In the coming weeks, about a hundred students from the École hôtelière et d’administration de Laval (EHAL) will prepare 5,000 meals for Moisson Laval as part of Cuisines Solidaires – Éditions Relève, an initiative by La Tablée des Chefs.

EHAL was the first school to join La Tablée des Chefs for this program back in 1998—before the non-profit organization was even founded—aiming to raise awareness among future chefs about food insecurity.

Since then, the two organizations have collaborated to produce thousands of meals for people in need in Laval. Under a regular EHAL curriculum, students would never have the opportunity to work on such a large-scale food production project.

“This activity allows students to develop educational skills in large-scale food production, similar to what is done in major convention centers or institutional kitchens, while giving back to the community,” explains Jean-François Archambault, General Director and founder of La Tablée des Chefs.

This year, nearly 100 students, supported by their teachers, will prepare 5,000 portions of vegetarian chili using a recipe developed by Yvon Tremblay, one of the pioneers of tofu democratization in Quebec.

Five student groups will take part in the initiative, each dedicating about two days of work to produce 1,000 meals.

“When you throw away food because it’s ‘no longer good,’ you might as well take a banknote and toss it in the trash—it’s the same thing,” emphasizes Martin Vallée, chef and instructor at EHAL. “We don’t want that to happen. Being in a school doesn’t mean we ignore this issue; on the contrary, we want to train our students to enter the profession with this awareness. Nothing is wasted. We transform as much as possible. We make the most out of everything.”

This culinary initiative is especially significant as it marks the first edition held in EHAL’s new facilities at the Complexe Cunard in Chomedey, where the school relocated in fall 2024.

Moisson Laval, which has seen a significant rise in food aid requests in recent years, will receive the 5,000 vegetarian chili portions and distribute them to 70 local food aid organizations. These organizations will then deliver the meals directly to citizens in need.

“Every flavor you bring, all the love and passion you put into these meals, will help someone today, tomorrow, or even 15 years from now to have a full stomach,” expressed Maude Lussier, Head of Philanthropic Development at the Centre de bénévolat et Moisson Laval, with gratitude.

In Laval, 1,000 additional portions will also be prepared by students in the Dietetics program at Collège Montmorency. Altogether, the initiative by La Tablée des Chefs will provide 12,000 meals to food banks across Quebec.

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L’article 5000 Meals for Moisson Laval from the École hôtelière et d’administration de Laval est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

On Monday, February 24, the Fédération des cégeps launched a toolkit for preventing sexual violence (VACS) through the safe design of campus spaces.

Developed in collaboration with Sophie Paquin, Ph.D., and urban planner, this toolkit includes a podcast and a practical guide.

This initiative follows the Act to Prevent and Combat Sexual Violence in Higher Education Institutions, which requires institutions to implement safety measures in their policies to counter sexual violence, including adjustments to campus infrastructure.

“CEGEPs are fully committed to preventing sexual violence and actively working to make their campuses safer for everyone,” stated Marie Montpetit, President and CEO of the Fédération des cégeps, in a press release. “In addition to the policies adopted by each institution in recent years, this toolkit will provide them with concrete resources to integrate safe design principles into their prevention efforts. By rethinking our spaces, we can create learning environments where everyone feels safe and respected.”

Statistics

According to the PIECES Survey, more than one in three individuals in higher education has experienced at least one form of sexual violence (VACS) in a college or university setting.

Additionally, 36% of respondents reported feeling little or no safety in at least one area of their CEGEP, particularly in hallways, near lockers, in elevators, stairwells, restrooms, and changing rooms.

The Fédération des cégeps highlights that these concerning results emphasize the urgency of strengthening campus security. Rethinking space design is essential to fostering a safe environment for both staff and students.

Toolkit

This toolkit, designed to facilitate the implementation of Measure 1.3 of the 2022-2027 Government Action Plan, includes a two-episode podcast discussing the prevalence of sexual violence in higher education, space safety, and individuals’ sense of security.

It also introduces an integrated safe design approach as part of sexual violence prevention strategies, featuring the guide Preventing Sexual Violence on Campuses Through Exploratory Walks, based on six safety design principles. This guide was developed by the Fédération des cégeps in collaboration with Sophie Paquin.

Intended for professionals and students, the toolkit aims to strengthen existing initiatives to ensure a safe and respectful living environment.

The toolkit, made possible with financial support from the Government of Quebec, is available online. (C.P./IJL)

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L’article Launch of a Toolkit to Prevent Sexual Violence in CEGEPs est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

Fourteen locations in Laval have been identified as spots visited by recent measles cases, including Carrefour Laval.
As of Wednesday, January 8, over five cases of measles had been reported in Quebec since the outbreak began in December 2024.
On Sunday, January 12, the province confirmed an 11th case, involving a person who visited Carrefour Laval during their contagious period, potentially exposing thousands to the disease.

“Given the small number of cases, it is not possible to disclose the exact number of cases by city or administrative region for privacy reasons,” said Marie-Christine Patry, a communications officer at the Ministry of Health and Social Services.

This marks the second measles outbreak in 2024.

Affected Locations

As of Monday, January 13, at 11:30 AM, the following places and times are potential exposure sites in Laval:

• Polestar Dealership (4600 Robert-Bourassa Blvd.):
  December 19, 2024, from 3 PM to 6:30 PM; December 27, 2024, from noon to 11 PM; December 30, 2024, from 9 AM to 9 PM; December 31, 2024, from 7:40 AM to 2:45 PM; and January 3, 2025, from 7:40 AM to 2 PM.
• Imagix – Radiology Chomedey (610 Curé-Labelle Blvd.):
  December 22, 2024, from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM.
• Volvo Laval Dealership (4560 Robert-Bourassa Blvd.):
  December 27, 2024, from noon to 11 PM; December 30, 2024, from 9 AM to 9 PM; and December 31, 2024, from 9 AM to 2 PM.
• Sami Fruits (1550 Daniel-Johnson Blvd.):
  December 31, 2024, from 12:45 PM to 3:30 PM.
• Avril Supermarché Santé (1600 Le Corbusier Blvd.):
  December 31, 2024, from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM.
• Maxi Vimont Grocery Store (2090 Laurentides Blvd.):
  December 31, 2024, from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM.
• Pharmaprix Pharmacy (5780 Laurentides Blvd.):
  January 3, 2025, from 12:30 PM to 2:35 PM.
• Randolph Pub Ludique Centropolis (90 Centropolis Promenade):
  January 4, 2025, from 6 PM to 10:30 PM.
• GMF MédiCentre Chomedey (610 Curé-Labelle Blvd.):
  January 5, 2025, from 12:44 PM to 2:55 PM.
• Houston Laval (173 Pierre-Péladeau Ave.):
  January 5, 2025, from 6:30 PM to 11 PM.
• Service Canada Office (1438 Daniel-Johnson Blvd.):
  January 7, 2025, from 8:15 AM to 5:45 PM.
• Carrefour Laval (3003 Le Carrefour Blvd.):
  January 7, 2025, from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM, for those walking through the interior corridors or visiting Renaud-Bray.
• Renaud-Bray at Carrefour Laval (3003 Le Carrefour Blvd.):
  January 7, 2025, from 12:30 PM to 2:45 PM.
• Saint-François Medical Clinic (8048 Marcel-Villeneuve Ave.):
  January 9, 2025, from 8:20 AM to 11 AM.

Additional potential exposure sites in Montreal, the Laurentians, and Montérégie have also been identified.

At-Risk Populations

Certain groups are more vulnerable to complications from measles. If exposed, these individuals should contact Info-Santé 811 immediately for evaluation and possible preventive treatment, such as an antibody injection within seven days of exposure.

At-risk groups include:

• Infants under 1 year old
• Immunocompromised individuals
• Pregnant women not adequately vaccinated against measles

Protected Individuals

People considered protected against measles include:

• Those born before 1970
• Those with serological evidence of immunity
• Individuals with medical documentation of measles prior to January 1, 1996
• Those with written proof of vaccination

Vaccination

Vaccination remains the best defense against measles, a highly contagious and potentially severe disease.
Appointments for measles vaccination can be made through the Clic Santé website or by calling 1-877-644-4545.

In Laval, adults can get vaccinated at the Pont-Viau Local Service Point (1037 Laurentides Blvd.) or Centre Laval (1600 Corbusier Blvd., Door 3, Unit 86).
Children can book appointments for combined measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccines via Clic Santé.

Measures to Take

Protected individuals have minimal risk of contracting the disease. They should monitor for symptoms until the advised date, depending on the exposure site.
Unprotected individuals should isolate at home from the 5th day after exposure until the 14th day. Vaccination or antibody injection may be recommended.

Measles symptoms include fever, nasal congestion, cough, conjunctivitis, sensitivity to light, and a general feeling of discomfort. A rash typically appears on the face and body. Symptoms usually manifest 5 to 21 days after exposure, with an average incubation period of 10 to 14 days.

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L’article Measles: 14 Exposure Sites in Laval, Including Carrefour Laval est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

The Fraser Institute has released its 2023 ranking of Quebec high schools, and one school from Laval made it into the top 10.

Top-Performing Schools in Laval

Collège Laval ranked 10th in the province with a score of 9.5 out of 10. However, this marks a drop of 0.5 from the perfect score it achieved in 2023. The school is located in Saint-Vincent-de-Paul.

École d’éducation internationale de Laval came in 16th place provincially, with a score of 9.3 out of 10. This is a slight decline from its 2023 ranking (17th) and score (9.4).

Collège Letendre secured third place in Laval with a score of 7.6, a 0.3-point increase compared to 2023.

Collège Citoyen showed the most significant improvement among Laval schools, achieving a score of 7.5, which is 1 point higher than its previous score.

Schools Facing Challenges

On the other hand, École Notre-Dame de Nareg had the lowest score in Laval, with 4.5 out of 10, representing a drop of 2.6 points.
Other low-performing schools include Laval Liberty (5.4) and Mont-de-La Salle (4.6), both ranked outside the top 300 in Quebec.

Several other schools experienced score declines:

• École Horizon-Jeunesse: 6 (-0.2)
• École Georges-Vanier: 5.8 (-0.7)
• École Leblanc: 5.7 (-0.7)
• École Curé-Antoine-Labelle: 5.6 (-0.6)
• North Star Academy: 5.5 (-1.6)
• École Saint-Maxime maintained its score of 5.6.

Laval High School Rankings :

• Collège Laval: 9.5/10 (-0.5)
• École d’éducation internationale: 9.3/10 (-0.1)
• Collège Letendre: 7.6/10 (+0.3)
• Collège Citoyen: 7.5/10 (+1.0)
• École Horizon-Jeunesse: 6/10 (-0.2)
• École Georges-Vanier: 5.8/10 (-0.7)
• École Leblanc: 5.7/10 (-0.7)
• École Saint-Maxime: 5.6/10 (no change)
• École Curé-Antoine-Labelle: 5.6/10 (-0.6)
• North Star Academy: 5.5/10 (-1.6)
• Laval Liberty: 5.4/10 (+0.1)
• École Mont-de-La Salle: 4.6/10 (-0.1)
• École Notre-Dame de Nareg: 4.5/10 (-2.6)

Exclusions

Laval Senior Academy and Phoenix Alternative High School were not ranked in the 2023 and 2024 lists. In 2022, these schools received scores of 6.1 and 3.1, respectively.

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L’article Ranking of High Schools | Only Four Laval Schools in the Top 200 est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

Here are three tips that will set children up for success while easing the mental load for parents and caregivers.

Establish routines

A predictable schedule can help kids stay on track with their day-to-day activities and give them a sense of stability. When a child feels comfortable and safe, they are open to learning new skills – it’s why childcare or early learning centres are built around regular schedules.

What’s more, healthy, lifelong habits may be easier to instill when they’re tied into a routine, sometimes called habit stacking. It’s like brushing your teeth right before story time which comes before sleep. The more life’s annoying chores, like brushing teeth or flossing, can become habitual for kids, the more likely they are to carry them into adulthood.

Cook for life

There’s a role for kids in the kitchen, from toddlers to teens. Teaching children about food from a young age will give them the tools to take ownership of their health later in life. Exposing them to culinary variety also helps to build kids’ interest in the larger world. Something as simple as getting them to talk about the shape, smell and taste of a new fruit goes a long way in developing little palates.

Choose age-appropriate tasks, like stirring ingredients for little ones, or simple meal prep like grilled cheese for older children, with supervision as needed. Learning special family recipes not only develops teenagers’ culinary skills, it also helps them to celebrate cultural traditions. Teaching these empowering skills can also save caregivers some time in the kitchen.

Trust your community

Parents want their children to be curious, knowledgeable and well adjusted, but we can’t be everything, everywhere, all at once. You don’t have to be the only champion for your child’s future.

Aside from friends and family, many childcare centres, such as Childventures, employ early childhood educators to provide caring, learning-filled environments. It’s okay to trust that caregivers and educators are just as dedicated to your child’s well-being and growth as you are. Knowing they have the proper training and expertise can also relieve some stress.

If you’re passionate about children and looking for a way to channel your creativity, you may want to consider the field of early childhood education yourself. It’s much more hands on than being a teacher, and you get to play a greater role in fostering children’s emotional health. The career is in high demand, too, with childcare centres, such as Childventures, hiring for all age groups.

(Source : News Canada)

L’article 3 tips to set your child up for success est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

Travel documents

If you’re studying in Canada, you’re allowed to travel outside the country, but you need to make sure you have a valid study permit or approval for one or a permit extension. You also need to have a few things in order, like a valid passport or travel document, your attending a designated learning institution (DLI), and a valid visitor visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA).

Just having a visa or eTA doesn’t guarantee you entry back into Canada. You need to show the border services officer that you meet all the requirements for entering Canada before they’ll let you in. If your visitor visa has expired, is about to expire during your planned travel, or was only valid for a single entry, you’ll need to apply for a new one.

However, if you’re coming back directly from a trip to the United States, you don’t need a visitor visa as long as your study or work permit is still valid. So, make sure you have all your documents in order before traveling outside Canada.

Other entry requirements

Depending on where you travel, you may still need to show a negative COVID-19 test result to enter Canada – in some cases this could even apply to a layover of more than 24 hours. If it’s required, plan ahead to ensure you have the test results within the right time frame to be considered valid – it’s often one to two days ahead.

Health precautions

While proof of vaccinations and face masks may not be required depending on your destination, the government does recommend them as protection while you travel. If you’re sick you may have to postpone your travel dates, so make your plans are as flexible as possible. If you’ve visited a farm or wild animals on your trip, you should avoid visiting a farm back in Canada for 14 days after you return to avoid spreading foreign animal diseases.

Packing plans

It’s normal to bring items back to Canada, but double check that they can enter the country. Some goods are banned here to protect people, animals and even plants. This step is important for any food you’re bringing here. For example, don’t pack any pork products in your luggage. If the pork were infected by a pig disease called African swine fever it could bring the disease to Canada, which could put many pigs and Canadian pork farms at risk.

Be sure to declare any plant or animal products that do come back with you.

(Source : News Canada)

L’article What international students need to know before leaving Canada est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

For 16 years now, the school principal of this Laval’s English school, Josée Pepin, and her students have been the organizers of this event.

“I want to show students that they [those who are experiencing homelessness] are people just like us,” explains the private school’s principal.

“No one is immune to homelessness,” adds Lynne Dupuis, head of philanthropic development for the Old Brewery Mission.

Denis is a good example. “I have worked all my life,” says this former showman. “Because of COVID, I lost my job,” he continues.

Here, at the Old Brewery’s shelter, Denis has a place to sleep, while waiting for the travelling carnivals to come back stronger.

Valentine’s Day for all

Whether February 14^th falls on a Saturday or a chilling day, students of the Academy located in Chomedey can be found here in front of the Old Brewery Mission.

“It’s always on Valentine’s Day,” explains Josée Pepin. It’s part of giving your time. “We can’t just give it away when it’s convenient.”

Quickly, when the students take out the coffee jugs, a line forms to receive the donations.

Many hide their precarious situation well. A man shows up wearing a Canada Goose coat and Adidas shoes. Others are freshly shaven, their hair neatly cut and styled.

Guillaume appreciates the socks and the sweater he was able to take. He has been homeless for five or six years and has been going to the shelter since December.

Angela Kolaric is the Academy’s administrative manager. It is her first distribution.

She was used to working behind the scenes of this event. She is amazed by the number of people who have come to receive donations.

A man asks if he can take a pair of socks. Mira, a tenth-grade student, offers him a hat aswell. Politely, the man refuses.

“It’s surprising how humble they are,” notes Angela Polarik. “They want to leave things for others who might need them more than them.”

On this mild February day, the initiative is popular. After an hour, all that is left is a dash of coffee and half a bag of clothes.

All packaged meals are long gone.

“I was surprised to see how they were surprised,” says Morgan in 11^th grade. “How surprised they were to see that we came to do that.”

“We had a lot of clothes, but they went so fast!” observes Sarwehs a pupil of the same year.

Rewarding experience

The project involves the whole school. But only the oldest students, those in the 10^th and 11^th grade, take part in the distribution.

While those in the seventh grade pack meals.

Every student has the chance to contribute to the generous operation.

Usually, the group drives out to distribute the surpluses.

This year it will not be necessary.

Mira, Aditi, Yoono, Sarwesh and Morgan were chosen to come and experience the distribution clothes, hot drinks and meals in front of the Old Brewery Mission. (Photo 2M.Media–Edith Boisvert)

For Yoono, another student in 10^th grade, the activity made him aware of the needs of others. “We need to do more for the community. I didn’t think there would be so many people.”

Despite the difficulties that the beneficiaries are encountering, “Everyone is in a good mood,” says Aditi, a student in Grade 11.

This year, the school has divided its student workforce to expand its offer to different locations. A second group was present near the Chez Doris women’s shelter.

L’article North Star Academy Laval gives back on Valentine’s Day est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

According to Canadian law, consent should be both positive (giving consent, initiating contact, participating enthusiastically) and continuous (being maintained throughout the sexual act).

Only 45 per cent of survey respondents said those two indicators were necessary in their partner to make sure sexual activity was consensual.

Awareness of consent has increased by 33 per cent since it was first measured in 2015, but it’s clear there’s still work to be done.

“We’re hearing about sexual violence all the time in the media,” said by press release President and Executive Director of the Canadian Women’s Foundation, Paulette Senior. “Even though it seems that a growing number of people know what consent is, it’s worrying that it’s still not the case for a large part of the population. Those shortcomings are leading to aggressions, and are certainly linked to our historical tendency to blame survivors for what they’ve experienced. That’s a sign Canada desperately needs to invest in consent education, and effective violence prevention measures for all age groups.”

The survey indicates that understanding of positive and ongoing consent is higher among those 54 and under (52 per cent), and lower among those 55 and over (34 per cent).

According to Statistics Canada, approximately 4.7 million women, or 30 per cent of all women 15 and older, have experienced sexual assault outside of an intimate relationship.

The survey shows that many people are affected by sexual violence to varying degrees, not just those who have been assaulted, as 42 per cent of people in Canada know a woman who’s been sexually assaulted. (C.P./IJL)

translated by Alec Brideau

L’article 55% of Canadians Don’t Understand Sexual Consent est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

“The climate crisis is not very present in the electoral campaign and we find that a little disturbing,” underlines Amélie Therrien, president of the Syndicat des enseignantes et enseignants du cégep Montmorency (SEECM). “It’s a must to mobilize collectively in order to respond to this lack of political will.”

Some SEECM members were already in front of the CEGEP at 7 o’clock.

“For the teachers of Collège Montmorency, the climate situation isn’t technical, but political,” the SEECM said. “It depends directly on our ability to organize ourselves and collectively limit our consumption, for the sake of justice. In this sense, they’re especially calling for a complete exit from fossil fuels by 2030, as well as a massive reinvestment in public services and the social safety net.”

translated by Alec Brideau

L’article Strike for Climate Justice at Collège Montmorency est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

In total, the CSQ and the FPEP-CSQ are asking for four actions, which, in their opinion, will make a difference for all workers of the private sector.

First, they want to put an end to “abusive pedagogical differentiation”, which consists in treating teachers who work in private schools differently.

“Like what happened in our public school system, the situation hasn’t been easy for the staff in private educational institutions over the past two years of the pandemic,” said Éric Gingras, president of the CSQ.

The request follows the thinking that “a teacher in a private school isn’t a private teacher”, which the unions advocate.

The second action is to cancel the project of forced online teaching. The unions assure, via press release, that the educational and working conditions won’t be there, and that this type of education must be prohibited.

The CSQ and the FPEP-CSQ are also asking to put an end to the schedule overload, with tasks that are outside the pedagogical framework.

They’re saying that “staff must be freed up, especially during pedagogical days, so that they can devote themselves fully to the heart of their job.”

The fourth action required is to give teachers more freedom as to the pedagogical strategies to adopt for student success. (J.B./IJL)

L’article Demands to Relieve Private Teaching Staff est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.