After 30 years, THE LAVAL NEWS has ended its door-to-door distribution.
The February 21st, 2024 edition of THE LAVAL NEWS was the last issue delivered door to door by PUBLIC SAC. Since our first edition in 1993, THE LAVAL NEWS entrusted PUBLIC SAC with the mandate to deliver our paper, your paper, to your door. On that note, we thank all the workers who were behind and in front of the scenes that made the distribution of your newspaper possible.
However, on March 4th, 2024, PUBLIC SAC ceased its door-to-door distributing service due to changes in municipal by-laws in Montreal and other cities in Quebec. It’s an effort to reduce, at the source, a significant amount of paper and plastic in circulation in cities across Quebec. This leaves us with no cost-effective way to distribute our newspaper.
Therefore, as of March 6th, you can pick up THE LAVAL NEWS throughout the city at many selected local distribution points, such as public buildings, grocery stores, pharmacies, bakeries, etc.
Below, you will find the list of distribution points. Thank you for your loyal readership. We will continue to keep you informed and entertained.
Points de distribution / Distribution points
H7A
600 Montée du Moulin
Jean Coutu
H7A
600 Montée du Moulin
RONA
H7A
8075 Blvd. Lévesque E
Ultra Depanneur
H7C
4411 Blvd. de la Concorde E
IGA
H7C
4425 Blvd. de la Concorde E
Jean Coutu
H7E
2900 Blvd. de la Concorde E
Germaine-Guèvremont Library
H7E
3200 Blvd. de la Concorde E
Metro Plus
H7E
3595 Blvd. de la Concorde E
Intermarché Palumbo
H7E
4975 Blvd. Robert-Bourassa
Canadian Tire
H7E
5805 Blvd. Robert-Bourassa
IGA
H7E
2495 Blvd. Saint-Martin E
Patisserie St Martin
H7E
3245 Blvd. Saint-Martin E
Villa Val Des Arbres
H7G
155 Blvd. de la Concorde E
Metro Plus
H7G
300 Blvd. de la Concorde E
Polyclinique Médicale
H7G
405 Blvd. des Laurentides
Jean Coutu
H7G
1610 Blvd. Saint-Martin E
Chartrand Ford Inc
H7K
134 Blvd. Bellerose E
Euro Marché
H7K
5000 Blvd. des Laurentides
Metro Plus
H7K
5680 Blvd. des Laurentides
IGA
H7L
180 Blvd. Curé-Labelle
Jean Coutu
H7L
380 Blvd. Curé-Labelle
IGA
H7L
1207 Blvd. Curé-Labelle
Metro Plus
H7L
173 Blvd. Sainte-Rose
Uniprix
H7M
1640 A. Jean-Noël-Lavoie E
Subaru de Laval
H7M
1755 Blvd. René-Laennec
Cité-de-la-Santé Hospital
H7M
1859 Blvd. René-Laennec
Jean Coutu
H7M
1759 Blvd. des Laurentides
Uniprix
H7M
1904 Blvd. des Laurentides
Super C
H7M
255 Blvd. Saint-Martin E
Vimont Toyota Laval
H7M
700 Blvd. Saint-Martin E
Honda De Laval
H7N
475 Blvd. de l’Avenir
Salle André-Mathieu
H7N
1100 Blvd. de l’Avenir
Metro Plus Dépatie
H7N
1455 Blvd. de l’Avenir
Résidences Soleil Manoir
H7N
279-B Blvd. Cartier O
Uniprix
H7N
307 Blvd. Cartier O
IGA
H7N
430 Blvd. Cartier O
Proxim
H7N
255 Blvd. de la Concorde O
Jean Coutu
H7N
255 Blvd. de la Concorde O
Intermarché Palumbo
H7N
1295 Blvd. de la Concorde O
Jean Coutu
H7N
1315 Blvd. de la Concorde O
Uniprix
H7N
1395 Blvd. de la Concorde O
Maison des arts de Laval
H7N
1950 Rue Claude-Gagné
Place Bell
H7P
3699 Autoroute 440 O
Colfax
H7P
4355 Autoroute 440 O
Guimond Sports Complex
H7P
3095 A. Jean-Noël-Lavoie
Carrefour Multisports
H7P
3131 A. Jean-Noël-Lavoie 440 O
Mercedes-Benz Laval
H7P
2705 Blvd. Chomedey
440 Lincoln Laval
H7P
2800 Blvd. Chomedey
Cadillac Laval
H7P
2805 Blvd. Chomedey
CHSLD de Laval
H7P
2911 Blvd. Chomedey
Service de police de Laval
H7P
3230 Blvd. Curé-Labelle
Agoo
H7P
3505 Blvd. Dagenais O
Gabrielle-Roy Library
H7P
3270 Blvd. St-Elzear O
Résidence Estia
H7R
4515 Blvd. Arthur-Sauvé
Jean Coutu
H7R
6155 Blvd. Arthur-Sauvé
Metro Plus
H7R
3875 Blvd. Sainte-Rose
Depanneur Wilson
H7S
1700 Blvd. le Corbusier
Duclos Laval Chrysler
H7S
2250 Av. Francis-Hughes
STL
H7S
1446 Blvd. Saint-Martin O
St. Martin Oasis
H7T
3500 A. Jean-Noël-Lavoie
Desmeules Chrysler
H7T
3670 A. Jean-Noël-Lavoie O
440 Laval Chevrolet
H7T
2150 Autoroute Laurentian
Cosmodôme
H7T
3300 Blvd. le Carrefour
Groupe Sélection
H7T
1700 Blvd. Chomedey
Lallier Kia de Laval
H7T
2200 Blvd. Chomedey
Mazda de Laval
H7T
2385 Blvd. Chomedey
Chomedey Toyota Laval
H7T
2450 Blvd. Chomedey
BMW Laval
H7T
2137 Blvd. Curé-Labelle
IGA
H7T
1794 Av. Pierre-Péladeau
Presse Café
H7T
3131 Blvd. Saint-Martin O
Ville De Laval
H7T
3208 Blvd. Saint-Martin O
Déjeuner Cosmopolitain
H7T
3216 Blvd. Saint-Martin O
Marchés Tau
H7T
4363 Blvd. Saint-Martin O
Pharmacy Liounis
H7V
3205 Place Alton-Goldbloom
Jewish Hospital
H7V
1 Place de la Belle-Rive (#7)
Le Domaine Bellerive
H7V
5 Place de la Belle-Rive
Appartements Bellerive 3
H7V
505 Rue Cardinal
Residence Le Renoir
H7V
800 Blvd. Chomedey (Tour B, 2nd Floor)
CLSC Ruisseau-Papineau
H7V
1333 Blvd. Chomedey
Laval Administration
H7V
1400 Blvd. Chomedey
Jardins de Renoir
H7V
1535 Blvd. Chomedey
Multiculturelle Library
H7V
435 Blvd. Curé-Labelle S
Axion 50 plus
H7V
610 Blvd. Curé-Labelle
Jean Coutu
H7V
2999 Blvd. Notre Dame
CHSLD Résidence Riviera
H7V
3055 Blvd. Notre Dame (#109)
Boisé Notre-Dame
H7V
1450 Pie X (Suite 214)
CDC Laval
H7W
1013 Autoroute 13
Tennis 13 Fitness
H7W
5400 Av. Clarendon
Depanneur Bleue
H7W
1665 Rue du Couvent
CLSC Ruisseau-Papineau
H7W
25 Promenade des Îles
Villagia De L’ile Paton
H7W
4311 Blvd. Notre Dame
Marché Bamyan
H7W
4325 Blvd. Notre Dame
Tabagie Elite
H7W
4331 Blvd. Notre Dame
Lillies Bakery
H7W
4349 Blvd. Notre Dame
Uniprix
H7W
4919 Blvd. Notre Dame
Vie en vert Supermarket
H7W
4594 Promenade Paton
Manoir des Îles
H7W
755 Chemin du Sablon
Centre du Sablon
H7W
4219 Blvd. Samson
Depanneur Samson
H7W
4305 Blvd. Samson
Supermarché Atlantis
H7W
4427 Blvd. Samson
Royal Lepage
H7W
4600 Blvd. Samson
Supermarché PA
H7W
4657 Blvd. Samson
Ambrosia Bakery
H7W
4691 Blvd. Samson
Jean Coutu
H7W
4725 Blvd. Samson
Depanneur Chomedey
H7W
4136 Chemin du Souvenir
Serano Bakery
H7W
4232 Chemin du Souvenir
Dépanneur STO DEP
H7X
550 Autoroute Chomedey O
IGA
H7X
3200 Autoroute Chomedey A13
Chomedey Hyundai
H7X
239 Blvd. Samson O
Allô mon Coco
H7X
245 Blvd. Samson
Jean Coutu
H7X
555 Blvd. Samson
Metro Marché Denigil
If you would like to add your store as a distribution point, please email us.
Three people will be living temporarily outside their usual home on Place Darieux in Chomedey after a fire set off by a BBQ on a balcony caused $40,000 in damage to the building’s structure and $5,000 in damage to its contents.
The blaze just after 11 pm on Saturday July 11 at the four-unit home near Curé Labelle Blvd., a few blocks north of Saint Martin Blvd., broke out at the second-story level.
Firefighters traced the cause to a container of charcoal briquettes which had been used earlier in the evening for an outdoor BBQ.
Flames were beginning to spread up into the roof when the firefighters intervened to prevent further damage.
One person was treated by Urgences-Santé for smoke inhalation.
Laval Rocket General Manager John Sedgwick has announced the appointment of Daniel Jacob as head coach of the Laval Rocket in the American Hockey League.
With over 15 years of experience in junior and professional hockey, Jacob served as an assistant coach for seven seasons with the AHL’s Laval Rocket, the Syracuse Crunch and the San Diego Gulls.
Jacob, 45, spent the last two seasons (2024-2025 and 2025-2026) with the Laval Rocket as an assistant coach. He served as the defensemen’s coach and oversaw the penalty kill units.
This is Jacob’s second stint with the Laval Rocket, having joined the team in its second year (2018-19 to 2020-21). He also served as an assistant coach with the San Diego Gulls and the Syracuse Crunch for one season each.
Before making the leap to the professional level as a coach, Jacob was an assistant coach for four seasons with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the QMJHL. He also spent four seasons as an assistant coach for the McGill University team in USports.
Before making his coaching debut, the Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu native played for McGill University for four seasons, following a brief stint with the Drummondville Voltigeurs organization in the QMJHL. He tallied 37 points (16 goals, 21 assists) and 369 penalty minutes in 108 games at the Canadian university level.
He then finished his playing career with the San Antonio Rampage in the American Hockey League, before concluding his professional career with Innsbruck HC in Austria.
“The Montreal Canadiens organization is proud to promote Daniel Jacob to the position of head coach of the Laval Rocket,” said Sedgwick.
“Daniel is the right person for this role, and we have full confidence in his ability to continue to develop our young players in a competitive environment,” he added.
Canada-U.S. business relationships have weakened during trade war, CFIB says
As CUSMA negotiations move into a new phase after the U.S. government’s failure to renew the trade agreement with Canada, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal government to ensure small business priorities remain front and centre.
CFIB president Dan Kelly.
On July 1, when the Trump administration decided it would require annual reviews of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement instead of renewing it in its current form, minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade Dominic LeBlanc issued a statement after a meeting with U.S. and Mexico counterparts.
Global economic uncertainty
“In this meeting, I reaffirmed Canada’s unwavering support for the CUSMA and its renewal,” said LeBlanc.
“Canada approaches these discussions from a position of strength and with the goal of preserving and strengthening one of the most successful trading relationships in the world,” he continued. “At a time of global economic uncertainty, Canada is a stable, reliable and trusted partner.”
Small business owners in Canada “are frustrated” with the uncertainty, said Dan Kelly, president of the CFIB, Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 103,000 members across the country.
He said the ongoing uncertainty around tariffs and trade has delayed real decisions on investment and growth, while adding that “protecting Canada’s existing CUSMA exemptions must remain government’s top priority.”
“While Canada’s continued tariff-free CUSMA access has helped enormously,” said Kelly, “small businesses are facing several major pain-points, including sectoral tariffs on steel and aluminum and challenges for small volume exporters in demonstrating CUSMA compliance.”
Most SMEs want best deal possible
According to the CFIB, two-thirds (64 per cent) of small businesses in Canada support taking the time needed to secure the best possible terms for renewed or renegotiated CUSMA, compared to only 16 per cent who would prefer a quicker but potentially less favourable agreement.
The CFIB maintains that Canada–U.S. business relationships have weakened significantly during the trade war, with 75 per cent of SMEs saying the tariff fight has strained their relationships with U.S. partners or clients in April 2026, up sharply from 49 per cent in March 2025. Only 40 per cent of small firms now view the U.S. as a reliable trading partner.
As a result, nearly half (48 per cent) of Canada’s SMEs trading with the U.S. have shifted to non‑U.S. suppliers or customers. Among those, nearly three-quarters are pivoting to domestic markets. Beyond Canada, Asia (40 per cent) and EU countries (39 per cent) are the top alternatives though high shipping costs, border delays and complex custom procedures limit broader trade diversification.
No replacement for U.S. market
“While business owners are doing what they can to diversify their trade, we’re never going to be able to entirely replace the 340-million-person market that exists right along our border,” said Kelly. “That’s why it’s so important to get this right and get a deal that business owners are confident will hold for years to come.”
As talks continue, according to Kelly, negotiators should seek out areas where there is common ground for improvement, including making CUSMA more accessible to small business owners, streamlining customs rules at the border and clarifying rules of origin.
“As negotiators look ahead to the next version of the agreement, they need to understand it’s not an easy process for small businesses to navigate,” said Corinne Pohlmann, CFIB executive vice-president of advocacy. “Unclear rules of origin, and high compliance and administrative costs mean some small firms are forced to weigh paying tariffs instead of using CUSMA.
“We can do better,” she continued. “Ottawa must ensure that small business voices are included in trade negotiations and secure a deal that is clear, accessible and works for businesses of every size.”
Uncertainty hangs over businesses
In an interview with Newsfirst Multimedia, a spokesperson for the CFIB explained what the fallout might be for Canada’s small and medium-size businesses in light of the non-renewal of CUSMA.
“I think the main concern on our end is that it just continues the ongoing uncertainty that has plagued small business owners since the trade war started,” he said. All the same, he said there is some solace to be found in the July 1 deadline coming and going without great fanfare.
“Between the news and what the President was saying, maybe it was a little bit of cause of concern for the public. But knowing that CUSMA remains in place and that the deal doesn’t just end on its own and there’s a whole annual process to go through, I think that provides a little bit of certainty amidst the uncertainty.
“But the main thing as negotiations go forward and we continue in this uncertain situation, we don’t know what’s going to happen with the deal, we don’t know what changes are going to be made,” he added.
“And for small business owners across the country, that means they’re going to continue to delay investment decisions, hiring decisions, business decisions until the ground becomes a little bit more stable.”
On Monday June 29, the Laval Fire Dept. responded to an emergency at the Saint-Vincent-de-Paul industrial park involving a gas leak that forced the evacuation of people living in the area.
Excavation work, taking place at the industrial enclave on Boulevard Leman near the junction of Route 125 and Autoroute 440 in eastern Laval, is believed to have caused a gas leak that occurred around 6:44 p.m.
After 9-1-1 the emergency call centre was alerted, the first of 22 firefighters dispatched by the LFD to the scene (six firefighter units and supervising officers) arrived at 6:50 p.m. and immediately detected the distinctive sound of the gas leak.
As a precaution, the firefighters quickly evacuated nearby buildings to ensure the safety of their occupants. These preventative measures continued until the leak was located, contained and repaired by gas containment experts at 7:40 p.m. No one was reported to have been injured during the incident.
Faulty electric bike battery starts house fire
Firefighters were forced to rescue a family dog after the lithium battery of an electric bicycle, which had been left plugged in inside the garage of a house on Macao Street in Fabreville, caught fire on the evening of Monday June 29.
The LFD sent seven units, including 29 firefighters and supervisors, to the area, located just south of Sainte-Rose Boulevard to respond to the outbreak. The first firefighters arrived on the scene at 9:15 p.m., seven minutes after the 9-1-1 call.
Thick smoke from a garage attached to the single-family home was beginning to spread to the rest of the building. While ensuring the safe evacuation of the dog, the firefighters quickly moved toward the source of the fire to contain it.
By 9:36 p.m., firefighters had completely put out the flames, then carried out an extensive ventilation of the heavily smoke-filled premises. There was estimated damage amounting to approximately $75,000 to the building’s structure and $50,000 for its contents.
Other recent fires in Laval
June 25 | 11:48 PM // Building fire on Rue des Vosges in Laval’s Vimont district.
Residential building. Visible flames. Fire located at the rear of the house.
Spread to the roof and a neighboring building.
The code was 10-12, requiring the sounding of a second alarm.
Recruited by François Legault, Céline Haytayan is leaving politics
Coalition Avenir Québec MNA for Laval-des-Rapides Céline Haytayan has announced she won’t be seeking a second term in office.
Laval-des-Rapides CAQ MNA Céline Haytayan.
Haytayan, who defeated former Quebec Liberal Party MNA for Laval-des-Rapides Saul Polo in the 2022 election, had initially been introduced to voters as a star candidate with a background in economics, although she was never appointed to the CAQ cabinet.
Instead, Haytayan served as parliamentary assistant to the Minister of the Economy, focusing on artificial intelligence, science and innovation, among other areas.
Supported Fréchette
She also supported Christine Fréchette in the CAQ’s recent leadership race to succeed François Legault as party leader and provincial Premier.
Haytayan stated in a recent interview with a Montreal daily that Fréchette deserves credit for restoring the CAQ’s credibility and bringing the party back as a contender in the upcoming electoral race. She said her decision to leave politics was for personal reasons.
“In 2022, when I presented myself to you, my commitment was fueled by unwavering energy and deep conviction,” she wrote in a recent message to her riding’s constituents. “To seek a mandate and serve the public, I firmly believe that one must feel this impulse wholeheartedly.”
She said she chose not to run again “out of honesty with myself, but also out of respect for the CAQ.”
May return to politics
Haytayan worked for 14 years at the Montréal International economic development agency. She was also responsible for international corporate affairs at software developer Ubisoft before joining the CAQ prior to the last provincial election.
She said she is not ruling out a possible return to politics in the future. “I have no regrets. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in politics,” she said.
It’s worth noting that in recent months, around thirty CAQ MNAs, including several ministers, have left the party or announced that they will not be running in the October provincial election.
Backed nurse practitioners
In January 2023 at the time of the opening of the province’s first university-level clinical and teaching institution for specialized nurse practitioners in Laval, Haytayan shared her feelings on the importance of the creation of this groundbreaking institution.
“I share the pride and joy of everyone who worked so intensely on this project over the past few months,” said Haytayan. “This approach for a clinic-school being brought forward moves me a lot. “For the people of Laval, it is very good news,” she added.
“We will thus be able to reduce overcrowding at Cité de la Santé hospital, while contributing to the training of future nurses. I would like to salute the commitment of all the partners who united their efforts around this project.”
More than 15,000 turn out to celebrate Greek culture and Canada Day
For the first time in years, the yard outside Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church on Souvenir Blvd. in Chomedey was filled with an almost overflow crowd last Saturday evening for a celebration on day two of the Laval Greek community’s annual Hellenic Summer Festival.
In recent years, attendance at the Laval Hellenic Summer Festival fell off discernibly as unpredictable weather patterns, as well the Covid-19 pandemic, discouraged many with Hellenic roots from turning up for the three-to-four-day event.
The Laval Hellenic Summer Festival’s traditional cutting of the Canada Day cake with dignitaries, including Chomedey MNA Sona Lakhoyan Olivier, HCGM president Basile Angelopoulos and Laval-Les Îles MP Fayçal El-Khoury. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia)
Hellenic ancestry celebrated
But last weekend, on the Saturday evening following Canada Day, all that was but a memory.
Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal’s regional president for Laval, Katerina Hulis, was delighted that the weather this year was perfect (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia)
Tighter than usual security dealt with long lineups at the gate, as 3,000 people with Hellenic ancestry from all over the Montreal region converged at the landmark church for the largest celebration of Greek heritage seen in Laval in some time.
In all, more than 15,000 people attended the Laval Hellenic Summer Festival. It was one of several Hellenic cultural festivals held each summer in Parc Extension, on the West Island and on the South Shore.
Now in her second term as the Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal’s regional president for Laval, Katerina Hulis was delighted that the weather this year was perfect compared to a good number of years past.
“We’re having a full three days of sunshine – it has been such a blessing,” Hulis, who helped lead the committee which organized the festival, said in an interview with Newsfirst Multimedia.
Festival expansion next year?
According to Hulis, there was also a big demand by vendors hoping to set up merchandise kiosks – to the point some had to be turned away, she said.
As such, she suggested it might be necessary next year to expand the festival’s offerings given an apparent revival of interest in Hellenic culture by members of the local Greek community.
Hulis saw the resurgence as a sign that a younger generation of Montreal’s Greeks are becoming more involved in their ancestral community.
“I think that by us embracing the youth and allowing them to actually feel what it is to be a member, we are giving them a space where truly they feel they are supported and belong and I feel they have connected with that,” she said.
As it was just a few days since Canada Day, the festival was an occasion, as always, to celebrate the nation’s cultural origins and its multicultural diversity – even though the festival remained primarily a celebration of Hellenic values and culture.
Festival format updated
In a significant updating of the festival’s format this year, the “head table” (where the dignitaries normally sit together, although cut off from the rest of the crowd) was set aside for something less formal.
Cocktail tables were placed a short distance from the the stage, where anybody could chat the dignitaries up and talk politics or current issues.
In all, more than 15,000 people attended the 2026 Laval Hellenic Summer Festival the weekend after Canada Day. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia)
Among the dignitaries who dropped by to enjoy some Hellenic ambience, some BBQ’d Greek delicacies and a piece of Canada Day cake were HCGM president Basile Angelopoulos, Chomedey city councillor Aglaia Revelakis, Renaud city councillor Seta Topouzian and Le Carrefour city councillor Mohamed Bâ.
Also on hand were L’Abord-à-Plouffe councillor Vasilios Karidogiannis (representing Mayor Stéphane Boyer), Souvenir-Labelle councillor Sandra El-Helou, Chomedey MNA Sona Lakhoyan Olivier and Laval-Les Îles MP Fayçal El-Khoury.
Sixteen take oath of citizenship in ceremony at Laval’s Centre de la nature
“It’s hard to imagine a more memorable day to become a Canadian citizen than July the first,” Alfred-Pellan Member of Parliament Angelo Iacono said as he addressed a gathering of people attending a Canadian citizenship ceremony at Laval’s Centre de la nature in Duvernay on Canada Day.
“On this Canada Day let’s remember that this country is the fruit of the efforts of millions of people from the four corners of the globe, and also of the Aboriginal people,” he continued. “It is my great honor to welcome you into our Canadian family.”
Canadian citizenship judge Jean Robert congratulates one of the 16 new Canadians who took the oath of citizenship on July 1 at Laval’s Centre de la nature in Duvernay. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)
“Diversity is a fact – it’s who we are – we are a diverse society,” said Marc-Aurèle-Fortin MP Carlos Leitão. “Inclusion is a choice – it’s a policy choice – it’s a decision that we made in Canada years and years ago to be an inclusive society, which is now part of our DNA – part of our national fiber.”
Citizenship opens doors
In particular, Leitão addressed the younger people in the audience, saying that he was in their place 46 years ago when he became a Canadian citizen after arriving in Canada from Portugal. “Everything is possible when you are a Canadian citizen,” he said.
Laval-Les Îles MP Fayçal El-Khoury, who also became a Canadian citizen after immigrating to Canada from Lebanon 48 years ago, told the newly sworn-in citizens that they deserved to be Canadian citizens, just as Canada “deserves citizens like you.”
“Be happy and proud to be able to say that we are Canadians, without forgetting the country you came from,” El-Khoury added. “To be a good Canadian you have to work hard, you have to be honest, and you have to contribute to our values, to our economy, and even to our policies, to our politics.”
Canada’s 159th birthday
It was the 159th anniversary of the country’s founding. In all, 16 people became Canadian citizens during the ceremony. And for many of those present, it was an unforgettable opportunity to celebrate Canada’s birthday.
On hand for the ceremony were (from the left) Laval city councillors Martin Vaillancourt (Fabreville-Sud), Vasilios Karidogiannis (L’Abord-à-Plouffe) and Aglaia Revelakis (Chomedey). (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)
The ceremony and administration of the citizenship oath was presided by Canadian Citizenship Judge Jean Robert. A respected educator and community leader from the Quebec City region, Robert has worked to improve access to education and health care. Perfectly fluent in French and English, Robert has been a strong supporter of bilingualism, while playing an important role in strengthening English-language institutions.
Apart from the citizenship ceremony, those attending the ceremony were also privileged to take part in an all-day family celebration designed to delight visitors of all ages, while sharing joyful and welcoming moments in festive and heartwarming surroundings.
A Day Full of Family Activities
Starting with the official opening in the morning, visitors were able to enjoy a full day of activities. In celebration of World Cup 2026, with Canada as one of the host countries, soccer took centre stage with mini matches and skills challenges on the grounds of the Centre de la nature.
Guests – but especially kids – were also able to enjoy face painting, creative craft workshops, inflatable games and more. The presence of members of the Canadian Armed Forces added an extra patriotic dimension to the festivities.
By late morning, food trucks offered something for every palate. By early afternoon just before the start of the citizenship ceremony, the national anthem was sung during a flag-raising ceremony.
A meaningful Oath of Citizenship
The candidates for citizenship took the following oath: “I swear (or affirm) that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles the Third King of Canada, his heirs and successors, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of Canada, including the constitution, which recognizes and affirms the Aboriginal and treaty rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, and fulfil my duties as a Canadian citizen.”
Everyone was invited to take the oath of citizenship. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)
A pamphlet published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada explains that the oath is based on a time-honoured relationship between the “Canadian Crown” and the country’s people.
In his coronation ceremony in 2023, King Charles took an oath of loyalty to the people. In turn, the Oath of Canadian Citizenship is a “promise of loyalty back to the King.”
With the summer’s first heatwaves rolling through Laval as thousands of young people were beginning school holidays, the City of Laval announced a $25 million investment in its sports, recreational and aquatic infrastructure to continue improving living environments on its territory.
From neighborhood parks to large-scale projects, the investments will support approximately 40 projects across all of Laval’s neighborhoods. According to the city, they will also provide more residents with access to modern, accessible, safe and suitable facilities.
“Residents tell us they want to be active, enjoy nature and have access to quality facilities close to home,” said Mayor Stéphane Boyer.
“The message is clear: we must continue to invest in our parks, sports facilities and community spaces to ensure they remain accessible, safe and adapted to the needs of the population,” he added. “By modernizing our infrastructure and improving services in all neighborhoods, we are investing directly in the quality of life, health, and well-being of Laval residents.”
With heatwaves like the one Laval residents have recently been experiencing expected to become more frequent, the city says green spaces and aquatic facilities will be more essential than ever as local resources that allow residents to cool off and enjoy the summer safely.
In Laval, 18 outdoor pools, 8 wading pools and 16 splash pads are now open and accessible for cooling off and having fun on hot days.
These include a brand-new, universally accessible pool, with a wading area and splash pads, which was officially opened to the public at Pie-X Park on June 29 in Chomedey, Laval’s most densely populated area.
In addition, Laval is launching a series of initiatives to enhance its sports, recreational and outdoor infrastructure throughout its neighborhoods.
The investments will include the development of two riverside areas, the major redesign of four parks, the refurbishment of two swimming pools, two splash pads and seven sports fields dedicated to baseball, tennis, and basketball, as well as the construction of four pickleball courts.
The city says it will also continue to improve local spaces by modernizing play structures and swings in 25 parks, developing and improving trails in wooded areas, and adding street furniture.
In addition to these city-wide projects, several major development projects are expected to enhance Laval’s recreational and sports offerings. Among these is the major redesign of Pie-X Park, made possible by a financial contribution from the Government of Quebec and open to the public since June 29.
The city has notably developed Laval’s first-ever refrigerated and covered outdoor skating rink, which residents were able to enjoy during a soft opening at the end of last winter.
‘We understand that many parents are feeling upset,’ says board chair Di Sano
Parents of teens enrolled at the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board’s Rosemère High School in Rosemère were in a state of shock late last week as news spread about a digital spreadsheet e-mailed to them which contained sensitive personal information – including a list of names with corresponding social insurance numbers.
The e-mail, with 2026-27 back-to-school information for parents, came with an attached Excel spreadsheet that also contained several other types of personal information.
Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board’s HQ in Rosemere. (File photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia)
Sensitive personal info
When the foul-up was discovered last Thursday by school board officials, they sent a message by late afternoon warning parents not to open the email, followed by an attempt to recall the e-mail a few minutes later.
“This document contains sensitive personal information, including but not limited to addresses, phone numbers, email addresses and social insurance numbers of all Rosemère High School parents that have a child registered for the 2026-2027 school year,” said the message.
“While the distribution was limited to this group, we recognize the seriousness of this incident and the importance of protecting every family’s personal information,” it stated, while adding, “We sincerely apologize for this situation.È
DELETE immediately
“Do not open and immediately DELETE the email received today,” the school board wrote, saying that parents would be asked to sign a document by 4 pm on July 3 confirming they deleted it and did not share the spreadsheet.
The school board said it is “investigating the circumstances” that led to the email being sent.
“On behalf of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board, we wish to offer our sincerest apologies to families of Rosmère High School affected by today’s information security breach,” chairperson James Di Sano wrote in a statement also sent out.
“We understand that many parents are feeling upset and concerned. This incident is being treated with the utmost seriousness.” Di Sano said the breach will be reported to the Commission d’accès à l’information du Québec, “in accordance with our legal obligations.”
Credit monitoring needed
“We are committed to being transparent, and to keeping our community informed as additional information becomes available,” wrote Di Sano. “Our focus remains on addressing this matter with the care, accountability and seriousness it deserves.”
One digital security expert suggested that close credit monitoring may become a necessity for anyone whose name appeared on the list. Among the risks from such an exposure are identity theft, as well as loans or credit cards fraudulently obtained by perpetrators who could get access to the list.
In the meantime, the SWLSB has announced a program of free credit monitoring for affected parents, while also vowing to “implement any additional measures necessary to strengthen our processes and prevent this from happening again.”
Social services provider ‘continues to face growing demand,’ annual report says
In their latest annual report, the directors of the Youth and Parents Agape Association say 2025-2026 was “another productive year” when an important number of English-speaking Laval residents were served by the organization which has long been based in Chomedey.
Over the past 12 months, Agape provided services, resources, presentations, referrals, emergency food relief and other essential support to more than 5,000 individuals.
Agape executive-director Kevin McLeod delivered part of the Chomedey-based social service organization’s 2025-2026 report of activities on June 26 in the offices of the Senior Wellness Centre on Notre-Dame Blvd. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)
An overview of efforts
Founded in 1976 by Cliff and Leo Young in a Chomedey church basement, Agape has progressed since then from a food and clothing bank to become a corner stone for the provision of a range of social services directed primarily at English-speaking Chomedey and Laval residents.
The 2025-2026 report offers a comprehensive overview of Agape’s efforts to enhance the vitality of the underprivileged English-speaking and multicultural communities in Laval from April last year up to March 2026.
Over the past year, according to the report, Agape provided 693 free food and clothing orders, benefiting 842 people. Of these, 64 per cent were adults and 36 per cent were children.
Close to 500 individuals received emergency food relief last Christmas and 112 children received new gifts or toys during the holiday season.
Demand beyond December peak
“Distribution was particularly significant around Easter, beyond the December peak,” the 2025-2026 report states. However, it goes on to note that “Agape continues to face growing demand for its services while experiencing a decline in both monetary and food donations.
“Ongoing economic uncertainty and rising living costs are increasing the need for support within the community, while potentially reducing funding opportunities and charitable giving. As a result, fundraising initiatives will be essential to sustain and expand Agape’s services.”
Agape’s assistant director and staff social worker Ian Williams also delivered part of the organization’s 2025-2026 report on activities. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)
While explaining Agape’s Elementary School Dropout Prevention Through Social Emotional Learning program, executive-director Kevin McLeod revealed that JFK Elementary School in Chomedey (where the program is provided) now ranks 10 on a 10-point poverty scale.
Hard times at Laval’s schools
He said another school in Chomedey is about to go from 6 to 8 on the scale. “Schools are having a harder time, which means there’s more of a need for social emotional learning in the schools,” said McLeod.
While funding and support for the program were secured until this past June, Agape is currently actively seeking funding to be able to offer social emotional learning at more Laval schools in the coming years.
According to McLeod, learning itself is being impacted in the schools by deteriorating social conditions. “Like one principal said to us, ‘Imagine that we have to take a step back from academics right now in order to be concentrated on the well-being of our kids,’” he said.
“There’s also issues happening – not to sound alarming – but there’s gangsterism happening among children 10 to 12 years old in primary schools,” he continued, maintaining that the gang activities include drug dealing and prostitution. “So, Agape is leading the charge on that.”
Senior Wellness Centre continues
Regarding the Senior Wellness Centre, according to the 2025-2026 report, Agape plans to continue to expand the SWC’s initiatives into 2026-2027 with renewed funding until March next year.
“The focus remains on sustaining these vital services to support health, social engagement and an overall well-being of English-speaking seniors in the community,” states the report.
There was a full house of supporters, many of them seniors, at Agape’s 2025-2026 annual general meeting on June 26. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)
Over the past year, the SWC operated from two locations (one in Chomedey and the other in Duvernay), as well as through online programming – “ensuring broad accessibility for Laval seniors.” In all, 406 seniors participated in the SWC’s actvities and services at the Chomedey and Duvernay centres.
The ongoing support of a team of 18 dedicated SWC volunteers “played a vital role in the daily operation and success of the centres.” In partnership with the Pharmaprix drug store chain, the SWC hosted a vaccination clinic in October last year, administering 291 vaccines (153 for flu, 127 Covid and 11 for shingles) to seniors.
Building community connection
Generally, the latest annual report states, the SWC helped build a daily sense of community connection in the past year, welcoming an average of 50 to 60 seniors each weekday, while providing opportunities for social interaction, physical activity, learning and mutual support.
Also in the past year, under Agape’s Youth Mental Health Initiative, awareness was raised through social media and other digital means regarding gaps in mental health services among young English-speaking Laval residents aged 12-29 years.
As part of the program, promotional fidget toys were developed and created with youth mental health resources printed on them. In all, nearly 800 fidgets were distributed at Laval Junior Academy. Through other resources, including event kiosks, 2,500 youths were reached.
