Donation of school bags to primary schools in Chomedey to promote integration, academic success and fight against children’s poverty
(NEWSFIRST) – In this back-to-school period, it is essential that all children in Chomedey schools have the necessary resources for their success and academic development.
Like last year, Chomedey’s representative, Sona Lakhoyan Olivier, worked with the Néz pour vivre Foundation to provide school bags to students in need.
Francine Laplante from the Néz pour vivre Foundation launched the project “The Star Godmother” to help students in difficulty through various actions.
Sona Lakhoyan Olivier generously contributed to the progress of this cause by allowing seven schools in Chomedey to receive a total of 200 bags, valued at $10,000, which will be given to children in need.
The current issue of the Laval News, volume 32-17, published on September 11th, 2024. Covering Laval local news, politics, and sports. (Click on the image to read the paper.)
Front page of The Laval News, September 11th, 2024 issue.
Moderna Inc. (Nasdaq:MRNA) announced on Monday that its Canadian manufacturing facility, which is located in Laval, has been granted a Drug Establishment License (DEL) by Health Canada.
The certification, according to a statement issued by the company, affirms the facility’s compliance with rigorous safety and quality standards, authorizing it to produce drug substance.
“This key milestone enables Moderna’s Canadian manufacturing site to become fully operational, bringing the company closer to ensuring a reliable and onshore supply of mRNA vaccines within Canada,” said Moderna.
Moderna’s mRNA facility in Laval.
With the DEL in place, the facility will proceed with the final qualification process, positioning it to domestically manufacture a portfolio of mRNA vaccines against respiratory viruses beginning in 2025, including COVID-19 and, contingent on approval by Health Canada, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and seasonal influenza.
“This is another landmark in Moderna’s long-term strategic partnership with the Government of Canada to provide onshore respiratory vaccine manufacturing capabilities and support national pandemic readiness,” said Roger Ngassam, Laval Manufacturing Site Head at Moderna Canada.
“This platform will be the foundation for enabling the manufacturing of multiple mRNA vaccines right here in Canada,” he added.
“This is a significant achievement in our efforts to bring certified end-to-end mRNA manufacturing capabilities to Canada and is the first of our manufacturing sites outside the U.S. to reach this milestone,” said Stéphane Bancel, Chief Executive Officer of Moderna.
“We look forward to continuing our work with the Government of Canada to support the national supply of vital respiratory vaccines.”
The DEL status adds to Moderna’s existing global manufacturing footprint, which includes key facilities in the United States, as well as facilities under construction in Australia and the United Kingdon.
According to the company, the Laval facility will be playing a crucial role in furthering Moderna’s positive impact on global health, while contributing to the local economy, and ensuring Canadian access to safe, high-quality mRNA medicines.
Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Moderna focuses on RNA therapeutics – mainly mRNA vaccines.
The company, which underwent a massive surge in growth during the Covid pandemic, has only one commercial product so far, which is the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
However, Moderna has 45 treatment and vaccine candidates, of which 38 have reached the advanced stage of clinical trials.
They include potential vaccines for influenza, HIV, Epstein-Barr human herpes, and several vaccines against cancer.
The Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board, the Centre de services scolaire de Laval and the Laval Police have teamed up once again at the beginning of a new school year to get things underway with a focus on student safety.
Their initiative aims to promote safe driving habits around school zones during drop-off times to ensure the well-being of students.
Seen in the photo: Laval mayor Stéphane Boyer, city councillor Sandra Desmeules, Laval Police chief Pierre Brochet, Yves-Michel Volcy, executive-director Centre de services scolaires de Laval, SWLSB chairman Paolo Galati, Carl Vaillancourt, director of École Saint-Paul, Laval Police safety and prevention officer Simon Morissette, Justine Fleury of the Laval Police school crossing guard detachment, school crossing guard Nicole St-Père, and students Jad Bouhdad and Arya Sinanan, élève of École Saint-Paul.
The “Drop Me Off Safely” campaign is an initiative of the Laval Police and has won the Recognition award granted by the Association des directeurs de police du Québec, in the Road Security category.
Recognizing the importance of safety during the crucial moments of student drop-offs, the Laval Police initiated the campaign to raise awareness and ensure every student is safe on their journey to school.
Once again, the campaign will be spread over four strategic periods under various themes throughout the 2024-2025 school year.
More specifically, the police will be reminding motorists of speed limits to respect and mandatory stops to watch out for when a school bus turns on its flashing red lights.
“Our focus at the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board is always the safety of our students and staff,” said school board chairperson Paolo Galati.
“Being part of the “Drop Me Off Safely” campaign is important to us and we are proud to support this initiative to keep our students safe,” he added.
Laval-based INRS gets over $4 million from Quebec to prepare for future pandemics
As the climate continues to change, insect-borne viruses—also known as arboviruses—are becoming a growing threat to public health around the world.
These viruses, which are spread and transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks, and flies, could be the source of future epidemics or pandemics in Quebec and the rest of Canada.
Indeed, some of them are already in the World Health Organization’s sights.
Professor Laurent Chatel-Chaix, a molecular virologist at INRS who heads the CL3 laboratory, will be working with his team to perform cutting-edge research on arboviruses like West Nile virus, chikungunya, Usutu, and yellow fever. (CNW Group/Institut National de la recherche scientifique [INRS])
The Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), based in Laval, a leader in the fight against infectious diseases, has received $4,163,688 in funding from the Quebec government to technologically develop an innovative research pipeline in its Containment Level 3 (CL3) laboratory on the INRS Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie Research Centre in Laval. Today’s announcement is a major boon for biotech sector.
“This major investment strengthens INRS’s position as a hub of expertise in health and biotechnology in Quebec and the rest of Canada,” said Luc-Alain Giraldeau, Chief Executive Officer of INRS.
“This will provide our institution with state-of-the-art facilities to take on current public health challenges, while helping to train the next generation of scientists specialized in infectious diseases,” he said.
“By supporting this INRS project, we are affirming the importance of Quebec in research and innovation,” said Christopher Skeete,Minister for the Economy, Minister responsible for the Fight against Racism and Minister responsible for the Laval region in the Legault cabinet.
“This support contributes to making Laval a major center for biotechnology and health, and we are proud to see our region shine in these essential fields,” Skeete added.
CL3 infrastructure allows pathogens that may be hazardous to human and animal health to be handled and studied under infectious and highly secure conditions.
A better understanding of arboviruses
Professor Laurent Chatel-Chaix, a molecular virologist at INRS who heads the CL3 laboratory since 2021, will be working with his team to perform cutting-edge research on arboviruses like West Nile virus, chikungunya, Usutu, and yellow fever.
“Arboviruses are potential sources of epidemics and pandemics, especially since they are influenced by the effects of global warming in some parts of the world,” said Chatel-Chaix.
“The technological innovation of this CL3 facility will allow us to deepen our knowledge of certain diseases and better understand how these viruses spread while preparing for future pandemic and epidemic threats.”
Minister of Tourism Soraya Martinez Ferrada, accompanied by Vimy Liberal MP Annie Koutrakis, last week announced a non-repayable subsidy of $520,000 to Tourisme Laval, to help the agency guide Laval businesses in developing and structuring their tourism offering in the Laval region while also marketing it outside Quebec.
Founded in 1982, Tourisme Laval orients and facilitates the region’s tourism industry, actively contributing to its economic prosperity.
With 170 members, the non-profit organization provides leadership in welcoming tourists and promoting attractions, while also helping to create new tourism experiences through stand-out initiatives.
Officials with Tourisme Laval are seen here with Vimy MP Annie Koutrakis and federal Tourism Minister Soraya Martinez Ferrada following last week’s funding announcement.
Tourisme Laval also plays a role in gathering its members and partners together to focus on sustainable development and is particularly known for its expertise in business and sports tourism.
The four-year project for which Tourisme Laval was granted the funds targets three of the federal government’s priorities: sustainable tourism, inclusive tourism and the acceleration of business digitization.
The project also prioritizes tourism experiences targeted by the Alliance de l’industrie touristique du Québec.
The government’s contribution will help pay Tourisme Laval’s operating costs, which include salaries, professional fees and other costs directly related to authorized activities.
“The Government of Canada is keen to support the tourism industry which, we must remember, was hit hard by the pandemic, while it plays a key role in reinforcing Quebec and Canada’s competitiveness and appeal,” said Martinez Ferrada, who is also Minister responsible for Canadian Economic Development Quebec in the Trudeau cabinet.
“Tourisme Laval showcases all that the region has to offer to tourists, something it does so well,” she added emphatically.
“The investment announced today signals our commitment to Laval’s tourism businesses and will make it possible to attract even more people from abroad to visit us. We can be proud of all that our regions have to offer.”
“Tourisme Laval spearheads efforts to attract and retain tourists from outside Quebec,” said Koutrakis, who is Martinez Ferrada’s Parliamentary Secretary.
“Its team, consisting of a vast network with solid expertise in guiding tourism businesses, knows how to face increasing competition to position Laval as a destination of choice for visitors from Canada, the U.S. and abroad,” she continued. “CED’s support will make it possible to boost this important component of Laval’s economy.”
“We express our gratitude towards CED for this decisive support,” said Yanick Pazzi, president of Tourisme Laval’s board of directors. “The confidence the government of Canada has placed in Tourisme Laval highlights our key role in the region’s economy.
“Thanks to this assistance, we will be able to not only promote ethical, innovative tourism, but also strengthen sustainable growth in our region,” said Pazzi. “This funding will enable us to market our destination outside Quebec and to modernize our tourism offering, in perfect harmony with the priorities of our governmental partners.”
Photo: Courtesy Association des Pompiers de Laval)
On Aug. 26 shortly after 1 am, firefighting personnel from the Laval Fire Dept. contended with a relatively minor blaze at a home on Guénette St. in Chomedey.
According to a report posted by the Association des Pompiers de Laval on social media, smoke was seen by firefighters coming out of the one-story house as soon as they arrived.
A code 10-07 was called in, meaning the firefighters’ intervention was necessary.
LFD firefighter Abelly retires after 34 years
The Association des Pompiers de Laval, which is the union representing the City of Laval’s firefighters, paid homage on their social media feed recently to a veteran fireman who recently retired.
Firefighter Jean-Philippe Abelly took his retirement on Aug. 11, having accumulated an impressive 34 years of service with the LFD.
The APL wished him a happy and restful retirement and so does The Laval News.
Trucks can now use all lanes on Papineau Bridge
The Papineau Bridge, which carries Autoroute 19. (Photo: Courtesy Transports Québec)
Since late last week, trucks have been allowed to use all the lanes on the Papineau Bridge which links Laval to Montreal Island via Autoroute 19.
Truckers were restricted to using only some lanes in each direction on the busy bridge since last May 17 as special repairs were being carried out on the structure.
According to Transports Québec, the work done on the bridge since then has strengthened the bridge’s concrete platform with steel plates and other additions.
However, the ministry cautions that some more work will be necessary to finish the job in September, although it will require work taking place only at night.
‘We know they’re going to be here to stay,’ LPD official says of growing mobility trend
With electric scooters quickly becoming an ever-more common sight on Laval’s streets, officers from the Laval Police Dept. held a safety and information session in the parking lot outside the Carrefour Laval mall last Saturday in conjunction with the firms that are currently renting out e-scooters in Laval in public locations.
According to Cst. Simon Morrissette, an LPD veteran who oversees the force’s road safety and prevention unit, the LPD is taking proactive action to clarify the conditions for the safe and legal operation of e-scooters on the city’s roads and streets.
Making e-scooter use safe
“Our job right now is to promote the secure way of using them,” he said, adding that the LPD also wants to get the message out about the highway safety code rules that apply to e-scooters.
Left, a Laval police officer rides one of the for-rent e-scooters available in Laval during a safety information day held in the parking lot outside Carrefour Laval last Saturday. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)
Since last year when the city first allowed and began promoting the use of rented e-scooters, the number of scooters available at rental stations in Laval has doubled, according to Morrissette.
“Because they’re a new type of mobility, which is also an active one, we know they’re going to be here to stay,” he said. “So, we want to be sure that everybody, before they start using them, are aware of the risks and the responsible ways of using them.”
$100+ tickets for violators
As it now stands, said Morrissette, e-scooters are defined within the Quebec highway safety code. That being said, those who ride them but who fail to abide by the rules risk receiving $100 tickets (plus administration fees) from the police for moving violations.
Perhaps the most important of these is failure to wear a helmet while operating an e-scooter.
Other e-scooters rules: The minimum age to operate one is 14 years; the electric motor cannot exceed 500 watts power; wheels must be at least 19 centimetres in diameter; it is forbidden for more than one person to travel aboard an e-scooter; and operating an e-scooter on sidewalks is strictly forbidden.
Electric scooters are currently being made available to rent in Laval at a number of public locations, including this one next to Parc Frégault in northern Saint-Martin district. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)
E-scooter sobriety test
As Morrissette pointed out, e-scooter promoters Bird and Lime have incorporated a number of technical features in their vehicles (and the apps used to lease them), which are designed to detect when someone who is impaired by alcohol or drugs is trying to take one out on the road.
E-scooters are just one of a growing range of new mobility devices which have come rapidly onto the market in recent years – often through relatively lax internet-retailing – leaving governments and road safety regulators playing a game of catch-up to adapt laws to the new technology.
But for the time being, the LPD is focusing on making e-scooter use safer for the growing number of users.
Families are having difficulties making ends meet, says Alice Abou-Khalil
For a second year, Fabre Member of the National Assembly Alice Abou-Khalil has donated dozens of school backpacks to children attending two primary education institutions in her riding: École Pierre-Laporte and École Fleur-de-Vie.
In all, Abou-Khalil and her constituency office staff dropped off 25 backpacks last week at each school.
‘As elected officials, we see it as our duty to see that our schools and the community get the support they need’
Left, École Pierre-Laporte school principal Simon Guilbault and Fabre Member of the National Assembly Alice Abou-Khalil are seen here last week with 25 of the 50 backpacks she donated to two Laval-area schools for children to use during the upcoming school year. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)
“We’ve found that there are many families here that are having difficulties providing school supplies for their children for back-to-school,” she said.
“As elected officials, we see it as our duty to see that our schools and the community get the support they need. This helps get the school year off to a good start for the children and the parents, many of whom often are working two jobs to provide adequately for their families.”
It’s France Lessard’s first report since stepping into the position last January
In her first report as the City of Laval’s auditor-general since assuming office last January, France Lessard says the city’s management of its organic waste program could do with some improvement, taking into account discrepancies she found when comparing data produced by Laval to data from the Montreal Metropolitan Community (CMM).
Bad news, good news
The City of Laval’s auditor-general, France Lessard, recently tabled her first report in Laval city council, after stepping into the position at the beginning of this years. (Photo: Courtesy of City of Laval)
In the report, which was presented to Laval city council on August 13, Lessard said she found differences in what Laval reported regarding its organic waste collection, and what was reported by the metropolitan community, although there were also more positive things.
“Some progress has been made in the residential sector, [but] supplementary efforts are necessary to improve the collection and processing of organic materials in the industrial, commercial and institutional sectors, as well as construction, renovation and demolition,” she said.
Seeks improvements
She said additional efforts would also be necessary to better inform and provide assistance to service users, most notably for the implementation of an organic waste collection at multi-unit residences. In 2022, according to Lessard’s report, 279,197 tonnes of residual materials on Laval’s territory were picked up, representing 625 kilos per resident.
In another finding, Lessard said that the city’s supply and service division is not making optimal use of agreements for group purchases.
“Opportunities to save are being missed because of a lack of supervision and proactive communication in the existing agreements,” she said. “What’s more, the absence of clear directives for the personnel and limited used of follow-up tools are contributing to an underuse of the agreements.”
Compliance improving
According to Lessard, the city’s compliance to recommendations by the auditor-general in past years rose to 86 per cent by 2019, from 67 per cent the previous year. However, she added that only 61 per cent of recommendations were fully implemented, suggesting that little has changed in the way the city administration follows up on the auditor-general’s recommendations.
For the years ahead, Lessard identified a number of issues she said she intends to focus on, including municipal taxation, mobility, cybersecurity, access to social housing and homelessness, as well as the impact of climate change on flooding and excessive heat in densely urbanized areas.
