Martin C. Barry

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

On Aug. 26 shortly after 1 am, firefighting personnel from the Laval Fire Dept. contended with a relatively minor blaze at a home on Guénette St. in Chomedey.

According to a report posted by the Association des Pompiers de Laval on social media, smoke was seen by firefighters coming out of the one-story house as soon as they arrived.

A code 10-07 was called in, meaning the firefighters’ intervention was necessary.

LFD firefighter Abelly retires after 34 years

The Association des Pompiers de Laval, which is the union representing the City of Laval’s firefighters, paid homage on their social media feed recently to a veteran fireman who recently retired.

Firefighter Jean-Philippe Abelly took his retirement on Aug. 11, having accumulated an impressive 34 years of service with the LFD.

The APL wished him a happy and restful retirement and so does The Laval News.

Trucks can now use all lanes on Papineau Bridge

Since late last week, trucks have been allowed to use all the lanes on the Papineau Bridge which links Laval to Montreal Island via Autoroute 19.

Truckers were restricted to using only some lanes in each direction on the busy bridge since last May 17 as special repairs were being carried out on the structure.

According to Transports Québec, the work done on the bridge since then has strengthened the bridge’s concrete platform with steel plates and other additions.

However, the ministry cautions that some more work will be necessary to finish the job in September, although it will require work taking place only at night.

Notre Dame/Curé Labelle re-opens after inspection for collapse

A ground collapse, rather than an issue involving broken sewer or aqueduct pipes, was the reason why the intersection of Curé Labelle and Notre Dame boulevards was closed to traffic for two days last week, according to Vasilios Karidogiannis, the Laval city councillor for the district of l’Abord-à-Plouffe.

Notre Dame/Curé Labelle is one of the most heavily-trafficked intersections in the City of Laval.

In recent years, it has undergone several major makeovers, necessitating extended closure, as the City of Laval replaced subterranean sewer infrastructure, partly in response to past flooding in the area.

On his Facebook page last week, Karidogiannis wrote:

“A slope of the road was observed on Curé-Labelle Boulevard at the intersection with Notre-Dame Boulevard. For safety reasons, traffic has been closed at this location and the engineering department has carried out an analysis of the situation early this morning.

“We can already confirm this is not a sewerage or aqueduct issue,” added Karidogiannis. He confirmed to The Laval News that the work has all been completed to the City of Laval public works department’s satisfaction.

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

With electric scooters quickly becoming an ever-more common sight on Laval’s streets, officers from the Laval Police Dept. held a safety and information session in the parking lot outside the Carrefour Laval mall last Saturday in conjunction with the firms that are currently renting out e-scooters in Laval in public locations.

According to Cst. Simon Morrissette, an LPD veteran who oversees the force’s road safety and prevention unit, the LPD is taking proactive action to clarify the conditions for the safe and legal operation of e-scooters on the city’s roads and streets.

Making e-scooter use safe

“Our job right now is to promote the secure way of using them,” he said, adding that the LPD also wants to get the message out about the highway safety code rules that apply to e-scooters.

Since last year when the city first allowed and began promoting the use of rented e-scooters, the number of scooters available at rental stations in Laval has doubled, according to Morrissette.

“Because they’re a new type of mobility, which is also an active one, we know they’re going to be here to stay,” he said. “So, we want to be sure that everybody, before they start using them, are aware of the risks and the responsible ways of using them.”

$100+ tickets for violators

As it now stands, said Morrissette, e-scooters are defined within the Quebec highway safety code. That being said, those who ride them but who fail to abide by the rules risk receiving $100 tickets (plus administration fees) from the police for moving violations.

Perhaps the most important of these is failure to wear a helmet while operating an e-scooter.

Other e-scooters rules: The minimum age to operate one is 14 years; the electric motor cannot exceed 500 watts power; wheels must be at least 19 centimetres in diameter; it is forbidden for more than one person to travel aboard an e-scooter; and operating an e-scooter on sidewalks is strictly forbidden.

E-scooter sobriety test

As Morrissette pointed out, e-scooter promoters Bird and Lime have incorporated a number of technical features in their vehicles (and the apps used to lease them), which are designed to detect when someone who is impaired by alcohol or drugs is trying to take one out on the road.

E-scooters are just one of a growing range of new mobility devices which have come rapidly onto the market in recent years – often through relatively lax internet-retailing – leaving governments and road safety regulators playing a game of catch-up to adapt laws to the new technology.

But for the time being, the LPD is focusing on making e-scooter use safer for the growing number of users.

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

For a second year, Fabre Member of the National Assembly Alice Abou-Khalil has donated dozens of school backpacks to children attending two primary education institutions in her riding: École Pierre-Laporte and École Fleur-de-Vie.

In all, Abou-Khalil and her constituency office staff dropped off 25 backpacks last week at each school.

“We’ve found that there are many families here that are having difficulties providing school supplies for their children for back-to-school,” she said. “As elected officials, we see it as our duty to see that our schools and the community get the support they need. This helps get the school year off to a good start for the children and the parents, many of whom often are working two jobs to provide adequately for their families.”

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

In her first report as the City of Laval’s auditor-general since assuming office last January, France Lessard says the city’s management of its organic waste program could do with some improvement, taking into account discrepancies she found when comparing data produced by Laval to data from the Montreal Metropolitan Community (CMM).

Bad news, good news

In the report, which was presented to Laval city council on August 13, Lessard said she found differences in what Laval reported regarding its organic waste collection, and what was reported by the metropolitan community, although there were also more positive things.

“Some progress has been made in the residential sector, [but] supplementary efforts are necessary to improve the collection and processing of organic materials in the industrial, commercial and institutional sectors, as well as construction, renovation and demolition,” she said.

Seeks improvements

She said additional efforts would also be necessary to better inform and provide assistance to service users, most notably for the implementation of an organic waste collection at multi-unit residences. In 2022, according to Lessard’s report, 279,197 tonnes of residual materials on Laval’s territory were picked up, representing 625 kilos per resident.

In another finding, Lessard said that the city’s supply and service division is not making optimal use of agreements for group purchases.

“Opportunities to save are being missed because of a lack of supervision and proactive communication in the existing agreements,” she said. “What’s more, the absence of clear directives for the personnel and limited used of follow-up tools are contributing to an underuse of the agreements.”

Compliance improving

According to Lessard, the city’s compliance to recommendations by the auditor-general in past years rose to 86 per cent by 2019, from 67 per cent the previous year. However, she added that only 61 per cent of recommendations were fully implemented, suggesting that little has changed in the way the city administration follows up on the auditor-general’s recommendations.

For the years ahead, Lessard identified a number of issues she said she intends to focus on, including municipal taxation, mobility, cybersecurity, access to social housing and homelessness, as well as the impact of climate change on flooding and excessive heat in densely urbanized areas.

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Following a fiasco like the one in 2023 when the Chomedey Neighborhood Party was suddenly cancelled after being completely rained out, the organizers got a lucky break this year.

New venue this year

Not only did the rain hold off for most of the day on Saturday August 17, but the venue for the Fête de quartier de Chomedey (as it is otherwise known) was different.

It shifted from the relatively small Parc Pie-X in central Chomedey, where it was staged in recent years, to the much larger Parc Berthiaume-du Tremblay in l’Abord-à-Plouffe, a stone’s throw from the Rivière des Prairies.

As it was, hundreds of residents of Chomedey and adjoining districts got a chance to meet their neighbors while enjoying a day of games and fun.

Something for everyone

Many moms, dads, children and grandparents enjoyed a day that was vastly better than last year for late summer weather. They enjoyed musical entertainment and there were organized events for the kids. And as is the case each year, the Fête de Quartier promoted healthy living habits.

Among the many things to see and do were drumming and dancing, as well as information booths sponsored by a variety of community organizations.

Among the groups were Espace pour la vie Montréal, Clinique dentaire communautaire pour enfants, Scama, Éducation des adultes Laval, Agape, the Maison des jeunes at the Centre communautaire Val-Martin, Maison des enfants le Dauphin, Bibliothèques de Laval and Centre du Sablon.

MP and city councillors

The elected officials who came out during the afternoon to touch base with their constituents included Vimy Member of Parliament Annie Koutrakis, as well as Laval city councillor for Saint-Martin Aline Dib and l’Abord-à-Plouffe city councillor Vasilios Karidogiannis.

“This is the opportunity that I enjoy the most – to be here and touch base with the organizations and people who do the real work on the ground,” Koutrakis said in an interview with The Laval News.

“All the organizations that participate in this Fête de quartier are either in my riding or a colleague’s riding,” she added. “And to see them actively contributing to the community is something that for me is priceless.”

First time in l’Abord

Karidogiannis was pleased that the organizers chose to stage the day at a park in his district. “It’s the first time they’re doing it in l’Abord-à-Plouffe,” he said, noting that Parc Berthiaume-du Tremblay had just recently finished undergoing an extensive refurbishment.

“The setup is amazing,” he continued. “The space is great, the vibe is new and different, the weather is holding out and we’re getting to meet all the organizations from the area which is very important. Everything’s great.”

Councillor Dib marvelled at the growing cultural diversity to be seen in Laval’s neighbourhoods. “This is an event that brings out the best in everybody,” she said.

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The City of Laval and Hydro-Québec say they are working together on a project to create a biodiversity corridor on an electricity right-of-way currently used by the public power company.

As such, the city will be receiving a $593,798 subsidy from the electricity company to create a linear park where a variety of new plants and vegetation will be planted. The park will also have a multifunctional path when completed.

“This agreement with Hydro-Québec marks a decisive turning point in the implementation of the Trame verte et bleue in Laval,” said Mayor Stéphane Boyer, referring to an intermunicipal program that encourages the development of a network of biodiverse outdoor parks and spaces.

“By transforming our electrical corridors into places of biodiversity, we are beautifying not only our urban landscape, but we are also active contributing to the preservation of our ecosystem,” he said. “This is an initiative that will benefit the population of Laval as much as the local fauna and flora.”

“At Hydro-Québec we believe firmly that cooperation with municipalities is essential to improve the quality of life of citizens,” said Alain Paquette, a Hydro-Québec spokesman in charge of the dossier for the company. “We see an opportunity to allow citizens to benefit from the reliability of new electrical installations, with the implementation of this initiative, to encourage sustainable mobility as well as access to a vast, enriching and biodiverse green space.”

The area where the path is to be located is situated between Autoroute 440 and the Rivière des Prairies, east of Autoroute 13. It covers an area of roughly 50 hectares over 5.4 kilometres, subdivided into mixed, natural and recreational segments.

As an initial symbolic gesture, the City of Laval last week inaugurated a new biodiverse halt at Binet Park in the middle of the new corridor.

The city plans to plant a diverse selection of vegetation that will encourage pollination and the presence of birds.

There will also be a small wooden terrace, and some trails linking the corridor to a nearby school and the neighborhood.

Mayor Boyer shares his thoughts on Storm Debby aftermath

Earlier this week, Laval mayor Stéphane Boyer summarized the city’s efforts to conduct a massive clean up in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Debby.

“The clean up operations continue,” he said. “Saturday night we went to 290 streets cleaned, and 1517 families helped. Our employees work up to 12 hours every day. A huge task considering that all the neighborhoods of Laval have been affected by floods. There would be the equivalent of 4 years of trash to pick up…

“In person or on social media, you shared with me your concerns about this disaster,” Boyer continued.

“Certain financial impact, but also lost memories, work-related stress, uncertainty about the future. But all around the city, I’ve also seen neighbors who help each other and employees who are proud to be able to help. There’s still a lot of work to be done, but we’re not giving up as long as the work is not done!”

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

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

According to the city, intervention teams were going around a second time earlier this week on streets that were most impacted by flooding in order to collect any materials which may have been put out on the curb since the 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.

“We understand to what extent these times have been difficult for the people impacted, and you can rest assured that the City of Laval is at your side,” he added. “For each home affected, that is a whole year of trash which must be picked up, and we will not abandon our efforts as long as they are necessary.”

Patrick Taillefer, director of the Laval Fire Dept. who is also responsible for overseeing emergency measures, said staff has been at work on the cleanup since the beginning. Faced with the magnitude of the mess, he said the operation went into overdrive late last week.

“Our main strike force, consisting of nearly 250 personnel and around 60 vehicles, will continue to make their way through the streets of the city to help conclude this second major operation,” he said. “Our staff, some of whom have also been impacted personally, are united and are sparing no efforts. The affected citizens can count on our support.”

Summary of waste pickups

• More than 2,200 streets covered, for 82 per cent of Laval’s territory
• Nearly 7,089 addresses visited
• 3,350 tons of debris collected

Large waste items pickup

Regular waste collections of large items are taking place as scheduled. However, only items which normally are accepted will be picked up. Discarded furniture and demolition debris from water damage will be picked up during a special collection. The city is asking residents who didn’t suffer storm and water damage to hold off throwing out items until next month.

Écocentres

The City of Laval’s Écocentres can be an excellent option for those with the means to take discarded items and materials there on their own for disposal. Given the exceptional circumstances, the city has authorized staff to accept a larger than usual amount of waste from residents and additional staff are there to serve you.

Some restrictions loosened

The city says it is allowing winter car shelters to be used on a temporary basis to cover furniture and other items retrieved from flooded homes, so long as they are being used for that specific purpose.

At the same time, the city is reminding homeowners that a permit is not needed for regular maintenance and remedial repair work carried out in flooded homes to restore them to order. However, permits must be obtained for larger renovation projects from the City of Laval’s urban planning department.

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

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 this year enjoyed some splendid weather – in sharp contrast to the rainstorms that impacted attendance at symposiums in the past.

From July 25 to 28, appreciators of fine sculpture and exquisite art came from all over Quebec as well as other parts of eastern Canada to enjoy the 27^th annual Symposium de Ste-Rose.

A historic setting

As has been the case for almost 30 years, the symposium took place in downtown Sainte-Rose along Sainte-Rose Blvd., next to the Old Firehall (La Vieille Caserne), near the historic Église Sainte-Rose-de-Lima.

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, adding that although the tent was damaged beyond repair, it was covered by insurance. Nonetheless, there were clear skies and warm sunshine over the following three days.

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

Home to great artists

The village of Sainte-Rose is renowned as the birthplace of internationally-acclaimed Québécois painter Marc-Aurèle Fortin. Sainte-Rose was also at one time the home of landscape painter Clarence Gagnon. Both influenced generations of artists and are honored by local street and place names.

The symposium is regarded by some as one of Canada’s most successful gatherings of visual artists and a first-rate showcase for their works. Each year, attending is seen by art connoisseurs as an opportunity to enjoy the works of a range of visual creators who express themselves in a variety of styles.

As the Symposium de Ste-Rose’s reputation has grown across Quebec and other provinces, the organizers have also received some significant recognitions. In 2019, the Laval Chamber of Commerce and Industry presented them with a Dunamis award for helping to promote tourism in Laval.

Promoting local tourism

The symposium’s organizers were also a finalist for a second Dunamis in 2020 as a “sustainable” organization or enterprise. It’s notable that tourism has been growing by leaps and bounds in Laval over the past few years, as travellers from all over Canada and the U.S. discover hidden treasures such as the Symposium de Ste-Rose.

As an added bonus this year, archeologists who’ve been working on archeological excavations on the grounds of the historic Église Sainte-Rose-de-Lima agreed to set up a display of some of the artifacts they recovered. They included antique household objects as well as religious items.

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Eighteen-year-old Terry Fox of Port Coquitlam, BC never saw himself as remarkable.

Granted, he displayed an unusual determination to achieve the goals he set for himself, appealing locally to family, school, sports and friends.

But Terry’s cancer diagnosis of osteogenic sarcoma just above the knee, the subsequent amputation of his leg and experience in the cancer wards changed all that.

A reservoir of compassion, combined with a fierce determination to bring an end to the suffering cancer causes, set Terry on a path that, quite simply, changed the world.

Laval organizer needed

As the Terry Fox Foundation prepares for the 44^th edition of its run, unfortunately they have yet to find an organizer for the 2024 Laval run.

Still, Laval has played a crucial role in the Terry Fox Run for over 12 years, contributing more than $29,000 thanks to dedicated local volunteers.

According to the Terry Fox Foundation’s 2022-2023 impact report, organizers and supporters in Quebec raised $1.2 million last year through 44 community runs and 265 school runs.

For many years, the Terry Fox Foundation has carried on the legacy of Terry Fox, who inspired the world with his Marathon of Hope in 1980, despite losing a leg to cancer.

Terry’s personal experience and research led him to a simple conclusion – more money was needed for cancer research. And so, in the modest but motivated style that would prove to be his trademark, Terry started training and planning for his cross-Canada run to raise funds for cancer research.

His run was cut short

He dipped his artificial leg in the Atlantic Ocean on April 12^th, 1980 and proceeded to unite Canadians in a way never before nor since seen. The only thing that could have stopped Terry from reaching the Pacific Ocean did. Cancer returned in his lungs and he was forced to stop on September 1^st, 1980 after having run 5,373 kilometres.

Before his death on June 28, 1981, Terry had achieved his once unimaginable goal of $1 from every Canadian. More importantly, he had set in motion the framework for an event, The Terry Fox Run, that would ignite cancer research in Canada, bringing hope and health to millions of Canadians.

Each year, donors make it possible to fund programs like the Terry Fox New Frontiers Program Project Grants (PPGs). These awards from the Terry Fox Research Institute support some of the most innovative cancer research teams in Canada

Research projects funded

Projects led by Dr. Gregory Czarnota (Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre), exploring techniques that use ultrasound technology to make existing cancer therapies more effective, and Dr. Christian Steidl (BC Cancer), studying the growth and development of lymphoma to develop more accurate clinical tests, new drugs, and personalized treatments, were also renewed.

In addition, the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network (MOHCCN) is the realization of a long-standing vision of The Terry Fox Research Institute. Inspired by Terry and his Marathon of Hope, MOHCCN unites patients, researchers, clinicians, and hospital administrators from cancer centres and academic institutions across Canada to accelerate precision medicine for cancer.

Fulfilling Terry’s dream

Foundation leaders say the strength of the Terry Fox Foundation rests on its volunteer organizers in schools and communities, as well as on generous donors. The Terry Fox Foundation’s 2022-2023 impact report clearly spells out the results.

“We aim to fulfill Terry Fox’s dream: a world without cancer,” says Lyne Benoit, the Terry Fox Foundation’s director of community and school runs for Quebec, while adding that the funds raised are directly invested in cancer research.

Since the Terry Fox Foundation was started, they have managed to collect over $850 million for cancer research, thanks to school and community run organizers.

However, today, cancer affects two out of five Canadians, which is why they are currently seeking the public’s help. To volunteer or offer leadership for a planned Terry Fox Run in Laval, Lyne Benoit can be reached at 450-923-8950 or 450-923-9747 Ext 304.

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

From 10 am to 6 pm on Sunday Sept. 1, the City of Laval is inviting all moms, dads and kids to come on down to the Centre de la Nature in the district of Duvernay to enjoy Laval’s biggest annual celebration of the family – the Fête de la Famille.

As always, a large number of fun activities are planned, including free stage shows. It’s all to mark the close of another summer before the beginning of autumn and the return to school for children.

“This will be a day overflowing with activities of all kinds for all ages,” says Laval city councillor for the district of Renaud Seta Topouzian, who is responsible on city council for dossiers involving children.

“Everything was carefully designed to encourage participation, laughter and the creation of unforgettable memories,” she adds. “It will be a chance for children and parents to have a great time together. All families are invited to come out and fully enjoy this major celebration.”

The Fête de la Famille site at the Centre de la Nature will be organized into three large zones, each with its own theme.

• Zone Turbulence: This area is for the more adventurous and physically-inclined, with an overhead “zip line,” simulated rock climbing and other exciting pastimes. There’ll also be sports-related activities here, including a multisport caravan, and a special booth sponsored by AHL hockey’s Rocket de Laval.
• Little Geniuses Zone: This area is for the more cerebrally-inclined children. Here they’ll find science workshops, presentations on local wildlife, and a mobile library. There will also be presentations on robotics, musical instruments and computer coding challenges. Everything will be interactive to stimulate the imagination of children.
• Games Zone: This area is almost guaranteed to be popular with the kids. Here they’ll find inflatable games, a mini-zip line, face-painting and a Jurassic Park adventure. They’ll also have an opportunity to meet with real-life firefighters and police officers from the Laval Fire Dept. and Laval Police Dept.

To ensure safety, avenue du Parc on the west side of the Centre de la Nature will be shut to car traffic on the day of the event. Parking on certain nearby streets will also be forbidden to non-area residents at the same time. People living in the area will have to show some I.D. in order to be allowed through.

Laval Fire Dept. tables its latest annual report

In their latest annual report, covering the year 2023, officials with the Laval Fire Dept. say they succeeded last year in integrating several separate divisions dealing with public security in order to improve coordination and preparations by the city for the eventuality of emergencies and crises.

Commenting on the fire department’s report which was tabled in Laval city council on July 9, Sandra Desmeules, the Laval city councillor responsible for public safety dossiers, noted that an increase in recent years in extreme weather phenomena, accentuating the risk of emergency situations, made it necessary to take measures to protect the population of Laval.

The report also said that the fire department had created a new rapid intervention team over the past year. The intervention team’s priority mandate will be to carry out rescue operations for firefighters who find themselves in danger during emergency interventions.

Laval Fire Dept.’s year in numbers:

• 9,220 emergency calls, a 19.3 per cent increase over 2022
• 286 building fires
• 1,507 First Responder interventions, an 18.5 per cent hike
• 13,619 prevention visits to homes
• 60 investigations into the causes of certain fires
• 679 fire code infraction notices sent out

606 emergency evacuation orders, more than four times greater than 2022

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

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

The staggering amount of precipitation, in conjunction with numerous electric power failures, caused an as yet undetermined number of sewer system overflows and floodings at homes and businesses in Laval, says the city.

As a result, the City of Laval’s outdoor pools as well as the beach at the Berge aux Quatre-vents in Laval-Ouest are closed for the time being.

Water supply ‘stable’

On a more positive note, the city says that the quality of Laval’s drinking water remains good and is stable. In spite of the pool closings, the city’s waterparks for children are still open and accessible (although residents are invited to check on a case-by-case basis on the city website).

Laval residents who are aware of flood-related problems are invited by the city to call 3-1-1 or to otherwise get in contact with municipal officials. If the situation is serious enough, residents are asked to call the 9-1-1 emergency line.

As for residents who are still without electric power, the city is asking the population in general to be patient and to refrain from from using electric pumps, electric power generators or other types of devices which use carbon-based fuel inside residences, in order to avoid carbon monoxide-related poisonings.

Making insurance claims

At the same time, the city is asking all those dealing with flooded homes to contact their insurance company to find out the steps which should be taken to file claims. Additional information on insurance claims can be made at the City of Laval website: https://www.laval.ca/Pages/Fr/A-propos/reclamations.aspx.

Residents who must rid themselves of damaged or contaminated household items are asked to place them at a spot on the edge of their property next to the street (without obstructing the road or sidewalk). Trash pickups are taking place according to regular schedules, although some additional pickups may also be made.

Psychological help

In the meantime, the city is also offering social and psychological assistance to residents who may feel they have been emotionally impacted by the fallout from the floods. The number to call is Info-Social at 8-1-1, option 2.

As for the post-Hurricane Debby cleanup, as of last Monday Aug. 12 the city was sending around a fleet of dump trucks to gather up discarded items, as well as garbage and debris put out on the curb by residents of flooded houses.

The pick-ups are taking place on an unscheduled basis, so there is no need to call ahead for an appointment. The collections are taking place on a gradual basis, with priority being given to neighbourhoods in Laval where floods made the most extreme impact.

A visit to the ecocentre

For those wishing to get a little more directly involved in the cleanup, the City of Laval’s ecocentre at 1205 Dagenais Blvd. West is accepting many different types of waste, including discarded appliances. Additional staff are on hand to ensure the smooth flow of operations.

Proof of Laval residency is required, although contractors carrying out flood-related repairs to households will be able to drop off waste materials if accompanied by the home’s owner.

The city says that a special collection of old refrigerators and other appliances, which had been scheduled before the floods, will be proceeding as usual, although possibly on a modified schedule.

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Though the days are gone when Canada Day meant an exciting parade up the middle of Chemin d’Oka in Deux-Montagnes, the country’s birthday was still celebrated on July 1 in the city’s Central Park.

There, thousands of people from all over the Deux-Montagnes MRC as well as elsewhere on the North Shore gathered for an all-day celebration of Canadian patriotism and values on the country’s 157^th birthday.

After a couple of years when the Covid pandemic forced event cancellations in Deux-Montagnes on Canada Day, and then last year when torrential rain closed things down altogether, this year’s 53^rd annual Canada Day was a long-awaited indulgence for many Deux-Montagnes residents.

A big day in Deux-Montagnes

Still, according to Canada Day organizing committee president Tom Whitton, it would have been hard to beat Canada Day 2022, when a record 10,000 people gathered in Central Park.

And yet, before noon on July 1 this year, the park was already crowded with moms, dads, kids and other family members, all eager to have a good time while celebrating their country’s birthday.

Special guests this year were Canadian figure skating partners Loucas Éthier and Kelly Ann Laurin, who served as honorary event co-presidents. Éthier, 24, and Laurin, 18, have been skating together for the past six years.

Both being from the Laurentian region, they train at École Excellence Rosemère and have been members of Canada’s figure skating team since 2022, representing the country at international figure skating events.

Fun and games for all

There was something for everyone, from inflatable games for children, to face painting and mini-train rides, as well as children’s races and an egg-toss contest.

For older residents of Deux-Montagnes keen on traditional pastimes, there were horseshoe toss championships, bean bag toss tournaments, even bingo with a lively numbers caller.

This year, the organizers decided to invite back local artisans who offered a range of their locally handcrafted wares.

The Canada Day stage hosted rock and roll performers through the day, with a closing performance in the evening by ROCKOLOGY, a band that performed classic English and French rock music from the 1970s and 1980s.

The day came to a fitting close around 10 pm with a superb display of fireworks glistening off the Lake of Two Mountains and lighting up the North Shore sky.

The Laval Police have arrested an underage fraudster who allegedly convinced victims, including several seniors, to hand over their debit cards and personal IDs (PINs), which he then allegedly used to commit fraud.

The LPD believe that up to 30 fraud incidents may all be connected to the same suspect. As part of the scheme, he would call victims at home and pretend to represent a financial institution.

He would then tell his targets that their bank card had been defrauded. According to the LPD, the suspect used a classic ruse to deceive the victims.

“He would ask them to place their cards in an envelope and write the personal identification number (PIN) on the back,” said an LPD spokesperson. “He then told them that a courier would pick up their cards at their home. Once retrieved, the cards were used to commit fraud at bank machines and businesses.”

However, in a few cases the courier called the victims back in a multi-party conference call, so that they could speak directly with a real representative of their financial institution to reactivate their card, which had been blocked on suspicion of fraud.

Three dead following horrific truck/car collision on Route 335 in Laval

Accident investigators were on the scene all afternoon just before the start of the Canada Day long weekend, following a major accident involving a large truck and several cars on Route 335 in east end Laval, in which three people died.

The southbound truck crashed head-on with a car headed in the opposite direction, followed by a second collision involving another car. One of the impacted cars collided again into the truck, after which both caught fire.

The occupants of both vehicles, three people in all, died in the ensuing blaze. According to reports, four other people, including a pregnant woman, suffered injuries, although not life-threatening.

The Laval Police announced five days after the crash that they are seeking witnesses. The investigation is still ongoing and the police are hoping to speak to anyone who was near the crash scene.

Anyone with information is asked to call the LPD’s Info Line at 450-662-INFO (4636) or 9-1-1. The file is LVL-240628-055.

Laval man jailed in Gatineau for multiple locker room thefts

A 32-year-old man from Laval will be spending a good part of a two-and-a-half-year sentence behind bars after pleading guilty to a series of thefts from gymnasium lockers in Gatineau in Quebec’s Outaouais region.

Evidence showed that since early 2022, Ahmad Mroue stole 36 smartphones, seven computer tablets and an unspecified number of key fobs and credit cards.

Among the incriminating evidence seized from him by police by the time they caught up was an Interac debit and credit card reader, which could be used to complete illegal financial transactions. Up to 15 police departments worked together on the investigation leading to Mroue’s eventual arrest.

The investigators testified that Mroue confessed to having carried out $220,000 worth of fraudulent acts in 16 different cities from January 2022 to January 2023.

Crime prevention experts warn that gymnasium locker rooms have become one of the most frequent targets for the theft of personal items, such as smartphones and wallets containing debit and credit card information, because of the vulnerability of gym lockers.

They recommend using a solid and reliable lock, or simply not storing key valuables in gym lockers because of the elevated risk of theft.

SQ seizes illegal marijuana in Laval and Saint Jérôme

Officers with the Laval Police Dept. joined colleagues with the Sûreté du Québec in the execution of warrants, during which large quantities of illegally-produced marijuana as well as other narcotic substances were seized in Laval as well as in Saint Jérôme.

Officers executed the warrants at addresses on Fortin Blvd. in Laval and on 103^rd Ave. in Saint Jérôme. The following evidence was seized:

• Nearly 1,000 plants of marijuana;
• More than 100 kilos of marijuana;
• Nearly 30 tablets of methamphetamine;
• Nearly $4,000 CDA in cash;

Equipment used for the production of marijuana.

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

In contrast with past years when the weather wasn’t very cooperative, Mother Nature smiled warmly for the 2024 Laval Hellenic Summer Festival.

The four-day gathering outside Holy Cross Church on Souvenir Blvd. in Chomedey brought together thousands of Montrealers and Laval residents with Hellenic roots.

Taking place on the weekend just before Canada Day, the festival was an occasion to celebrate the country’s origins and multinational diversity – although it was primarily a celebration of Hellenic culture and values.

A large turn-out

Katerina Hulis, who has been president of the Laval chapter of the Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal since last May, helped lead the committee which organized the festival.

“I’m grateful for the fantastic team we had to organize this year’s event,” she said. “We’re very pleased with this weekend’s turn-out.”

Among the dignitaries who dropped by on the evening of June 30 to enjoy the Hellenic ambience and a piece of Canada Day birthday cake were Chomedey city councillor Aglaia Revelakis, Saint-François city councillor Isabelle Piché, Saint-Bruno city councillor David De Cotis, HCGM Laval chapter president Katerina Hulis, HCGM president George Tsoukas, Saint-Laurent MP Emmanuella Lambropoulos, Chomedey MNA Sona Lakhoyan Olivier and Saint-Martin city councillor Aline Dib.

Great day to be Greek

“It makes us all feel very proud to be here on a day like today,” said Lambropoulos, noting that during the summer she has the opportunity to visit several Hellenic festivals organized by Greek Montrealers. “I am very happy to be here to celebrate Canada Day in the heart of my district,” said Revelakis.

Although Saint-François councillor Isabelle Piché has just a handful of Greeks in her east-end Laval district, she was enjoying the food, the music and the folk dancing steeped in ancient tradition. “It’s a wonderful event even for people like myself who are not Greek,” she said.

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

While the dates may vary a little from year to year, there’s one thing about the Sainte-Rose Art Symposium you can always count on.

This popular summertime gathering of artists always guarantees four days of enjoyment of the visual arts for thousands of satisfied patrons.

The 28^th symposium

This year, the Corporation Rose-Art’s art exhibition is taking place from Thursday July 25 to Sunday July 28. Those with a discerning taste for fine sculpture and inspiring visual creation will be arriving from all over Quebec, as well as other parts of eastern Canada, for the 28^th symposium.

Many visitors will be purchasing works produced by the 70 participating artists, who express themselves in styles ranging from traditional and impressionistic to modern and abstract.

The event’s honorary president this year is Member of the National Assembly for Sainte-Rose Christopher Skeete. “Art nourishes the soul,” he said during a recent press conference at the Vieille Caserne art gallery on Sainte-Rose Blvd. where the 2024 lineup of artists was revealed.

Home to great artists

As always, the symposium will be taking place alongside the Rivière des Mille-Îles in the charming and historic Laval neighbourhood known as Vieux Sainte-Rose. The village is renowned as the birthplace of internationally-acclaimed Québécois painter Marc-Aurèle Fortin. Saint-Rose was also at one time the home of landscape painter Clarence Gagnon. Both influenced generations of artists.

After winning a range of awards for excellence over nearly three decades, the organizing committee, led by Corporation Rose-Art president Oprina-Félicia Dolea, continues to uphold the standards that have established the Sainte-Rose Art Symposium’s reputation for excellence in art circles across eastern Canada.

Archeological exhibition

As an added bonus at this year’s symposium, archeologists who’ve been working in the past few years on archeological excavations on the grounds of the historic Sainte-Rose-de-Lima Church have agreed to set up a display of some of the artifacts from past centuries which were recovered. According to sources, they include antique household objects as well as religious items.

The organizers have received some significant recognitions for their efforts. In 2019, the Laval Chamber of Commerce and Industry presented the organizers with a Dunamis award for helping to promote tourism in Laval. They were also a finalist for a second Dunamis in 2020 and 2022, as a sustainable organization or enterprise.

Guests from all over

More than 20,000 people are expected to attend. Although most are usually from the Laval and greater Montreal regions, the busy vacation season is also known to bring in visitors from Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, as well as from the U.S. states of Vermont, New York and New Hampshire.

Tourism has been growing by leaps and bounds in Laval over the past few years, as travellers from all over Canada and the U.S. begin to rediscover hidden treasures such as the Symposium de Sainte-Rose, in an upsurge of interest in travel since the end of the Covid pandemic.

Some of the best times to go

The Symposium will be taking place along a stretch of the main street in downtown Sainte-Rose, next to La Vieille Caserne (216 Ste-Rose Blvd.), a stone’s throw from Sainte-Rose-de-Lima Church, between Filion and Deslaurier-Hotte streets.

All the events are free. The hours are as follows: Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm; Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm. Additional information is available on the website www.roseart.ca. E-mail: roseart@videotron.ca. Phone: (450) 625-7925.

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

As the Trudeau government looks to overhaul its Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program, most agri-businesses say they are in favour of multi-employer work permits as an option, enabling employers to share foreign workers, according to new research undertaken by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).

Foreign worker ‘poaching’

However, cautions the CFIB, the majority of agribusiness owners don’t support sectoral and/or regional work permits, whether it’s under the current or a new program structure, where a third party would recruit and dispatch a pool of foreign workers, as they fear such permits could facilitate employee poaching and thus hinder retention.

“While government is reviewing its TFW program, it needs to consider the practical needs of agri-businesses and the future of Canada’s food security,” said Juliette Nicolaÿ, a CFIB policy analyst.

“Farmers are already struggling with chronic staffing shortages and when they turn to foreign labour, it’s only as a last resort because they can’t find anyone locally,” she added.“That’s concerning given Canada’s ageing population and a perceived lack of interest among Canadian workers in a career in agriculture.”

TFW hiring in Quebec

CFIB research found that three in 10 Canadian agri-businesses hired foreign workers in 2023. The reliance on foreign workers was even more pronounced in certain regions, such as Quebec (51%), and in agriculture sub-sectors characterized by labor intensive tasks, such as the fruits, vegetable and horticultural specialties (64%).

According to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), among employers who hired TFWs, 92% said foreign workers helped them meet demand for their products or services, while 89% said that TFWs helped them stay in business. 

CFIB maintains that there are many misconceptions around the TFW program,for example that TFWs aren’t paid sufficient wages or they’re mistreated by their employers.

Debunking TFW myths

In fact, the federation says, most (85%) TFWs are paid the same wage as Canadianfull-time residents or citizens, and only 3.5% are paid less. They also note that the federal government conducts regular inspections to ensure health and safety of foreign workers, with 94% of employers inspected found to be compliant on 26 different criteria.

“While there may be isolated bad actors that should not be tolerated, agri-businesses highly value foreign workers, and they take time and effort to bring TFWs to Canada,”said Francesca Basta, a CFIB research analyst.

“They cover costs that go beyond wages like housing, transport and health care. It is also common for farmers to have the same TFWs come back year after year. Some also sponsor foreign workers to become permanent residents.”

CFIB’s suggestions

To improve the TFW program’s efficiency, the CFIB recommends that the federal government should consider:

• Reducing red tape associated with hiring TFWs, notably streamlining the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process;
• Allowing for the sharing or transferring foreign workers as an option (e.g., multi-employer work permit);
• Indexing the housing deduction to inflation – it is currently $30, which does not reflect real housing prices;
• Allowing employers to match the wages offered by another employer with an LMIA in the same area to strengthen retention and curtail poaching. Provisions under the Employer Compliance Regime currently limit this;
• Reimbursing the employer for the costs associated with the administration and enforcement of the compliance inspection, should the LMIA not be issued;
• And introduce a mechanism to compensate initial costs covered by the employer whose employee has been poached and streamlining access to new TFWs.

The CFIB’s full mitigating agricultural labour shortages report, Harvesting a solution: Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs),can be found on the CFIB’s website.