Another busy week draws to a close. Here's what's been happening in Vaudreuil-Soulanges over the past few days.

Île Perrot towns merge: An organization is created

A group of citizens concerned about the vitality of the island of Île Perrot held on Saturday, May 4th , 2024 the official launch of AVENIR ÎLE PERROT - BECOMING ÎLE PERROT, a non-profit organization founded in November 2023 with the goal of bringing together four municipalities on the island: namely Pincourt, Terrasse-Vaudreuil, L'Île-Perrot and Notre-Dame-de-l'Île-Perrot.

2,000 bursary for Hudson student-athlete

For the fifteenth consecutive year, Beneva has joined forces with the Aléo Foundation to award $100,000 in scholarships and support services to 23 young athletes. Among the recipients is 19-year-old Hudson resident Jacob Townsend, who enjoys sailing. The natural sciences student at John Abbott College receives a $2,000 bursary. 

Nearly $54,000 for active transportation infrastructure in Soulanges

As Bicycle Month gets underway across Quebec, Soulanges MNA Marilyne Picard has announced financial assistance of up to $54,310 for the Soulanges Canal Park, to help develop and consolidate the Route verte network and the regional cycling networks that run alongside it.

Fondation Impact de Montréal: Les Coteaux to get multi-sports field

At its annual “C'est mieux en bleu” event last Thursday evening, the Montreal Impact Foundation announced that the Municipality of Les Coteaux has been selected to build one of the first two fields in the second phase of its multi-sports field project at Audrey Park. These asphalt or concrete structures, to which an acrylic coating will be applied, will be surrounded by a galvanized steel modular structure. Construction will start this spring.

A home prison sentence for Peter Varvaro

On Tuesday, May 7, well-known Vaudreuil-Soulanges businessman Peter Varvaro, owner of Smoke Meat Pete's restaurant in L'Île-Perrot, was finally sentenced for a probation violation that required his criminal record to be docketed 19 times. 

Former Vaudreuil-Dorion convenience store employee pleads guilty to fraud

Edinga Yvan Othniel, 19, pleaded guilty on Monday May 6 at the Valleyfield courthouse to a charge of fraud exceeding $5,000. According to information disclosed before Judge Joey Dubois, the accused was working at the Dépanneur Couche-Tard in Vaudreuil-Dorion when he committed his crime.

Suspended sentence and one year's probation for theft of four tires and two rims

On Monday, May 6, Judge Joey Dubois of the Court of Quebec at the Valleyfield courthouse found Steven Poirier guilty of theft under $5,000. The crime was committed at a car dealership in L'Île-Perrot. 

John Abbott College receives Silver Award for Excellence in Aboriginal Education

John Abbott College has been awarded the Silver Award for Excellence in Aboriginal Education by Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan).  The award was presented at the 2024 Awards of Excellence ceremony during the annual CICan Connexion Conference on April 30 in Calgary.

The end of gender-neutral toilets in schools: a hasty decision according to Julie Lemieux

Almost a week ago, Education Minister Bernard Drainville announced the end of co-ed toilets in public primary and secondary schools, after the CAQ had set up a committee of wise men, headed by Family Minister Suzanne Roy, last December to look into this and other gender-identification issues. Julie Lemieux, president of the board of LGBTQ2+ Vaudreuil-Soulanges, and mayor of Très-Saint-Rédempteur, doesn't understand this hasty decision.

Vaudreuil-Dorion asks ARTM to maintain Express A-40 and park-and-ride facilities

The City of Vaudreuil-Dorion took advantage of its regular meeting on Monday May 6 to submit a resolution to the Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain (ARTM). The objective? To encourage the ARTM to maintain the Express A-40 shuttle service in the wake of the launch of the REM at Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, and to build an alternative parking lot outside Vaudreuil-Dorion to coincide with the opening of this new service. 

Walmart arson: accused deemed fit to return to court in July

Luciano Minisini Burke, 18, accused of causing a fire at the Vaudreuil-Dorion Walmart on Tuesday, February 20, was back in Quebec court on Wednesday, May 8.  The brief appearance of the accused, who speaks only English, took place in front of his parents. 

Coteau-du-Lac athlete on his way to the BMX World Championships

At the time of writing, 13-year-old Coteau-du-Lac resident Justin Lafleur is on his way to Rock Hill, South Carolina. In a few days' time, the young man will take the start of the 2024 World Championships, which will bring together the best international athletes in this discipline. 

Two upcoming concerts for the Orchestre des jeunes de Vaudreuil-Soulanges

Over the next few weeks, the Orchestre des jeunes de Vaudreuil-Soulanges will be offering two concerts that will enable it to continue contributing to the musical life of the regional community. 

Six projects supported by the CACVS

The Conseil des arts et de la culture de Vaudreuil-Soulanges (CACVS) is proud to announce the six projects selected for the 2024 edition of its Programme d'innovation culturelle et numérique.

Four female field hockey players in the spotlight at the belairdirect U15 Women's Cup

Field hockey Québec recently announced the four teams that will take part in the 2024 edition of the belairdirect Cup. Women's U15. The event will take place from May 10 to 13 at Complexe sportif Isatis in Chambly, and four athletes from Vaudreuil-Soulanges will be taking part. 

Recovery of winterized thermoplastics for boats at three ecocentres

With the boating season fast approaching, the Vaudreuil-Soulanges MRC is announcing the return of its thermoplastic boat winterization recovery program.

A summer of congestion for Vaudreuil-Soulange drivers

If summer's for playing, chances are it's traffic that's for motorists this summer.

Théâtre de la Pièce cassée: recognition of the work of Philippe Gauthier and his team

After winning one of the two annual Mérite patrimonial awards presented by the Musée régional de Vaudreuil-Soulanges, unveiled at the Museum's Annual General Meeting on April 24; and received a $500 bursary from the Centre des arts et de la culture de Vaudreuil-Soulanges (CACVS) for this public recognition, Philippe Gauthier and Théâtre de la Pièce cassée are now in the running for an award to be presented on May 14, at the 22nd edition of the Soirée des prix en art en culture de la Montérégie.

Marie-Claude Nichols laments the region's reputation for traffic jams

The independent MNA for Vaudreuil, Marie-Claude Nichols, is dismayed to see that her region is now known throughout Quebec for its monstrous traffic jams, due to the condition of the Île-aux-Tourtes bridge.

Gymnast Coralie Demers of Notre-Dame-de-l'île-Perrot wins team award

From April 15 to 22, a young gymnast from Notre-Dame-de-l'Île-Perrot, Coralie Demers, took part in the prestigious City of Jesolo Trophy competition in Jesolo, a suburb of Venice. Despite the stress of competing against some of the best junior gymnasts in the world, Coralie showed all her talent, being the youngest gymnast on the Canadian team, and helped Team Canada Junior to a magnificent 3rd place team finish.