Articles from Courrier Laval

Laval Mayor Stéphane Boyer prioritizes infrastructure upgrades in his re-election campaign, promising a $440M investment in roads, underground networks, and parks. This comes amid a positive first-term record, including reduced service request times and lower violent crime rates. Despite a rise in municipal debt, Boyer highlights sound financial management, noting historically low debt levels are being addressed. Notable achievements include social housing development and major cultural projects.

The City of Laval has opened a community center integrated into a residential building with 359 social housing units in Val-Martin. Launched in 2016, this urban revitalization project was completed in two construction phases, providing new housing and community spaces. The initiative aims to enhance quality of life and community integration through an inclusive and sustainable approach. The center is named in honor of Simonne-Monet-Chartrand, a prominent feminist activist in Quebec.

The City of Laval has selected six projects from its participatory budget, allocating a total of $3 million in funding. These projects aim to enhance mobility, socialization, and play within the community. Selected initiatives include developing community gardens, educational food programs, and installing bicycle repair stations. This process encourages citizen engagement and fosters a sense of belonging among Laval residents.

The City of Laval plans to acquire the Golf Sainte-Rose land to transform it into a natural park aimed at protecting biodiversity and providing new outdoor spaces. This initiative is part of a collaborative effort with the Montreal Metropolitan Community to strengthen conservation and develop metropolitan parks. Negotiations with the current owner, Groupe immobilier Van Houtte, are underway, and a grant request will be submitted to support the project. The park could be accessible from 2028 after the golf course closes at the end of the 2027 season.

Three riverbanks in the Greater Montreal area have been revitalized through projects costing a total of $660,000, with the majority of funding provided by the Montreal Metropolitan Community and the Quebec government. These projects include the creation of a bike stop at Rapides-du-Cheval-Blanc, ecological restoration at Berge des Écores, and revitalization of the Armand-Frappier Park. The improvements aim to enhance ecological connectivity, protect biodiversity, and offer enriched natural spaces for the community.

The Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility announced repair work on the overpass of Route 344 above Highway 25 in Terrebonne. The construction will start on August 27 and continue for about two months, causing various disruptions in the area. Complete closures of Route 344 are planned for specific nights, with further partial closures of Highway 25 expected. Detours will be available, and the schedule may change based on weather or operational conditions.

In June, Laval experienced its most prolific month ever for new housing construction, despite a strike affecting residential construction early in the month. This record involved the start of 1,000 housing units, primarily rental accommodations. This momentum is contributing to a significant increase in residential development, with Laval potentially surpassing its all-time housing starts record from 2008.

A welding operation on an exterior faucet is believed to have caused a fire damaging a residence in the Saint-François area of Laval. The incident occurred on Monday, July 21, prompting the Laval Fire Department to dispatch 26 firefighters. Thankfully, the fire was quickly contained with damage estimated at around $34,000. The fire department emphasizes the importance of safety precautions when welding near combustible materials.

The City of Laval has completed the reconfiguration of the northbound access ramps of Highway 15, now accessible via Concorde West Boulevard. The project began in September 2024, with a budget of $7.8 million, and aims to improve traffic flow and reduce transit traffic in the growing downtown area. This new configuration facilitates a major residential project, anticipating the development of five rental housing towers on the old Brault & Martineau site and potentially adding 1200 dwellings over the next 8 to 10 years.

In June, Laval experienced a record-breaking month for new housing starts, with 1,000 units initiated despite a construction strike affecting the first 18 days. The strike targeted residential construction of buildings up to six stories, allowing projects with more floors to proceed. Laval accounted for 37% of the new housing starts in the Montreal metropolitan area. As of mid-2025, Laval has initiated 2,803 new units, surpassing previous annual records and moving towards ambitious long-term housing projects.

Magil Construction was awarded a public contract for the construction of a new fire station in Pont-Viau, Laval, at a cost of approximately $15.93 million including taxes. The decision to award the contract considered qualitative evaluation alongside price, which was a departure from standard procedures. The project, expected to take 15 months, aims to optimize emergency response in densely populated areas of Laval. The total investment for the project has reached $25.5 million, including previous expropriation costs.

Opposition party leaders in Laval reacted to a report by the city’s auditor general, highlighting inadequacies in the preventive maintenance of sewer systems. Only 28% of pump stations were inspected, falling short of the 85% target. This negligence, they assert, compromises public health and environmental protection. A corrective action plan is proposed to address the report’s recommendations before upcoming elections.