Laval News Volume 26-07
This issue 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.
April 4 2018
Laval City Watch March 21 2018
Improvements in Laval parks
The City of Laval will invite bids by public tender for renovation work to be done in parks throughout the city. The planned improvements prioritize the development, restoration and upgrading of children’s play areas in order to create pleasant recreational spaces that conform to rigorous safety regulations. The priorities were established based on inspections made of Laval’s existing playground infrastructures. These findings were instrumental in generating a Parks and Public Spaces Master Plan. The work is ongoing and the priority is to identify and assess areas that require immediate attention.
Professional Services of Health and Safety Officers
Safety on construction sites is an essential component in building and renovating municipal infrastructures. As there are several major construction projects on the agenda including the aquatic sports complex and the revitalization of the Concorde Metro and train stations sector the City of Laval is requesting bids by public tender for professional services of health and safety agents. The agents will be required to oversee the construction sites to safeguard that all measures required to ensure worker safety are addressed.
Patrimonial inventory and study of modern, religious and institutional heritage
As the third city of Quebec, in antiquity and significance a study of Laval’s history and its cultural heritage are important so patrimonial records archive this history and become unique references for future development. Amassing and guarding this knowledge requires rigorous information gathering and research. Therefore the city administration will invite bids via public tenders for professional services to conduct an archival and historic review as well as an inventory of modern, religious and institutional developments that define Laval’s heritage. These documents will be used to guide future urban developments in Laval with a view of protecting its heritage as well as providing a workable framework for the revision of urban planning regulations, which are currently underway.
New Athletics track and field facility
In the summer of 2020, Laval will host the Québec Games Final. Since it does not have adequate and safe facilities for the practice of athletics (a condition for obtaining the event), the City launched a public call for tenders for integrated professional services for of the preparation of plans, specifications and the supervision of construction work for an athletics track and field facility. Following the bidding process the members of the executive committee recommend that the municipal council award a contract of $665,820.23 (total taxes included) to architect Héloïse Thibodeau.
Laval’s track and field facilities will be located on a portion of the Parc-école de l’Odyssée-des-Jeunes in the Vimont district. The objective is that the work be completed by the end of the summer of 2019. This will allow the municipality to not only host a preparatory competition to evaluate the facilities but will also provide Laval athletes first class training facilities in the preparation for the summer of 2020. It is hoped that the dozen scheduled track and field competitions before the Quebec Games will provide opportunities for both male and female athletes to enhance their training.
Bridge repairs over the Rivière des Prairies
The members of the executive committee approved an investment of $99,723 (including net taxes) covering the Canadian Pacific rail signalers fees, whose presence is required during the construction work scheduled to begin on April 15th 2018. The renovations consist of repairing bridges over the Rivière des Prairies, between Laval and Île Perry and between Île Perry and Montréal.
Raising environmental awareness among industries, businesses and institutions
The City of Laval has entered into a $ 30,000 service agreement with the Regional Environmental Council (CRE) of Laval. This agreement finances an environmental information and awareness campaign for industries, commercial enterprises and institutions (ICI) related to the management of their residual waste materials. The objective of the mandate which will run until August 2018, is to reduce the quantity of materials disposed of by the ICI and to increase the amount of waste materials recycled by these organizations. The CRE de Laval is a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of the environment and promote sustainable development.
$5,000 grant to the Laval Palliative Care Home
The members of the executive committee awarded a grant of $ 5,000 to the House of Palliative Care of Laval as part of the program of support for fundraising and sponsorship activities of an organization. The City of Laval was able to appear as a Bronze partner during the organization’s gastronomic evening held in February 2018.
Major Renovation at Mike-Bossy Arena
The City will shortly be calling for public tenders for a major project to renovate the Mike Bossy Arena. As a result of its pledge to meet its Montreal Protocol commitments to reduce greenhouse gases, Laval wants to replace existing refrigeration systems like those operating in ice rinks running on HCFC R-22 with greener systems.
Community spaces for organizations of Saint-François
The executive committee authorized a maximum annual expenditure of $ 70,000 to lease space for organizations in Saint-François still affected by the closure of the Saint-Noël-Chabanel community center. Two local organizations were active in the area: the Saint-François Recreation Department and the Saint-Noël-Chabanel Golden Age Club. They will continue to be relocated and offer their activities on the premises of Saint-Noël-Chabanel Parish, the Laval School Board (L’Escale School and Fleur-Soleil School) and the Knights of Columbus Community Center. .
Management of the Laval-sur-le-Lac marina
The members of the executive committee approved a transitional management contract between the City of Laval and the Laval-sur-le-Lac Yacht Club to allow the latter to continue administering and managing all the infrastructures, facilities, movables and immovables of the marina of Laval-sur-le-Lac. This measure is in force for 2018 and will be in force until a new management contract is negotiated.
Laval city council holds its March 13 public meeting
(TLN)
At the beginning of Laval city council’s March 13 public meeting, the council’s president, Councillor Christiane Yoakim, invited everyone to observe a moment of silence in memory of Athéna Gervais, the Laval teenager who died recently after consuming a sugary beverage with a high concentration of alcohol that she had purchased along with other teens.
Higher seniors’ subsidy
During the meeting, Mayor Marc Demers announced a new council by-law to modify existing regulations in order to increase a subsidy from $100 to $150 paid by the city annually to senior citizens 65 years and older who rent or own their home.
The subsidy rises from $200 to $300 per year when the recipient is already receiving the federal guaranteed revenue supplement in accordance with the social security act. During the same meeting, the city gave its support to the Commission scolaire de Laval and the Complexe Multi-Sports de Laval for the Jeux du Québec being held in Laval in two years.
Jeux du Québec coming
The support was extended in view of the fact the city needs facilities where sporting events can be held. By 2020, Laval is expected to have opened its new aquatic complex, and will also have facilities for athletics events, as well as for sports like baseball.
In another development, Virginie Dufour, city councillor for Sainte-Rose and an executive-committee member, was appointed the City of Laval’s representative on the governing board of Tricentris, a non-profit recycling company, for two years. At the same time, Renaud city councillor Aram Elagoz was appointed as an alternate member of the Tricentris board if Dufour is unable to attend board meetings.
Tricentris recycling
Tricentris has a contract with the City of Laval that runs from April 1 this year until April 14 2022. Tricentris, which was created by a group of municipalities across the province that were determined to take recycling into their own hands, now serves more than 200 towns and cities, making it the most significant recycling firm in Quebec.
Councillors Isabella Tassoni (Laval-des-Rapides) and Aglaia Revelakis (Chomedey) tabled a report on work they were assigned to carry out with regard to gender equality in the city. Tassoni thanked the Centre des Femmes de Laval as well as the Table de concertation lavalloise en condition féminine (TCLCF) for their help. “Today marks a major step towards a future that’s more egalitarian for our women and for our city,” said Tassoni.
New council for women
For her part, Revelakis said that she and Tassoni, along with Councillor Dufour, will be helping to form a committee that will lead towards the creation of a new consultative council on women’s issues. “This is my commitment towards all women and I am proud of it,” said Revelakis, while adding that she and Tassoni were tabling the report on gender equality “on behalf of all women.”
Others chosen to be members of the new women’s committee include Lucille Francoeur and Marie-Ève Surprerant, who currently are president and coordinator of the Table de concertation lavalloise en condition féminine respectively, as well as Corine Vanderborght, a representative from the Centre des femmes de Laval.
Intellectual Disability Week
During a segment of the meeting reserved for councillors’ statements, Councillor Nicholas Borne pointed out that March 11 – 17 was Intellectual Disability Week in Laval, when efforts are made to draw attention to intellectual disabilities and their impact on people’s lives. Councillor Borne had the honour this year of being named honorary president of the week’s festivities for the Association lavalloise pour la déficience intellectuelle.
Good news from De Cotis
Saint-Bruno city councillor and deputy mayor David De Cotis, who is responsible for economic development on the executive-committee, read out some impressive statistics. According to De Cotis, from February 2017 until February this year, the number of employed people in Laval rose by 23,000, while the unemployment rate fell by around 2 percentage points to a low of 6 per cent.
“These are very positive results which can be explained by the success of our businesses,” he said, while singling out one company in particular – Aliments Viau – which, according to De Cotis, recently invested $40 million in its Laval facilities, with the creation of 125 more jobs.
During the citizens’ question period, Benoit Blanchard told the mayor that in an area of Australia known as Gold Coast, the local officials have had success installing bicycle paths on pedestrian sidewalks instead of on the side of the street. He said Laval should consider doing the same. Mayor Demers responded that the city has no such plans, but will be accelerating its development of bike paths in the coming years.
Citizens’ question period
During the citizens’ question period, Benoit Blanchard told the mayor that in an area of Australia known as Gold Coast, the local officials have had success installing bicycle paths on pedestrian sidewalks instead of on the side of the street. He said Laval should consider doing the same. Mayor Demers responded that the city has no such plans, but will be accelerating its development of bike paths in the coming years.
Based on testimonies of citizens living on Mill Hill Street, snow removal in the area is the pits. “As resident of Place Mill Hill we are trapped” said Mrs. Sasso. “When we call the city tell us that we are not a priority. This year the snow removal is deplorable. When it snows we are trapped and cannot get out. Give me back my $4000 in taxes and I will clean up the snow”, she said. Another citizen Irene Karas, informed the council that due to the snow removal situation, back in February firemen took fifteen minutes to answer a call which resulted for her neighbour to suffered severe burns.
Answering the citizens the mayor Demers said that he will enquire with the 311 call centre as well with the fire chief to find out what happened.
FREE Income Tax Clinics
The Armenian Relief Society of Laval , is offering free clinics to fill the income tax returns.
The Armenian Relief Society of Laval
(Registered for the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, , Sponsored by Canada and Quebec Revenue agencies.)
Is Offering FREE Income Tax Clinics , for low income individuals and families.
On : Saturdays : From 10:am -3 pm
At : The Armenian Community Center of Laval
397 Boul. Des Prairies, Laval, H7N 2W6
For appointments : Maggie 514-713-6325
Seta 514-862-1402
‘Snoezelen’ room launched at Résidence Louise-Vachon
(TLN)
For the 30th edition of the Quebec Week for Intellectual Disabilities, the CISSS de Laval proceeded recently with the official opening of its new Snoezelen-based multisensory room at the Résidence Louise-Vachon.
Developed in the Netherlands during the 1970s, the Snoezelen approach involves sensorial and therapeutic experiences meant for various types of clientele.
Over the last few months, a team at the Résidence Louise-Vachon worked to put into place this room which will allow users with intellectual disabilities or with an autism spectrum disorder to take part in new activities determined by a team of clinical specialists.
Users can explore
The activities will stimulate sensations involving the senses, including hearing, eyesight, touch, smell and motor control. The new room is equipped with fiber optics to project videos and still images as required. Users will also be able to explore at their own pace various other kinds of sensations leading to physical and mental relaxation.
“We have noticed that the users who come to this new room see a reduction in their anxieties as well as a higher level of awareness,” says Gary Stoopler, director of programs for intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorders at CISSS de Laval. “These are just some of the numerous benefits from this approach that reinforce the therapeutic link between users and their various interveners.”
Special training in approach
In order to master this therapeutic approach, 15 interveners from the Centre for Readaptation in Intellectual Disabilties and Development Problems at CISSS de Laval have received special training in this approach. Over the coming months, training will continue so that the employees develop familiarity for the method.
“With this new technique, the interveners will be able to add goals to individualized intervention plans for each user,” says Nicole Lanteigne, head of health and assistance services at the Résidence Louise-Vachon. “This will encourage the development of users and will furnish them at the same time with a better quality of life.”
Laval News Volume 26-06
Laval News Volume 26-06
This issue 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.
March 21 2018
Laval News Volume 26-05
Laval News Volume 26-05
This issue 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.
City’s new housing code came into effect March 1
(TLN) A new housing code that was adopted by Laval city council last September came into effect on March 1. The new regulations set out ways for tenants as well as landlords to safeguard themselves against nuisances and unsanitary conditions.
Intervention required
They also allow the city to intervene and ask for repairs or renovations when a dwelling that isn’t necessarily unsanitary needs basic repairs all the same.
One important aspect of the new code requires property owners and pest exterminators to reveal infestations of bed bugs. Tenants are also required to advise owners immediately of any bed bug infestations.
Sanitary housing assured
“The city’s new housing code offers to all tenants and all landlords a tool to assure sanitary and secure habitats,” says Mayor Marc Demers.
“In addition to legitimizing the interventions of the city in cases of insalubrity, the code allows us to demand repairs or renovations so that dwellings which are lived in are sanitary and secure.”
Preventive actions
Among other things, the new housing code forbids property owners or tenants from doing anything that may lead to unsanitary conditions, such as allowing mould to propagate, neglecting the presence of insects or ignoring other types of parasite.
The code also obliges landlords to do basic renovations or repairs on fundamental fixtures in a dwelling, such as the kitchen sink, the toilet, shower or bath, while requiring them to repair the roof, doors or windows.
Laval City Watch March 2018
Support for seniors
With the adoption of the 2018 budget city council voted for a 50% increase in the home support program for seniors aged 65 and over. This announced increase in budget will have immediate effect as it is to be implemented in the year 2018. Regulation L-12573 modified by the members of the executive committee amends by-law L-12221 to reflect this increase.
When the new by-law is adopted by city council Laval’s subsidy program for seniors will increase from $ 100 to $ 150 per year per eligible person aged 65 or over acting as a tenant, owner or occupant. It will also increase from $ 200 to $ 300 per year when the eligible person receives the Guaranteed Income Supplement from the Government of Canada under the Old Age Security Act (RSC, 1995, cO-9).
Second MADA Action Plan
The city of Laval which has been recognized since 2014 as a municipality that is friendly to seniors and gained the (MADA) accreditation has tabled and adopted its report on the achievements of the municipal MADA Action Plan for 2014-2017. This activity was related to the measures taken to achieve this certification.
The report which will be transmitted to Quebec’s Ministry of Family will also be made public. Also, the summaries of briefings, consultations and the modes of communication employed to achieve this end will be released. The members of the executive committee also authorized the submission of an application for financial assistance of $ 80,000 to Laval’s Seniors Secretariat (Secrétariat des aînés) to support the development of the second action plan MADA (2018-2020). The MADA Partners Committee will be given the mandate to act as the steering committee for the development of this action plan.
Initiated in Quebec by the Department of Family and Seniors, the MADA (Municipalité amie des aînés) program recognizes municipalities that adapt their services and structures to the needs of seniors.
Local Investment Fund
The Executive Committee approved the recommendations of the Investment Committee of the Local Investment Fund (FLI) and authorized the payment of a loan of $ 70,000 to consolidate the start-up of La Boîte maraîchère (The Vegetable Box). The mission of this company is to produce organic fresh quality produce without pesticides or GMO which can be sold in local food markets twelve months a year. To achieve all year-round production the company has designed a system of intensive agricultural production in containers.
Through the Local Investment Fund (FLI) the City of Laval stimulates the growth of local entrepreneurship, to develop promising economic sectors and emerging markets by providing access to capital for the start-up or growth phase of new businesses.
Assessment of the development plan of the agricultural zone
The members of the executive committee tabled the annual report for the Development Plan of the Agricultural Zone committee (PDZA) for the period ending on December 31st 2017 and the action plans of the Laval Agri-Food Development Committee Table (TDAL) for 2018. Activities proposed for 2018 highlight five major orientations and nine priority projects and also include the proposed actions agreed to by the six committees of TDAL, which has a total of 42 members.
Laval is one of the few cities in Quebec where urban life is close to a permanent agricultural zone, which occupies 30% of its territory, or 7,000 hectares. This area is farmed by no less than 121 operations in addition to a network of 53 farm kiosks. Annual revenues of $ 60 million are derived from the sale of local products. Agriculture is a major component of Laval’s economic vitality and is integrated with urban activity in the same way as trade and industry.
On June 13th 2016 Laval unveiled its Agricultural Zone Development Plan (PDZA) to enhance the agricultural area of Laval by promoting the sustainable development of agricultural activities. The work surrounding the PDZA made it possible to draw up a strategic diagnosis of the agricultural sector in Laval and to identify the orientations and the priority projects for the next 5 years.
Jeux du Québec Laval in 2020 looking for a volunteer to represent Laval on its board of directors
The City of Laval, through its Governance Secretariat, is looking for a person to act as an administrator of the board of directors the 2020 Quebec Games as a representative of the community. The chosen candidate will sit on the Organizing Committee of the Final of the Jeux du Québec. This non-profit organization is responsible for organizing the event.
In addition to duties as an administrator the successful candidate will be responsible for volunteerism and be the acting community spokesperson. Responsibilities include overseeing training, supporting the management in the recruitment process, mobilization and recognition of volunteers. This is a 3-year term.
Full details of this position are available on the Laval website Governance Secretariat page https://www.laval.ca/Pages/Fr/A-propos/secretariat-gouvernance.aspx
Those wishing to apply must send their curriculum vitae and cover letter before March 16, 2018 by email.
Key Tags Mailed Out As War Amps Marks 100th Anniversary
The War Amps begins its 2018 key tag mailing to households this week with the theme, “Still Much to Do,” as the Association celebrates its 100th anniversary.
Amputee veterans returning from the First World War started The War Amps in 1918 to assist each other in adapting to their new reality as amputees. They then welcomed amputee veterans following the Second World War and established the Key Tag Service to gain meaningful employment and provide a service to the public. The War Amps innovative programs have grown over the past 100 years from assisting war amputees – whom they still serve – to all amputees, including children. But there is “Still Much to Do” to ensure amputees have the artificial limbs they need to lead independent and active lives.
Louis Bourassa, Director of The War Amps CHAMP Program (Quebec), wrote the letter which accompanies this year’s key tags. He lost his right leg at the age of four in a lawn mower accident. A member of The War Amps Child Amputee (CHAMP) Program, he later started work with the Association, the war amputees he had come to know while growing up continued to provide advice and support on living with amputation. He says, “It moves me greatly to think of how these remarkable First and Second World War ‘amps’ enabled me to overcome my amputation, and I have been proud to, in turn, help the younger amputees who have come after me.”
The Key Tag Service continues to employ amputees and people with disabilities and has returned more than 1.5 million sets of lost keys since its inception. Each key tag has a confidentially coded number. If you lose your keys, the finder can call the toll-free number on the back of the tag or place them in any mailbox, and The War Amps will return them to you by courier, free of charge.
The War Amps receives no government grants. With the public’s continued support of the Key Tag Service, the Association’s programs for amputees will carry on long into the future.
Those who do not receive their key tags in the mail can order them at waramps.ca or call toll-free 514 398-0759.
