(TLN)
The members of the City of Laval’s executive-committee made several significant
decisions on Aug. 14 involving grants to local community organizations, as well
as an agreement involving the development of Laval’s downtown core.
Subsidies for groups
The
executive-committee members approved a subsidy from the Social Economy Fund
(FES) of almost $100,000. The sum will be divided between several community groups
in Laval.
For
example, Diapason-Jeunesse will be receiving $10,000 in order to assess the
shared use by several organizations of a single space administered by a
cooperative. As well, the SCAMA Centre is receiving a $30,000 subsidy to put
into a place a multiservice client service desk.
More subsidies
As
well, the Association des résidents de Champfleury and Loisirs Renaud-Coursol
will each be receiving $5,000 each to work out their strategic planning. And Théâtre
Bluff will be receiving $30,000 to further their growth and increase their
exposure through publicity and marketing.
Since
the beginning of this year, the executive-committee has approved subsidies from
the Fonds Jeunes Promoteurs in the amount of $70,000 to help young
entrepreneurs create their own businesses.
CSDL receives funds
The
executive-committee also approved a $52,000 subsidy to the Centre communautaire
Val-Martin. At the same time, the executive-committee approved a $20,000 grant
to the Commission scolaire de Laval for their “Accessibilité culture” project
to encourage access to culture for the largest number of students possible.
Finally,
the executive-committee recommended to city council that they approve an
agreement between the city and the Senseable City Consortium (SCC) at Massachusetts
Institute of Technology (MIT). Through the agreement, the Senseable City Lab is
mandated explore and find innovative new ways to develop the City of Laval’s
growing downtown core.
Chomedey MNA Guy Ouellette and Saint-Martin city councillor Aline Dib are seen here organizers and volunteers during the Fête de Quartier de Chomedey last Saturday in Labelle Park.
Martin C. Barry
Hundreds
of residents of Chomedey got to meet their neighbours while enjoying a day of
fun and games at Parc Labelle near the heart of the district on Aug. 24 when
they turned out for the 11th annual Fête de Quartier de Chomedey.
Great summer weather
Many
moms, dads, children and grandparents enjoyed a day that was unmatched for fine
late summer weather. They saw stage entertainment and organized events for the
kids. And, as is the case each year, the Fête de Quartier promoted healthy
living.
Among
the many things to see and do were inflatable games, demonstrations of martial
arts by experts, dancing on stage, and information booths sponsored by community
organizations.
Among the elected officials who came out to greet
their constituents during the afternoon were Chomedey MNA Guy Ouellette,
Saint-Martin city councillor Aline Dib and Chomedey city councillor Aglaia
Revelakis.
Among the sports activities to be enjoyed were scrimmage soccer matches.
A learning
experience
“This is a good way for the Chomedey residents to come
out and learn about the different services that are available to them,” said
Revelakis. “They can also enjoy all the activities, including many for the
kids. But this is mostly a day for the kids to come out and have fun before
they go back to school.”
“For us, this is a tradition around the end of the
summer and an opportunity to spend some time with our citizens,” said Dib. “It
is also important for me to be here with my constituents,” added Ouellette.
New
location this year
This was the first year the Fête
de Quartier de Chomedey took place in Labelle Park, after being staged
previously in Pie X Park. Marlène
Paradis, a spokesperson for the
organizing committee, said the organizers wanted to hold the event this year in
a location that was closer to the centre of Chomedey.
According to Paradis, more than 20 organizations
accepted an invitation to take part. They included Le Chez Moi des Petits, the
City of Laval’s mobile public library, the Centre communautaire Val-Martin, Au
Panier de Chomedey and the Maison d’enfants Le Dauphin.
The current issue of the Laval News volume 27-16 published August 28th, 2019, (Laval’s English Newspaper) covers local events such as politics, sports and human-interest stories. It features editorials and other columns. Click on the image to read the paper.
Front page of Laval News, Vol. 27-16
August 28, 2019.
Some of the CTCC members and memorabilia dealers who attended this year’s convention held Aug. 17 at Collège Citoyen in Laval.
Martin C. Barry
After introducing much of the rest of the country to
the joys of collecting memorabilia issued by Canada’s most iconic retailer,
members of the Canadian Tire Collectors Club chose Laval for their 17th
annual national convention earlier this month.
Canadian
Tire collectibles
Held on Aug. 17 at Collège
Citoyen in Sainte-Rose, the all-day event brought together several dozen
collectors who are fascinated with every kind of Canadian Tire memorabilia, including
the company’s emblematic discount bank notes, as well as books and toys imprinted
with the famous Canadian Tire logo.
Like-minded
collectors of Canadian Tire items first formed the Canadian Tire Collectors
Club in 1990. Since then, the value of CT collectibles has risen exponentially.
A Canadian Tire die-cast truck was sold by one dealer at this year’s convention
for $1,000.
All kinds of
memorabilia
While
the first collectors were interested primarily in bank notes, since then others
have expanded with the collection of old CTC catalogues, limited edition
die-cast cars and trucks, commemorative pins, colourful gift cards, tokens and
limited edition coins.
However,
the list goes on to include such odd items as patches, frisbees, hockey pucks
and golf balls, all of which have become Canadian Tire specialty memorabilia
among certain more advanced collectors.
Left, Jerome Fourre of Blainville, who organized this year’s national CTCC convention, is seen here with a buyer of some of his extensive line of Canadian Tire collectibles.
A Canada-wide
gathering
This year’s convention was organized by Jerome Fourre,
a resident of Blainville on the North Shore, who’s been collecting CTC
memorabilia since 1987. Last year’s CTCC convention took place in Edmundston,
NB and the group’s gatherings have taken place in major cities virtually
everywhere in the country.
Fourre had previously been a collector of Canadian
government-issued coins. However, following a home robbery, during which the
thieves made off with everything except his collection of Canadian Tire money,
Fourre decided the most secure investment in collectibles he could make was
Canadian Tire bank notes. He has stuck faithfully to that formula since then.
Valuable
memorabilia
“At that time no one appreciated Canadian Tire money,”
he said in an interview. Some examples of CTC bank notes in his collection that
have become valuable are a $1 bill now valued at $600. Another note is worth
$3,000. He estimates his $25,000 in face-value CTC notes are worth $500,000
based on their value to collectors. He figures his entire collection is worth
around $1million.
Collectors of ubiquitous Canadian Tire bank notes
grade it based on a value system identical to one used for establishing the
collectors value of regular bank notes. The Canadian Bank Note Co., which
prints all of Canada’s currency, has printed Canadian Tire money since 1972,
prior to which it was printed by the British American Bank Note Co.
Paper notes
still circulate
Although Canadian Tire Corp. announced the cancellation
of its bank note program five years ago, according to Fourre the company never
moved forward with the plan and CTC money continues to be issued and circulated
to this day.
Among Fourre’s most valuable memorabilia is a 1927 CTC
catalogue issued just a year after the company first started publishing them.
He has more than 600 catalogues in his collection, as well as an assortment of
Canadian Tire license plates. A special sub-category of his overall collection
enshrines memorabilia issued to commemorate Canadian Tire’s 75th
anniversary in 1996-97.
Conrad Lauzon of Edmundston, NB was among the many Canadian Tire memorabilia collectors who met in Laval for their 17th annual Canada-wide gathering.
Why they
chose Laval
Although the club might have chosen central Montreal
to stage this year’s CTCC gathering, Fourre explained why they chose Laval. “We
were looking around and we found the location of Laval is ideal,” he said,
noting the city’s direct access to Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport along
Autoroute 13. As well, he said Laval’s hotel accommodations are more reasonably
priced than in Montreal.
Among the collectors from all over Canada who came to
Laval for the Canadian Tire collectors
Club’s 17th annual gathering was Conrad Lauzon, a former Canadian
Tire store operator/owner who is now retired after 40 years of service.
Values his
CTC service pins
“My first discount coupon, which I acquired in 1972, I
still have in my possession,” he told The Laval News, while adding that it is
not for sale. Lauzon’s most treasured collectibles are the service pins he
received over the course of the four decades he spent affiliated with the
corporation.
Lauzon had the great honour during his career of meeting
several members of the Billes family, who founded and continue to take an
active interest in the company. Canadian Tire was founded in Toronto in 1922 by
brothers John William Billes and Alfred Jackson Billes. A.J. Billes’s daughter,
Martha, owns a controlling share of the company’s common stocks to this day.
A preview of some of the spectacular light displays to be seen at Illumi, which opens in Laval in early November.
Martin C. Barry
Laval Mayor Marc Demers, Quebec Tourism Minister Caroline Proulx and Cavalia founder Normand Latourelle met at Cavalia’s
offices on Aug. 20 to unveil Illumi,
a spectacular outdoor light show that will be held in Laval from early November
through the Christmas holidays.
The lights were switched off at Cavalia on d’Iberville Street in Montreal as
dignitaries and guests wandered through the glow of light structures that will
decorate the gigantic Illumi site.
10 million
points of light
Located alongside Autoroute 15 near downtown Laval where Cavalia staged
their spectacular equestrian shows for many years, the Illumi site
measures 50,600-square metres – an area equivalent to 30 hockey rinks.
When completed, the Illumi show will illuminate the night
with more than 10 million brilliant lights in the largest multimedia sound
and light show on the planet, according to its creators.
The night-time outdoor event, which Cavalia says will
be “a magical, captivating and extraordinary journey” created from thousands of
colourful light structures, will be open until early January 2020.
Guests at the Illumi preview last week got a glimpse of the light show, opening in November, from this scale-model.
Five-year
contract with city
Ticket prices will be ranging from $14.50 to $26.50 (+
taxes). The City of Laval has signed a contract with the company that will see
the show or a variation of it continue over a period of five years.
“I am very happy to have Cavalia returning to our city
with a new, unique, world-class artistic concept that will make Laval shine,”
said Demers. “We have entered into an agreement for the production of this
event, with an investment of $750,000 over five years that will generate major
economic benefits for Laval and for Quebec as a whole.
Local
employment creation
“This event will also make it possible to support over
120 jobs, most of which will be right here in Laval,” he added. “We believe
that with Illumi
we will continue to rank as a choice tourist destination.”
Proulx announced a $2 million subsidy for the Illumi
project as part of the Quebec government’s efforts to develop event tourism and
promote Quebec products in order to stand out from the international
competition.
The project has already received $200,000 in support
provided in equal shares by the Ministry of Tourism and Tourisme Laval. According
to the ministry, the investments will help stimulate Laval regional economy, attract
visitors and increase Laval’s tourism revenues.
Quebec Tourism Minister Caroline Proulx announced a $2 million subsidy to Cavalia to help develop its Illumi project.
Raising
Quebec’s profile
“Your government is indeed proud to support this
initiative, which is enriching our tourism offerings by proposing an
extraordinary winter experience,” said Proulx. “This vast project will
assuredly raise Quebec’s profile abroad and, more than ever, position it as an
essential, world-class destination, thereby engendering significant economic
spinoff.”
“This unique event will wonderfully complement the
winter touristic offer in the Greater Montreal region,” said Geneviève Roy,
president and CEO of Tourisme Laval. “We are enthusiastically welcoming this
new multimedia creation in the heart of downtown Laval for the next five years.
Once again, the spirit of cooperation, engagement and determination of
stakeholders from Laval’s tourism industry highlight our commitment to develop,
together, rallying projects that will benefit the region.”
Helping Cité
de la Santé
At same time, Illumi announced that
they are partnering with the Fondation Cité de la Santé de Laval to support
their annual fundraising efforts. As such, 50
per cent of the ticket sales in the first week of Illumi will go to the Laval-based
health care foundation.
“This generous offer from Mr. Latourelle will allow
the Foundation, between November 3 and November 10, to stress the urgent needs
in our community and the actions taken by the CISSS de Laval to improve the
quality of care and social services in the region,” said Louis Gaudreau, chair
of the board of directors of the Fondation Cité de la Santé.
Seen in the photo are: Brian Cann of Microsoft, Marc DeBlois, of COFJQ – Laval 2020, Josée Vaillancourt of Rôtisseries St-Hubert, François Lallier of MondoAmerica, Laval city manager Jacques Ulysse, SportsQuébec president Michel Allen, Yves Carignan of COFJQ – Laval 2020, Charles Saindon-Courtois of the Rocket de Laval, Mayor Marc Demers, Laval city councillor Nicholas Borne, Jacinthe Godmer of the Caisse Desjardins de l’Ouest de Laval and Julie Perron [co]motion. (PHOTO: COFJQ-Laval 2020)
(TLN) The organizing committee for the 55th Final of the Jeux du Québec-Laval 2020 held a ceremony at the Restaurant 1909 at Place Bell last week to mark exactly one year to the day before the competitions are set to begin next summer.
During a 5 to 7 cocktail event, Mayor Marc Demers rallied supporters sponsoring partners and restated the city’s commitment to holding a memorable games from July 31 to Aug. 8 next year.
“This will be a unique occasion pour all the people of Laval to gather together and carry the torch towards an event of the magnitude of the Jeux du Québec,” he said. “Its success will reflect the effort made by all, be they financial partners, volunteers or citizens.”
Superb weather with lots of sun and just a smidgen of
rain provided many residents of Laval as well as visiting tourists with an
opportunity to appraise and buy some of Quebec’s finest art, sculptures and
paintings during the 24th annual Symposium de Ste-Rose.
Held from July 25 to 28 in Laval’s historic Vieux
Sainte-Rose neighbourhood, the exhibition of works by 90 artists from all over
Quebec and other areas of eastern Canada was seen by more than 20,000 people.
Weather was
great
Carole Faucher, president of the Corporation Rose-Art which sponsors the Symposium de Sainte-Rose, was among the artists exhibiting their works.
“We’re crossing our fingers so that the weather holds
out until Sunday,” said Carole Faucher, president of the Corporation Rose-Art
which sponsors the event, noting that some rain was forecast for that day.
For this year’s Symposium, the Corporation Rose-Art
was able to persuade Quebec film and TV actor Nico Racicot to be the event’s
official spokesperson. Racicot is perhaps best
known for the role he played in the 2013 French-language film Louis Cyr.
Appreciates
fine art
Among those who were out appreciating the many
artistic works on the first day of the exhibition was Claude Gagnon of Laval-des-Rapides,
who’s been a fan of the Symposium de Ste-Rose for about 15 years.
“Even though it’s hot out now, it does nothing to
diminish the talent of all the artists who have come out to participate in this
year’s symposium,” he said. “The artists are also taking the time to answer
questions when people are curious about their art, which I think is excellent.”
A colourful
artist
Among the many artists from Laval was Monique Lafond.
Lafond’s impressionistic paintings stand out for the subtlety of their colours.
Well-travelled, Lafond exhibited some of the paintings she did after visiting
India.
The 2019 Symposium attracted artists from well-beyond
the Laval region. Branimir Misic, a former mechanical engineer turned metal
sculptor, came all the way from Sherbrooke to participate. His original calling
is reflected in the whimsically playful sculptures he creates from recycled
metal pieces, including old steel knives, forks and goblets.
A popular
art show
Saguenay-born artist Réal Moisan who now lives in Rosemère was among the 90 painters and sculptors who took part in the 2019 Symposium de Sainte-Rose.
Réal Moisan, a painter
originally from Quebec’s Saguenay
region who now makes his home in Rosemère, takes part in several organized art exhibitions each
year, although he is especially fond of the Symposium de Ste-Rose.
“I’ve
been taking part in the Symposium for the past thirteen years, and I’ve always
found that the quality of the clientele is higher here,” he said.
“The
location is particularly beautiful, and the number of people who attend is
high.” He said his paintings sell especially well at the Symposium de Ste-Rose and
that he looks forward to returning every year.
Dr. Golan (left) accompanied by Marc Joannette, (centre) distributor of the spinal endoscopy instruments; and Nurse Athena Baum,(right) Team Leader in Neurosurgery.
As a result of innovative work by the Chief of Neurosurgery at the Jewish General Hospital (JGH), which is part of the CIUSSS West-Central Montreal, patients can now benefit from the least invasive surgery possible.
“I’m delighted to finally be able to use spinal endoscopy to treat my patients,” said Dr. Jeff Golan. “I used to have to refer them to my colleagues in the United States. But from now on, my patients can benefit from this procedure here free of charge.”
Spinal endoscopy is a surgical technique that requires only a small incision in the patient’s side for the placement of a tiny tube 7 mm in diameter. Once the tube is near the spine, the surgeon can insert the surgical instruments through the tube and perform the procedure. The doctor can see what’s going on thanks to a miniature camera and an X-ray machine.
This technology has many advantages. For patients, endoscopic surgery can be done under local anaesthesia, entails a shorter convalescence than conventional techniques and results in much less postoperative pain.
“When Dr. Golan offered me spinal endoscopy, I didn’t hesitate to choose that option to get my herniated disc repaired,” said Jennifer Orr, one of the first five patients to benefit from this innovation in Quebec. “Today, I’m back to my normal life. I’m back at work and I can go hiking with no back pain.”
Spinal endoscopy takes less time than other operations. And because patients can go home two hours later, they don’t need to be hospitalized.
“By introducing spinal endoscopy at the JGH—and being the first to do so in Quebec—we are demonstrating, once again, our commitment to providing healthcare users with access to the latest treatments,” says Dr. Lawrence Rosenberg, President and CEO of CIUSSS West-Central Montreal. “Members of our staff embrace innovation and continually strive to be up to date on any new evidence-based developments in order to restore an individual’s quality of life and well-being.”
Dr. Golan thinks he’ll be able to operate on as many as 150 patients a year using this technique
(CNW) Quebec provincial police are still trying to determine the cause of a deadly domino collision on Highway 440 on the afternoon of Monday August 5th.
Around 3:40 p.m., a small car collided with a semi-trailer truck on the westbound section of highway near the exit to Highway 15. The two vehicles then hit a second truck, starting a pileup involving another six vehicles.
Police have collected statements from witnesses, but are asking anyone who saw the collision or filmed video to contact them, which can be done anonymously, at 1-800-659-4262.
Truck drivers demand action after the fiery 440 collision
Quebec truck drivers are demanding action after the fiery collision between two trucks and seven other vehicles on Highway 440. “The problem is it’s coming all from four lanes to one lane to an exit to go on a service road and, after, go back to another entry for the 15 North,” longtime truck driver Daniel Beaulieu explained.“So, everybody is getting to the same place. That’s why there’s a lot of pileups, a lot of backup, and it’s really dangerous and should change. It has to be changed.”
Beaulieu noted there were public consultations in 2017 to discuss the road conditions in Quebec. He argues the Highway 440-15 North intersection isn’t the only problem area.
“The 640-15? Same problem,” he said, adding that he is demanding more action from the provincial government. “I think the government should look at itself. Why there was no action for the last 10 years?” Beaulieu said. “If we don’t do nothing, there will be a lot of deaths, and that’s exactly what happened that afternoon. Now, all those poor families, this morning with their losses. I think it’s horrible.”
Quebec Transport Minister François Bonnardel, centre, spoke to reporters a day after the fatal collision with Finance Minister Eric Girard, left, and Laval Mayor Marc Demers, right.
Bonnardel: Painted line to be extended
“My first thoughts go to the victims and their families,” Quebec Transport Minister François Bonnardel said whwn he visited the trajic site Tuesday August 6, alongside Laval Mayor Marc Demers. Bonnardel said the ministry will look at provincial police’s report of the collision to see what improvements can be made, but in the meantime, the painted line separating the service lane from the highway would be extended.
He agreed that the intersection was flagged as a place of risk — the scene of a dozen accidents since 2013.
One of the changes Bonnardel wants to make is extending a double line to elongate the part of the highway where motorists will be prohibited from changing lanes.
The minister said he hopes to change driver behaviour but will wait for the Sûreté du Québec’s (SQ) investigation to determine what other actions should be taken.
While he acknowledged the stretch of road was built decades ago when congestion was not as severe, Bonnardel said it is not any more dangerous than other interchanges in the Montreal area.
“The city will work in collaboration with the ministry to find solutions,” Demers said.
Laval city councillors David De Cotis and Michel Poissant as well as Alzheimer Society of Laval executive-director Lise Lalande are seen here during the event held last Saturday in Lausanne Park.
Martin C. Barry
The fifth annual Fête
de Quartier Saint-Bruno, which brought together thousands of residents of the
district in Lausanne Park on Saturday
Aug. 10, raised $24,000 for the Alzheimer
Society of Laval.
“Over
the last few years we’ve raised more than $130,000 for the cause,” said Saint-Bruno
city councillor David De Cotis who sits with the opposition Action Laval party.
Bringing people closer
“The
Fête de Quartier gives a real sense of belonging to the community, and at the
same time a greater awareness of the Alzheimer Society of Laval,” added De Cotis.
“It’s the only home of its kind in Laval and it’s in
this district, Saint-Bruno. All the sums raised today are going one hundred per
cent to the Alzheimer Society of Laval cause.”
While there were inflatable games for the kids and
many booths set up by community groups and sponsors to provide information
about their services, without a doubt the highlight of the all-day family event
was the dunking tank.
Three
tries: $5
For $5, anyone could have three tries throwing cantaloupe-sized
balls at a target. If they hit the bullseye, their favourite (or not) city
councillor, Member of Parliament or Member of the National Assembly would drop
into the drink.
Among the elected officials who accepted the challenge
to be dunked were Alfred-Pellan Liberal MP Angelo Iacono, his Conservative
rival in the October election Angelo Esposito, Vimont Liberal MNA Jean
Rousselle, and Laval city councillors Michel Poissant and David De Cotis.
Aiming for
each other
At one point, some of the politicians were taking
shots at one another, as for instance when Esposito anteed up his $5 to try and
dunk Iacono. While Rousselle also spent time in and out of the drink, he too
paid for the privilege of trying to drop David De Cotis into the wet tank.
Iacono took Esposito’s attempt on him in stride. “He
missed,” he said, while admitting that he also tried but failed to dunk
Esposito. “But it’s all in fun and games. That’s what it’s all about: having
fun for a good cause.”
Ex-councillor
supports cause
Among those who came out for the afternoon to take in
all the fun and activities was former Laval city councillor for
Concorde/Bois-de-Boulogne Jean-Jacques Lapierre. Now a resident of a seniors
retirement residence in Chomedey, Lapierre said he travelled to Saint-Bruno to
show his support for the Alzheimer Society of Laval.
“The association does such good work,” he said. “I’ve
always been a very active person and I’ve following the society’s progress from
the beginning. I think they deserve our support since they’re doing good work.
That’s why I came today.”
