Author: Courrier Laval News

Results of a recent survey from the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) are showing that doctors are suffering from mental health issues, caused by the current crisis in health care. The 2021 National Physician Health Survey, conducted in November 2021, reports that the medical workforce is struggling with a weakened healthcare system, and many challenges created by the pandemic. Nearly half of respondents (48 per cent) tested positive for depression, a higher proportion than that of the 2017 CMA survey (33 per cent). A quarter of practicing physicians are suffering from severe (10 per cent) or moderate (15 per cent) anxiety.…

These past days, the Service de police de Laval (SPL) has made eight arrests related to theft and attempted theft of vehicles, the majority of which occurred in Laval. Following a concentration of reports related to vehicle thefts, the SPL deployed the operation “Project Quartz”, the result of joint work between its police and investigators, in order to tackle this problem. Facts From August 18–22, patrol officers, accompanied by investigators from the escouade des Crimes généraux, conducted a second phase of an operation targeting vehicle thefts. During that period, special attention was given to the parking lots of some hotel complexes.…

The Fruiterie 440, which has existed for more than 30 years, will close its doors on Monday, August 29. Initially established at Marché 440, along Highway Jean-Noël-Lavoie, it was now located a few steps from the Centropolis at 2888, du Cosmodôme Avenue, in Chomedey. As reported by TVA Nouvelles, the labor shortage would be the main cause of the place’s closure. Fruiterie 440 employees will have the possibility to request a transfer to another branch of the chain. Fruiterie 440 could reduce its inventory between now and Monday, since employees are already packing products to transfer them to other branches.…

The labour shortage is hitting Quebec businesses hard, costing them nearly $10.7 billion, reveals the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) in its new research note. “We knew the labour shortage had a very negative impact on leaders of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs),” said by press release François Vincent, vice-president for Quebec at the CFIB. “They have to work more hours, and their employees as well. They’re forced to refuse contracts and business opportunities.” Vincent adds that those SMEs could have benefited from these sums to recover, grow and revitalize their regions. For him, the labour shortage issue is…

The Ministry of Transport announced a work rush that will take place on the Gédéon-Ouimet bridge, between Laval and Boisbriand, over the next weekend. The goal of the work is to ensure “the functionality of that road infrastructure, and the ride comfort of its users, until the completion of the major bridge reconstruction project”, explains the press release. They’ll result in the complete closure of one direction on the bridge, from Friday, August 26 at 11 p.m. to Monday, August 29 at 4:30 a.m. Traffic will thus be in the opposite direction, on the opposite carriageway, and the permitted speed limit…

As of October 22, three new area codes will be introduced in Quebec. That includes the implementation of the area code 354 in Laval, and all areas currently served by area codes 450 and 579. Area code 263 will be added to 514 and 438 in the Montreal region, while areas using 819 and 873 will soon see the appearance of 468. The implementation of these new area codes is the result of decisions by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), and will help meet the growing demand for new phone numbers. “The introduction of a new area code…

The Service de police de Laval (SPL) recently arrested 55-year-old Benoit Hotte for having committed an indecent act toward a young girl in a park located in Laval. Elements of investigation suggests that other people may have been victims, and investigators would like to get in touch with them. Facts On August 13, Benoit Hotte was at parc Bernard-Landry, formerly parc Prairie, located in Laval-Des-Rapides. During the day, he would have put his hand in his pants while looking at a young girl, and then would have taken them down in front of her. The accused appeared a first time…

The Association québécoise des centres de la petite enfance (AQCPE) recommends that the government converts non-subsidized private daycares into Childcare Centres (mostly known as CPE in French), which would prevent them from remaining private. According to the AQCPE, “it would be logical to follow the path of the adoption of bill no. 1, by prioritizing CPEs for the development of new places, thus converting private daycares into CPEs”, indicates the press release. The AQCPE believes this transformation priority will allow all families wishing to get a quality place to do so. Key Factors The association suggests to get inspired from…

The Government of Quebec and the Bus Carriers Federation (BCF) announced they have reached an agreement in principle that will ensure “reliable and safe transportation service for all students” during the next school year. BCF’s governing body will recommend the adoption of the agreement in principle to its members. That same agreement is spread over a period of six years. For now, the details of the agreement will remain confidential in order to allow BCF members to conclude agreements with their respective school service centre. “It proposes significant investments, and promotes greater stability in the school transportation sector,” said Minister…

Laval residents are invited to book an appointment for the 49th edition of Laval residents’ blood collection, which will be held on Friday, September 9 at the Centre sportif Bois-de-Boulogne, in Pont-Viau. From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., 600 people are expected to be there for this collection, which is one of the largest in Canada. Since it started, Laval residents’ blood collection has collected more than 50,000 blood donations. “Blood donation is a recurring collective challenge that requires significant mobilization every year,” said Mayor of Laval Stéphane Boyer. “For the past 49 years, Laval residents’ blood collection has been…