In an ironic twist two days before the monsoon-like downpours that assailed Laval and Montreal on July 13, officials with the federal and provincial governments announced a joint investment of more than $24 million to support a new stormwater network in Laval.
Monty and Cyrano streets in Laval’s Saint-François district are receiving infrastructure upgrades to deal with stormwater.
Vimy MP Annie Koutrakis, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport, and Sainte-Rose MNA Christopher Skeete, Minister for the Economy and Minister responsible for the Laval region, announced a project aimed at controlling recurring sewer backups in the vicinity of Monty and Cyrano streets, on behalf of Andrée Laforest, Minister of Municipal Affairs in the CAQ government.
According to a press release issued by Infrastructure Canada, the funding will be used to separate the sewer networks by adding new storm pipes and put in place new measures for the treatment of the quality of rainwater.
“Our government is proud to contribute to this project, which will help control sewer backups and reduce wastewater overflows into the Rivière des Prairies,” Koutrakis said in a statement.
“By investing in effective wastewater treatment infrastructure, we are ensuring that Canadians have access to greener, cleaner, healthier and safer living environments.”
“On behalf of my colleague and Minister of Municipal Affairs, Andrée Laforest, I salute the completion of an important project for Laval. I am delighted that the Quebec government is once again investing in improving the City’s water management facilities,” said Skeete. “We can be proud to participate in the implementation of this essential project aimed at providing Laval residents with a quality environment.”
Laval mayor Stéphane Boyer reacted with enthusiasm to the announcement. “This MAMH envelope is excellent news for Laval, and a big step forward in our desire for close collaboration between the municipality and the other levels of government,” he said.
“This announcement is an example of the importance of the dialogue initiated on sharing the economic burden related to the adaptation needs of our infrastructures due to climate change. We believe that cooperation is the key to climate resilience.
“On the ground, we will be able to start large-scale work for the implementation of lasting and adapted solutions that will ultimately offer a better quality of life to citizens who live in this sector while, at the same time, contributing to the protection of the environment,” added Mayor Boyer.
The governments of Canada and Quebec are each investing $12,264,400 in the project, while the City of Laval is contributing $6,132,200. The Government of Canada’s funding comes from the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of Quebec’s funding comes from the Fonds pour l’infrastructure municipale d’eau.
The northbound lanes of Autoroute 13, including the service road, will be closed between 10:30 pm and 5 am from July 23 to July 28 so that repaving can take place, the province’s highways ministry says.
According to the ministry, affected areas include the section between exit 12 (Samson, Notre-Dame and Saint-Martin boulevards) and Sainte-Rose Blvd.
From 9 pm to 5 am on July 23, access ramps to northbound A-13 from the service road between Notre-Dame Blvd. and Autoroute 440 will be closed.
On July 24, 25, 26 and 27 between 10:30 pm and 5 am, the northbound A13 will be shut between exit 12 (Samson, Notre-Dame, Saint-Martin) and A-440.
During this period, motorists are asked to simply follow the detours. Speed will be reduced and some traffic congestion is anticipated, the ministry says.
‘The vibe this year has been great,’ said HCGM Laval president Anna Giorganta
Although the crowds were somewhat thinner than usual, a steady downpour of rain during the late afternoon on Canada Day didn’t deter some patriotic Laval and greater Montreal residents from celebrating the country’s birthday, while getting back in touch with their cultural roots at the 2023 Laval Hellenic Summer Festival.
If anything, the rain contributed to a greater sense of togetherness, as attendees gathered in the yard next to Holy Cross Church on Souvenir Road in Chomedey under tents and awnings that were erected in the event they’d be needed during this always fickle time for weather each year.
An open space was made under one of the tents for Hellenic dancers to perform. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)
Moisture bad for the hair
With all that moisture hovering in the air, Vimy Liberal MP Annie Koutrakis was having a bad day for hair. “I think it’s quite wet – it’s a hundred per cent humid – and it does very little good for my hair, which is very upsetting – it’s a girl thing,” she confided during an interview with The Laval News.
While sudden thunderstorms are not unusual on Canada Day, few of those attending the three-day festival could remember an event as wet as the one this year. In an unusual departure, the Greek folk dancers were forced to perform in a small area cleared under one of the tents as the rain was coming down so fast outside, they’d have been soaked in an instant.
But the energy was there
If there was one thing that Anna Giorganta, the president for the Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal’s Laval chapter, wanted to make clear, it was that the rain wasn’t her fault.
When the rain finally subsided during the early evening last Canada Day, Montreal and Laval Hellenic community officials, as well as elected reps from Ottawa, Quebec and Laval, gathered to cut the Canada Day cake. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)
“But the vibe this year has been great, the energy too,” she said, while noting that the weather the day before was beautiful and it would improve significantly by day three. In the meantime, the rain finally stopped by evening on Canada Day, allowing everyone at the festival to let out a sigh of relief.
“This is all made possible by the support of everyone in the community,” Giorganta added. “I truly think that when you believe in your community and you give it all you’ve got, no matter the weather, no matter the storm, the outcome is always amazing. I think this is what we’re seeing this weekend.”
The makings for pork souvlaki were slowly grilled by volunteer chefs from the Laval and Montreal region’s Hellenic community. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)
Good mood, despite rain
Regardless of the weather, said Laval city councillor for Chomedey Aglaia Revelakis, the most important thing was that “we’re all here together to celebrate Canada Day. Still, here they went to all this trouble organizing the Laval Hellenic Summer Festival and here it is pouring rain. But there’s lot still to do. And tomorrow they are announcing beautiful weather.”
“Everybody’s in a good festive mood, except that we can’t go out in the rain,” said Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal president Dr. George Tsoukas. Representing Laval mayor Stéphane Boyer, l’Abord-à-Plouffe city councillor Vasilios Karidogiannis was ready to party, along with his council colleague, Councillor Aline Dib from Saint-Martin district.
Suspected professional shoplifters believed to be connected to organized crime in Romania have been arrested in connection with the theft of more than $70,000 worth of merchandise in Quebec.
Officers with the Laval Police made the arrests and are now encouraging shopkeepers to report similar thefts that may have been committed by the suspects.
An investigation uncovered a shoplifting scheme in electronics shops. Links were then established with other suspects operating in both Quebec and Ontario who were targeting computer hardware shops, sportswear and equipment stores, as well as luxury clothing stores.
With the cooperation of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), several suspects were identified, and LPD officers carried out a search in Chomedey, which resulted in the seizure of $15,000 in cash, as well as $40,000 worth of stolen merchandise allegedly destined for export to Romania.
Laval police say they were able to establish that thesuspects were staying in Canada after applying for asylum. They would stay for a few months before leaving the country.
One of the suspects, Laurentiu Baicu, age 37, was in custody following his arrest. Tiberius Léonard Miron, aged 40, was released with conditions following a court appearance. Claudia Macu, Vijai Alexe and Ionel Nitu, aged between 32 and 42, were released with conditions.
Valter Ionut Alexe, aged 29, and Timotei Ion, aged 27, are still wanted by the police, and an arrest warrant has been issued for them. All are facing multiple charges of shoplifting over $5,000 and receiving stolen goods over $5,000.
Laval trio wrecks an SUV following police chase
Two teenagers and a young adult were arrested by the Laval Police last week following a frantic car chase that started in the parking lot of the Laval Hilton and ended on the front lawn of a residence in Fabreville.
Around 3:30 am, LPD patrollers saw a Honda Civic approach a Toyota Highlander SUV in the parking lot of the Laval Hilton on the edge of Autoroute 15. The officers suspected immediately that an attempted vehicle theft was underway.
Although the police immediately took action to immobilize the suspects, they fled, immediately setting off a chase. The suspects raced along the A-15 service road, Curé Labelle Blvd., Gabriel Blvd. and Dagenais Blvd., until finally the driver lost control.
The suspect vehicle flipped several times, hit a tree and a traffic sign, then landed upside down, wheels in the air in front of a residence on Firmin St. in Fabreville. Not terribly shaken up by the crash, the occupants (two aged 17, while the third was 18) managed to run off on foot.
Two were tracked down by the police and placed in handcuffs, while the last one was located and arrested later that night with the help of a tracking dog belonging to the LPD’s canine squad.
LPD searching for SUV used in attempt on Garda officers
The Laval Police issued a photo recently of a sports utility vehicle they believe was used in an attempt to rob a Garda armored truck in Sainte-Dorothée during the night of June 19-20.
During the incident, two guards with the cash and valuables transport firm turned up for a routine stop at a Caisse Desjardins branch near the corner of Samson Blvd. and Autoroute 13 where they were scheduled to load an ATM.
A suspect opened fire in an apparent attempt to rob the guards and there was an exchange of shots from both sides, although no injuries were reported. The suspect fled on foot, heading along Bord-de-l’Eau Road.
Although the LPD was unable to make an arrest at that time, a later analysis of security camera footage revealed the presence of an SUV in the vicinity at the moment of the crime. Police investigators are now trying to locate the vehicle as well as potential suspects who were possibly inside. Anyone who believes they have useful information can contact the LPD at 450 662-INFO (4636).
As many as 40 per cent of youths 13 to 17 who fall off bikes aren’t wearing a helmet
Two local members of the Quebec National Assembly, two Laval city councillors and an eminent neurosurgeon met at a Laval-area park last week to throw their support behind a province-wide campaign to encourage all children and adults to wear protective helmets to safeguard against the devastating effects of head injuries.
From the left, Laval city councillor Vasilios Karidogiannis, Sainte-Rose MNA Christopher Skeete, neurosurgeon Dr. Mathieu Laroche, Laval-des-Rapides MNA Céline Haytayan, Laval city councillor for Marigot Cecilia Macedo and Jamais sans mon Casque founder and director Simon Poulin during the launch of the Laval campaign at parc du Bon Pasteur last week. (Photo: Martin C. Barry)
Year-around head protection
Founded by Simon Poulin, he and his team are currently on a tour of the province promoting the Quebec City-based organization’s Jamais sans mon Casque’s (Never Without my Helmet) campaign to encourage the wearing of protective headgear by skateboarders and bike riders during the summer months, as well as skiers and snowboarders during the winter.
Parc du Bon Pasteur in Laval-des-Rapides was one of his latest stops last week.
According to statistics on preventing head traumas compiled from 2016 to 2019 by the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP), 41 per cent of youths from 13 to 17 years old who fell from a bicycle weren’t wearing a helmet.
Hôpital du Sacré Cœur neurosurgeon neurosurgeon Dr. Mathieu Laroche wishes they’d see fewer head injuries at the hospital.
Preventing brain trauma
The number rises to 61 per cent for accidents involving skateboards. According to a report by the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ), more than a quarter of patients who were hospitalized for a head injury linked to bicycling in Quebec from 2007 to 2015 suffered a brain trauma (25.9 per cent).
As part of the promotional tour through 17 regions of Quebec, Jamais Sans Mon Casque is giving away 23,000 bike helmets to children from needy families. Over the last few years, the organization has handed out 39,450 bike helmets, while also visiting more than 2,394 schools and reaching out to 328,000 students.
Prevention key, says neurosurgeon
“Although we are proud of the cutting-edge care that our entire team is able to offer to patients who have suffered a head injury, the best defence remains prevention,” said Dr. Mathieu Laroche, a neurosurgeon at Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur in Cartierville. He is one of several people who agreed to serve as ambassadors for the cause.
“What would please us most would be to never have you as a patient,” he added. “Protecting your head ought to be a priority for everyone.”
“It is a pleasure for me to be able to serve as an ambassador for Jamais sans mon Casque in the Laval region,” said Sainte-Rose MNA Christopher Skeete. “As much as the protection afforded by a helmet is already known, far too many head injuries continue to take place by not using one. Together, we must encourage everyone, but mostly our youths, to protect their noggin.”
Wearing a helmet saves lives
“I am delighted that the Jamais sans ma Casque tour decided to make a stop in the riding of Laval-des-Rapides in order to hand out free protective helmets,” said Laval-des-Rapides MNA Céline Haytayan. “The organization thus hopes to raise awareness among the population – but mostly among youths – regarding the prevention of head traumas during sports and recreational activities. We can’t say it often enough: wearing a helmet saves lives.”
Laval city councillor for l’Abord-à-Plouffe Vasilios Karidogiannis, who is responsible for city council dossiers involving active mobility, noted that he has always encouraged the children in his family to wear a helmet when out biking or engaging in a risky sports activity – and he sets an example by wearing one himself.
City of Laval’s support
“For several years, we have been making greater efforts to facilitate active mobility in Laval,” he said. “With more kilometres of bike paths than ever and a new network of skateparks and pumptracks on the way, it was only natural that I should lend my voice to Jamais sans mon Casque in order to emphasize the importance of protecting one’s self adequately.
“The dangers are real and can impact anybody,” he continued. “To youths, parents and grandparents, I make this pledge: Take care of yourselves and wear a helmet. For our part, I can assure you that we are pursuing the improvement of our various infrastructures. Together for improved security in Laval.”
About concussion in sport
Concussions are a common type of injury. Unintentional injuries are a leading cause of death, hospitalization, and disability among Canadians… and of these, concussions are among the most common.
Concussion Treatment: Rest for 24-48 hours, followed by a gradual, medically supervised return to activity.
Many youth experience concussions during sports and recreation activities, sometimes with tragic outcomes.
Approximately 46,000 diagnosed concussions in 2016-17 by hospital emergency departments for children and youth 5-19 years of age.
Males: approximately 26,000 from sports and recreation (54%), assaults/self-harm, and other unintentional causes.
Females: approximately 20,000 from sports and recreation (45%), assaults/self-harm, and other unintentional causes.
Ice hockey, rugby and ringette are the sports with the highest proportion of brain injuries among children and youth 5-19 years of age, ranging from 27% to 44% of all injuries that happened while playing these sports.
What do Canadians know about concussions?
1 in 2 Canadians have little or no knowledge about concussion
1 in 4 do not know how concussion is treated
Only 15% can correctly identify the best ways to treat concussion
Only 4 in 10 are aware of available concussion tools or resources
There is an ongoing need to integrate any new knowledge on concussion prevention and treatment among allied health professionals, coaches, athletes, parents, and education providers:
Knowledge or training in diagnosis of concussion
Awareness or compliance among coaches, athletes and parents
Ninety-five new files for people in need were opened at the English-speaking social services provider
Chomedey-based English-language social services provider Agape had a surge of new applications for assistance in the past year, with an influx of temporary settlers from war-torn Ukraine, but also Kurdish refugees from Turkey who came to Laval after arriving in Quebec through the highly-publicized Roxham Road U.S.-Canada border crossing.
“Agape, being the only English-speaking charitable organization in Laval, had to again scale back requests for Christmas baskets in December 2022,” board president Greg Young and secretary treasurer Elizabeth McLeod wrote in the 2022-2023 report of Agape’s activities, which was tabled June 29 at Agape’s annual general meeting.
‘Stabilization’ not foreseen
“We are not certain to see a stabilization of growth in demand for 2022-2023 due to the economic downturn and continued inflation of prices remaining, war with potential increases of refugees or asylum seekers (Ukrainian or others),” they continued.
From the left, Agape assistant-director/social worker Ian Williams, board member Roderick McLeod, secretary treasurer Elizabeth McLeod, board president Gregory Young and executive-director Kevin McLeod are seen here on June 29 at the Agape Senior Wellness Centre during the organization’s annual general meeting. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)
However, on a more positive note, they added, “Our generous English-speaking community, Laval English schools, churches and private companies or individuals and The Laval News, are the reason why we can continue our mission. We sincerely thank everyone for their continued support and look forward to working with you through 2023-2024.”
Many more in need
Since Agape’s last AGM in June 2022, they opened up 95 new files for people in need of assistance. This represents 175 adults (compared to 89 in 2021-22), and 136 (compared to 61) children. Among these, a total of 11 (12 in 2021-22) were single-parent families who were responsible for 23 (19 in 2021-22) children in total.
According to demographics compiled by Agape over the past year, the organization saw an increase in files for asylum seekers who claimed refugee status at an irregular land border.
While there were 12 families of Ukrainian origin out of a total of 51 files, there were many others of Kurdish origin, numbering 29 in all. Ten other families came from diverse countries, including Haiti, Syria, Lebanon, Columbia, Venezuela, Afghanistan, Tunisia, Nigeria, India, Algeria and Mexico.
Senior Wellness success
One of Agape’s most successful projects, the Senior Wellness Centre, underwent “a very successful year” in 2022-2023, with more than 400 membership enrollments now. A variety of activities can be found at the centre, including Tai Chi, chair yoga, exercise classes, health presentations and advanced workshops for iPad users.
Former CFL quarterback for the Montreal Alouettes Anthony Calvillo spoke at nine different Laval schools, as well as to members as at the Senior Wellness Centre as part of an Agape project in the past year addressing mental health issues. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)
The Agape Senior Wellness Centre has now expanded successfully to the second floor of an office building on Notre Dame Blvd., with a recreational room for seniors. According to the annual report, this year Agape will be looking to expand its English-speaking Seniors Wellness Centre activities in the hopes of reaching isolated seniors in Laval’s Duvernay district through a new resource centre where one or two wellness activities for seniors will be held weekly.
Another Agape project last year, for the support and promotion of mental health, received funding from the CHSSN (Community Health and Social Services Network) through the Public Health Agency of Canada. As part of the project, former CFL quarterback for the Montreal Alouettes Anthony Calvillo spoke at nine different Laval schools, as well as to members as at the Senior Wellness Centre to share his personal experience and struggles to inspire children and youths who may also be having mental health issues.
Agape’s annual fundraisers
Apart from the subsidies and grants of money Agape receives from governments and other agencies throughout the year, the organization holds three important fundraisers. Last year’s John and Lois Hashimoto Annual Memorial Walk raised a total of $5,207. This year’s event will take place on Saturday Sept. 16 at 11 am, beginning at 3950 Notre Dame Blvd. in Chomedey.
Another fundraiser, the Denise Williams Annual Seniors’ Love Walk, was held earlier this year on Feb. 17 and raised $5,626. The next Love Walk will be taking place on Feb. 16, 2024 from 8:45 to 9:30 am, indoors at the Centre Laval Shopping Centre. (An added perk: Longtime board member Roderick McLeod always picks up the bill for a complimentary breakfast afterwards at Nickels.)
Christmas fundraiser returning
Agape’s third major fundraiser, the Agape Annual Fundraising Christmas Dinner, hasn’t been held since 2019, because of the gap created by the three-year-long Covid pandemic. However, it will be back this year on Nov. 10 at 6 pm at the Embassy Plaza congress centre on Curé Labelle Blvd., where well-known Montreal-area standup comic Joey Elias will be top-billed, with support from fellow performer Carly Baker and MC Franco Taddeo. As profits from this fundraiser are going to Agape’s English-speaking Senior Wellness Centre, SWC members can take advantage of a $5 discount applicable to a ticket purchase. For more information on tickets and donations, contact Barbara at (450) 934-1122.
Works by 70 talented artists to be shown in historic Vieux Sainte-Rose
In July every year, you always know summer has finally arrived in Laval when it’s time again for the Corporation Rose-Art’s Sainte-Rose Art Symposium.
This year, from Thursday July 27 to Sunday July 30, those with a discerning taste for fine sculpture and inspiring visual art will be coming from all over Quebec and areas of eastern Canada for the 27th symposium.
As always, it will be taking place alongside the Rivière des Mille-Îles in the charming and historic Laval neighbourhood known as Vieux Sainte-Rose.
From the left, Quebec actor Nico Racicot, Laval city councillor Pierre Brabant (representing Sainte-Rose councillor Flavia Alexandra Novac) and Corporation Rose-Art president Oprina-Félicia Dolea provided details about the Sainte-Rose Art Symposium during a press conference last week. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)
Recognition for excellence
After winning a range of awards for excellence over nearly three decades, the organizing committee, led by Corporation Rose-Art president Oprina-Félicia Dolea, continues to uphold the standards that have established the Sainte-Rose Art Symposium’s reputation for excellence in art circles across eastern Canada.
The organizers have received some significant recognitions. In 2019, the Laval Chamber of Commerce and Industry presented them with a Dunamis award for helping to promote tourism in Laval. They were also a finalist for a second Dunamis the following year, as a sustainable organization or enterprise.
The Corporation Rose-Art is paying homage this year to two of the Sainte-Rose Symposium’s founders: Aline Cyr and Yolande Lapalice Daneau. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)
Visitors from far and wide
More than 20,000 people are expected to attend this free event. Although most are usually from the Laval and greater Montreal regions, the busy vacation season is also known to bring in visitors from Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, as well as from the U.S. states of Vermont, New Hampshire and New York.
It is notable that tourism has been growing by leaps and bounds in Laval over the past few years, as travellers from all over Canada and the U.S. begin to rediscover hidden treasures, such as the Symposium de Sainte-Rose, in an upsurge of interest in travel since the end of the three-year Covid pandemic.
Showing 70 talented artists
The ‘Vieille Caserne’ art gallery across the street from Église Sainte-Rose-de-Lima in downtown Sainte-Rose should be your starting point if you drop by the Sainte-Rose Art Symposium from July 27 to 30. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)
Many visitors will be purchasing works produced by the 70 participating artists, expressing themselves in styles ranging from traditional and impressionistic to modern and abstract. This year, the event’s honorary chairwoman will be Sainte-Rose city councillor Flavia Alexandra Novac. The symposium’s official spokesperson is Québécois actor Nico Racicot.
During a press conference at the Vieille Caserne art gallery last week, where the board unveiled details of this year’s symposium, they paid homage to two of the event’s founders: Aline Cyr and Yolande Lapalice Daneau.
The corporation is staging a special exhibit of the two women’s artistic achievements next to the gallery at the Vieille Caserne. As well, works by Corporation Rose-Art members will be featured in the gallery. Works by Nico Racicot will also be displayed on the ground floor.
How to get there
The Symposium will be taking place along a stretch of the main street in downtown Sainte-Rose, next to La Vieille Caserne (216 Ste-Rose Blvd.), a stone’s throw from the historic Sainte-Rose-de-Lima church, between Filion and Deslaurier-Hotte streets.
The hours are as follows: Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm; Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm. Additional information is available on the website www.roseart.ca. E-mail: roseart@videotron.ca. Phone: (450) 625-7925.
Opposition party tabled seven notices of motion in last six months
Over the last six months, elected members of Action Laval tabled seven notices of motion in Laval city council. This was in addition to numerous questions put to the executive-committee as well as to the directors the Société de transport de Laval.
Earlier this month around the year’s half-way mark, Val-des-Arbres city councillor Archie Cifelli, who is Action Laval’s interim-leader, outlined the opposition party’s accomplishments.
Not all motions accepted
City councillor for the district of Saint-Bruno David De Cotis expressed disappointment that the Boyer administration turned down an opportunity proposed by Action Laval that the city take part in a pilot project by Élections Québec to test voting over the internet.
Action Laval also tabled a proposal for the city to create a hotline for architecture and engineering professionals to call the urban planning department so that the processing of files can be made as efficient as possible. However, the proposal was turned down by the Boyer administration.
Sign language motion passes
Action Laval city councillor for Saint-François Isabelle Piché scored a major victory when her proposal to enlarge sign language availability for hearing impaired persons was accepted by city council unanimously. Before then, only the question period was covered by sign language. And finally, Action Laval city councillor for Chomedey Aglaia Revelakis recalled proudly that the Commission on Urban Violence, which council had set up following her suggestion, tabled its report a few weeks ago.
But administration wants to put a library on vacant lot on Jacques Tétreault St.
In a relatively rare instance of agreement, Laval city council’s two main opposition parties and a third political entity without council seats have all agreed that a vacant lot owned by the city in Laval’s rapidly growing downtown sector should be used for a badly-needed public park, rather than for a library as planned by the Boyer administration.
Site chosen for new library
The lot, on Jacques Tétreault St. and a short distance from the Montmorency Metro, has already been singled out by the city as the location for a new municipal library building with a cultural centre.
Still, the three parties, as well as some residents in this mixed commercial/residential area, believe it would be much wiser to establish a park because of the crying local lack of green space in an area that is over-saturated as it is with asphalt and concrete.
Saying no to pavement
The vacant lot in question, owned by the City of Laval, has been selected as the site for a new municipal library building. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)
To make their point, the leaders of the official opposition Parti Laval, the secondary opposition Action Laval, and the unelected Ma Ville Maintenant, planted a sapling tree last week in a corner of the vacant lot to illustrate their point that greenery is needed much more in the area than pavement, bricks and steel.
“This planting could be the first phase of the implementation of a future green space,” said Parti Laval interim-leader Claude Larochelle, who is the city councillor for Fabreville, adding that “Mayor Boyer should stop repeating the errors of the past.
The future to be considered
“To build and to keep building, without regard to the real needs of the population and the consequences for the quality of the living environment,” he said. “There is already enough concrete in the downtown area and so little green space. We have to think about future generations.”
Larochelle said the green space in the vacant piece of land could one day be comparable in grandeur to Dorchester Square in downtown Montreal or the Carré Saint-Louis some distance to the east of there.
A missed opportunity?
“Imagine what this island of refreshment and greenery could do for the residents of this area,” he said. “This unique space opens the door towards creating an environment for living to inspire the people residing here or coming to this sector. The city shouldn’t let this opportunity pass.”
Action Laval finds it deplorable that the people living in the area were never fully consulted about the future of the lot, even though it’s virtually the dead-centre of their living environment. While the administration did set up a web page with some information, Action Laval doesn’t consider that to have been an adequate consultation.
“The next phase will be to consult all the citizens of the sector to learn their views,” said Action Laval city councillor for Saint-Bruno David De Cotis.
‘Makes no sense,’ says De Cotis
“The Boyer administration is sacrificing one of the last vacant lots in the centre-city to implement a concrete monument that nobody asked for, and this makes no sense,” added De Cotis. He suggested that a desperate need exists in other neighbourhoods of Laval for infrastructure such as community centres and libraries.
To make their point, the leaders of the official opposition Parti Laval, the secondary opposition Action Laval, and the unelected Ma Ville Maintenant, planted a sapling tree last week in a corner of the vacant lot to illustrate their point that greenery is needed much more in the area than pavement, bricks and steel. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)
Pierre Anthian, a former Laval-des-Rapides city councillor who ran for mayor in the last municipal elections as leader of the Ma Ville Maintenant party, noted that the residents of Laval-des-Rapides “have very few places to find shelter in the shade just as heat waves are becoming more numerous.”
Everybody benefits: Revelakis
Although the district of Chomedey has interests apart from those of Laval-des-Rapides, Chomedey city councillor Aglaia Revelakis said she is supporting the idea of the new park because it will eventually impact people from all over the city. “This is the future downtown of Laval and it’s a space that is going to be used by everybody,” said Revelakis.
“There are a lot condos around the area here and the Metro is here. But there’s no green space. We’re not against the library or cultural centre. But at the same time, we have to think about what is best for the families who live around here.”
