Martin C. Barry

Even though summer isn’t officially over until mid-September, it came to an unofficial close in Laval this past Labour Day Sunday when the city held the Fête de la Famille at the Centre de la Nature.

A true ‘family day’

Laval’s annual “family day” celebration devoted to moms, dads and kids was back with music, shows inflatable games and much more. While some rain fell, it wasn’t enough to keep away families determined to have fun – although there were noticeably fewer people at this year’s Fête de la Famille event.

Personnel from the Laval Fire Department were on hand as always to give hands-on demonstrations of firefighting techniques. There was also stage entertainment, animals for petting, as well as boats and canoes to be rented on the lake.

An election year Fête

Being a provincial election year, it would have been a fair bet that candidates from many parties would be at the Centre de la Nature soliciting electors’ support. As it was, the Laval News ran into a small delegation from the Laval chapter of the Parti Québécois that included the party’s six candidates in the region and some of their supporters.

The City of Laval plans to hold the next Fête de la Famille on Sunday Sept. 2 next year from 10 am to 6 pm. As always, all the activities will be free. The program of activities will made available next summer.

Martin C. Barry

An ongoing factional dispute on Laval city council involving standing committee and governing board appointments saw city councillor and former executive-committee second-in-command David De Cotis undergo a virtual meltdown during the Sept. 4 council session.

This came after Mayor Marc Demers reversed De Cotis’s previous appointment as head of the STL – which had been made by opposition councillors in June when they still were the majority – in order to name a councillor of Demers’s own choosing to head the Laval transit corporation’s board.

Had been on good terms

De Cotis was president of the STL from 2014 to 2017, having been appointed by Demers following the 2013 election when the Mouvement Lavallois first swept into office, replacing the administration of disgraced former mayor Gilles Vaillancourt. Following the 2017 election, De Cotis and Demers appeared to be on good terms under the banner of the ML, which De Cotis had essentially founded.

However, after the 2017 election Demers appointed Councillor Gilbert Dumas as the new head of the STL, while De Cotis was given new responsibilities involving economic development. Although De Cotis had no obvious objections at first, his departure from the ranks of the ML earlier this year, along with several other  former ML councillors, to sit with the opposition was followed by the opposition’s move to remove Dumas and restore De Cotis as the STL’s head.

De Cotis speaks his mind

Most of the Sept. 4 council meeting, including the public question period, took place in an overall atmosphere of decorum and order. However, about three-quarters through, after an item for appointing Saint-François councillor Éric Morasse as STL board president was approved – with some justifying statements by the mayor – De Cotis raised his voice to speak. Doing so, he spoke out of turn, against council protocol, and in defiance of official speaker Christiane Yoakim. Suffice it to say that he held nothing back.

Among other things, De Cotis told Demers “you’re a liar” and “a liar is what you are” in response to the mayor’s explanations of why De Cotis was removed and replaced by Morasse. De Cotis continued in that vein until Yoakim seemed ready to signal two Laval Police officers that De Cotis should be removed. De Cotis gradually contained himself and finally went silent.

Demers justifies his actions

Justifying his actions, the mayor maintained that De Cotis had been delinquent in his duties as head of the STL when he failed to notify city council’s executive-committee that a $648,000 STL contract for computer data management wouldn’t immediately be awarded after being withdrawn from STL board’s July meeting agenda.

Defending himself, although clearly in a very agitated state, De Cotis maintained that during his nearly four-year mandate heading the STL he was never called upon by the mayor to provide an account of STL board decisions. “What he’s saying is lies,” insisted De Cotis. “You are accusing me of having badly managed the STL and it is exactly the opposite.”

De Cotis also objected to the mayor’s assertions that Councillor Morasse had better qualifications to head the STL board. Among other things, Morasse was listed as a member of the board of a citizens’ committee for mass transit in east-end Laval when he was a candidate for the Mouvement Lavallois before the 2017 municipal elections.

De Cotis defends his record

De Cotis pointed out that his own professional curriculum over the past 15 years or so includes more than a decade of mid-level project management at Bombardier Aerospace, as well as four years of similar experience at Via Rail Canada.

While the mayor recently was able to re-establish an administration majority on council by persuading a few dissident councillors to sit once again with the ML, in the end the vote for Morasse to head the STL was deadlocked at 10 councillors for and 10 against. Council speaker Yoakim was forced to vote in favour in order to get the motion passed.

Among the dissident councillors who recently accepted the mayor’s invitation to return to the ML fold, Councillor Aline Dib (Saint-Martin) suddenly bolted from the chamber just as it became evident a vote was going to be taken, while Councillor Sandra El-Helou (Souvenir-Labelle) voted unhesitatingly against the nomination of Morasse. A third, Councillor Aram Elagoz (Renaud), chose to vote in favour.

Laval-Ouest wants new skatepark

During the public question period, Joel St-Pierre, a resident of Laval-Ouest since last year, told Mayor Demers  that a skatepark located in St-Antoine Park in Laval-Ouest is badly in need of maintenance and repairs. He suggested that a new skatepark made of concrete should be developed.

“It is the new standard in the industry and needs less maintnance,” St-Pierre said, while noting that skateboarding has been accepted as an Olympic event at the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo. He submitted a copy of an online petition with more than 180 supporting signatures. Demers acknowledged that there is a demand in various areas of Laval for new skateparks and that the city is evaluating whether to place them on a list of recreation service priorities.

(TLN)

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.”

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.

(TLN)

Last Aug. 24, around 170 golfers gathered on the greens at the Club de Golf Le Versant in Terrebonne for the 5^th 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.

(TLN)

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.”