The current issue of The North Shore News volume 17-36 published September 3rd, 2021.
Covering North Shore local news, politics, sports and other newsworthy events.
(Click HERE to read the paper.)
North Shore News 17-36
The Bouthillier Marsh Walkway is getting rehabilitated
The Town of Rosemère is receiving up to $150,000 in financial assistance from the Ministère de l’Éducation to rehabilitate the Bouthillier Marsh walkway. The funding is being provided under the Programme de soutien à la mise à niveau et à l’amélioration des sentiers et des sites de pratique d’activités de plein air (PSSPA). The total cost of the project is approximately $500,000.
The aim of this undertaking is to ensure the safety and durability of the walkway, which was built a decade ago and has since become a popular destination for residents of Rosemère and surrounding communities. Certain sections of the walkway will be renovated, including the posts, decking and several key structural elements. Work will begin in winter 2022–2023, once the various planning stages have been completed, the project has been reviewed by the Ministère de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques and the work has been tendered and contracted out. The project will take place in the winter to avoid damaging the wetlands.
The Bouthillier Marsh, declared a conservation zone more than 30 years ago, boasts a diverse array of plant and animal life. The marsh has the distinction of being located in an urban environment close to major public roads and a commercial area. The walkway is in a culturally and historically significant part of the town, which also includes Hamilton House, an official heritage site and cultural centre for the community. The picturesque surroundings explain the walkway’s appeal.
As a waterfront community along the Mille Îles River, Rosemère is home to some 50 wetlands in all. The city oversees their conservation, allowing public access to select areas. Recently, the administration restored the Tylee Marsh walkway, which had endured damage due to spring thaws. “The rehabilitation of the Bouthillier Marsh walkway will improve the safety of the site and the quality of the visitor experience,” said Rosemère Mayor Eric Westram. “Its restoration will also help ensure it can withstand the increase in foot traffic that has occurred since the pandemic and even accommodate more people as required. Residents have gotten into the habit of heading out to our green spaces more often, and more visitors are discovering the City’s many charms as they explore our natural areas.”
“The announcement of the PSSPA investment in the Bouthillier Marsh walkway will help enhance Rosemère’s trails. Our communities have taken steps during the pandemic to improve their recreational facilities so people can engage in active pursuits closer to home. This project, combined with the restoration of the Tylee Marsh walkway, will be good for the local population and for the area’s tourism and recreation industry”, said Eric Girard, Member for Groulx, Minister of Finance and Minister of Economy and Innovation.
The objectives of the PSSPA are to:
– Improve the sustainability, functionality, safety and quality of trails and other sites where outdoor activities take place;
– Enhance the quality of the experience and make outdoor activities easier to engage in;
– Increase the use of trails and outdoor activity sites;
– Address the needs of outdoor activity enthusiasts and raise public awareness of the benefits of these pursuits.
The Deux-Montagnes vaccination site will be closing soon
The COVID-19 vaccination campaign has been a resounding success and will continue for people aged 12 years and over. The CISSS des Laurentides is informing the public that the Deux-Montagnes vaccination site in the Olympia Arena will be closing on August 29th, 2021. After this date, the public is asked to go to one of the other vaccination sites in the region.
“Closing this site is necessary as the arena must resume normal activities. We have therefore arranged to redirect people who have not yet received their vaccine to another vaccination site located near their home. People who have an appointment will receive a personalised message from Clic-Santé via text or email to inform them of the change of venue”, said Ms. Rosemonde Landry, President and Executive Director of the CISSS des Laurentides.
“We are very satisfied with the way the vaccination campaign has unfolded in our region and in particular in the Deux-Montagnes MRC, where 77% of the population is fully vaccinated”, added Ms. Landry in thanking the public for their participation.
For those who are not yet vaccinated and who wish to be, it is not too late! A shuttle and escort service are available. To request it, call the appointment centre at 1-877-644-4545. In addition, mobile vaccination teams will be put in place throughout the region in the coming days to continue outreach vaccinations. The public is asked to move up their appointment for a second COVID-19 shot. A minimum interval of 4 weeks between doses is required. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect against the COVID variants.
Thérèse-De Blainville PD zeroes in on domestic violence
The Régie de police Thérèse-De Blainville is informing the citizens of the region of the establishment of a new team of investigators, which will be mainly dedicated to issues related to domestic violence. Since August 22, three detective sergeants supervised by a lieutenant-detective ensure the rapid handling of files related to this important security issue. A fourth investigator will join the team in the coming weeks.
“When our patrolling police officers have elements suggesting a context of domestic violence, our new team will be notified and a proactive intervention can be deployed”, explains Chief Inspector Jean-François Lalande, in charge of criminal investigations at the RIPTB .
“Our investigators are coming to improve the services offered and of course will continue to work in partnership with organizations supporting and monitoring victims and their loved ones!” We are sensitive to the realities of this problem, dedicated and mobilized in order to ensure the safety of victims and provide referrals to vulnerable people,” added Detective Lieutenant Jonathan Germain.
The RIPTB already offers personalized services with the Crime Victims Assistance Center (CAVAC) from our office. Domestic violence is not limited to physical violence. The law prohibits many of these violent behaviors that affect the physical, psychological and emotional well-being of the victim and the children who are exposed to them.
Domestic violence occurs in the context of a romantic relationship, whether current or past. It can occur in any type of intimate relationship, regardless of its duration: married or in a civil union, de facto spouses or any other intimate relationship between people of the same sex or not. This type of violence can show up at any age and often results in an imbalance of power within the relationship. To control the victim, the violent person uses multiple strategies, such as insults, threats or intimidation.
This team is partially funded by a grant from the Ministry of Public Security as part of the action plan on domestic violence.
North Shore News 17-35
The current issue of The North Shore News volume 17-35 published August 27th, 2021.
Covering North Shore local news, politics, sports and other newsworthy events.
(Click HERE to read the paper.)
COVID-19 vaccination sites: upcoming changes
According to the CISSS des Laurentides the COVID-19 vaccination campaign is a real success and is still continuing for people 12 years of age and over. However, the CISSS des Laurentides is informing the population that some vaccination sites will soon change their address.
In Lachute as of September 2, 2021 the vaccination clinic moves to Carrefour D’Argenteuil 505, av. Béthany, Lachute J8H 4A6
In Deux-Montagnes after August 29, 2021 there will be a reorientation towards the other sites of vaccination in the region
In Blainville there is no change and vaccinations will continue to take place in the COVID-19 vaccination clinic at 820, boul. Curé-Labelle, Blainville J7C 2K6
Over the next few days, the CISSS des Laurentides will be disseminating more information about
each move or closure of vaccination sites. “These changes are necessary since some of our partners, in particular arenas and recreation halls, must now resume their activities. We therefore had to review the location of certain sites,” explained Rosemonde Landry, President and CEO of the CISSS des Laurentides, warmly thanking all the employees who have helped to set up vaccination sites that are easily accessible to the population.
“The new sites have been identified taking into account the vaccination rate of the population in each sector of the region. We would also like to take this opportunity to remind you that a shuttle service and support is available, you just have to make a request by calling the appointment center at 1-877-644-4545. In addition, mobile vaccination teams will be set up throughout the region in order to continue local vaccination, ”Ms. Landry also specified.
To date, 85.5% of people have received a first dose and 75% of people are fully immunized in the region. Those who have not received both doses of the vaccine are encouraged to visit one of the vaccination sites in the region, as this is the best way to protect themselves against variants of the virus.
To reduce ambulance travel and visits to the ER, the CISSS des Laurentides is creating an Integrated clinical coordination unit
To reduce ambulance travel and visits to emergency rooms in hospitals located in the region, the CISSS des Laurentides has launched a pilot project creating an Integrated clinical coordination unit for our pre-hospital emergency services (UCCISPU).
This project involves transferring 911 calls to the UCCISPU for secondary triage. The team is made up of nurses, emergency medical technicians (paramedics), as well as a doctor, and is available at all times.
This type of (telephone) triage is done to more efficiently meet the needs of patients, in particular by referring them to a more appropriate resource for their situation (appointment with a family physician, medical clinic, pharmacist, self-care advice, etc.) than a hospital emergency room. Since its creation in April, 2020, the unit has made it possible to cancel 2274 ambulance calls, i.e. 30% of low-priority or non-urgent deployments. This means as many patients who have been better advised to meet their needs and directed to other available services.
“Thanks to its vision for integrating and supporting all the members of our pre-hospital emergency services as well as our partners and patients on a daily basis, this new unit enables us to make optimal use of our available resources. I am extremely proud of the results, which prove how much we can innovate by leveraging the expertise of all our colleagues, always with the aim of providing the best possible care and services to the public in our region”, said the President and Executive Director of the CISSS des Laurentides, Rosemonde Landry.
In fact, the success of the UCCISPU is reverberating beyond the Laurentian region. Since June 22 of this year, the unit has begun low-priority secondary triage for the northern portion of the Lanaudière region, enabling the cancellation of 41% of non-urgent deployments.
The success of such a project is all the more important as hospital emergency rooms in the region have seen a high volume of patients in the past several weeks. The creation of this unit is contributing to direct the right patients to the right place to receive the right service
Renewal of the intermunicipal agreement regarding the Régie intermunicipale de police Thérèse-De Blainville
Throughout the 3d week of August, the city councils of Boisbriand, Lorraine, Rosemère and Sainte-Thérèse ratified the renewal of the intermunicipal agreement for the Régie intermunicipale de police Thérèse-De Blainville (RIPTB). This agreement, which has a ten-year term, will take effect in 2023.
Created in 2003, the Régie was born of a desire by the four member cities to join forces in order to meet the new requirements of the 2001 reform of the Police Act. This reform notably created levels of police services to be offered according to the number of inhabitants in the territory to be served. Being part of the Montreal Metropolitan Community (MMC), the member cities of the Régie had to offer the population a level 2 service. Since then, the RIPTB is in its third renewal, which demonstrates both the professionalism of the organization and the desire of the four partner cities to collaborate.
Mr. Eric Westram, Mayor of the Town of Rosemère and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the RIPTB, acknowledged the work of his colleagues from the towns of Boisbriand, Lorraine and Sainte-Thérèse throughout the discussions that led to the renewal of this agreement: “On behalf of the members of the Board of Directors of the Régie, I am pleased to announce the renewal of the intermunicipal agreement relating to the Régie intermunicipale de police Thérèse-De Blainville. I would like to thank my colleagues, Marlene Cordato, Mayor of Boisbriand, Jean Comtois, Mayor of Lorraine and Sylvie Surprenant, Mayor of Sainte-Thérèse, who have defended the interests of their respective populations while ensuring the continuity of the Régie. Thus, we maintain a police organization that is recognized as a professional service of proximity, involved with the citizens and partners. I would like to take this opportunity to thank, on my own behalf and on behalf of the members of the Board of Directors of the Board, the Director of the RIPTB, Mr. Francis Lanouette, for his leadership and his commitment to the community. I would also like to thank our police officers and all civilian personnel for the services they provide to our citizens. It should be noted that this agreement will have to be formalized by the Ministère de la Sécurité publique and the Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l’Habitation in the next few weeks.
“We are privileged to have the Régie intermunicipale de police Thérèse-De Blainville (RIPTB) as a community partner! This dynamic organization is present on the territory and makes a real difference in the quality of life of the towns it serves. Sainte-Thérèse is very pleased with the renewal of the RITPB agreement and we are proud of the work this police organization does on a daily basis,” said Sylvie Surprenant, Mayor of Sainte-Thérèse and Vice-Chair of the RIPTB Board of Directors.
Mr. Jean Comtois, Mayor of Lorraine and member of the Board of Directors also acknowledged the importance of the collaboration: “We are very proud of the conclusion of this agreement which will allow us to continue to ensure the safety of our population for the next decade, a guarantee of long-term stability. Since 2003, the collaboration of our four municipalities has allowed us to offer our citizens high quality services. I would like to thank the members of the Police Board for their professionalism, their competence and their ability to listen. Not only are taxpayers in good hands, but they also benefit from savings thanks to the equitable sharing of costs between our cities. In short, this is a win-win situation for everyone!
Finally, Marlene Cordato, Mayor of Boisbriand declared: “I am very satisfied and happy to renew this agreement for 10 years. The Régie intermunicipale de police Thérèse-De Blainville is a police organization recognized by its peers that meets the needs of our citizens, while respecting the specificities of each of our cities. Their highly professional approach and their proximity service serve the entire population”
The MRC of Thérèse-De Blainville launches the second generation of its Cultural Policy
The MRC of Thérèse-De Blainville adopted on June 16 the new version of its Cultural Policy. On August 25th it was its official launch.
“The result of the rigorous and concerted work of the Table Action Culture and community partners, this second generation of the Cultural Policy is part of the overall objective of making culture an economic and social engine while promoting artistic creation, preservation of historical heritage and the involvement of as many citizens as possible. It supports issues of collaboration, identity, vitality, accessibility and outreach. At the same time it challenges public institutions as well as cultural organizations and artists in our region ”, declared Mr. Richard Perreault, Prefect of the MRC de Thérèse-De Blainville and mayor of the City of Blainville.
One Policy, four issues
The new Cultural Policy is broken down into four main issues which are collaboration, identity,
vitality and accessibility, as well as outreach.
These issues are based on the priciples of the Reference Framework of the Ministry of Culture and Communications adopted in 2018. For the president of the Table Action Culture of the MRC and mayor of the City of SainteThérèse, Ms. Sylvie Surprenant, it was important that the new version of the Cultural Policy sticks to the current reality: “This renewal process has enabled us to achieve all the progress made and the positive impacts of the adoption of the first Policy in 2013. Thanks to the synergy of the seven city members, an impressive number of regional cultural projects have been carried out. Its renewal will allow culture to shine even more in our region, ”she said.
Lines of intervention and proposed actions
The MRC de Thérèse-De Blainville provides lines of intervention and means of action for each of the
orientations proposed in the new Policy.While several of these actions consist of maintaining the achievements of the previous Cultural Policy, other actions aim at greater integration of culture in target audiences such as young people. The MRC recommends in particular the establishment of a cultural course within the framework of the school curriculum of the pupils of the territory, from primary to secondary and the implication of the schools in the promotion of the inheritance.
Strengthening various partnerships and a strong regional cultural identity is obviously part of the
objectives of this cultural policy.
“In its different modes of expression, culture educates us, tells us our story, transmits us
values, touches us, makes us more creative, entertains us, improves our well-being and brings us together. Not to mention that it allows us to express our pride and forge a collective identity,” concluded Mr. Eric Westram, vice-president of the Table Action Culture and mayor of the City of Rosemère.
REM work advancing fast in Deux Montagnes
A recent update from REM show the quick progression of the works int the Deux-Montagnes area. In the cities of Laval and Deux-Montagnes, work on the REM got underway in early 2021. A few months later, the infrastructure is taking shape, with the construction of stations, bridges, etc.
The bridge spanning the Rivière des Mille Îles between Laval and Deux-Montagnes will be rebuilt to allow for the doubling of railway tracks. This work will entail partial demolition of the existing bridge, down to the base. Reconstruction of the new bridge, with the doubling of the railway tracks. The work will obstruct water traffic on the Mille Îles River, under the bridge. This obstruction will last for approximately one year. No water traffic will be possible under the bridge during this period.
The work will involve truck traffic to transport the material and equipment, including 168 girders and a launcher, a large machine for the work on the bridge. Transports by truck will occur mainly on the Laval side, via Les Érables Street. Just as on any construction site, the work can cause noise, dust and vibrations.
Work has also begun in the foundations of the Grand-Moulin station. A passageway is being built that will allow users to go from one direction to the other, either towards Montreal or towards Deux-Montagnes. A few steps away from this construction site, the new road overpass is also taking shape on Boulevard du Lac. The reopening of this boulevard is scheduled for the end of 2021!
The columns that will support the REM when it spans Deux-Montagnes Boulevard to reach the aerial station are also being completed. The next step is to build the approach walls on both sides and install the beams over Deux-Montagnes Boulevard. In the fall of 2021, work will begin at the station.
