GOURMET FILET www.pilaros.com 3,/$526450.681.6900 Laval’s English Paper, Since 1993 Vol. 26 • No. 07 • April 4, 2018 • Tel.: 450-978-9999 • www.lavalnews.ca • e-mail: [email protected] • 120,000 Readers PHOTO: Martin C. Barry • Newsfirst LAVAL AUTISM MONTH OFFICIAL LAUNCHED &2˨&+$,5('%<$/(;$1'5(32,5,(5˨ &+$5/(%2,6$87+25$1'*8<3,&$5' GENERAL MANAGER OF THE SOCIÉTÉ DE 75$163257'(/$9$/˦67/˧ See Page 2 LAVAL HONOURS GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY Pages 9-11 Laval, Mayor Marc Demers accompagnies with councillors Quebec Liberal MNAs Jean Habel, Monique Sauvé, Gerry The Canadian Government was represented by Liberal MPs Aline Dib, Aglaia Revelakis, Bill Karydogiannis, and Paolo Sklavounos and Guy Ouellette placed a commemorative Emmanuella Lambropoulos and Laval-Les Îles MP Fayçal El- Galati placed a commemorative wreath at the cenotaph. wreath at the cenotaph. Khoury who placed a wreath at the cenotaph. ProgramsProP leading to a Ministry 100%1 Job Success Rate OfOf Education Diploma DigitalDiDig Layout Technology ProgramLOANSLOL & BURSARIES AVAILABLE CALLCA FOR INFO ON NEXT SESSIONONON YOUR CAREER, • 1 year program • State of the art 4 colour press TUITIONFREE OURO FOCUS! • Silk screening, CNC Technical Skills • Learn the latest software, including: Photoshop, Illustrator, Quark & InDesigniggn 3737 Beaubien East,EaEastst, Montreal,MoMo Qc, H1X 1H2 Tel.: 514 376-4725 www.rosemount-technology.qc.ca Supporters hope to stir awareness of ASDs during ‘Autism Month’ Autism spectrum disorders now affect 1.4 per cent of Quebec’s population MARTIN C. BARRY During an official launch last week for Laval Autism Month – which takes place through- out April – The Société de l’Autisme de Laval announced that this year’s co-chairs will be Alexandre Poirier-Charlebois, author of a book on his experiences as someone with Asperger’s Syndrome, and Guy Picard, general manager of the Société de Transport de Laval (STL). Big turnout for launch A press conference held on March 26 at the Embassy Plaza for the launch drew a large number of community group leaders and other officials with an interest or stake in seeing that in Laval. So, being here today is only natural.” well-being of our society. Borne said he’d had intellectually challenged at CISSS de Laval, those afflicted with autism spectrum disorders Rousselle learned about it the privilege of knowing several persons like pointed out that autism affects around 1.4 per receive the attention they deserve during this this since one of his nephews was diagnosed cent of the population of Quebec. While main- Vimont MNA Jean Rousselle said he came to month of special events. with an autism spectrum disorder. taining that Autism Month is a time to raise understand the impact of autism through one of “The important thing for everybody here “So generally, even if such persons have had awareness, he added that it’s also useful to alter this office employees who has an autistic child. today is what can we do for people with ASDs this diagnosis and experience certain difficulties many people’s preconceptions “which are the “When you’re not affected by it, you just don’t [autism spectrum disorders],” said Germain interacting or having relationships with others, principal obstacle to integrating persons with an understand what it’s all about,” he said, while Lafrenière, executive-director of the Société they are nonetheless, just like my nephew, very autism spectrum disorder into the community.” maintaining that a certain amount of respons- de l’autisme de des troubles envahissants du sensitive people who are very conscious of the ibility for understanding falls upon employers. Autism events all month développement de Laval, which is coordinating differences between us. And they can sometimes “We must facilitate help for parents like these While praising all the groups in Laval that organization for the month. feel slighted by certain ways they get looked at or who live day after day with autism spectrum share a common mission of improving life for how they’re spoken to. But just like each of us, Guest author has Asperger’s disorders. For example, they can sometimes those with autism, Stoopler said everyone stands those afflicted with autism spectrum disorders Alexandre Poirier-Charlebois, who attends need special daycares and things like that. I to benefit from their work by gaining a better want to be accepted and we do everything to Université du Québec à Montréal, wrote Ma vie know, because of the employee who tells me understanding of autism spectrum disorders. achieve that.” avec l’Asperger. He said he is currently working about it, which is how I’ve come to know it. The events in Laval for Autism Month include a on a second book. He also is a frequent speaker But this is why I am appealing to employers to City of Laval has made efforts number of lectures (in French), given by experts at elementary and high schools on autism spec- also think about it: Try to make it a little easier Councillor Borne pointed out that the City in the domain. trum disorders. As well, he has been critical of parents and families like these and perhaps try of Laval over the past five years or so has taken As well, on April 27 at the Château Royal the Quebec educational system’s failure to adapt to do things a little differently to accommodate special measures to accommodate families and beginning at 5 pm, the organizers will be holding to the needs of persons with autism. them.” persons who are impacted by autism. “While the a special gathering, Cocktail en Bleu. There is a The STL’s Guy Picard said it was a great honor ‘Very sensitive,’ says Borne diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders is stead- $15 admission charge for some of the lectures, to be chosen as the co-chair for Autism Month ily growing, we consider it essential to inform while tickets for the cocktail event are $50. The message that Laval city councillor for the in Laval. “The STL is front and centre when it the population,” he said. “That’s why Autism As well, a number of other organizations and district of Laval-Les Îles Nicholas Borne said he comes to the activities of Laval’s citizens,” he Month exists – to support and inform and to groups, including the STL, are sponsoring events wanted to get across was that those affected by said. “It’s written in our mission statement that learn about our differences.” in April to raise awareness of autism. an autism spectrum disorder contribute to the our job is to improve the quality of life of people Gary Stoopler, director of programs for the MLS: 9782021 MLS: 18569658 - - KIND ONE- OF A 5 BEDROOMS CIΤÉ Agence immobilière • Office: 450.975.1840 Excellent Service CHOMEDEY • VOYER & TREMBLAY cottage with 5 bedrooms, family room, •Montreal• 4 Plex situated close to all amenities. Fully renovated from A-Z. dining room, huge kitchen with dinette. 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ŚŽŵĞǁŝƚŚŶŽŽďůŝŐĂƟŽŶ͊ 2 Mayor Marc Demers pleased with Quebec’s 2018 budget Preferential lanes on A-15 and funds for STL garage in budget (TLN) Mayor Marc Demers reacted favourably last week to the municipalities taking part in the Forum,” said Demers. “We to see that sums were in the budget to assist families, including Quebec Finance Minister Carlos Leitão’s 2018 provincial budget are taking stock of the today’s announcements, although we will funding for social housing, for additional measures to deal with which contained measures favourable to the City of Laval. stay on guard as to their being carried out in the years to come.” conjugal and sexual violence, as well as for assistance for senior According to the mayor, the announced addition of reserved The mayor was pleased by the announcement of funding by citizens and for children. public transit lanes on Autoroute 15, as well as additional invest- the government for the construction of a new garage for STL As well, Mayor Demers expressed satisfaction with the fact the ments towards the extension of Autoroute 19, are steps in the buses. He was also happy to hear about fund transfers amounting government included measures to encourage the development right direction, although he said more efforts will be needed to to $60 million by Quebec over two years to municipalities that of small and medium-size businesses and enterprises in the 2018 take care of traffic problems in Laval and on the North Shore. need to make adjustments in their policies so as to take into budget. “Since the economic fabric of Laval is made up essentially Traffic concerns account the legalization of cannabis.