March 29 – The province’s independent
investigations bureau (BEI) is investigating how Laval police conducted their
intervention of a suicide last Thursday.
The incident occurred at 1 a.m. when
Laval police answered a call about a potential jumper from the Viau Bridge.
Officers tried to talk to the man in his
twenties, but he did not respond before he jumped.
Police officers in a second patrol car
parked on the bank of the river saw the man sink into the river. His body has
not yet been found.
The investigation was handed over to the
BEI since the incident occurred during a Laval police department intervention.
The Sûreté du Québec is providing
technical support for the independent investigation.
Driver
Charged in Passenger’s Death
March 28 – Police arrested 28-year-old
Nicolas Pineault after receiving conclusive toxicological reports concerning a
violent car crash that claimed the life of the passenger in the vehicle that
Pineault had been driving.
Early in the morning of October 24,
2018, Pineault had been at the wheel of the vehicle that crashed into a
street-cleaning vehicle on highway 335, south of Boul. des Mille-Îles. Pineault
survived, but the passenger in his car did not.
The toxicology tests revealed that
Pineault had consumed a large quantity of drugs prior to the fatal collision.
The 28-year-old was arrested and faces
multiple charges, including dangerous driving causing bodily harm and death. He
was released on bail with conditions. Pineault is next scheduled to appear in
court on June 12.
Police
Seek Bank Robber Suspect
March 22 – Laval police are asking for
the public’s help to locate 55-year-old Jean-Guy Vallière, wanted in connection
with an armed robbery at a National Bank branch in Pont-Viau.
The incident occurred at 11:15 a.m. on
February 18 at the National Bank branch located at 61 Boul. des Laurentides
near Boul. Cartier and the Cartier metro station.
The robber entered the bank and made his
way to the first teller where he demanded cash. He went to the second teller
and repeated his demand.
He managed to steal about $1500 before
fleeing on foot.
Laval police issued an arrest warrant
for Jean-Guy Vallière.
He is described as a white, 55-year-old,
French-speaking male.
He stands 1.75 m (5’9”) tall and weighs
113 kg (250 lbs). He has grey hair and a flower tattoo on his right hand.
During the robbery, he wore a black
coat, a grey hoody, gloves, and a Toronto Blue Jays baseball cap.
Vallière’s image was captured by metro
surveillance after the robbery.
Anyone with information on Vallière’s current
whereabouts is urged to call the police info-line and speak confidentially with
an officer at 450-662-INFO (4636), or 911, and mentioning file LVL 190218 036.
From the left, Agape social worker Ian Williams, statistical research consultant Joanne Pocock and Agape executive-director Kevin McLeod
Martin C. Barry
A statistical report prepared for the Agape
Association, comparing the developmental delays of kindergarten children
enrolled at French and English school boards across the province, paints an
alarming picture of the higher vulnerability of English-speaking pre-school
children in Quebec.
The report – Selected Characteristics of Laval’s
English-speaking Children 0-5 – was compiled and written by Dr. Joanne Pocock,
an Ottawa-based statistical research consultant who has also produced
statistical reports for the Quebec Community Groups Network. It was released on
March 22 during a gathering of Laval-area social services providers at the
Centre Jeunesse de Laval on Cartier Blvd.
Development
delays
“Here we are looking at kindergarten children
experiencing developmental delay in at least one domain,” Pocock said in an
interview, while pointing to some PowerPoint graphics she said illustrate the
situation.
“This is the French-language system. This is the
English-language system over the same territory. If you look at all of Quebec,
what is red is where there are high levels of delay, and so vulnerable
children. And the dark green is where there are low levels.”
Contrast
is startling
As Pocock pointed out, not a single green spot is to
be found in the French chart, although it shows some patches of red. By
contrast, the English chart – illustrating the same problem for developmental
delay in 0-5 year-old kids speaking English – is solid red.
“To me the two contrasts here are quite shocking,”
said Pocock. She was asked whether she drew any conclusion from the picture
drawn by the data. “I could only hypothesize,” she said cautiously.
Socio-economic
decline
“One thing we know about developmental delays in 0-5
children, one thing we look at in socio-economic status of the community but
also of the family, at 0-5 your life is kind of still wrapped up in your
parents, in your mother, what have you. So we’ve seen socio-economic decline in
the Anglophone communities. It may be playing out in this developmental delay.
That’s a speculation entirely, though.”
She also offered the following tentative explanation. “The
other thing is access to services. Usually if you didn’t get your pre-natal
classes, if you don’t have health literacy, if you’re not engaged with your
health system, if you’re not getting an early diagnosis and treatment for your
0-5 child, then that can show up in developmental delay at the kindergarten
level.”
Change
needed, says McLeod
Agape executive-director Kevin McLeod agreed the
findings are alarming. “It’s overwhelming,” he said. “So many delays across
Quebec for English-speaking kindergarten children. We already knew this in
Laval, but to see it all across Quebec like that really says that we need to be
making changes.”
He maintained that more early intervention may offer
the solution, although there are other problems in the system. “One of the
biggest issues we’re facing in Quebec is waiting times for diagnosis. Whether
you’re English or French-speaking it’s unacceptable. Children nowadays wait for
evaluations and can be waiting for up to a year-and-a-half for diagnosis.”
Lone
parent impact
Some other findings from the survey: In
2016 in Quebec’s English-speaking communities, there was a greater tendency for
females to be living in lone parent families compared to males. In the Laval
region and in all four CLSC territories, there are more English-speaking
females living in lone parent families than English-speaking males.
The
greatest proportion of children 0-5 living in a lone parent household for both
the French and English language communities of Laval are located in CLSC
Pont-Viau. In 2016, there were high levels of low income among Quebec’s English
speakers aged 25 to 44. In the Laval region, 28.8 per cent of English speakers
aged 25 to 44 were living on an annual income under $20,000.
Some other findings
In
2016, the tendency to be earning over $50,000 was lower among Quebec
Anglophones aged 25 to 44 compared to Francophones of the same age. In Laval,
this holds true although the gap between the minority (35.2 per cent) and
majority group (38.4 per cent) is somewhat smaller.
Provincially,
English-speaking children aged 0-5 are more likely to be living below the low
income cut-off (LICO) compared to Francophone children of the same age. In
Laval, the tendency of children 0-5 to be living below LICO varies across CLSC
territories for both language communities.
Mayor Demers pleased with CAQ government’s first budget
(TLN) Laval mayor Marc Demers says he is pleased with
the Coalition Avenir Québec government’s first annual budget which was released last week by
Finance Minister Éric Girard.
Demers said he was impressed by the $16.6 billion
amount over 10 years that the government allotted to public transit.
Pleased
with measures
“This measure squares perfectly with the vision at the
Forum on Mobility and public transit to develop an integrated network of
transport for Laval-Lower Laurentians with the goal of countering road
congestion,” said Demers.
“Also, I am happy to see that several measures which
emerged from the Forum can be seen in the Quebec Plan for Infrastructures,” he
added.
More changing stations
The
CAQ government’s extension of its ‘Roulez vert’ program, which facilitates the
purchase of electric vehicles, as well as the acquisition of electrical
charging stations, were both greeted eagerly by the mayor. The measures are
added to similar ones announced in the federal budget recently.
Laval
has a considerable number of households on its territory with low revenue,
while also suffering from a deficit of social housing units to meet that need.
As such, Demers said he also welcomed the government’s supplementary investment
of $250 million. “With this amount, we hope to be in a position to support the
realization of social, community and affordable housing projects on our
territory,” he said.
Integrating immigrants
Laval
is the second-most important area in Quebec where new immigrants first arrive.
In the context of a growing Laval economy, the mayor said the government’s
announcement of $733 million to further integrate the new arrivals in the work
force is encouraging.
“Laval is among the leaders in its making available
cultural activities to children,” continued Demers. “As such, we can only
rejoice at the investment of $135 million for cultural outings in school
settings. What’s more, in a city that positions culture as an important vector
of its development, the measure linked to creativity and cultural
entrepreneurialism that was announced will allow to better support cultural
artists and players from Laval.”
Budget reactions from Laval Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(TLN)
The Laval Chamber of Commerce and Industry issued statements last week reacting
to the new budgets issued by the federal and provincial governments.
Ottawa ignores deficit
Regarding
the federal budget, the CCIL said it is concerned about Ottawa’s continuing
practice of not dealing with the growing federal deficit. Among the federal
government’s measures the CCIL felt were most important were those affecting
the availability of labour and improvements for transportation.
“The
Chamber feels that all initiatives helping business to face an urgent shortage
of labour, as well as development of skills for workers and access to
employment, must remain priorities for our government and put forward so that
our businesses can answer adequately to the needs of the markets in an
extremely competitive environment,” said CCIL president and executive-director
Louise Leroux.
Sustainable measures
Regarding
sustainable mobility, the CCIL said it recognized efforts in the budget to
encourage businesses to use electric vehicles with zero or low emissions
through subsidies. The CCIL was also impressed by federal measures to encourage
low energy use in building and construction, as well as by the government’s
encouragement of sustainable development practices within businesses.
While noting that Ottawa
expressed its intention to invest substantially in the deployment of high-speed
Internet everywhere in Quebec, the CCIL said that industrial parks should be a
major focus of this. “The automation and
digitalization of businesses demands fast access to information and new
technologies,” said Leroux, while adding that some businesses in Laval’s
industrial parks don’t yet have access to high-speed Internet at a price that
is competitive.
No plan for deficit
Regarding the federal deficit
of $19.8 billion, the CCIL said it was concerned the government has no plan for
eventually reducing the debt. “Given the favourable economic circumstances
these past few years, we would have wished to see in this budget a more
concrete plan to favour a return to budgetary equilibrium,” said Leroux.
Regarding the
highly-publicized situation of regional print media in recent years, the CCIL
said it was disappointed the federal government didn’t include measures to help
regional media who have suffered from steep losses of advertising revenue.
Pleased with CAQ
budget
Regarding the provincial budget, the CCIL said it was
pleased by measures introduced by the new CAQ government that will help with a
labour shortage being felt particularly by businesses located in Quebec’s
outlying regions.
The Chamber said it was happy about provincial budget measures designed to help businesses retain employees older than 60 years who are experienced. Another measure that pleased the organization was integration of immigrants. As well, the Chamber said it was happy about investments being made by the CAQ government to strengthen the position of the French language in the sphere of business, manufacturing and services.
Sir
Wilfrid Laurier School Board Satisfied with the 2019-2020
Québec Budget
The Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board (SWLSB) is pleased with the outcome of the 2019-2020 budget announced yesterday. Although it is too early to communicate specific details as to the outcome this budget will have on the SWLSB, the 5.1% increase announced for the education sector demonstrates that the government is making education a priority. The school board looks forward to seeing the new budget rules.
“I am pleased with the government’s budget and
I am reassured that education remains at the forefront. I am confident that this
new injection of funds will allow us to expand certain services and programs
that will benefit our students.” stated Mr. Paolo
Galati, SWLSB Chairperson. The school board is also pleased that this budget
includes additional funding towards investment and maintenance of
infrastructure, which is much needed. Another positive element is that funds
will be dedicated to measures to support teachers and promote the teaching
profession.
The
Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board is the third largest English school board of
the Province of Québec and boasts an 85,9% graduation rate. Its territory
comprises the administrative regions of Laval, Lanaudière and the Laurentides.
It provides preschool, elementary, secondary, adult education and vocational
education services to over 14,000 students in 35 schools and 4 centres, as well
as a business training division (Service
aux entreprises). The school board has a workforce of nearly 2,000
employees.
The current issue of the Laval News volume 27-07 published April 3rd, 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. 27-07
April 3, 2019.
The Quebec English School Boards Association
(QESBA) expressed its deep disappointment with and opposition to Bill 21, An Act respecting the laicity of
the State, which prohibits broad categories of government
employees, including public school teachers and principals from wearing
religious symbols.
“Bill 21 is a divisive and an unnecessary piece of legislation that can
only lead to societal discrimination. Once again, this government is claiming
there is a problem that clearly does not exist. Québec’s public schools have a proud record of inclusion,
of celebrating the different ways to be Quebecers and Canadians. Our teachers’
unions and our school boards have always found ways to strike a positive
balance between religious differences and common values. QESBA and its member
Boards would far prefer the government to be working with us to address the
real issues, such as student success and increased services in the classroom,
that matter to the future of the students,” said QESBA President Dan Lamoureux.
Going further than the 2008 Bouchard-Taylor report entitled “BUILDING THE FUTURE: A Time for
Reconciliation,” the draft law proposes to ban the wearing of religious symbols by
public sector employees in a position of authority, including teachers and
administrators in our schools. The fact that the prohibition would not apply to
current employees does nothing to make it more acceptable. The use of both the
Canadian and Québec
“notwithstanding”
clauses in Bill 21 is a clear indication that even the Government of Québec
recognizes that the proposed measures are an infringement on individual rights.
“Inclusion, inquiry and fairness are basic principles that guide the
teaching we do in all nine English school boards across Quebec. QESBA sees
nothing in Bill 21 that strengthens these principles. QESBA will insist on
presenting its thoughts on the key aspects of this bill when Parliamentary
Committee hearings are set. We will do so after speaking with teachers,
administrators, parents and communities served by our nine member Boards. We
will look at the draft law with a clear focus on what is best for our students
and employees and with a steadfast commitment to the values of openness,
tolerance and mutual understanding so crucial to our society,” concluded the
President.
A one-day Advanced Student Leadership Summit took
place at Laval Junior Academy on March 19, drawing hundreds of grade four to
grade eleven students as participants from Laval and other areas of the Sir
Wilfrid Laurier School Board’s territory.
According to SWLSB leadership program
consultant Daniel Johnson, 500 student leaders from 17 different schools
gathered at LJA to take part in the all-day event, dealing with the
environment, governance and many other current issues.
Spreading the TED message
The
summit was held leading towards
a “TEDX” learning conference in mid-April. TED stands for
Technology, Entertainment and Design, with X added to denote it is an
independent TED event following TED principles. TED is a U.S.-based media
organization which posts talks online for free distribution under the slogan ‘ideas
worth spreading.’
“It’s all about empowering and engaging the next
generation of leaders to be able to take positive action at their schools and
in their communities,” Daniel Johnson said in an interview with the Laval News.
He
said students from the SWLSB’s Joliette High School in the Laurentian community
of Joliette, as well as Laval Junior and Laval Senior academies, had been
working together to put on the event.
Many SWLSB schools
There
were students from Rawdon Elementary School in the Laurentians, SWLSB students
from Mountainview and Saint-Jude schools in Deux-Montagnes, and McCaig
Elementary in Rosemère. From Laval, students came from Saint-Paul, J.F.K.,
Genesis, Jules Verne, Souvenir, Hillcrest, Twin Oaks, and Terry Fox Elementary
School.
“This
is a showcase,” SWLSB chairman Paolo Galati told the Laval News. “We had one
student give his TED talk from last year so that everybody could see what TED
was about. So the schools can now take these TED talks, which are online, to
see them in their classes and teach with them. This is just one way that the
students are learning.”
‘Latitude and commotion
This
year, the TEDX Laval theme is “latitude and commotion.” The TEDX concept is
based on the idea that leadership instills confidence and helps solve problems
creatively, while contributing to team work and promoting collaboration between
people.
As
well, supporters believe that the opportunity to develop self-confidence in
problem-solving paves the way towards social and emotional development on a
life-long journey of trying to make the world – and the community – a better
place to live in.
SWLSB chairman ‘inspired’
“You
inspire me,” Galati told the students. “You are tomorrow’s generation of
leaders. Your actions and your dedication inspire me to be better, to do
better. Passion, purpose, listening and meaning help make a leader
inspirational. It is our role to help you become the best you can be. You have
so much potential. Anything is possible if you work hard and persevere.
“Be true to yourself,” he added. “Don’t be afraid do
dream big. Dream and continue to dream. And dream to be the best that you can
be. Enjoy every minute of this day and remember: If your actions inspire others
to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”
‘Heed
the voice,’ says speaker
Katherine O’Neil, a nurse from Montreal who recently returned from Haiti where she was part of a group doing humanitarian work, addressed the TEDX student participants.
Katherine O’Neil, a nurse from Montreal who recently
returned from Haiti where she was part of a group doing humanitarian work, also
addressed the TEDX students. “In life we have a little inner voice that nudges
us along the path,” she said. “And sometimes we ignore that voice. It’s there
speaking to us, but we don’t actually stop to listen to it.”
She said that one thing she learned in life was that
“we take many detours, but we end up arriving where we’re meant to arrive. We
end up going where we’re meant to go.” Saying she went to Haiti to do
humanitarian work, she suggested to the students they could do the same thing
here if they wanted to. “We’re all called to do something,” said O’Neil, urging
them to “listen to that voice.”
Printed or digital, written words never go away. Plato, and others who preceded or succeeded him give proof-positive of the truth of this human endeavor. On a daily basis many are added to the record of efforts to reflect, showcase, attack, defend, or document this focal point of life – the ever-changing human condition.
Among these stellar souls of the written word, is Gary Nolan – incisive, unapologetic and thought-provoking author of several books including “Turning Ideas into Dollars” and “Four Outstanding Canadian Inventors” highlighting those who changed the lives of millions.
“Most of us have ideas that make us wonder if we could turn them into money,” Nolan told TLN in a wide-ranging interview expounding on the challenge of what it takes to convert ideas into reality. “Most of us don’t know what to do, where to begin, how much to spend, what the idea is worth, can it be licensed, and lots more,” he stated.
In an impressive 30-year resume Nolan acknowledges he has evaluated 2000 ideas, participated in 100 product launches, and landed some of his own products on Walmart shelves. But make no mistake, there was blood, sweat, and tears in his life-long pursuit of turning sparks of brilliance into flames of success. “I learned at the school of hard knocks, made costly mistakes that could have been avoided. I promised that at retirement, my first two books would relate to outstanding Canadians, Quebecers who changed the game, and how anyone can do it on a shoestring,” he stated, his tone manifesting both pride and humility in what he has accomplished.
“Turning Ideas into Dollars” is based on his time in the trenches covering about 200 activities. Chapters are followed by a one-page guides for creators or investors, keeping their projects on track. When snags pop up, Nolan can be contacted, at no charge, through information provided in the book.
Never short on words, Nolan articulated an array of insights
on his life’s passion for creativity and on his consuming desire to help others
turn their seeds into fruit-bearing trees. This is what he generously shared
with TLN.
What do you
offer inventors?
“I’m all about a one-stop invention service, where you can shop new ideas or inventions providing full transparency by keeping the inventor involved throughout the process. Whether it’s the first time trying to launch a new idea or whether you have pursued another route in the past, I will guide the inventor in the right direction and save him/her thousands of dollars. I evaluate, develop, research, and advise on intellectual property. I sometimes use sub-contractors who have to be very good. I deal with geniuses. I’m the developer. I’m very good at finding creative ways to market products.”
Gary Nolan demonstrating his two publications
What is an
invention assessment?
“I give thorough, confidential, and objective analysis of the invention, making specific recommendations to correct deficiencies, or abort the idea. Business potential is examined and verified with competing products. While the market for good patents continues to expand, it’s still inefficient, putting high premiums on sellers knowing how to market, then patent effectively. I will tell you if you have a chance.”
Should inventors
patent before going to marketing?
“No. 50% of patents aren’t accepted, 80% lack market potential; patents are very expensive. It’s complicated with lots of risk. That’s why people come to me for honest opinions. I advise and get involved, to the end, as part of the deal, in return for percentage of sales for services. The client has the last word. I’m the only one in North America who takes products from A to Z. I see the whole process and what the obstacles are. This is the advantage coming to see me.”
What is
your objective?
“Prevent people from being cheated. Dreams turn into nightmares when falling into the wrong hands. People invest the wrong way, then kill their ideas. I started this service because of scammers and lack of ethics.”
What are
the obstacles for inventors? Can youth do it?
“There’s risk involved for companies. Lots of business people don’t have expertise in products. Companies would rather sell what they already have than invest in something new.
Kids today live in a different world, needing encouragement, guidance, and knowing what they can do. Dreams are opportunities. With passion, energy, and spark they can accomplish something. More opportunities exist today but they have to know what they want. Young people would profit by reading ‘Turning Ideas Into Dreams’ “.
What would
you like to tell the readers and/or inventors?
“When you hit a wall, give Gary a call.”
Mr. Nolanwill be
at Indigo (Laval), April 6, 11am-4pm, to
answer questions, free of charge. His email: garynolan689@gmail.com
Classes
are also opening at Anglophone schools. Skeete is encouraging parents to take advantage of the
classes which are being offered for free. In all, 644 kindergarten classes for
four-year-olds should become available across the province in 2019-2020.
Bill
5 amendments
(TLN) Saint-Rose CAQ MNA Christopher Skeete says he is
pleased that six kindergarten classes for four-year-olds will be opening at
Francophone schools in the Laval region: at Eurêka,
Quatre-Vents/Monseigneur-Laval and Nouvelle école of
Laval-des-Rapides.
In February, the CAQ government tabled Bill 5 to amend
the provincial public education system. The new law will gradually broaden
access to full-time kindergarten for four-year olds whose parents choose this.
As parliamentary assistant to Premier François
Legault, with responsibility for
Relations with English-Speaking Quebecers, Skeete said he was also thrilled by
the scheduled opening of the classes for four-year-olds in pre-kindergarten at
these primary schools: Jules-Verne, Souvenir and John-F. Kennedy.
“This is incredible news for students and parents in
our region,” said Skeete. “Pre-kindergarten for four-year-olds, free and
non-mandatory, will allow for quicker detection and problem solving for
children having potential impediments to their development, while offering them
learning through play.
Four-year-olds
pre-k for all
“Over the next five years, our government wishes to
make pre-k for four-year-olds available for all children in Sainte-Rose and
Quebec,” continued Skeete. “I invite all admissible parents to register their
children for this service now in view of the next back-to-school.”
According to Skeete, an additional 250 classes are
expected in September 2019 for a total of 644 classes across Quebec.
Registration is taking place now for schools where pre-k for four-year-olds is
set to be available.
Beginning this fall, classes will be open to families
who are economically disadvantaged, although the criteria are expected to be widened.
The CAQ government hopes to make pre-k for four-year-olds available to all
families within the next five years.
The members of the executive committee recommend that Laval’s city council
adopts the final reports of the Governance Commission concerning the following
organizations: Laval Symphony Orchestra; Quebec Center for Biotechnology
Innovation; Corporation of André-Mathieu Hall ([co] motion); Multi-Sports
Complex of Laval; Eco-Nature; Regroupement du sport in Laval and Regional
Television of Laval. The mission
of the commission is to review the practices and procedures of non-profit
organizations receiving municipal financial assistance in order to reinforce
the three pillars of municipal responsibility through transparency,
accountability and sound governance within the targeted organizations. By-law
L-12293 constituting the Governance Committee was adopted at a special meeting
of City Council on Thursday, December 10, 2015 and was amended by By-law
L-12581, adopted at a regular meeting of Council on June 5, 2018. Previous
organizations that have been reviewed this past year include Cosmodôme; Club de
soccer Fabrose; Cité de la culture et du sport de Laval; Centre
d’interprétation des biosciences Armand-Frappier; Fondation Cité de la Santé;
Patinorama (Objectif Zénith); Tourisme Laval; Axion 50 plus; Corporation
du Centre du Sablon; Association de baseball Les Associés de Laval; Club de
patinage artistique de Laval and La Centrale des artistes
In 2017, the Commission met with 15 non-profit organizations that
reported on their use of the grants obtained from the City of Laval in 2016. In
fulfilling its mission, the Commission
can count on the support of the Governance Secretariat, which is responsible
for the stewardship of the Commission, and acts as an advisor to the Commission
and its Chair for all matters in governance.
Members of the committee include;
Stéphane Boyer who is the acting president and municipal councilor of Duvernay-Pont-Viau,
Isabella Tassoni municipal councilor of Laval-des-Rapides, Aline Dib municipal
councilor of Saint-Martin, Aglaia Revelakis municipal councilor of Chomedey
and Claude Larochelle councilor of Fabreville.
Construction of fire station 6
The executive committee forwarded a
recommendation for city council approval to award a contract of $ 648,344.02 to
VBGA Architects in exchange for integrated professional services for the fabrication
of architectural plans, specifications and the supervision during the
construction phase of the work as part of the building project of the new fire
station number 6.
Municipal subsidies
The executive committee has agreed to
award grants in the amount of: $40,000 to Bluff Productions for the research,
development and execution of its annual activities for the year 2019; $13,000.00
to the Laval Dynamic Athletics Club for the rental of specialized indoor spaces
for training purposes for the year 2019; $5,000 to the Sir Wilfrid Laurier
Foundation financial support program for the organization’s annual fundraising
galas and $5,000.00 for the Maison de Soins Palliatifs (Palliative Care
Hospice) Laval to support its fundraising gastronomic evening held on February
7, 2019.
Acoustic barriers on Highway 15
The executive committee ratified the
awarding of a $100,427.01 contract to WAA Montréal Inc. in exchange for the
professional landscape architectural services. The firm is expected to provide
technical assistance during the improvement and repair of the vegetation/landscape
acoustic screens planted on Highway 15 along Guillemette Street.
Appointment of rotating associate members to
the executive committee
Under the charter of the City of
Laval, the mayor may submit to the council for approval a proposal to appoint,
for a specified period, municipal councilors to assist the members of the
executive committee as associate councilor. The proposed schedule of associate
advisors includes: Mr. Gilbert Dumas from November 5, 2018 to April 19, 2019; Jocelyne
Frédéric-Gauthier from April 22, 2019 to October 4, 2019; Mr. Vasilios
Karidogianns from 7 October 2019 to 20 March 2020; Mr. Yannick Langlois from
March 22, 2020 to September 4, 2020; Mr. Eric Morasse, from 7 September 2020 to
19 February 2021 and Mr. Aram Elagoz, from 22 February 2021 to 6 August 2021.
Nomination of a street name
In accordance with the resolution of
the committee of toponymical number CT-2018-18, the executive committee agreed
to recommend to the council to name the track located on the projected lot 6
241 601 of the cadastre of Quebec “rue Léonise-Valois”. This approach
is consistent with the criteria of the toponymical naming policy to improve the
representativeness of women in Laval topology and takes into account the themes
established in terms of the street name system.
Aline Dib, Member of the Board of Directors of
the Union of Quebec Municipalities
The executive committee renewed the
term of office of Ms. Aline Dib, Municipal Councilor of Saint-Martin, as its
representative on the Board of Directors of the Union of Quebec Municipalities
for two years from April 1st 2019 to March 31st 2021.
Financial Agreement between the City and the
Quebec Center for Innovation in Biotechnology (QBIC)
The Executive Committee has forwarded
for City Council approval the financial assistance agreement negotiated between
the City of Laval and the Quebec Center for Biotechnology Innovation (CQIB).
The financial agreement aims to define the conditions for the payment of financial
assistance in the amount of $360,000 for the years 2019 and 2020. The CQIB has
played a role as an incubator in life science technology development for 23
years in Laval and has welcomed more than 50 biomedical startup companies in
Laval. Currently 10 companies are established in laboratories and offices of the
QBIC and employ more than 60 people in quality occupations.
Restoration of the André-Benjamin-Papineau
House
The Executive Committee has agreed to
award a contract of $62,925.82 (taxes included) to Les Consultants S.M. Inc.
for professional consulting engineering services related to the renovation and
restoration of the Andre-Benjamin-Papineau home. The contract includes the
preparation of plans, specifications and tender documents, the obtaining of the
required authorizations and certificates as well as the execution and
supervision of the construction works.
Development of the Maison des Arts parking lot
– Reduced mobility
The executive committee has asked city
council to approve a $498,657.50 (taxes included) contract awarded to
Excavation P. Dupras Inc. for renovation work on the parking lots of Laval’s
Maison des Arts. This work consists of redoing the access ramps and parking
facade of the Maison des arts. They no longer meet updated accessibility
standards for people with reduced mobility.
Financial assistance to promote the exports of Laval companies
The members of the executive committee have presented for city council approval the financial assistance agreement negotiated between the city and Quebec’s Ministry of Economy and Innovation (MEI) for the promotion of exports from the Laval region. MEI has agreed to renew funding for the City to allow for the continuity of service. This is intended to stimulate the exports of Laval companies. These services will be organized around the following axes: promotion of exports; organization of trade missions and access to services of government partners. The new agreement will cover the period from April 1st 2018 to March 31st 2021 and will include financing in the sum of $320,000 over the three years.
With
more than two years to go before the next municipal elections, Action Laval –
which lost its Official Opposition status in the last election – is claiming
the title once again following the arrival of five former Mouvement Lavallois
councillors in the Action Laval caucus – raising the total to six.
The
five new Action Laval councillors, Paolo Galati (Saint-Vincent-de-Paul), Daniel
Hébert (Marigot), Michel Poissant (Vimont), David De Cotis (Saint-Bruno) and
Isabella Tassoni (Laval-des-Rapides), are joining Aglaia Revelakis (Chomedey),
who was elected under the banner of Action Laval in 2013 and re-elected in
2017.
Strength in numbers
The
additions represent a major change in the composition of city council,
effectively making Action Laval’s six elected representatives the main
opposition group to Mayor Marc Demers’ administration – at least in terms of
numerical superiority.
“We
never made a secret of our intention to rally all the oppositions in Laval and
to create a single large team for the next election,” Action Laval interim
leader Achille Cifelli said during a press conference held last week at the
Embassy Plaza. “It was part of our plan. Now, we will move forward and offer
real listening to all Laval residents and, and most importantly, we will make
sure the administration acts in their interests.”
New leadership next year
The
plan calls for Cifelli to remain Action Laval’s interim-leader and president
until a new leader is chosen by the membership sometime next year. “With six
municipal councillors, Action Laval now becomes the main opposition force in
Laval,” he said. “The role of our party in the municipal council will change,
just as it will with the management of the city and various organizations.”
Chomedey
councillor Revelakis, who succeeded in keeping her head high while bearing the
Action Laval banner as the party’s only council member these past few years,
welcomed the rallying of her five colleagues to the party, as well as the
accession of the new caucus as the main opposition to the Demers
administration.
The new Action Laval team (from the left): Saint-Vincent-de-Paul councillor Paolo Galati, Marigot councillor Daniel Hébert, Chomedey councillor Aglaia Revelakis, interim-leader and president Achille Cifelli, Saint-Bruno councillor David De Cotis, Vimont councillor Michel Poissant and Laval-des-Rapides councillor Isabella Tassoni.
‘New chapter begins’
“Today
a new chapter begins for Action Laval,” she said. “We will be forming the
biggest opposition ever at city hall. United, we will be there to care for the
interests of our citizens and make sure that the present administration is
accountable for their actions. We will be building the party that will defeat
Marc Demers in 2021.”
Speaking
on behalf of the five new members of the caucus, David De Cotis (a founding member
of the Mouvement Lavallois and former vice-president of the Demers
executive-committee) said he and his colleagues considered it was the right
time to “turn the page” on their past political allegiances.
A fact-based opposition
“We
are now joining an organized and trusted team, with whom we share the values of
service to citizens, integrity and transparency,” he said. “We will continue to
defend the interests of all Laval residents. But we will be doing it in an
objective and responsible fashion by relying on facts.
“We
will be rigorous in our criticisms, but respectful in our approach,” added De
Cotis. “But mostly we will continue to listen to everyone in Laval. My
colleagues Isabella, Daniel, Michel, Paolo and myself we are turning the page
on the old political accusations. We are now members entirely of the Action
Laval party and its caucus.”
De Cotis won’t run for mayor
Answering
journalists’ questions, De Cotis maintained steadfastly that he was not
interested in running for mayor in 2021. “It’s something I thought about long
and hard,” he said. “When I entered politics it was really to serve the
citizens. I feel just fine as the district councillor for Saint-Bruno and I
will continue to serve my citizens well.”
While
four of the other Action Laval councillors also claimed they weren’t interested
in running for mayor, Michel Poissant responded “we will see” when prompted to
state whether he’d consider seeking the mayoralty.
Not ‘official’ opposition
Although
Action Laval has now become the largest block of city councillors who are
unaffiliated with the Demers administration, the Parti Laval (which has only
one elected councillor) will continue to be designated as the “official opposition,”
since they won that privilege in the 2017 election when they were the
second-place party with the largest share of votes.
While
the title also allows the Parti Laval to receive a budget of more than $600,000
annually to conduct research and to hire support staff, De Cotis said Action
Laval will be conducting research of its own using a team of dedicated
volunteers instead of salaried staff.
