Enjoy the magic of Christmas from Dec. 8 – 10 at the Centre de la Nature
If you’re hoping to get into the holiday spirit with Christmas less than three weeks away, there will still be time next weekend to get over to Laval’s Centre de la Nature in Duvernay for the city’s 12th annual Marché de Noël.
The first of two weekends for the Marché took place from last Friday Dec. 1 to Sunday Dec. 3. There’ll be a repeat beginning this Friday Dec. 8 until next Sunday Dec. 10.
Santa’s elves will on hand at Laval’s Centre de la Nature in Duvernay next weekend at the Marché de Noël. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)
Some fifty exhibitors will be offering their creations, including handmade crafts, jewellery, clothing, beauty products, decorations and delicacies. The exhibitors will be located in wooden huts, lending the event a European market style.
The magical atmosphere of the holiday season will be reigning supreme over a large area of the sprawling Centre de la Nature site, which will be dressed up with festive décor for the occasion.
Some of Santa’s helpers will even be on hand, making their way around entertaining the moms, dads and kids.
The schedule for next weekend: Friday December 8, 10 am – 7 p.m.; Saturday December 9, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Sunday December 10, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Old Time Village at the Centre de la Nature has been dressed up for Christmas during the Marché de Noël. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)
$150,000 raised for Second Step Shelter in Laval through ‘Lilac Event’
For the last 32 years, when many women and children have been in crisis in the greater Montreal region, they turned to the Shield of Athena for help.
With that in mind, a cross-section of supporters from the community came together recently to raise $150,000 to help fund Shield of Athena’s biggest expansion to date: the Second Step Shelter, which is being built in Laval.
Family violence
The Shield of Athena is a non-profit organization for victims of family violence. It has three points of service in Montreal and Laval, as well as a community outreach department.
Their network offers emergency shelter and professional services to women and their children. Shield of Athena’s multilingual support, intervention and prevention services are also adapted to meet the needs of many of the region’s communities.
From the left, Chris Ann Nakis, president of the Shield of Athena board of directors, CJAD traffic reporter Debbie Marsellos who helped host the evening, Carole Leblanc, president of Mercedes-Benz Laval and Godmother of the Second Step Resource and Melpa Kamateros. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia)
Thousands reached
As well, the Shield of Athena reaches thousands more through information sessions, publications, videos and media programs offered through their multilingual community outreach.
The Shield of Athena’s Lilac Event, which was held at the Palace Convention Centre in mid-November, celebrated the work the Shield and its staff conduct on a daily basis.
Shield of Athena’s Lilac Event, held on Nov. 17 at The Palace congress centre in Laval, drew 200 guests who had fun while supporting a great cause. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia)
As the need for the Shield’s services has continued to grow, funds raised will ensure the completion of Laval’s only Second Step shelter, while supporting the expansion of Athena’s House, the Shield’s emergency shelter.
The support they need
Set to open in 2024, the Second Step shelter will have 17 apartments which will be able to house women and children for up to two years. During their time at the Second Step shelter, the women will receive the specialized support they need to emerge stronger and self-sufficient.
“Our Second Step shelter will be able to house between 34 and 54 people at any given time,” Melpa Kamateros, executive director of the Shield of Athena, told 200 supporters who turned out on Nov. 17 at The Palace congress centre in Laval for the Lilac Event.
“On behalf of our entire organization – and the people that their contributions will help to lift up – I cannot thank our community and our sponsors enough for their support.”
Shield of Athena’s Lilac Event, held on Nov. 17 at The Palace congress centre in Laval, drew 200 guests who had fun while supporting a great cause. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia)
Just the beginning…
“Our Lilac Event was an incredible success, and this evening is only the beginning of a concerted campaign to increase the support for women and children in crisis,” added Chris Ann Nakis, president of the Shield of Athena board of directors.
“Currently, we provide services in 17 languages and to 1,100 women and children annually. Every penny raised is critical to continuing and expanding our work,” she said.
“Our ultimate goal is to eradicate violence against women and children,” said Carole Leblanc, president of Mercedes-Benz Laval, Godmother of the Second Step Resource, and a Silver level premium donor to the Lilac Event.
A precious resource
“Unfortunately, until that dream becomes a reality, the women working at the Shield and all the resources they provide are so very precious to our community,” Leblanc said. In addition to a host of individual donors, premium sponsors of the Lilac Event were: The Azrieli Foundation (Platinum), Schwartz’s (Gold), Global Montreal (Media), ICI Television (Media), Mercedes-Benz Laval (Silver), Banque Scotia (Silver), Pantazis and Associates (Silver) and The Papadimitriou Family (Silver).
On the occasion of the 2023 Programs of Excellence Day organized by Réseau Environnement, the City of Laval was rewarded twice for the exceptional quality of its drinking water.
From left to right: Martin Laneuville, CEO of Réseau Environnement, Geneviève
Pigeon, President of Réseau Environnement, Christine Poirier, municipal councillor
of Duvernay–Pont-Viau, Carl McKenty, supervisor of the Pont-Viau water station, and
Sylvain Côté, operator of the Pont-Viau water station. (Photo: Réseau Environnement)
Laval won the 2023 Jury’s Choice Award at the Quebec Best Water Competition, in addition to renewing its 5-star certification from the Program of Excellence in Drinking Water – Treatment (PEXEP-T) for its 3 drinking water plants.
“We are proud of these prestigious awards. The daily work and efforts of our staff, day and night, allow us to maintain the highest standards in the production of drinking water. Laval will continue to improve and refine its ways of doing things to maintain exceptional water quality for its population”, said Said Christine Poirier, member of the Executive Committee and municipal councillor for Duvernay–Pont-Viau.
As part of the 10th edition of the Best Water in Quebec Competition, a 5-person jury evaluated water samples from 13 Quebec drinking water stations during blind tastings based on taste, clarity and odour criteria. The jury could count on the knowledge of Jérémie d’Hauteville, co-founder of the competition and oenologist (specialist in the study of wines).
The Pont-Viau plant in Laval, elected by the jury, will represent Québec across North America in the Best of the Best Water Taste Test, organized annually by the American Water Works Association (AWWA).
5-Star Certificate
The 5-star certification of Réseau Environnement’s Program of Excellence in Drinking Water – Treatment (PEXEP-T) attests that the 3 Laval drinking water treatment plants produced water of superior quality to the standards in effect throughout 2022. The Sainte-Rose municipal treatment plant has received this distinction for the 12th consecutive year, the Pont-Viau station has been recognized for the 11th year in a row, and the Chomedey station has received this distinction for the 5th time. To be part of this program of excellence, a city must commit to exceeding standards, aiming for the highest standards, and continuously improving.
Laval was among the first three municipalities to join this program, and it is now part of five programs of excellence in water management, which is a testament to its commitment to the highest standards to offer the best to its citizens. In addition to the two awards, Mario Gagné, Head of the Wastewater Sanitation Division at the City of Laval, was honoured for his exceptional contribution to Réseau Environnement.
Federal minister for Quebec economic development optimistic about economy in 2024
The Trudeau government is downplaying the possibility of a recession taking hold of Canada’s economy in 2024, while maintaining that the signs are good because inflation is dropping, wages are rising and private sector analysts are optimistic about the country’s economic future.
The Liberal government presented its Fall Economic Statement recently. In it, they provided an economic update that prioritizes housing and the cost of living for families and the middle class, which are two major segments of Laval’s population.
The impact of inflation
The measures announced by the government are aimed primarily at promoting access to housing for those who can’t afford it, in addition to helping families pay their bills and reduce the cost of groceries. At the moment, a good number of Laval residents are suffering, as the cost of goods continues to rise.
Montreal-area Liberal MP Soraya Martinez Ferrada, the federal minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency in the regions of Quebec, notes that the Trudeau government is prioritizing creation of new housing in its Fall Economic Statement.
Pondering the economic outlook for the coming year during an interview last week with Newsfirst Multimedia, Hochelaga Liberal MP Soraya Martinez Ferrada, who is the federal minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency in the regions of Quebec, maintained that since the country isn’t in a recession now, “that puts it in a good position” in terms of future investments, employment and economic renewal.
Outlook positive, says Ferrada
“Contrary to what some people might tell you or what Conservatives will tell you, that Canada is broke, Canada is not broken, Canada is in a good position,” she added, while acknowledging that “these are difficult times and we’re making sure that we will continue to support Canadians through this.”
Asked whether the government agrees with some economists’ forecasts that 2024 will see an economic downturn leading into a recession, Ferrada said, “Not at this moment. I think we’re looking at that very closely. But our economy right now is in a very good position.
‘On a good path’
“Looking at the numbers, we’re monitoring that very closely,” she continued. “But I think we’re taking the right balanced approach in terms of making a Fall Economic Statement that supports Canadians and their needs in a way that is very surgical and in terms that don’t feed inflation to make sure we don’t go into recession. I think we are on a good path.”
Apart from the annual budget which the federal government issues in March each year, the government publishes a financial update in the autumn to provide some guidance on the country’s economic status, as well as for the purpose of building on it.
The Trudeau government claims in this latest economic statement that in the first half of this year, Canada received the third-most foreign direct investment of any country in the world – and the highest per capita in the G7. The statement also notes that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects Canada to see the strongest economic growth in the G7 next year.
Some targeted measures
In a foreword to the 2023 Fall Economic Statement, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland suggests the government will be taking measures “to ensure that interest rates can fall as soon as possible,” while adding that “some prices are still high and mortgage renewals are looming. That is why we are introducing new targeted measures to help stabilize prices, make life more affordable, and protect Canadians with mortgages.”
The federal government is hoping an increase in supply of new apartment construction will help to bring down soaring rents.
Ferrada said the government’s latest economic statement emphasizes support for the country’s middle-class by speeding up and enabling the construction of more homes, while helping make them more affordable. “That’s the main message of this Fall Economic Statement,” added Ferrada.
Breaking zoning barriers
In an outline of its Housing Action Plan, the government says it is working with provinces, territories, and municipalities across Canada “to break down local zoning barriers and create the conditions that will help to rapidly increase Canada’s housing supply.”
While elements of the plan vary across the country, the Liberal government notes that in early November it signed an agreement with Quebec for a joint contribution, which included $900 million provided by the federal government – nearly 23 per cent of all Housing Accelerator Funding across the country – to help cut red tape and contribute to the building of more homes for Quebecers.
Gov’t hopes for lower apt. rents
“The federal government will continue working with Quebec to build on the bold reforms it has committed to in the new Housing Accelerator Fund bilateral agreement to make housing more affordable for Quebecers,” according to the Fall Economic Statement.
Ferrada said an increased supply of new apartment units the government expects to see as a result of its measures should contribute to a badly-needed lowering of rents, which skyrocketed with inflation that shot up following the Covid pandemic. “What’s going to lower costs is competition by increasing the supply,” she said.
The current issue of the Laval News, volume 31-23, published on December 6th, 2023. Covering Laval local news, politics, and sports. (Click on the image to read the paper.)
Front page of The Laval News, December 6th, 2023 issue.
The Pierre Creamer Arena in Chomedey is expected to be affected by the three-day strike from Dec. 15 – 17.
Outside workers employed in City of Laval arenas will be staging a three day strike from December 15-17.
According to their union, the action “is a direct consequence of the unsettling work atmosphere in several sectors of the City.” They claim the issue of labour relations is pivotal in the negotiations.
A 24-hour general strike took place last Nov. 7 in response to what Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 4545 referred to as “the contempt and lack of transparency” by representatives of the city’s labour relations department at the bargaining table.
“Even though the Mayor of Laval, Stéphane Boyer. is young, some people in his administration are still mired in management practices that harken back to another century,” said CUPE 4545 president Louis-Pierre Plourde.
“Coercive personnel management focusses on penalties rather than discussions,” he said. “This has resulted in a considerable number of grievances being sent to arbitration, and some of the costs of going this route is paid by Laval taxpayers.
“I’d like to remind Mayor Boyer that we’re in the 21st century and are grappling with labour shortages at this time,” said Martin Boyer, vice-president of CUPE 4545. “Senior managers in other cities are striving to come up with increasingly more employee-sensitive approaches to personnel management. The time has come in Laval to modernize our labour relations practices.”
The strike is expected to affect all City of Laval Laval arenas. A strike notice was sent to the Tribunal administrative du travail on Monday, December 4. 850 blue collar workers with the City of Laval have been without a contract since December 31, 2021. Last April 26, members voted 96 per cent in favour of a mandate involving pressure tactics up to and including strike action.
Left, Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board chairman Paolo Galati and Russell Copeman who has been hiired as the school board’s new director general.
The Council of Commissioners of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board (SWLSB) announced on Nov. 30 that it has appointed Russell Copeman as their new Director General effective January 15, 2024.
Copeman’s nomination was confirmed by a unanimous decision of the Council of Commissioners during the previous evening’s special council meeting.
The SWLSB said in a statement that Copeman brings a wealth of educational experience to the SWLSB, having served as the executive director of the Quebec English School Boards Association (QESBA) over the last five years and as an assistant professor at the Max Bell School of Public Policy.
He also served as a senior administrator at Concordia University, where he was associate vice-president for external relations, as well as an adjunct professor in the department of political science.
Copeman, who began his career as a Quebec Liberal Party political attaché, served several terms as a QLP member of the National Assembly for the riding of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce. He also served as the borough mayor for Côte-des-Neiges/Notre-Dame-de-Grâce in the City of Montreal.
“We have complete confidence that Mr. Copeman’s leadership and expertise will greatly benefit our students, our employees and our communities helping the SWLSB moving forward,” said SWLSB chair Paolo Galati. “His understanding of our needs and challenges align with our vision as we embark upon the implementation of the 2023-2027 Commitment-to-Success Plan.”
The council expressed its deepest appreciation to Frédéric Greschner who stepped into the role of interim director general in August following the departure of former SWLSB director general Gaëlle Absolonne. She is now the director general at the Centre de services scolaire Marie-Victorin on Montreal’s South Shore.
Investigators with the Laval Police are dealing with the city’s sixth homicide this year following the fatal stabbing of a woman at a home near the corner of rue Paradis and boulevard Saint-Elzéar in Vimont late last week.
The LPD received a 9-1-1 call at around 5:30 pm on Thursday Nov. 23. When they arrived, they found a 61-year-old woman who had been stabbed multiple times.
After being taken to hospital by ambulance, she was declared dead. A 30-year-old male, identified by Radio-Canada as Jérôme Frigault of Caraquet NB, was arrested and was said to be related to the victim, according to the LPD.
According to La Presse, the woman, identified as Mireille Martin, had contacted the LPD more than an hour before the stabbing to report she was being threatened by the assailant who was her nephew. He lived in a unit of the duplex which she she owned.
The RCMP says it has filed charges against two individuals, one of whom is from Laval, who allegedly made illegal monetary transactions totaling more than $20 million.
Said Aimeur, 55, of Laval, and Nesreddine Atoui, 58, of Montreal, allegedly used a scheme to collect and move funds clandestinely from Canada to Algeria, mainly via China, according to the RCMP.
The investigation by the federal police force was conducted by Integrated Proceeds of Crime (IPOC), a federal public safety ministry unit, focusing on a 13-month period.
It began in December 2021, says the RCMP, when IPOC received information from the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre (FINTRAC), a federal government financial intelligence unit, related to suspicious banking transaction statements.
“The two men are each facing a charge under the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act for operating an unregistered money services business,” the RCMP says in a statement.
According to the force, they face imprisonment for up to five years and/or a fine of up to $500,000. They are scheduled to make a first appearance at the Montreal courthouse on December 1.
A Laval Police Dept. officer suffered serious injuries but is expected to survive after being struck by a car on Autoroute 15 between Laval and Montreal while pursuing a suspect on foot.
Around 2:30 am on Monday, two LPD officers in a patrol car noticed a vehicle southbound on the A-15 with headlights off and a rear window shattered.
After the officers began following the vehicle, the suspect driver pulled over on the Médéric Martin bridge where he abandoned the car and fled on foot.
Running onto the northbound lanes of the A-15, he was intercepted by the police, but one of the officers was then struck by an oncoming vehicle.
After being taken into custody, it was determined that the suspect may have have been impaired while at the wheel of his vehicle.
