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.
“The Venetian Ball” themed White on White event returns to Rosemère. In the picture Municipal councillor René Villeneuve, the president of the Regroupement des artistes de Rosemère (RAR) Caroline Foley, Mayor Eric Westram and Fernand Proulx, President of the Corporation de Développement Culturel et Sportif de Rosemère (CDCSR)
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.
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.
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.
On the left, Maxime Brisson, owner of the residence, Isabelle Lefebvre, municipal councillor and president of the Environment and Beautification Commission, and on the far right, Daniel Goyer, municipal councillor and vice-president of this same commission as well as Pierre Charron, mayor of Saint-Eustache.
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.
Mayor Liza Poulin surrounded by members of the Steering Committee for the new environmental policy.
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.
An information kiosk on vehicle theft was set up at Place Rosemère to make vehicle owners aware of the importance of protecting themselves with some practical advice.
The RIPTB ( Régie intermunicipale de police Thérèse-De Blainville) launched on April 12th a project to counter vehicle theft. The territory covered by the Régie de police, as everywhere in Quebec, has experienced a significant increase in vehicle thefts over the past year. Since January 1, 2022, the RIPTB has counted several dozen vehicle theft files. This phenomenon is not local and targets the entire Quebec territory.
Thus, several collaboration and partnership initiatives between police forces are underway. Nevertheless, the RIPTB wished to put forward local actions in order to prevent thefts on its territory.
Proactive strategies: actions put in place
“Among these actions, the neighborhood agents will go directly to the citizens who own the targeted vehicles and a personalized awareness document will be given to them. A prevention kiosk was held at Place Rosemère on April 14 from noon to 4 p.m., additional police presence will be deployed in shopping center parking lots, a rigorous proactive strategy analysis is carried out daily and finally, several actions and investigative steps will be carried out during this project” explained Chief Inspector Serge Harvey.
The RIPTB therefore encourages citizens to be vigilant and to put in place preventive measures by reducing the opportunities and risks of theft. Prevention tips directly related to this theft phenomenon:
Be sure to keep your vehicle key away from the front door;
Purchase a special anti-radiation case for your car key or place your keys in a metal box;
Equip your vehicle with an alarm system;
Install an anti-theft bar to block the steering wheel;
Equip your vehicle with a tracking system;
Park your vehicle in a garage or in a well-lit area;
Leave a vehicle behind your vehicle, to make escape harder;
The simultaneous application of several of these tips makes the crime more difficult to commit and thus helps to deter thieves. The RIPTB therefore requests everyone’s cooperation in order to prevent vehicle theft.
Mayor Liza Poulin surrounded by councilors Michèle Murray (Renaissance district) and Marie-Claude Perron (Fontainebleau district)
On the 13th of April 2022 the City of Blainville launched its infrastructure work program for 2022. With “It’s worth the detour” as their theme, this program totals $19.6 million, but the cost has been reduced to $13.5 million due to government subsidies. The most imposing project will be carried out in the sector of exit no. 24 of Highway 640 to improve traffic flow and user safety, particularly that of young people who attend surrounding educational institutions.
“Our administration invests significant sums in the quality of life of the citizens of Blainville. We are in action to maintain the quality of our water supply and sewer system, to ensure safety in our travels, to improve the condition of our streets and our municipal buildings and to improve certain parks,” said Mayor Liza Poulin.
Redevelopment of Chemin du Bas-de-Sainte-Thérèse, at the intersection of Autoroute 640 East
Carried out in collaboration with the Ministère des Transports du Québec, this project led by the City consists of improving traffic safety and fluidity at the intersection of exit no. 24 − Montée Lesage − Chemin du Bas‑de‑Sainte‑Thérèse of Highway 640, eastbound, and Chemin du Bas‑de‑Sainte‑Thérèse. The work will be carried out between the beginning of May and the end of December 2022. It consists of:
Widening Chemin du Bas-de-Sainte-Thérèse to two lanes in each direction for approximately 400 meters;
Widening of the ramp from exit no. 24 of Autoroute 640, eastbound, and add a right-turn lane with a diverter island, at the intersection of Chemin du Bas-de-Sainte-Thérèse;
Extending the multipurpose trail located south of Chemin du Bas-de-Sainte-Thérèse;
Redeveloping the ramp leading from Chemin du Bas-de-Sainte-Thérèse to Highway 640, eastbound;
Adding two traffic lights on chemin du Bas-de-Sainte-Thérèse;
Redesigning the access to the Montessori International school leading to chemin du Bas-de-Sainte-Thérèse, which will be aligned with the redesigned entrance ramp to Highway 640, eastbound;
Building a sanitary pumping station;
And extending the water and sewer networks.
“These works will make the intersection safer and will improve fluidity in a key sector. In addition, the multipurpose path will promote our active mobility and facilitate travel,” said Renaissance District Councillor Michèle Murray.
“The completion of this work will have a definite impact on traffic, on each side of the 640, depending on the different phases of construction. The work will be carried out partly during the summer season in order to limit the negative effects. I thank drivers in advance for their patience,” added Fontainebleau District Councillor Marie-Claude Perron.
The City is the prime contractor for this project and is paying for most of the work to the tune of $8.9 million. The Ministère des Transports du Québec, for its part, is responsible for drawing up the plans and specifications, installing the lighting system and paying for the paving and maintenance of the highway access ramps. 640.
Water supply and sewer network
Several works in the 2022 program will concern the sewer and water supply network. The City is investing $11 million to maintain the network, make occasional repairs, inspect the sewers and upgrade the pumping station on rue du Castillo.
Work in certain parks
Various redevelopments will take place at Dubreuil and des As parks this summer.
In Parc Dubreuil, the game modules will be replaced as well as the street furniture. The paving of the multipurpose surface and its access will also be redone in certain places.
At the Parc des As, two spring modules will be added for children aged 0-5. The borders will be redone and the entrance to the park on rue des Écus will be more visible.
In the Fontainebleau district, a path with wooden footbridges will be laid out in the ravines after the revegetation phase which will follow the work to stabilize the embankments in the ravines.
The city will also carry out repair work on bike paths and pedestrian crossings near Maurice-Tessier park (repair of the bike path), on rue Arthur-Buies (repair of the passage to boulevard du Curé-Labelle) and on rue de Caplan (repair of the passage to the Sainte-Thérèse high school).
Road repairs
Finally, several streets or thoroughfares will be subject to repair work during the summer season including Boulevard Céloron, Boulevard de Fontainebleau, Rue Maurice -Cullen, Chemin du Bas-de-Sainte-Thérèse, 54e Avenue Ouest, Rue de Gatineau and Boulevard de Chambéry. Speed moderation measures will also be installed on certain streets according to the recommendations of the traffic committee.
It is that time of the year. Snow has melted leaving behind a wintery mess. For the Theresians of Sainte-Thérèse it means that the City has undertaken its spring cleaning. This operation led by the Public Works, Parks and Buildings Department allows will work so that the residents find a clean, pleasant and safe environment in order to make the most of the summer season.
The teams carry out, among other things, the sweeping of streets, medians and cycle paths, as well as the cleaning of the Village. Mechanical sweepers remove rocks and debris that have accumulated on the ground during the winter. This operation can be repeated several times in order to obtain the desired cleanliness. In addition, swings have been installed in the parks to the delight of the young Theresians. The skating rink strips will be removed as soon as the ground conditions allow it. A little later in the season, the marking of cycle paths and the installation of bollards will follow.
“I salute the work of our employees in the field. Thanks to them, we find the joy of playing in the park, cycling and walking on well-maintained roads. We are all excited to take advantage of the good weather that is setting in, thank you to all the teams who make these moments even more pleasant,” said the mayor of Sainte-Thérèse, Mr. Christian Charron.
Damage caused by snow removal
With snowmelt, it is possible to see damage to property or land caused by snow removal operations. If this happens, citizens must notify the Public Works, Parks and Buildings Department before May 1, so that it can proceed with the repairs: By email at travauxpublics@sainte‑therese.ca and by phone at 450 434-1440, ext. 2100. The necessary verifications will be carried out to confirm that the damage was caused by municipal equipment or by that of the company hired by the City in the northern sector of Sainte-Thérèse, and not by a private snow remover, in which case they would not be not covered.
Potholes
The pothole repair operation is also underway in Sainte-Thérèse. Teams fill with cold asphalt the holes that have formed in the roadway over the spring freeze and thaw. Potholes are a direct result of the Quebec climate and they resurface every spring. The most convenient way to report a pothole is to use the Voilà!
