Click here to read the Laval News Volume 24-25 online
This is a archived copy in PDF format of the Laval News Volume 24-25 that was published and distributed December 21, 2016.
This issue covers local events such us politics, sports and human interest stories. It features editorials and other columns
Click here to read the Laval News Volume 24-24 online
This is a archived copy in PDF format of the Laval News Volume 24-24 that was published and distributed December 7, 2016.
This issue covers local events such us politics, sports and human interest stories. It features editorials and other columns
The City of Laval has announced that the Water Leak at the water filtration station that caused water to come out discolored yesterday evening has been resolved. The system had to be flushed out, and that is what caused the discoloration.
(SOURCE: Ville de Laval)
Martin C. Barry
Action Laval, the political party which finished second in the municipal election three years ago and has been the official opposition at Laval city hall ever since, launched its campaign for next year’s election with a meet-and-greet brunch at The Palace on Nov. 13, drawing up to 800 supporters.
Although Jean-Claude Gobé, who ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2013, previously stated his intention to again seek the mayoralty in November 2017, he has now made it official.
“Alone before you, with Aglaia at my sides since exactly three years and ten days, it is with great humility that I thank you for your support,” he said, referring to the party’s only current city councillor. “This support strengthens my resolve to represent you once again as candidate for the mayoralty in the election next Nov. 5.”
Gobé also introduced 10 new representatives who will be running in the election, as well as Action Laval incumbent Aglaia Revelakis, who currently is the city councillor for Chomedey where she will be seeking another four-year term.
Revelakis praised her leader for the support she said he provided her in the last few years. “When I joined the team in 2013, he encouraged me and gave me the possibility to realize my dreams and political objectives,” she said.
Although Gobé has maintained a low profile since the last election, often sitting quietly in the public seats in the Laval city council chamber during meetings, he has also been a fairly constant presence at a good number of public events, keeping the party in the limelight. While Action Laval succeeded in winning just two seats in 2013, the party took in more than 24 per cent of the popular vote.
Action Laval’s seat count was reduced by half when St-Vincent de Paul city councillor Paolo Galati decided to leave the party and join the Mouvement Lavallois which has the majority of seats on city council. At one point formerly independent city councillor for Fabreville Michel Trottier also joined Action Laval, although he later withdrew and eventually formed the Parti Laval.
While virtually all the other mayoralty candidates in 2013 dropped out of sight following the election, Gobé points out that he never disappeared completely. “Contrary to others who had run for mayor, I did not resign,” he said in a statement issued to journalists at the launch. “Rather, I chose to support with all my experience Mrs. Revelakis in her remarkable work. With our considerable score, we formed an efficient and constructive opposition, a first in Laval.”
Shortly after the last election when Action Laval was recognized as the official opposition, the party began receiving an annual allotment of more than $600,000 from the city’s budget to pay the salaries of a half-dozen researchers, advisors and political assistants. While Revelakis’s annual salary as a city councillor was around $30,000, documents furnished by the city show Gobé was receiving $42,700 as a “special advisor” to the opposition.
In an address, Gobé noted that over the past three years he had little choice but to remain silent during the debates in city council since he had no right to intervene. “During these three years, I’ve had all the necessary time to take stock of the distance separating the bureaucratic preoccupations of the Demers administration and those of Laval residents,” he said, while adding that “the distance is enormous.”
Gobé said regarding Action Laval’s time on the sidelines to the more than 700 supporters gathered before him that “your journey in the desert is over. During this journey, we not only survived. We also knew how to reorganize, become prepared and, most of all, grow in numbers thanks to the dedicated and committed citizens of Laval who believe in our city. Your presence here is the best testimony in this regard.”
The 10 new representatives chosen to run for Action Laval are: Vittornio Di Genova (St-Vincent-de-Paul), Achille T. Cifelli (Val-des-Arbres), Stéphane Bacon (Duvernay/Pont-Viau), Julius Buté (Concorde/Bois-de-Boulogne), Elie Sader (Renaud), Sayed Malhem (L’Abord-à-Plouffe), Benjamin Romano (Ste-Dorothée), Kathy Barrette (L’Orée-des-Bois), Micheline Barbar (Marc-Aurèle-Fortin) and Benoit Gauthier (Sainte-Rose). The party says more candidates will be announced in the near future.
Laval City Hall Watch - November 23 2016
The Executive Committee authorized the acquisition of two lots located on Rue Debussy, north of Boulevard des Mille-Îles in Laval’s district of Auteuil. The lots encompass an area greater than nine hundred square meters. This acquisition will cost city coffers an amount of $ 30,000 and will be disbursed as part of the city’s program of land acquisitions for conservation purposes.
The administration has developed a policy on the conservation and development of the natural habitats of Laval in order to preserve and enrich its unique natural heritage. This includes a network of; 250 km of interior waterways, wetlands including inter alia, marshes, swamps and ponds. Also many green areas including forests, woods, meadows and the preservation of an agricultural zone which covers 30% of the territory are also spaces targeted by this policy. Administrators add that developing an environment also involves managing it to make it accessible to the public.
The City will shortly be issuing a call for tenders for a major renovation of the Hartland-Monahan arena. In light of the commitments that the administration has agreed to comply with under the Montreal Protocol to reduce greenhouse gases, Laval wants to replace existing operating HCFC R-22 refrigeration systems with greener alternatives.
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is widely regarded as the world’s most successful environment protection agreement. It is the only treaty with universal ratification, with all 197 member countries of the United Nations having accepted legally-binding obligations to phase out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances. The Protocol sets out a mandatory timetable for the phase out of ozone-depleting substances including hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC), such as R22 by 2016.
The Executive Committee agreed to award the contract SP-28898 to the corporation “Construction Caruso Inc.” for the sum of $ 77,585.20 (excluding taxes) for interior renovation work at the Bigras Community Center.
Laval’s engineering service has prepared technical plans for the installation of an aqueduct network to service part of Boulevard des Mille-Îles and other waterfront lots in the Auteuil sector. This infrastructure development recognizes the demand of the local residents who want to be served by the municipal waterworks network.
The executive committee as a first step to realize this goal has authorized the laboratory firm Les Services EXP Inc. to carry out a geotechnical study, a preliminary environmental soil characterization and a phase 1 environmental site study for the installation of a water main pipeline network linking Boulevard des Mille-Îles and other lots in the Auteuil sector. The cost of these professional services is $19,358 taxes in.
The Regional Council of Culture of Laval is recognized by the municipality as the official body responsible for overseeing cultural development in the region. The City is providing a grant of $ 75,000 to the Regional Council for Culture under the local and regional territorial development fund 2016 budget. Money for this grant comes in part from the now defunct CRÉ de Laval whose funds have been transferred to the newly created bureau for regional development and initiatives fund.
A grant of $ 500 has been awarded to the organization l’Association des citoyens et amis du Vieux-Sainte-Rose (Association of Citizens and Friends of Old Sainte-Rose) to defray the cost of the manufacture and installation of a patrimonial plaque on a heritage house in Old (Vieux) Sainte-Rose.
In addition financial assistance in the form of a $300 grant has been approved for the organization Aide aux personnes âgées, défavorisées ou handicapées de Laval (Aid to the Elderly, Disadvantaged or Disabled in Laval) for their annual Christmas party which is to be held on December 22nd 2016.
The 6th edition of the Laval Christmas Market will take place once again at the Center de la nature park. Over sixty artisans await you under a heated tent to offer you quality products. Exhibitors will display and present for sale gourmet delights, jewelry, toys, fashion accessories, decorative accessories, local food and wine products, and crafts. There are even treats for four footed friends. Natural Christmas trees, Quebec balsam firs between 5 feet and 8 feet tall will be available for purchase at a cost of $35 to $45, depending on size.
The Arts Village will also be transformed to highlight the magic of Christmas for young and old alike.
Many activities are planned including horse-drawn carriage rides that show off the beauty of the park,
mini pine tree decoration workshop for children under 12 years of age, writing letters to Santa and movies. Even Santa Claus and the Star Fairy will be present at special time throughout the weekend to greet visitors and take pictures.
The event is scheduled for the weekend of December 9th to 11th, opening at 10:00 am each day but closing at different hours over the weekend. Consult Laval’s website for a complete listing of activities and schedules. Some activities may require reservations. Parking is $7.00 on site but free for holders of Laval’s Carte Advantage.
Laval’s new 211 telephone information and referral line dedicated to social and community services is now live. A first of its kind in the Montreal area aide is available in both English and French with multilingual assistance as well in 200 languages. Operators are available seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., year-round and through their data base with information on 300 organizations in the Laval and greater Montreal area provide residents with an unprecedented access to important community resources.
Diverse organizations dedicated to health and safety, psychosocial support, employment assistance and human rights are examples of the services 211 operators can refer callers to. The same information can be obtained online at the services website at https://www.211laval.ca
The City of Laval invested $305,000 in the five-year joint initiative with the Centre de Référence du Grand Montréal.
Click here to read the Laval News Volume 24-23 online
This is a archived copy in PDF format of the Laval News Volume 24-23 that was published and distributed November 23, 2016.
This issue covers local events such us politics, sports and human interest stories. It features editorials and other columns
Laval City Hall Watch - November 9 2016
Members of the executive committee have awarded a contract to the company Pavage des Moulins Inc. in the amount of $111,954 (excluding taxes) for the continued infrastructure development of the Oka / Mont-Saint-Hilaire hiking and cycling trail. This path is part of the Montreal metropolitan Community (MMC) active transportation network which has sections crossing through Laval. The monies will be spent to construct sections of: Les Érables and Les Peupliers streets between the median of Grand Moulin and Les Ormes street; le chemin du Bord-de-l’Eau between Fabert et Larivière streets as well as de la Loire street and 88th Avenue between park Berthiaume-Du Tremblay and boulevard Lévesque.
The creation of the Greater Montreal Green and Blue Network,( referred to in the Metropolitan Land Use and Development Plan) relies in particular on the development of a metropolitan bicycle network, whose first component will be the walking and cycling trail connecting Oka and Mont Saint-Hilaire. This 143 km-long trail will connect the three national parks in the Montreal region (Oka Park, Boucherville islands Park and Mont Saint-Bruno Park), and the Mont Saint-Hilaire Nature Centre. It will pass through seventeen municipalities: Oka, Saint-Joseph-du-Lac, Pointe-Calumet, Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, Deux-Montagnes, Laval, Montréal, Saint-Lambert, Longueuil, Boucherville, Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, Varennes, Sainte-Julie, Saint-Basile-le-Grand, McMasterville, Beloeil, mont Saint-Hilaire.
The construction of the Oka – Mont Saint-Hilaire cycling and walking trail will be completed in 2018 at a total cost of $60 million, which will be shared between the Quebec government, the CMM and the municipalities concerned.
A contract was awarded to Les Entreprises C. Dubois in the amount of 301 $ 840.23 (excluding taxes) for the redevelopment and renovation of municipal dog parks situated at des Rossignols, de Lausanne and Laval-West parks. These parks built between 2003 and 2005 have been in use over ten years. Appreciative dog owners have taken advantage of these sites as they are well frequented. They provide outdoor green spaces that allow pet owners the opportunity to exercise and socialize their canine companions.
The Executive Committee agreed to provide financial aid of a $ 25,000 grant to each of the following community based organizations; Diapason Jeunesse, the Youth Consultation Bureau and the Community Centre Val Martin, for a total of $ 75,000. The funding will enable these organizations to continue developing integrated urban revitalization projects (RUI) in the Pont-Viau, Plaza San Martin / Domaine Renaud and Chomedey sectors. These sectors face some of the biggest challenges for the mobilization of partners and citizens in the development and implementation of their action plans. That is why revitalization efforts required the hiring an agent to oversee and optimize the development of the plan of action. The grants cover these costs for the period between April 1st and December 31st 2016.
Integrated Urban Revitalization project(IUR) is a community based approach of consultation involving community organizations, citizens and representatives of the private and public sectors. The common goal is to identify and implement measures and strategies that will improve living conditions of troubled neighborhoods. Projects are funded by the Regional Conference of Elected Laval (CRE) and the Quebec government, in collaboration with the City of Laval.
As of October 11th 2016 contractors responsible for Laval’s garbage and waste collection have not been picking up trash left out in non-compliant trash bins. This affects the garbage collection across Laval. For health and safety reasons, the contractors responsible for the collection now ensure that this rule is strictly observed by their employees. As the collection is done manually, the result of heavy lifting or emptying deep containers carries a high risk of injury that can be easily avoided by preparing the garbage appropriately.
Trash bins (garbage cans) must meet the following criteria: they must be closed or sealed; only bins made of metal or plastic are acceptable; trash cans must be equipped with external handles and a lid with a maximal capacity of 120 liters. They should not weigh more than twenty five kilograms (55 pounds) when full. A barrel or a handmade container is not a true trash bin..
The executive committee entrusted Group Promo-Santé Laval with the mandate to negotiate arrangements for the installation and supply of vending machines food service concessions in the eight municipal arenas of Laval. The organization Group Health Promo-Laval’s mission is to promote and foster healthy lifestyles and habits for Laval residents of all ages. The goal of this intervention is to provide access to healthy food at all times, not just during the opening hours of the arena snack bars.
The city of Laval has concluded an agreement with College Laval for use of their indoor swimming pool from fall of 2016 to the spring of 2017. The length of the written accord covers three periods including a fall session from the 6th of September to the 22st of December; a winter session from January 4th 2017 to April 2nd 2017 and a spring session from April 4th 2017 to June 19th 2017.
Exclusive access to the pool for the City of Laval and its users represents a little more than 30 hours per week. Laval has already announced its intention to construct a multimillion dollar swimming complex expected to be built by 2018. Besides being able to host international calibre swimming events the swimming and diving centre will also add much needed swimming pool hours for residential use.
The executive committee has asked city council to adopt the regulation L-12443 repealing regulation L-12179 which outlines the criteria and details regarding the banning of smoking outside a public place in the City of Laval. This new measure will insure that municipal regulations governing smoking in public places will conform to the new tougher rules contained in the Government of Québec’s law which have taken effect from November 26th 2015.
The amendments in the new law include; stiffer fines, more inclusive non smoking public and work places, inclusion of electronic cigarettes in the law as equivalent to regular cigarettes, more restrictions on the sales and advertising of smoking as well as restricting the flavouring and packaging of all sizes of cigarettes and cigarillos. The laws also forbid smoking in the presence of children sixteen years and younger and in locals that are frequented by children such as parks, daycares and even in automobiles. Fines now can reach up to $1500.
Click here to read the Laval News Volume 24-22 online
This is a archived copy in PDF format of the Laval News Volume 24-22 that was published and distributed November 9, 2016.
This issue covers local events such us politics, sports and human interest stories. It features editorials and other columns
Martin C. Barry
An invasion of zombies, vampires and ghosts took over Lausanne Park in Laval’s Saint-Bruno district on Halloween last Oct. 31. The first major celebration of Halloween in the area was organized the community group Bouge ton Parc.
Elected officials from the City of Laval and from the provincial government were on hand to help out while partaking of the merriment. “The event was a great success and we have every intention of doing it all again next year,” said Michel Reeves, president of Bouge ton Parc.
During the event which took place near the corner of Prudentiel and Lausanne streets, some 22,000 Halloween candies were handed out to children who took part. “Our neighbourhood really comes alive during events like this,” said Vimont Liberal MNA Jean Rousselle who sat on the organizing committee.
It is estimated that more than 8,000 people in all came out to enjoy themselves. “Lausanne Park is becoming more and more a place for people from the area to gather and to celebrate,” said Laval executive-committee vice-president David De Cotis, the councillor for the area, who also helped organize the event.
Martin C. Barry
While the City of Montreal’s Mayor Denis Coderre announced last month a timeline for extensive infrastructure and public works projects to take place over the next 10 years, Laval mayor Marc Demers says this city’s infrastructure needs are not unlike Montreal’s and will also have to be addressed during the same time period.
“It’s for us to plan what we want to have in the next 10 to 15 years,” he said in an interview with the Laval News during a break at a recent public event. “Now’s the time to do it and that’s what we’re doing. It means a major investment for the next few years.”
While acknowledging that Laval is a much smaller city than Montreal, Demers said that an expenditure comparable to Montreal’s in proportion to Laval’s size will have to be made “and maybe even more.
“Road reconstructions hopefully we will be finished on boulevards Le Corbusier and Labelle in December, but there’s a lot of planning for the rest. But what we’re trying to do is to make sure to avoid traffic congestion all over the place.”
As well, according to Demers, the city plans to make important traffic configuration changes in the centre of Laval before Place Bell opens next year to mitigate the impact of traffic. “We will change a few things to avoid traffic jams,” he said. “We are trying to avoid traffic jams as much as possible.”
Demers said that in the next three years the city will be spending more than $1 billion (mostly in long-terms loans) on street reconstruction and maintenance, on water and sewer upgrades, and on other basic infrastructure needs all over the island. On a 10-year basis, “we have other plans,” he added.
“One thing which is economically important, I think, is to make sure that there’s no traffic jams. As little as possible. That will encourage people to come live in Laval, it will also bring industry here. Imagine a major industry which has 30 trucks for delivery: if every time it takes half an hour more to do the same job, that’s a lot of money.”
Among work started or that will soon be taking place, Demers noted that the city recently completed renovations on two water filtration plants. In the meantime, there are also major problems with sewers in older neighbourhoods of Laval which he said will necessitate “major investments” on their own. And since sewer work traditionally is done with street reconstruction, the two will have to be coordinated. “There’s no use redoing a street only to come back the following year to undo everything when the sewers are repaired,” he said.
Demers maintains that a significant factor that contributed to the poor state of the city’s infrastructure today was neglect by the former Vaillancourt administration during its last few years when the political situation at city hall was spinning out of control.
“Mayor Vaillancourt, during the last year of his administration, his head was somewhere else. But in a municipality if the policy makers can’t make decisions the administration can’t work. The political level was in a state of disarray for two or three years just before our arrival. On our arrival we rebuilt the administration and established a new structure. These are the tools we needed to work.”
