Laval QC ☕ The Morning Chat
Good morning,
Today we bring you a mix of inspiring local initiatives, valuable community resources and a few stories that touch the region one way or another. Just the thing to start the day, with a thought for those going through difficult times.
This Morning’s Takeaways
- A new listening space for people affected by cancer in Laval: Santé Québec Laval has unveiled the Cycle room at the Integrated Cancer Centre, a free space for support and information.
- The Barreau de Laval offers two days of free legal information: On October 22 and 23, lawyers will be available to answer questions about housing and homelessness.
- Volunteers plant 150 trees and shrubs in Laval: As part of the TD Tree Days program, about thirty volunteers took part in the activity near Bois de la Source.
- Triathlon Laval athletes return from Worlds with pride: The club was represented by 11 athletes at the age group world championships in Spain.
- The Canadiens blow a two-goal lead and fall in overtime: The San Jose Sharks win 4-3, a loss that stings.
Around Town
- A new director for culture, recreation, sports and social development in Laval: Sébastien Vallée returns to the City after a stint in Gatineau.
- Québec flags at half-mast in Laval: The City pays tribute to the victims of the Wainwright base tragedy.
- DigiWomen wants to open the doors of the digital world wider for women: DigiWomen is a non-profit organization based in Laval that works to foster access for girls and women to the digital sector through events, school programs and networking activities offered throughout the year.
Across Canada
- Danielle Smith closes the chapter on Alberta separation: The premier confirms there will be no further referendum on the question.
- A judicial recount will take place in the riding of Champlain: The vote recount will be held Thursday and Friday in Trois-Rivières.
Top Story
A new listening and support space for people affected by cancer in Laval
Santé Québec Laval unveiled a new welcome and support space at the Centre intégré de cancérologie de Laval (CICL) on Friday, October 16. Named Cycle, this free space allows people affected by cancer and their loved ones to find a listening ear, support, information and resources adapted to their needs at every stage of their journey.
“Aujourd’hui, ce qu’on fait, c’est qu’on rajoute une pierre d’assise [au CICL] pour être encore plus proche des besoins des usagers et s’adapter à leurs besoins,” said Jeanne-Evelyne Turgeon, president and CEO of Santé Québec Laval, at the launch.
On site, people can talk with volunteer partner users who have themselves been affected by cancer or have supported a loved one. “[Users] can come and chat, find information, get support and talk things through,” says Guylaine Veillette, clinical-administrative coordinator of the oncology program at the CICL. “It is a place that complements the current services.”
For now, the Cycle premises are open on a variable schedule available on the Santé Québec Laval website. There is no need to make an appointment to access the services offered.
Cycle was born out of a process of consultation and partnership with people affected by cancer. More than 4,000 former patients were approached as part of this project, and 850 of them answered the call by taking part in telephone interviews and focus groups. The project was then submitted to the institution’s management, and the Fondation Cité de la Santé got involved with $165,000 in funding to create this space.
In Detail
The Barreau de Laval offers two days of free legal information on housing and homelessness
Nearly two out of three Quebecers would not know where to direct a loved one at risk of losing their home. That is why the Barreau de Laval will take part in the Legal Marathon, which this year focuses on housing and homelessness, on Thursday, October 22 and Friday, October 23.
Over these two days, Laval lawyers will offer free legal information to the public. Three activities are planned: information sessions at the Relais communautaire de Laval, a housing law kiosk at the Municipal Court, and a training session on housing law and human rights at the Centre Jean-Paul-Campeau.
According to a Léger survey conducted for the Barreau du Québec, 23% of Quebecers know someone at risk of losing their housing, but 63% would not know which resource to direct them to. The need is very real: 70% of Quebecers feel it would be useful to be able to speak with a lawyer for free to find out how to help.
Volunteers plant 150 trees and shrubs in Laval
About thirty volunteers gathered in Laval on October 4 to plant 150 trees and shrubs as part of the annual TD Tree Days program. The activity took place near Bois de la Source and was organized locally in collaboration with CANOPÉE – Le réseau des bois de Laval.
The volunteers first learned how to plant the trees and shrubs properly before taking part in tasks such as digging, planting, mulching and watering. The meeting point was at Parc Saint-Édouard, on 18th Avenue.
Since 2010, the TD Tree Days program has helped plant more than 590,000 trees and shrubs across Canada, thanks to the participation of more than 44,000 volunteers. The program aims to add 30,000 more plantings this fall.
Triathlon Laval athletes return from Worlds with an enriching experience
Triathlon Laval athletes return from the Age Group World Championships, held from September 23 to 27 in Pontevedra, Spain, with an enriching experience under their belts. “It was a memorable experience,” writes club president Annie-Claude Bédard in an email exchange. “Several of us did three races in four days. […] It was harder than we imagined to manage it all.”
Laval was represented by 11 club athletes at these Worlds. In the sprint distance, Josiane Lafleur finished seventh in her age group, women aged 40 to 44. Joanna Szymczyk took 10th place among women aged 45 to 49, just ahead of her teammate Annie-Claude Bédard. Mélodie Dao took 10th in the sprint distance among women aged 19 to 24, while Pascal Aubertin finished 14th among men aged 45 to 49.
Joanna Szymczyk also stood out in the aquabike event, which combines swimming and cycling, with a seventh-place finish in her category. Finally, note the seventh-place finish by the Laval mixed relay, made up of Joanna Szymczyk, Ian Poitras, Annie-Claude Bédard and Pascal Aubertin. In total, 31 teams from around the world took part in this event.
The Canadiens blow a two-goal lead and fall in overtime against the Sharks
The Montreal Canadiens once again let a two-goal lead slip away, falling 4-3 in overtime to the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday night. Macklin Celebrini scored his second goal of the game at 2:13 of overtime on the power play, after an interference penalty on goaltender Jakub Dobes.
Juraj Slafkovsky, Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki each scored a goal and added an assist for the Canadiens (4-3-2), who have surrendered a two-goal lead for the fourth time this season. Dobes made 26 saves after three difficult outings.
The Canadiens will begin a four-game road trip Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Coup de Coeur
The Cycle room initiative at the Centre intégré de cancérologie de Laval is a fine example of what a community can accomplish when it pulls together. By placing listening and support at the heart of care, this project is a reminder that healing also comes through human warmth and solidarity.
In Closing
We wish you a day filled with good encounters and moments of comfort. Whether these stories touch you closely or from afar, take the time to lend a hand to those who need it. In Laval, solidarity makes all the difference. ☕