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Laval awards $346,000 in subsidies for children’s causes

George Bakoyannis
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Laval awards $346,000 in subsidies for children’s causes
Laval awards $346,000 in subsidies for children’s causes

(TLN) Through its Place-du-Souvenir special children’s fund, the City of Laval recently awarded $172,900 in subsidies to the Centre de bénévolat et moisson Laval, the Société de Saint-Vincent de Paul and the Centre communautaire Hochelaga.

As well, the city continues to support projects for the well-being of children already started by the Centre de bénévolat at moisson Laval to furnish food basics to families with children up to four years of age. A total of $174,400 was given by the city to this and another organization for the years 2019-2020.

For the children

“By putting this fund into place, it was our hope to make an impact on the lives of children and families who are vulnerable in order to fight against poverty and social exclusion,” said Mayor Marc Demers.

“We also wanted to encourage perseverance in school and educational success while facilitating the social integration of young immigrants. This agreement with three organizations active in Laval shows the willingness of an entire community to work closely together to assure back-to-schools are successful and stimulating.”

Gift cards for supplies

The agreement between the city and the Centre de bénévolat et moisson Laval, the Société de Saint-Vincent de Paul and the Centre communautaire Hochelaga will be providing youngsters from Laval with gift cards that will allow them to buy school supplies, a lunch box and a back pack in order to get the school year off right.

To these will be added winter outerwear including accessories, through schools located in Laval. It is estimated that nearly 6,800 children in Laval will benefit from these measures.

Following two successful pilot projects by the Centre de bénévolat et moisson Laval which distributed kits for newborn babies and snacks for two to four-year-olds, the Place du Souvenir Fund’s consultative committee renewed its financial support as part of a partnership agreement.

Thousands of kits

As a result, 2,600 kits will be distributed, with 1,300 of them containing specialized products for newborns (such as diapers, diaper rash creams, shampoos and milk products), while two to four-year-olds will receive 1,300 nutritious snacks consisting primarily of fruits, vegetables and grain-based products.

The Place-du-Souvenir Fund was created in June 2018 by the City of Laval’s executive-committee to oversee disbursement to selected children’s charities and causes of sums of money which were claimed back by the City of Laval following investigations of long-term public corruption. The fund has agreements with partner organizations until the end of this year.

Tourisme Laval welcomes Quebec tourism minister

George Bakoyannis
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Tourisme Laval welcomes Quebec tourism minister
Tourisme Laval welcomes Quebec tourism minister

(TLN) As part of a major consultation undertaken by the Quebec Tourism Ministry to determine a new economic development strategy for tourism from 2020-2025, around 70 key people from the Laval region’s tourism sector gathered at the Laval Sheraton on Feb. 25 to take part in presentations and workshops.

Six guiding themes

During the event, the participants shed light on some of the issues, shared their concerns, suggested solutions and discussed matters based on six guiding themes: human resources, entrepreneurship, innovation, investments, access to tourism facilities (promotion, transportation, etc.) and strategic knowledge.

Among the main issues raised: availability of financing for the development of innovative projects; retention of workers and valorization of career in tourism; optimization of transport in order to encourage access to destinations and tourist attractions; accompaniment of entrepreneurs in their efforts at development.

Minister welcomed

“We are delighted to have welcomed the Minister of Tourism during her tour of the regions,” said Tourisme Laval board president Yves Legault. “We have shown the spirit of working together and mobilization which motivates the players in the Laval tourism sector and which allows us to bring together projects that contribute to Quebec’s tourism industry.”

The minister finished her day with a visit to SkyVenture, a Laval landmark tourist attraction that duplicates the sensation of free fall parachuting. This family-owned business is considered to be a leading example of entrepreneurial tourism in the Laval region. The province’s new tourism strategy is expected to be presented next year.

Police arrest 17 in Montreal-Toronto money-laundering bust

George Bakoyannis
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Police arrest 17 in Montreal-Toronto money-laundering bust
money laundering

The RCMP announced it has cracked down on an elaborate international money-laundering network operated by organized-crime cells in Montreal and Toronto.

Police arrested 17 people in early morning raids in the two cities Monday, seizing more than $32.8 million in assets.

“It is by depriving criminal groups of their money-laundering networks that we will shake the very structure of organized crime,” said RCMP Supt. Martine Fontaine Tuesday at a news conference.

The network had the capacity to launder millions of dollars, she said.

Dubbed Project Collecteur, the bust involved multiple police forces and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), the RCMP said in a statement Tuesday that offered some details of their investigation.

Fontaine called the investigation extremely complex and one of the most important of its kind in Canada — one of the rare money-laundering probes that has led to gangsterism charges.

Investigators had to narrow their focus to certain people and keep track of evidence, she said, in a bid to facilitate the prosecution process and not cause delays.

“It’s thousands and thousands of documents to disclose and to caveat and to be prepared for full disclosure,” Fontaine said.

The arrests were the result of a two-year investigation launched in the spring of 2016. Those targeted were allegedly collecting money from criminal organizations in Montreal and then moving that money through various individuals and currency exchange offices in Toronto.

More than 300 officers were involved in the raids Monday morning. The RCMP teamed up with Montreal, Laval and Toronto police. (Radio-Canada)

International network

The group used an informal value transfer system with connections in Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, the United States and China, the RCMP said. The funds were then returned to drug-exporting countries, such as Colombia and Mexico.

“This procedure allowed for the laundering of significant amounts of money originating from illegal activities, including drug trafficking. The criminal organizations could thus import drugs through this network,” the RCMP said.

The names of those arrested are:

Quebec Network

  • Mohamad Jaber, 51, Laval.
  • Kamel Ghaddar, 39, Laval.
  • Eric Bradette, 36, L’Assomption.
  • Sergio Violetta Galvez, 43, Laval.
  • Alexei Parasenco, 26, Montreal.
  • Mario Maratta, 64, Sainte-Sophie.
  • Sorin Ehrlich, 62, Montreal.
  • Gary Maybee, 57, Austin.

Ontario Network

  • Nader Gramian-Nik, 56, Vaughan.
  • Tania Geramian-Nik, 28, Vaughan.
  • Sahar Shojaei, 45, Thornhill.
  • Thomas Hsueh, 47, Thornhill.
  • Mohammadreza Sheikhhassani, 55, Richmond Hill.
  • Shabnam Mansouri, 38, Maple.

During the investigation and the searches, police seized drugs including cannabis, cocaine, hashish and methamphetamine, with a market value of close to $2.2 million, the RCMP said.

The RCMP say officers seized cannabis, cocaine, hashish and methamphetamine, for a market value of close to $2.2 million in Monday’s raids. (RCMP)

Bank accounts and money in Canadian and foreign currencies were also seized, for a value of $8.7 million.

The CRA seized six properties valued at about $15 million, and the RCMP seized property estimated to be worth $7 million.

money laundering

Clandestine swaps in parking lots

RCMP Sgt. François-Olivier Myette said there were two “major organizations” operating — one in Toronto and the other in Montreal. 

He said the cash was moved in suitcases, duffel bags and car trunks.

The RCMP conducted surveillance operations, monitoring secret transactions in parking lots and elsewhere, capturing everything on video.

The RCMP says bank accounts and money in Canadian and foreign currencies valued at $8.7 million were seized. (RCMP)

The suspects sometimes didn’t know each other, he said. They would identify each other during these transactions by using a predetermined token number — often a serial number on the cash.

The cash transactions involved between $500,000 and $1 million at a time. The suspects would pick up bags of cash in Toronto and then release an equivalent value, mainly in Dubai, he said.

“It’s like if you take money from your left pocket and you exit it from your right pocket,” Myette said. “That’s the way it operates.”

Stéphane Bonin, director of criminal investigations for the CRA, said 50 CRA investigators were involved in the operation in both Montreal and Toronto.

“Tax evasion and the underground economy both in Canada and abroad are priorities of the Canada Revenue Agency, as well as other tax administrations around the world,” he said.

Laval delegation holds warmup for 2020 Jeux du Québec

George Bakoyannis
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Laval delegation holds warmup for 2020 Jeux du Québec
Laval delegation holds warmup for 2020 Jeux du Québec
Seen in the photo during the Jeux du Québec launch in Laval are Vincent Brazeau, chief of the Laval delegation, Joseph Polossifakis, flag bearer Simone Huang, and Geneviève Cossette, president of Sports Laval.

(TLN) On Feb. 17, Sports Laval held a large gathering of athletes, coaches and supporters to mark the beginning of the process that will culminate next year when the City of Laval sponsors an important part of the Jeux du Québec.

At the same time, the coaches, athletes and others had the chance to take part in orientation sessions in preparation for their participation in the Jeux du Québec beginning in March next year. While the City of Laval is hosting the finals, Quebec City will be hosting many of the Jeux du Québec’s main events from March 1 – 9.

The excitement builds

During last week’s warmup event in Laval, Mayor Marc Demers emphasized the accomplishments of the athletes from Laval. “It is a source of pride for the City of Laval to support the next generation in sports,” he said. “It is with excitement that we will be following the performances of our athletes in Quebec City next March. Our representatives will be inspiring the athletes who will be coming to Laval in 2020 for the next Jeux du Québec finals.”

Former Olympian Joseph Polossifakis, part of the fencing delegation from Canada in 2016 and a special patron at the 2019 Jeux du Québec, was also on hand at this week’s launch to express encouragement to all the athletes from Laval. Polossifakis represented Laval at the 2005 Jeux du Québec which took place that year in St-Hyacinthe, and where he won two Silver medallions.

CISSS de Laval releases survey on kindergarten children

George Bakoyannis
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CISSS de Laval releases survey on kindergarten children
CISSS de Laval releases survey on kindergarten children

(TLN) In conjunction with the launch of a regional program to encourage perseverance in school, public health officials at CISSS de Laval recently released an updated version of a province-wide survey on the development of kindergarten-age children.

Among other things, the study reveals that in Laval 31.3 per cent of children starting grade school are vulnerable in at least one out of five developmental areas: physical health and well-being, social skills, affective maturity, cognitive and linguistic development, and communication stills and general knowledge.

Most children OK

While the percentage is high, the researchers noted that the majority of children in Laval are not in these categories of vulnerability.

“Signs of vulnerability in kindergarten allow the Laval community to take action and develop programs that respond to the needs of children and their families,” says Jean-Pierre Trépanier, director of public health at CISSS de Laval. “By investing in the development of a child who is considered vulnerable today, we can offer professional support, as well as a chance to succeed in school.”

Efforts being made

Since the first report was released in 2012, efforts have been made in the Laval region and several initiatives have been taken so that children can progress and integrate fully in the school environment.

For example, preparatory workshops for school were offered in all neighborhoods in order to encourage harmonious transition towards school, especially for children whose first language isn’t French or who didn’t regularly attend an educational daycare for children.

Municipalities need new snow removal strategy, says Demers

George Bakoyannis
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Municipalities need new snow removal strategy, says Demers
Municipalities need new snow removal strategy, says Demers

(TLN) During a recent meeting with the president of the Quebec Union of Municipalities, Laval mayor Marc Demers suggested the province’s towns and cities should work to develop a common snow removal strategy, taking into account new climate realities that snow removal crews are dealing with.

Changing climate

Demers noted that despite all the hard work by the City of Laval’s public works crews for snow removal and de-icing, quickly evolving climate changes are creating situations that are drastically complicating the task for snow removal workers.

In the proposal made to UMQ president (and Drummondville mayor) Alexandre Cusson, Demers said, “Since it would seem obvious that all the efforts to combat climate change will not succeed in reversing the trend in the short-term, should not the UMQ create a study table which would concern itself with the strategies to be adopted in order to deal with this new reality?”

An evolving situation

According to Mayor Demers, the idea takes into account weather conditions which would have been considered exceptional previously, although they’ve now become more common, including quickly rising and dropping temperatures and twice as much rain as usual for this time of year.

“In the space of a few days or sometimes even during just a single day, we see periods of snow and rain fall that are often spaced with periods of freezing rain,” Demers added in his message to the UMQ president. He also suggested certain parameters within which discussions on snow removal and climate change might be discussed.

Municipalities need new snow removal strategy, says Demers

Learning to adapt

“The goal should be to see how we can better adapt to the numerous challenges created by the new climate conditions our crews now face on the terrain,” he said. “This includes challenges to come, as well as our future needs in order to improve our operational strategies.

Demers suggested that Laval city councillor Ray Khalil, who is responsible for public works on the City of Laval’s executive-committee, should serve as a liaison with UMQ members sharing similar concerns. For his part, Khalil said he was confident that Laval and other UMQ cities could find a common ground in order to develop an improved approach to snow and ice removal in the context of a changing climate.

Laval environment council calls for regional wetland plan

George Bakoyannis
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Laval environment council calls for regional wetland plan
Laval environment council calls for regional wetland plan

(TLN) Given the increasingly evident effects of climate warming on the environment, the Conseil régional de l’environnement de Laval is asking the provincial government to adopt a policy for regional wetland plans within the next five years.

Range of wetlands

According to the council, wetlands include different ecosystems such as swamps, marshes, bogs, fens and ponds. They have distinct fauna, flora as well as habitat and ecological functions. What they do have in common is the permanent or intermittent presence of surface or soil water.

Wetlands therefore have a large buffering capacity for excess rain water and flooding mitigation, which as well known, is expected to increase with climate change. Wetland value is widely recognized scientifically but also legally in Quebec.

Regional plan needed

“Regional county municipalities (RCM) or groupings of RCMs must adopt a regional wetland plan (Plan régional des milieux humides et hydriques) within 5 years,” the council says in a statement, while noting that Bill 132 concerning wetland conservation requires authorization from the Quebec Environment Ministry if a wetland is to be affected or destroyed.

Compensation of the affected area is also mandatory in order to achieve no net loss of wetlands. However, the council wonders whether wetlands in Quebec are well protected. On the one hand, they say, obtaining a certificate of authorization requires a request and a waiting period before it is successfully granted, although this is usually in most cases. The council concludes that a generic wetland is therefore not protected and could be potentially backfilled and destroyed.

Replacing wetlands

On the other hand, no net loss rule implies that any destroyed or altered area has to be recreated elsewhere, but without considering the pristine state of the wetland. A destroyed swamp could be compensated by a pond of equal area. Wetland ecosystems support different ecological communities and have specific functions such as controlling the water balance in a sector.

The council compares this to compensating for a damaged house with a tent of the same area without municipal infrastructures. The council notes that the City of Laval initiated a regional wetland plan by inventorying the city, which revealed 1,550 hectares of diverse and threatened wetlands. In 2018, the environment ministry gave out 14 permits and 14 more are pending or in evaluation.

Political will needed

“It takes decades to recreate the complexity and initial ecological functions of a new wetland,” says the council. “However, to conserve an existing and thriving one only takes a few minutes of political will. Wetland compensation should be but a backup when no options are available but is in no way a shortcut for sustainable development.”

The council maintains that the current authorization certification process “fuels irresponsible development by making ecological destruction socially acceptable. Our lax system is allowing loss of our natural and common legacy. Our resilience to climate change is provided by these urban ecosystems: the forest cools us, ponds mitigate floods, swamps are outstanding habitats and marshes retain heavy metals.

Fighting with sand bags

“We are fighting global natural catastrophes with sand bags and air conditioning while voluntarily heading towards a wall of failure,” they continue. “What we need is a solid conservation plan to protect ecological services which we depend on.”

The council points out that New York City protected the state’s Catskills forests to secure the water supply, instead of building an inefficient water plant. “We know the risks related to climate change and have solutions to mitigate them,” they say. “We have to stop this irrational and short-term profit-oriented destruction of wetlands, or in five years, our regional wetland plan will be very dry.”

The Montreal Canadiens Scholarships

George Bakoyannis
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The Montreal Canadiens Scholarships
The Montreal Canadiens Scholarships

For the 12th consecutive year, the Montreal Canadiens are teaming up with the Fondation de l’athlète d’excellence (FAEQ) to reward the next generation in women’s and men’s hockey. Tonight, prior to the NHL game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Anaheim Ducks at the Bell Centre, 29 of Quebec’s most promising hockey student-athletes each received a $1,500 scholarship from the team’s general manager, Marc Bergevin.

“As a sports organization, we are very proud to have been promoting the sporting and academic success of young hockey players across the province for 12 years, and to, once again tonight, highlight the outstanding performance of our recipients both on the rink and on school benches,” said Geoff Molson, president and CEO of the Montreal Canadiens Hockey Club.

Thanks to the bursary program created in 2008, the Montreal Canadiens play an active role in the development of homegrown talent. In 2015, the partnership with the Fondation de l’athlète d’excellence was extended for another five years with an amount of $250,000 invested in the program until 2020.

“What more could a young hockey student hope for than to be supported by the Montreal Canadiens? The Fondation de l’athlète d’excellence is truly proud of this valuable collaboration from the Habs, which goes well beyond financial support, reminded Claude Chagnon, president of the FAEQ. Indeed, what a feeling to be encouraged by the most famous hockey club in the world! The Montreal Canadiens are a prestigious and key partner for the FAEQ, and together, we are dedicated to the success of our province’s best hockey student-athletes.”This year, the Montreal Canadiens Bursary Program, administered by the FAEQ in partnership with Hockey Québec and the Midget AAA Hockey League, will benefit 29 student-athletes between the ages of 15 and 17, who were selected for their on-ice achievements as well as their academic results. Eight were awarded to laureate players from the women’s Quebec team looking for a selection with Canada’s national team, while 21 bursaries were handed out to young hockey players from the Midget AAA level. One of the eligibility criteria for the Fondation de l’athlète d’excellence scholarships focuses in the scholastic perseverance of young athletes in preparing for a career after sports.

The Montreal Canadiens Scholarships
Jérémie Bergeron recieves his $1500 scholarship from Marc Bergevin, General Manager of the Montreal Canadiens Photo: CHC-Thierry du Bois-OSA Images

Jérémie Bergeron
Born January 21, 2002 in Laval
Academic Excellence of $1500

  • Goaltender with the Laval-Montréal Rousseau-Royal of the Midget AAA Hockey League.
  • Recorded 6 wins, 9 losses and 1 SOL with a .882 save percentage in 16 games in his rookie season with Rousseau-Royal
  • Playing with the Laval Patriotes midget team, he was selected 70th overall by the Chicoutimi Saguenéens in the 2018 QMJHL draft
  • Took part in the 2018 Gatorade Challenge with the Newfoundland entry
  • Currently completing his final high school year in the sports development program at École Antoine-de-Saint-Exupéry. He posted an 88% academic average in the first term
  • Inspired by Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Jérémie plans on continuing his education towards a medical degree. While suiting up with the Saguenéens in 2019-20, he will also study Nature Science at the collegiate level. He hopes to work in the field of pediatric or sports medicine.

McCall MacBain donate $200M

George Bakoyannis
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McCall MacBain donate $200M
McCall MacBain donate $200M

McGill University announced today that it has received the single-largest gift in Canadian history to create a flagship graduate scholarship program thanks to a $200-million donation from longtime University supporters, John McCall MacBain, BA’80, LLD’14, and Dr. Marcy McCall MacBain.

 The McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill will provide outstanding students from Canada and internationally with the opportunity to pursue a master’s or professional degree, combined with a world-class enrichment program. In addition to full funding to cover tuition and fees plus a living stipend, scholars will benefit from mentorship and immersive learning experiences, including retreats, workshops and internships. It will be the most generous and comprehensive graduate scholarship to exist at this level in Canada.

“We are incredibly grateful to John and Marcy McCall MacBain for their visionary support of McGill’s students,” said Principal and Vice-Chancellor Suzanne Fortier. “As McGill prepares to celebrate its Bicentennial in 2021, the McCall MacBain Scholarships embody our vision for McGill’s third century: a place where students become future-ready and prepared to contribute to shaping our rapidly changing world.”

 Applications will open in the fall of 2020 to students from across Canada for the inaugural class. McCall MacBain Scholars will begin their studies at McGill in the fall of 2021. The Scholarships will then be expanded to include international students in the third year of operation. Ultimately, the program will build a community of scholars dedicated to solving pressing global issues and complex problems that will improve the lives of others around the world.

Agape, LSA and CLC launch Got my info? website

George Bakoyannis
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Agape, LSA and CLC launch Got my info? website
Agape, LSA and CLC launch Got my info? website

(TLN) On Thursday Feb. 14 at 8:15 am, representatives of Agape, Laval Senior Academy and the Community Learning Centre were outdoors at Laval Senior Academy, taking advantage of School Perseverance week (Feb. 11 – 15) to welcome students as they entered school for the day.

Launching web site

They were giving out Got my info? pens to all the students (and staff) that morning for the official launch of the new Got my info? website. At the same time, they were giving words of encouragement and praise to all the youths they met outside the Souvenir Blvd. secondary school.

Like the French-language As tu mon numéro.com web site, Gotmyinfo.com is an interactive web site for all English-speaking Laval youths, parents and professionals in various areas working with youth (school network, municipal level, health and social services and community sector).

A joint effort

Got my info? is a joint initiative that was created in 2006 by various Laval partners working with youth who’s mission was to create awareness of the many resources available for Laval youth.

The As-tu mon numéro?committee is composed of representatives from Agape, Carrefour jeunesse emploi de Laval, Centre communautaire Val-Martin, Commission scolaire de Laval, Corporation intégration à la vie active des personnes handicapées de Laval – CIVAPHL, CISSS de Laval and the City of Laval with support from ALPABEM – project fiduciary.

Commmittee members

The Got my info? committee is composed of representatives from Agape, CISSS de Laval, the Community Learning Centre, the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board, CDC Vimont with support from Health Canada action plan for official languages 2018-2023 – investing in our future – managed by the Community Health and Social Services Network (CHSSN).

The organizers say that, through a joint collaboration, they are making information and resources accessible to Laval’s English-speaking youth, families and professionals. The As-tu mon numéro? committee collaborated with Agape and the Got my info? committee to translate and design the website into the English language.

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