Introducing, our new Pilaros Pita! Also available in pie format It’s not a trend, it’s a tradition! www.pilaros.com 1.888.PILAROS • 450.681.6900 Laval’s English Paper, Since 1993 Vol. 24 • No. 01 • January 9, 2016 • Tel.: 450-978-9999 • www.lavalnews.ca • E-mail: [email protected] • 34, 200 copies Giants Steps celebrated Xmas with AlexSee page 2Galchenyuk PHOTO: Martin C. Barry • Newsfirst See pages 11 - 14 Alex Galchenyuk is seen here with his sister, Anna, and Giant Steps School director Thomas Henderson. 4591, boul Samson, Laval 450 934-7004 COME SEE US IN PERSON AND EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE Diabetes centre Pregnancy tests Ostomy centre Vitamins & Natural products Blood pressure measuring Medical & Orthopaedic supplies Glucose and cholesterol testing Pharmacist consultation FREE transfer & pharmacological analysis of your file • FREE delivery HAROUTIOUN OPEN: MONDAY TO FRIDAY 9 A.μ. - 7 P.μ. SATURDAY 9 A.μ. – 5 P.μ. SAMIR BOURAS SPIROS FENGOS KALAIDJIAN Habs star lends support to school for autism disorders PHOTO: Martin C. Barry • Newsfirst M ARTIN C. B ARRY The students at Giant Steps School in west end Montreal got a special treat just before Christmas last month: the Montreal Canadiens’ star forward Alex Galchenyuk dropped by on Dec. 16 to hand out gifts, pose for photos and autograph souvenir items. A new experience “I think this is a little bit different from being on the ice,” Galchenyuk told a small gathering of photographers and journalists who turned up for the event held at the Montreal region’s largest and best-known school for young people afflicted with autism spectrum disorders. “But I think it gives me personally the exact same feeling as playing on the ice in front of 21,000 people,” he continued. “Whether you score a goal or not, you try to do the best you can and put a smile on the kids’ faces to make them happy and so that they enjoy their day.” Making a difference There are a lot of ways a professional athlete can make a contribution towards help- ing to make the world a better place, added Galchenyuk, “but by being here I can see these The Habs’ Alex Galchenyuk, left, brought gifts and signed souvenirs for Giant Steps students, including Samuel Lavigne, kids for myself and get a chance to talk to them.” centre, seen here with Giant Steps staff member Brigitte Lagarde. Galchenyuk said he was impressed with the work accomplished at Giant Steps. Raising awareness as well as other organizations to try to bring A year-end treat “What they do here is to try developing School director Thomas Henderson said support to the larger autism community. We “Needless to say, the kids were very excited everyone’s full potential. I know that during my do everything we can.” the students and staff were thrilled to have about meeting a local sports hero and the career there were a lot of people who pushed me Giant Steps Foundation board member Galchenyuk as a guest. “It means a great deal Canadiens organization has much to be proud on and helped make me who I am right now. My Nicholas Katalifos also expressed his grati- sister (Anna) has helped me to become involved to us when people like Alex get involved in the tude for the visit by Galchenyuk. “As a school of,” he added. “This was a wonderful way for us in community events like this to get me to visit community,” he said. “It raises awareness of our community, we were thrilled to welcome Alex to end off an active and successful 2015 and we places like Giant Steps. That’s one of the reasons school and of autism in general. We’re always Galchenyuk to Giant Steps and were very look forward to a new year that will include a I’m here to help see that these kids get what they involved in different kinds of projects in the impressed with his heartfelt interaction with our major conference, continuation of our munici- need to help fulfill their dreams in life.” community: we’re working with municipalities students,” Katalifos said in an e-mailed response. pal project and annual auction.” Exceptional Excellent MLS: 13502697 MLS: 26648232 MLS: 21500396 Results Service SOLD • STE-ROSE • Impeccable cottage with 4+1 bedrooms 2+1 bathrooms. Beau- • CHOMEDEY • tiful open concept, living room, dining room, kitchen, dinette • STE-DOROTHEE MEGA CENTER • with bistro. Gorgeous backyard with huge deck, cabanon and TERIYAKI franchise for sale. Restaurant with 35 Bungalow situated close to everything. 3+1 bedrooms, finished above ground pool. Close to transportation, schools, shopping. basement, garage, good size lot. Very quiet area. Easy to visit! A must see!! Call me for an appointment. seats. Vast Parking. Very Clean. Motivated Seller! Asking 299 000$ MLS: 26539083 MLS: 25439828 MLS: 21570263 NEW LISTING Kottaridis VoulaReal Estate Broker MASTER SALES PRESIDENT’S SALES ACHIEVEMENT GOLD AWARD AWARD AWARD 2013 2011 2010 L’Île-Perrot: Prestigious, open concept, corner SOLD lot with many pluses. 2 + 1 bedrooms, 2 full • REDUCED $179,000 • bathrooms. Hardwood floors, huge kitchen, dining room. Semi-finished basement, with possibility of Chomedey Bungalow close to all amenities. Ga- CHOMEDEY CONDO 4½, close to everything. Close to other 2 bedrooms. 2-3 car garage & 10 feet high rage and good size lot. Call me for an appt. shopping, schools and transportation. Easy to show!! doors. Beautifully landscaped. A must see! CLASSIC MLS: 18854797 MLS: 27083898 MLS: 24862328 REAL ESTATE AGENCY • LACONIA, GREECE • 514.993.5010 450.687.4904 • REDUCED $529,000 • [email protected] • VIMONT • Spacious well kept property, 4 bedrooms on Very attractive and well built VILLA located in a very nice town one level with mezzanine, huge kitchen with isle. Building of Metamorfosis in Lakonia Greece.The town exists since 375 on a corner private lot with 15 ft cedars and huge terrace. AD,originally named ASOPOS or LEFKI.Actually the area has FREE evaluation of your ILES PATON: - REDUCED! - Irrigation system. Possibility of other bedroom downstairs. been inhabited since the Bronze Age,3000 B.C by the Leleges. Beautiful Condo close to everything. Situated close to everything.Pave-unis garage and entrance. There are Ancient Greek,Byzantine and Roman Artifacts found. home with no obligation! Offering 2 bedrooms and garage. Asking $169,000. Must See! It is built at the end of the Molaoi planes. 2 • The Laval News • www.lavalnews.ca • January 9, 2016 Liberals announce details of new summer jobs program Laval-area Liberal MPs (from the left) Angelo Iacono (Alfred-Pellan), Eva Nassif (Vimy), Yves Robillard (Marc-Aurèle-Fortin) and Fayçal El-Khoury (Laval-Les Îles) have announced that a larger number of students will be able to find work this summer under a federal program providing employment subsidies to non-profit groups and small businesses. “By investing in our cultural industries and studies,” he said. Laval’s four Liberal Members of Parliament the creative sector in order to create employ- “This program should help them. We have ment while reinforcing our rich Canadian two goals: helping more students to acquire gathered together recently to announce identity, we can also build the strength of work experience in their chosen field, while the summer employment program in these providing support to non-profit businesses and a federal program that will allow small key sectors which are becoming increasingly small businesses which need workers for the important in the economy for young people,” summer. We believe that this is one of the most businesses in Laval to obtain subsidies for said Nassif, while adding that the program will beneficial programs around.” also be taking into account the 150th anniversary the hiring of students 15 to 30 years of age of Canadian confederation in 2017. How to apply Applications for the program are being this summer. Money for studies accepted from Jan. 4 to Feb. 26, with decisions those applying for the grants will have to meet As part of the program, the federal govern- from Service Canada expected to be announced M ARTIN C. B ARRY criteria established by the federal agency ment will be paying up to 100 per cent of the by early May. Additional subsidies will also handling the program: Service Canada. “These salaries of students employed by non-profit be paid to non-profit groups and businesses opportunities will give a chance to students to organizations and 50 per cent for those that hire students who are handicapped. Jobs doubled enter the workforce while gaining confidence in employed by businesses, said Laval-Les Îles Additional information and application forms “We are currently working together to themselves and learning about work environ- Liberal MP Fayçal El-Khoury. “Youths some- can be viewed and downloaded from the Service place the largest number of students in our ments,” she said. times have trouble saving money for their Canada web site:www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eec. four ridings,” Yves Robillard, the MP for Marc- Aurèle-Fortin, said during a press conference held by the four to announce the program. ...simply the best “This isn’t just a question of repeating some- thing that’s already been done in the past,” added Alfred-Pellan Liberal MP Angelo Iacono. “Our government, our Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, has decided to double the number of jobs and to show an even greater sense of openness towards young people who are our future. Groups and businesses YS “During the summer of 2016, more students A and more organizations will be able to bene- LW T & FRESH Enjoy Mr. Puffs served with the fit,” he continued.