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The City is stepping up its financial support to Laval Newspapers

Martin C. Barry
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The City is stepping up its financial support to Laval Newspapers

In the face of the major crisis facing the Quebec media, the City of Laval is proud to announce one-time financial assistance for local Laval media. The objective of this support is to ensure the sustainability of the service offer of these players, who are essential to the influence of our community and the health of our democracy.

Laval Mayor Stéphane Boyer mentioned that “Laval’s media are essential vectors of the cultural, democratic and economic vitality of our community. Their fundamental presence and influence ensure a richness and diversity of opinions that promote varied and accessible points of view that represent the reality of our region with professionalism. We are confident that our support, a response to the needs that have been expressed to us, will help them face the important challenges affecting their industry and pursue their mission to inform the community on issues that concern them.”

Concerted one-off aid

This one-time support for Laval’s local media proposes concrete actions and mitigation measures to maintain a dynamic presence of local media headquartered in Laval. Among others the beneficiaries will be the Courrier Laval, and The Laval News. Financial assistance is divided into three areas of intervention: dissemination and distribution, financing, and promotion of content.

The City is committed to supporting projects to transform or digitally improve these media through a maximum of $50,000 in non-repayable financial assistance. This assistance, conditional on compliance with several terms and conditions, will be administered by Laval Économique. This one-off bonus will be allocated according to the circulation of the media and its periodicity.

Also, starting in the fall, the City will increase its advertising placements in the previously identified media by 37%. Finally, the support also aims to set up accessible drop-off points for these media in certain municipal buildings so that they can distribute their printed copies. Thus, displays will be gradually deployed within the City’s facilities, which will increase the reach of the targeted media, without increasing the inherent and operational costs.

The Arts and the City Awards

The City of Laval wins the Culture and Development Award for Zoom Art

Zoom Art For its project Zoom Art – When contemporary art takes the place of advertising, the City of Laval was awarded the Culture and Development Award at the Les Arts et la Ville Awards ceremony held on June 5 in Repentigny. This significant recognition is accompanied by the handing over of outdoor cultural display furniture, graciously offered by Artpublix.

A signature event produced by the City of Laval since 2020, the winning Zoom Art project invites the discovery of contemporary art through the insertion of images of works in advertising spaces along the streets, in bus shelters and on large-format billboards. The secret recipe of the project lies in the selection of images of impactful works, in the diversion of strategies used in advertising marketing and by the accompaniment of catchy texts.

“This project is a testament to the City’s desire to take the visual arts to another level. These artistic oases lead citizens to reflect, escape and feel different emotions in their daily journeys on foot, by bike, by bus or by car. It is an essential tool for the democratization of art; An aspect that was also highlighted by the jury,” said Flavia Alexandra Novac, City Councillor responsible for Culture.

To date, Laval residents have had the chance to discover, thanks to Zoom Art, more than fifty contemporary artists from Laval, Quebec and the rest of Canada. Each year, the curated approach by theme has created an effect of distinction and cohesion: Laval Artists (2020), Magic Realism (2021), Being Together (2022), Secret Nature (2023) and Stardust (2024). Zoom Art allows you to develop, outside the walls of institutions, a curiosity and interest in contemporary art among a wide audience. Note that the next edition will be held from September 22 to October 13, 2024.

The City of Laval, host city of the Les Arts et la Ville forum in May 2025

Motivated by its desire to position itself in the network of hosting major national and international cultural events, the City of Laval is pleased to have been selected to act as the host city of the36th annual forum of the national network Les Arts et la Ville in 2025.

The event, organized each year in a different municipality, will offer an extensive program including conferences, panels and workshops, a program highlighting Laval’s cultural vitality and the Arts and the City Awards evening.

In addition to the economic spinoffs generated by the 300 or so delegates from across Quebec and the Canadian Francophonie, this is an opportunity for Laval to shine as a major cultural city on the national level, in parallel with the festivities of Laval’s 60th anniversary. The host city will also be able to strengthen its leadership and its role in influencing Quebec municipalities in recognizing the transversal nature of culture, as well as the social, economic and ecological dimensions.

In addition, hosting the Les Arts et la Ville forum will allow Laval to discuss the essential issues that affect the sustainable development of living environments and the territory, while highlighting the investments and efforts that have been made in culture in recent years. About the Arts and The City Awards The Arts and the City Awards aim to encourage the cultural vitality of communities and promote good practices in this area.

They express recognition of the commitment of the driving forces of the communities to make culture a vector of sustainable development. They contribute to the realization of cultural projects that play an active role in the continuous improvement of the quality of life of citizens. It is an initiative of Les Arts et La Ville, the network for arts and culture in our communities.

Drowning prevention

Laval will offer free swimming lessons to young people in its territory

Following a unanimous vote at the City Council meeting, the City of Laval will offer free swimming lessons to Laval youth as part of the summer aquatic activity program. The objective of this new measure is to promote the safety of everyone around bodies of water.

“We all know that prevention remains the best way to avoid drowning. The data speaks for itself: in Quebec, during the summer months, every day, a child is in the emergency room in connection with a drowning. The City is therefore taking the initiative to offer these free courses to young people in the territory to do its part to reverse this situation,” said Stéphane Boyer, Mayor of Laval.

“I invite parents not to hesitate to enroll their child in these free classes. Our teams are ready to welcome them to municipal swimming pools. I would also like to take this opportunity to remind the older ones that the lifeguard and swimming instructor certification courses are also free of charge! See you on June 12, at noon,” said Nicolas Borne, municipal councillor of Laval-les-Îles andresponsible for sports and recreation.

Specifically, it will be through a pilot project that the Lifesaving Society’s introductory swimming courses (Preschool 1 and Swimmer 1) will be free for children aged 3 to 12 this summer. The program will be offered over a period of 4 weeks in outdoor municipal pools and over a period of 8 weeks in an indoor pool, free of charge.

Citizens will be able to register for these courses in the summer program starting June 12, at noon, at piscines.laval.ca, under the heading Aquatic Activity Registration. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Note that advanced training leading to the lifeguard and swimming instructor certificate is also free. A complete range of affordable aquatic activities including swimming, lifesaving initiation and fitness lessons will also be offered to Laval residents in municipal pools this summer.

The Laval Firefighters’ Race

Record participation and major donation at the 2024 edition

For its 12th edition, the Laval Firefighters’ Race recorded a record number of registrations as more than 9,100 runners of all ages and levels participated in the event. This is an increase of 2,500 people compared to last year.

The participants of the race raised more than $61,000 for the Quebec Firefighters Foundation for Burn Victims (FPQGB), a significant amount to which the profits of the event will be added in the coming days. All the races culminated in the finish line located in the heart of the Grande Fête des pompiers de Laval, where a festive and educational experience awaited young and old alike throughout the weekend.

In the marathon, Shazan Lefebvre won first place in the men’s race with an impressive time of 2:44:15. Florence Thibodeau was the first woman to cross the finish line after running the distance in just 3:10:56. In the half-marathon, Nicolas Riopel and Joëlle White climbed to the top step of the podium. The event also included 10K, 5K, 2K, and 1K races. To view all the results, go to the Firefighters’ Race website in the Results section.

Mission accomplished for the 100km and the Relais des pompiers

On this fiery day, Laval ultra-marathoner Manuel Cabral, one of the Race’s ambassadors, completed a 100 km run. Her titanic effort has raised more than $5,500 in donations for the Quebec Firefighters Foundation for Burn Victims (FPQGB).

As for the team of 60 firefighters from across Quebec to participate in a 300 km relay between Quebec City and Laval, they met their challenge by running the distance in just over 60 hours despite the weekend’s high temperatures.

Participants completed an individual 5 km course in their full combat gear (weighing up to more than 50 lbs) to raise more than $71,000 for the FPQGB. Alexis Dufour, a firefighter with the Laval Fire Department (SSIL) and world record holder for the fastest half-marathon in a full firefighter’s suit achieved in 2023.

New social housing opens in Laval for low-income single moms and children

Martin C. Barry
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New social housing opens in Laval for low-income single moms and children

Canada, Quebec and Laval invest $10.1 million in ‘Avenir de femmes’ project

Nearly two dozen young families from Laval headed by low-income single mothers will get a better sense of security with a permanent roof over their heads following the completion of a new subsidized housing project in central Laval made possible through the cooperative efforts of three levels of government.

Officials with the governments of Quebec, Canada and the City of Laval were among around 100 guests invited to the opening of the Avenir de femmes housing project, spearheaded by the Bureau d’aide et d’assistance familiale Place St-Martin.

Second from the left, Vimy MP Annie Koutrakis, Laval-des-Rapides MNA Céline Haytayan, Laval city councillor for Renaud Seta Topouzian, and Vimont MNA Valérie Schmaltz on Avenir de Femmes opening day June 8. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

$10.1 million investment

The three-storey 23-unit building on Dumouchel Ave. in Laval-des-Rapides required an investment of more than $10.1 million. The government of Quebec contributed more than $2.8 million through the Société d’habitation du Québec’s (SHQ) AccèsLogis Québec program. The SHQ is also securing the organization’s mortgage loan.

The government of Canada allocated more than $2 million through the Canada-Quebec Rapid Housing Initiative Agreement. And the City of Laval provided more than $1.2 million for the construction of the project.

The three-storey Avenir de Femmes building on Dumouchel Ave. in Laval-des-Rapides. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

Under terms the families occupying the units have agreed to, all tenants could potentially benefit from the Société d’habitation du Québec’s (SHQ) Rent Supplement Program, ensuring that they spend just 25 per cent of their income on housing.

Additional funding

This additional assistance of more than $395,000 over five years is assumed by the SHQ (90 per cent) and the City of Laval (10 per cent).

The Bureau d’aide et d’assistance familiale Place St-Martin also received over $448,000 in financial assistance from the SHQ’s Rénovation Québec program. In accordance with the standards of this program, this assistance is funded equally by the SHQ and the City of Laval.

As well, the Bureau d’aide et d’assistance familiale Place St-Martin will provide families living in the Avenir de femmes building with support services for a self-improvement goal (going back to school or occupational retraining).

Just in time for single moms

“As we approach the 40th anniversary of our organization in the midst of a housing crisis, our low-rental housing project, Avenir de femmes, couldn’t have come at a better time for single mothers,” said Martin Badia, President of the Bureau d’aide et d’assistance familiale Place Saint-Martin.

The project ‘couldn’t have come at a better time’

Martin Badia

“The benefits of this project will be even greater, as our residents will get support for a life goal of going back to school or re-entering the labour market to become more independent and improve their own quality of life as well as that of their families,” said Badia.

A ‘place to call home’

“Every Quebecer deserves a safe and affordable place to call home, regardless of their situation,” said Vimy Liberal MP Annie Koutrakis, parliamentary secretary to the minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada’s Quebec regions.

“The government of Canada is proud to contribute to the creation of 23 new affordable housing units for single mothers here in Laval,” added Koutrakis. “This demonstrates our unwavering commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind.”

From the left, Vimy MP Annie Koutrakis, Laval-des-Rapides MNA Céline Haytayan, Bureau d’aide et d’assistance familiale Place Saint-Martin president Martin Badia, Laval city councillor for Renaud Seta Topouzian and Vimont MNA Valérie Schmaltz are seen here with the dedication plaque that will be placed at the entrance of the housing project. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

Varied solutions needed

“I’m especially proud to see promising projects like Avenir de femmes carried out thanks to the close collaboration between the City of Laval and its partners and institutions,” said Céline Haytayan, the Coalition Avenir Québec MNA for Laval-des-Rapides.

“We need to focus on concrete and varied solutions to promote access to affordable social housing, particularly for the most vulnerable client groups, and this is a real priority for our government. I applaud this project that will provide many single mothers in Laval with invaluable assistance.”

Laval News Volume 32-12

Laval News Staff
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Laval News Volume 32-12

The current issue of the Laval News, volume 32-12, published on June 12th, 2024.
Covering Laval local news, politics, and sports.
(Click on the image to read the paper.)

Front page of The Laval News.
Front page of The Laval News, June 12th, 2024 issue.

Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board appoints new Assistant Director General

Martin C. Barry
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Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board appoints new Assistant Director General
Selena Mell, a native Quebecer and graduate of Laurentian Regional High School in Lachute, has just been appointed as the new Assistant Director General at the SWLSB.

The Council of Commissioners of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board (SWLSB) has announced the appointment of Selena Mell as its new Assistant Director General, effective August 12.

Her nomination was confirmed by a unanimous decision of the SWLSB Council of Commissioners during a special council meeting held on June 5.

Selena Mell is a native Quebecer and a graduate of Laurentian Regional High School in Lachute.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education with a certification in Special Education from Mount Allison University in New Brunswick, as well as a Master of Education in Teaching from Gonzaga University in Washington.

As well, she is currently enrolled in a Doctorate program in Education at William Howard Taft University.

“We have full confidence that Ms. Mell’s expertise and vision will greatly benefit our students, staff, and the entire SWLSB community,” said Paolo Galati, chairperson of the SWLSB.

“We believe she will be an excellent fit for our school board, and we look forward to welcoming her to the SWLSB family,” he continued.

“With the Director General and Assistant Director General positions now filled, we are well-positioned to ensure stability and success.”

Laval’s Palais de Justice among Quebec courthouses to get security upgrades

Martin C. Barry
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Laval’s Palais de Justice among Quebec courthouses to get security upgrades
The City of Laval’s courthouse on Saint-Martin Blvd.

The Palais de Justice on Saint-Martin Blvd. in Laval is one of several courthouses across the province that will see their security systems upgraded thanks to a $31 million investment the Quebec government has announced.

According to details in an announcement made by Quebec Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette and Public Security Minister François Bonnardel on June 3, $23.4 million will be spent to train and hire more special constables, while $7.6 million will go towards modernizing security equipment.

Apart from the Palais de Justice in Laval, courthouses in Longueuil, Saint-Jérôme, Quebec City, Joliette, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Chicoutimi, Sherbrooke and Gatineau will also received security improvements.

The action is being taken after a knife attack in January that seriously injured an interpreter at the Longueuil courthouse, as well as an assault incident involving a youth protection worker at the Sherbrooke courthouse.

The deployment of the new equipment, which includes courthouse entrance security arches, is scheduled to take place beginning this month until September 2025.

Laval driver, 18, gets $3,053 ticket, 32 demerits after speeding

Martin C. Barry
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Laval driver, 18, gets $3,053 ticket, 32 demerits after speeding

An 18-year-old driver from Laval received a four-figure fine from the Laval Police last week after he was clocked driving nearly 100 km/h above the posted speed limit. 

According to the LPD, the driver was travelling 140 km/h in a 50 km/h zone on Dagenais Blvd. on Tuesday last week.

He was nailed during a speed enforcement campaign mounted by the LPD.

Speeding cost him a $3,053 fine and 32 demerit points, and his driver’s licence was also suspended for seven days.

City of Laval granted new powers for police dept.

City officials have announced that permission has been granted by the Quebec government to convert the Laval Police Dept.’s Intervention Group (GI) into a Tactical Intervention Group (GTI) effective May 25.

Laval tactical intervention group.

According to the city, Laval as well as the City of Longueuil had both applied to the Quebec Ministry of Public Security for the new status. Laval made the request taking into account that its population will be 500,000 in a few years, with more demands being place on the police force.

Although the Laval Police Dept. currently has the manpower to deal with special operations that carry higher risks, such as armed standoffs, special ops have been carried out until now by a special unit defined as an Intervention Group.

The newly-defined unit will more closely frame the powers its officers have to deal with such sensitive operations as well as the training they receive.

“Security is a major preoccupation for me,” says Mayor Stéphane Boyer. “I’ve very happy to see the powers of the Laval Police Dept. expanded through this long-awaited transition for the tactical intervention team.

“We are fortunate to be able to count on a police organization that is committed and devoted and in a position to assume a large range of responsibilities in order to ensure the security of the population of Laval on a daily basis,” added the mayor.

Convicted sword murderer escapes Federal Training Centre

32-year-old convicted murderer Yacine Zouaoui.

An arrest warrant was issued last week for 32-year-old convicted murderer Yacine Zouaoui, who was unaccounted for at the minimum-security Federal Training Centre in Laval’s St-Vincent-de-Paul district, with the Sûreté du Québec maintaining he may have fled to Ontario.

According to the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC), officials contacted both Laval Police and the Sûreté du Québec immediately after the discovery of Zouaoui’s late night disappearance.

Zouaoui, who is English-speaking, is described as 185 cm (6 ft 1) in height and 84 kg (186 lbs) in weight, brown eyes, brown hair and visible tattoos, including a teardrop under his left eye, and three dots in the web of his left hand.

He was serving an indeterminate sentence for assault causing bodily injury and second-degree murder, according to the CSC. At age 19, he turned himself in to police following the killing of Zsolt Csikos who was stabbed in the back with a sword.

According to facts in the case, Zouaoui fled the scene of the crime and abandoned the weapon at a shopping mall before seeking advice from an uncle, then subsequently cooperating with investigators.

Anyone with information on Zouaoui’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Sûreté du Quebec or call 911.

Laval Police seize cocaine, meth crack and cash

The Laval Police say they arrested five suspects and seized large quantities of various types of illegal drugs during a series of raids conducted in Laval in recent weeks.

Warrants executed at two residences and in a vehicle in Laval’s Sainte-Rose and Chomedey districts led to the seizure of 25 grams of crack cocaine, 140 grams of cocaine, 383 methamphetamine tablets and more than $5,000 in cash.

According to the LPD, the anti-narcotics operation was the culmination of an investigation that began last December after a tip from a member of the public.

Police arrested three men and two women from 24 to 50 years of age. The suspects were questioned by police and then released pending upcoming court appearances.

Club d’aviron de Laval’s rowers excel at Lachine Canal meet

Martin C. Barry
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Club d’aviron de Laval’s rowers excel at Lachine Canal meet

CAL has been located near the Lachapelle Bridge in Chomedey since the 1960s

Although the officials in Lachine had troubles with the timing and results were not complete, rowers with the Club d’aviron de Laval finished first last weekend in women’s open quad (boat of four rowers) as well as mixed double (a boat with two rowers).

Some members of the Club d’aviron de Laval are seen here last Sunday next to the basin at the Lachine Canal after they took part in rowing competitions throughout the morning and part of the afternoon.

Located in Chomedey behind École Saint-Maxime at a small beach along the Rivière des Prairies known as the Berge des Cageux, the CAL is a local community sporting group that has been offering rowing activities to people of all ages and all skill levels since 1956.

Men rowers belonging to the Club d’aviron de Laval withdraw their boat and gear from the basin at the Lachine Canal last Sunday at the end of a busy of competing. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

Many ways to compete

In rowing, there are several boat classes in which athletes may compete, ranging from single sculls, occupied by one person, to shells with eight rowers and a coxswain (navigator).

There are a wide variety of course types and formats for racing, although most elite and championship level racing is conducted on calm water courses up to two kilometres long, with marked lanes.

The CAL was founded by a small group of German-Canadians led by Albert Conrad. He volunteered to allow the back yard of his home along the Rivière des Prairies to be used as the CAL’s first base of operations. The club has been located at its current base near the Lachapelle Bridge since the 1960s.

A long club history

The Club d’aviron de Laval’s many rowing boats are transported by trailer to competitive events. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

When the club first started, it was known as the Montreal Rowing Club and was affiliated with rowing clubs along the waterways of eastern Ontario. The CAL holds the distinction of being the first rowing club in Canada to allow women to take up rowing as a sport.

The club offers new members a variety of programs, depending on their rowing experience, their goals, age and the physical shape they’re in. The club’s resources and facilities include around thirty boats, with some for novices, for recreational practice, as well as for more advanced members who take part in grueling competitions.

Good showings last Sunday

Around 25 of the club’s members took part in competitions held on a basin at the Lachine Canal last Sunday morning and afternoon. In addition to the women’s victories, the men finished second in junior under 17 doubles, and third in the men’s master quad and mixed double.

The club’s members took part in competitions at the Lachine Canal

Club members also participated in the women’s junior U19 double and the master men’s skiff events. At the Laval News’s deadline earlier this week, CAL athletes were waiting to hear whether the club won in the U23 women’s skiff event, although the aforementioned timing problems were delaying the results.

A great overall sport

According to CAL spokesperson Florian Cys, the club’s members, numbering as many as 100, compete in rowing events every two to three weeks during the summer and into the fall. He notes that rowing gets ranked alongside swimming as one of the best overall sports for low physical impact and positive development to cardiovascular health.

“The sport is open to everyone and to all ages,” he said, pointing out that the CAL’s members hold practices near the Lachapelle Bridge almost every morning beginning as early as 6 am. There are also early evening practice sessions around 5:30 pm for those arriving home after work.

The Club d’aviron de Laval is located in Chomedey at 3676 Boulevard Lévesque Ouest. Phone: 450-687-8812. E-mail: info@avironlaval.com.

Former Laval mayor Marc Demers receives medal from Société nationale du Québec

Martin C. Barry
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Former Laval mayor Marc Demers receives medal from Société nationale du Québec
Former Laval mayor Marc Demers was fitted with a traditional “ceinture fléchée” prior to being presented with the Médaille du Patriote by the Société nationale du Québec’s Laval chapter in Sainte-Rose on May 20. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

History buffs and nationalists gathered in Sainte-Rose for Journée des Patriotes

Three years after leaving municipal politics, former Laval mayor Marc Demers was back in the spotlight earlier this month when the Laval chapter of the Société nationale du Québec presented him with the Médaille du Patriote in recognition of his promotion of the language, culture, heritage and history of Québec

The presentation took place on the front steps of Église Sainte-Rose-de-Lima in Laval’s historic Sainte-Rose district on May 20, the Journée nationale des Patriotes (National Patriots’ Day).

Uprising of ‘Patriotes’

Once a distinct village with its own municipal status before the 1965 mergers that created the City of Laval, Sainte-Rose was one of the places in early 19th century Lower Canada (nearby Sainte-Eustache being another) where the Lower Canada Rebellion received significant support from “patriotes” who decided to rise against the British colonial-era government.

While some visitors to Sainte-Rose occasionally mistake some of Sainte-Rose’s distinctive street names (such as boulevard Je-Me-Souviens and Rue des Patriotes) as evidence of active Quebec political nationalism in the area, they are in fact an homage to Sainte-Rose’s historic role in the Lower Canada Rebellion – which remains a source of great pride for many of the local residents.

Sabotage in Sainte-Rose

According to an account of the role played by rebel sympathizers in Sainte-Rose around the beginning of the uprising in November 1837, they didn’t take up arms. Rather, they did their bit by sabotaging a bridge (the Pont Porteous) between Sainte-Rose and the North Shore, to slow the advance of British soldiers who were on their way to quell the armed insurrection that was underway in Saint Eustache.

In addition to the medallion presented to Demers (a former longtime Laval Police Dept. investigator), a plaque was presented to Annie Desrochers, host of the Radio-Canada’s afternoon FM broadcast, Le 15-18, which airs Monday to Friday from 3 to 6 pm, in recognition of her valuable contributions to the community. She recounted how she grew up in Sainte-Rose, taking part in local events and attending École Latour in the heart of Sainte-Rose.

Tri-color Patriots’ banner

Past recipients of medallions and other honours awarded by the Laval chapter of the Société nationale du Québec have included Jean-François Payette (2019), Madeleine Dalphond-Guiral (2021), Claude Tousignant (2022), Maud Debien (and Léon Debien posthumously) (2023), and Alberto Georgian Mihut (2023).

The presentation took place on the front steps of Église Sainte-Rose-de-Lima

Radio-Canada afternoon drive host Annie Desrochers (second from right) is seen here after receiving a plaque with members of her family and Société nationale du Québec’s Laval president Jean Desautels (far left). (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

During the ceremony, it was pointed out that the tri-color flag of the Rebellion, which was also used by the Parti patriote (also called Parti canadien), contains bars of green (for the Irish), white (the French) and red (signifying English and Scottish support).

The Parti patriote was founded by expatriate American James Stuart and Louis-Joseph Papineau, a leading figure in the Patriote movement before the Lower Canada Rebellion.

City agrees to leave two-side parking in place on Eiffel Ave.

Martin C. Barry
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City agrees to leave two-side parking in place on Eiffel Ave.

Chomedey city councillor Aglaia Revelakis tells the Laval News that a dispute between the city and Eiffel Ave. homeowners over a planned street narrowing project has been resolved to the overall satisfaction of the residents.

As reported in the Laval News’s May 15 issue, the City of Laval had planned to narrow the street while widening the sidewalks during a road reconstruction project set to take place over the coming summer months.

However, as a result of the widening, the roadway was going to be narrowed, the consequence of that being the elimination of all parking spaces on one side of the street.

Needless to say, that did not sit well with Eiffel Ave. residents, many of whom own more than one vehicle, and a petition signed by a large number of them was tabled at the May 5 Laval city council session.

Following a meeting between administration officials and residents, according to Revelakis, the city has agreed not to narrow the street as much as originally planned, and to continue allowing parking on both sides of Eiffel, although a final decision on the width of the sidewalks hasn’t been made.

“Today I got the final response from the engineering department that they have reconsidered and revaluated the situation,” said Revelakis. “They will keep the parking spaces as is, while at the same time trying to enlarge the sidewalks.”

She said they agreed not to widen the sidewalks to the originally-planned 1.8 metres. The current width of the sidewalks on Eiffel Ave. is 1.4 metres.

Common law moms and kids inadequately protected by Bill 56, says rights commission

Martin C. Barry
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Common law moms and kids inadequately protected by Bill 56, says rights commission

‘The well-being of children should be the primary consideration’ in reform of family law

A provincially-constituted commission with a mandate to uphold Quebecers’ human rights concludes in a memorandum that Bill 56, now before the National Assembly, will not provide adequate protection to women and children involved in common law relationships – although they say it is a step in the right direction.

Myrlande Pierre, vice-president for Quebec Charter of Rights and Freedoms issues at the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse. (Courtesy: NEOQUÉBEC/YouTube)

Common law recognition

In the memo, tabled during recent public hearings for Bill 56 in Quebec City, the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse said the legislation to reform the province’s family law system “represents a first step towards the recognition of the implications of domestic partnership in family law.”

“However, the Commission notes that the parental union regime would be offering insufficient protections to attenuate the economic impacts of separation for common law mothers, to the detriment of their rights and those of their children,” the commission says in a statement.

Moms and kids at risk

“Common law mothers are significantly more at risk of impoverishment following a separation and this has an impact on the respect of the rights of children,” said Myrlande Pierre, the commission’s vice-president for Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms issues.

“It is necessary to ensure that that the separations of common law parents do not amplify inequalities between men and women, while harming the capacity of mothers to give their children the protection, security and attention to which they have a right,” she added.

A major sticking point

According to the commission, one of the problems they take issue with in Bill 56 is the fact the proposed family law reform will only take into account couples whose children were born or adopted after June 29, 2025.

“An important portion of the mothers and children in Quebec would never benefit from the new regime,” the commission continues in its statement, while adding that for more than 20 or so years, the majority of births in Quebec have involved mothers in common law relationships. In 2021, they maintain, 59 per cent of babies were born in common law, 34 per cent to married mothers, and 7 per cent to mothers without a partner.

Children first, they say

Again, according to the commission, new elements brought into Bill 56 should apply to all common law couples who have at least one child. “The well-being of children should be the primary consideration in all decisions that concern them, including the elaboration of the legislation,” added Suzanne Arpin, vice-president at the commission for youth issues.

Suzanne Arpin, vice-president at the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse for youth issues.

The commission points out that the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms states clearly that all children have a right to “protection, security and the attention that their parents or persons acting on their behalf may give them.” Hence, according to the commission, the exercise of this right should not be affected by the conjugal status of parents.

Parental status sought

The commission is therefore recommending that parental union status should be granted equivalence to the status provided for married persons as well as those in civil union. They are also recommending that a provision for payment of nutritional support between former parental partners be included in Bill 56 for common law status, just as it is currently for civil unions and marriages.

The memorandum on Bill 56 tabled by the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse with the Quebec National Assembly’s Commission on Institutions, pertaining to reform of family law and parental responsibilities, is available online at: cdpdj.qc.ca/fr/publications/PL56-droit-famille

A multi-faceted mission

The Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse is independent from the Quebec governement. According to a statement on the commission’s website, it fulfills its mission “for the sole benefit of citizens and in the public interest.” The Commission’s mission also includes the following responsibilities:

  • Inform the public about rights recognized by the Charter, the Youth Protection Act and Youth Criminal Justice Act;
  • Carry out investigations in cases of discrimination and exploitation (under the Charter) and in cases of violations of children and youth rights (under the YPA or the YCJA);
  • Make recommendations to the Quebec government regarding conformity of laws with the Charter and regarding any issue related to rights and freedoms and youth protection;
  • Undertake and promote research and publications on fundamental rights and freedoms and on children right;
  • Offer an advisory service on reasonable accommodation to employers and decision-makers;
  • Monitors the application of equal access to employment programs;
  • Cooperate with any organization, dedicated to the promotion of human rights and freedoms, in or outside Québec.
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