Published January 23, 2025

Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

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

July

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

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

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

Agape appeals for funds

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

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

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

Pablo Rodriguez said he stood by Trudeau

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

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

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

Mother Nature smiled during Laval Hellenic Summer Festival

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

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

August

Laval offered flood assistance after Hurricane Debby

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

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

Winds give way to sun at Symposium de Ste-Rose

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

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

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

LPD ticketed electric scooter drivers who violated traffic code

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

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

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

Tropical Storm Debby’ aftermath

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

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

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

Hundreds celebrate at Chomedey Neighbourhood Party

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

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