Home Blog Page 61

Streets closed and parking prohibited on June 2 for Laval Firefighters’ Race

Martin C. Barry
-
0
Streets closed and parking prohibited on June 2 for Laval Firefighters’ Race

To ensure maximum safety and the smooth running of the 12th edition of the Laval Firefighters’ Race, streets in some neighbourhoods will be closed to traffic and unavailable for parking on Sunday, June 2, from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The City therefore invites motorists, cyclists and pedestrians to collaborate and plan their trips to avoid any inconvenience.

A detailed schedule of street closures as well as a map illustrating the affected areas on Laval territory are available on the website of
the event.

Participants are recommended to get to the site using transportation such as carpooling, public transit, cycling or walking. On the day
of the Run, they will be able to use the Société de transport de Laval (STL) bus service free of charge upon presentation of their bib.

On June 2, volunteers and the police force will ensure the security and smooth running of the event. In particular, traffic surveillance will be
provided at all intersections along the route.

To learn more about the Firefighters’ Race: coursedespompiers.laval.ca

Fête nationale celebrations June 23 and 24 at Centre de la nature

The City of Laval is planning for a major blowout at the Centre de la nature in Duvernay for Quebec’s Fête nationale celebration. A big night-time stage show will be taking place on Sunday June 23, with day-time activities scheduled for Monday June 24 during the day.

The stage show on the main field at the Centre de la nature will feature a range of musicians and performers, including Qualité Motel, Zachary Richard, Ariane Moffatt, Galaxie, Laurence Jalbert, Marie-Pierre Arthur, Fanny Bloom, Safia Nolin, Kanen Lumière, Connaisseur Ticasso, Ya Cetidon and Sensei H.

The evening will come to a close with a performance by someone whose identity city officials are keeping as a surprise up to the last moment.

They have also announced that there will be no fireworks display this year (which is perhaps not surprising considering that other municipalities have cancelled their fireworks for environmental reasons, as well as fears in recent years of triggering off wildfires).

“I am pleased to be able to share this unique and innovative evening with everyone in Laval so that one and all can come together to have fun during this great and memorable annual concert,” says Mayor Stéphane Boyer.

The Centre de la nature will be accessible beginning at 6 pm and the concert starts at 8:30 pm.

Food trucks will make stops at the site for those who want to have a bite to eat before the evening starts. Free shuttle buses will take those arriving by public transit to the Centre de la nature from the Montmorency Metro every 30 minutes. The buses will make return trips at the end of the evening.

The celebrations continue at the Centre de la nature on Monday June 24, with activities for children, including face painting, music shows, inflatable games and food trucks. The city has given the Société nationale du Québec à Laval a $20,000 subsidy to coordinate this year’s local Fête nationale celebrations.

Laval expands availability of electric scooters

Already well-known and highly-appreciated by many Laval residents, self-service electric scooters are back again in Laval this summer, with up to 400 scooters being made available in various locations.

The city first signed on to allow rentable electric scooters on its territory in 2023. They are now being gradually deployed at 33 stations. There are expected to be twice as many scooters this year.

“Access to scooters this early in the season will allow the service to be tested out over the course of a complete season, and it is very possible this will lead to even more promising results,” says Laval city councillor for L’Abord-à-Plouffe Vasilios Karidogiannis, who is responsible for mobility dossiers on council.

The scooters are being furnished by Bird Canada and Lime. To use them, users need to download an app made available by either company at the App Store for iPhone and Google Play for Android devices.

Those using the scooters must follow certain rules, such as mandatory helmets, minimum age 14, and driving only on bike paths or roadways where the speed limit doesn’t exceed 50 km/h.

All the electric scooters are fitted with GPS geolocation devices, so they can be found at any time by the companies that own them, and they must be returned to any of the 33 stations on Laval’s territory in an upright position.

Jules Verne Elementary students raise more than $9,000 for Pink in the City

Martin C. Barry
-
0
Jules Verne Elementary students raise more than $9,000 for Pink in the City

Seven pupils and a teacher get hair shaved and cut in ‘Spring Raise Craze’

Students at Jules Verne Elementary School succeeded in raising more than $9,000 for the Pink in the City breast cancer cause during the second annual ‘Spring Raise Craze’ head shave event held at the school in Laval’s Pont-Viau district on May 24.

Jules Verne Elementary was just one of eight Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board schools that took part in head shaving events for Pink in the City in recent weeks. The goal was to help provide support for research into finding a cure for metastatic breast cancer.

The Jules Verne Elementary School students raised more than $9,000 in pledges for Pink in the City. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

Shave and a haircut

In all, several of the Jules Verne Elementary students agreed to have their heads shaved completely, although some agreed only to a haircut or partial hair removal.

The students whose heads were shaved were Michael D’Angelo, Nico Marandola, Mark Macovetchi, Shakir and Rahim Michelot. Students who received haircuts were Evelyn Grande, Jenylee L’Heureux Plouffe and Paisley McGovern. Teacher Lisa Morello also agreed to get her hair cut.

While some of the Jules Verne Elementary School were upbeat while getting their heads shaved, others were a little more dour. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

“We have a hairdresser for everybody,” Jules Verne Elementary principal Melissa Roux said in an interview with The Laval News. She was among the many staff members, parents, and school children who wore pink as a sign of their solidarity with the cause.

Volunteers turned away

So many students at the school were keen on signing up to be cut or shaved, that the administration had to set up a short list, with some students going ahead with it immediately, while others will be taking part in the third Jules Verne Elementary ‘Spring Raise Craze’ in the spring next year.

According to Daniel Johnson, a longtime SWLSB spiritual animator with an extensive background in student leadership development, the board’s schools raised at least $130,000 for Pink in the City through head shaving events this year alone.

So many students wanted to take part, the school set up a short list

Pink in the City president Denise Vourtzoumis was on hand in the Jules Verne Elementary school yard last week to help the students cheer on their classmates who agreed to have their hair shaved or cut. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

Win for Pink in the City

Pink in the City succeeded in raising $120,000 from the EMSB’s Raise Craze last year, said Denise Vourtzoumis, a Chomedey resident who is president of Pink in the City. She expected there to be even more momentum this year.

Resource teacher Lisa Morello, who sat for a haircut, donated eight inches of her cut tresses. Ten years ago, she found out she had the breast cancer gene 2 (BRCA2), which makes her more at risk of developing breast cancer. She said she wanted the students to learn about the need to be proactive when it comes to health.

Laval News Volume 32-11

Laval News Staff
-
0
Laval News Volume 32-11

The current issue of the Laval News, volume 32-11, published on May 29th, 2024.
Covering Laval local news, politics, and sports.
(Click on the image to read the paper.)

Plan ahead for A-13 transit, as repaving scheduled May 24-27

Martin C. Barry
-
0
Plan ahead for A-13 transit, as repaving scheduled May 24-27

The Quebec highways ministry says that asphalting work on Autoroute 13 in Laval will mean the highway will be closed at certain specific times from May 24 to 27.

Here is a summary of the schedule:

A-13 northbound between the Louis-Bisson Bridge and Exit 12 (Boul. Samson/Boul. Notre-Dame/Boul. St-Martin)

· From Friday 11 pm to Monday 3:30 am: complete closing of Exit 12 (Boul. Samson/Boul. Notre-Dame/Boul. St-Martin northbound).

· On the nights of May 24 to 27: Friday from 11 pm to 8 am, Saturday from 11 pm to 9am and Sunday from 9 pm to 3:30 am

Partial night-time closing: just one lane available (of four).

· Saturday May 25 from 8 am to 11 pm

Partial daytime closing: just one available.

· Sunday May 26 from 9 am to 9 pm

Partial daytime closing: two lanes available (out of four).

Changes in weather could cause this work to be postponed, says Transports Québec.

Laval Police seize cocaine, meth crack and cash

Martin C. Barry
-
0
Laval Police seize cocaine, meth crack and cash

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

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 between from 24 to 50 years of age.

The suspects were questioned by police and then released pending upcoming court appearances.

Police seek driver after hit-and-run death on bridge

Martin C. Barry
-
0
Police seek driver after hit-and-run death on bridge

A man was declared dead after being struck by a truck while changing a tire on Highway 15 last week.

The incident happened on the northbound Gédéon-Ouimet Bridge, which links Laval to Boisbriand.

Quebec provincial police said the victim had stopped in the right-hand lane to fix a flat tire.

“The driver came out to change a tire,” said Elizabeth Marquis-Guy, a spokesperson with the Sûreté du Québec (SQ). “A pick-up truck hit him before leaving the scene.”

The victim, a man in his 30s, was declared dead at the scene. Officers were working to locate the driver of the truck that hit the victim.

The SQ released surveillance photos of a truck believed to be involved in the collision and have been asking anyone with information to come forward.

Accused in killing of two kids at Laval daycare stands trial next year

It is alleged that former STL driver Pierre Ny St-Amand was behind the wheel of the bus that rammed the Garderie éducative de Sainte-Rose. (Photo: Facebook)

The man accused of murdering two children and injuring six others when an STL bus crashed into a Sainte-Rose daycare in February last year is scheduled to stand trial over five weeks beginning in April 2025.

St-Amand was arrested after a transit bus crashed into the front of a daycare in Laval on Feb. 8, 2023, killing two young children, aged five and four and injuring six others.

In February, a Quebec court judge ruled after a preliminary inquiry that there was sufficient evidence to send the case to trial. The former STL driver will stand trial on two charges of first-degree murder and seven other charges, including attempted murder and aggravated assault.

Laval youth protection centre janitor charged with pimping

A 36-year-old man who works as a janitor at a youth protection centre overseen by the CISSS de Laval is facing charges of exploiting a 14-year-old girl for sexual purposes.

The Sûreté du Québec issued a press release earlier this week announcing the arrest of Serge-André Exil-Florestal. The Laval resident was detained and was arraigned before a judge in Gatineau QC.

According to court documents obtained by Montreal’s La Presse, the accused was in contact with the girl from November 2023 until February 2024. It is alleged that during this time, he encouraged her to offer sexual services for money in Laval and in Gatineau.

New 114-unit social and affordable housing to be built in Sainte-Rose

Martin C. Barry
-
0
New 114-unit social and affordable housing to be built in Sainte-Rose

‘One of the most important announced in Laval,’ says Mayor Stéphane Boyer

A new 114-unit housing project, selected as part of the second call for projects of the Société d’habitation du Québec’s Programme d’habitation abordable Québec (PHAQ), will be built quickly in Laval’s Sainte-Rose sector, federal Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez, Quebec Minister Responsible for Housing France-Élaine Duranceau and Minister Responsible for the Laval Region Christopher Skeete, announced last week.

Canada-Quebec Agreement

The federal government’s contribution will come from the Canada–Quebec Agreement under the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF), to which the Government has contributed $900 million.

The Government of Quebec, for its part, announced new investments of $900 million in the November 2023 economic update. The City of Laval is also a financial partner in this project and is required to make a contribution equal to at least 40 per cent of the SHQ’s base grant.

In response to the housing crisis, the governments of Canada and Quebec announced on February 16 the rapid construction of 2,574 new housing units throughout the province as part of 47 selected projects, including those just announced.

Fast-tracked projects

To ensure the projects launch quickly, their developers must sign an agreement with a contractor within 12 months of being selected to remain eligible under the Programme d’habitation abordable Québec.

“The agreement we have signed with the Government of Quebec will allow us to build more housing for Quebecers, more quickly,” federal Minister of Housing Sean Fraser said in a statement.

“The historic investments and initiatives that the Government of Quebec will use to support municipalities in increasing density and shortening construction timelines will make tens of thousands of new housing units a reality. The announcement of more than 2,500 new units marks the start of the work the Housing Accelerator Fund is doing in Quebec.”

‘Investing in well-being’

“Investing in affordable housing isn’t about pouring money into concrete,” said Rodriguez. “It’s about investing in the well-being of the people who live in our communities. This is the case for the future residents of these social and affordable units, who will have access to a safe and comfortable place to call home, where they can rest, recharge and welcome their loved ones. We are continuing to deliver for Quebecers by taking concrete actions that make a real difference.”

“Members of our community know they can count on our government to step up and tackle the housing crisis in our region,” said Skeete. “Today’s announcement is the result of successful collaborative work. I applaud the federal and provincial governments and the City of Laval for setting up the required financial levers, as well as our local partners and, of course, the Société de gestion Querbes, which believes in the value of social and affordable housing as a vector for a better quality of life in our community.”

‘Important project,’ says mayor

“This project is, seriously, one of the most important announced in Laval in the last few years,” said Laval mayor Stéphane Boyer. “It’s a wonderful achievement that will bring more housing to the Saint-Rose sector at a time when the need for housing has never been greater.

“In fact, that’s the whole reason we held Quebec’s first Sommet de l’habitation: to provide the momentum needed to see action like this being taken. This collaboration with the provincial and federal governments shows that we’re moving forward and our firm commitment as a partner city to removing barriers to getting housing built.”

Some highlights of the project:

  • Some of the households that move into these units could benefit from the Société d’habitation du Québec’s (SHQ’s) Rent Supplement Program, ensuring that they spend no more than 25 per cent of their income on housing. This additional assistance is covered by the SHQ (90 per cent) and the City of Laval (10 per cent).

To keep the other units affordable, a maintenance period for this assistance will be required. This period could last up to 35 years. Assistance rates will vary based on the term of the commitment. Rents may be indexed each year based on percentages set by the Tribunal administratif du logement.

SWLSB, UPS and De Cotis coordinate Lausanne Park spring cleanup

Martin C. Barry
-
0
SWLSB, UPS and De Cotis coordinate Lausanne Park spring cleanup

Laval city councillor for Saint-Bruno David De Cotis worked in conjunction with Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board commissioner Barbara Barrasso, along with UPS Quebec operations supervisor Enrica Uva, to organize and coordinate a major spring cleanup in Lausanne Park which took place on Saturday May 4.

Again next year

Although this was only the second time for such an undertaking at the park, De Cotis said it was far from the last, and will continue for years to come.

In all, 30 – 40 students along with parents from Terry Fox Elementary School took part. They were joined by nearly three dozen employees of UPS.

“I was very surprised to see the determination and good will on the part of these students to take part,” said De Cotis.

“They efforts today made all the difference and are a sign of a promising new generation to come, of this am sure. Congratulations to these young people for taking part in this event,” he added.

UPS’s contribution

The UPS workers who took part were from the Laval region.

“UPS is committed to seeing resources are in place for a green community,” said Uva. “Until now, we have contributed to the planting of 28 million trees. Our goal is to plant 50 million by 2030. UPS employees are happy to work together to clean up Lausanne Park.”

“Our students showed that they are capable of doing things right,” said Barrasso. “I am proud to see what they were able to do, and I feel certain that their parents are just as proud of them. One youth at a time, one activity at a time, we are building the society of tomorrow.”

Bâton Rouge dinner event raises $132,000 for Giant Steps Autism Centre

Martin C. Barry
-
1
Bâton Rouge dinner event raises $132,000 for Giant Steps Autism Centre

‘We really believe in this cause,’ says restaurant co-owner Dimitrios Sotiropoulos

A fundraising dinner for the Giant Steps School held at the Décarie Bâton Rouge Grillhouse & Bar in Montreal on April 29 raised $132,000 for the Giant Steps Autism Centre.

The event was hosted by Senator Leo Housakos. The five-course meal was donated by Décarie Bâton Rouge Grillhouse & Bar partners Dimitra Frintzilas and Dimitrios Sotiropoulos, who noted that staff serving the meal also donated their time.

Senator Leo Housakos (centre), Giant Steps School staff and board members, and Bâton Rouge Décarie partners Dimitra Frintzilas and Dimitrios Sotiropoulos (third and second from right) are seen here with an enlarged cheque representing the $132,000 raised during the benefit dinner held for the autism treatment centre on April 29. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia)

A successful fundraiser

Décarie Bâton Rouge Grillhouse & Bar partners Dimitra Frintzilas and Dimitrios Sotiropoulos donated the five-course meal, while staff also pitched in by donating their time and efforts. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia)

“We owe Senator Housakos a huge debt of gratitude,” said Nick Katalifos, vice-president of the Giant Steps School board of directors, adding that Senator Housakos managed to organize the evening in around a month-and-a-half.

At the same time, he expressed huge thanks to Décarie Bâton Rouge Grillhouse & Bar partners Dimitra Frintzilas and Dimitrios Sotiropoulos for their generosity. “That means that all the funds collected tonight are going directly to the Giant Steps Autism Centre,” said Katalifos.

‘Wonderful cause,’ says senator

“This is an amazing cause,” Senator Housakos said in an interview with Newsfirst Multimedia. “Neurodiverse people deserve to be fully part of our society. They have things to contribute.

Giant Steps School vice-president Nick Katalifos (right) said Senator Leo Housakos succeeded in organizing the successful fundraiser in around a month-and-a-half. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia)

“Many years ago when I first discovered what autism was all about – and particularly the amazing work that the Giant Steps Centre does in Montreal for people with autism – I decided to support the organization,” he continued.

“I’ve taken part in many Giant Steps events and it’s always wonderful to see how the community rallies around such a wonderful cause as they are doing again tonight.”

Bâton Rouge a big supporter

Although it was not the first fundraiser for Giant Steps held at a Bâton Rouge restaurant, it was the first at the Décarie Bâton Rouge, according to Dimitrios Sotiropoulos who operates two of the restaurants.

Décarie Bâton Rouge Grillhouse & Bar co-owner Dimitrios Sotiropoulos spoke during the Giant Steps School fundraising event on April 29. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia)

“We have donated over $1.5 million,” he said, noting that previous fundraisers for Giant Steps they took part in were also very successful. “We really believe in this cause. It’s a good cause. We believe that Bâton Rouge should be giving something back. And what we are doing is giving back to the community.”

Among the guests were elected municipal officials from Laval, Montreal and Beaconsfield. They included Chomedey city councillor Aglaia Revelakis, Souvenir-Labelle councillor Sandra El-Helou, L’Abord-à-Plouffe councillor Vasilios Karidogiannis, Saint-Bruno councillor David De Cotis, and Montreal city councillor for Parc Extension Mary Deros.

Support from elected reps

“Any way we can show support, we’re more than happy to,” said Karidogiannis. “Nick and Leo are great guys who work hard for this cause. We’re all more than willing to help them out to reach their goal.”

Giant Steps is “a very valuable resource, not only for the people of Laval, but also all over greater Montreal,” said Revelakis, pointing out that a growing problem encountered by many families with neurodiverse children is being unable to plan for their children’s future after they reach adulthood.

“Giant Steps is providing an alternative,” she said. “Young people who have autism will be provided with an incentive to be able to contribute to society. This is also a great initiative that Senator Housakos took in organizing this event tonight for a cause that is very worthy.”

Quebec’s Bill 96 could ‘significantly impact’ business, trade group warns

Martin C. Barry
-
0
Quebec’s Bill 96 could ‘significantly impact’ business, trade group warns

Mentions of ‘play’ or ‘on/off’ on appliances could be banned under language legislation

Costs and inconveniences associated with the implementation of Quebec’s Bill 96 could “significantly impact” cross-border trade, while forcing some manufacturers to avoid Quebec altogether, an association representing manufacturers’ interests is warning.

The extended regulation of the language of commercial signs could lead to the disappearance of popular products in Quebec, according to the International Trademark Association (INTA), as well as other stakeholders doing business in the province.

If some of the more controversial passages of Quebec’s Bill 96 become reality, English writing would no longer be allowed on common household items like camera battery chargers and portable radios sold in the province.

The INTA is just one of several trade groups and businesses with a stake in Quebec that issued statements to their clients on the impact of Bill 96 since the beginning of its phased implementation over the past two years.

French as common language

Bill 96 was officially passed in May 2022 by the Quebec National Assembly. Officially known as “An Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec,” it recognizes French as the common language of the province.

Among the various requirements set out by the legislation, businesses based outside Quebec, but operating with customers in the province, will be required to provide French translation to the same quality as any English-language content and communications.

Among the more controversial of the requirements is one that would force product manufacturers to draft inscriptions on operational buttons in French if those products are to be sold in Quebec. The legislation proposes to add French requirements for any usage instructions which are engraved, baked or inlaid into a product.

Fines to rise exponentially

Bill 96 sets out monetary penalties for non-compliance. For a first offence, for example, fines have been raised from $3,000 to $30,000 (from a previous maximum of $20,000). Further offences could lead to the penalties being doubled or even tripled.

“Bill 96 compliance could force significant rebranding, creating opportunities for counterfeiters and potentially harming consumers through confusion and price increases,” the INTA warned in an industry update published in February.

Bill 96 sets out monetary penalties for non-compliance

They added that large-scale packaging changes could easily cost between $20,000 to $100,000 US per product, and that “some companies may find it economically unfeasible to continue selling products in Quebec.”

In an explanatory note to its legal clients a month after the passing of Bill 96, the international law firm Dentons outlined situations that could now violate Bill 96. Whereas products sold in Quebec (as well as their packaging and instructions for use) previously had to be in French, now the French Language Charter is more specific.

Businesses plead for leniency

“For instance: Your product comes with instructions for use that are printed in English but the French version is only available online,” Dentons says. “Or perhaps the French version is harder to find online than the English version. These situations could violate the Charter.”

Last month, the Retail Council of Canada (RCC), the Conseil du Patronat du Québec, the Quebec Hardware and Building Supply Association, the Quebec Manufacturers and Exporters, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business and the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of Quebec issued a statement in which they asked the CAQ government to take a serious second look at Bill 96’s measures.

“The government had promised a three-year deadline for the implementation of rules which, to date, have still not been adopted,” they stated.

No more ‘Play’ and ‘on/off’

They maintained that the new rules on commercial signage would force businesses to make changes that would be difficult to put in place on relatively short notice. The deadline for compliance with Quebec’s new regulations is June next year.

After then, any mention of “on/off” on an electronic or household appliance button would be banned under the provisions of Bill 96, as would be “play” on any kind of media player.

The signatories of the statement worried that if consumers in Quebec can no longer find the product they are interested in at a retailer in the province, they may turn to online stores and buy what they need at non-Quebec websites, which aren’t subject to Bill 96’s regulations.

1...606162...316Page 61 of 316

Weather

Laval
broken clouds
24.5 ° C
26.3 °
23.8 °
85%
1.8m/s
54%
Wed
35 °
Thu
36 °
Fri
29 °
Sat
26 °
Sun
25 °

Popular Categories