The current issue of The North Shore News volume 18-15 published May 20th, 2022.
Covering North Shore local news, politics, sports and other newsworthy events.
(Click HERE to read the paper.)
The North Shore News volume 18-15
Volunteers thanked in Saint-Eustache
As part of National Volunteer Week, the City of Saint-Eustache is highlighting the extraordinary work of its volunteers. In recognition of these people who have a positive impact in the community, the City has decided to pay tribute to them through a visibility and thanks campaign.
A promotion campaign
As part of this campaign, volunteers will be given car stickers specially designed for them, proudly indicating “volunteers on board”. In addition, all municipal vehicles will be adorned with a complementary decal that thanks community volunteers. Using this same model, a dozen posters will be placed strategically in the city to ensure optimal outreach of the volunteer function.
“With these gestures, we would like to warmly thank the over 1,000 people who get involved, both in municipal events and with recognized organizations. These men and women make an exceptional contribution to our collective quality of life and make a difference in the lives of their fellow citizens. said the mayor of Saint-Eustache, Mr. Pierre Charron.
A growing need
In collaboration with the Community Animation Service, this campaign also aims to recruit new volunteers who would be willing to get involved. “The various organizations are crying out for help in order to be able to continue their services to citizens. As a municipality active in the community, your contribution is also important in the various events organized. For all these reasons, we encourage you to apply to become a volunteer,” said Nicole Carignan-Lefebvre, municipal councillor, co-responsible for the community component.
Volunteering changes lives!
To highlight the 48th edition of National Volunteer Week, the Federation of Volunteer Centers of Quebec is launching the Volunteering campaign changes life! The organization wishes to remind people that volunteering changes lives, both for the volunteers and for the beneficiaries. This act of mutual aid is also an important source of collective wealth for a society. This is the conclusion that we can draw from the career of Pierre Lavoie, who has been a volunteer for over 40 years.
The North Shore News volume 18-14
The current issue of The North Shore News volume 18-14 published May 6th, 2022.
Covering North Shore local news, politics, sports and other newsworthy events.
(Click HERE to read the paper.)
Saint-Eustache green-thumbs get a helping “thumb” from the city
The Mayor of the City of Saint-Eustache, Mr. Pierre Charron, and the President of the Commission de Environment and Beautification, Mrs. Isabelle Lefebvre, announced that the annual Environment and Beautification Day will take place on Saturday, May 7, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., in the parking lot of the Patriotes secondary school (99, rue Grignon). As the activity will be held under the theme “A helping hand for your vegetable garden”, participants will be given a box of plants that will enhance any vegetable garden or balcony planter.
“Drive-through” formula by appointment
Once more this year, residents must register in order to reserve a box of plants (limited quantities) and make an appointment to pick it up, by making sure to keep their electronic ticket (QR code) on a mobile device, or to bring a printed copy when picking up their plants. Only people with a ticket will receive a box of plants, one container per civic address. The city asks for the cooperation of citizens to respect the meeting time set during registration, in order to promote the fluidity of traffic and to avoid queues on the site.
“At a time when the price of food is increasing at an alarming rate, this free offer of four plants: cherry tomatoes, peppers, basil and lettuce, aims to encourage the residents of Saint-Eustache to grow their own vegetables and eat fresh, at a fraction of the cost. We hope this little nudge will get them off to a great start to the gardening season and enjoy tasty salads all summer long,” said the mayor at the time of the announcement.
A helping hand for monarchs
The city will also give a milkweed plants to everyone who registers for the activity. This flowering plant is essential to the life of monarch butterflies since it feeds their caterpillars. “As a city certified “friend of monarchs” by the David Suzuki Foundation, it is natural for us to contribute to the survival of this species of butterfly in danger of extinction, by encouraging the population to plant milkweed in their flower beds,” concluded Isabelle Lefebvre, municipal councillor and chair of the Environment and Beautification Commission.
Rosemère welcomes back the White on White Cultural Event
The City of Rosemère announced the return—after a two-year pause—of the White on White cultural event, June 10-12, at Pioneer Park. With “The Venetian Ball” as its theme, the event is being organized by the Rosemère Artists Gathering (RAG) and is financially supported by the city, the Corporation de développement culturel et sportif de Rosemère (CDCSR) and several other sponsors. The city also provides assistance for setting up the event as well as for the loan of equipment and personnel for the technical aspects of the activity. Mayor Eric Westram is pleased to once again be welcoming this summer event that showcases local artists:
“It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to hold a cultural event like White on White on our territory. We have said it before and we will continue to say it in the future: culture in Rosemère is of the utmost importance. We hope to see a large number of residents here, all dressed in their best white clothes,” he stated. As usual, White on White is a free event that presents an original, diversified program, including a number of interactive workshops:
“The advantage of this event is that it is suitable for both adults and families with young children. We want to make culture accessible to everyone, regardless of their age. I would like to warmly thank Eric Girard, MNA for Groulx; Luc Désilets, MP for Rivière-des-Mille-Îles; the CDCSR, the City of Rosemère as well as all the sponsors for their great support,” said Caroline Foley, President of the RAR.
An exhibition will also be on display in the library’s atrium as well as on the grounds of the Recreation Department. On Saturday, the traditional Supper in White will be back. Tickets are $35 each and will be on sale at Rosemère’s municipal library, starting May 2, 2022.
The events
On Friday, June 10th from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m there will be mood music and visitors can visit the outdoor trail and the exhibit in the atrium. On Saturday, June 11th from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m there will be Interactive activities, a tour of the site, artistic and musical activities, the Inauguration of Floréats en Arts and a supper in White at 7 p.m. (white clothing and ticket purchase required). Finally on Sunday, June 3d from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. there will be artistic creation workshops for everyone a tour of the site and exhibition, artists at work outdoors, mood music and a face painting booth for the young Rosemerites.
Regroupement des artistes de Rosemère
The Regroupement des artistes de Rosemère, commonly known as the RAR, is a non-profit organization for emerging artists, semi-professional and professional, in the visual arts as well as in the arts and crafts. The mission of the RAR is to promote the gathering of artists from Rosemère and the surrounding area in order to exchange and share ideas and new techniques, through the presentation of exhibitions, workshops, conferences and to promote the artists of the RAR within the population. The RAR was founded by Mrs. Madone Simard, President of the Sociocultural Committee of Rosemère on March 15, 1994. She is now an honorary member of the association.
Effective partnerships for the benefit of the most vulnerable
On June 8, 2020, the director general of the Régie de police Thérèse-De Blainville, Mr. Francis Lanouette, proudly presented the RIPTB’s strategic plan for the years 2020-2024. This plan is geared towards the themes of modernisation, trust, and efficiency.
“Sir Robert Peel, considered the father of modern democratic policing, said that the police can perform their duties only to the extent that their actions are approved by the public. This assertion is still as relevant today and remains for the RIPTB the spearhead of its actions. It is in a spirit of partnership with the community and by improving its policing model based on proximity that the Régie intends to maintain this bond of trust” said Francis Lanouette in the spring of 2020.
“It is now accepted that the Régie is a police organization focused on the needs of its community. The various services offered, particularly to vulnerable clienteles, are often cited by our partners,” he explained.
It is with great pride that we are able to inform citizens of the renewal of two important projects with partners. The first is the renewal of the agreement with the CISSS des Laurentides concerning the presence of a social worker inside the police station itself. The psychosocial workers of the CISSS des Laurentides, working closely and on site with the police officers of the RIPTB, intervene on the front line with people in crisis or whose mental state is disturbed as well as with patients requiring immediate psychosocial assistance. They only respond to police calls once the premises have been secured by the patrollers. The following objectives were achieved and will continue again this year:
Reach an adult clientele with multiple needs who are struggling with mental health problems and who are difficult to reach;
Provide support and an advisory role to patrollers in connection with the clinical component;
Intervene in a concerted manner with the health and community network and the RIPTB for repeated interventions with the same individuals and liaise between the various people who can support the needs of those individuals;
The second is the renewal of the Department of Public Security’s crime prevention support program for municipalities. This program allows the hiring of Catherine Murray Truchon within the RIPTB and offers second-line psychosocial intervention to vulnerable citizens and their loved ones as well as to victims of family violence.
“Her presence within the Operations Support division makes it possible to work in partnership with prevention officers, neighborhood officers and PIVOT officers on a daily basis.” Concluded Francis Lanouette.
Sainte-Thérèse: city of sales!
With the spring weather firmly establishing itself in the North Shore, out door events and sales many benefitting local vendors and non-profits are on the rise.
The Sainte-Thérèse children’s sale
Sainte-Thérèse’s big sale of children’s items will be in full swing on Saturday, May 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the parking lot of Saint-Gabriel school (8, rue Tassé).
This popular event organized by the city, brings together dozens of vendors, so it’s an opportunity for parents to make great finds! Toys of all kinds, clothing, play modules and more, you will find a host of items in excellent condition in one place!
“With the current context and the rising costs that we are experiencing, mutual assistance between citizens is more important than ever! These items for children offered at low prices are the delight of new families. And in addition to saving money, buyers encourage reuse, an eco-responsible option to integrate into our consumption habits,” said the mayor of the City of Sainte-Thérèse, Mr. Christian Charron.
The atmosphere will be festive! Music, activities and animation are planned for children. In addition, for those whose belly is craving a cheesy delight , the sale of hot‑suisse from SOS Fondue for the benefit of the Marraine Tendresse organization will take place on site. The event is open to everyone. In case of rain, the sale will be held in the Saint-Gabriel school gymnasium.
Spring garage sales in Sainte-Thérèse: Get your free permit!
Back this spring, free garage sales will take place from May 27 to 29 throughout Sainte-Thérèse. Citizens who wish to organize a garage sale during this weekend are invited to obtain their free permit by May 23. The permit application is mandatory and must be completed online at www.sainte‑therese.ca > Citizen services > Garage sale.
“The spring edition of the free garage sales is the perfect opportunity for Thérésiens to finalize their spring cleaning by giving a second life to their belongings, which are still in good condition! With more than 200 addresses listed each year, citizens will have plenty of opportunities to dispose of their items or find a few for the home! “, said Mr. Christian Charron, mayor of Sainte-Thérèse. In anticipation of this weekend, a map will be published on May 25 on the Town’s website indicating all the addresses where garage sales will take place in Sainte-Thérèse.
An A+ for Rosemère’s Library
Rosemère’s municipal library has every reason to be proud since its has achieved an overall rating of 92% for all services offered to its residents in 2019. This rating, awarded by the BiblioQUALITÉ program, illustrates the outstanding quality of Rosemère’s library, both in terms of the services provided to residents and the staff hired.
BiblioQUALITÉ’s rating is based on a series of quantifiable indicators derived from the guidelines for Québec’s public libraries. The indicators are: hours of operation, surface area, seating capacity and human resources. In addition to these indicators, there are two additional considerations: extra points if the library has abolished late fees and a penalty if library membership is fee-based. For each indicator, a rating is assigned to determine the level achieved by the library. A ribbon is also awarded for each level, with a 5-ribbon rating representing excellence. In Rosemère, a 5-ribbon rating was earned in the vast majority of the categories evaluated.
“In 2019, Rosemère’s library saw a 10% increase in loans over 2018, which is great news. The number of activities offered is also up and we continue to actively develop programming each year,” stated Eric Westram, Mayor of Rosemère.
While the average overall rating for Québec municipalities that are members of the Association des bibliothèques publiques du Québec (ABPQ) is 68%, the Town of Rosemère stands out even more with its 26% higher rating. According to the city’s announcement, this achievement reflects the high and increasing priority given to culture in Rosemère and highlights all the efforts made to provide residents with quality services.
About BiblioQUALITÉ
The BiblioQUALITÉ program recognizes, on an objective and sustainable basis, the investment efforts made in public libraries by each municipality that is a member of the ABPQ or a participating regional BIBLIO network. Throughout Québec, municipalities are working to improve the living environment of their community, by actively participating in providing services to their residents, including those offered by their public library. It is hoped that achieving the highest level will serve as permanent motivation for continuous improvement of the services offered by public libraries to their various clienteles.
A massive tree planting project
On the occasion of Earth Day, the Mayor of Saint-Eustache, Mr. Pierre Charron, was proud to announcing the implementation, next fall, of an ambitious Canopy plan, via which more than 4000 new trees will be planted in the urban part of the Eustachian territory, between 2022 and 2025, in order to enrich the forest cover of the City as well as the quality of life of the current and future population.
As part of the City’s Urban Forestry Policy, this major green operation will serve in particular to combat urban heat islands, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote biodiversity. “Among the preferred locations for planting, priority is given to street rights-of-way and municipal parks. Tree species will be strategically selected to ensure the longest possible life for the tree and to maximize its benefits depending on the location. We are also going to adapt the regulations in order to protect this collective wealth,” explained the mayor.
For her part, the chair of the Environment and Beautification Commission, municipal councillor Isabelle Lefebvre, stressed the importance of a forest cover provided in the fight against climate change and in maintaining biodiversity. “Increasing the number of trees in the city reduces urban heat islands, heat-related health problems and respiratory problems. Thanks to their foliage, trees also serve as natural air conditioners and therefore represent significant energy savings. They also generate great water savings by capturing rainwater and directing it to the ground rather than to municipal sewer systems. Finally, the trees create an undeniable feeling of pride and belonging,” she declared, also announcing that the City of Saint-Eustache is also committed to distributing, for a sixth consecutive year, 120 additional trees to citizens, in addition to distributing 100 tree shoots from the Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks during the month of May, Tree and Forest Month.
Saint-Eustache, municipality committed to ecological transition
For the elected officials of Saint-Eustache, in the face of the environmental crisis, cities have a leading role to play in the ambitious transition underway. Taking this responsibility very seriously, and making an official commitment in this regard, the City of Saint-Eustache has thus joined the movement of Municipal Partners of Earth Day Canada, in order to draw inspiration from the most convincing experiences in terms of ecological transition. “The acceleration of the phenomenon of climate change requires us to move up a gear, for the good of future generations, which we are tackling now. I invite everyone involved in this essential fight to join us and take concrete action on this Earth Day,” concludedMayor Pierre Charron.
A green helping hand to the planet in Blainville
Launch of the environmental policy project and an awareness campaign on the waste of drinking water
Taking advantage of the celebration of Earth day on April 22nd, the administration of Mayor Liza Poulin officially launched the vast project of the new environmental policy and presented the members of the steering committee responsible for drawing up this document, which will be accompanied by an action plan.
“On this Earth Day, we are inaugurating a central project of this mandate. More than ever, municipalities must use their powers to contribute to the preservation of our beautiful planet and in this fight against climate change. The steering committee that we are announcing today which is made up of elected officials, municipal employees and citizens has the mission of developing a policy and an action plan that is both bold and will bring about changes in our daily habits. In parallel and within the same action plan, we are launching an awareness campaign on the waste of drinking water as well as a financial assistance program for the purchase and installation of a charging station for electric vehicles. So here are three concrete actions that we are taking on this very special day,” said Mayor Liza Poulin.
Steering committee for the new environmental policy
Mandated by the city council to develop the new environmental policy and its action plan and supported by the organization Nature-Action Québec, the steering committee is made up of twelve people, including seven citizens and citizens of Blainville from various walks of life who will be able to contribute concretely to the work that will lead to the adoption of this policy in the spring of 2023:
Ms. Nicole Ruel, delegated councillor for the environment and ecological transition;
Mr. Francis Allaire, Delegated Advisor for the Environment and Ecological Transition;
Mr. Yannick Proulx, Senior Advisor, General Management and Town Hall;
Mr. Éric Lépine, responsible for the environment, Urban Planning Department;
Advisor for ecological transition, general management and town hall (to be confirmed);
Ms. Gabriela Turnel, member of the Youth Commission;
Ms. Ariane Delorme, representative of the business community;
Mr. Claude-André Fortin, representative of the socio-cultural community;
Ms. Valérie Aubin, citizen;
Ms. Anaïs Boutin, citizen;
Ms. Manon Chartrand, citizen;
Mr. Guillaume Chagnon, citizen.
“We are very proud of this steering committee with which we will be working over the coming months. Once again, the City of Blainville does not hesitate to call on citizens to enrich our discussions and to gather diverse opinions on a subject as vast as the environment. This policy, we hope, will unite the population of Blainville around common objectives. It is our collective efforts that will allow us to achieve these objectives,” said Francis Allaire, Advisor for the Environment and Ecological Transition.
Awareness campaign on the waste of drinking water
Data for 2020 indicates that 26% of the drinking water distributed on the territory of Blainville was used for non-essential purposes, in particular for watering lawns, filling swimming pools and car washing “In a context of climate change where the demand for water is growing, the drinking water network, supplied by the Rivière des Mille Îles, is increasingly weakened. Hence the urgency of changing our consumption habits,” said Nicole Ruel, Advisor for the Environment and Ecological Transition.
In order to protect this precious resource, the City has set up a communication campaign on the theme “We are at the end of the pipe! “. Playing on the expression “Being at the end of your rope”, this campaign aims to raise public awareness of the fact that drinking water is not an infinite resource and that there are direct impacts to waste. Communication actions will be visible in particular on billboards and publications on social networks. The ultimate goal is to reduce the quantity of drinking water distributed by 20%, which is equivalent to 458.5 liters per person, per day.
For example, automatic watering systems generate a major waste of drinking water when they are not used properly. Simple actions can be taken to save drinking water while having an automatic system: compliance with watering regulations, installation of timers or humidity detectors.
Saving drinking water is not only the responsibility of citizens and the City of Blainville is also taking measures to assess the consumption of drinking water on its territory with a view to reducing it. Whether it is the annual search for invisible leaks on the surface or the rinsing of one-way networks, the City is continuing to implement the Québec Strategy for Drinking Water Conservation.
Financial assistance program for the purchase of a charging station for electric vehicles
Finally, the City of Blainville will give $100 to people who purchase and install a station to charge their electric vehicle. A total of 55 subsidies will be available in 2022 to encourage motorists to opt for electric vehicles and thus reduce greenhouse gas emissions on the territory of Blainville. To take advantage of this program, simply complete the form available on the blainville.ca website and provide the invoice for the purchase/installation of the charging station.
