Park Extension

Protecting Your Building Against Heavy Rainfall

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,
Protecting Your Building Against Heavy Rainfall

Dimitris Ilias-LJI Journalist

City of Montreal gives guidelines

As the climate continues to change, cities worldwide, including Montreal, are experiencing increasingly intense rainfall, leading to rapid accumulation on streets and potential flooding of residences. Protecting your property against such events is crucial to mitigate damage and ensure safety. Several measures can be taken to adapt your building and limit the impact of heavy rains.

Identifying Vulnerabilities

One of the first steps in protecting your home is identifying potential vulnerabilities. Assess if your residence has low entry points that might allow sudden water entry from the street. Verify the presence and functionality of backwater valves on plumbing fixtures located below street level. Ensuring these valves are operational is essential for all floor drains and plumbing fixtures like toilets and faucets.

Preventative Measures

Keep the surrounding area of your residence clear of debris that could block water flow into street drains, facilitating surface runoff capture. In basements, ensure floor drains are unobstructed and store valuables in waterproof containers. It is also critical to check the waterproofing of the building’s openings. For doors and windows located at or below street level, consider using permanent or temporary protective measures such as waterproof barriers and removable flood shields.

Specific Building Types

For homes with pitched roofs, make sure the gutters direct water onto a permeable surface and are not connected to the foundation drain. In buildings like duplexes or triplexes, where a single internal pipe might combine roof rainwater and sanitary waste, there is a risk of water backing up through plumbing fixtures during a severe storm. It is advisable to separate the rainwater drainage from the flat roof, following the recommended guidelines.

Vulnerability Maps

Consulting the Vulnerability Maps for climatic hazards in Montreal, specifically the 2021 Identification of Basins map, can help you identify areas where natural topography may lead to water accumulation during torrential rains. This information is vital for understanding and mitigating risks specific to your location.

Concrete Actions for a Safer Future

The City of Montreal has outlined ten major measures to adapt its territory to heavy rainfall, detailed in its Flood Resilience Action Plan. This plan includes support measures for property owners to enhance their buildings’ resilience. The city offers advisory services to help owners better equip themselves to protect their buildings.

Subsidy Programs

If costly renovations are necessary to adapt your building, the City of Montreal’s RenoPlex program provides subsidies for certain works that reduce flood risks. Check the criteria and eligibility for your renovation projects. The revision of the RenoPlex program aims to make it more accessible to a broader range of property owners, as part of the ongoing efforts in the Flood Resilience Action Plan.

By taking proactive steps and utilizing available resources, you can significantly improve your building’s ability to withstand the challenges posed by heavy rainfall, ensuring a safer and more resilient future for your property.

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Explosive Blaze Devastates Popular Grocery Store and Mosque in Park Extension

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Explosive Blaze Devastates Popular Grocery Store and Mosque in Park Extension

Dimitris Ilias-LJI Journalist

Early morning, on Friday the 26th of April, a significant three-alarm blaze ravaged BK Marché, a popular grocery store located in the Park Extension area. The fire reportedly started following an explosive sound heard by employees working the early shift, leading to a swift evacuation of the premises as smoke began to fill the structure. This incident not only impacted the grocery store but also extended to a mosque situated on the second floor of the same building.

The conflagration prompted immediate action from the emergency services, with approximately 90 firefighters arriving at the scene at the intersection of Jean Talon Street and Bloomfield Avenue shortly after 6 a.m. They battled the fire, which is believed to have originated in the building’s basement.

Fortunately, there were no reported injuries as residents of other units within the building were evacuated safely. The local community quickly gathered around the scene, showing solidarity and support for the grocery store owner during this distressing time. The store, which employs over 50 individuals, plays a significant role in the neighborhood.

As a precautionary measure and to facilitate emergency operations, Jean Talon Street was temporarily closed to vehicular traffic between L’Acadie Boulevard and Querbes Avenue throughout the morning.

Authorities, including the fire department, are still investigating to determine the exact cause of the fire. The closure of this central thoroughfare and the damage to the building has undoubtedly affected local traffic and businesses, underscoring the broader impact of such urban fires on community life and safety.

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United Efforts Against the Garbage Crisis in Park Extension: A Community’s Path Forward

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Dimitris Ilias-LJI Journalist

Park Extension is facing a critical garbage management issue that not only challenges its urban aesthetics but also threatens public health. With a significant decrease in garbage collection frequency, now limited to once a week, the neighborhood has seen an alarming rise in rats and other pests. This problem is not only a matter of urban maintenance but also highlights the crucial role of community and policy in creating sustainable environments.
City Councilor Mary Deros has stepped forward, emphasizing that overcoming this challenge requires a united front: “We are all in this together.” Acknowledging the city’s commitment to cleaning public spaces, Deros also places a call to action for landlords, urging them to maintain their properties with the caution that neglect could result in fines. This dual approach underscores the shared responsibility between the city and property owners in tackling the issue.
In a demonstration of community mobilization and solidarity, La Coalition des amis du parc Jarry has announced a cleanup event for the park and its surroundings on May 4th. This initiative not only aims to address the immediate litter problem but also serves as an invitation for residents to take an active role in their community’s wellbeing. Deros encourages concerned citizens to reach out to public works to organize cleanup teams for their streets, further fostering a sense of community ownership and responsibility.
The reduction in garbage pickup has sparked a broader conversation about the importance of collective action and the impact of individual and systemic efforts in maintaining cleanliness. Despite the frustration with current policies, there is a growing recognition of the need for a reevaluation of strategies that directly affect the community’s quality of life.
The situation in Park Extension serves as a critical reminder of the balance required between policy decisions, community action, and cultural shifts to address such pervasive issues. Awareness campaigns and educational initiatives, supported by effective policies, are essential in fostering a culture of cleanliness, respect, and collective responsibility. With the support of local government officials like Councilor Deros and community-led efforts like the cleanup event, Park Extension stands at a crossroads, with a clear path toward sustainable solutions that prioritize the health, aesthetics, and well-being of its residents.

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The rats are back!

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The rats are back!

Or rather, they never left…

Dimitris Ilias-LJI Journalist

Our newspaper, Park-Extension News, has frequently reported on the ongoing rat infestation issue in  Parc-Extension, underscoring its persistent nature and the community’s struggle for resolution. This problem is notably severe around the Maxi grocery store and the vicinity of the Parc metro station, where open garbage cans and discarded food have not only attracted rats but pigeons as well, further complicating the situation.

City councillor Mary Deros has voiced her frustration regarding the maintenance of cleanliness and the challenges in managing the burgeoning pest population. Despite attempts to curtail the issue through measures such as installing informational panels discouraging the feeding of wildlife, these initiatives have seen limited success.

The accumulation of waste is a pervasive issue extending beyond public spaces into residential areas. This has spurred members of the community to take action, with organizations like the Bureau d’information de Parc-Extension (BIPE) leading the charge. BIPE has been vital in organizing clean-up operations and educational workshops to enlighten both established residents and newcomers about effective waste management practices, a narrative our newspaper has consistently followed and supported through our coverage.

Acknowledging the severity of the rat infestation, the borough has taken steps like hiring a rat exterminator and actively monitoring the situation. Nevertheless, the problematic behavior of individuals who feed these animals continues to be a significant hurdle. Through our ongoing reporting, Park-Extension News aims to emphasize the critical need for community cooperation and the collective effort required to tackle this vexing issue effectively, aligning with the local government’s acknowledgment of the situation’s gravity.

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Protecting Park Extension Students

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Protecting Park Extension Students

The Decision to Switch Ped Days During the Solar Eclipse

Dimitris Ilias-LJI Journalist

As anticipation builds for the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, communities and institutions are making necessary preparations to ensure that this celestial spectacle can be enjoyed safely. A total solar eclipse, a rare and awe-inspiring event, occurs when the moon aligns precisely between the Earth and the sun, casting a shadow on Earth and momentarily dimming the daylight. For the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) families, the safety and well-being of students during this period have prompted a significant schedule adjustment.

The Hazards of Viewing Solar Eclipses

The fascination with solar eclipses is as old as time itself, drawing people to witness the moon’s passage across the sun. However, the beauty of this event masks a potential danger: the risk of serious eye injury. Looking directly at the sun, even when it is mostly obscured by the moon, can result in retinal burns, known as solar retinopathy. This damage is often painless, so individuals may not realize their vision has been affected until it is too late. The symptoms can include blurriness, a dark or blind spot in the center of vision, light sensitivity, or even loss of vision in severe cases. The risk is particularly high among children, who may be more tempted to gaze at the sun without proper protection.

Proactive Measures for Student Safety

Understanding these risks, the EMSB has taken a proactive approach to safeguard the well-being of its students. Recognizing that the eclipse’s peak hours between 2:14 p.m. and 4:36 p.m. coincide with times when students are typically on buses or walking home, the board has identified a significant supervision challenge. To mitigate this risk, the decision was made to cancel classes on April 8. In lieu of a regular school day, April 8 will serve as a pedagogical day. This strategic swap ensures that during the critical hours of the eclipse, students will be under the supervision of school staff, thereby reducing the temptation to view the event without proper safety measures.

A Community Effort

The EMSB’s decision underscores the importance of community awareness and preparedness during astronomical events like solar eclipses. By prioritizing the safety of its students through these adjustments, the board not only highlights the potential risks associated with improper viewing but also emphasizes the role of education in fostering a safe and enriching experience for all.

In anticipation of the solar eclipse on April 8, Park Extension borough is actively contributing to the communal effort to safely observe this celestial event. Starting from March 18, they are facilitating access to solar eclipse glasses, crucial for protecting observers’ eyesight during the eclipse. This initiative is part of a city-wide effort in Montreal, where a total of 57,500 pairs of eclipse glasses are being distributed across 45 libraries. Park Extension is ensuring that residents have the opportunity to partake in this astronomical occurrence safely and with the proper equipment. By making these glasses readily available, the borough is playing a key role in enabling both locals and visitors to experience the wonder of the solar eclipse without risking eye damage.

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