 44 Greek veterans and family members buried here,” she added.

“I know that the families we reached out to are thrilled to be here,” said Koutrakis, noting that students from the Socrates-Demosthenes School were among those who turned up to pay their respects.

Upkeeping the cemetery

Koutrakis and Scarpaleggia have been working closely with The Last Post Fund. a non-profit dedicated to ensuring no veteran is denied a dignified funeral and burial. It was while focusing on this task that the two MPs became aware of the Greek-Canadian veterans buried at the Field of Honour.

They want to help smooth the way for the federal government to take on more of the Last Post foundation’s responsibilities for upkeeping the military cemetery in Pointe Claire.

The National Field of Honour isn’t owned by the federal government, even though it is the largest military cemetery in Canada and the remains of thousands of Canadian war veterans are buried there.

Canada’s largest vets’ cemetery

Since 1930, the Last Post Fund has been the exclusive operator of the National Field of Honour, although the federal government provides subsidies.

The Last Post Fund’s primary mandate is to deliver Veterans Affairs Canada’s Funeral and Burial Program which provides funeral, burial and grave marking benefits for eligible Canadian and Allied Veterans.

The Last Post Fund is supported financially by Veterans Affairs Canada and by private donations. The LPF’s Unmarked Grave Program provides military markers for unmarked Veterans’ graves.

Hellenics pay their respects to Greek-Canadian veterans at National Field of Honour Read More »

Filia founder presented National Assembly Medal by Chomedey MNA

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Chomedey Liberal MNA Sona Lakhoyan Olivier paid tribute recently to Joanna Tsoublekas, founder of the Filia Seniors’ Association, for her outstanding dedication and unwavering commitment to the well-being of the elderly.

During the celebration of the association’s 41st anniversary, Lakhoyan Olivier deemed it important to highlight the profound impact Tsoublekas has had on her community and beyond.

Outstanding merits

She presented Tsoublekas with a Quebec National Assembly Medal, an honorary distinction that signifies official recognition for the exceptional work done by outstanding and committed citizens.

In awarding the medal, Lakhoyan Olivier said her aim was to highlight the positive influence and lasting impact of Tsoublekas, “who, through her vision, dedication, and leadership, has made the Filia Seniors’ Association a pillar of support and solidarity for the elderly,” the MNA’s office said in a statement.

Service to community

Since its founding in February 1984, the Filia Seniors’ Association has established itself as a symbol of support and hope, helping to combat isolation and promote the independence of seniors.

From its modest beginnings in the Parc Extension neighborhood of Montreal to its current location in Chomedey, the association embodies social commitment and the desire to create an environment where seniors feel heard, supported and valued.

Through Tsoublekas’s work, and with the support of the board of directors, volunteers, and members of the Filia Seniors’ Association, a support network has developed to combat social isolation, encourage active participation, and provide assistance to seniors.

High praise from MNA

“The 41st anniversary of the Filia Seniors’ Association honors its essential role in the lives of seniors,” Sona Lakhoyan Olivier said in the statement her office issued.

The medal presented “underscores the remarkable impact Mrs. Tsoublekas has had on the seniors of her community,” she continued.

“The exceptional dedication of Mrs. Joanna Tsoublekas is an example to follow, illustrating the power of altruism and devotion to one’s community.”

Filia founder presented National Assembly Medal by Chomedey MNA Read More »

Another safe haven in Laval for battered women and their children

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Abused women and children from the Laval region will soon have another place to turn for help with the announcement of a more than $8 million project to transform a building in Laval into a shelter with enough living space for 20 victims of domestic violence.

The project, led by the non-profit Maison Marie-Marguerite, is being carried out in conjunction with the governments of Canada and Quebec, the Fonds de solidarité FTQ, the City of Laval, Groupe Desjardins and Fondation J.A. DeSève.

The project’s financing includes investments from the federal government through the third Canada-Quebec Rapid Housing Initiative Agreement ($4.3 million), from the provincial government in the form of a grant provided through the Fonds de solidarité FTQ-Québec agreement ($2 million), and from the City of Laval ($813,000), the Fonds du Grand Mouvement Desjardins ($483,000) and the Fondation J.A. DeSève ($100,000).

Targeted help for needs

The project aims to serve the needs of women, with or without children, who have been the victims of various forms of violence against women (sexual assault, sexual exploitation, domestic or economic violence) and who are experiencing multiple difficulties. In addition to being provided with a safe place to live, the women will benefit from support services related to their situation.

Persons who move into 10 of the planned units and are eligible may also benefit from the Société d’habitation du Québec’s (SHQ) Rent Supplement Program, which would ensure that they don’t spend more than 25 per cent of their income on housing. This financial assistance is covered by the SHQ (90 per cent) and the City of Laval (10 per cent).

Project has wide support

Present for the announcement at Laval’s interim city hall were Vimy Liberal MP Annie Koutrakis, Laval-des-Rapides MNA Céline Haytayan (on behalf of Quebec Minister for Housing France-Élaine Duranceau, Laval city councillor for Souvenir-Labelle Sandra El-Helou (representing Mayor Stéphane Boyer), Isabelle Garon of Groupe Desjardins, and Marianne Duguay of Fonds immobilier de solidarité FTQ.

Founded in 2021, Maison Marie-Marguerite is one of fewer than a dozen resources in Laval providing services to women and children who are victims of domestic violence. However, it is the only resource with services specifically for women, with or without children, and whose multiple problems include substance abuse, mental health challenges and homelessness.

“There is no place for violence in Laval, and it is our duty to take care of the victims by providing them with all the support they need,” said El-Helou who is responsible for dossiers involving vulnerable persons, seniors, youth and the status of women on city council.

Hope and a safe space

“This new shelter for vulnerable women is a concrete example of our common resolve to take action for the well-being of all Laval women, regardless of their origin,” she said. “Maison Marie-Marguerite will provide women with a safe space, as well as hope and an opportunity to rebuild their lives in a caring environment.”

“Our government is extremely proud to contribute to the construction of Laval’s first shelter for women who are victims of various types of violence,” said Haytayan.

“Every woman in Quebec deserves a safe and affordable place to call home, regardless of their situation,” said Koutrakis. “The Government of Canada is proud to contribute to the creation of 20 new shelter spaces for women fleeing violence here in Laval. This demonstrates our unwavering commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind.”

Violence against women

“Violence toward women is unfortunately constantly on the rise, and there’s a lack of affordable housing,” noted Claudianne Monette, who chairs the board of Maison Marie-Marguerite. “We are therefore proud to have the official groundbreaking for this project, which meets a real need in Laval.”

“After several years of hard work in Laval, we are now very pleased to have reached this milestone, which is the beginning of work on Maison Marie-Marguerite,” said Lise Beaudoin, executive-director of Maison Marie-Marguerite.

Another safe haven in Laval for battered women and their children Read More »

Two of Laval’s federal Liberals speculate on prospects for an early election

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Laval-area Liberal MPs Annie Koutrakis (Vimy) and Fayçal El-Khoury (Laval-les-Îles) were in an upbeat mood late last week as they welcomed guests to a Christmas season gathering at El-Khoury’s riding office in Sainte-Dorothée.

While the two expressed their best wishes to constituents between nibbles of snacks and sips of liquid refreshments, they shared some of their thoughts on the events of the past year with The Laval News, as well as some of the political developments likely to materialize in 2025.

El-Khoury said in an interview that he is anticipating the possibility of a federal election being called shortly after the next budget is tabled next March.

Election predictions

“If not, it’s going to go until October,” he added, noting that the Liberal government has a mandate to govern up to the latter date.

Although critics of the Liberal government have raised red flags over the record amount of debt the Liberals have accumulated in the nearly 10 years since Justin Trudeau first became Prime Minister, El-Khoury noted that programs launched by the government – including pharmacare, dental care and access to low-cost child daycare services – were opposed by Conservative opposition leader Pierre Poilièvre.

“Every single thing we do good for Canadians, Pierre Polièvre voted against,” said El-Khoury.

Doubts about Poilièvre

And while acknowledging that he’s become aware while speaking with constituents that they’re unhappy with the current Liberal leadership and style of government, he said many also expressed a dislike for Poilièvre, saying they would not vote for him.

El-Khoury is anticipating the possibility of a federal election being called shortly after the next budget in March, failing which the Liberals would continue to govern until October. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

El-Khoury didn’t rule out the possibility that a re-elected Liberal government could choose to institute austerity measures to deal with budget deficits. “I am not against the idea of cuts, but you have to cut in a logical way,” he said, noting that Poilièvre would likely make far more radical changes.

Koutrakis said she didn’t expect an election to be called before the next budget in the spring, while qualifying what could happen after that. “Should the budget not pass, then obviously we would go into an earlier election,” she said.

Koutrakis says Liberals can win

Beyond that, Koutrakis said she feels confident the Liberals ultimately will prevail whenever Canadians go to the polls.

“Personally, I think we’re going to win the next election,” she said, suggesting the Conservatives are overconfident. “If I was Mr. Poilièvre and his colleagues, I would not count my chicks before they hatch,” she added.

She defended the Liberal government and the Prime Minister, despite both being up against the ropes. “There’s a silent majority out there that almost feels intimidated a little bit or bullied, who are not coming out and saying they still have faith in the Prime Minister and the Liberal government,” she said.

Dismisses spillover from U.S.

Koutrakis said she doubted the type of government recently elected in the U.S. – heavy on rhetoric, platitudes and slogans – could also come to power in Canada. “Canadians are not Americans,” she said.

While noting that the number of women actively involved in politics has diminished as the political climate has grown more intense and uglier, Koutrakis said that she and employees at her riding office had to deal with threats posted on social media.

She said it reached a climax in the summer of 2022 when her team was contacted by government security officials who advised them not to attend Hellenic summer festival events in Montreal’s Parc Extension district unless accompanied by police protection.

Two of Laval’s federal Liberals speculate on prospects for an early election Read More »

Laval’s new Aquatics Complex officially opens in city centre

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Laval mayor Stéphane Boyer was among the very first people to take a high-dive into the waters of the Olympic-size pool at the city’s new Aquatics Complex last Saturday afternoon.

Although it was officially opened with a ribbon-cutting by dignitaries, residents will have to wait until December 21 when the pool and other facilities become fully accessible to the general public.

The opening of the modernistic building on Terry Fox Ave. next to the Cosmodôme brings to a close a chapter in the development of the City of Laval’s sports and recreation facilities dating back to the time when Gilles Vaillancourt was still mayor.

Demers got it started

According to Laval News files, the controversial former mayor, who resigned from office in November 2012, was setting the wheels in motion for the construction of Place Bell, but even then was beginning to hint that the city’s next big project would be a comprehensive aquatics complex.

While a new administration under newly-elected mayor Marc Demers decided to proceed with the Aquatics Complex, the going was slow and an initial completion date in 2020 was not respected, while the estimated $61.1 million cost grew to $125 million in 2024 dollars.

From the left, Eau Laval director Olivier Bertrand, Vimy Liberal MP Annie Koutrakis, Mayor Stéphane Boyer, Vimont CAQ MNA Valérie Schmaltz, and City of Laval director-general Benoit Collette preside at the cutting of the opening ribbon for the new Aquatics Complex on Saturday December 14. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

Missed the Jeux du Québec

Controversially, the building wasn’t ready as had been planned when the City of Laval hosted finals for the summer games for the 55th Jeux du Québec in 2022.

Among other things, delays in getting the work underway raised questions about the soundness of the building’s foundations which were exposed for a few years to the winter elements. Laval also cancelled an initial call for tenders after the lowest bids came in 46 per cent higher than the city wanted to pay.

Regardless, that was all history last Saturday when Mayor Boyer, Vimont MNA Valérie Schmaltz and Olivier Bertrand, executive-director of the non-profit Eau Laval water sports promotion group, decided they were going to be the pool complex’s first official users.

A multipurpose complex

The Aquatics Complex has been built to accommodate 875 people, though not all as pool users. In addition to the pools, which are equipped with Olympic-class diving towers and are amenable to holding world-class watersport events, the building also has facilities for recreational swimming, as well as workout rooms and multipurpose activity and meeting areas.

The project was completed with significant financial assistance from the federal and provincial governments. Ottawa contributed $10 million, while Quebec contributed an equal amount. Mouvement Desjardins contributed $500,000 from a foundation operated by the Quebec-based financial services corporation for community projects.

Adapted to many needs

“The opening of this aquatic complex is an important step for our city,” said Boyer. “Not only does this project answer to the growing needs of our community, but it also is part of our vision of an inclusive and accessible society for all. Laval deserves modern, sustainable and adapted installations. And this complex is a great example.”

“Quality sports and recreational meeting spaces are essential to building strong and healthy communities where it’s great to live,” said Vimy Liberal MP Annie Koutrakis, Minister Responsible for Economic Development Canada Quebec in the Trudeau cabinet.

“That is why today I am proud to celebrate the official inauguration of the new Laval Aquatic Complex,” she continued. “This modern and accessible infrastructure will encourage a healthy and active lifestyle within the community.”

The opening was marred by the noisy presence outside of unionized City of Laval public works employees unhappy about the slowness of recent contract negotiations. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

A world-class facility

“On behalf of the current and future members of Eau Laval, I would like to underscore my deep gratitude to the parties concerned who made the CAL possible,” said Eau Laval’s Olivier Bertrand.

“This new aquatic infrastructure of international calibre will be indispensable for supporting our mission to develop aquatic sports on Laval’s territory,” he added.

“This high-level installation will allow the development of aquatic disciplines and athletes to be pursued from initiation to excellence.”

Laval’s new Aquatics Complex officially opens in city centre Read More »

Action Laval concerned city will be weighed down by growing debt

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Two of the Action Laval city council opposition party’s members reacted negatively to the city’s latest budget, claiming it’s a tactic typical of elections years, while also maintaining the Boyer administration is leading the city into a state of indebtedness with lasting impact.

City councillors Achille Cifelli (Val-des-Arbres) and David De Cotis (Saint-Bruno) called the city’s budget situation “critical” and “a direct consequence of the bad choices by the mayor since the beginning of his mandate” nearly four years ago.

They also drew attention to their claim that for years Action Laval has been calling for the creation of a bi-lateral finance commission to oversee the city’s finances.

Local budget cuts

“Hiding behind this electoral budget is a worrisome situation,” said Cifelli, maintaining that the Boyer administration is responsible for increasing the city’s debt by 66 per cent for megaprojects, while now “they are cutting into local services to balance their budget.”

He claims the Boyer team will be cutting widely into services, including library branches, arenas and outdoor skating rinks, as well as STL bus service.

Action Laval says the 2025 budget is “a façade that leaves the impression that the mayor is taking care of sound financial management, although numerous costs don’t make it into this budget.” They said the city failed to say that the credit note issued by S&P Global placed Laval on a watch list.

Rating the credit rating

The opposition party said the credit rating agency didn’t take into consideration $620 million the city will need to bring its water infrastructure up to grade, nor the funding necessary to restore the lustre to aging municipal buildings, as well as numerous collective agreements with municipal employees now being negotiated.

“The mayor is announcing 42,000 new housing units, but when you look at this budget there is no expense showing for new infrastructures,” De Cotis said.

As 2025 will be an election year, Action Laval says that, once elected, it will immediately institute measures to reduce the City of Laval’s debt by cancelling projects deemed to be unnecessary to the city’s mission towards its citizens.

They also say that projects paid in cash will be prioritized.

Action Laval concerned city will be weighed down by growing debt Read More »

City of Laval tables a $1.23 billion operating budget for next year

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The average household property owner in Laval will be paying 1.9 per cent more in taxes next year, which is significantly less than the 4.8 per cent hike Mayor Stéphane Boyer’s administration imposed around this time last year.

The 2025 budget includes $1.23 billion in projected expenses. Around $1.17 billion was allotted by the city last year. This year’s tax increase is less than the anticipated 2025 rate of inflation.

The city says this year’s increase is among the lowest among major cities in the province and was achieved partly by decreeing a freeze in the hiring of non-essential workers.

Economy slowed in 2024

In a summary providing context and background information for the new budget, the city notes that economic growth in Laval slowed down in 2024, although the outlook for renewed investment is positive with inflation receding and employment prospects rising.

However, the City of Laval’s economic analysts are concerned about the potential fallout resulting from the recent election in the U.S. that returned Donald Trump to power, as well as the Canadian federal election set to take place before the end of next year.

Quoting economics experts at Desjardins, the city maintains that Laval’s economy will grow by 3.5 per cent in 2025, after reaching 4.8 per cent in 2024. These levels of growth are being attributed to the fact that Laval’s population is increasing faster than had been expected, even though employment isn’t keeping up to the same pace.

Financial pressures

“Faced with the financial pressures that the people of Laval have to contend with daily, we dealt with this in a responsible and efficient manner,” Laval mayor Stéphane Boyer said in a statement issued when the budget was released.

“This budgetary exercise was worked out with a specific goal in mind, which was to limit the financial impact on all Laval residents, while also making sure every dollar would be used properly,” he added.

“This was a real challenge that we are proud to have been able to meet with success. It’s also thanks to our disciplined management of finances that the city remains in an excellent financial position, as attested by the AA+ credit score accorded by Standard and Poor’s, which is the highest for a Quebec municipality.”

Savings made on expenses

According to the city, an overall increase in costs for goods and services forced the administration to rationalize some expenses, resulting in $9.6 million in savings.

Savings were also achieved on employee salaries by capping the number of new hirings. The city also decided to pay $43.3 million in cash up front for some expenses to reduce the impact of interest owed on long-term debts.

The city says it obtained $13 million in additional savings through the application of innovative taxation methods. These included:

  • Increased tax rates on vacant and un-serviced lots;
  • Indexing of tariffs for the disposal of snow in the non-residential sector.

More facts on Budget 2025

$245.2 million of the budget has been allocated for public security, while $130.1 million is set aside for culture and leisure.

As well, according to the city, sums will be invested to improve administrative conditions which contributed in the past to delays in the granting of construction and renovation permits by the urban planning department.

The city has also set aside $2.4 million for the startup of the new Aquatic Complex and one other major infrastructure project that opened recently.

City of Laval tables a $1.23 billion operating budget for next year Read More »

Overnight crash leaves Mercedes sprawled on Notre Dame Blvd. in Chomedey

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Accident investigators with the Laval Police were trying to piece together the circumstances following a serious car accident overnight last Saturday when the driver of a Mercedes SUV lost control while travelling at high speed along Notre Dame Blvd. near 101st Ave. in Chomedey.

The accident, which left the Mercedes in the middle of Notre Dame toppled on its side, also left behind a field of debris, possibly the result of striking several parked cars at high speed.

According to a resident who was on the scene several hours later, part of Notre Dame was closed during part of the day Saturday as investigators analyzed the situation before filing an accident report.

“One car was hit so badly that it was moved from its parking spot on the street and was shoved into the parking driveway of a private house,” said the resident.

House fire leaves four homeless in St-Vincent-de-Paul

A fire on the morning of November 27 at a residence on Alfred-Laliberté St. in Saint-Vincent-de-Paul left four persons temporarily homeless while causing an estimated $250,000 in damage.

Overheated electric wiring within the walls is believed to have been the cause of the blaze which started just before 8 am.

Firefighters were on scene at the home near Laval’s Centre de la nature. Upon arrival, they were greeted by the sight of thick smoke pouring from a sloping mansard roof.

Following a damage inspection later, they concluded that a smoke detector was in place, although it didn’t go off after the blaze started.

In all, the firefighters had to sound a second alarm to call for reinforcements. They had the outbreak under control by around 10:40 that morning.

Damages were estimated at $200,000 for the building, along with $50,000 for its contents.

Laval Police investigating Ste-Dorothée car torching

The Laval Fire Dept. has turned over a file of information regarding a suspected case of arson involving a residence and four vehicles in Sainte-Dorothée to the Laval Police for criminal investigation.

The incident around 3:30 am on Nov. 21 at the home on Bord-de-l’Eau Rd. near Fabert and Larivière streets caused extensive damage to the four vehicles, as well more limited damage to the dwelling.

While just one vehicle was initially on fire, it soon spread to the three others and eventually also to the dwelling. Damage was initially estimated at $50,000 for the house and $1,500 for its contents.

As investigators with the Laval Fire Dept. found evidence of arson on the scene, they transferred responsibility for a criminal investigation to the Laval Police Dept.

Vimont children’s daycare workers face charges of assault

The Laval Police say they have arrested two workers at a daycare centre on des Laurentides Blvd. in Vimont, who face allegations that they assaulted children less than five years old.

The two accused, ages 54 and 60 respectively, were until recently employees at the Garderie Paradis des Laurentides. A summary of the accusations filed by the LPD maintains the assaults happened this past September and October. The LPD said an arrest warrant was also issued for a third suspect to face similar charges.

Overnight crash leaves Mercedes sprawled on Notre Dame Blvd. in Chomedey Read More »

Marquise VIII offers a opportunity for stylish living to empty nesters

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The climax of an exciting and ambitious chapter in the history of residential development in Laval got underway earlier this month when a ground-breaking ceremony was held to mark the start of construction for the eighth and final tower of the Marquise on Jean-Béraud Ave. in Chomedey.

For Michel Guilbault, executive vice-president of development at Dév Méta which was a key player in the rental condo project, it was the approaching conclusion of a long journey that began in 2012 when he first guided efforts to raise the first towers of the Marquise project.

‘A leap forward,’ says mayor’s rep

Doing the honors on behalf of Mayor Stéphane Boyer during the groundbreaking, Laval city councillor for Renaud Seta Topouzian said Marquis VIII was doing its part to help the City of Laval take “a leap forward into the future,” while helping to define the values and direction of the city in the years ahead.

The final phase of an elegant project situated in the heart of Laval, Marquise VIII might also be a last chance for some to reserve one of the 137 high-end units in a tastefully landscaped setting near autoroutes 15 and 440, around the Centropolis, the Carrefour Laval and many fashionable shops and restaurants.

‘Jewel in an urban oasis’

Billed by its developers as “a gorgeous jewel set in an urban oasis” within a vast and exclusive complex, Marquise VIII is sure also to attract many of the same type of former local homeowners who chose to invest in the earlier phases of the project.

A large portion of the Marquise’s previous clientele included a mix of professionals and retirees looking for luxurious, maintenance-free living in a neighbourhood they know and trust – but that clearly has undergone a transformation for the better in a new incarnation.

Marquise’s lofty towers are surrounded by lush pathways, with spectacular fountains standing out as pièces de résistance on grounds worthy of an elite residence.

Adapted to an evolving market

As Marquise director of sales Geneviève Lussier explained during an interview with The Laval News, the development team succeeded in meeting the needs of condo purchasers, as well as those of rental clients, in spite of changing conditions in the housing market.

“The project had initially been conceived as a co-ownership,” she said. “With the evolution of the market, we were able to adapt and to listen to the needs of our clients who expressed a need for rental, and not just co-ownership.”

However, added Lussier, the majority of Marquise’s clients remain local downsizers, who want to transition to a new way of living after retiring and selling the home – while maintaining the same quality of life.

According to Guilbault, it’s part of a growing trend being seen increasingly by Quebec condo and housing developers.

A new home at Marquise

“We’re seeing more and more empty nesters who are leaving their homes and they’re looking for something with an equal amount of comfort and sufficient space,” he said. “That’s what we are delivering with Marquise, since our units are larger than average.”

“Everything you leave behind at home you will find at Marquise all over again,” said Lusssier. “And more,” Guilbault added.

Among the Marquise VIII’s amenities are an outdoor pool complemented by a grassy terrace, as well as common spaces for gym workouts, for cooking, gatherings and other types of activity – all of which are designed to encourage a sense of community and belonging.

Marquise VIII offers a opportunity for stylish living to empty nesters Read More »

Scroll to Top