Martin C. Barry

Martin C. Barry

Although Laval mayor Stéphane Boyer announced the 2024 property tax rate last week while emphasizing that the hike is less than the rate of inflation, there’s no getting around the fact it’s a whopping 4.8 per cent increase, even though that should only translate into $162 more on a house worth $440,742.

Costs to be cut

In order to make ends meet next year, some serious cost-cutting lies ahead, according to a statement issued by the mayor’s office. To get there, Laval will be seeking new sources of revenue and ways to streamline operations.

The administration maintains that a few dozen millions of dollars in savings have already been achieved through close scrutiny of the city’s expenses, without cutting into residents’ services at this point.

Although the 2024 budget will only be tabled next month, the mayor has already revealed that one way to keep expenses down next year will be “greatly limit” new employee hirings, following up on a policy the city followed last year.

$300 mil. project axed

The city isn’t concealing that a major casualty of the cuts is the cancellation of a biomethane waste processing plant project that had been scheduled to start next year. The City of Laval won’t have to worry for now about the $300 million cost, even though that probably would have been paid out gradually over many years.

“Our administration made every effort to make sure taxes were under inflation, but without compromising services to citizens,” Mayor Boyer said. “We are proud of the rigor shown in this budgetary exercise and the efficiency ever since our arrival in 2021. Once again this year, we were able to find a responsible equilibrium to maintain taxes at their lowest, without having to cut services all the same.”

Some budget highlights

• A special tax on water infrastructure will increase from $72 to $73;
• The tarif for water service will rise from $321 to $337, representing a $16 increase for all households;
• A tax will be introduced to help for the City of Laval’s contribution to the Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain (ARTM). The average household will pay $232 for this.

At least one of Laval city council’s opposition parties, Action Laval, reacted negatively to news of the city’s latest budget.

It’s all about taxes

Action Laval’s interim-leader Achille Cifelli, as well as councillors Aglaia Revelakis (Chomedey), David De Cotis (Saint-Bruno), Paolo Galati (Saint-Vincent-de-Paul) and Isabelle Piché (Saint-François) noted the Boyer administration had chosen to peg the ARTM tax to property values, bringing $52.6 million in revenue to the city.

“When the mayor talks about diversifying sources of revenue, what you need to understand is that he’s talking about new taxes,” said Cifelli. “Regardless of what shape the tax comes in, it will always come out of the same pockets, those of the citizens.” In the meantime, he municipal services and the city’s priorities “are abandoned,” said Cifelli.

Debt service costs up

“The citizens are already up on anger over services they are not receiving from the city,” said Galati, adding that he receives calls daily on that issue. He said the 4.8 per cent increase won’t go over well, “especially during an economic slowdown,” according to Galati.

Action Laval pointed out that the new budget increases the cost of debt servicing for capital works projects substantially.

“While we are currently undergoing a housing crisis, and our sewers need an investment of $600 million, and while the population are demanding services nearby in their districts, the mayor persists with projects downtown which don’t meet the needs of citizens,” they said. “The mayor’s choices are disconnected from the reality of the citizens,” said De Cotis.

Martin C. Barry

Pink in the City founder Denise Vourtzoumis was recently presented with the Quebec National Assembly Medal by Fabre MNA Alice Abou-Khalil.

Denise started the non-profit Pink in the City with her family 17 years ago, and has worked tirelessly since then to help support research and provide care for people affected by breast cancer.

She is also an ambassador and volunteer for the #FedExCares community programs, having organized and participated in countless projects with local FedEx teams over the years.

Pink in the City started as a single event in 2006. Denise’s young son decided that he wanted to shave his head in support of breast cancer patients. That event created an awareness about breast cancer in the community and the need to support those who had been impacted by this insidious disease.

It also served to demonstrate that every selfless gesture of support makes a difference. From this first experience, it was clear that there was much more to do and the entire family were able to create new opportunities to support this important cause.

Having been raised with a strong belief in volunteerism and giving back to the community, Denise said she felt it was important to rally likeminded people to the cause. That meant people who cared and wanted to make a difference.

Over time, Pink in the City’s dedicated volunteers, sponsors, partners and medical advisors allowed the organization to attain and exceed its goals. They reached out to others to make the team stronger, more dynamic and diverse.

Community partners also played a key role by supporting and attending Pink in the City’s various functions and events. “Their contributions are invaluable,” said Denise.

Partnerships extended to leadership programs in Laval’s high schools, through the Model the Way program. Model the Way assures that the commitment to the cause will be carried forward by young people in the future, according to Denise.

Martin C. Barry

Members of the Canadian Forces, including soldiers from the Royal 22^nd Regiment’s Fourth Bataillon, as well as Air, Sea and Army Cadets and Royal Canadian Legion members, joined dignitaries and citizens at Laval’s War Cenotaph near city hall on Saturday Nov. 11 for a ceremony marking Remembrance Day.

Deposit of wreaths

Among the dignitaries depositing wreaths at the base of the monument on Souvenir Boulevard were Liberal MPs Annie Koutrakis and Fayçal El-Khoury, Quebec Liberal MNAs Sona Lakhoyan Olivier and Virginie Dufour, and CAQ MNAs Céline Haytayan, Valérie Schmaltz and Christopher Skeete.

Laval city council president Cecilia Macedo and councillors Christine Poirier, Yannick Langlois and Paolo Galati deposited a wreath on behalf of the municipality.

Paying their respects

Representatives of the Canadian Armed Forces, the 4^th Bataillon Royal 22^nd, Legion Branch 251, the Navy/Army/Aviation Cadets, the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board (SWLSB) and the Centre de services scolaire de Laval (CSDL) deposited wreaths to pay their respects.

This year’s Silver Cross Mother was Susan Bergevin, representing mothers who have lost a son or daughter, be it in action or over the course of military duty.

Towards the end of the ceremony, a special recognition was paid to 98-year-old Henri Rousseau. He was a World War II anti-aircraft gunner and is believed to be one of the last surviving Second World War veterans in Laval.

Officers with the Laval Police Dept. are seen here with representatives of the Fondation Martin-Matte during the recent launch of the 2024 LPD Dog Calendar. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

Martin C. Barry

Dog lovers – especially those with a fondness for German Shepherds – will be able to indulge their appreciation once again over the coming year as the Laval Police Dept. has released the 2024 version of its ever-popular Dog Calendar.

The proceeds of its sale are going to the Fondation Martin-Matte, which raises money to help persons who’ve suffered head traumas.

It has been 15 years since the LPD first published the calendar, which features photos for all the months with police dogs posing with their human handlers.

Since 2009, sales of the calendar have managed to raise more than $550,000 for the foundation. The money helps pay for respite and leisure activities for persons who’ve been diagnosed with head trauma resulting from accidents and other causes.

The LPD has been supporting the cause since the untimely death of Constable Éric Lavoie, who was a dog handler with the police force. He died of a head trauma following a road accident which happened when he was on duty and responding to an emergency call.

During a recent launch at LPD headquarters for the new calendar, a cheque for $33,132 was handed over to officials with the Fondation Martin-Matte, representing the proceeds from the sale of the 2023 calendar.

The Laval Police Dept.’s 2024 Dog Calendar is available for $5 at the LPD’s east-end Laval station at 3225 Saint-Martin Blvd. East, as well as at LPD headquarters at 2911 Chomedey Blvd. in Chomedey.

It’s also available at the following website: https://www.fondationmartinmatte.com/calendriers-des-maitres-chiens.

Martin C. Barry

The Laval Police Dept. says it has identified a white powder found in envelopes mailed to several Laval homes as a harmless substance, although they are still advising residents to remain on the alert should more of the envelopes be received.

The LPD opened an investigation after several residents were seemingly chosen at random by an unknown perpetrator to receive mailed letters containing white powder along with extortion threats.

A spokesperson for the LPD said that at least 10 residents had been identified as having received the mailings. The spokesperson said samples of the powder were sent for analysis to a lab where the substance was eventually declared harmless.

“The results of the analyses conducted on this substance revealed that it was a non-toxic product, non-lethal, and which posed no danger to health,” the LPD said in a statement.

That said, the police warned that persons receiving similar envelopes would be best not to handle their contents and to call 9-1-1 immediately. The LPD said their investigation is still underway to identify who the perpetrators are.

The LPD first became aware of the envelopes on Nov. 13 when a number of Laval residents contacted the police. All the envelopes contained the powder, as well as a letter with threatening statements, and extortion being the perpetrator’s apparent motive.

The LPD is advising anyone who believes they may also have received one of the envelopes to handle it cautiously, to call the police and to wait for officers to arrive. The LPD can be contacted through their special hotline at 450-662-INFO (4636).

SQ catches up to Laval truck thief in Saint-Esprit

A 56-year-old man will be facing charges of vehicle theft and refusing an order to stop from police after he allegedly stole a truck in Laval but only surrendered after a long drive up to Saint-Esprit in the Laurentians.

Around 4:45 pm on Nov. 16, officers with the Sûreté du Québec who were stationed along Autoroute 440 in Laval received a call for assistance from the Laval Police to pursue the grey truck which was reported stolen.

According to a spokesperson for the SQ, officers put down a nail strip on the A-440 near Curé-Labelle Blvd. in an attempt to stop the driver. Despite that, the truck continued eastward.

The vehicle then pursued its route onto the A-25 northward, passing over two more nail strips along the way, eventually getting onto Route 158 and ending up in Saint-Esprit. He was arrested by the SQ and turned over to the Laval Police for the processing of charges.

Laval Fire Dept. calls

November 19: The LFD reported a commercial building on fire on des Laurentides Blvd. in Laval’s Pont-Viau district. Firefighters quickly brought the blaze under control, although there was one unusual development. While carrying out the intervention, they encountered a homeless person in a room of the building.

November19: The LFD responded to a fairly serious two-car collision at the intersection of Jolibourg Blvd. and Avenue des Bois in Laval-sur-le-Lac. Four persons sustained injuries in the accident described by the LFD as involving “high impact velocity.” Firefighters as well as ambulance personnel were summoned to the scene.

November 13: Fire broke out in a home on Fauteux St. in Laval’s Chomedey district. Flames were apparent when the firefighters arrived on the scene. They called in a code 10-09, meaning rescue operation underway with possible aggravating factors.

November 10: Fire reported by the LFD at one-storey home on Salois St. in Laval’s Auteuil district. Firefighters reported seeing flames inside one of the building’s rooms. They called a code 10-07, meaning intervention was necessary.

City of Laval ombudsman Nathalie Blais has issued an apology to those Laval residents whose complaints her office has been unable to process because of inadequate technological support from the administration, she says.

Martin C. Barry

The City of Laval’s ombudsman says she wants to apologize to some residents for not being able to follow up on their complaints in a timely fashion because of “operational challenges” that have been impacting her office’s productivity.

In her report for the year ending in December 2022, ombudsman Nathalie Blais initially said that last year was marked by improved operations for Laval, although some challenges remained.

Sustainable solutions

“We have worked closely with the General Management and the Mayor,” said Blais. “Their support has enabled us to resolve some persistent operational issues and to consider the implementation of sustainable solutions.

“Although challenges remain, we are optimistic about the future,” she added. “We would also like to highlight the increased cooperation of the various municipal departments in improving the handling of citizen complaints, with a collaborative strategy that is beginning to bear fruit.

“For the coming year, our vision is clear: to resolve disputes between the municipal administration and citizens through openness, listening and communication. Our primary objective is to strengthen ties between all parties involved, facilitate dialogue, and contribute to a harmonious community.”

Obsolete computer systems

On the downside, the ombudsman’s office said several operational challenges had been hampering the processing of complaints and impacting productivity.

“These challenges include the obsolescence of its online system for processing complaints, which is no longer capable of producing reports and statistics, response times from municipal services, and a lack of resources within the team,” the office stated.

They added that with the support of the city administration as well as the City of Laval’s Innovation and Technology Department, the ombudsman’s office hopes that a new software system will be implemented in 2024-2025 to better integrate services and process complaints more transparently and efficiently.

In a key passage of the statement, they said the ombudsman would like to offer her “sincerest apologies to certain citizens for not being able to follow up on their complaints within a reasonable delay due to these problems.

Efforts towards progress

“These operational issues had been identified since Ms. Blais’ arrival, but it was not until 2023 that concrete solutions could begin to be implemented, thanks to the commitment and support of the General Management and the Mayor.” In spite of these challenges, the ombudsman’s office says they have redoubled their efforts to make progress on as many issues as possible.

The ombudsman’s office said they managed to process 457 requests over the past year. They maintain that 52 per cent of cases were handled within 30 days, including 29 per cent in five days or less. Also, in 58 per cent of cases, the ombudsman’s office guided citizens, informing them of their rights and putting them in touch with the relevant municipal administration or organization.

Some complex cases remain

In 42 per cent of cases they managed to work in collaboration with the departments concerned “to resolve the case fairly,” they said. In 10 per cent of cases, the department concerned changed its position. They said that some of these cases are still active due to their complexity.

In all, 36 per cent of the cases handled by the ombudsman were admissible (i.e. the complaints were deemed to be founded). The departments most often involved were: public works: 20.6 per cent, environment and eco-citizenship: 15.2 per cent, urban planning: 12.9 per cent and engineering: 8.5 per cent.

Blais seeks ‘commitments’

They said that in keeping with a spirit of collaboration in which the ombudsman seeks to run the office, Blais favors “commitments” from municipal departments rather than recommendations from the office. “The commitment is the result of an agreement between the Ombudsman’s Office and the City departments,” they said.

In the period between January 1 and December 31, 2022, up to the production of the report, 31 commitments (20 files, including systemic complaints) were recorded, and 55 per cent were completed. They said the majority of commitments concerned the City of Laval’s engineering department.

Martin C. Barry

Patriotic Greeks from all over Montreal joined elected officials from across the region along with leaders from the Hellenic community for a ceremony on Oct. 29 at the Greek Community Centre in Côte des Neiges marking the 83^rd anniversary of the historic day during World War II when Greece rejected its occupation by Axis forces.

Each year, Ohi Day is celebrated throughout Greece, Cyprus and Greek communities around the world to commemorate the refusal by Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas when presented on Oct. 28, 1940 with an ultimatum made by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini.

A straightforward ‘no’

The ultimatum was presented to Metaxas by the Italian ambassador to Greece. It demanded that Greece allow Axis forces to enter Greek territory and occupy certain strategic locations, or otherwise face war. The name for the day comes from Metaxas’ straightforward reply. “No,” he is reputed to have said curtly, following which he added, “Then it is war.”

In response, Italian troops stationed in Albania, which was an Italian protectorate, attacked the Greek border, marking the beginning of Greece’s involvement in World War II. On the morning of Oct. 28, Greeks took to the streets, irrespective of political affiliation, shouting “Ohi.” Since 1942, it has been a national celebration marked annually.

Saying ‘ohi’ to fascists

Dignitaries who attended this year’s event organized by the Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal included the Consul General in Montreal for Greece Katerina Varvarigou, Vimy Liberal MP Annie Koutrakis, Saint-Laurent Liberal MP Emmanuella Lambropoulos, Park Extension city councillor Mary Deros, Laval city councillors Aglaia Revelakis and Vasilios Karidogiannis and local Greek community leaders.

In interviews with Newsfirst Multimedia, some of the dignitaries who attended shared their thoughts on the significance of Ohi Day. “In 1940, the Greeks said ohi to fascism,” said Revelakis, suggesting that Greeks at that time fundamentally rejected the war-mongering tenets of fascist extremism and chose to fight back in order to preserve their freedom.

“It’s very important that people understand that united we are strong and that this is the way we can have peace in the world,” she added. Councillor Karidogiannis agreed that resistance to fascism remains one of the most important lessons to be learned from Ohi Day. “It’s still very relevant today,” he said.

Vigilance still needed

“The fight against fascism and nazism and all sorts of extremes is still ongoing on a worldwide scale. But, you know, surprisingly also even on a very local scale within Laval there are extremist elements here and there causing trouble in our community and this must be fought because it tends to spread very easily if not taken care of at the start.

“So, it’s very important that we celebrate Ohi Day every year and remember how and why it happened, why we continue to celebrate it so that we can pass on the message to future generations in order to fight extremisms of all sorts,” said Karidogiannis.

‘Heroes fight like Greeks’

Councillor Deros said Ohi Day should serve to remind us all, regardless of whether we have Hellenic roots or not, that when Greece faced such a great threat “there were strong individuals who said no, they didn’t want to give in, and they were willing to fight so that we could have the freedom that we have today.”

Paraphrasing Winston Churchill, who once said “Hence we will not say that Greeks fight like heroes, but that heroes fight like Greeks,” Deros continued, “they weren’t afraid to die, but they went out for their beliefs. They believed in their freedom and democracy and they fought hard for it and won.”

Lambropoulos said, “It’s a day that I believe needs to continue to be celebrated year after year. It’s especially important because Greece stood up to the nazis and fought in order to stand up for their values when a lot of other countries did not put up such a fight. It’s a day to be proud to be Greek and to honour the heroes who fought in that war.”

Martin C. Barry

For the 15^th consecutive year, Action Laval city councillor for Saint-Bruno David De Cotis held a large outdoor Halloween party on Oct. 31 in Lausanne Park near the centre of his district.

The spooky and ghoulish event drew as many as seven thousand residents, including many children with their parents, from the area.

They were able to have fun entering and passing through a “haunted house” which had been set up, while also being able to walk through a challenging outdoor maze.

The event, like several other community gatherings De Cotis sponsors in Saint-Bruno throughout the year, was supported through sponsorship from several local businesses, rather than funding from the city, he pointed out.

The year’s other events include a Fête de quartier (which raises funds for the Société d’Alzheimer), and a Fête nationale event. “All of these are done in the spirit of building a sense of belonging to the community,” added De Cotis. “To be of service to the citizens: this is what it’s all about.”

Martin C. Barry

Members and supporters of the Royal Canadian Legion’s Branch 251 (Chomedey) gathered at the veterans’ hall on Curé Labelle Blvd. recently to open the Legion’s annual poppy-selling campaign which will be taking place up to Remembrance Day on Nov. 11.

In keeping with an annual tradition, the first poppy was presented to a leader from the local community. This year it was a representative from Vimy MP Annie Koutrakis’ office, political attaché Aaron Stafford, who accepted on her behalf.

Barbara Vezina, who is chairing the branch’s poppy campaign this year, said funds from the campaign will be going towards several good causes.

They include La Maison du Père, the Old Brewery Mission, several palliative care facilities, Saint Anne’s Veterans’ Hospital, as well as shelters for women and children who are victims of domestic violence.

Branch 251 is extending an invitation to all who may wish to join them at Remembrance Day ceremonies being held in Laval at the Veterans’ Cenotaph on Souvenir Blvd. near City Hall beginning after 10:30 am on Saturday Nov. 11.

Martin C. Barry

The City of Laval is going all out this year to thanks its volunteers, with several events and other ways of showing gratitude planned.

On Oct. 25, the city kicked off a month-long celebration of homage to the volunteers, with a show held at the Salle André-Mathieu. More than 700 volunteers turned up to enjoy the entertainment and merriment.

The city plans to keep up the pace with an ongoing publicity campaign that will include ad spots in local newspapers as well as online social media. In addition, an exhibition of photos of volunteers will be making the rounds at City of Laval public library branches over the coming months.

During the same timeframe, the city will be holding special volunteer training days in conjunction with community organizations in Laval that are working closely with the municipality.

Volunteers will have the opportunity to learn about aspects of volunteer work involving financial and administrative responsibilities.

Festival NUM 2023: the place to be this month in Laval

The City of Laval’s public library branches are inviting families to come on out and have fun with art and digital technology at the fifth annual Festival NUM.

Until Nov. 12, it’s a chance to learn about the practical artistic applications of digital technology at nine library branches. A grand finale event will be held Nov. 11 and 12 and the Multicultural Library branch.

Virtual reality, creative music, coding, digital projections and robots are just some of the activities to be enjoyed by children six years old and up, as well as by teens and their parents.

“The universe of technologies and digital may seem rather complex and technical, but it is more important than ever to know how to use them, since more than ever they are part of our lives,” says Laval city councillor for Sainte-Rose Flavia Alexandra Novac, who is responsible for cultural dossiers on city council.

In all, more than 50 activities are planned. They include: virtual reality (using VR headsets) for 12-year-olds and older; electronically-lit sweater creation using electrical circuits; and techno-tinkering, where you can handmake all types of interesting devices, including mini-robots, magic bracelets, bike lights, etc.

The library has invited special guest presenters. They include franco-Montrealer Téo Leroux who will be unveiling his original digital work, La forêt fantastique. Presented in conjunction with MAPP MTL, this event will be a collaboration between Leroux and children from daycamps in Laval.

During the presentation, members of the public will be able to make their own contributions to the work from iPads, including animations projected in real-time on the outer façade of the Multicultural Library building.

Finally, during the entire month of November at the Gabrielle-Roy branch of the library network, artist Louis Bouvier will be presenting his exhibition, “La conjugaison des pensées complexes.”

The exhibit is made up of two sculpture-instruments producing sounds whenever they are approached by people. Children and parents may be interested in trying this concept out.

Martin C. Barry

Four years after first being elected as the Member of Parliament for the Laval riding of Vimy, Liberal MP Annie Koutrakis is recollecting on the two mandates she received, as well as some of the crises she found herself facing.

Two elections in four years

“So many differences – the world is a different place from when I was first elected in 20109,” she said in an interview last week with the Laval News during a pause from one of her many engagements.

Although four years is the average length of a term in office for most politicians, Koutrakis is already in the midst of her second. First elected in the 2019 federal general election, she was re-elected in 2021 when the Trudeau government decided to hold a snap election.

She won the nomination from Vimy Liberal riding association members in early September 2019, with the election itself taking place on Oct 21. She was re-elected in the next general election which took place on Sept. 20 two years ago.

Was promoted quickly

Prior to entering politics, Koutrakis, who is fluently trilingual (French, English and Greek), had been an investment councillor and business administrator. Shortly before being elected, she was elected president of the Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal (HCGM) – the first woman to hold that position.

For a neophyte politician, her rise within the Trudeau government has been noteworthy. She is currently Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec.

As well, she sits as a member on several parliamentary committees: the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying, the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities,

and the Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament.

A learning experience

“It’s a real honour to have been entrusted with the portfolio that I have been,” said Koutrakis. “I have an amazing team of colleagues who are helping. We have an amazing staff.” She said several of the committee portfolios are interconnected.

Koutrakis acknowledged that she faced a steep learning curve after she was first elected. “There was a lot to learn, because this was the first time I stood for election,” she said. “I had to make sure that my constituency office was up and running and the right people were around me to help me.

“It was steep, but you know what – that’s how you grow,” she continued. “You move out of your comfort zone. And I’ve always been a very hard worker. Some people say I’m an overachiever. But I stood up to the challenge and I think I’m better for it and it’s very humbling.”

An early election?

With two years left in the Trudeau government’s current mandate (an election could be held by late 2025 if the minority government manages to hold onto the support it receives from the NDP), Koutrakis speculated on the future political scenario.

“It’s a very, very tough political landscape,” she admitted. “We do have supply agreements in place with the NDP party. And as long as we have that agreement in place, we foresee the next elections to be 2025. But with any minority government, you never know. I mean, we agree on issues now.

Not before 2025, she says

“But it doesn’t mean that tomorrow,” she added. “Some people say that a day in politics is an eternity. I remain optimistic that we will go to the next elections of 2025. There’s no indication right now to say otherwise. People are going through a very difficult time right now with affordability and housing.

“We’re very much aware of that. Our government is trying to give as much help as we can, but focused help, not to everybody at large, but to families that really need it. So, I think that as long as we’ve got the backs of Canadians and we work hard, I’m hoping that we will see the next elections in 2025.”

Martin C. Barry

Quebec public sector union workers who walked off the job earlier this week have announced three more strike days for Nov. 21 to 23, unless a deal can be reached before then with the provincial government.

Around 420,000 public sector employees were on strike last Monday as part of a one-day walkout to protest the Quebec government’s latest contract offer.

They disrupted schools, health-care facilities and social services. Union members, who are seeking better wages and improved working conditions, dismissed the government’s latest offer which was made on Oct. 28.

Common front formed

The workers from various unions (Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ), Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN), Alliance du personnel professionnel et technique de la santé et des services sociaux (APTS) and Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec (FTQ) have formed a common front.

“Everything in Quebec will be closed for three days,” CSN vice-president François Enault said earlier this week during a news conference regarding the upcoming strike days. An FTQ leader said the workers will walk off the job again unless the government returns to the negotiating table with better offers.

They rejected gov’t offer

The provincial government’s latest contract offer included an increase of 10.3 per cent over five years for base salaries, which was just over a percentage point higher than the previous offer. However, some jobs would get an extra 2.5 to three per cent increase from the government.

The common front is demanding an increase of up to 20 per cent over the next three years. The impact of the strike last Monday was felt at public schools throughout the province, where teachers picketed and classes could only start by late morning or by the afternoon.

Martin C. Barry

A cooking fire in Chomedey left six families homeless last week. According to authorities, the blaze started around 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 19 in the basement unit of a six-unit apartment building on 80^th Ave. near Perron Blvd.

Laval fire department chief of operations Jean-Francois Lortie said firefighters brought the blaze under control by 6:43 p.m. He said it started in a basement unit, causing major damage to other units.

Other units in the building were damaged by smoke, and for that reason, occupants were not be able to return for several days. The Red Cross was at the scene to provide immediate shelter and food assistance to those who needed it.

LPD arrests man for alleged sex crimes against children

The Laval Police say they are searching for potential victims after arresting a 64-year-old man in Sainte-Rose in connection with sex-related crimes against children.

Jean-Claude Deslauriers was taken into custody in August. He faces charges of sexual assault, sexual contact with a minor and breach of conditions. He was released with conditions following an initial court appearance.

According to police, the alleged offences occurred between the summer of 2022 and August 2023. They allege the suspect would often walk his dog around Sainte-Rose and would invite young, underage girls to his home.

While there, he allegedly took advantage. Deslauriers is expected to return to court on Dec. 6.

Anyone with information about Jean-Claude Deslauriers is encouraged to call 450 662- INFO (4636) or dial 911 and mention file LVl-230806-042.

Two from Laval arrested in Ontario on stolen car allegations

Police in Waterloo west of Toronto say two men from Laval were arrested in nearby Cambridge earlier this month while allegedly putting stolen vehicles into a shipping container.

Waterloo Regional Police officers were dispatched after a suspicious vehicle was reported, according to police.

They said when officers arrived, they found the men putting four vehicles into the container.

Four vehicles with an approximate total value of $320,000 were recovered. The two Laval residents, aged 24 and 27, are facing several counts of possession of stolen property over $5,000 and trafficking stolen property over $5,000.

Laval Police seize more than $1.5 million worth of unauthorized cannabis

The Laval Police announced recently that three drug raids they conducted on Oct. 3 led to the arrest of three suspects believed to be connected to the unauthorized distribution of marijuana.

According to the LPD, an investigation that began last January based on a citizen’s tip led organized crime investigators to an address in Fabreville.

In addition to the Fabreville location, the trail also led to addresses in Boisbriand on the North Shore and Saint-Adèle in the Laurentians.

The investigators found that three suspects who were arrested and later released, with pre-court arraignment conditions to be followed, had a valid license from Health Canada for cannabis production.

However, they were diverting some or all of their product for distribution and use beyond the strictures of the law and the conditions of their license.

What the LPD seized:

• 1,453 cannabis plants valued at $1,453,000;
• 1,565.78 grams of dried cannabis worth $15,657;
• 1,532.99 grams of solid concentrated cannabis worth $30,659;
• 1,804.56 grams of cannabis residue worth $9,022;
• 2.75 grams of psilocybin worth $27.50;
• Equipment for processing cannnabis worth $170,000;
• One jackknife;
• One Glock-type air pistol;
• 4 cell phones worth $4,000;
• Cash Canadian, amounting to $36,575.

Motorcyclist dies after head-on collision in Sainte-Rose

A 30-year-old motorcyclist died on Oct. 20 after he collided with a vehicle in Laval’s Sainte-Rose district.

The collision happened around 2 p.m. at the intersection of Avenue de la Renaissance and Boulevard Sainte-Rose.

The vehicle was travelling westbound on Avenue de la Renaissance, while the motorcycle was travelling eastbound on Boulevard Sainte-Rose, according to the Service de police de Laval (SPL).

“At the intersection, there is a traffic light. The vehicle wanted to turn onto Highway 15 North. That’s when the motorcycle hit the vehicle,” said SPL spokesperson Stéphanie Beshara.

The motorcyclist was then ejected from the vehicle. The seriously injured man was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead, said Beshara.

A security perimeter was set up and police were continuing their investigation on Friday evening to better understand the circumstances surrounding the collision.

Seen here with firefighters with the Laval Fire Department, including department director Patrick Taillefer, are members of the Foley and Nadeau families at Chomedey No. 2 firehall last Sunday Oct. 8. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

Martin C. Barry

At some point during their lives, children and parents alike have thought for a moment or two about living the life of a firefighter.

A learning experience

While only a relative few ever follow through on it, once a year – on Thanksgiving Weekend – management and staff at the Laval Fire Dept. fling open the garage doors at the city’s nine firehalls.

Every kid living in Laval – young or older – gets a chance to make believe they’re a fireman or firewoman. It’s always an opportunity to get up close to the shiny, bright red ladder and pump trucks parked in firehall garages all over the island.

A day at the firehall

For kids probably more used to playing with scale-models, actually being able to climb behind the wheel of a huge shiny red rig and being able to touch the intricate controls is something they will probably remember for a long time.

From morning to late afternoon last Sunday, everybody got a chance to learn all about the work of firefighters, to watch and take part in equipment demonstrations, to receive fire prevention advice, and even to climb into a truck and feel what it’s like to live the life of a firefighter.