City Watch
Acquisition for conservation purposes in L’Équerre Woodlands
The City will acquire a lot of 766.4 square meters at a cost of $41,000 for conservation purposes. The land is located north of boulevard des Oiseaux, within a special development zone (ZAEP) of the Bois de l’Équerre which is in an area earmarked for ecological conservation. The municipal administration collaborated with Nature Action Québec (NAQ) to make this acquisition. This purchase was facilitated through funding provided by NAQ as part of a federal program to protect the habitat of endangered species of flora and fauna in Canada on the endangered species list.
Acquisitions for conservation purposes in Auteuil Woodlands
Two lots totaling 929 square meters will be acquired for $11,600 for preservation purposes. The lands are located inside a special development zone (ZAEP) of the Woodlands of Auteuil, in an area designated for environmental conservation and as such is a priority consideration for the administration.
Consolidation of purchase with UMQ for de-icing salt
As authorized by the members of the executive committee, the City of Laval will participate in the call for tenders of the Union of Quebec Municipalities (UMQ) for the supply and transport of bulk sodium chloride (de-icing salt) for the winter season 2018-2019. As the supplier market in this product area is limited consolidating their bids allows municipalities to benefit from the advantages of the bulk purchase. In addition, the bidding process will be facilitated since it is to be managed by the UMQ.
Grant Application for the Development of Library Collections
The Executive Committee authorized the submission of a grant application to the Quebec Ministry of Culture and Communications (MCCQ) as part of the Project Assistance Program – Call for projects in the development of collections of autonomous public libraries. This programs’ objective is to facilitate the growth and development of public library collections by enabling the acquisition of books, periodicals, audio-visual documents and databases. For 2018 the City plans expenditures totaling $1,663,466. Fully two thirds of the acquisition budget for the development of the Laval library collections in 2018 will be funded by the MCCQ grant.
Grant application for the restoration of the André-Benjamin-Papineau House
The André-Benjamin-Papineau House, built in 1820 and classified as a heritage building by the Quebec Ministry of Culture and Communications (MCCQ) was closed to the public in 2014 due to the presence of mold in the walls. This house is part of a compound called Complex André-Benjamin-Papineau which includes the Grangerit Theater and Café de la Grange.
A review specifying all the maintenance, renovation and restoration recommendations required to render these buildings conforming to public health and safety standards was completed in 2016. Some elements of the restoration of the house are eligible for a grant under the capital assistance program (movable and immovable property) of the MCCQ. To take advantage of the available funding the executive committee authorized a request for funding of $400,000 which is equivalent to 50% of the total eligible costs of the André-Benjamin-Papineau House restoration project. This heritage property built in a rural context was relocated to facilitate the construction of Highway 13 and restored at its present location in 1975.
Municipal grant for the purchase of an all-electric vehicle
The City of Laval is offering a subsidy for the purchase of a fully electric vehicle. The amount of the grant is $2,000 per eligible vehicle. The Laval grant combined with the $8,000 grant already offered by the Government of Quebec allows Laval citizens wishing to purchase a fully electric vehicle to receive $10,000 in financial assistance.
This measure targets the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in Laval which contribute to climate change.
Note that for 2018, a maximum of 100 grants may be awarded. They will be in chronological order of receipt of complete and compliant applications. First come, first served!
Fishing Festival at the Nature Center
Fishing enthusiasts should note that the weekend of Saturday May 19th 2018 the city of Laval will once again offer a family friendly outdoor recreational event at the Center de la Nature Park. The fishing festival is an occasion where residents have the opportunity to fish for free and without a license.
For the occasion, the lake of the nature park will be stocked with thousands of trout. As the fish stock is not endless a catch limit of 5 trout per person per day will be enforced. This activity aims to introduce families to the practice of fishing.
On site activities include fishing, evisceration kiosks and games which are available for all ages and levels of fishing expertise. On Saturday May 19th and Sunday May 20th 2018, the site is open from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm exclusively for youth 17 years of age and younger and their companions while the site is open to enthusiasts of all ages from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm and all-day Monday May 21st from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.
A hot dog booth will operate for the benefit of the Canadian Red Cross and will be on site May 19th – 20th.
For participants who do not own their own fishing gear rental equipment will be available on site at a cost of $5.00 per 3-hour block (limited availability) and fishing bait can be purchased at a cost of $ 6 per container.
PROGRAM ONE CHILD, ONE TREE
The city of Laval will once again offer its ‘One Child One Tree’ program which helps residents celebrate the arrival of a child by offering families a tree that will grow by its side. On the second weekend of June each year, Laval parents blessed with a new arrival can receive a tree. For 2018 the offered tree is a sugar maple (acer saccharum) but new parents are advised to not delay to register for this gift as trees are available in limited quantities!
To be eligible to receive a tree parents have to be residents of Laval (proof of residency is required) who have either given birth or adopted a child between June 2017 and May 2018 (proof of birth or adoption is required: certificate or copy of birth certificate, health insurance card or other certificate). Parents must register before June 1st 2018.
