Saint-Martin city councillor Aline Dib announced recently that following a short period when she sat as an independent councillor and after careful reflection, she decided to accept an invitation from Mayor Marc Demers to return to the Mouvement Lavallois.
“The last few weeks were difficult, but they allowed me to reflect on my role and responsibilities as a city councillor,” said Dib, adding that mediation initiated by the mayor led to some interesting talks.
More consultation
“I was able to express myself freely and I consider the proposals for changes in the functioning of caucus that were presented to me as answering my request to be consulted more often. I was elected under the banner of the Mouvement Lavallois, a party which I like because it is based on the true aspirations of the citizens.
“I am therefore pleased to rejoin its ranks and to continue serving the citizens of my district with all the determination that keeps me going.”
More participation
It should be recalled that last Aug. 15 Mayor Marc Demers submitted to all the councillors with the ML a series of changes in the daily management of the caucus, in view of demands by all the councillors, but also because of the arrival of a new director at the mayor’s office. According to the mayor, new ways of proceeding will involve greater participation by all the councillors.
“I am highly pleased by the return of Aline Dib in our caucus,” said Demers. “She is a valuable councillor who defends the interests of her fellow citizens with great devotion and a lot of determination.”
Coyote sightings have been rising in Laval and Montreal areas
Martin C. Barry
For several weeks now, news outlets all over the province have been reporting sightings of coyotes in the metropolitan Montreal region. While the situation might be a little less alarming in Laval, the city is warning residents that certain precautions must be taken when wild animals such as coyotes are in your area.
Now near cities
Even if coyotes are found principally in rural regions, they have learned how to adapt to urban living. Coyotes can be seen in Laval in forested areas, such as the de l’Équerre woods, as well as the forests of Papineau, Sainte-Dorothée and Chomedey.
Coyotes have also been observed in the district of Saint-François and in woods around Le Carrefour Blvd. Coyotes play a role in keeping the ecosystem balanced by killing and eating small animals which are potentially harmful.
Not confrontational
Generally, coyotes don’t seek to confront humans, and are often even fearful. They live on small animals like rabbits and squirrels, carrion from larger dead animals, and sometimes vegetation. In urban areas, coyotes might also be attracted by the odors produced by garbage or compost. They generally avoid areas where there is a lot of human activity and traffic.
Unusual behaviors in coyotes that are potential warnings of trouble include: when they follow humans or domestic animals or show signs of aggression or preparedness to attack. In order to protect everyone, people living in areas where coyotes have been spotted should avoid leaving garbage out, should conduct composting responsibly to keep odors down, and keep domestic animals inside where they are safe.
Careful with dogs
This is particularly true at night, at dawn and at sunset. As well, property owners with fruit trees should gather fallen fruit as this can be a powerful source of attraction for coyotes. Keeping your dog leashed at all times while out walking is also recommended as coyotes could perceive dogs as any other kind of prey in the wilderness.
Should you encounter a coyote, it is suggested you remain calm, and maintain a distance so the coyote can flee. If the coyote reacts aggressively, you should make efforts to seem dominant, make sure that small children remain close to adults, make noise to frighten the coyote (while not turning your back), and call 3-1-1 and 9-1-1 to report the incident to municipal and public safety officials.
From the left, Kathleen Beaupré of GSC, Jacques Laniel of Barbies, Ahmad Keramudin of Barbies, Marc-André Dayan of GSC, Spyro Christopolous of Barbies and Madeleine J. Godard of the Children’s Wish Foundation. (Photo: Geneviève Beaupré)
(TLN)
Last Aug. 24, around 170 golfers gathered on the greens at the Club de Golf Le Versant in Terrebonne for the 5th annual edition of the GSC-Gestion Solution Construction and Barbies Resto Bar Grill golf tournament for the benefit of the Children’s Wish Foundation.
The organizers were thankful for the exceptional generosity they said was shown by the sponsors, partners, volunteers and golfers who got together to make it all a great success. As each children’s wish costs on average $10,000, two more children will receive their wish in the coming year.
Since 1984, Children’s Wish has allowed more than 25,000 children to live their dreams along with their families. In Quebec alone, more than 8,000 children have been able to live their dreams and the organization continues make dreams come true 300 times a year.
Jennifer Maccarone, chairperson of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board, has announced the appointment of Gaëlle Absolonne as the SWLSB’s new Director General effective September 10. Ms. Absolonne’s nomination was confirmed by a unanimous decision of the Council of Commissioners at a recent Special Council meeting.
According to a statement from the SWLSB, Ms. Absolonne brings over 22 years of experience in the education milieu at many levels. Beginning her career as a teacher, she has also occupied leadership positions in the elementary, secondary, and adult education/vocational training sectors. She has served as a Director of service, and most recently Assistant Director General at the Commission scolaire de Laval.
Passion and expertise
“We are confident that Ms. Absolonne’s leadership and knowledge will benefit our students, our employees, and our communities,” said Maccarone. “Her passion, expertise, and dedication will take our school board to the next level as we implement winning strategies that are in line with the board’s Commitment to Success Plan, recently adopted by the Council of Commissioners.”
“As a former employee, Ms. Absolonne keenly understands the challenges and diverse needs of our board,” she added. “Her unique profile, as well her belief in and commitment to public education, are key elements that will help to mobilize stakeholders to achieve our goals. She will be a great addition to our team, and it is a pleasure to welcome her back.”
Sep 7 – Police responded to a call late Friday night in Chomedey after gunshots were heard. The street was closed while police established a secure perimeter and searched the area. An investigation is ongoing.
Pedophile Arrested, Police Seek Other Victims
Pedophile Arrested, Police Seek Other Victims
Sep 6 – Laval police arrested a 73-year-old man alleged to have committed multiple sexual assaults on minors, starting in the 1960s. Several victims recently came forward to report the crimes, which led police to identify and arrest Antoine Trudeau. The victims were between the ages of 5 and 17, at the time the assaults occurred.
Investigators believe Trudeau may have assaulted other minors, and police are encouraging anyone who may have been victimized by this man to contact police.
Trudeau is a former member of a religious group called The Mission of the Holy Spirit. Back then, he was known by the name “Lafleche Trudeau.”
The alleged pedophile was arrested in June. He was arraigned and released on bail with conditions, and he is scheduled to return to court on November 7.
All calls to the Laval police info-line are confidential: 450-662-INFO (4636)
Police Arrest Cora Kidnapper
Sep 4 – Police arrested the main suspect behind the kidnapping of Nicholas Tsouflidis, the president of the Cora Group breakfast chain, which occurred 18 months ago.
Tsouflidis was taken at gunpoint from his Mirabel home, in March 2017. A passerby found him tied up and beaten, but alive, in a ditch by the side of Highway 13 in Laval several hours later.
The alleged kidnapper, 49-year-old Paul Zaidan, was arrested at his home in Laval early last Tuesday morning on charges including kidnapping and unlawful confinement. He was arraigned the following day.
Several published reports identified Zaidan as a former Cora franchisee. Laval police don’t believe the incident was linked to organized crime.
Police note there may be more impending arrests in the case.
No Suspects in Attempted Murder
Sep 1 – A man in his 30s was taken to hospital in serious condition after being shot several times last Friday evening.
Police were called at 5:20 p.m. by a passerby who discovered the injured and unconscious victim lying on the sidewalk of Bruno St. near Mayfield St. in Chomedey.
Investigators searched the scene for clues but there were apparently no witnesses and no one reported hearing gunshots, so there is little information to work with.
The incident is being treated as an attempted murder. Police do not currently have a suspect.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the police info-line at 450-662-INFO (4636).
Police Seek Info on Truck Thief
Aug 29 – Police are turning to the public for help identifying a suspect who allegedly stole a Dodge Durango then helped himself to the owner’s credit card and did a little shopping at a nearby dépanneur.
The truck theft occurred on May 15 in the Chomedey area. Some of the owner’s personal documents were in the vehicle, including a credit card. It was used about an hour later.
Police are looking for two suspects; both are young, white males in their 20s. A surveillance camera captured the image of one of the suspects.
Police Seek Info on Truck Thief
Police are also looking for the woman who seemed to be accompanying the suspect at the time these surveillance photos were taken. She is wanted for questioning as a witness; police do not consider her a suspect in the car theft.
woman who seemed to be accompanying the suspect at the time these surveillance photos were taken
Anyone with any information on the individual in the photo is urged to call 450-662-INFO (4636) or 911 and mention file LVL 180515 012.
Hôtel de ville de Laval – Laval City Hall. 1 Place du Souvenir, Laval, Québec, Canada.
City Watch September 12 2018.
Acquisitions for conservation purposes
The executive committee authorized the purchase of two lots of land covering a total area of 2,744.1 square meters in the Bois de l’Équerre sector at a cost of $148,000. This purchase is part of the administrations policy to acquire existing natural environments for conservation purposes of Laval’s woodlands and green spaces.
Agreement for services signed with the Fondation de l’entrepreneurship
The executive committee approved the signing of a protocol with the Fondation de l’entrepreneurship to conduct a study to measure the vitality of entrepreneurial development in Laval circa 2018. This study, which is commissioned at a cost of $ 60,000, will allow an examination and a more in-depth analysis of Laval’s economic issues. In order to draw valid conclusions and trends for a specific region, it is necessary to obtain a larger sampling of data for that region. More specifically, the mandate is to survey 700 Laval enterprises and respondents in order to provide a detailed report of the state of affairs of entrepreneurial development for the Laval region.
Start-up Weekend Sponsorship
Start-up Weekends are 54-hour events designed to provide a quality educational experience for technical and non-technical entrepreneurs. These weekend events focus on action, innovation and education. The courses of Start-up Weekend participants are 50% technical (developers, coders, designers) and 50% business (marketing, finance, law). This second edition of Start-up Weekend Laval will focus on “Intelligent Mobility”. It will take place from October 19th to 21st 2018 and will be preceded by an introductory event on September 19th 2018 and will be followed by a post-event session on November 29th 2018. The Executive Committee authorized the payment of a sponsorship of $ 5,000 to the organization Tiers Lieu, Coop de solidarité for the realization of the event.
Simone-Monet-Chartrand Community Center
The members of the executive committee approved Laval’s Urban Planning Advisory Committee’s (Comité consultatif d’urbanisme-CCU) recommendation to name the new community center that is part of the Val-Martin building/social housing revitalization project. This new municipal infrastructure will be inaugurated as the Simone-Monet-Chartrand community centre highlighting the exceptional contribution to Quebec society of this remarkable woman, especially in women issues and human rights. Ms. Monet-Chartrand’s (1919-1993) whose accomplishments are directly related to the activities of the future community center made honoring her social contributions in this manner a perfect choice.
Grant to Regroupement du sport in Laval
The Executive Committee approved the partnership agreement (2017-2021) between the City of Laval and the ARSEL / CSL Laval Sport Collective regarding the mandates provided for in the financial assistance agreement with the Ministère de l’Éducation, and Higher Education. This provides the organization overseeing regional sporting activities a municipal grant of up to $ 10,000.
Financial assistance for organizations in group and individual sports
The Executive Committee has approved several grants totaling a financial commitment of $ 256,902.34 to organizations involved in the pursuit of team and individual sports for the year 2018. According to its policy of financial assistance in the fields of culture, recreation, sports and social development, the City of Laval provides financial support to sports organizations to help them operate and supervise their activities. This program is intended for regional organizations that support sporting activities at the regional or local level.
Infrastructure Work on Elsa-Triolet Street
The members of the executive committee forwarded a recommendation for city council approval to award a contract to Eurovia Québec Construction inc. in the amount of $ 363,780.90 (taxes included) for asphalting, sidewalk and lighting installation on part of the rue Elsa-Triolet and part of lot 4 660 780 of the cadastre of Québec conditionally upon receipt of the guarantees required by the tender documents.
Road de-icing salt
Tire tracks on snow
The Executive Committee has forwarded a recommendation for City Council approval to award a contract to Compass Minerals Canada Corp. in the amount of $ 4,340,007.50 including taxes for the supply and transport of road salt (sodium chloride), all in accordance with the terms and conditions of the tender documents of the Union of Municipalities of Canada. Quebec (UMQ). In 2016, the City joined the UMQ in the consolidated purchase of roadway salt for de-icing. The price for the 2018-2019 season is $ 102.02 (plus taxes) per metric ton. For the winter season 2018-2019, consumption is estimated at 37,000 metric tons.
Humor Festival on Highway 15
Autoroute 15 sign.
On April 23 of this year the Mobility and Public Transit Forum was held in Laval at the end of which the group of 19 mayors present adopted a consensus statement in favor of the development of an integrated Laval-Lower Laurentians transportation network. In order to promote this project, many initiatives have been selected, including a five-day mobile Comedy Festival. Five comedians will provide live performances over five days on buses providing transit services along Auto route Highway 15 during rush hour. The executive committee has granted a financial contribution of $ 10,000 to the MRC Thérèse-de-Blainville to support the realization of this event which promotes one of the major axes of the integrated network namely the establishment of reserved lanes on the Highway 15.
Transfer of 10 vehicles for training purposes
Fire truck, Jaws of Life.
The Executive Committee has authorized the City’s Purchase and Supply Department to cede 10 non-service vehicles to the Laval Fire Department for training in the use of the extrication tongs. Hydraulic rescue tools (commonly called-jaws of life) are used by emergency rescue personnel to assist vehicle extrication of crash victims, as well as other rescues from small spaces. These tools include cutters, spreaders, and rams. Such devices were first used in 1963 as a tool to free race car drivers from their vehicles after crashes. Training of their use will take place in August and September 2018.
Support of the RECRUES Communautaire Laval initiative
The executive committee approved the 2018-2019 partnership agreement between the City of Laval and Laval’s School Board (Commission scolaire de Laval) to support the RECRUES Communautaire Laval initiative. This initiative (formerly known as Moovjee Communauté Laval) brings together regional leaders from the business and socio-economic development sectors who mentor and accompany a group of young entrepreneurs selected in Laval.
The current issue of the Laval News volume 26-17 published September 12, 2018, (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.26-17 September 12, 2018.
PQ leader Jean-François Lisée and deputy-leader Véronique Hivon are seen here at Entraide Pont-Viau for a political rally on Aug. 24.
Martin C. Barry
With the Coalition Avenir Québec leading in the polls and the incumbent Liberals following closely in second spot, the distant third-place Parti Québécois are still hoping – despite the odds – to reclaim seats they once held in Laval when Quebecers head to the ballot boxes on Oct. 1.
Rallying local Péquistes
PQ leader Jean-François Lisée and the party’s deputy-leader Véronique Hivon arrived in Laval aboard their campaign bus on Aug. 24, a day after the campaign opened. They addressed more than 100 devoted PQ followers – many being from an older generation of Péquistes who knew the party in better days – at the Entraide community centre in Laval’s Pont-Viau district.
Hivon, who is the PQ MNA for Joliette, is no stranger to Laval, having served as a political attaché to former Laval-des-Rapides PQ MNA Serge Ménard during his time in office. Ménard was one of several former PQ MNAs and former Bloc Québécois MPs from Laval who turned up for the rally.
PQ leader Jean-François Lisée and deputy-leader Véronique Hivon are greeted by supporters from Laval upon their arrival at Entraide Pont-Viau for a political rally on Aug. 24.
Hivon invokes pride
Also on hand were former Bloc MPs Robert Carrier and Madeleine Dalphond-Guiral, as well as former PQ MNA for Sainte-Rose Suzanne Proulx. While the PQ leader dealt with some of the burning issues of the day in his address, Hivon appealed largely to the pride of her fellow Péquistes.
“That pride to fight for who we are, an extraordinary nation of Québécois who carry an incredible heritage, a history and a culture,” she said, while urging them to continue struggling to defend French – “the only official language of Quebec.”
The question of sovereignty was raised by Hivon as an ultimate goal for the PQ – although not necessarily something they would hope to tackle immediately were they to form a government on Oct. 1. “We have everything we need to become sovereign,” she said, while suggesting that a sovereign Quebec governed by the PQ would work proactively with English-speaking citizens as well as First Nations.
The six PQ candidates who are running in the Oct. 1 provincial election in Laval.
PQ leader Lisée speaks
In his speech, Lisée described the PQ as a political party that “doesn’t content itself only with what is. We want what will be better, and it is up to us to make it happen. We are the creators of a better Quebec and no one will stop us from creating a better Quebec.”
After pledging to do a better job of improving health and social services than either the Liberals or the CAQ, he said the PQ’s second major goal would be the defence of the French language. “Who will defend the French language in Laval, Montreal and everywhere in Quebec?,” he said, before launching into an attack on Québec solidaire whose chief spokesperson, Manon Massé, had referred the day before to French and English as “official languages” in Quebec.
The PQ’s campaign bus arrives for a political rally held in Laval’s Pont-Viau district on Aug. 24.
Attacks QS’s Manon Massé
“I think this reflects the fact that at Québec solidaire, Quebec nationalism – the defence of the historic language of the nation – isn’t integrated. It isn’t in their DNA. It’s not their strongest point,” he said, while describing the Liberal Party as being in denial of the facts.
“They deny that the French language is losing ground in the Montreal region,” said Lisée, noting that 60 per cent of employment ads in Montreal now list English as a mandatory qualification, while others refer to French as merely being an asset. “What this means is that if you don’t speak English, for six jobs out of 10 you can’t get the job. It’s the opposite of what Bill 101 set out to do.”
PQ leader Jean-François Lisée and deputy-leader Véronique Hivon are greeted by supporters from Laval upon their arrival at Entraide Pont-Viau for a political rally on Aug. 24.
Back to School
– Police Urge Drivers to Respect the Signs
Aug 24 – Laval police are urging students and parents to have a safe return to school by following and respecting signs that tell drivers where they are NOT allowed to park their cars when dropping their kids off at school, or picking them up at the end of the school day.
Police will first roll out a 3-week awareness campaign, from September 4 to 21. During this first phase, errant drivers will be approached and made aware of the restrictions and their infractions.
During the second phase, scheduled to begin directly after the 3-week awareness campaign, officers will start handing out tickets to drivers who are caught not respecting the signage.
This initiative, along with other safety and prevention campaigns, is for the benefit of everyone’s security and aims to keep kids safe as they head back to school.
Police Shoot Dog After Savage Attack
Aug 23 – Laval police are taking some heat after an officer shot and killed a dog that had attacked a woman multiple times. The incident happened around 1:45 p.m. on St-Luc St. The dog had already bitten the 42-year-old woman prior to police arriving at the woman’s home, and it lunged at the woman again when police arrived.
According to police, different tactics were used to try to get the dog to release its grip on the woman. Police tried using a Taser to subdue the animal, but it was ineffective. The officer was forced to withdraw his weapon and shoot the canine multiple times.
Unfortunately, several children witnessed the dog’s attack and the gunfire.
The woman was taken to hospital with lacerations on her arms and legs. Her injuries were not life-threatening. She later expressed her dismay at the officer’s use of deadly force.
The dog was a bull terrier. Its owner was the victim’s 21-year-old son.
Police Arrest Gunman Who Shut Down 440
Aug 16 – After an hours-long stand-off that completely shut down Autoroute 440 and ended peacefully, police arrested the 21-year-old gunman, Louis Bouillon. He was charged with firing a weapon, improper storage and transport of a firearm, possessing a firearm without a permit, and threatening the lives of two police officers.
The incident began around 3:20 p.m. Tuesday when police were notified about a depressed man sitting in a car with a rifle in his hands.
Officers from the Laval police department and the Sureté du Quebec quickly blocked off the area, bringing traffic on the 440 near Boul. des Laurentides to an absolute standstill.
Police attempted to talk to the young man, and he apparently told them he was depressed and also threatened to hurt himself and others.
After two hours of negotiations the man finally surrendered himself peacefully to officers.
Police confirmed that during their negotiations, three shots were fired and a Laval police squad car was struck by one bullet.
The Autoroute remained closed to traffic in both directions until 6 p.m.
Boul. des Laurentides was reopened around 8 p.m.
Drug Trafficking Network Busted
Aug 15 – With the collaboration of officers from the Sureté du Quebec, Laval police executed 4 search warrants which ultimately resulted in the arrest of 4 individuals and a sizeable seizure of drugs and cash.
More than 60 officers were involved with searching 4 addresses in Laval, Mirabel, and Ste-Marthe. The operation, dubbed “Dague,” began in March, with a tip from their info-line. The searches resulted in the seizure of 3 firearms (44, 25, and 22 caliber), more than $100,000 in cash, and an undisclosed quantity of drugs including cocaine, crack, and marijuana, as well as a vehicle.
Four individuals were arrested, all male, between the ages of 26 and 33 years old. All four men were known to police and possess prior records for similar offenses in drug trafficking.
Anyone with information related to this crime or any other crime should contact the Laval police via their info-line at 450-662-INFO (4636) or 911.
Arriving at Laval’s Marché 440 last Sunday afternoon during an election campaign stop, CAQ leader François Legault (seen with CAQ Sainte-Rose candidate Christopher Skeete on the right) met shoppers and spoke with journalists afterwards.
Martin C. Barry
If personality is a factor that ends up influencing the outcome of the Oct. 1 provincial election, the Coalition Avenir Québec’s François Legault may well be ahead of the game in this regard.
While incumbent Liberal Premier Philippe Couillard is known for his surgical coolness – after all, he is a neurologist – PQ leader Jean-François Lisée doesn’t seem to fare much better, coming from an intellectual background and being a political analyst.
Coalition Avenir Québec leader François Legault chatted and mingled easily with the merchants and customers at Laval’s Marché 440 outdoor farm market last Sunday afternoon.
Marché 440 meet and greet
On a campaign stop in Laval at the Marché 440 outdoor garden market last Sunday afternoon, Legault, on the other hand, seemed much more in his natural element.
Meeting ordinary people face to face, the CAQ leader seemed completely at ease as he interacted with virtually everyone he met, while exchanging anecdotes and bits of humor with voters from the Laval region.
During a scrum with journalists afterwards, Legault outlined some of the specific pledges the CAQ is making for the Laval area. “We made a commitment to extend the REM, you know, with Montreal, Laval and along the 440 – that is to have REM stations along the 440 east to west,” he said.
Seen here with CAQ leader François Legault (centre), the six CAQ candidates running in Laval are Mauro Barone (Mille-Îles), Alice Abou-Khalil (Chomedey), Adriana Dudas (Fabre), Christine Mitton (Laval-des-Rapides), Michel Reeves (Vimont) and Christopher Skeete (Sainte-Rose).
Election pledges for Laval
“I think this is something that we need in Laval. You only have to be living in Laval to see what happens on the 15 in the morning, late afternoon and in the evening to know that there is a big, big, big problem with mobility in Laval.” Straying off that point, Legault then alluded to the CAQ’s pledge to rearrange the province’s school tax system, as well as other issues.
“As is the case elsewhere in the province, we are paying too much school tax, there aren’t enough well-paying jobs, there’s a shortage of pre-kindergartens for four-year-olds,” he said. “We’re going to be offering the best services to our senior citizens. So there are various things we are doing in Laval. Yes, we can do better in Laval than what’s been done over the past 15 years.”
With his Laval candidates, CAQ leader François Legault, centre, met shoppers at the Marché 440 outdoor market on Autoroute 440 last Sunday.
Also promises A-19 extension
Legault was also asked what the CAQ, if elected, will do to complete the long-delayed extension of Autoroute 19 northward from Laval to the North Shore region. “What I am committing myself to do is to work very narrowly with the mayors of the North Shore,” he replied.
“I am an MNA from the North Shore,” said Legault, who is the representative for the riding of Rousseau in the Lanaudière region. “I think I know them well. I worked a long time in the Laurentians when I was president of Air Transat. I have a good knowledge, I think, of the needs of the North Shore, and I will work with them very, very closely. I have a good idea of what they want.”
‘Time to act,’ says CAQ leader
Legault pointed out that successive governments led by the Liberals and the PQ have made promises about completing the A-19 as many as times – without ever fulfilling them. “It’s about time that we take this seriously and take action,” he said.
“I think that one of the big demands being heard concerns the 19. It’s going to be done with us. And it’s going to be done within the parameters they want – with reserved lanes, based on the demands of the mayors from the North Shore. It will be done within a reasonable period of time.”
