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This Laval-based non-profit turns journalism, radio and podcasting into hands-on learning

Martin C. Barry
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This Laval-based non-profit turns journalism, radio and podcasting into hands-on learning

‘School is Loud’ promotes critical thinking by youths

As School is Loud founder and executive director Kostas Eleftheriou sees it, media creation is a way to put young people into action, investigating, verifying, questioning and publishing responsibly.

The work gives them the habits they need to better understand the world and engage with confidence, he says.

Through school journalism, radio, podcasting and School is Loud’s portable ‘Studio in a Box,’ students learn to research stories, prepare interviews and broadcast or publish the results.

Media and information literacy, critical thinking, digital citizenship, ethics and the responsible use of AI have been part of the organization’s approach from the beginning in 2022.

From the left, former Quebec Finance Minister Carlos Leitão (the current federal MP for Marc-Aurèle-Fortin) and current Quebec cabinet minister and MNA for Sainte-Rose Christopher Skeete (left centre ) are seen here during a Radio is Loud broadcast on August 11 using School is Loud’s mobile studio.

Based in Laval, School Is Loud exists to strengthen young people’s voices, their critical thinking and understanding of information, says Eleftheriou. The programs are designed and delivered independently.

School is Loud was founded on the premise that young people need supportive, safe spaces to question information, evaluate sources and form their own points of view. The group’s work, Eleftheriou says, opens those doors – in schools, in community organizations and on the airwaves.

Impact on youth of social media

From the left, School Is Loud founder Kostas Eleftheriou, Virginie Dufour, MNA for Mille-Îles and 450 Décibels host Bénédicte Elibert at School is Loud’s FM radio studio in Laval.

According to Eleftheriou, citing government of Quebec statistics, 67 per cent of 15-to-25-year-olds in Quebec –effectively more than one million young people – get news and information through TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and other social platforms, primarily in short, mobile formats.

School is Loud follows a method involving four gestures, always in this order: Doubt (question what is presented as obvious); Verify (weigh sources and separate fact from opinion); Formulate (build a reasoned position and put it to the test); and Speak Up (broadcast publicly and keep the conversation going).

School is Loud delivers its message through school programs such as media literacy workshops and in-class productions co-designed by teachers, youth and community organizations where the programs focus on public speaking and audio productions, as well as mobile studios and media experiences (a fully mobile production lab is used to meet youth directly in their communities).

Special guests Leitão and Skeete

One of School is Loud’s latest outdoor activities was held on August 11, with the studio set up on the banks of the Mille Îles River in Laval.

Carlos Leitão, Member of Parliament for Marc-Aurèle-Fortin and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry, and Christopher Skeete, Member of the National Assembly for Sainte-Rose who is Quebec Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie, answered questions from Laval teenagers about electric vehicles and the future of mobility.

The episodes will air during the upcoming second consecutive season of School is Loud’s radio program (450 Décibels) on CISM 89.3 FM (the University of Montreal’s campus radio station). On location, a fully electric MINI Cooper Countryman powered all of School is Loud’s audio-recording equipment, demonstrating the mobility and self-sufficiency of their setup.

“This is part of our mission,” Eleftheriou said in an interview with Newsfirst Multimedia. “We want a traditional media like radio to actually help students take over their parents’ airwaves.

“We’re trying to cultivate critical thinking and an understanding of how much power words have,” he continued. “They can use those words for good, but they have to be a bit more conscious of how much words can affect somebody even though they not always see it.”

Laval Mayor Stéphane Boyer (far right) and city Council president Cecilia Macedo (third from left) answered student-submitted questions live on air alongside a Secondary 1 student interviewer, Felix Olivier Proulx from Desjardins Caisse de l’Ouest de Laval, founder Kostas Eleftheriou and 450 Décibels host Benedicte Elibert.

All-electric mobile studio

School is Loud’s mobile radio studio is powered by a 100 per cent electric Mini Countryman provided by BMW Mini Laval. Both Leitão and Skeete, along with Laval-area MNAs Virginie Dufour and Céline Haytayan, have been steadfast supporters of School is Loud’s educational media mission, both on-air and in classrooms.

Over the next twelve months, School is Loud will be visiting schools, youth organizations, sporting events and communities throughout greater Montreal and across Quebec. The objective, according to Eleftheriou, is to go as far as Quebec’s electric grid and ferries allow, meet young people in their own communities and amplify their voices.

Now certified by UNESCO

School Is Loud recently announced that it had joined UNESCO’s Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Alliance as a member organization, effective immediately. The milestone followed the organization’s recent registration as a Canadian charity.

According to Eleftheriou, MIL membership will now provide School is Loud with an international framework in which to deepen, document and share work already well established in the field. He said School Is Loud aims to contribute to MIL exchanges in Quebec, across Canada and within the Alliance’s international network while continuing to expand its school journalism initiatives.

City management shortcomings persist, Laval’s auditor general says in latest report

Martin C. Barry
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City management shortcomings persist, Laval’s auditor general says in latest report

Performance audits for 2025 and earlier ‘highlight common problems,’ says France Lessard

In her latest report on performance audits for the 2025 operations of the City of Laval, municipal auditor general France Lessard draws attention to “common problems” in the city’s departments and services, including planning, accountability and governance.

The latest annual report by Lessard was tabled at the August city council earlier this month.

Lessard said that the implementation rate of recommendations, calculated during the fourth year following the filing of the audit reports, remained high. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

In it, she presents, among other things, the results of three performance audits, an audit of the City of Laval’s consolidated financial statements, and a follow-up to recommendations concerning her 2021-2024 annual reports.

Issues to be addressed

“The performance audits conducted in 2025 or in previous years highlight common problems, particularly regarding the quality of asset data, the updating of master and strategic plans and accountability and governance,” Lessard stated during a briefing for journalists a few days after council received the report.

“In a context where the city will have to prioritize its investments and ensure the sustainability of its assets, these issues will need to be addressed through structural actions, relevant indicators and strengthened governance,” she added.

Lessard’s first audit concerned library planning. Although the City of Laval adopted a 2020-2036 library master plan and a 2021-2025 strategic plan, the audit suggested several shortcomings in the planning process.

According to Lessard, the master plan was primarily focused on infrastructure and did not adequately integrate financial, human and documentary resources.

She also said the lack of performance indicators, measurable results and a formal accountability mechanism limited city council’s ability to monitor progress toward objectives.

Governance and management

Lessard’s second audit focused on the governance and management of asset maintenance programs in buildings, parks and public spaces. For the period 2025-2027, the city’s Buildings, Parks and Public Spaces Service (SIPEP) was responsible for administering a budget of over $98.6 million, of which $52.2 million was allocated to these programs.

Her audit revealed that despite the existence of oversight mechanisms, SIPEP had not fully embraced the requirements and did not systematically use the tools at its disposal. This situation, she maintained, prevented SIPEP from accurately assessing the maintenance deficit of its assets, measuring the impact of investments made and determining actual long-term needs.

According to Lessard, project selection and planning were also not based on a comprehensive vision or a sufficiently robust and transparent methodology. Finally, the accountability mechanisms provided for in the governance framework adopted in 2022 were not being fully implemented, she added.

Limitations to reporting

Apart from the financial monitoring of the city’s three-year capital asset program and certain specific obligations, she noted that no complete annual report makes allowance for the tracking of completed, delayed or cancelled projects, nor for demonstrating their contribution to reducing the asset maintenance deficit.

The administration is on track to implement the majority of her past recommendations, says City of Laval auditor general France Lessard. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

Lessard’s third audit focused on the awarding and management of contracts for the city’s digital projects. Her investigation revealed that outlined needs were generally well-defined for the IT solutions acquisition contracts examined, but that the justification for the time and resource estimates in the framework contracts for professional services was poorly supported.

Furthermore, some shortcomings were observed in the market analysis or analysis of available options. For these framework contracts, according to Lessard, monitoring compliance with hourly rates and authorized amounts proved sometimes to be inadequate, with some suppliers continuing their work without formal renewal of their mandates.

A quality control issue

The audit also highlighted variable and poorly structured coaching of external consultants. For fixed-price contracts, she said quality control and approval of deliverables were not always documented before payment.

Lessard, as the city’s internal chief auditor, jointly with Deloitte, the City of Laval’s external auditor, issued an unqualified opinion on the city’s consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2025.

Lessard said that the implementation rate of recommendations, calculated during the fourth year following the filing of the audit reports, remained high, at 89 per cent for the audits of the 2021 annual report, compared to 98 per cent for those of the 2020 annual report, including recognition of satisfactory progress.

Recommendations ‘on track’

“The administration is on track to implement the majority of the recommendations,” she said, while adding, however, that the city will need to keep up its efforts to complete the recommended actions “and achieve the expected results.”

Lessard said that for the period from January 1 to December 31 in 2024, 70 entities received a grant exceeding $100,000 (64 entities in 2023). The amounts paid by the city totaled $21,500,735 ($17,732,869 in 2023). Of these, six were not compliant because they had not submitted audited financial statements.

To better assess the impact of actions undertaken by the city, Lessard said her office will continue monitoring the recommendations related to the audit of the long-term investment planning and the three-year capital works program for two additional years.

A reminder about speed limits in Laval

Martin C. Barry
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A reminder about speed limits in Laval

With a new slogan reminding residents to take it easy while out driving the car, bike or scooter, the city notes that the speed limit on residential streets and avenues is now 30 km/h.

So, whether you’re driving a car, motorcycle, bicycle or scooter, according to the city the best way to improve safety is to drive slowly. That’s why, in Laval, the speed limit has been reduced by 10 km/h in urban areas.

While the city is doing its part to promote motor vehicle safety, it’s also calling on residents with a strong sense of duty to try raising awareness in their neighborhoods this summer and into the fall.

The city’s suggestion? Put up a ‘Slow Down’ sign on your property to encourage people on your street to drive more slowly. But there’s also something new: now you can personalize your sign with a sticker bearing your neighborhood’s name.

It’s a simple way, says the city, to show that your neighborhood is working towards safer streets. You can visit one of Laval’s many municipal library branches to pick up the sign and sticker.

But getting back to speed, how fast should you drive on Laval’s streets? Slowly and gently is the City of Laval’s suggestion.

On local streets, the posted limit is 30 km/h. These are the streets in your neighborhood where there is little traffic but often children play while adults are nearby chatting.

You should also keep in mind that the speed limit is reduced to 30 km/h as well near primary schools and children’s playgrounds.

On collector streets, the speed limit is 40 km/h. What are collector streets? These are the streets you use to get from your local street to the main roads. As there is slightly more traffic on these streets than on local streets, a higher speed limit is permitted. Bus routes often pass along these streets as well.

On main roads, the speed limit is 50 km/h. These are the boulevards where there is a lot of traffic. Previously, speed limits varied here, depending on the number of residences and businesses. The speed limit has now been standardized and reduced, according to the city.

Outside the City of Laval’s urbanized areas where there are still farmlands and woods, the speed limit remains at between 50 and 70 km/h. In industrial, rural or semi-rural areas, such as Côte Saint-François, the speed limits remain the same.

The city advises that you can never be too careful when it comes to driving and speed. In Laval, the number of accidents increased by 9 per cent between 2021 and 2022. So, driving 10 kilometers at 70 km/h in a 50 km/h zone will save you barely four minutes.

As well, it is estimated that if every driver reduced their average speed by 5 km/h, the number of deaths and injuries on Laval’s roads would decrease by 15 per cent.

It’s also worth noting that excessive speed is the main cause of accidents in road construction zones. Every year, approximately 1,000 construction sites are set up in Laval to maintain the city’s roads and infrastructure. While the work is considered essential, it also requires extra caution.

Behind every orange cone, says the city, there are workers who rely on your vigilance. It is suggested that in construction zones, you adopt the right habits: respect posted speed limits and slow down as soon as you approach a construction site, even if no one is visible.

Still time to catch a free summertime show outside Place Bell

In case you’re looking for something to do during what’s left of the summer, the City of Laval is offering free entertainment outside Place Bell until September 13.

Claude-Gagné Street near Place Bell has been made pedestrian-friendly, transformed into a vibrant hub of activity where music, comedy, dance, artistic discoveries and participatory events are taking place.

Free and open to all, the colorful program has featured artists like Ariane Roy, Bon Enfant, Marie Céleste, Korine Côté, and many others throughout the summer.

For example, shows scheduled for this Thursday August 27 and Friday August 28 respectively are Marie Céleste and Anyma Ora’, both at 7:30 pm.

“No need to cross the bridge to access a diverse and high-quality cultural offering,” said Mayor Stéphane Boyer.

“This initiative illustrates our desire to animate public spaces, support cultural vitality and continue the transformation of our city centre into a true living environment that reflects the image of the people of Laval,” he added.

July derailment spurs demand for thorough railway inspections in Laval

Martin C. Barry
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July derailment spurs demand for thorough railway inspections in Laval

Boyer defends ‘big projects’ like Place Bell, as city records $11.3 million deficit

In the aftermath of a 46-car freight train derailment in July in Repentigny that forced the evacuation of more than 200 residents, Action Laval tried without success during the August 11 Laval city council meeting to initiate a debate on a motion demanding that a thorough inspection of railway lines be carried out in Laval immediately.

Mayor Stéphane Boyer defended his administration’s decision to promote smaller projects in Laval’s districts, while justifying major projects like Place Bell. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

The proposal, tabled by Action Laval city councillor for Saint-Bruno David De Cotis, called for a full inspection of the railway infrastructure used for freight transport within Laval.

Demanding an inspection

In the proposal, the opposition party requested that the city formally contact the CPKC railroad as well as the Quebec-Gatineau Railway (CFQG) to conduct a thorough inspection of their tracks, ties and switches and submit a detailed report to the city.

The request was a direct result of the derailment of the railcars on July 5 in Repentigny, where the Transportation Safety Board of Canada ended up identifying major anomalies, including misaligned ties and missing anti-rail guards.

In a statement issued by Transport Canada a few days after the derailment, the federal agency responsible for the Transportation Safety Board of Canada said it understood “the concern and disruption this incident has caused for the Repentigny community and understand the importance of restoring confidence that the railway is operating safely.”

Laval train derailment in 2017

“Two railway lines run through Laval, passing by residential neighbourhoods, parks and even daycare centres,” De Cotis said in a statement issued by Action Laval. “After what happened in Repentigny, it is completely irresponsible not to immediately demand a preventative inspection of our infrastructure.”

The incident in Repentigny was a reminder of a train derailment that took place in Laval in October 2017. In that case, around a half-dozen out of total of 99 rail cars carrying an assortment of freight – including highly-volatile propane – left the rails after passing on a bridge going from Laval to Terrebonne over the Rivière des Mille Îles.

“Laval families deserve better than a city council that turns a blind eye to known risks,” said Action Laval leader Achille Cifelli. “Public safety should never be a partisan issue.”

“After what happened in Repentigny, it is completely irresponsible not to immediately demand a preventative inspection of our infrastructure,” Action Laval city councillor for Saint-Bruno David De Cotis said during the Aug. 11 city council meeting. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

Deficit criticized by opponents

When the City of Laval recently declared an $11.3 million operating deficit after filing its mid-year financial statement, it was only a matter of time before there was a reaction from the public.

During the August council meeting’s question period, Stéphane Chambon demanded answers from Mayor Stéphane Boyer. “Our net debt is now approaching $1.2 billion,” Chambon said.

“And in spite of this situation, it continues to progress year after year. Mister mayor: where is the limit? At what level of indebtedness will your administration finally decide to slow down, to prioritize and to make choices, because it’s not possible to do everything at the same time.

“Are you ready to present a real plan to control the debt with clear priorities and projects that could be postponed, three-dimensioned or abandoned?” Chambon added.

Big versus small projects

Before responding, Mayor Boyer said he was not surprised by Chambon’s line of questioning since Chambon is a member of Action Laval’s executive committee.

While noting that council’s opposition forces continue to insist the administration is still focused on large and costly projects, Boyer declared that his team has in fact been concentrating more attention lately on smaller and more local projects.

Laval city council on August 11. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

As an example, he cited the combination library/community centre and other projects built in recent years in Saint-François, the district overseen by Action Laval councillor Isabelle Piché. “Same thing for Mr. De Cotis – also a community centre, a dog park, the makeover of a synthetic sports field, a skatepark soon,” said Boyer.

“Investments in the districts, there are some everywhere,” he continued. “Unfortunately, the opposition positions itself as always against projects which are a bit larger. But for me, a larger project is not bad, taking the example of Place Bell.

One of Laval’s best assets, says Boyer

“Back then, Place Bell was being contested and it was being said it was too expensive, that it wasn’t worth it and that in Laval it was better to have just two or three district arenas,” said Boyer. “But today, I consider that Place Bell is one of the best assets the city has to make Laval known.

“We have more than a hundred shows there annually. We have the Rocket to stir people, we have the Victoire. When we go to Place Bell and experience an event in a large group, I think we can feel proud of our city. We need both, yes. We need large projects because we are a large city – the third largest city in Quebec – and smaller projects in the districts which is what we are doing.”

Laval News Volume 34-16

Laval News Staff
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Laval News Volume 34-16

The current issue of the Laval News, volume 34-16, published on August 26th, 2026.
Covering Laval local news, politics, and sports.
(Click on the image to read the paper.)

Two injured during armed assault near Chomedey’s Berthiaume du Tremblay Park

Martin C. Barry
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Two injured during armed assault near Chomedey’s Berthiaume du Tremblay Park

Two people were injured during the mid-afternoon on Monday August 24 in an armed assault near Berthiaume du Tremblay Park in Chomedey.

The Laval Police Service said officers were called around 3:30 p.m. for an incident on Lévesque Boulevard West near the park on the edge of the Rivière des Prairies.

There, officers found a teenager and a young adult, both with stab wounds.

The two were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to an SPL spokesperson.

No arrests have been made and an investigation is underway.

Technical inspection to close Samson exit on northbound A-13 overnight Aug. 16

Martin C. Barry
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Technical inspection to close Samson exit on northbound A-13 overnight Aug. 16

Quebec’s highways ministry is warning motorists who use Autoroute 13 that a technical inspection to be conducted overnight Aug. 16 will force the closing of the exit road leading towards Samson, Notre-Dame and Saint-Martin boulevards from 10 pm until 5 am on Aug. 17.

According to the provincial ministry, temporary detour signage on the A-13’s Exit 12 will be in place to guide motorists.

However, the work may be postponed, extended or cancelled due to adverse weather conditions or operational constraints.

To stay informed about all disruptions related to this work and for updates, motorists are advised to consult Québec 511 when planning trips.

The Québec 511 mobile app can also be downloaded to activate notifications.

Back-to-back beverage and health festivals help celebrate summer in Laval

Martin C. Barry
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Back-to-back beverage and health festivals help celebrate summer in Laval

Festival des Vins et Spiritueux and Festival Manger Santé draw 10,000 guests

Organizers of the Festival des Vins et Spiritueux de Laval and the inaugural Festival Manger Santé de Laval which were held in July say both festivals were an outstanding success.

The Festival des Vins et Spiritueux de Laval celebrates wine, spirits and gourmet experiences, while the Festival Manger Santé de Laval promotes healthy living through nutrition, wellness and local entrepreneurship.

Together, according to the organizers, the two summertime events are establishing themselves as part of Laval’s signature summer festival experience – a celebration where culture, commerce, community and discovery come together.

Each event featured more than 50 exhibitors and attracted over 5,000 visitors each to Centropolis Laval for two consecutive weekends.

David De Cotis (second from right) is seen here with Festival Manger Santé de Laval exhibitor representatives in July.

More reason to be proud

“Our vision has always been to create festivals that celebrate people, culture and local entrepreneurship while giving residents another reason to be proud of their city,” said festival co-organizer David De Cotis, who is also the Laval city councillor for Saint-Bruno.

“Seeing more than 10,000 people attend our events confirms that Laval was ready for experiences like these,” he added. “We are building something that we believe will become a tradition for generations to come.”

Regarding the Festival Manger Santé, De Cotis agreed it’s an area of consumer interest where there is a great deal of room for growth.

With an aging population increasingly focused on personal wellness and health, in conjunction with a decline in the ready availability of public health services, it’s difficult to predict expanding interest in the sector.

A focus on wellness

“There’s a huge event like this that takes place in Montreal and we wanted to do something similar in Laval that meets the needs of the people here,” De Cotis said. “As people are aging, they are paying more and more attention to their bodies. So, this is a beautiful niche to offer these products and services in Laval.”

The organizers were able to convince at least one major sponsor, health food retailer Marchés TAU, to jump aboard and anchor the Festival Manger Santé de Laval. According to De Cotis, that crucial support encouraged smaller businesses and entrepreneurs to also sign on as exhibitors.

According to the organizers, the festivals attracted visitors from Laval, Montreal and from across the greater Montreal region, while showcasing local businesses, wineries, distilleries, food producers, health and wellness organizations, artisans and community partners.

Enthusiasm beyond expectations

Together, they say, the two festivals generated significant economic activity and strengthened Laval’s position as an exciting summer destination.

“The enthusiasm from both our exhibitors and our visitors exceeded every expectation,” said James Bissi, another festival co-organizer.

“Many exhibitors have already expressed their desire to return next year, which is the greatest compliment we could receive,” he continued. “Their confidence tells us that these festivals create real value – not only for businesses, but for the entire community.”

With more than 10,000 visitors combined and over 100 exhibitors participating across both festivals, the organizers maintain that the events are becoming strong contenders in the region’s most anticipated summer celebrations.

Planning next year’s events

They say planning is already underway for the 2027 editions, with expanded programming, new attractions and announcements on developments to come.

“From the very beginning, our objective was to create events that unite people through exceptional food, beverages, wellness and culture while showcasing everything Laval has to offer,” said Emilio Migliozzi, another co-organizer.

“The response from the public has been remarkable, and we are excited to continue growing these festivals into a signature summer tradition that attracts visitors from across Quebec,” he said.

In life as in the world of entrepreneurialism and community engagement, networking occupies a very important place.

As such, De Cotis acknowledged in an interview with The Laval News that each of the three co-organizers, who formed a committee to oversee the two festivals, is (or was at one time) affiliated with the Action Laval municipal party.

A political connection

James Bissi (who is De Cotis’s nephew, according to De Cotis) was Action Laval’s candidate in the district of Sainte-Dorothée in the 2025 municipal elections. However, Bissi has distanced himself from the party since then and is no longer a registered member, according to De Cotis.

As for Migliozzi, he served Action Laval as a political attaché as recently as 2014. Apart from that, he was an early supporter of the Mouvement lavallois, which now holds the most seats in Laval city council, although he left to join Action Laval.

In spite of the shared connection, De Cotis insisted they went to great lengths to keep politics out of the two festivals.

“This is not political at all and I don’t want Action Laval to be involved in this,” he said. “We purposely didn’t put anything related to politics. We didn’t ask any municipal councillors to be sponsors in any way.”

Community leaders honored at ‘Recognition Evening’ by Sona Lakhoyan Olivier

Martin C. Barry
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Community leaders honored at ‘Recognition Evening’ by Sona Lakhoyan Olivier

It was ‘an opportunity to express my sincere gratitude,’ says independent Chomedey MNA

In a celebration of generosity, civic engagement and community spirit, more than 140 guests gathered on the evening of July 21 at the Armenian Community Centre on Elizabeth Blvd. in Chomedey for a Recognition Evening hosted by Sona Lakhoyan Olivier, the MNA for Chomedey.

The evening recognized the outstanding contributions of organizations, cultural communities, volunteers, partners, community leaders and local media “whose dedication and commitment continue to strengthen the Chomedey community and enhance the quality of life of its residents,” a spokesperson for Lakhoyan Olivier’s said in a statement.

FILIA executive-director Johanna Tsoublekas (third from right) and other FILIA supporters and board members were among the 140 people presented with certificates of appreciation by Chomedey MNA Sona Lakhoyan Olivier. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

An expression of appreciation

Bringing together representatives from across Laval, the event – which included wine, canapés and a lavish seafood buffet served afterwards – was “a heartfelt expression of appreciation for those who dedicate their time, energy and passion to building a more inclusive, caring and vibrant community,” the spokesperson added.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of certificates of appreciation, the Médaille de souvenir de l’Assemblée nationale du Québec, as well as the Inukshuk Award, to individuals whose exceptional leadership, volunteerism and community involvement were judged to have made a lasting and meaningful impact on Chomedey.

Chomedey MNA Sona Lakhoyan Olivier is seen here with one of the Inukshuk Awards she presented to a select number of community leaders in her riding during a Recognition Evening held on July 13 at the Armenian Community Centre. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

“Over the past four years, I have had the privilege of working alongside remarkable individuals and organizations whose dedication inspires me every day,” said Lakhoyan Olivier who was elected as a Quebec Liberal in 2022 before becoming independent.

“This evening was an opportunity to express my sincere gratitude and recognize the invaluable contributions that make Chomedey such a welcoming and dynamic community,” she said.

The evening also highlighted a fundraising initiative in support of the Fondation Cité de la Santé de Laval. Through the generosity of attendees, a total of $3,775 was raised during the event.

MNA’s matching donation to hospital

Lakhoyan Olivier reaffirmed her commitment to match the collected donations, while also pledging an additional $5,000 grant through the Subvention au bénévolat program to help the Fondation Cité de la Santé de Laval continue its mission and services.

Local organizers for the Pan Armenian Games were also presented with certificates and tokens of appreciation. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

While explaining the work done by the Fondation Cité de la Santé, André Malacket, executive-director of the foundation, noted that Cité de la Santé will soon be celebrating its 50th anniversary. He said they are currently in the midst of organizing a major event set to take place in the main ice rink at Place Bell in Laval in September 2027.

Malacket said he recently asked his board what they thought of the idea of going all out during the 50th anniversary by setting a $50 million fundraising goal. “That’s what we’re going to be announcing very soon,” he said, adding that the target amount hadn’t yet been made public.

At the same time, Malacket said efforts have begun to recruit new members to the Fondation Cité de la Santé. “We need to diversify the composition of the administrative board. When I went in, it was obvious to me it was a boys’ club. And there were no women, no representatives from the ethnic communities.”

Diversifying the hospital’s board

Constantine ‘Gus’ Milonopoulos and Aglaia Revelakis were presented by Lakhoyan Olivier with a statuette and medallion respectively for their support for the Club social du Manoir Laval which serves senior residents of Chomedey. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

He said the foundation is currently searching for leaders from Laval’s multicultural communities to join the Fondation Cité de la Santé board. “It’s important for us to diversify the board, especially to reach our 50th anniversary fundraising goals.”

With more than 140 attendees, “the Recognition Evening reflected the strength, diversity and solidarity that define Chomedey,” added the spokesperson’s statement. “It was a meaningful opportunity to celebrate achievements, recognize community excellence, and reinforce the importance of collaboration.”

The evening concluded with a well-stocked buffet prepared by P.B. Banquet, allowing guests to continue celebrating, connecting and sharing throughout the remaining evening.

Lakhoyan Olivier extended her heartfelt appreciation to all attendees, volunteers, organizations, partners and community leaders “whose continued dedication helps build a stronger, more united and more prosperous Chomedey,” she said.

More than 20,000 attended Rose-Art’s 30th annual Symposium Ste-Rose

Martin C. Barry
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More than 20,000 attended Rose-Art’s 30th annual Symposium Ste-Rose

Artists and sculptors showcased their best in Laval’s Vieux Sainte-Rose

Attendance at the Symposium Ste-Rose was up this year, possibly because of the good weather, according to Oprina Félicia Dolea, president of the Corporation Rose-Art which organizes the symposium. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia)

While summer rain in recent years has been a constant worry for the organizers of the annual Symposium Ste-Rose, there was hardly a drop of moisture in the air during this year’s three-day art event. However, the threat came from another force of nature – wind.

As most of the artists exhibit their works outdoors in tents, efforts this year to set up the equipment in Laval’s Vieux Sainte-Rose neighborhood had its challenging moments, according to Oprina Félicia Dolea, president of the Corporation Rose-Art which organizes the symposium.

Coping with nature’s forces

“We started installing them at six in the evening the day before we opened and we had to deal with the wind – but now everything is okay,” she said.

If anything, the lack of rain seemed to have encouraged people to turn out in larger than usual numbers this year – which was the Symposium Ste-Rose’s 30th anniversary. For some of the artists, that meant brisk sales of art pieces and canvases – or just greater public exposure for their art.

From July 23 to 26, appreciators of quality sculpture and art from all over Quebec, as well as Ontario and other parts of eastern Canada, gathered in Vieux Sainte Rose for an event that has come to be recognized as one of Quebec’s leading and most prestigious outdoor art shows.

Shirley Théroux singer and artist

For the third time, the organizers were able to persuade legendary Quebec singer Shirley Théroux – a talented visual artist in addition to her musical talents – to be the official spokesperson for the symposium.

Renowned Quebec chanteuse Shirley Théroux (seen here with one of her abstract paintings) was the official spokesperson for the 2026 Symposium Ste-Rose. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia)

Théroux had a string of hits in Quebec, as well as in Eastern Ontario, Atlantic Canada and other French-speaking regions of the country, during the 1960s and 1970s. She was also a highly popular late-afternoon program host on French-language television in Quebec. Several of Théroux’s art works were featured in a special segment of the 2026 symposium.

After years of developing herself as a painter of figurative or representational art, Shirley Théroux exhibited a selection of paintings she produced since last year as abstracts. “I worked on this one six months,” she said in an interview, noting that abstract is far more difficult, requiring more concentration than most people imagine.

AI makes inroads into art

“It takes time to study your canvas, to verify the colors to see that everything is in the right place – why there is green here and black there – it’s not just tossing paint randomly – it’s not like that at all,” she added.

As Artificial Intelligence continues to make its way into a growing number of sectors of human activity, it was only a matter of time before AI would begin to influence the world of art – and the Symposium Ste-Rose.

Oprina Félicia Dolea acknowledged that she and others in the art collective were aware that AI might actually have been used to help create some works in this year’s symposium, while adding that Rose-Arts has no guidelines or rules for how AI is used by participating artists. Still, she suggested it could have legitimate uses in the creation of art as a new kind of tool alongside canvases, paints and brushes.

Among the artists from outside Laval who exhibited at this year’s Symposium Ste-Rose was Maria Astadjov from Deux-Montagnes on the North Shore. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia)

Home of renowned artists

In addition to Théroux’s support, the symposium’s honorary president this year was Christopher Skeete, Member of the Quebec National Assembly for Sainte-Rose.

As always, the symposium took place alongside the Rivière des Mille-Îles in the charming and historic Laval neighbourhood. The village is renowned as the birthplace of internationally-acclaimed Québécois painter Marc-Aurèle Fortin. Sainte-Rose was also at one time the home of landscape painter Clarence Gagnon. Both influenced generations of artists in Quebec as well as around the world.

Awards of excellence

After winning a range of awards for excellence over nearly three decades, the symposium’s organizing committee continues to uphold the standards that have established the Symposium Ste-Rose’s reputation for excellence in art circles across eastern Canada.

In 2019, the Laval Chamber of Commerce and Industry presented them with a Dunamis award for helping to promote tourism in Laval. They were also a finalist for a second Dunamis in 2020 and 2022, as an environmentally-sustainable organization or enterprise.

An estimated 20,000 people attended. Although most are usually from the Laval and greater Montreal regions, the busy vacation season typically also draws in visitors from Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, as well as from the U.S. states of New York, New Hampshire and Vermont.

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