The City of Laval issued an advisory notice to residents around avenue des Bois, rue Principale and chemin Bord-de-l’Eau, including the Îles-Laval sector, on Tuesday that they should avoid consuming or otherwise using the tap water because of a fire department intervention that may have compromised the underground drinking water system.
According to the city, water being piped to around 500 residences (see map) may be impacted by a measure (not identified by the city) that the fire department took on the morning of Sept. 26.
The city said the advisory applies to domestic pets as well as to humans.
But at the same time, they maintained that health risks to any person or animal who may have consumed tap water this morning before the advisory was issued are minimal, although anyone developing unusual symptoms is invited to call 8-1-1 for medical advice.
The city said the advisory will remain in place until further notice.
On Sept. 7, firefighters with the Service de sécurité incendie de Laval (SSIL) responded to a natural gas leak at the intersection of Noël and Principale streets in the Sainte-Dorothée sector.
According to a report by the SSIL, an accidentally ruptured gas pipe was the cause. Electric power in the area was shut off as a precaution and a security perimeter was erected for several hours.
During the early morning hours on Sept. 5, SSIL firefighters responded to a fire at the Mondou pet supplies store in the shopping mall alongside Autoroute 13 in Sainte-Dorothée. According to firefighters, flames were visible within the building upon their arrival.
Laval police believe sexual assault suspect had other victims
The Laval Police have turned to the public in an effort to determine whether a 57-year-old sexual assault suspect had other victims.
Garage owner Chukri El-Habre is suspected of having improperly touched a woman who had brought her car to him for repairs on Feb. 3.
The LPD contends the offence was committed when the suspect and the woman were in her vehicle during a test drive and continued once they returned to his office.
After his arrest on May 17, El-Habre was freed subject to conditions and was scheduled to make a court appearance recently.
The investigators have reason to believe El Habre may have had other victims. They are urging anyone who believes they have relevant information to contact them at 450-662-4636 or call 911. The file number is LVl-230203-095.
Ontario police arrest Laval man after vehicles stolen
A Laval man is facing multiple charges after a Halton, Ontario police investigation of an alleged auto-theft ring. Halton Police said vehicles were being transported to Quebec after being stolen in the Burlington, Oakville and Halton regions.
The investigation began in March following the theft of numerous vehicles all over the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
On Sept. 5, Samuel Laplante, 23, of Laval, was tracked down by police in Halton Hills and was subsequently arrested in Toronto. At the time of his arrest, Laplante was also wanted by three other police services for charges related to auto thefts.
He has been charged by Halton Police with theft of a motor vehicle, possession of stolen property and various breach of probation offences. He was most recently being held in custody pending a bail hearing.
More than 5,500 tickets given in Laval for school zone violations
Of the more than 37,000 tickets handed out last year by police across Quebec to motorists for speeding and other infractions in school zones, 5,541 of them were in Laval.
According to statistics released recently by the Association des directeurs de police du Québec (ADPQ) as the new school year was beginning, more than 3,000 tickets for school zone violations were handed out monthly, primarily for driving faster than the 30 km/h speed limit in school zones.
The ADPQ says 71 per cent of drivers going through school zones don’t respect the 30 km/h speed limit. The statistics do not include school zone violation tickets handed out by the Sûreté du Québec, which would have raised the numbers significantly higher, the ADPQ says.
“The number of tickets is greatly underestimated and is much greater than that,” said Service de Police de Laval director Pierre Brochet, who is the president of the ADPQ.
From magic to science, there was something for kids and adults alike
Although there were still a few weeks left before summer is officially over, it came to an unofficial close in Laval on Labour Day Sunday when the city held its annual and very popular Fête de la Famille at the Centre de la nature in Duvernay.
A circus-like atmosphere reigned for much of the day on Labour Day at the Centre de la nature during the 2023 Fête de la Famille. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)
Laval’s annual “family day” celebration devoted to moms, dads and kids was back with music, stage shows, inflatable games and more.
A magic show staged during this year’s Fête de la Famille at the Centre de la nature appealed to young and old. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)
Lots to keep busy
Personnel from the Laval Fire Department were on hand as always to give live demonstrations of firefighting techniques. There were also stage entertainment, animals for petting, as well as boats and canoes to be rented on the Centre de la nature’s lake.
The City of Laval plans to hold the next Fête de la Famille again on Labour Day Sunday next year from 10 am to 6 pm. As always, all the activities will be free. The program of activities will made available next summer.
Proceeds from Spaghetti Day fundraiser go to Laval palliative care residence
A “Spaghetti Day” fundraiser held last April at the Embassy Plaza on Curé Labelle Blvd. by the Chevaliers de Colomb’s five Laval-area councils raised $16,574 for the Maison de la Sérénité palliative care home in Saint-Vincent-de-Paul.
Until last April 30 when the event took place, it had been three years since the Laval Chevaliers de Colomb held one of their traditional spaghetti dinner fundraisers.
Day-long fundraiser
Local elected officials from the federal, provincial and municipal governments took turns from 10 am to 7 pm serving up plates of spaghetti topped with sauce, while also waiting on tables. For those who stuck around until the end of the day there were prizes to be raffled off.
As many as a thousand supporters turned up to chow down on pasta by early afternoon, according to Chevaliers de Colomb Ste-Dorothée Council Grand Knight Pierre Côté who was leading the operation.
Most recently, the Laval Chevaliers held annual spaghetti fundraisers at least up to 2018, but were forced to suspend the practice two years later as the Covid pandemic was getting underway.
History of the Chevaliers
Founded in the U.S. during the late 19th century, the Chevaliers de Colomb (Knights of Columbus) continue to be very active around the world as a service organization.
According to online C of C sources, there are more than 16,000 local Knights of Columbus councils around the world, with an estimated 2 million members globally.
Among the causes supported by the Chevaliers/Knights are refugee relief, education, local Catholic churches and dioceses, as well as global social and political causes. As well, the Chevaliers/Knights are dedicated to the principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism.
Support of elected officials
Among those who attended a ceremony recently for the official presentation of the cheque to the Maison de la Sérénité de Laval were Pierre Côté (Grand Knight with the Laval Chevaliers de Colomb), Ray Khalil, member of the Laval executive-committee and councillor for Sainte-Dorothée, Alice Abou Khalil, MNA for Fabre, Buchanan, executive-director of the Maison de la Sérénité de Laval, Virginie Dufour MNA for Mille-Îles, Paolo Galati, city councillor for Saint-Vincent-de-Paul, Amel Haroud, political attaché and Jean-Pierre Gadoury (Grand Knight).
Canadian Forces parachute team makes a safe landing on SES playing field
For a teacher, administrator or support worker at any grade school, there’s probably no sound more rewarding than the squeals of delight of young students completely enthralled by a learning experience.
Such was the case early on Thursday morning last week at Souvenir Elementary School in Chomedey.
Souvenir Elementary School principal Helen Kalipolidis is seen here last week with members of the Canadian Armed Forces Parachute Team, better known as the Skyhawks, who made a dramatic parachute landing into the field behind the school. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)
Shortly after 8 am, when the students would normally be arriving to begin their day, a phalanx of the Canadian Armed Forces Parachute Team – better known as the SkyHawks – jumped out of a small plane hovering around 2,500 feet over the schoolyard and made a gradual parachute drop into the centre of the Souvenir Elementary field – getting the school year off to an exciting start.
Honoring Sgt. Chris Karigiannis
In addition to the presence of the Skyhawks, the kids and staff at Souvenir Elementary also welcomed members of the Karigiannis family.
Sgt. Christos Karigiannis, a former Laval resident, was killed in the line of duty in 2007 while serving with the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan. His mother, Niki, his brother, Peter (who also attended Souvenir Elementary), and Anastasia, a grand-daughter, received a standing ovation.
The family’s presence at the school was especially meaningful since Chris Karigiannis attended Souvenir Elementary and graduated later from Laval Senior Academy. After joining the Canadian Forces, Chris Karigiannis also became a member of the SkyHawks parachuting team.
“Sgt. Karigiannis is not physically with us here today,” said Souvenir Elementary principal Helen Kalipolidis, while noting, however, that family members had brought along his SkyHawks windbreaker which they continue to treasure.
Skyhawks a special calling
“Not everybody in the Canadian Forces becomes a SkyHawk,” said Peter Karigiannis, “because it’s very difficult, it requires a lot of work, a lot of commitment.”
He said that if the Souvenir Elementary students were to draw one lesson from the example set by Chris Karigiannis and the Skyhawks, it would be “to do really important things that are important for you: you have to be willing to make the effort and to overcome the challenges.”
The day also saw a new Souvenir Elementary School banner and logo unveiled, with allusions to the SkyHawks, thanks to special permission obtained from the parachute team. The new banner declares Souvenir Elementary to be “Skyhawk Territory,” while also noting they share the values of being “loyal” and “strong.”
Fifty-four years as Skyhawks
The year 2023 is a very important one for the Skyhawks as they celebrate 54 years of performances. The team has a long and storied history. In June of 1969 an unofficial SkyHawks team, comprised of sport parachute qualified members of the Canadian Airborne Regiment, was formed.
A safe landing in the rear yard at Souvenir Elementary School. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)
In August of 1996, the CABC moved along with the SkyHawks from Edmonton to their new home base in Trenton, Ontario near Toronto. Each year, the SkyHawks perform events across North America and around the world, thrilling audiences with their aerobatic parachute formations in the sky.
The City of Laval announced recently that it has purchased 2.3 additional hectares of forested land near the northern limits of the Bois de l’Équerre woods near Sainte-Rose.
The acquisition, the city says in a statement, was made in conjunction with the provincial government and the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM). It raises the amount of land the city owns in and around the Bois de l’Équerre to 172 hectares.
The $750,000 cost was partly paid through a $506,000 contribution from the CMM and Quebec and additional assistance from the Trame verte et bleue du Grand Montréal.
“Green spaces are essential for helping to maintain our quality of life, and thanks to this latest acquisition, the entire population of Laval and nearby cities will be benefiting,” said Sainte-Rose MNA Christopher Skeete, who is responsible in the Legault cabinet for the region of Laval.
“The Bois de l’Équerre, located in the district of Sainte-Rose, stands out with its rich variety of forest ecosystems and its vast network of trails, which are greatly appreciated by all people in Laval,” said Laval mayor Stéphane Boyer.
The City of Laval announced earlier this year that it had surpassed its target for protecting natural spaces on its territory. While the initial target had been 14 per cent, the city says it managed to reach 18 per cent – a figure which is nearly five times higher than it was in 2009.
Laval to mark Seniors Week with intergenerational events
The city says that on the occasion of International Senior Citizens Day on Oct. 1, a special week of activities for seniors in Laval will be launched with a focus on more than 1,000 ways for seniors to remain active.
Items and events on the program of activities until Oct. 7 will include gatherings and workshops dealing in topics including health, nutrition and sports, bringing together seniors with people from other age groups.
“The city is more than pleased to present Laval Senior Citizens Week, and this for the 34th time,” said Laval city councillor for Souvenir-Labelle Sandra El-Helou, who is responsible for seniors’ issues as an associate member of the executive-committee.
“More than ever, the creation of intergenerational bridges allows isolation to be broken, links to be created and horizons to be extended,” she added.
This year events are being sponsored by organizations that include branches of the Laval Public Libraries, the Laval Police Dept., the department of cultural services, as well as the city’s parks and recreation department.
New mural unveiled under de la Concorde overpass
Officials with the city unveiled a major new mural recently, painted in a very unusual place: beneath a railway overpass along de la Concorde Blvd. between Laval Blvd. and Ampère Ave. in Laval-des-Rapides.
Created by the celebrated outdoor muralist known as Roadsworth (real name Peter Gibson), the artpiece is spread out over 6,500 square feet, while giving all those who will be passing underneath it something to look up to.
“Created in a neighbourhood now undergoing revitalization, this original work will help to make the area more lively while enhancing the experience of all those in the area thanks to public art,” said Laval city councillor for Sainte-Rose Flavia Alexandra Novac who is responsible for cultural dossiers.
New pavilion announced for Berge aux Quatre-Vents in Laval-Ouest
The city recently announced that construction of a new pavilion for users of the riverside park in Laval-Ouest known as the Berge aux Quatre-Vents will be getting underway.
The four-season building will contain a multi-purpose room with dressing areas for skaters, washrooms, outdoor showers, a bicyclists’ rest stop, an office for monitors and storage for sports equipment.
“With the construction of this LEED-certified pavilion, we will be helping everyone from Laval to easily have access to the waterfront, which is one of the major issues of our time,” said Mayor Stéphane Boyer, noting that the pavilion will be built near the Rivière des Mille Îles.
I have written more than once about the muzzling of free speech in Canada, and it seems time changes nothing. In fact, it gets worse. The public lashing of psychiatrist Jordan Peterson by the College of Psychiatrists is a further example, and the reason given is merely because of “his manner and tone.” The College has ordered the good Doctor to undergo some kind of re-education of social media.
This judgement towards one of the most intelligent Canadians, if not world figures of our time, is outrageous, unacceptable and downright scary. The Ontario court has now empowered self regulating professional bodies to kill free speech, to all professional groups like nurses, doctors, engineers, architects, accountants etc. From his interviews and the numerous articles that have been written (most of them in support of him by the way) it appears those who complained are not even his patients, but also not even Canadian. Agree with this man or not, what he says at least must be listened to and respected.
What kind of Canadians are we becoming by trying to shut down people who don’t agree with us? This is a dangerous Canada with a continuous erosion of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. My country is becoming a nation that I recognize less and less with each passing month.
Immigration Out of Control
“Immigration built this country.” We used to hear that from our parents. Europeans flooded North America full of ambition and determination, resolved to build a better tomorrow for themselves, their children, and their new country. Times have changed. Immigration with this government has become an ideology that opens all entry points, legal and illegal with no thought given to how this massive influx will work itself out. So now have a problem. Statistics Canada reports employment cannot keep up with immigration. And here’s why. Canada needs 50 thousand new jobs every month to match the inundation. We rarely see that monthly number, especially with a government that discourages domestic and foreign investment. Add to that the almost one million international students in Canada this year. The pressure on housing is unprecedented, with higher rents and escalating property prices. There are over six million Canadians without a family doctor not to mention packed hospital emergency rooms. It’s time to hit pause or perhaps provinces should adopt the Québec plan, and say no to Trudeau and his day-dream rise in immigration.
The End for JT?
Is the end near for our part-time drama instructor P.M., Justin Trudeau? Are his days of reigning over Canadians who would accept his way or the highway, coming to an end? Canadians are seeing through the hypocrisy, the aloofness and smugness towards day-today financial and social issues, including allowing Québec unrestricted access to alter the Canadian Constitution through Bill 96. Recent polls suggest the majority has concluded, finally, that this individual has passed his best before date. But his narcissist character would likely thrust him into seeking a fourth term. Besides, he has nowhere to go if he resigns. His dream of being the United Nations Secretary General has wilted like late summer corn. Unlike other Canadian Prime Ministers, he is not respected internationally, is not a friend of business, nor does he have the qualifications to sit on any corporate board.
Are we finally realizing that since 2015, the Trudeau promise of “we will be in a surplus position” is never going to happen? We are now forced to spend more for everything. Canadian household debt is now the largest among the G7 countries. It’s a run-away freight train loaded with our tax dollars.
Needless and Costly
We have a total failure on the environment. We were told to ban plastic bags, for no reason. Here’s what the US Environment Protection Association said about plastic versus paper bags- “Plastic bags use 40% less energy to produce and generate 80% less solid waste than paper.” And plastic consumes 90% less energy than paper to recycle. Surprised? I’m not. And paper straws are now a landfill problem. When was the last time you threw a plastic straw or plastic bag into the ocean, any ocean, Pacific, Atlantic or Arctic? It’s frankly laughable and another in a long list of failures by our federal government. The Trudeau carbon tax has caused hardship at the pumps, to heat our homes, and increased the cost of all goods delivered by truck, plane, or train. Has the tax helped reduce our mere 1.5% of the world’s carbon footprint? Not in the least.
And can someone tell me why the Canadian Environment minister Stéphane Guilbeault is in China chairing a Chinese committee on the environment? China is our enemy. Isn’t this treasonous? China is also the worst polluter in the world producing and burning more coal than ever. Yet Guilbeault choses to criticize Canadian oil and gas producers. Another Canadian clown on international display.
Sadly, I sense there is anger and almost a hatred among a vast number of us. Suffice to say Canadians are mad as hell and may just do something about it, or force Mr. Trudeau to make a decision before the electorate makes it for him.
Continuing a long-standing tradition, key partners in Laval, including the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board, the Centre de service scolaire de Laval and the Laval Police came together once again this past month to kick off the new school year with a strong focus on student safety during drop-offs around schools.
The collaborative effort, they say, emphasizes their commitment to ensuring safe and smooth school transportation for everyone.
Partners in the ‘Drop Me Off Safely Campaign,’ including representatives from the SWLSB, the Laval Police, the Centre de service scolaire de Laval and the City of Laval, are seen here during a recent launch for this year’s campaign.
The ‘Drop Me Off Safely’ campaign is an initiative of the Laval Police and previously won the Recognition award granted by the Association des directeurs de police du Québec, in the Road Security category.
Recognizing the importance of safety during the crucial moments of student drop-offs, the Laval Police initiated the campaign to raise awareness and ensure the well-being of every student on their journey to school.
Again this year, the campaign is taking place over four strategic periods of the school year under various themes. In particular, the police will inform motorists of speed limits to respect, and mandatory stops to watch out for when a school bus turns on its flashing red lights.
“Our priority at the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board has always been the safety of our students and staff,” said Paolo Galati, chairperson of the SWLSB.
“Participating in the Laval Police’s ‘Drop Me Off Safely’ campaign aligns with our core values,” he added. “We are proud to be an integral part of this important initiative, which underscores our commitment to fostering a secure environment for our students.”
The current issue of the Laval News, volume 31-17, published on September 13th, 2023. Covering Laval local news, politics, and sports. (Click on the image to read the paper.)
Front page of The Laval News, September 13th, 2023 issue.
‘We were very well organized this year,’ said city councillor David De Cotis
In spite of a steady downpour of rain, organizers say the 7th annual Fête de Quartier Saint-Bruno turned into a success all the same, with children and adults alike having a great time.
According to Saint-Bruno city councillor David De Cotis who hosted the event, a range of activities kept everyone who attended in an upbeat mood, despite the sun’s absence.
Sponsors appreciated
“A big thanks to the many generous sponsors without whom this neighbourhood party would not have been possible,” De Cotis said in a statement.
“Special thanks particularly to the lead sponsors, including the Caisse du Centre et de l’Est de Laval, Euro-Marché de Laval, BMW Laval, and Horizon Santé Dominic Fournier pharmacien,” he added.
In addition to traditional children’s activities such as face makeup and inflatable games, De Cotis noted the addition to this year’s event of new activities including one revolving around a Pac-Man theme.
As well, those attending had the opportunity to meet boxing champion Lucian Bute. On the menu were free hot dogs and espresso coffee.
The children had fun
“We were very well organized this year, with several new partners,” said De Cotis. “Nothing can stop children from having a good time, and not even the rain could keep them from going on pony rides, or taking a ride around the grounds on board the mini-train.”
He said preparations are already underway for the 8th annual Fête de Quartier Saint-Bruno during the summer of 2024. In the meantime, he wished all his district’s children a happy and safe return to school and classes.
