STM bus network redesign – community meetingsWith the opening of the Anse-à-l’Orme REM line coming up this spring, the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) will be holding information sessions in the affected communities to give residents the opportunity to ask questions.
A session was already held in St. Laurent, with another scheduled for tonight (Wednesday, March 11) in Pointe-Claire at City Hall.
Two others are scheduled – one on March 18 at the Côte des Neiges Community Resource Centre, and the following night at the Dollard-des-Ormeaux Civic Centre.
The sessions are from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Registration is not required.
• Dorval Driving school shut down
Students of the Steps Driving School in Dorval received notice last week that it had been shut down by the SAAQ. A message on the school’s website read “Unfortunately, Steps Driving School has permanently closed. We are grateful for the trust and support of our students and community over the years. For any questions regarding your file, records, or refunds, the SAAQ is the only authority that can help you.”
The province’s auto insurance board had determined that the school did not meet the eligibility requirements to teach driving and road safety. Hence, for the next five years, the owners of the school will not be permitted to own and operate another similar school.
Boil water advisory liftedA boil water advisory that was in effect for two days was finally lifted last Tuesday. It had begun with a water main break that occurred the previous Sunday.
The water main, at Dorval and Avro Avenues, belongs to the City of Montreal. City crews were dispatched to the area to make the necessary repairs. But it meant that water had to be temporarily shut down in the surrounding areas, with the boil water advisory in place.
Repairs continued through the following day, with the boil water advisory affecting residents not just in Dorval, but also in Dollard-des-Ormeau, Pointe Claire, and the St. Laurent municipalities.
Unconscious man found near airportLast Saturday, close to 7 a.m., police were called after a man was found injured and unconscious near Trudeau International Airport.
The 27-year-old was located on Montreal-Toronto Blvd. He is said to have had injuries to his upper body, and was transported to hospital in critical condition.
The investigation is ongoing, with police looking for video surveillance around the area.
• Pointe-Claire Youth advisory board seeking participants
The City of Pointe-Claire is looking for committed young people to serve on its Youth Advisory Board. The new session gets underway in the fall, from this September to the following August.
Interested candidates must be Pointe-Claire residents aged 14 to 21, bilingual, and available to meet one Wednesday evening each month.
The Youth Advisory Board is made up of 10 volunteers and is charged with making recommendations to the city regarding improvements to activities, services, and events aimed at young people, to optimize municipal facilities and infrastructure, and to encourage community participation.
Those wishing to join the committee can apply online via the city’s website (www.pointe-claire.ca). The deadline is Sunday, March 29 at 4 p.m.
• Kirkland
Blue collar workers
Blue collar workers in the Town of Kirkland staged a two-day strike last week. The Syndicat des cols bleus regroupés de Montréal (CUPE 301) have been without a new contract since December 2023, and are hoping to pressure the town to sign a new agreement involving scheduling, wages, and work-life balance.
Last week, however, while union members were putting stickers on cars near the public works department building, workers allege that a city foreman came outside and grabbed one of the workers by the shoulder.
The union is alleging assault.
According to a statement put out by the union the day before the two-day walkout, “a foreman assaulted a representative of CUPE Local 301 near the Public Works Department building.”
The statement indicates that first responders were called, and that the individual was “shaken physically and psychologically by the attack.”
Police were called, but when they arrived, the employee responsible for the building had left the premises.
Joe Sanalitro, the town’s director general, disputes the union’s claims, admitting that, yes, the employee had placed his hand on the union member’s shoulder, but nothing more than that.
• Pierrefonds-Roxboro Mayor visits police training centre
Pierrefonds-Roxboro Borough Mayor Dimitrios Jim Beis, who is also the Executive Committee member responsible for security and prevention, took time out to visit the Montreal Police Service training centre and National Police Academy.
“I must say that it is an incredible facility. As an ultramodern and unique facility of its kind in Canada, we are fortunate to have this additional training resource for our exceptional officers.”
Beis had the opportunity to tour the facility and to take part in various simulation exercises, “which greatly enhanced my understanding of the complexities that our officers face every day.”
• Île Bizard/
Ste. Geneviève Vacant building registration
The borough posted notice that, since Jan. 1, there is a new procedure in effect for registering vacant buildings in the city.
Owners of vacant buildings are required to register the building with the borough in which it is located, whether it is a primary building or a secondary, like a shed or a garage, regardless of intended use.
There is an online registration form. Paper versions can be filled out and signed at the borough’s permits counter at 15795 Gouin West, 2nd floor.
The deadline is March 16. There is a fee of $275.
Fines will be imposed for failure to register.
• Senneville Seniors steering committee
Earlier this month, the Village of Senneville announced the formation of its Municipalité amie des aînés Steering Committee, tasked with developing an action plan to better meet the needs of the community’s senior citizens.
The committee members were confirmed during the municipal council meeting on Feb. 24.
The committee’s initiatives are in keeping with the principles of collaboration and citizen social participation, and include recommending the Municipalités amies des aînés (MADA) policy and its action plan to the municipal council.
Senneville hopes to actively involve citizens in the process, welcoming residents’ ideas, concerns, and suggestions. Anyone interested in participating can email the village at [email protected]. n
