Provincial MNAs from the Laval region are raising their voices against a proposal by Quebec’s Director General of Elections that would see part of the riding of Chomedey annexed to the riding of Fabre.
According to a statement issued by the MNAs, the 2,538 voters in the current configuration of Chomedey, which is bounded by Saint-Martin Blvd. West, 100th Ave. to the intersection of Dutrisac St., the bike path in Le Boutillier Park, Souvenir Rd., Clarendon Ave. Notre-Dame Blvd. and the Hydro Quebec high-tension power line, stand to become part of the riding of Fabre “with which they have no sociological, cultural, historical or geographic affinity,” the MNAs said.
Chomedey Liberal MNA Guy Ouellette, president of the Laval Liberal caucus, said the proposed modification “creates more than an inconvenience. It reaches to the heart of the Hellenic community, a community which has been in Laval since the city’s beginning.” Ouellette also pointed out the importance of taking fully into account the projected growth of the population of the riding, and beyond that the growth of the region of Laval.
Many factors to consider
The MNAs pointed out that Article 15 of the elections act stipulates that any restructuring of electoral boundaries must take into account the surrounding natural communities as being a representation of the electors. The density of the population, the relative growth of the population, accessibility, the surface area, the natural boundaries and the presence of specific groups of people, be they religious, linguistic or cultural, are among the factors to be considred, said the MNAs.
“With the proposed enlargement of the territory of Fabre and the addition of Souvenir Rd., this would cause the outflow of the Hellenic orthodox church of Chomedey,” said Fabre Liberal MNA Monique Sauvé. “It is more than a building: this church is a place of community, a gathering spot, a pillar of the Greek community in Chomedey.”
Sainte-Rose Liberal MNA Jean Habel suggested that another way should be found before proceeding with any changes. “The addition of a section of Chomedey North, bounded by Autoroute 440, le Carrefour Blvd., Route 117 and the A-15, while annexing it to the riding of Sainte-Rose,” he said. “This proposal comes from the fact that there exist natual links with this sector north of Chomedey.”
‘Agape Classic’ golfers raise $6,500 for a great cause
Martin C. Barry
As if things couldn’t be any sunnier after a decade, there wasn’t so much as a cloud in the sky on Tuesday Sept. 13 as supporters descended on the Victorien golf course in Mirabel to take part in the 10th anniversary Agape Classic fundraising golf tournament.
Agape executive-director Kevin McLeod, the Agape Classic’s longtime organizer.Left, Caisse Desjardins member Jean-Claude Caron, seen here during the pre-tournament breakfast at Le Victorien, gives the thumbs up to another great Agape Classic with Caisse Desjardins de Chomedey president Daniel Rousseau.
With that, the tournament’s organizers can say they’ve had a 10-year-long unbroken streak of fine weather for their annual event to benefit Agape, Laval’s leading English-language charitable services provider.
The tournament drew at least 64 golfers eager to enjoy their favourite game while contributing to one of the most worthy causes in Laval. “I guess September has always been a good month for us to hold this,” said Kevin McLeod, Agape’s executive-director. In all, this year’s Agape Classic raised $6,500.
Among the items up during a silent auction segment this year were hockey jerseys from Alexander Ovechkin and P.K. Subban, as well as a large framed image of Habs goaltender Carey Price. There were also tickets to Canadiens games, gift certificates for restaurants and wine baskets. Before setting off onto the fairways with a shotgun start, the early birds got to indulge themselves in a big traditional breakfast.
Agape board member Michael Cambolieto, centre, drew on his connections to recruit up to two dozen friends to the tournament, some of whom are seen here.
Caisse’s long sponsorship
In addition to the 10-year milestone, the Caisse Desjardins de Chomedey also marked a decade of being the Agape Classic’s principal sponsor. “As has been the tradition for the past 10 years, this year we helped Agape once again with the organization of the tournament,” said Daniel Rousseau, president of the Chomedey Caisse. According to Rousseau, it was the Caisse that planted the seed for the golf tournament when board members suggested to Kevin McLeod that an event such as the Agape Classic would be a great fundraiser.
It’s hard to keep Fr. Michael Leclerc, Agape’s unofficial chaplain, away from the Agape Classic considering he’s an avid golfer to begin with. In all, he’s missed just a single tournament: the first one. “When I see the value in what they do, the help they bring to the community and the resources they provide, for me it becomes a no-brainer to come and support Agape in recognition of this,” said Leclerc who is also vice-president of the board.
The greens and fairways of Le Victorien were the perfect venue for this year’s Agape Classic fundraising golf tournament.While most participants in the tournament are men, a few ladies also took part.
Major roadway construction to be completed fall of 2016
While existing roadworks are ongoing no new major road artery reorientation projects are scheduled to start this fall. The only projects yet to be started include repaving stretches of boulevards Curé Labelle in Chomedey, St. Elzear Boulevard west of highway 15 which are scheduled for the end of September. Major work on the boulevards Notre Dame, Curé-Labelle and the Terry Fox Avenue are almost completed. The administration advises its citizens to remain vigilant and take note of the new traffic signs and regulations governing traffic flow in these construction zones which should be completely installed by the end of October. Motorists will then have to abide by the time restrictions for dedicated lanes for buses and cyclists.
Improving westward traffic flow
In order to address a bottleneck of traffic westward especially from the 440 Highway East and central industrial park key changes are being developed at the Curé-Labelle Boulevard / Edith Street and Boulevard Curé-Labelle / Dagenais Boulevard intersections. The addition of a new median at the Corbusier Boulevard, northbound at the corner of boulevard Dagenais, will allow for an additional lane of traffic flowing to the north and the implementation of newly synchronized green traffic lights dedicated to shift traffic westward is expected to improve travel to the Sainte-Rose and Fabreville Auteuil districts.
According to public planners additional automobile traffic lanes added to the Daniel-Johnson Boulevard, south of Saint-Martin should also ensure a smoother transit between the Centropolis area, Montmorency metro station and the high-tech park. In the industrial park center, pedestrian access to the new bus stops will be friendlier since sidewalks will finally be provided on the boulevard Le Corbusier.
Developing alternative transport strategies
Laval has seen major development in its public transportation systems in the past decades. Two commuters train lines, three subway stations, a new central bus terminal as well as reserved parking for public transit users are some of the infrastructures that have made travel to and from Laval not only more accessible but also environmentally friendlier. While recent roadway improvements acknowledge that the automobile continues to occupy a prominent place in travel habits of Laval residents the administration continues to look for ways to reduce the dependence on this mode of transportation.
Travellers can now complement travel on the public bus system with their bicycles as some buses have been equipped with the Cyclobus infrastructures which are racks that can transport bicycles. Certain bus routes are now equipped to handle persons with reduced mobility. Carpooling, an expanding network of preferred parking at access points to public transit, as well as a program to swap old vehicles for a STL transit pass are all expected to reduce dependency on cars.
Also the Electric Circuit network is a major step in the deployment of the charging infrastructure needed to support the use of plug-in electric vehicles in Québec. As of January 2013 nearly one hundred fifty (150) public charging stations at 240 volts are in service in parking lots of the AMT (Metropolitan Transportation Agency) and many RONA hardware stores, grocery stores and metro St-Hubert in Quebec. Since its inauguration on 30 March 2012, eighteen (18) other private and institutional partners have joined the Electric Circuit. Its expansion will continue to provide greater geographical coverage and service to a greater number of Electric Car drivers in several regions of Quebec. While most of the energy charging needs of electric vehicle owners is done at home or at work, public infrastructure enables motorists to drive with peace of mind by offering them the possibility to refuel on route when necessary. Users of the electrical circuit have access to a 24 hour hotline managed by CAA-Québec.
Go Browns expands organic waste collection
This fall the City of Laval will expand its organic waste garbage collection to serve an additional ten thousand homes in selected areas of the Duvernay, Auteuil, Vimont, Chomedey and St. Dorothée districts. Since 1996 a total of 7,118 homes in Champfleury, Chomedey and Laval-des-Rapides have been benefiting from this service. The new initiative is the first step of an effort to meet the provincial government requirements asking for the reduction of 60% organic materials generated in the territory ending up in local landfills.
The collection zones were separated by natural axes. It is possible that a citizen will benefit from this service in 2016 while the neighbor across the street may have to wait a few years, “said Virginie Dufour, Executive Committee Member, responsible for environmental issues at the City of Laval. “However, we are planning that at least one sector in each electoral district will benefit from the organic waste collection service by 2017″.
Le Berger Blanc awarded a transitional contract for animal services.
In response to the publics concerns raised in social media and via Laval’s 311 telephone service, the administration wanted to reiterate its position with regards to animal services management. Last fall a public call for tenders was issued (SP-28670) for the procurement of professional services and infrastructures required to develop an animal shelter and services centre by the end of 2018. Moreover, an amount of $15.3 million has been set aside for this purpose and is budgeted in the three-year capital expenditures program for 2016-2018. It is expected that the preliminary studies and plans to develop the centre will be ready by the end of this year. A site (owned by the City) has in fact already been reserved and soil characterization studies are ongoing.
Laval Mayor Marc Demers explained the transition process.” In order to meet the planned opening date of the future animal services centre (Centre de services animaliers de Laval), we are awarding Le Berger Blanc a transition contract, following its approval by City Council members. And lastly, I wish to point out that we also intend to call upon independent inspectors who will be able to make impromptu visits there and check compliance with good animal health practices.”
Sandra Desmeules, member of the Executive Committee and in charge of animal management matters, provided the details of the contract awarded by the City: “This three-year contract in the amount of $1,836,000 has a one-year renewal clause. Most definitely, our new service provider must fully comply with the requirements of current laws and bylaws. Le Berger Blanc has moreover agreed to take part in the process aimed at joint participation of the local organizations.”
Le Berger Blanc for its part has been responsible for animal care since February 27th 2016 and is obligated contractually to: examine, vaccinate, deworm, sterilize and microchip all animals before they are adopted; refuse residents’ requests to euthanize any healthy animals; take part in organizing two days of microchipping, adoption and sterilization of animals every year, in conjunction with local organizations and is mandated to cooperate with other animal shelters in order to promote transfers so as to maximize adoptions
On Aug. 15 and 22, staff and elected officials from the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board and the Commission scolaire de Laval went up against their counterparts from the City of Laval in softball matches that were played as a fundraiser for the benefit of students who are determined to stay in school and finish their studies.
It was the third year that the three teams went head to head in matches played at Paul-Marcel-Maheu Park in Laval-des-Rapides. “Encouraging perseverance in school is all about thinking of the future of our society by investing in an educated youth, but it’s also doing everything to persuade young people that education is valuable in itself,” said Laval executive-committee vice-president and councillor for Saint-Bruno David De Cotis.
It was at Paul-Marcel-Maheu Park on Aug. 15 that Laval’s city councillors played their counterparts from the Commission scolaire de Laval to support school perseverance.
Softball not city council’s sport
Despite their best efforts, the City of Laval’s softball team saw itself defeated in matches against both school boards. In fact, it was the third time in three years that the city officials suffered that fate. All the same, the city council team scored higher than it did in last year’s matches. It should be noted that the city team fares much better when it plays hockey against the school boards during the winter. Over the past three years, the school board teams have suffered the worst in those matches.
“It’s with great pleasure that we played in this enjoyable event for a good cause,” said CSDL president Louise Lortie whose team played the city on Aug. 15 and closed the game with a final score of 22 – 11. “We thank our municipal elected officials, our youths, their coaches and the schools administrators.” On Aug. 22, it was the turn of the SWLSB which beat Laval 24 – 17. Among the board’s elected representatives taking part were chairwoman Jennifer Maccarone, commissioners Ailsa Pehi and Emilio Migliozzi. The new director-general, Paul Lamoureux, as well as communications employees Maxeen Jolin and Susan O’Keefe served as coaches.
Win-win, says SWLSB chair
“This evening everyone’s a winner,” commented Maccarone. “Encouraging school perseverance is good for everybody and not just for today’s students. Reducing the dropout rate most certainly has important social, financial and community benefits. Activities like those this evening are crucial. She extended warm thanks to the City of Laval for doing its part to raise awareness of the cause.
In September, the City of Laval’s elected officials, along with their counterparts from the school commissions, will again be participating in a benefit sport event during two soccer matches taking place at Lausanne Park in Vimont. On Sept. 19 at 6 pm, they will play the SWLSB, while the CSDL will take on the city councillors a week later on Sept. 26 in the same place. In case of rain the Sept. 19 game will be held on Sept. 20, while the Sept. 26 match will be rescheduled for Oct. 3.
On Aug. 30 during a consultation meeting held by the Société d’habitation du Québec in Laval, Mayor Marc Demers tabled a memorandum from the City of Laval detailing some of the municipality’s main concerns about public housing problems.
More autonomy sought
In the statement, the city repeats demands already made to the Quebec government that the city be granted greater flexibility as well as more autonomy to develop a more coherent policy with regards to social housing. After presenting the document, the mayor also mentioned that for several years now, his administration has been lobbying Quebec for a special mandatory status, which would grant Laval greater autonomy and flexibility to develop affordable social housing on its own.
Laval/Quebec agreement
“Taking into account that the conditions linked to the status as mandatory city are modified in the context of the restructuring of the AccèsLogis program, we are proposing that the Quebec government conclude a multi-year agreement,” said Demers. “The ultimate goal for Laval is to obtain recurrent financing, as well as the necessary flexibility and autonomy for the coherent development of social housing on its territory.”
Demers cited as an example of social housing problems in Laval the long-neglected Val-Martin neighbourhood, where more than half the dwelling are unusable and vacant because of serious problems involving mildew. “More than 1,000 households are presently registered on the waiting list for social housing in Laval, some for more than three years,” added the mayor.
Val-Martin housing
“The revitalization of this complex has become urgent,” he continued. “We already know that the federal government foresees making investments in social housing in Quebec. These investments will possibly permit the start of a rehabilitation of the Val-Martin housing project, but will not solve all the problems. A guaranteed recurring investment by the governments is absolutely necessary.”
The mayor concluded by thanking the Quebec government for doing the consultation. “The decision to review the programs and interventions as regards housing by making sure to consult the cities and organizations is an initiative that we acknowledge,” he said. “We have confidence that our observations and requests will be heard and that the changes to come will lead to improvements in the situation.”
On a stop in Laval last week while campaigning in Quebec for the leadership of the Conservative Party, longtime Conservative stalwart Tony Clement appeared to back away from rival leadership candidate Kellie Leitch’s recent statements that Canada should start screening newly-arriving immigrants for “Canadian values.”
Would focus on security
“I think quite frankly that focusing government’s time and attention and resources on having some bureaucrats somewhere deciding whether someone might be a good Canadian or a bad Canadian in the future is probably unworkable and undesirable,” said Clement, while adding that he would be elaborating his position in a national security policy to be released in a few days time.
“I’m going to define my campaign by my policies,” he said. “The Conservative Party of Canada has to be pro-Canadian values, of course, but we also have to be pro-immigration, pro-national security and pro-jobs. So these are my focus as someone who wants to be leader.”
Conservative Party leadership candidate Tony Clement, right, was in Laval last week with Sen. Leo Housakos who is fully backing Clement’s bid.
An immigrant himself
Clement, who was born in England and immigrated to Canada with his parents when he was four years old, said the experience left him with the impression that almost all immigrants come here with peaceful intentions while seeking to become part of Canadian society.
“What I wanted to do was to be part of the fabric of Canadian society and I think that’s what most immigrants want,” he said. “They want to be successful here for themselves, for their kids, for their grandkids. I think that approach is what every immigrant aspires to, and that’s what I can represent as the leader of the Conservative Party and as a future prime minister.”
Walls figure prominently these days in political rhetoric, be it in Europe where a barrier is now being erected along the cliffs of Calais in France to prevent immigrants from crossing the channel to Britain, or in the U.S. where Donald Trump has long promised a wall along the country’s southern border to stem the flow of illegal immigrants from Mexico.
‘We’re pro-national security’
Asked where he stands with regard to such extreme responses, Clement cited the Conservative Party’s longstanding pro-immigration record. “But at the same time we’re pro-national security,” he pointed out. “So to the extent that there are people who want to tear down our values, tear down our civilization, want to wreak violence in our society, that’s where our focus should be – to prevent them from doing so.”
On another issue, the country’s economy, Clement is critical of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government for failing badly – especially with regards to rising national jobless rates. “We’re in the midst right now of what I call the Trudeau jobs recession,” said Clement, a former Minister of Industry and Treasury Board President in several Conservative governments.
Trudeau’s lost jobs record
“The last two months of job numbers indicate that we’ve lost 100,000 full-time jobs in this country, despite Mr. Trudeau’s policies: his tax and spend policies, driving us into deficit, misspending on critical infrastructure priorities. These indicate that his plans are not working. So over the next weeks and months I will be outlining a better economic strategy for Canada which involves lower taxes, innovation, more startups and more creative activity. I believe that’s our path forward.”
Commenting on Prime Minister Trudeau’s recent completion of a mission to China, Clement said he didn’t see any major problems with it, but took exception to Trudeau’s handling of the overlapping issues of economic interests and human rights. “When it comes to China, we have values we want to express to them on human rights issues, for instance, and Mr. Trudeau did do that,” he said. “I want to give him the acknowledgement that he did raise human rights.
Safeguarding Canadian interests
“But when it comes to the interests of the country, I do worry that in his headlong dash to make nice to the Chinese leadership, our economic interests will not be protected,” he added. “That’s something I’m going to be watching very closely. If the Chinese want to make investments in this country that’s fine. But they have to be on our terms, on the terms of our national interest. China has to protect Canadian investments on their soil through the rule of law, and these are the kinds of issues that have to be nailed down before we can have a very good commercial relationship with China.”
As a former provincial and federal health minister, Clement said he is not pledging any radical changes in the federal government’s constitutionally guaranteed role in defining public health care in Canada. “One of the things the federal government can do is to promote innovation in our health care system,” he said, adding that this might consist of helping the provinces develop new models of health care management and delivery “that puts the patient first. Those are the kinds of things that I want to have a dialogue with the provinces on.”
Supported by Housakos
During the interview at the Mirage New York restaurant on Saint-Martin Blvd., Clement, whose father was a Greek Cypriot, was accompanied by Conservative Senator Leo Housakos who is supporting his candidacy. “Experience has value,” Housakos said, explaining his support.
“I thought it was imperative that we have a leader of the official opposition in Canada who is experienced, responsible and with a proven track record making in government. Mr. Clement has done that at the federal and provincial levels.”
While it has been a great summer, September has arrived and with it preparations for the fall and winter seasons are upon homeowners. Closing the swimming pool, cleaning out a garage, a home improvement project or just plain reorganizing the household storage and shed becomes an opportunity to get rid of superfluous wastes and debris. Much of this debris and waste requires special handling. The proper handling and disposal of this household hazardous waste not only respects the environment but is also obligatory according to city regulations. The City of Laval offers several activities and collections during the months of September and October to facilitate these tasks as well as renewing, recycling and reusing objects that would normally end up as landfill waste.
HHW collection
Household hazardous wastes (HHW) are substances or products that may be harmful to people’s health and the environment if thrown in the trash or down the drain into the city sewer system. Twice a year, in May and in September, the city of Laval organizes a collection of common hazardous household waste. The goal is to prevent harmful products like leftover paint, medicines, batteries and old electronics to end up in landfills. The autumn disposal will take place Saturday September 17th from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm in the parking lot of Laval’s city hall (access by 1333 Chomedey Boulevard or the Cardinal Street). It is reserved for citizens only (proof of residency is required) and businesses and entrepreneurs cannot participate. Place your HHW in cardboard boxes.
Compost Sale
The City of Laval collects organic waste such as kitchen waste, fallen leaves, and grass clippings as part of its three-stream waste garbage collection. Instead of being sent to a landfill site, organic waste is transported to a municipal composting site. This service is provided in the Champfleury district and in parts of the Chomedey and Laval-des-Rapides districts. These materials are then transformed into compost which is a natural fertilizer that is rich in nutrients. It is estimated that the three stream composting collection for 2015 diverted an estimated 2500 tons of organic materials from local landfills (about 240 trucks of compostable materials).
While composting saves landfill space it also recycles biodegradable waste into a useful product. Compost which is a nutrient and natural fertilizer can be used to enrich lawns and gardens. Administrators of Laval invite citizens to buy their locally produced compost at the cost of two dollars for a 15 kg bag. The sale is organized for the Saturday September 24th from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm (or while quantities) in the parking lot of the Laval City Hall (1 Place du Souvenir) and is open to Laval residents therefore a proof of residency is required. Only payments in cash will be accepted and a limit of 15 bags per car. No chips or bulk compost is available.
Collection of fallen leaves
While dead leaves can be added to a home composter or shredded with the mower to enrich the soil, too often they are sent to landfill sites. This is why the City of Laval has instituted a special door to door fallen leaves waste collection since 1993. Usually this special collection is scheduled during the months of October and November and is part of the regular recycling waste collection service. People can also dispose of their pumpkins and bales of straw through this exceptional pickup.
This year the service will be available during the regularly scheduled garbage collection from the 10th of October to the 11th of November on the day of collection of recyclable materials. Residents are asked to bundle fallen leaves in paper bags only and place them on the curb before 7:00 am on their regular garbage collection day. It is important to not include branches or waste and avoid stained or spotted leaves when possible as they may have tar spot disease.
The 21st fallen leaves collection recovered 2,106 tons of leaves, equivalent to 311 trucks full of garbage. Since the first edition of this program, exactly 21,848 tons of fallen leaves have been collected and recycled by Laval farmers. They become a great free and natural fertilizer.
Special sale of items for babies and preschoolers
Organised as part of the Quebec Week for waste reduction, the big baby garage sale catering to products for children 0 to 6 years old allows Laval families to refresh their child’s wardrobe or the toy box at an economical cost. Following the success experienced in 2014 and 2015, the third edition will be held Sunday October 23rd from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Pavillon du bois Papineau centre.
One hundred tables will be filled with items such as toys, clothing, furniture, books, and accessories of all kinds which are deemed to be in good condition. There are approximately seventy five free tables available for residents wishing to sell items but they must be reserved and are on a first come first serve basis. For more information call 450-978-6888 poste 7726.
Shoppers are reminded that all transactions are in cash and they should bring their own bags.
Bicycle collection
The collection of used bikes not only recycles an ecofriendly and healthy transportation vehicle it is also an opportunity to provide youth with summer employment. The City of Laval has scheduled a collection for two wheeled bicycles regardless of their condition and size for Saturday, October 15th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the reception area of dry materials located at 1527 Cunard Street.
The bikes collected will be repaired and donated to the Le Défi -Jeunesse Centre project VélOrange in St- François. To help promote local transportation over forty bikes are available for free use by local residents who can pick up and drop off the vehicle at prearranged sites like the Moulin Park , the Marius -Barbeau library, the youth center and the park Escale.
The project name comes from the unique color of bicycles which are painted orange. For more information online go to https://www.velorange.com/depliant-velorange-centredefijeunesse.pdf.
RFID systems in libraries
Radio-frequency identification (RFID) uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track tags attached to objects. The tags can contain electronically stored information. Unlike a barcode, the tag need not be within the line of sight of a reader, so it may be embedded in the tracked object.
Laval’s library service is being upgraded with such a system. As part of the tender for the acquisition of RFID equipment members of the Executive Committee recommend to City Council to grant the following contracts: Intmotion Company Inc. for an amount of $ 321,020 (terminals loan / return in 2016); Company Bibliotheca ITG Inc. for an amount of $ 1,129,071 (all $ 7 wickets and 20 bins between 2016 and 2017). It is hoped that the RFID technology will allow more efficient document management by promoting the automation of the loan transactions and returns.
Ground Pool authorization for mobile homes
An amendment to the regulation of the City of Laval is proposed to allow for above-ground pools (not including in ground swimming pools and hot tubs) in residential areas of mobile homes. It should be noted that these installations would be subject to the same safety standards and bylaws as in other residential areas.
Collection depot for used electronic products
Laval’s Regional Council of the Environment has been given permission to implement a pilot project to install a depot site for the recovery of used electronics, computers and batteries. The first drop off site will be at the Pavillon du bois Papineau centre.
