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Laval and Montreal’s Greeks launch year-long 120th anniversary celebration

Martin C. Barry
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Laval and Montreal’s Greeks launch year-long 120th anniversary celebration

Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal’s roots date back officially to 1906

Leading members of the Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal (HCGM) returned last week to a place closely associated with their community’s 120 years of history.

The venue – now a downtown Montreal hotel – was chosen because of its profound symbolism, being the site where the first place of worship for Montreal’s Orthodox Greeks, the Church of the Holy Trinity, once stood.

Justine Frangouli-Argyris, chair of the 120th anniversary committee and Basile Angelopoulos, president of the Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia)

A lasting bond with the past

It’s also where cherished memories of the former church – including at least one religious icon – remain as a reminder of the Montreal Hellenic community’s hallowed bond with the past.

Almost exactly 40 years ago to the day, the Church of the Holy Trinity was destroyed by fire. It was an incident that made a lasting impact on Montreal’s Greeks, many of whom were married and had children who were baptized in the church.

“The history of our community is a story of faith, hard work, devotion and progress,” Basile Angelopoulos, president of the HCGM, stated during a press conference attended by guests who included the Consul General of the Republic of Greece, former HCGM presidents and loyal friends of the Greek community.

Constantine Milonopoulos, a Chomedey resident who served as an altar boy at the Church of the Holy Trinity during the 1950s, is seen here with one of two icons saved from the church, which is displayed in the basement of the Hotel 10 in downtown Montreal. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia) (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia)

For future generations

“Today we return to the place where it all began, to honour those who paved the way and, above all, to reaffirm our commitment to continue with the same sense of responsibility toward our generations to come, our language, our culture, our faith and the society in which we live,” said Angelopoulos.

“This anniversary is not merely a reflection on the past; it is an invitation to the entire hospitable city of Montreal,” noted Justine Frangouli-Argyris, chair of the 120th anniversary committee.

“With a clear and substantial events planning, we call upon the people of Montreal – Greek and non-Greek alike – to celebrate with us and to share the future we are building together for the generations to come,” she added.

Since 1906, the HCGM has stood alongside the Greek diaspora, dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Greek language, the Orthodox Christian faith, history and culture across many generations, while also contributing meaningfully to the economic, social and cultural life of Montreal and Quebec.

A large education network

The HCGM operates the largest network of private elementary schools in Quebec, with five campuses across greater Montreal and more than 1,000 students. It also has a secondary school campus, three supplementary education campuses, six churches and two community centres offering a wide range of services to its members.

From the left, officials from the HCGM, including executive-director George Tsantrizos, president Basile Angelopoulos and former president Nicholas T. Pagonis, are seen here with Consul General of Greece in Montreal Nikolaos Karalekas (second from right). (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia)

With a rich and multifaceted program of events throughout the year, the anniversary celebrations begin in January with the annual Montreal Folklore Workshop Dimitri’s Tzotzisdance. In February, the event “Our Roots, Our Journey” luncheon – dedicated to the founding families of the Hellenic Community of Montreal – will follow, along with the celebration of International Greek Language Day.

Many upcoming events

In March, which is the month of the Greek National Day, the program will include a reception at the Parliament buildings in Ottawa, an event for the Greek National Anniversary at ICAO headquarters in Montreal, and an official recognition by the City of Montreal with the opening of a photographic exhibition at Montreal City Hall.

The month of March will culminate with the National Anniversary Gala at the Château Royal in Laval, the annual parade on Jean Talon St. with a reception afterwards, as well as the formal recognition of the HCGM’s historic milestone by the Quebec National Assembly. For more information, news updates and the full calendar of events, please visit 120.hcgm.org.

Alto high-speed electrified train coming to Laval

Martin C. Barry
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Alto high-speed electrified train coming to Laval

A tunnel under the Rivière des Prairies is among the options being looked at

Alto, the company mandated by Ottawa to create an electrified high-speed rail network between Toronto and Quebec City with stops in between, is contemplating digging a tunnel under the Rivière des Prairies to connect the line to an Alto station to be set up in Laval.

Canada’s electrified high-speed train could look something like this when it finally comes into service starting after 2035. (Photo illustration: Courtesy of Alto)

New tunnel possible

“We’re talking about maybe tunneling from Laval under the Rivière des Prairies,” Ben Bourdeau, an Alto spokesperson, told The Laval News during a public consultation session on the project held last week at the Laval Sheraton.

As things are now, a tunnel carrying the Société de transport de Montreal’s underground Metro off the island of Montreal to the Cartier and Montmorency stations in Laval passes through a tunnel under the river, passing near des Laurentides Blvd.

Link to downtown Montreal

“One of the options is a tunnel because it’s less disruptive,” Bourdeau said. “It’s something that offers protection in case there’s a snow storm. It would be basically under the Rivière des Prairies going straight downtown.”

While a tunnel would present a few challenges, such as some additional cost, “we’re building this for a hundred years,” he continued. “So, in the long run, it would be much more beneficial.”

Although the location for an Alto station that would serve passengers from Laval hasn’t been chosen, a map displayed during last week’s consultation indicated Alto wants to place it within a central area east of old Laval city hall (currently being renovated) and the downtown core.

It would be somewhere in the vicinity of de la Concorde Blvd., Collège Montmorency and Place Bell.

A purple area highlighted on this map during Alto’s public information/consultation session at the Sheraton Laval last week shows where the electrified high-speed rail network’s Laval station is likely to be located in central Laval. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

Three-hour trip to Toronto

Alto, also known as Toronto–Quebec City High-Speed Rail Network, was announced around a year ago by then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. While a design phase has been projected to cost $3.9 billion and last for up to five years, the total completion cost is $80 to $120 billion, with gradual opening of the system taking place between 2035 and 2044.

Trains on the dedicated 1,000-kilometre rail route would reach top speeds of up to 300 km/h, which is nearly double what Via Rail can currently offer now. Besides Toronto, Quebec City and Laval, there will also be stations in Peterborough, Ottawa, Montreal and Trois-Rivières.

When the line is completed, a transit between Montreal and Toronto would take around 3 hours (compared to 5 hours 30 minutes now on Via Rail), while the time on Alto from Montreal to Quebec City would be just under 1 hour and 30 minutes (compared to about 3 hours 17 minutes now on Via Rail). A transit to Ottawa would take around an hour.

A hub for Laval and North Shore

“We’re talking about maybe tunneling from Laval under the Rivière des Prairies,” Ben Bourdeau, an Alto spokesperson, told The Laval News. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

With a population that will soon be reaching 440,000 – a total of 1.2 million when you factor in the population of Montreal’s North Shore – Laval is seen as the most logical location for an Alto station because of its strategic proximity to the northern suburbs, where the population also continues to expand.

“Everyone from the suburbs north of Laval will come to Laval to take a train to go to Toronto, to go to Quebec City,” said Bourdeau. “Laval will be a hub. They won’t have to go down to Montreal’s Central Station to take a train to go anywhere. It’s going to be in Laval. This will be much more convenient for everyone. These people won’t have to transit through Montreal.”

While passenger trains continue to flourish in Europe and to some extent also in the U.S., critics of public transit in this country generally agree that Canada has lagged badly behind. “We don’t have a train culture in Canada,” said Bourdeau, noting that Via Rail has never been able to reach its potential because it operates on tracks owned by CN and CPKC, whose freight trains get scheduling priority.

Laval warned motorists: snow removal ops underway

Martin C. Barry
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Laval warned motorists: snow removal ops underway

With a cleanup underway last week for the Laval region’s most recent snowfall, the city’s public works department was advising residents to heed special parking rules during snow removal operations, while also exercising caution when heavy equipment was in use on Laval’s many streets and roadways.

In an updated statement issued last Monday, the city said salt and abrasives continued to be spread on all streets and sidewalks, while snow removal is also taking place on sidewalks.

Work proceeds, unless more snow

In the meantime, snow blowing operations were taking place last Monday morning and were expected to finish Monday night, unless interrupted by more snow falls. In that case, a day off would be granted to personnel in accordance with provincial Law 430, which could affect the progress of the snow removal operations.

In all of this, where to park? As snow removal ops can last several days, the best solution, according to the city, is to find out if any operations are underway or planned and where to park, using the city’s Info-Parking app (available on your cell phone on Google Play and the App Store).

The city also advises that priority should be given to parking restrictions posted on orange temporary signsor signs planted in the snow. The restrictions indicated on these signs should take precedence over those posted on permanent signs.

Dynamic parking signs

Over the last two winters, the City of Laval has been rolling out a new dynamic parking signage with illuminated solar-powered signs indicating the parking periods, in order to comply with maintenance requirements.

The new signage is in service in Laval’s most densely populated areas, which are Pont-Viau, Laval-des-Rapides, and Chomedey.

The way it works: Parking is prohibited on the side of the street where the illuminated sign is flashing. Periods when parking is prohibited: according to the period indicated, which in general is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., including weekends.

The signs are switched on several hours before the restriction comes into force to give residents time to move their vehicles. When the sign is switched off, no maintenance operations are in progress and parking is permitted on the side of the street where the sign is switched off.

Tips to ease snow removal ops

  • Place your recycling bins correctly. Place the bins on your property, not in the street.
  • Clear snow from your property wisely. Don’t throw snow into the street or onto sidewalks.
  • Install your car shelter correctly. Maintain a minimum distance of 60 cm (2 ft) from the sidewalk or curb. Or leave 1.2 m (4 ft) from the street if you don’t have a sidewalk.
  • Keep fire hydrants clear. Make sure you don’t bury fire hydrants under snow when clearing snow from your property. This is a matter of safety for everyone. If you hire a snow removal company, inform them of the importance of keeping fire hydrants and Metro blue hydrants clear.
  • Keep your emergency exits clear. Make sure all exits from your home are free of snow and ice. In an emergency, you must be able to evacuate quickly. If you own a multi-unit residential building, you are responsible for clearing snow from all your tenants’ exits.
  • Adapt your driving. Equip your vehicle with winter tires between December 1 and March 15, as required by law.
  • Reduce your speed and increase your braking distance in winter conditions. Be patient and courteous to snowplow operators who are working for your safety.

Action Laval steps up pressure on city not to close Centre de la nature mini-farm

Martin C. Barry
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Action Laval steps up pressure on city not to close Centre de la nature mini-farm

Petition asking Mayor Boyer to reverse decision now has more than 20,000 signatures

More than 100 supporters of a petition urging the Boyer administration not to shut the mini-farm at the Centre de la nature in Duvernay held a gathering outside the facility last Saturday, while preparing to make their voices loudly heard at the monthly city council meeting on Tuesday.

Action Laval city councillor for Saint-François Isabelle Piché (seen here outside the mini-farm at the Centre de la nature during last Saturday’s demo) has been helping to spearhead efforts to get the city to reverse its decision to close the facility by this June. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

Major reaction to closure

The planned gradual closure of the petting zoo at the Centre de la nature, which is scheduled for June, has sparked a strong grassroots reaction, with a petition that now exceeds 20,000 signatures.

The city is standing by its decision, noting the facilities are outdated and worn out, and the reconstruction costs are estimated to be between $15 and $20 million. The building itself has an immediate need for a new roof, with an estimated cost in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Denis Fiévèt, initiator of the petition, and Isabelle Piché, Saint-François city councillor for Action Laval, have been spearheading efforts to rally the support of residents from all over Laval, in the hopes of saving the small but cherished mini-farm which houses a range of domestic animals, including sheep, geese, chickens and donkeys.

Fond memories of the farm

Their goal is to put pressure on Mayor Stéphane Boyer and the councillors who hold the majority of council seats to vote in favour of an Action Laval proposal to hold a public consultation on the matter. Among the residents of Laval who turned up in spite of the debilitating cold last Saturday was Yvan Paquette.

A retiree from Sainte-Rose where he has lived and raised a family since 1980, he said he had fond memories of bringing his children to the farm. He said he wanted to make sure his grandchildren would also be able to benefit from the same experience.

Some of the farm animals housed at the Centre de la nature’s mini-farm. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

“We came here when they were younger and now they are 35 and 40 years old and coming with their kids to see the farm,” Paquette said regarding his children. “I want to make sure they continue to have the opportunity to do this.”

“The presence of all these people today clearly demonstrates how important the Centre de la nature farm is to the residents of Laval, and how much they feel the mayor isn’t listening to them,” Piché said in a statement issued by Action Laval.

‘Citizens must be involved’

“It’s worth remembering that the mayor announced the decision to close this iconic Laval attraction behind closed doors last December, without consulting citizens beforehand,” she added. “No to the closure of the Centre de la nature farm. We believe citizens must be involved in the farm’s future.”

As one of two opposition parties in Laval city council, Action Laval has long been critical of the Mouvement lavallois administration’s noted tendency to promote costly major projects, like the central library in Laval’s downtown core.

Action Laval alleges the administration is neglecting smaller and more local projects and sees the closure of the mini-farm as an example. “We think this is mismanagement of funds,” Piché said in an interview with The Laval News.

Laval News Volume 34-03

Laval News Staff
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Laval News Volume 34-03

The current issue of the Laval News, volume 34-03, published on February 4th, 2026.
Covering Laval local news, politics, and sports.
(Click on the image to read the paper.)

New simulation lab at SWLSB’s CDC Pont‑Viau prepares health care students with safe, real‑life training

Martin C. Barry
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New simulation lab at SWLSB’s CDC Pont‑Viau prepares health care students with safe, real‑life training

Officials from the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board were on hand at the SWLSB’s CDC Pont‑Viau vocational training centre on Thursday January 29 for the official launch of a new Simulation Mannequin Laboratory, which is expected to enhance training for health care students.

The new lab is equipped with four state-of-the-art simulation mannequins representing every stage of life: an adult, a senior, a child and a newborn.

Responding like real patients, the high-tech mannequins can breathe, speak, show vital signs and react to care, allowing students to practice real‑life medical situations in a safe and controlled environment.

According to the SWLSB, students in health programs such as the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and Personal Support Worker will now be able to practice essential skills including taking vital signs, starting IVs, drawing blood and responding to simulated medical situations without any risk to real patients.

Beyond hands-on practice, the simulation lab will also help students develop critical thinking and decision-making skills.

Through the cutting-edge technology, the students will be encouraged to ask questions, try solutions and learn from their mistakes, supporting a culture of psychological safety while building confidence before entering real medical settings.

“This new lab aligns with our Commitment-to-Success Plan by strengthening learning environments that support student success,” said James Di Sano, chairperson of the SWLSB.

“It reflects the dedication of the CDC Pont‑Viau team and their focus on preparing students for meaningful careers in health care,” he continued.

“On behalf of the Council of Commissioners, I thank everyone who contributed to this important project,” said Di Sano.

From the left, Heather Halman, CDC-Pont-Viau director and director of adult services, James Di Sano, SWLSB chairperson, Barbara Barrasso, commissioner, Selena Mell, SWLSB interim director general, and Noemi Onofre de Lima, commissioner.

According to the SWLSB, a total investment of more than $175,000 in the project will benefit approximately 80 vocational training students every year.

The project was funded through a grant from Quebec’s Ministère de l’Éducation, with additional support from the Canada‑Québec Agreement between the federal government and the province.

“With this new lab, CDC Pont‑Viau continues to modernize vocational training and provide students with meaningful, hands‑on learning experiences that prepare them for real careers in health care,” said the SWLSB.

LPD participating in Polar Bear Challenge in February

Martin C. Barry
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LPD participating in Polar Bear Challenge in February

The Laval Police say they will be proudly participating once again in the Polar Bear Challenge, which will be held on Saturday February 21 at Riverain de Lachine Park in the Borough of Lachine in Montreal.

Organized by the Quebec Special Olympics, all funds raised from the challenge will go to Course au flambeau des agents de la paix. Several policemen will take on the exciting challenge of jumping into the icy waters of the Saint Lawrence River for a good cause.

Laval Rocket fan death forces match to an early conclusion

A game between the Laval Rocket and the Manitoba Moose last Saturday at Laval’s Place Bell ended abruptly and under unusual circumstances when a member of the audience fell ill and required immediate medical attention.

According to the Montreal daily news portal La Presse, the victim, 75-year-old Michel Pelletier resided in Saint-Sauveur, but a few years ago he decided to move to Laval in order to be closer to his favorite team.

Last Saturday afternoon, he went to Place Bell to watch the game between the Laval Rocket and the Manitoba Moose. He had a ticket right behind Rocket goaltender Jacob Fowler, who had just been sent down to the pro developmental AHL’s Rocket after a stint with the Habs in the NHL.

According to reports, Fowler realized there was a problem in the stands and asked for the game to be stopped, a minute and 12 seconds before the end. The game was abandoned due to a medical emergency involving the fan in the stands.

After assessing the situation, a decision was made to stop the game, confirming a 3-0 loss for Laval. Beyond the score, attention quickly shifted to the medical situation that led to the game’s cancellation. Rocket management decided the priority was the health and safety of the fan involved.

Baby girl dies of injuries after multi-vehicle crash in Laval

A five-month-old baby girl, one of nine people injured in a multi-vehicle crash in Laval in early January, has died of her injuries, the Laval Police have confirmed.

The death came 10 days after the girl’s six-year-old sister died of injuries sustained in the January 5 car crash involving four vehicles, raising the final tally from the incident to two dead and seven injured.

The accident occurred around 7:30 p.m. Jan. 5 when a driver travelling north on Route 335 in Laval lost control about one kilometre north of Dagenais Blvd., then struck three other cars travelling on the road’s north and southbound lanes.

The crash remains under investigation. A 40-year-old man was taken in for questioning a day after the crash and then released after signing a promise to appear in court.

Laval man charged in death of Quebec City woman

A 43-year-old man from Laval is facing a criminal charge of causing bodily harm to another person in Quebec City after police recovered the body of a woman from the St. Lawrence River near a wharf at the Port of Quebec.

Sûreté du Québec divers located the body of a woman last week, tentatively identified as Susana Rocha Cruz. She was reported missing on January 12 after last being seen on January 7.

According to media reports, Rocha Cruz, of Mexican origin, worked as a housekeeper in the hotel industry in the city of Quebec. The Service de Police de la Ville de Québec confirmed that the suspect and the missing woman knew each other. It was unclear whether additional charges would be laid against the suspect, identified by police as Abraham Gonzales Leon.

December brought water infra improvements, as REM station grew busy

Martin C. Barry
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December brought water infra improvements, as REM station grew busy

Residents on certain streets in Laval’s Fabreville and Chomedey districts could expect an upgrade in the quality of their drinking water, as well as more efficient flow of storm and wastewater in their sewers, thanks to a more than $26 million grant announced by the Quebec Municipal Affairs Ministry.

As reported in our December 3 issue, Minister of Municipal Affairs Geneviève Guilbault and Minister responsible for the Laval region Christopher Skeete were in Laval in late November to announce that $26,074,021 had been granted by the CAQ government to the city for the water and sewer infrastructure work.

Under the plan, a total of 13,520 metres of drinking water, stormwater and wastewater pipes would be replaced on dozens of streets in various neighbourhoods of Laval. The investment would allow for the replacement of aging pipes in several areas where outages and emergency interventions are becoming increasingly common.

As reported in our December 3 issue, the spectre of U.S. president Donald Trump’s disruptive economic policies loomed ominously during a one-day conference on the Laval region’s economic prospects held in November by Laval économique, the City of Laval’s development arm.

Quebec Municipal Affairs Minister Geneviève Guilbault (fourth from left) is seen here with Mayor Stéphane Boyer, Sainte-Rose MNA Christopher Skeete and members of the city’s executive-committee and municipal council at city hall on November 28 following the $26 million announcement. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

More than 300 export experts, visionary entrepreneurs and economic and political decision-makers accepted the agency’s invitation to gather for a day of strategic discussions. Mayor Stéphane Boyer called the Trump administration’s actions since the Republican president took office last year a “wake-up call for Canada,” while noting that for the longest time, the U.S. was the country’s most important trading partner.

In December, the REM’s new Sainte-Dorothée station was quickly proving essential to Laval commuters, with packed park-and-ride lots and steady afternoon ridership suggesting the service had taken hold just weeks after launch.

Luis Canon, an internet technician who lived nearby, said the REM fit naturally into his routine. “It’s amazing. It’s convenient,” he said. Canon takes the train roughly four times a week, often at peak hours. He said the new system was a welcome return after years of replacement buses.

Laval’s new REM station.

Following a renewed crime wave in Laval involving the extortion and intimidation of local businesses, Mayor Stéphane Boyer told a meeting of Laval Chamber of Commerce and Industry stakeholders that he was hoping Prime Minister Mark Carney would amend the criminal code so that Laval and other cities could better defend their businesses and residents.

“The criminal code must be revised, because at this moment youths are being used by these people without severe penalties,” said Boyer. “As with prostitution where women are being exploited, there should also be sentences which are exemplary to be as effective as possible.”

Year in Review November: Boyer re-elected Laval’s mayor, new REM station opened

Martin C. Barry
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Year in Review November: Boyer re-elected Laval’s mayor, new REM station opened

Stéphane Boyer won a second term as mayor of Laval, as Mouvement lavallois – Équipe Stéphane Boyer tightened its grip on city hall by taking 17 of 22 council seats in the elections.

Boyer took 58.87 per cent of the vote (58,013 ballots), well ahead of Parti Laval leader Claude Larochelle at 21.75 per cent (21,432 votes) and Action Laval’s Frédéric Mayer at 19.37 per cent (19,091).

“I’m very proud. I’m proud of the citizens for their renewed confidence in me. I’m proud of my team,” Boyer said in an interview with The Laval News on election night.

He said his immediate priorities would be reinvesting in aging neighbourhood streets and pressing the Quebec government for more funding for health, education and homelessness services in Laval ahead of the 2026 provincial election.

After twelve years representing Chomedey, Aglaia Revelakis held onto her council seat, but by the narrowest margin of her political career. Revelakis, running as an independent, edged out Action Laval’s Costa Deeb by just 38 votes, winning 34.36 per cent of the vote (1,143 ballots) to Deeb’s 33.21 per cent (1,105).

It marked a sharp drop from her commanding 52.19 per cent victory in 2021, when she carried Laval’s 14th district by more than 900 votes for Action Laval. Despite the lower margin, Revelakis said her team’s success showed that her personal connection to her district still mattered in Laval politics.

More than 850 supporters of Pink in the City set a new attendance record when they turned up for the Magic of Hope fundraising gala held in October and reported in our November 5 issue.

“It’s a great evening – it’s inspiring,” Pink in the City co-founder Denise Vourtzoumis told The Laval News. “We’re doing something really great here all together,” she said.

After years of anticipation, the Sainte-Dorothée station of the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) was officially inaugurated, marking a transformative moment for mobility in Laval and the Greater Montréal area.

The station is part of the new Deux-Montagnes line, a 50-kilometre extension that triples the REM’s coverage and connects Laval directly to downtown Montréal.

“This station is a symbol of progress for Laval,” said Mayor Stéphane Boyer. “It will make life easier for thousands of residents, reduce congestion, and help us meet our climate goals.”

Canadian Forces personnel, including soldiers from the Royal 22nd Regiment’s Fourth Bataillon, as well as Air, Sea and Army Cadets and members of the Royal Canadian Legion, joined dignitaries who paid their respects on November 9 during a Remembrance Day commemoration held at the Laval War Cenotaph on Chomedey Boulevard.

In October, Laval’s voters prepared to elect a new council and mayor

Martin C. Barry
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0
In October, Laval’s voters prepared to elect a new council and mayor

With less than a month before the City of Laval’s municipal elections, The Laval News conducted a series of “person in the street” interviews to see just how many voters in Laval seemed to know who was running for city council and for mayor.

“No, I don’t know anything about it,” said Natan Sadi, a younger voter interviewed near the Montmorency metro station. Some voters, like Fadi Al-Dib, were more attuned to the race.

He immediately named incumbent mayor Stéphane Boyer when asked who’s running. “I think he’s the one who’s going to win, because his team, up to now… he’s done so many good projects,” he said.

In the meantime, Quebec’s Chief Electoral Officer Jean-François Blanchet made a special decision to allow municipalities to deliver election-related documents by means other than direct delivery to voters during the 2025 municipal elections.

He said the decision was necessary given a labour disruption to postal services. “Postal services are a key element of the electoral process,” Blanchet said in a statement issued by his office.

A series of missing cats in a Laval neighbourhood near the Armand-Frappier woods prompted concern among residents over the previous summer. Several owners reported their whiskered companions disappearing within weeks of one another, with coyotes suspected to be the culprits.

In July, a stormy night marked the last time Agnes Por, who operates a home daycare and works as an educator, saw her cat. Her cat, Gabi, was used to going outside and always came home, but this time he didn’t.

Multiple vehicles from the Laval Police and Urgences-Santé were on the scene at the Starbucks coffee franchise on Autoroute 440 at the corner of 100th Avenue, responding to gunshots fired and one resulting death.

Public safety officials were speculating that the victim’s violent death might mark the opening salvo of an extended war between factions in organized crime.

Federal Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson met with industry leaders in Quebec’s Saguenay region recently to announce subsidies for mining, which is expected to play a key role in the Carney government’s Build Canada program.

In an exclusive interview with The Laval News, federal Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson explained the Carney government’s new ‘Build Canada’ initiative.

The Liberal government hoped to kickstart the country’s economy by attracting $500 billion in five years for private investment in major nationwide projects.

“We need to retool, we need to reorganize,” Hodgson said. “And the Build Canada Act and the Major Projects Office are a critical part of the retooling of our economy.”

Two familiar rivals for the Laval mayor’s chair, incumbent Stéphane Boyer (Mouvement lavallois) and opposition Claude Larochelle (Parti Laval), traded ideas and a few jabs at a tightly run community debate that stayed laser-focused on bread-and-butter issues.

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