The suspect is described as a white male, about 35-45 years old. He is about 1.75m (5’7”) tall and weighs about 70kg (155lb).Apr 22 – Laval police are looking for a middle-aged man who stole rings from an elderly woman in Laval when she answered the door. On March 15 at about 4 p.m., a man knocked at the woman’s door and snatched two rings right off her fingers as she stood in the doorway, then he ran off. When investigators questioned neighbours, they discovered that several days earlier a man matching the suspect’s description had approached another woman living nearby. She told police the man had knocked at her door under the guise of needing to inspect her water-heater, and that he had been very insistent.
Police are asking anyone with information to call the LPD confidential info-line at 450-662-4636 or 911 and mention file LVL 160315 040.
Apr 27 – Laval police are investigating after human bones were found near Highway 440 early Wednesday morning. Police received a call around 9:15 a.m. from workers at a construction site who was touring the site by foot and stumbled upon the gruesome discovery. Investigators were dispatched; the bones were quickly identified as human remains and the scene was cordoned off.
The bones were found by the side of Highway 440, just east of Highway 13, in a vacant lot next to a McDonald’s restaurant.
Police Seek Ring-Snatching Thief
Police are looking for this suspect who stole two rings from an 89-year-old woman’s fingers after she answered her front door.
Apr 22 – Laval police are looking for a middle-aged man who stole rings from an elderly woman in Laval when she answered the door. On March 15 at about 4 p.m., a man knocked at the woman’s door and snatched two rings right off her fingers as she stood in the doorway, then he ran off. When investigators questioned neighbours, they discovered that several days earlier a man matching the suspect’s description had approached another woman living nearby. She told police the man had knocked at her door under the guise of needing to inspect her water-heater, and that he had been very insistent.
The suspect is described as a white male, about 35-45 years old. He is about 1.75m (5’7”) tall and weighs about 70kg (155lb).
Police are asking anyone with information to call the LPD confidential info-line at 450-662-4636 or 911 and mention file LVL 160315 040.
Police Suspect Other Potential Fraud Victims
Lyn Levasseur, 52, was charged with committing fraud in Laval. Police suspect more victims have yet to come forward.
Apr 22 – Police have arrested 52-year-old Lyn Levasseur, accused of committing fraud to the tune of several thousands of dollars. At the time, Levasseur was working in administration at a business in Laval and police suspect she may have also targeted other businesses or individuals. Investigators believe more victims may yet come forward.
Levasseur appeared in court on April 21 to face one count of fraud – article 380 (1) of the Criminal Code.
Anyone with information is asked to call the police info-line at 450-662-4636 or 911 and mention file LVL 151202-057. All calls are treated confidentially.
Commuters Urged to Report Sexual Crimes on Public Transit
Apr 19 – Laval police have joined other police forces in the greater Montreal area in a new awareness campaign called Réagissez-Dénoncez (See It – Speak Out) designed to encourage people to report incidents of inappropriate behaviour on public transit. That can include incidents of flashing, groping, exhibitionism or sexual assault.
The month-long campaign encourages commuters – victims or witnesses – to contact police whenever they see people committing sexual crimes. The most common incidents are inappropriate sexual contact, which often occur at rush hour when the busses and metros are crowded, and cases of exhibitionism.
According to police, the number of reported sexual crimes in the metro system doubled from 2013 to 2015.
On Thurs. April 21, the Montmorency College Foundation raised $70,160 for the college through a gourmet food tasting evening co-sponsored by the Caisses Desjardins de Laval. More than 250 patrons experienced a gastronomical treat prepared by four chefs and a sommelier.
A gourmet event
Major partners in the event include Alimentation Couche Tard and Compass Québec. In addition to food supplied by the chefs, a dozen businesses also contributed gourmet food items. Each service was complemented with a carefully selected wine provided by the SAQ.
A silent auction featured a range of items of up to $10,000 in value. A travel package, “Bordeaux and its vineyards,” worth $4,000, was offered by Voyages CAA Quebec and Transat, but ended up being auctioned off for $5,000.
Encouraging education
Foundation president Sylvie Laflamme noted the importance of the occasion in terms of education. “We know to what point education and training of people is the vault key to be able to progress and prosper as a society,” she said. “It heartwarming to be able to encourage youths to pursue their studies, to make full use of their creativity and to develop their social consciences. Your presence at fundraising evenings like this is important.”
During the evening, Daniel Rousseau, president of the sponsorship committee and the donations from Caisses Desjardins de Laval, talked about the involvement of Desjardins. “In my role as representative of my colleagues at Caisses Desjardins de Laval, I can assure you that they didn’t hesitate to add their financial support regarding this evening which we hope will be beneficial and lucrative.”
Laval’s regional health authority has decided to cancel the certification of the Manoir Chomedey senior citizens’ residence because of non-conformity to fire safety regulations. According to the CISSS de Laval, it is the first time every in Quebec that a social services institution’s operating permit has been revoked for reasons of fire safety.
“Unfortuntately, there are still some negligent owners who have learned nothing of the lessons from the Îsle-Verte fire,” André St-Hilaire, head of fire prevention with the Laval Fire Department, told Radio-Canada earlier this week, referring to the fire that killed more than 30 people two years ago.
Security not a priority
According to Radio-Canada, the fire department and local CISSS authorities have been trying to get the Manoir Chomedey’s owner, a Toronto businessman, to improve fire safety for several years at the seniors’ residence where 150 elderly with reduced autonomy and mobility now live.
“You might say that the owner doesn’t put fire security up front in his priorities and has not chosen to make the necessary investments to improve the safety of his residents,” St-Hilaire added.
Residents being relocated
While the owner is said to have promised to improve fire security systems and the training of staff, the Laval fire department maintains he didn’t follow through on the pledges. As such, CISSS de Laval has decided to take action and will be relocating 36 residents who are considered most vulnerable to another retirement residence because the risks at Manoir Chomedey are considered too high.
According to Radio-Canada, fire drills haven’t taken place at the seniors’ residence in four years, nor does the building have a fire security strategy that is regarded by the fire department as satisfactory. Over the past two years when the fire department paid visits, they concluded the staff was ill-prepared to deal with a fire emergency.
Code infractions cited
The fire department maintains that a minor fire that broke out at Manoir Chomedey last year exposed the residence’s fire safety weaknesses. During an inspection last fall, the department recorded 18 pages of fire code infractions. Among them, smoke detectors were found to be missing, not working or out of date, and fire breaks between areas weren’t up to code.
Although some improvements have apparently been made by the owner, they are said to be insufficient to satisfy the fire authorities. Revoking Manoir Chomedey’s accreditation is regarded as a drastic step which it is hoped will lead to vast improvement at the seniors’ residence.
The Laval public library’s Émile-Nelligan branch in Laval-des-Rapides reopened on April 19, following an eight-month-long beauty treatment.
The Laval public library Émile-Nelligan. Study and computer area.
The upgrade at the branch included a complete restructuring of the library users’ areas. There are now more work tables and comfortable chairs to sit in while consulting library materials. A separate room is now available for the use of groups as well as for cultural activities.
As well, a space to exhibit art installations has been set up on the first floor with professional-quality equipment from which to hang spotlight systems. The branch’s entrance has been reconfigured and floor coverings (ceramic, carpet and linoleum) have been replaced in order to embellish the premises while making them more secure. The washrooms have also undergone a renewal.
Library users will also be pleased to know that the branch’s usual schedule of programming will be resuming in May. A brochure will be available at all the Laval public library system’s branches beginning on May 2. There’s also something else new at all the Laval public library branches this year: registration can now be done online.
Renewal of the “Read with me” children’s summer reading program
The Executive Committee approved the renewal of the sixth edition of a literary program it sponsors to bring reading pleasure to children during summer months. The organization “Read with Me” will promote activities that will target young Lavallers aged from birth to 12 years of age. The literary events will be held at various locations including outdoor forums and park. The objective is to prioritize clientele which normally has limited access to reading materials or due to lack of physical proximity easy access to library services.
Four programs are provided for the consumption of Laval’s youngest readers. Outdoor park settings, kiosks, tents are set up to bring books to young first readers in the “Tent to read” program for children up to five years old. “Lily with me in the street” serving the age group of 6-12 year olds, “Jersey Tales” offering reading for the up to 9 year old groups and Games Tent geared for 6-12 year olds round out the offerings which introduce young people to the pleasures of reading. An amount of $68,183 was approved by the executive to pay for the services provided by the agency “Read with me”.
“There is nothing more beautiful than to see our young Laval residents read, laugh and be amazed by the literature. That is why we wish to contribute to their cultural awakening, even around a pool or playground, “reasoned the mayor, Marc Demers. For more information visit and or contact your local municipal recreational and sport offices (BMLs) or libraries.
Laval City Hall sign.
Grant of $ 50,000 to the Independent Music Festival Diapason
The grant will allow the association “Central Artists”, original founder and organizer of the event, to consolidate programming and increase the visibility of the 8th edition of the festival. This year’s concerts and shows will play from July 7th to 10th. The performances will be hosted at several Laval locations including; Bagel Sainte-Rose on196 Boulevard Sainte-Rose, Bibliothèque Sylvain-Garneau on 187 Boulevard Sainte-Rose, Église Sainte-Rose-de-Lima on 219 Boulevard Sainte-Rose and La berge des Baigneurs on13, rue Hotte Laval.
The Independent Music Festival Diapason (FMIDs) is a means to showcasew alternative music talent originating from the Laval region. To promote the region and spread its appeal the festival invites local artists, as well as national and international musicians. The happening with its diverse settings from intimate bistros to outdoor venues brings together emerging artists with established acts, transforming the vibe, feel and excitement into a true festival event.
“Laval is proud to support this festival which is getting national level recognition,” said Mayor Demers. Moreover, the Central Artists association was awarded the Dunamis prize for local economic development by Laval’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Management Alain-Grandbois Centre
The Executive Committee members have extended the service contract of the Historical and Genealogical Society of l’île Jesus (SHGIJ) for the management of the Alain-Grandbois Reference Archives Centre. This is a four-year agreement. The society will receive $ 40,126.99 for the operating costs of the centre in 2016 with the mandate to provide free Internet access and services to citizens on site, continued development of the history and genealogy collection and archive materials. Also the centre must provide printing and copying services on site.
A $ 40,000 grant to support the Laval Beer Festival
Emphasizing the need for increased visibility and the entrepreneurial focus of the organizers, the executive committee has earmarked a grant of $ 40,000 for the second edition of the Laval Beer Festival. The investment in this business plan promises to continue to develop and grow an event which showcases beer products of over 40 Quebec microbreweries. This year’s second edition will be held from July 15th to 17th at Laval’s Nature Park. In 2015 nearly 14 000 festival-goers, sixty percent who came from Laval discovered the unique tastes and offerings of local Quebec microbreweries. The grant will help the organizers to increase their visibility, to improve their musical programming and enrich family area settings and activities.
Grant for the 4th Annual Concert for the Future TD
Financial assistance of $ 10,000 was given to the “Fondation Droit au Talent” a musically oriented foundation to help defray the costs of organizing the 4th Annual Concert for the Future TD which will be held May 29th 2016. This fundraising event supports the Arts Education program of the Laval School Board which promotes access to music education and excellence from primary school years throughout High School. The generosity of donors to the Foundation allows access to the excellence of the arts education program for all children without regard to the financial capacity of families. The foundation has already spent thousands of dollars equipping schools with necessary musical instruments.
This year’s concert will highlight the voice of the soprano Marie-Josée Lord who is the featured act at the Ste-Rose Laval Church concert. The benefit will bring together onstage as many as a hundred students of the musical program of the Commission Scolaire de Laval and their teachers. The Concert for the Future – TD 2016 edition will also host the conductor of the LSO Alain Trudel and the famous violinist Angèle Dubeau. Tickets for the Concert for the Future TD – 2016 are now available by mail (online forms) or at the ticket office of the Salle André-Mathieu Theatre.
Accessibility of disabled persons in the Maison des Arts Hall in Laval
The Executive Committee accepted the publication of two public tenders for the professional services of architects and consulting engineers for the preparation of plans and specifications of tender documents and for the supervision of construction works for a project to improve accessibility to Laval’s Maison des Arts cultural, art exposition and concert hall.
“This cultural hallmark already celebrating its 30th year of activity should be accessible to all Laval citizens,” cited Mayor Demers who also explained, “We need to identify issues of universal accessibility to outdoor areas and indoor spaces and correct problematic situations for persons of reduced mobility.” The money for this project was part of the three year infrastructure program budget covering the 2016 to 2018 period.
Grant Program for various Laval Organizations
The Laval executive has awarded the following grants to non-profit sports, cultural corporations, foundations and organizations providing services in Laval in 2016.
The “Regroupement du sport à Laval” ARSEL/CSL is responsible for the coordination and programming activities related to sports and the development of Laval athletes. They will receive a grant of $ 82,900 The Armand-Frappier University Foundation’s Program for INRS student research 2015-2016 Excellence Awards will be allotted a sum of $ 15,000.
The Montmorency Fencing Club will receive a sum of $5000 to organize and host the Wheelchair World Cup of Fencing competition. The Theatre Bluff group is gifted a Grant of $2500 to held it increase its international visibility and exposure while the Water Interpretation Center will get $2000 to help defray the costs of its fundraiser.
The Figure Skating Club of Laval will receive an amount of $1,000 to help defray the costs of the participation of fifty youths in the annual Ice Show review.
DIRA-Laval is a non-profit organization dedicated to combat abuse, violence and neglect of the elderly and they will be gifted an amount of $ 1,000 as part of their annual fund raiser benefit. Also a sum of $500 has been set aside for both the Vimont-Auteuil association to help celebrate its 30th anniversary of the organization as well as the lawn bowling club Laval Voisins for their activities.
On Saturday, June 11, 2016, the Cancer research society with the collaboration of the Armenian Relief Society of Laval ,are organizing a fundraising walkathon.
The walking distance :9 kms. From Carrefour Laval, TOYS R US, to the Armenian Community Center 397, Boul Des Prairies.
For information :Maggie Hajjar 514-713-6325
On April 20, officials with the City of Laval presented the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement (BAPE) with a memorandum explaining Laval’s reasons for categorically rejecting Energy East’s controversial oil pipeline project.
Just risks, Demers said
“Energy East threatens our quality of life and our security and does not fit in with our future vision for Laval,” Mayor Marc Demers said. “This project, which carries only risks for Laval residents, in addition to slowing the transition to a green economy, must be rejected by the BAPE.”
Demers said the project promoter, TransCanada, “does not seem to be able to guarantee the security of its pipelines. Its project threatens our health and our environment while imposing all the risks. Never will we negotiate the security of our citizens.”
Not in step with vision
Demers said Energy East’s project isn’t compatible with Laval’s long-term vision for its territory which emphasizes the integration of rural and urban values. Laval’s brief states that the city does not believe that the production and transport of supplementary volumes of crude oil, with all the inherent risks, is necessary in the present economic context and while taking into account commitments made by Canada and Quebec to transition energetically in view of climate change.
According to an outline proposed by TransCanada, the pipeline would cross the island of Laval from north to south at the east end. Thus it would cross the Mille Îles and des Prairies rivers, where there are several areas that are protected for their rich biodiversity, as well as a significant agricultural zone, and two residential neighbourhoods, one in the north and the other in the south.
Potential spill impacts
Laval’s memo also expresses strong concerns regarding the potential impacts of a spill on the health and security of the population, on the high quality agricultural lands, on property values and on sensitive eco-systems. The memo points out that in the case of a spill into the Outaouais River, the forced closing of the Montreal region’s water supply would result in heavy economic losses for Laval businesses and industries, without even taking into account the impact on citizens.
As well, the lack of available water generated by such an incident could compromise fire department interventions and would thus also compromise the safety of citizens, infrastructures and the environment. Laval’s memo also rejected the argument that the abandonment of Energy East’s pipeline project would lead to more oil being transported by train. “We are using less and less oil in Quebec and we will be using less and less in the future,” said Demers. The city’s memo can consulted online at this web address: https://www.laval.ca/Documents/Pages/Fr/Nouvelles/memoire-laval-bape-avril-2016.pdf
In his inaugural year in office, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau released a statement commemorating the 101st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. In a statement dated April 24, 2016 which he shared with the Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC), PM Trudeau recalls resolutions of both the Senate and the House of Commons recognizing the Armenian Genocide and states that “[Canadians] preserve the memory of those who lost their lives, and those who suffered, during this genocide and pay our deepest respects to their descendants, including those who now call Canada home.”
“We are encouraged to see that the PM Justin Trudeau is holding true to Canada’s commitment to condemn acts of genocide, including the Armenian Genocide,” stated ANCC President Dr. Girair Basmadjian. “While the Prime Minister’s message reaffirms the Canadian government’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide and the need to prevent future genocides, it fails to condemn successive Turkish governments that perpetrated the Armenian Genocide between 1915 and 1923, nor does it condemn the ongoing denial campaign by the Republic of Turkey,” concluded Basmadjian.
The ANCC believes firmly that “Canada’s back” and as a world leader in promoting and protecting human rights and democratic values in other states should help Turkey acknowledge its past by condemning all forms of denial. The ANCC and the Armenians who have chosen Canada as home will continue to work with our government and elected representatives throughout Canada to ensure that future statements include condemnation of any denial by successive Turkish governments.
On the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the Canadian Parliament designated April as Genocide Remembrance, Condemnation and Prevention Month and April 24 as Armenian Genocide Memorial Day. On the 101st anniversary, the Prime Minister’s statement is an important part of the Canadian government’s commitment to remember and condemn past genocides and work to prevent future genocides.
For the second time in three months, Agape is appealing for assistance in the midst of a funding crisis that the Chomedey-based charitable services agency claims has been brought about by the sudden arrival of hundreds of Syrian refugees and Quebec’s and Ottawa’s failure to compensate charities for the added burden they’ve taken on.
Food and furniture all gone
As reported by the Laval News in January, Agape’s usually-well stocked freezers of food as well as the basement storage areas of furniture have been depleted by the sudden surge in demand. But in the meantime, the organization’s administration says the government has done relatively little to compensate Agape for the responsibility it inadvertently accepted.
During an interview last week with the Laval News, Agape treasurer Elizabeth McLeod heaped praise on Chomedey Liberal MNA Guy Ouellette for emergency support she said he arranged for Agape to receive from Quebec and his office.
“I have the greatest admiration for him – Mr. Ouellette helped us in as much as he could,” she said without revealing the exact amount the Chomedey MNA’s office gave. All the same, she said the amount Ouellete provided “is a far cry from what is really happening. This is a beginning of some hope for us.”
Agape’s freezer chests have been empty for weeks, according to the organization’s treasurer Elizabeth McLeod.
A bureaucratic response
While Ouellette also tried to intervene on Agape’s behalf for funding from the province’s immigration ministry, McLeod was not impressed with the bureaucratic response she got. “The representative at Immigration Quebec informed us that we’re not eligible for any amounts of financial support mainly because refugees are not our primary mission,” she said.
She said she replied, “It became my primary mission when the people started coming to Agape for help in December. As a charitable organization in Laval, it is my moral duty as a Christian to support my brothers and sisters who are poor and in need of food, clothing and furniture. And it has become our primary mission because it surpasses all other other needs of our community at the present time.”
With Agape’s freezers empty since April 12, according to McLeod, she said “the crisis has reached a point where we’re wondering how long are we going to last? I don’t want to be pessimistic, but in the meantime the situation is such that I don’t know where we’re going to be in May.”
A $25,000 shortfall
Agape operates with a regular staff of up to five salaried employees, including an executive-director, a social worker and support personnel. The organization also runs with the help of additional labour, cooking and maintenance workers who are paid through annually renewable employment program subsidies.
According to an Agape annual report three years ago, the organization budgeted for more than $600,000 in spending, including $225,000 in salaries and deducted benefits at that time. McLeod maintains that the sudden burden of having to deal with several dozen families of Syrian refugees has left the organization with a $25,000 shortfall that is jeopardizing Agape’s future. McLeod said Agape is also seeking a $30,000 subsidy for an Arabic-speaking interpreter to interact with the Syrian refugees so they can be propertly served.
McLeod contested a claim made by Laval-Les Îles Liberal MP Fayçal El-Khoury’s riding office that Ottawa was instrumental in helping provide emergency funding to Agape. “They didn’t arrange for a damn cent for me – they didn’t give me anything,” McLeod insisted, maintaining that the $22,000 sum in question was owed by Quebec to Agape since Agape’s 2014-2015 fiscal year.
MP claims application not received
In an interview last week, El-Khoury said Agape was repeatedly invited by his political attaché, Karine Sahakian, to apply to the federal government for assistance. “She asked many times to please apply in order to help,” El-Khoury said, while adding that he kept in contact with Sahakian whenever he was in Ottawa so that she could inform him of the application file number and he could try to have it expedited.
El-Khoury maintained adamantly that he was told by Sahakian that Agape had not responded to his office’s requests. “Now they are coming and crying,” he said of Agape’s situation. “I will see what I can do, but if there is no application the ministry will give no money.”
Help coming, says MP’s office
El-Khoury’s office also claimed that an outreach was undertaken in order to free up an amount due to Agape that the provincial government was holding onto. “We reached out to Mr. Guy Ouellette’s office and we solved that issue,” said Sahakian, adding that the $22,000 in question was paid around a month ago to cover outstanding payroll.
In the meantime, according to the the Liberal MP’s office, some good news is that additional funding for cash-strapped charitable organizations like Agape is supposed to be made available by Ottawa soon. “There’s a new plan that Mr. El-Khoury will announce to the public,” said Sahakian. As well, she said El-Khoury’s office is arranging for Arabic-speaking volunteers to donate their time at Agape to serve the Syrian refugees.
