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Laval man dies after diving, striking head in backyard pool

July 15, 2022

A man in his 40s has died after diving into his backyard pool and striking his head on the bottom around 6 pm last Sunday evening.

Paramedics who arrived on the scene on Savard St. east of Sainte-Rose tried to revive him, although in vain, and he was declared dead. Family members were said to have been present the whole time.

One injured after Sainte-Rose knife assault Saturday

A knife attack that took place during the late hours last Saturday left one person injured in the Sainte-Rose sector of Laval.

The LPD received a call around 11:30 pm about an injured victim, who was found at the corner of Curé-Labelle Blvd. and avenue de la Renaissance.

The 44-year-old male was transported to hospital, and his life was not considered to be in danger.

Ste-Dorothée balcony collapse injures 13-month-old and adults

A balcony located on the third floor of an apartment building on de l’Hôtel de Ville Blvd. in Sainte-Dorothée suddenly collapsed last Saturday evening, while three adults and a 13-month-old baby were on it.

The infant was seriously hurt, although there are no fears for the child’s life. It was being cared for at the CHU Sainte-Justine following the incident. The other three adults, two men and a woman who are family members, suffered minor injuries. They too were transported to hospital.

According to police, around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, a call was made to 911 about people injured following a serious fall. The balcony was at the back of the residential building over a parking lot. An investigation has been launched by the Laval Police Dept. into the incident.

Laval police seek info on man arrested for pimping and trafficking

The Laval Police Dept. is asking anyone who believes they may have information about a man suspected of pimping and human trafficking operations in Laval to contact them.

The LPD reported on July 4 that Curtis Bartlett, a 27-year-old suspect, was arrested by investigators from the force’s sex crimes unit.

The Laval Police issued this picture of Curtiss Bartlett.

The LPD had been aware of Bartlett’s activities since at least last May, when information they had received suggested he was involved in sexual exploitation and drug trafficking in Laval, and that he maintained control over several women working in the sex trade – some of whom were underage.

The LPD believes that Bartlett’s modus operandi involved introducing himself to his victims as a “john” or client, and that while posing as a wealthy and generous man he would offer to open the doors to wealth. At the same time, according to the LPD, he provided the women he victimized with a large quantity of drugs.

Photo1: The Laval Police issued this picture of Curtiss Bartlett.

Laval man among three charged by RCMP in money laundering

An RCMP investigation has resulted in charges being laid against three individuals, one being from Laval, involved in money laundering, with suspected ties to Colombian criminal organizations.

The three are Yan Trépanier, 49 years old, from Laval; Andrew Barera, 35 years old, from Montréal; and Michael-Joey D’Opéra, 27 years old, from Laval.

The investigation, launched in March 2020 in response to a tip from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in the U.S., revealed that the suspects laundered more than $18 million in less than a year.

Search warrants executed in July 2021 resulted in police officers seizing $46,000 in cash, prohibited firearms and devices, a silencer and bookkeeping notebooks.

The investigation was conducted in collaboration with the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and the Forensic Accounting Management Group (FAMG).

The three accused are scheduled to make court appearances on July 15 at the Palais de Justice in Montreal. Charges of laundering proceeds of crime, conspiracy to import and possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking, and possession of prohibited firearms and devices have been filed against them.

The Laval Police issued this photo of Jonathan Estimé.

Nineteen-year-old arrested, two handguns seized

The Laval Police say they confiscated two firearms and arrested a 19-year-old male from Brossard who is suspected to have recently been involved in armed incidents on Laval territory.

The suspect, identified as Jonathan Estimé, was taken into custody on June 30. The officers, executing a search warrant, found two Glock 9 mm handguns, one of which was equipped with a high-capacity ammunition clip.

As well, a quantity of ammunition was seized, as was $3,000 in cash, fake I.D. cards, plastic bags containing crack cocaine, and a cell phone. Estimé faces charges of being in possession of a prohibited weapon with ammunition, possession of counterfeit documents and violation of court-ordered conditions. He was scheduled to make a court appearance on Tuesday July 12.

Laval City-Watch

Martin C. Barry

July 15, 2022

Ottawa, Laval poised to make deal on future of Old St. Vincent Penitentiary

As part of his annual summer tour, the Quebec Lieutenant and Minister of Canadian Heritage, Pablo Rodriguez, was in Laval last week to officially begin his Quebec tour.

He took the opportunity to visit the communities of his federal colleagues in order to take the pulse of the people on the ground and to meet with the mayor of Laval to discuss various issues that touch the people of Laval, such as the Vieux pénitencier de Saint-Vincent de Paul.

Accompanied by Annie Koutrakis, Member of Parliament for Vimy, Rodriguez began the day at the Centre Scama where he met with employees, volunteers as well as Diane Hachey, President of the Board of Directors of the home care organization that has been working for 40 years with Laval seniors.

Afterwards, it was during his participation in a round table discussion with Fayçal El Khoury, MP for Laval-les-Îles and Annie Koutrakis, MP for Vimy, that he had the opportunity to exchange with representatives of the cultural communities of the region.

Finally, fulfilling his commitment, Rodriguez visited the Vieux pénitencier Saint-Vincent-de-Paul along with the mayor of Laval, Stéphane Boyer, and the Member of Parliament for Alfred-Pellan, Angelo Iacono.

The three elected officials discussed how the federal government can be an ally in the realization of the project and the recognition of its importance for the Laval community.

“As in our previous meeting, Minister Pablo Rodriguez was attentive to the priorities of Laval residents,” said Mayor Boyer. “We were able to discuss many issues, including the revitalization of the Vieux Pénitencier de Saint-Vincent-de-Paul.

“For the past few months, we have felt a real desire to give a second life to this historic infrastructure, which our administration strongly wishes,” Boyer added. “We feel a great openness on the part of the federal government with regard to issues that are important to Laval citizens.”

“It’s good to be back on the ground for my Quebec summer tour,” said Rodriguez. “It’s important to take the pulse of the people in our communities. While we are learning to live with the pandemic, people are facing unprecedented global challenges such as inflation and the cost of living.”

“It was a pleasure to spend the day with Minister Pablo Rodriguez and my fellow MPs from Laval, Fayçal El-Khoury and Angelo Iacono,” said Koutrakis.

“The Minister met with several community groups and organizations and received direct feedback from each of them on the issues that matter most to their members and stakeholders. This is a clear demonstration of our government’s willingness to hear and act on the feedback we receive from our citizens.”

“It’s great to be with some of our many Laval communities,” said El Khoury. “Laval is special in that it is a bastion of living together across the country. My colleagues and I try every day to build on the sense of solidarity, openness and sharing that is part of our region.”

“The future of the Vieux Pénitencier represents an interest for the east of Laval as much in terms of culture as in terms of history and identity,” said Iacono. “Moreover, this heritage gem has the potential to generate wealth for the community and any disposal or development should include a community and social component as well as a phase that stimulates the local economy and generates jobs.”

Federal Correctional Service preparing to dispose of ‘Old Pen’ in Saint Vincent

The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) said in a recent statement that it is entering the next phase in the disposal of one of its properties – the former Saint-Vincent-de-Paul Penitentiary in Laval.

CSC is currently working on the disposal process of this federal property in order to be ready for sale to Canada Lands Company (CLC) by the year 2024.

CSC said it will continue to work on several due diligence steps as part of the disposal process, including land surveys and environmental, archeological and heritage assessments, which will be completed by the end of 2023.

CSC said it has been working, and will continue to work, closely with experts to ensure that appropriate heritage considerations and obligations are transferred to the new owner, and that it will be consulting with other levels of government and stakeholders, including Indigenous groups to seek public interest in the property.

Formerly the site of a Sisters of Providence, Sacred Heart Convent, in 1861, the Government of Canada East purchased the site to establish a reform school. In 1872, the federal government purchased the site from the Province of Quebec and renovated it for use as a federal penitentiary.

The first offenders, officers and their families were transferred to Saint-Vincent-de-Paul Penitentiary by steamship from Kingston Penitentiary on May 19, 1873. Saint-Vincent-de-Paul-Penitentiary ceased operating as a federal correctional facility and was declared a surplus asset in 1989. The property was declared a National Historic Site of Canada in 1990.

Saint Vincent councillor Galati says he wants ‘Vieux Pen’ file fast-tracked

Laval city councillor for St. Vincent de Paul Paolo Galati was upbeat upon receiving word that the Correctional Service of Canada seems intent on finally making a move to divest itself of the derelict former St. Vincent de Paul penitentiary complex.

“I am happy to learn that they are moving this dossier forward, even though another year-and-a-half of waiting is long,” the Action Laval opposition councillor said in a statement, noting that a transaction completion isn’t expected until at least 2024.

“It’s not as though this dossier just came up on their radar,” he added. “Since 1989, this dossier has been going in circles. I will continue to fight so that this dossier moves ahead quickly.”

Galati pointed out that the City of Laval is depending on the federal government to finally get some action in the matter. As well, he said a number of projects, involving transport, the extension of Saint-Martin Blvd. eastward to montée Saint-François and new social housing can only be brought to completion with the full cooperation of the federal government.

Olivia Doulos has a ‘Passion for Paws’

Martin C. Barry

July 15, 2022

Chomedey resident is helping rescue Lebanon’s abandoned dogs

Olivia Doulos remembers the first time a consignment of dogs she had rescued from Lebanon arrived at Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport. It was last January and they were on their way to new adoptive homes in Montreal.

The Chomedey resident along with a few volunteer supporters had been waiting for more than an hour in an area near cargo arrivals. Up to that point, everything she had done to arrange for the rescue of the dogs had been “theoretical.” Here at last was the reality.

Olivia Doulos at Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport with one of the rescue dogs Passion for Paws brought from Lebanon.

Couldn’t stop crying

“I had heard the sad stories and seen the pictures, but I still hadn’t seen any of the dogs, and so it wasn’t real to me yet,” she said in an interview with The Laval News.

When she heard one or more of the dogs barking and howling as they came through the doors into the cargo arrivals area, she suddenly felt gripped by a rush of emotion and started to cry.

“I was like hysterical, but a happy cry,” said Doulos. “But I couldn’t stop myself. I had never felt that kind of uncontrollable emotion before. Just seeing them and interacting with them in person it became so real to me.

A passion for dogs

“It filled me with a passion that I had never felt before. I’m already a very passionate and dedicated person as it is. But that made me feel something that I had never felt before in my life. It was indescribable.”

Doulos is the founder and sole proprietor of Passion for Paws. Although she runs the organization without profit motive, Passion for Paws is incorporated as a company because Doulos wanted to be able to expand the organization’s potential in a way that is currently not allowed for non-profit organizations.

Thirty dogs brought here

Before starting Passion for Paws, she had created a local dog adoption service in Montreal, arranging for the adoption of specific types of dogs. Facebook connections led her last January to partner with three dog rescue operations based in Lebanon. Since then, Doulos has successfully imported more than 30 dogs from Lebanon into Canada.

‘I had never felt that kind of uncontrollable emotion before,’ Olivia Doulos says about the first time some dogs Passion for Paws rescued arrived at the airport

Passion for Paws is a sideline for Doulos. The 22-year-old is currently a student of biochemistry at Concordia University, while also working part-time at a canine boarding centre where she is a receptionist and attends to the care of dogs.

Work clearing customs

According to Doulos, bringing dogs into Canada from an area of the world with a history of instability like Lebanon can be quite complex, involving a fair amount of paperwork to meet the requirements of Canadian customs officials.

A Passion for Paws team member, with a rescue dog from Lebanon.

After the dogs have been thoroughly screened, vaccinated and sterilized by dog rescue operators in Lebanon, they are accompanied on their plane trip by a “flight angel,” who is either a Passion for Paws team member or a volunteer from Lebanon.

As Passion for Paws has no physical pound or shelter of its own in Montreal, the dogs go directly to their new homes, after the adoption procedures have been completed by rescue operators in Lebanon.

Treatment of dogs in Lebanon

According to Doulos, the treatment of dogs in Lebanon differs significantly from the canine culture in Canada. It’s not at all unusual over there to shoot down strays – of which there is an abundance – or to poison them, she said, while noting that Lebanon is currently in the midst of a crippling economic crisis during which many pet owners abandon dogs.

As such, “there’s a percentage of them that lack socialization and need to be desensitized towards things here in Canada,” she said. “But then on the other hand, there are some that come here and within a couple of days they’ve settled in for their entire lives.”

She said the dog’s ability to adjust “really depends on what they’ve been through and the kind of character they have. If they have an outgoing and confident personality, it doesn’t usually take them that long. Whereas the more timid and shy take a bit longer to adjust.”

How much it costs

With an adoption fee that ranges from $1,200 – $1,500, Doulos acknowledges that the cost of adopting a dog through Passion for Paws is considerable, although it includes the plane flight, customs fees, a shipping crate, bedding, sterilization, vaccination and microchipping.

“We know that obviously it’s more pricey than getting a rescue dog in Montreal,” she said, adding that the cost of the flight drives up the fee, but that adoption comes with the satisfaction of having rescued a dog from a troubled area of the world. Further information on Passion for Paws can be found on their website: passionforpaws.ca.

‘Sainte-Rose Art Symposium’ takes place July 28 – 31

Martin C. Barry

July 14, 2022

‘Sainte-Rose Art Symposium’ takes place July 28 – 31

More than 20,000 visitors expected at art show in Vieux Sainte-Rose

In Laval each year, you can always be sure that summer is well underway when it’s time once again for the Corporation Rose-Art’s Sainte-Rose Art Symposium.

Former Corporation Rose-Art president Caroline Faucher is seen here with the art group’s new president, Oprina-Felicia Dolea. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia)

From July 28 to 31, appreciators of fine sculpture and exquisite art will be arriving from all over Quebec as well as other parts of eastern Canada to enjoy the 26^th Symposium in the historic laval neighbourhood of Vieux Sainte-Rose.

Works of 70 artists

More than 20,000 people are expected to attend this highly popular and free event. While there, many will be purchasing works produced by 70 talented artists expressing themselves in styles ranging from traditional and impressionistic to modern and abstract.

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

La Vieille Caserne in the heart of Sainte Rose will be the heart of the 2022 Sainte-Rose Art Symposium from July 28 – 31. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia)

Dunamis winner

They were also a finalist for a second Dunamis the following year as a “sustainable” organization or enterprise. And indeed, 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 Sainte-Rose.

As always, the Symposium will be taking place in downtown Sainte-Rose near the ‘Vieille Caserne’

This year, the event’s honorary chairwoman will be Sainte-Rose city councillor Flavia Alexandra Novac. The Symposium’s principal sponsor and host, the Corporation Rose-Art, also has a new president: Oprina-Felicia Dolea, who is taking over responsibilities from former president Carole Faucher.

Team work, says Novac

Corporation Rose-Art president Oprina-Felicia Dolea is seen here with the Dunamis Finalist citation the organization received for its cooperative and social economy efforts. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia)

“Something I want you to know is that this is an event I believe in greatly,” Novac said during a press conference at the Vieille Caserne last month to announce the 2022 Symposium. “This is an event that takes a lot of teamwork and I thank all members of the team. This is also an event that has become known outside Laval, and it draws all sorts of people to see the magnificent art in this community.”

Sainte-Rose was the birthplace of Québécois painter Marc-Aurèle Fortin. Sainte-Rose MNA Christopher Skeete noted that when Premier François Legault was first elected nearly four years ago, he was asked (in keeping with tradition) to choose an original work of art for his new office as Premier.

Skeete thanks organizers

Today, according to Skeete, a work by Marc-Aurèle Fortin hangs on the wall behind Legault’s desk. “Thanks for all you do,” Skeete told the Corporation Rose-Art board members and supporters. “What you do is so important for the area and you know you can always count on me.”

As always, the Symposium will be taking place in downtown Sainte-Rose along Sainte-Rose Blvd. next to the Old Firehall (La Vieille Caserne), near the historic Sainte-Rose-de-Lima church, between Filion and Deslaurier-Hotte streets. The hours are as follows: Thurs. Jul. 28 and Friday Jul. 29, 10 am to 6 pm; Sat. July 30, 10 am to 6 pm; and Sun. Jul. 31, 10 am to 5 pm.

Many thousands attend a rejuvenated ‘Laval Hellenic Summer Festival’

Martin C. Barry

July 14, 2022

Many thousands attend a rejuvenated ‘Laval Hellenic Summer Festival’

Hellenics turn out for a post-Covid celebration of Greek roots and heritage

Although the organizers of the Laval Hellenic Summer Festival had little more than a week to make arrangements for the three-day celebration in Chomedey last weekend, it was clear during the Saturday evening keynote event that attendance was way up, and Hellenics were eager to get out during the post-Covid era.

A real family event

“We’re really excited about this year’s Greek festival,” said Anna Giorganta, the new president for the Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal’s Laval chapter, which organized the event at Holy Cross Church on Souvenir Rd.

As always, the food, including souvlaki and Greek sausage grilled over charcoal, were exquisite at the Laval Hellenic Summer Festival. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia)

“Post-Covid, it’s so nice to see everybody out here to support us,” she said. “There are a lot of young families here with their children. We’re also very excited to be part of the new regional board, with lots of positive change moving forward.”

Post-Covid Greek Festival

This was the first year since the beginning of the Covid pandemic in early 2020 that HCGM-Laval was able to organize a full-scale Hellenic Summer Festival. Although a smaller festival was held last year, the 2020 event was cancelled entirely, said HCGM-Laval’s new vice-president Chris Papachristou.

Although the Laval Hellenic Summer Festival normally is held on the Canada Day weekend, the recent HCGM elections left newly-elected board members with insufficient time to prepare. “As a new council, we actually had just nine days to plan this year’s event,” said Giorganta.

Timing of HCGM elections

“Because the HCGM elections took place just two weeks ago, timing this festival was just about impossible. This is why we needed to postpone it by a week.” She said the plan moving forward will be to continue the Canada Day weekend tradition on a yearly basis.

HCGM-Laval chapter president Anna Giorganta and vice-president Chris Papachristou helped organize this year’s Hellenic Summer Festival in just nine days. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia)

Despite the one-week delay, newly-elected HCGM president George Tsoukas was upbeat. “We’re kind of late for Canada Day,” he said. “But, as you know, we Greeks know how to throw festivals and parties. So, we expect this weekend to be a whole lot of fun and people are going to really enjoy themselves. There’s great food, dancing and a chance for Greeks to get together.”

A must for dignitaries

“I wish the new board of directors the best of luck, because this is the first festival they are organizing,” said Laval city councillor for Chomedey Aglaia Revelakis. Among the dignitaries also attending on Saturday were Laval city councillor for Souvenir-Labelle Sandra El Helou, l’Abord-à-Plouffe councillor Vassilios Karidogiannis, Vimy MP Annie Koutrakis, and Montreal city councillor for Parc Extension Mary Deros.

Young Greek folk dancers, emblematic of the Laval and Montreal Hellenic community’s future, danced during the evening on Saturday. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia)

(Councillor El Helou told The Laval News that Mayor Stéphane Boyer had been prepared to attend the festival, and that she was encouraging him to do so, but that unfortunately, in the great haste to organize this year’s event, HCGM-Laval’s invitation somehow got lost or didn’t arrive on time.)

Weather was perfect

While the weather this time of year tends towards thunder storms and sudden downpours of rain, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky last Saturday for the 2022 festival. “We’re blessed with fabulous weather,” said city councillor the Montreal district of Park Extension Mary Deros.

She said she’d heard “through the grapevine” that Greek community representatives in Montreal are hard at work organizing the annual “panigiri” along Saint Roch St. on Aug. 15, coinciding with the Dormition of the Virgin Mary.

Newly-elected Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal president George Tsoukas said Greeks “know how to throw festivals and parties.”

“I think everybody is relieved to start to be able to come out,” said Koutrakis. “It’s great to be able to gather once again with loved ones, friends and family.”

MP sent his regards

One elected official who was unable to attend this year’s festival was Laval-Les Îles Liberal MP Fayçal El-Khoury.

El-Khoury was in the U.S. state of Oklahoma where he was representing Canada during an inter-parliamentary exchange with elected officials there, said El-Khoury’s riding office attaché, Karine Sahakian. “He would have loved to have been here,” she said, noting that El-Khoury has been a regular at the Laval Greek community’s annual summer get-together since he was first elected in 2015.

Celebrate Canada Day at Laval’s Centre de la Nature

Laval News Contributor

June 30, 2022

Celebrate Canada Day at Laval’s Centre de la Nature

This year, Canada Day is being celebrated at the Centre de la nature de Laval on July 1st. It could make for a great opportunity to get together, interact and make the most of one of Laval’s largest recreational areas and a great setting to celebrate Canada’s birthday.

Starting at 2:00 p.m., there will be activities for all ages: an obstacle course, a art workshop, face painting, bouncy castles, street trucks and carnival-style games. Radio station WKND-FM will also be there with its team of presenters in a fun and friendly area.

Laval residents will also be able to meet members of the Canadian Armed Forces and get a serving of the traditional Canada Day cake.

At 8:30 p.m., it’ll be time to let the music play! The 2022 Canada Day show will feature a variety of musical styles.

An original program will feature Paul Kunigis, whose music is a mosaic of influences and the cultures Kunigis has been immersed in, as well as the a cappella group QW4RTZ. This quartet combines humour and vocal prowess, and rises to the challenge of pleasing all audiences.

The joyful, festive show will end with fireworks. So, come out and celebrate, enjoy the vibe and dance together on Friday, July 1 at the Centre de la nature for Canada Day. Hearts will be pounding in Laval for this on-site, in-person reunion.

Full details are available at Canada Day in Laval.

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Laval police ask public for help in hit-and-run case

Martin C. Barry

June 30, 2022

Laval police ask public for help in hit-and-run case

The Laval Police Dept. is asking for the public’s help to resolve a hit-and-run case from June 3.

The incident took place around 11:21 p.m. Two passengers on the motorcycle were riding in the service lane of Autoroute 15, southbound, in the Chomedey sector.

A few meters from Autoroute 440, they came into contact with a white SUV, which was re-entering the lane, after leaving the shoulder.

At the time of impact, both occupants were ejected from the motorcycle. Anyone with relevant information is asked to call 9-1-1, or 450 662-INFO (4636).

Human trafficking charges laid against Laval man after traffic stop in Manitoba

A Laval man has been charged by RCMP in western Canada with human trafficking after he was stopped for erratic driving in Manitoba.

Jean Francois D’Asti-Brideau, 26, from Laval, was pulled over on Winnipeg’s Perimeter Highway in January 2021. Police said at the time that it appeared a physical altercation had taken place between the man and his female passenger.

It was later determined that the woman was a victim of human trafficking and being taken from Quebec to British Columbia, RCMP said in a news release last week. D’Asti-Brideau was tracked down in Kamloops and arrested last week. He is charged with human trafficking and sex-related offences and has been returned to Winnipeg.

When his real identity became known it was discovered there were a number of warrants for his arrest from Quebec and Ontario. A vehicle search turned up multiple weapons, including a stun gun. He was charged with several weapons-related offences, identity theft, obstructing a peace officer and various Highway Traffic Act offences.

Alleged “Grandparent Scammer” from Laval nailed in Belleville

Ontario Provincial Police in eastern Ontario’s Lennox and Addington County stopped a “Grandparent Scam” in progress recently involving a Laval resident.

Last week, police responded to a report of a fraud in progress. OPP officers arrested one person, charging 46-year-old Maxime Chung of Laval with fraud over $5,000 and theft over $5,000.

Police say the investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca.

Seven people, including one in Laval, arrested on child porn charges

Seven people in Quebec between the ages of 42 and 61, including a man from Laval, have been arrested in connection with child pornography charges.

A joint police team, including officers from the Sûreté du Québec, Laval and Montreal, Quebec City, Longueuil and Gatineau police forces, made the arrests last week in regions around the province.

Officers conducted searches in Laval, Anjou, St-Ambroise, Granby, Sherbrooke, Québec, St-Hubert, and Gatineau as part of an “important investigation,” the SQ stated in a news release.

The searches took place at the suspects’ homes, where police seized computer equipment for analysis. Those arrested are facing charges related to possession, distribution and access to child pornography, police said.

Woman to be charged with murder in killing of man at Laval restaurant

The Quebec Provincial Police say a woman arrested in Ontario is facing murder charges in connection with a homicide inside a Laval restaurant.

The shooting took place on June 1 at this des Laurentides Blvd. restaurant.

Britney Lewis, 25, of Pickering, Ont., was arrested by Durham Regional Police last week and was set to appear in an Ontario courtroom before being transferred to Quebec to face charges of premeditated murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the death of Bernard Cherfan.

Cherfan, 42, was known to have links to organized crime. He was gunned down June 1 inside La Perle restaurant on des Laurentides Blvd. in Laval’s Vimont district around 7:25 p.m. in front of other diners.

“The investigation in this case is ongoing and more arrests may be made in the near future,” the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) said in a news release. The dinner-time shooting startled a number of people who were dining at the restaurant at the time of the killing. Police say anyone with information can contact the SQ at 1-833-888-ARME (2763).

Sir Wilfrid Laurier Foundation finally reaches the $1 million mark

Martin C. Barry

June 30, 2022

Sir Wilfrid Laurier Foundation finally reaches the $1 million mark

$50,000 raised at SWLF’s first Lobster Gala since 2019 and start of pandemic

The Sir Wilfrid Laurier Foundation (SWLF) reached an historic milestone on June 9 during its annual Lobster Gala.

As of that evening, a record total of $1 million had been raised since the SWLF’s founding 18 years ago – with $50,000 coming from this year’s fundraising.

Close to 300 guests attended the much-anticipated Lobster Gala at the Château Royal in Laval. It had been put on hold for the past two years because of the Covid pandemic.

Finally hit the mark

The Foundation was created in 2004 and since then has provided $950,000 to the schools and centres of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board (SWLSB).

The night of the gala, the board of directors was very excited to be able to announce that the lobster fundraiser was a huge success, allowing the foundation to raise another $50K, sending the total amount raised since 2004 over the long-anticipated million-dollar mark.

According to SWLF officials, the million-dollar triumph will also be celebrated at a forthcoming event where past members of the board of directors over the years will be invited. More information will be available in the coming months.

Bimodal teaching gear

This year, says the SWLF, the money raised will help provide equipment for bimodal teaching in the school board’s summer school. Classrooms equipped to offer bimodal instruction make it possible for teachers to teach classes both online and in person simultaneously.

Many of the SWLSB’s students are not able to attend summer school in person as they live a considerable distance from the summer school campus in Laval. The board and the SWLF say that thanks to high-tech equipment purchased with this year’s fundraisings, all students across the SWLSB’s vast territory will be able to participate in live class sessions.

‘All about the students’

‘The success and well-being of our youth is at the heart of the foundation’s actions and decisions,’ said SWLF president Josée Coté

“The success and well-being of our youth is at the heart of the foundation’s actions and decisions,” said Josée Côté, the SWLF’s president. “It’s all about the students. Plain and simple. Students are our raison d’être and we will continue to work hard to give them as much as we can.”

The evening’s masters of ceremonies were foundation president Josée Côté, SWLF vice-president Archie Cifelli, and Cousin Vinny, Virgin Radio’s morning man in Montreal. In addition, many politicians were among the guests, including Guy Ouellette, MNA of Chomedey, Stéphane Boyer, Mayor of Laval, Eric Westram, Mayor of Rosemère, and many city counsellors from Laval, Rosemère and Morin-Heights in the Laurentians.

Also among the guests

Among those seated at the head table at this year’s Lobster Gala were Rosemère mayor Eric Westram, Laval mayor Stéphane Boyer, SWLSB chairman Paolo Galati, SWLF president Josée Côté, SWLSB director-general Gaelle Absolonne and Chomedey MNA Guy Ouellette.

A representative from the office of Jean Rousselle (MNA for Vimont) also attended the event, as well as members of the SWLSB Council of Commissioners, three of whom (James Di Sano, Vincent Cammisano and SWLSB chairperson Paolo Galati) are members of the SWLF board of directors.

“The African proverb ‘It takes a village to raise a child’ has never been truer,” Galati said in a speech. “When communities, business partners, educators, parents and political leaders work hand in hand, they are paving the road to success for our students and making sure that they have a bright future ahead with unlimited possibilities.”

Third largest English board

The Sir Wilfrid Laurier Foundation works closely with the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board, which is the third largest English-language school commission in the Province of Quebec. The SWLSB territory comprises the administrative regions of Laval, Lanaudière and the Laurentians and provides preschool, elementary, secondary, adult education and vocational training services to over 14,000 students in 35 schools and four centres, as well as business training services.

Laval and Longueuil mayors announce ‘Housing Summit’ in August

Martin C. Barry

June 30, 2022

Laval and Longueuil mayors announce ‘Housing Summit’ in August

Two of Quebec’s largest cities unite to draw attention to looming crisis

Laval mayor Stéphane Boyer and Longueuilmayor Catherine Fournier offered a glimpse last Monday of what will be on the agenda during the 2022 Housing Summit, which is taking place on Aug. 26 at the Laval Sheraton.

Municipal housing

As one of several pledges the two mayors made prior to municipal elections last November, the Housing Summit will be drawing together a variety of players involved in municipal housing issues in the Montreal region and across the province.

Nearly 300 individuals and organizations have signed up for the event, including the mayors of Quebec’s largest cities (Montreal, Quebec City, etc.), members of municipal councils, leaders from government, community groups, private organizations and academic institutions, as well as representatives from the Quebec and Canadian governments.

Issues for discussion

Five panels will be considering some of the most important issues, to encourage discussions and exchanges throughout the day. Here are some of the issues they will be discussing:

The responsibilities and needs of municipalities
The current state of the situation as regards housing in Quebec
Property tax questions
Legal and regulatory questions
Financial issues

Among the invited presenters will be the Union des municipalités du Québec (UMQ), the Fédération québécoise des municipalités (FQM), and the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM), but also the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC), the Vivre en ville organization,the Centre de transformation du logement communautaire (CTCC) and the Institut dedéveloppement urbain (IDU).

“The issues surrounding housing affect Quebecers from all regions,” Mayor Boyer said in a statement issued last Monday.

Seeking meaningful solutions

“The volatile rise in the cost of rents, the low vacancy rates, renovictions and the overheated housing market are just some examples of the challenges we are up against. Faced with this reality, we have developed a program that looms large so that we end up covering everything in our search for solutions.

“At the conclusion of the summit, the participants will not only have discussed meaningful solutions, but they will also have united behind several of the proposed solutions.” Additional information on the Housing Summit can be found online at www.sommethabitation.ca.

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