The current issue of the Laval News, volume 33-12, published on June 11th, 2025.
Covering Laval local news, politics, and sports.
(Click on the image to read the paper.)
Laval News Volume 33-12
Laval Police taking steps to curb violent youth crime
The Laval Police Dept. says it is initiating steps to deal with a rise in violent crime among youths as the summer season is set to begin while minors are increasingly becoming mixed up in crimes involving the use of firearms.
According to data released by the LPD earlier this week, more than 40 per cent of armed violence cases in the first quarter of 2025 involved minors between the ages of 14 and 17.
From Jan. 1 last year to March 31 in 2025, 20 per cent of people arrested or suspected in cases of firearms-related incidents were minors, with most of these cases involving criminal gangs.
After noting a rise in firearm discharges last year when there were 25 such incidents, the LPD now reports a moderate decrease in the first four months of 2025.
Since the end of March, there were four firearms discharge incidents, compared to six during the same period a year earlier.
“Over the past few years, our police department has made the fight against gun-related urban violence a priority, in response to a marked upsurge in events in Laval,” said Karine Ménard, the LPD’s deputy director, who is in charge of criminal investigations.
Former camp councillor sentenced for sex assaults on minors
A former day camp councillor has been sentenced in Laval to two years of home confinement for deceiving a teenager and sexually assaulting two young men while they were intoxicated.
Alexis Plourde-Dinelle had become friends with his victims in their early teens.
The 33-year-old Montrealer pleaded guilty on May 12 at the Laval courthouse to two counts of sexual assault and one of luring.
He worked with young people for years. He was a day camp counselor in Mauricie, and worked at a Maison des jeunes in Quebec’s Estrie region.
At the end of his home confinement sentence, Plourde-Dinelle will be placed on probation for three years, including two years with supervision.
Man accused of father’s premeditated murder in Laval
A young man has been charged with the premeditated murder of his 71-year-old father in Laval, marking the city’s first homicide of the year.
Facing a charge of first-degree murder, 26-year-old Thomas Erik Eyelom appeared in court last week.
First-degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence with no eligibility for parole for 25 years upon conviction.
According to the Laval Police, the body of the 71-year-old was discovered at his residence on Dumouchel Street in Chomedey by a family member.
The LPD initially treated it as a “suspicious death.” The LPD’s Crimes Against Persons Unit took charge of the case to try to clarify the cause and circumstances of death.
A scene analysis, conducted in collaboration with the LPD’s forensic identification squad and the forensic sciences and legal medicine laboratory, as well as information gathered by the LPD’s crimes against persons squad, allowed investigators to determine that the case was murder, said a spokesperson for the LPD.
Family of three homeless after electrical fire in Duvernay
A family of three from Duvernay is temporarily homeless after a fire believed to be caused by a freak electrical accident seriously damaged their home on du Genévrier St. around noon on May 12.
Laval Fire Dept. investigators suspect that high winds around half past noon that day may have damaged aluminum cladding on the house, bringing it into contact with an electrical power line.
Current from the line may have flowed into metal rain gutters outside the house, spreading in and setting off a fire, according to the LFD.
Damage was estimated at $100,000, with an additional $40,000 in damages to interior furnishings.
Driver in deadly 2019 Laval autoroute truck crash gets 10-year sentence
The truck driver found responsible for the August 2019 fiery multi-vehicle pile-up on Autoroute 440 near the A-15 in Laval which killed four people has been sentenced to a decade in prison.
On Aug. 5, 2019, Jagmeet Grewal was driving a transport truck and a 53-foot trailer without a valid license, when he crashed into stopped traffic as he was travelling around 100 km/h, causing a major fire, while trapping some occupants in their cars.
The crash killed Robert Tanguay-Plante, Sylvain Pouliot, Michèle Bernier and Gilles Marsolais, while injuring 15 others.
Surveillance camera images used in a subsequent investigation showed him not holding the steering wheel leading up to the crash.
Grewal’s license was also suspended at the time of the crash, and he was convicted three times for impaired driving in the 1990s
“Innocent victims that were at the wrong place at the wrong time perished and others were severely injured and are still carrying their pain and sufferings,” Superior Court Justice Yanick Laramée wrote in a ruling prior to imposing the sentence.
Laval mall subject of anti-theft operation
MATTHEW DALDALIAN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Carrefour Laval was at the center of a significant national anti-shoplifting operation last week, as law enforcement and retail security teams joined forces to combat rising retail theft across Canada.
The two-day initiative, conducted on May 15 and 16, was part of a broader campaign led by the Retail Council of Canada (RCC), in collaboration with the Service de police de Laval (SPL) and CF Carrefour Laval. Similar “Blitz” operations were carried out in shopping centers nationwide between May 2 and 19.
Retail theft has become a pressing issue, with Canadian businesses reporting losses exceeding $9 billion in 2024. “Retailers can’t tackle this growing issue alone. It requires both staffing and effective tools,” said Michel Rochette, president of the RCC’s Quebec division.
“Retailers are hit twice: they suffer direct financial losses and risk losing their customers’ trust—not to mention the security concerns for everyone in the store. Retail crime needs to become a true public priority.”
During the operation, Laval police officers were deployed during peak hours to monitor and intervene directly with offenders, working alongside mall security to increase visibility and deter repeat offenses. “Store security is one of our key priorities,” said SPL spokesperson Sgt. Laurent Arsenault.
“Operations like this allow us to act quickly with offenders, reassure the public, and reaffirm our commitment to Laval’s business community. We’re proud to take part in this initiative, which serves as a model for collaboration.”
The SPL’s Azimut unit—a specialized squad trained to intervene in commercial areas— was involved in a similar blitz at Carrefour Laval in December 2024, during which several arrests were made. The RCC emphasized that the campaign isn’t just about enforcement. The initiative also aims to raise public awareness about the real cost of shoplifting.
“Blitz” operations are designed to deliver concentrated results within a short time frame by deploying officers and security staff during strategic hours to focus on high-risk periods and known offenders. Carrefour Laval was selected due to its status as a major commercial hub in Quebec and its history of cooperation with authorities.
The RCC described the center as a “nerve center of retail activity.” The recent operation also comes weeks after an armed robbery at a jewelry store inside Carrefour Laval on March 31. While no injuries were reported and the suspect remains at large, the incident reflects the broader security challenges facing one of Quebec’s busiest malls. A vehicle from the SPL’s Azimut unit, parked outside Carrefour Laval during the two-day anti-theft operation on May 16.
Celebrating a century: Madame Giuditta Giuzio’s 100th Birthday
On May 21, an extraordinary milestone was celebrated — a century filled with memories, resilience, wisdom, and love. Reaching the age of 100 was a remarkable testament to the strength of Madame Giuditta Giuzio’s mind and the richness of her journey.
Madame Giuzio’s life had touched many, and her legacy continued to inspire those around her.
Her special day was filled with joy, surrounded by the warmth of her family and friends, and the years to come were wished to bring her peace, health, and happiness.
“Happy 100th birthday, Madame Giuditta Giuzio, and many blessings to you and your family” wished St-Bruno city councillor David De Cotis.
Héma-Québec needs you! Give blood this summer
Summer is a critical time for Héma-Québec. With their usual schedules on hold for a few weeks, many donors take a well-deserved break — but hospital patients can’t.
The need for blood never stops. It only takes an hour for this act of kindness towards someone waiting for a transfusion or blood product. Just one hour of your time is life-changing. All you have to do is make an appointment! Who knows? You might even make it a habit!
LOCATION: The 180 Church ADDRESS: 3190 Delaunay Street, Chomedey Laval DATE: Saturday, June 7, 2025 between 10:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. GOAL: To convince 50 donors to roll up their sleeves just long enough for a quick blood donation.
We recommend making an appointment before going to a blood drive. You can easily do it online at www.hemaquebec.ca/en/book-appointment or by calling at 1-800-343-7264.
Roll up your sleeves! We need solidarity to keep our collective blood supply afloat! Everyone who rolls up their sleeve makes a difference. If you’re afraid of needles, just know that the people on site are qualified to oversee this experience. They will be able to reassure you, and you will be so proud to have donated!
Want to check if you can donate?
Before going to a blood drive, you can always confirm your eligibility with Donor Services at 1-800-847-2525 or visit the Héma-Québec website at www.hemaquebec.ca/en, under the section Donate > Blood > Who can give blood?
About Héma-Québec
Héma-Québec’s mission is to efficiently meet the Québec population’s needs for blood and other high-quality biological products of human origin. Héma-Québec has more than 1,900 employees, more than 200,000 donors of blood, plasma, stem cells, mothers’ milk and human tissue, as well as thousands of volunteers at blood drive sites.
Héma-Québec delivers nearly 800,000 human-derived biological products to Québec hospitals every year to meet patients’ needs.
Support for seniors hits milestone
MATTHEW DALDALIAN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Quebec government is marking the one-year anniversary of its ambitious seniors action plan, La fierté de vieillir (The pride of aging), with what it calls concrete and measurable improvements in the lives of older adults across the province.
First launched in May 2024, the five-year, $23.4 billion initiative is billed as one of the most comprehensive in provincial history — targeting everything from housing affordability and home care to community inclusion and labour retention.
Minister Sonia Bélanger, who serves as Minister responsible for Seniors as well as the Laurentides region, described the progress made over the past 12 months as “moving in the right direction.”
Impact across sectors
The plan’s first year saw a range of initiatives rolled out, many of them tied to tangible outcomes in seniors’ everyday lives. Nearly 400,000 individuals received at-home care services over the past year — part of a massive push that delivered more than 37.5 million hours of home support across the province. In terms of housing, 2,555 affordable units intended for seniors have either been completed or are currently under construction. Long-term care also received a boost, with 3,168 new spots created in senior homes and alternative care facilities.
At the same time, the government focused on keeping older Quebecers active in the workforce. Changes to the Quebec Pension Plan contributed to the continued employment of over 12,000 seniors aged 65 to 69. Financial support remained another cornerstone of the plan. Over 1.1 million seniors benefitted from the tax credit for older adults, aimed at easing cost-of-living pressures that remain top-of-mind in communities like Laval.
Local outreach
Beyond the numbers, the government emphasized its effort to reduce isolation and build stronger connections with older residents. Over 298,000 safety check-in calls were made to seniors’ homes, and 45,000 older Quebecers were reached through community outreach and geriatric social work.
The province also adapted or developed 61 small-scale infrastructure projects across Quebec, aimed at promoting social inclusion and enhancing the quality of life for older adults. These efforts were paired with a push for public awareness. Throughout the past year, nearly 900 people took part in a series of webinars designed to elevate seniors’ voices and promote the plan’s core goals.
A virtual town hall in April drew close to 1,200 participants — a turnout Bélanger says reflects the growing interest in aging-related issues. “More than ever, society is mobilized to allow seniors to fully experience this stage of life,” Bélanger said. “To be recognized and valued in their communities.”
More to come in year two
The plan — which includes 102 distinct measures coordinated by 35 provincial ministries and agencies — also sets out 16 long-term targets to monitor progress. So far, $4.6 billion of the total budget has already been allocated. That funding has also gone toward developing new legal, digital, and financial tools tailored to seniors’ needs, as well as launching public campaigns that challenge stereotypes around aging and highlight the contributions of older Quebecers.
Additional investments are expected in year two, which will see a continued focus on longterm care reform, affordable housing development, and expanded outreach. Initiatives tied to the province’s Alzheimer’s and neurocognitive disorders strategy will also take on greater visibility in the coming year, according to the ministry. With the first year of implementation behind them, Bélanger says the government is well-positioned to move into the next phase of the plan. The early momentum, she argues, isn’t just about statistics — it’s about setting a lasting direction. The ultimate goal, she emphasized, is to foster pride in aging and strengthen community support across the province. “We are definitely well-positioned for the next steps in carrying out our action plan,” she said.
Parents appreciate the Air Cadets program
The Royal Canadian Air Cadets have often been praised as one of Canada’s leading programs for the development of youths into responsible adults.
The Laval News had the opportunity last week to speak with some of the parents of teens enrolled in the 710 Squadron in Sainte-Rose for their impressions of the impact the program had on their lives.
‘A brand-new person’
Teresa and Emmanuel Pacheco, who are residents of Sainte-Rose, have two sons, Liam and Xavier, who are enrolled in the program. Liam, prior to signing up, had difficulties concentrating on homework.
“But as soon as he stepped foot into here, it completely changed the person he is and he’s a brand-new person,” said Teresa Pacheco, referring to Air Cadets program.
As a teenager, her husband was also enrolled in a cadets program. He felt certain that the experience would prove to be immensely valuable to his son.
“It kind of brings you into the adult world of responsibilities,” she added.
All about structure
Another parent from Sainte-Rose, Jean-Sébastien Noël, whose 14-year-old son, James, is enrolled in the Air Cadets program, said it had done wonders for his son.
“For him, it’s all about structure,” he said, noting that James has mild autism, but was greatly helped by the sense of discipline he acquired while in the program.
“He feels very proud to be wearing the uniform,” said Jean-Sébastien. “He’s one of those who take care of the flags. He didn’t have a big circle of friends before, but the cadets are now his group for socializing.”
According to Jean-Sébastien, James will be taking part in a special cadets program this summer where he’ll have the opportunity to learn some of the basics of aircraft maintenance. Last year, he learned about glider aircraft operation.
Air Cadets 710 Squadron showcases skills during annual graduation exercises
Laval’s ass’t fire chief Beaupré and Ste-Rose councillor Novac were special guests
Several dozen young members of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets’ 710 Squadron in Sainte-Rose marked the official completion of their training on Saturday May 17 with a parade and graduation ceremony at École secondaire Curé-Antoine-Labelle before an audience of proud parents, siblings and friends.
In addition to the guests, the squadron also welcomed special invitees Daniel Beaupré, assistant director of the Laval Fire Department, and Flavia Alexandra Novac, the Laval city councillor for the City of Laval’s Sainte-Rose district.
Both took part in the ceremonies as official reviewing officers during an inspection of the uniformed cadets.
Life skills learning
Regarded by many as the best youth program in Canada, the Royal Canadian Air Cadets offer free membership for all activities to youths from ages 12 to 18 without exception.
The activities include survival and adventure training, marksmanship, music, as well as airplane and glider training.
The program is administered by the Canadian Armed Forces and funded through the Department of National Defence (DND). Additional support is provided by the civilian Air Cadet League of Canada (ACLC).
Together with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets and Royal Canadian Army Cadets, it forms the largest federally funded youth program in the country.Cadets are not members of the military, nor are they obliged to join the Canadian Armed Forces.
Review of year’s training
The graduation ceremony was a showcase for the coordinated sense of pride and discipline the Air Cadets instills in its young members.
From late morning into the early afternoon, parents and friends seated on the sidelines had the opportunity to see their sons and daughters in the squadron partake in parade and marching exercises, while later undergoing an inspection and review led by Beaupré and Novac.
This was followed by the presentation of awards, ranks and medals, speeches by dignitaries, and finally an opportunity at the end for everyone to meet, greet and enjoy a great buffet lunch volunteers had prepared for the guests.
In an address to the squadron members as well as the guests, Beaupré noted that as a youngster, he had been a member of an air cadets squadron and learned many life lessons from the experience.
Valuable life lessons
They included being instilled with an appreciation for practice and discipline, as well as a lasting sense of the importance of remaining loyal to principles and to friends.
“I am convinced that one of the reasons I am here today before you because of those experiences and I am proud to find myself among you once again,” said Beaupré.
For her part, Novac thanked the squadron’s superiors for inviting her, while praising them for their good work among the City of Laval’s youths. “I urge you to continue to pursue your activities and I will be there to support you in everything you do,” she said.
Lanvac expands offerings with ‘Libris 2’ emergency communicator for seniors
Growth continues at Canada’s leading third-party alarm monitoring wholesaler
In the ever-evolving world of security and surveillance, Lanvac was promoting something new and quite advanced at the Security Canada East trade show at the Laval Sheraton on April 30.
Alarm dealers can now use the Lanvac.Mobi web app to run on and off system tests, check for signal history, request reports and even create new customer accounts or modify existing accounts, according to Stephanos Georgoudes, one of several members of a family who have been deeply committed to Lanvac for decades.
Exclusive to NBG
The company, Canada’s leading third-party wholesaler of alarm monitoring, monitors alarm systems for intrusion, fire and medical emergencies, and has a sister company, NBG Telecom, which sells alarm products to Lanvac dealers or to any other alarm services retailer for that matter.
Since last year, NBG has begun distributing the Libris 2 Personal Emergency Response Communicator from Numera exclusively in Canada. For vulnerable seniors and other at-risk persons, it is regarded as a comprehensive mobile safety and wellness solution that features fall detection, GPS location, 4G/LTE support and a 48-hour battery.
“We’re the only ones in Canada who have it,” Georgoudes said in an interview with Newsfirst Multimedia, noting that it’s a mobile medical pendant with two-way voice.
Automated two-way voice
Worn around the neck or on a belt, a button activates a medical event alarm which goes to the Lanvac central monitoring station, and a two-way voice call is automatically placed to a human operator at Lanvac. Along with the alarm signal, the user’s GPS coordinates are also automatically sent to central.
“If the person needs help, the operators know exactly where to dispatch the ambulance,” said Georgoudes, adding that the Libris 2 also has fall detection. If the device senses a sudden drop with a corresponding velocity of speed, a fall detection alert is sent out, and the alarm central immediately contacts the significant other responsible for the well-being of the user.
Monitoring with GPS
With the Libris 2, family also get access to an online portal that allows them to check in periodically on the loved-one who’s wearing a Libris pendant. Through GPS technology, they can set up a virtual geo-fence that will trigger notifications to family members if the user accidentally or unintentionally passes outside pre-set boundaries.
With Security Canada conventions also taking place in western and central Canada this year, the gatherings are always a time for security experts from across the country to focus on building and renewing relationships with hundreds of professionals deeply involved in Canada’s security services sector.
Deep roots in Montreal
Lanvac was founded by brothers John and Bill Georgoudes. Raised in Montreal’s Park Extension district – which was at one time home for most of the city’s Greeks – they turned their initially small burglar alarm business into a big-time contender.
Lanvac’s first monitoring station was in Montreal’s Parc Extension neighborhood, in the basement of a building at the corner of Durocher and Jean Talon. Bill got his elementary education at Barclay School on Wiseman Ave., while John attended Strathcona Academy in Outremont.
Bill received his secondary education at the former William Hingston High School, which has since become the area’s most important community centre. John attended another legendary secondary school, Baron Byng High, which was made famous internationally by Canadian novelist Mordecai Richler.
SPL hosts “coffee with a police officer”to break down barriers and brew trust
MATTHEW DALDALIAN | Local Journalism Initiative Reporter | matt.newsfirst@gmail.com
The scent of coffee mixed with the low hum of conversation at a McDonald’s on Saint-Martin Blvd. this week — not your typical morning scene, but a deliberate one.
Laval police officers took a step back from patrols and paperwork to meet citizens face-to-face as part of “grand café avec un policier,” (grand coffee with a police officer) a province-wide initiative aiming to foster dialogue between police and the communities they serve.
Held during Quebec’s official Police Week, the event created a relaxed setting for conversation, reflection, and the kind of small interactions aimed to humanize a uniform. “It’s all about creating a relaxed environment where officers can connect with citizens,” said Pierre Brochet, Director of the Laval Police Service (SPL), while pointing out an officer chatting with customers nearby.
“Too often, policing is only seen through a negative lens — use of force, difficult incidents that make the news. But at the end of the day, we’re people helping other people.” Brochet, who also serves as president of the Association des directeurs de police du Québec (ADPQ),said he launched a province-wide campaign three years ago aimed at reshaping public perceptions of police work.
He acknowledged that incidents like the George Floyd case in the U.S. sparked broader criticism of policing, including in Quebec. “At one point, I said: we need to start talking positively about this profession,” Brochet explained.
For some Laval residents, the event was a happy accident. Marthe-Élise Thomas, a science teacher at Secondary School Pierre-Laporte, hadn’t planned to stop in for coffee. “I had no idea,” she said. “I never go into McDonald’s.” Though she usually sticks to the drive-thru, a later start to her workday gave her the rare chance to sit down — and unexpectedly engage with local police.
Thomas, who was grading student work at a nearby table, accepted a coffee from one of the officers and came to understand the gesture was about more than just caffeine. She sensed the goal was to build a connection with the community. As someone with family ties to the profession — “my brother was a police officer,” she noted — Thomas said the event reaffirmed what she already knew about the people behind the badge.
“Police often have a bad reputation — people think they’re only around to hand out tickets,” she said. That kind of impact, according to SPL spokesperson Officer Nicolas Mongeau, is exactly the goal. “The event helps break down barriers between officers and citizens while strengthening trust in the police service,” he said.
“Meeting people in a context where we’re not responding to a call, but doing prevention work, gives them the chance to ask questions about what we do and better understand our role.” Mongeau explained that the initiative is part of the broader Intersection network — a coalition of police services across Quebec that coordinate public outreach and prevention strategies.
In Laval, that has included everything from in-restaurant events to soccer matches and even “lemonade with a cop” gatherings in local parks to reach younger audiences. And while the tone of the morning may have been casual, the concerns raised by residents were anything but.
“The most common questions are usually about road safety,” Mongeau noted. “People often bring up speeding on their street or reckless driving in the area— they’re concerned.” It’s an issue that hasn’t gone unnoticed by SPL leadership. According to Brochet, a survey conducted a few years ago revealed that 70% of Laval residents identified road safety as their primary concern — pointing to everyday issues like speeding, ignored stop signs, and dangerous driving near schools.
Brochet noted that events like this offer a chance to show parts of police work the public doesn’t always see. He referenced calls involving domestic violence as an example of the quieter, support-based aspects of the job that often go unnoticed.
Back at the Saint-Martin McDonald’s, the line for coffee may have been short, but the conversations were long, honest, and overdue. As Thomas quietly returned to her stack of student assignments, Brochet glanced across the room and summed up the scene simply: “We’re proud of the work we do.”
