The pain is still raw, but the spirit of mutual aid that has been forged in the Sainte-Rose district of Laval is helping its residents heal their wounds, a year after a bus driver violently hit a daycare in the area, taking the lives of two children in its path.
Around fifty people, including many parents with their children, gathered around 10:15 a.m. at Rivière-des-Mille-Îles park under a sparkling sun. With a flower in hand, several parents first chatted among themselves in a good-natured atmosphere before Nancy Gschwender, owner of the Ste-Rose educational daycare, took the floor to pay tribute to Jacob and Maëva, two toddlers four-year-old whose life was cut short on February 8, 2023 when bus driver Pierre Ny St-Amand drove into the establishment, also injuring six.
“I also have a thought for the other little butterflies in the group and their families, the daycare team, the children, the parents and our entire community. Everyone was affected by this tragic event,” then declared Nancy Gschwender before announcing a moment of silence in tribute to the victims of this tragedy. In tears, two daycare workers then let two balloons fly away, in memory of the children whose lives were cut short a year ago to the day. Dozens of parents from the area subsequently embraced the two speakers, symbolizing the solidarity that was forged in the quiet neighborhood, whose residents’ daily lives were shaken by this tragedy.
“It’s a difficult day, but we have to do it,” sighed on the sidelines of the event André Beaudoin, who had just arrived in the parking lot of the Sainte-Rose educational daycare to carry his son there when the tragedy occurred. occurred. He has since retained a painful memory of this tragedy which took place before his gaze. “There are days better than others, but it’s difficult to move on,” agrees the father, who nevertheless found a little comfort in the tribute event held Thursday morning. “It feels good to come here, it’s good for mourning. »
Moved, the provincial deputy for Sainte-Rose, Christopher Skeete, also took part in this gathering on Thursday. “I can tell you that everyone feels the pain of the loss of Maëva and Jacob […] The important thing is to remember the pain, but also the social solidarity that followed,” he told the media present on site.
The president of the Association of Private Daycares of Quebec, Samir Alahmad, for his part, quickly went to the Sainte-Rose educational daycare on the sidelines of the tragedy. What he saw there left a lasting impression on him. “It’s very difficult for everyone. We will never forget that,” he said, while saying he was relieved by the citizen mobilization that followed this tragic event. “It is certain that this solidarity will not bring back the two children, but it feels a little good. »
Flags at half mast
In a written statement, the mayor of Laval, Stéphane Boyer, for his part, wanted to highlight “the courage and work of our first responders” in the minutes following this tragedy last year. “In memory of the victims of the tragedy of February 8, 2023 at the Sainte-Rose educational daycare, the flags of city hall as well as those of the Fire Safety Department barracks and the Police Department headquarters are at half-mast” , he indicated.
One year after this tragedy, the legal proceedings against Pierre Ny St-Armand, which have experienced several delays, continue. The preliminary investigation concerning the ex-bus driver, who faces nine charges, including two for premeditated murder, is scheduled to take place on March 25 in Saint-Jérôme.