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Important message concerning the newspaper distribution

Laval News Staff
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Important message concerning the newspaper distribution

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

H7A600 Montée du MoulinJean Coutu
H7A600 Montée du MoulinRONA
H7A8075 Blvd. Lévesque EUltra Depanneur
H7C4411 Blvd. de la Concorde EIGA
H7C4425 Blvd. de la Concorde EJean Coutu
H7E2900 Blvd. de la Concorde EGermaine-Guèvremont Library
H7E3200 Blvd. de la Concorde EMetro Plus
H7E3595 Blvd. de la Concorde EIntermarché Palumbo
H7E4975 Blvd. Robert-BourassaCanadian Tire
H7E5805 Blvd. Robert-BourassaIGA
H7E2495 Blvd. Saint-Martin EPatisserie St Martin
H7E3245 Blvd. Saint-Martin EVilla Val Des Arbres
H7G155 Blvd. de la Concorde EMetro Plus
H7G300 Blvd. de la Concorde EPolyclinique Médicale
H7G405 Blvd. des LaurentidesJean Coutu
H7G1610 Blvd. Saint-Martin EChartrand Ford Inc
H7K134 Blvd. Bellerose EEuro Marché
H7K5000 Blvd. des LaurentidesMetro Plus
H7K5680 Blvd. des LaurentidesIGA
H7L180 Blvd. Curé-LabelleJean Coutu
H7L380 Blvd. Curé-LabelleIGA
H7L1207 Blvd. Curé-LabelleMetro Plus
H7L173 Blvd. Sainte-RoseUniprix
H7M1640 A. Jean-Noël-Lavoie ESubaru de Laval
H7M1755 Blvd. René-LaennecCité-de-la-Santé Hospital
H7M1859 Blvd. René-LaennecJean Coutu
H7M1759 Blvd. des LaurentidesUniprix
H7M1904 Blvd. des LaurentidesSuper C
H7M255 Blvd. Saint-Martin EVimont Toyota Laval
H7M700 Blvd. Saint-Martin EHonda De Laval
H7N475 Blvd. de l’AvenirSalle André-Mathieu
H7N1100 Blvd. de l’AvenirMetro Plus Dépatie
H7N1455 Blvd. de l’AvenirRésidences Soleil Manoir
H7N279-B Blvd. Cartier OUniprix
H7N307 Blvd. Cartier OIGA
H7N430 Blvd. Cartier OProxim
H7N255 Blvd. de la Concorde OJean Coutu
H7N255 Blvd. de la Concorde OIntermarché Palumbo
H7N1295 Blvd. de la Concorde OJean Coutu
H7N1315 Blvd. de la Concorde OUniprix
H7N1395 Blvd. de la Concorde OMaison des arts de Laval
H7N1950 Rue Claude-GagnéPlace Bell
H7P3699 Autoroute 440 OColfax
H7P4355 Autoroute 440 OGuimond Sports Complex
H7P3095 A. Jean-Noël-LavoieCarrefour Multisports
H7P3131 A. Jean-Noël-Lavoie 440 OMercedes-Benz Laval
H7P2705 Blvd. Chomedey440 Lincoln Laval
H7P2800 Blvd. ChomedeyCadillac Laval
H7P2805 Blvd. ChomedeyCHSLD de Laval
H7P2911 Blvd. ChomedeyService de police de Laval
H7P3230 Blvd. Curé-LabelleAgoo
H7P3505 Blvd. Dagenais OGabrielle-Roy Library
H7P3270 Blvd. St-Elzear ORésidence Estia
H7R4515 Blvd. Arthur-SauvéJean Coutu
H7R6155 Blvd. Arthur-SauvéMetro Plus
H7R3875 Blvd. Sainte-RoseDepanneur Wilson
H7S1700 Blvd. le CorbusierDuclos Laval Chrysler
H7S2250 Av. Francis-HughesSTL
H7S1446 Blvd. Saint-Martin OSt. Martin Oasis
H7T3500 A. Jean-Noël-LavoieDesmeules Chrysler
H7T3670 A. Jean-Noël-Lavoie O440 Laval Chevrolet
H7T2150 Autoroute LaurentianCosmodôme
H7T3300 Blvd. le CarrefourGroupe Sélection
H7T1700 Blvd. ChomedeyLallier Kia de Laval
H7T2200 Blvd. ChomedeyMazda de Laval
H7T2385 Blvd. ChomedeyChomedey Toyota Laval
H7T2450 Blvd. ChomedeyBMW Laval
H7T2137 Blvd. Curé-LabelleIGA
H7T1794 Av. Pierre-PéladeauPresse Café
H7T3131 Blvd. Saint-Martin OVille De Laval
H7T3208 Blvd. Saint-Martin ODéjeuner Cosmopolitain
H7T3216 Blvd. Saint-Martin OMarchés Tau
H7T4363 Blvd. Saint-Martin OPharmacy Liounis
H7V3205 Place Alton-GoldbloomJewish Hospital
H7V1 Place de la Belle-Rive (#7)Le Domaine Bellerive
H7V5 Place de la Belle-RiveAppartements Bellerive 3
H7V505 Rue CardinalResidence Le Renoir
H7V800 Blvd. Chomedey (Tour B, 2nd Floor)CLSC Ruisseau-Papineau
H7V1333 Blvd. ChomedeyLaval Administration
H7V1400 Blvd. ChomedeyJardins de Renoir
H7V1535 Blvd. ChomedeyMulticulturelle Library
H7V435 Blvd. Curé-Labelle SAxion 50 plus
H7V610 Blvd. Curé-LabelleJean Coutu
H7V2999 Blvd. Notre DameCHSLD Résidence Riviera
H7V3055 Blvd. Notre Dame (#109)Boisé Notre-Dame
H7V1450 Pie X (Suite 214)CDC Laval
H7W1013 Autoroute 13Tennis 13 Fitness
H7W5400 Av. ClarendonDepanneur Bleue
H7W1665 Rue du CouventCLSC Ruisseau-Papineau
H7W25 Promenade des ÎlesVillagia De L’ile Paton
H7W4311 Blvd. Notre DameMarché Bamyan
H7W4325 Blvd. Notre DameTabagie Elite
H7W4331 Blvd. Notre DameLillies Bakery
H7W4349 Blvd. Notre DameUniprix
H7W4919 Blvd. Notre DameVie en vert Supermarket
H7W4594 Promenade PatonManoir des Îles
H7W755 Chemin du SablonCentre du Sablon
H7W4219 Blvd. SamsonDepanneur Samson
H7W4305 Blvd. SamsonSupermarché Atlantis
H7W4427 Blvd. SamsonRoyal Lepage
H7W4600 Blvd. SamsonSupermarché PA
H7W4657 Blvd. SamsonAmbrosia Bakery
H7W4691 Blvd. SamsonJean Coutu
H7W4725 Blvd. SamsonDepanneur Chomedey
H7W4136 Chemin du SouvenirSerano Bakery
H7W4232 Chemin du SouvenirDépanneur STO DEP
H7X550 Autoroute Chomedey OIGA
H7X3200 Autoroute Chomedey A13Chomedey Hyundai
H7X239 Blvd. Samson OAllô mon Coco
H7X245 Blvd. SamsonJean Coutu
H7X555 Blvd. SamsonMetro Marché Denigil

If you would like to add your store as a distribution point, please email us.

info@newsfirst.ca

450-978-9999
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LPD arrests suspect after fake money used for Marketplace purchase

Martin C. Barry
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LPD arrests suspect after fake money used for Marketplace purchase

The Laval Police say investigators with the force’s general crimes division recently arrested an individual in connection with a case involving the use of counterfeit currency.

The suspect was identified by the LPD as Will Alexandre Vixamar, age 19, (Photo: Courtesy of LPD)

Evidence gathered during the investigation indicates that the suspect’s scheme was well-established, raising concerns that others may have fallen victim to similar schemes.

LPD investigators are seeking to contact anyone who has been approached or conducted a transaction with the suspect.

According to the LPD, on May 30, a victim posted an advertisement on the Facebook Marketplace platform for the sale of an iPhone 15 Pro Max.

A few days later, someone named Selena who was using a Facebook account contacted the victim to negotiate a price. An agreement was reached, and exchanges continued via text messages.

During a meeting to finalize the transaction, the suspect allegedly handed over nine $100 bills as payment. When the victim attempted to deposit the money at the bank, the teller refused the bills, which turned out to be counterfeit.

The suspect, identified by the LPD as Will Alexandre Vixamar, 19, faces the following charges: fraud under $5,000, circulation of counterfeit currency, production of counterfeit currency, breach of a release order and breach of probation.

As of last Monday, he remained in custody following a court appearance and his case will return to the Court of Quebec on September 25.

The LPD says its investigators are actively working on cases involving counterfeit currency, while an increase in complaints related to this type of crime has been observed in Laval.

To better protect the public, the LPD says it wishes to remind residents of some essential information and tips for recognizing counterfeit bills.

  • Serial Number: Each bill must have its own unique serial number. Make sure there are no duplicate numbers. (In the case of bills reported by Laval residents, some had serial numbers from the series: GJR6710019 and GJR6710018).
  • Transparent Strip: Examine the transparent strip of the bill. Tiny numbers corresponding to the bill’s value should be visible.
  • Portrait on the Transparent Strip: The portrait visible on the transparent strip must match the main portrait on the ticket.
  • Small Numbers in the Maple Leaf: Using a bright light, look for small numbers hidden within the transparent maple leaf.
  • Metallic Portrait: Make sure the metallic portrait changes color depending on the angle of the light.
  • Ink Texture: Run your finger over the main portrait to feel the texture of the embossed ink.

It should be remembered that you are not obliged to accept paper currency if you have any doubts about its authenticity. Feel free to ask for another bill or choose a different payment method.

The Laval Police say they would also like to remind residents that a secure area is available to ensure the safety of transactions. This area is located at the LPD’s Investigations Centre, 2911 Chomedey Boulevard.

Anyone who has been a victim of the suspect or who has information to share regarding this type of incident is asked to contact the LPD confidentially on the Info-Police line at 450-662-INFO (4636) or by calling 911. The case number is LVL260601-065.

SSIL extinguishes blaze in Laval’s downtown sector

Work begins on Espace Montmorency, designed for an intergenerational clientèle

A fire that appears to have spontaneously broken out on September 10 on a construction site in Laval’s downtown sector is believed to have started in a large quantity of cardboard boxes destined for recycling.

The Laval Fire Department (SSIL) identified a mechanical or electrical malfunction as the cause of the fire, which occurred late in the afternoon on Jacques-Tétreault Street near the Urbania condos.

At 4:52 p.m., 911 was notified, and firefighters arriving on the scene saw thick black smoke billowing from the roof of the garage of a multi-story residential building under construction.

The blaze was declared extinguished around 6 pm.

Recent fires in Laval

The Notre-Dame Blvd. fire. (Photo: Courtesy of Association des Pompiers de Laval)

SEPTEMBER 19 | 1:54 AM // Building fire on Notre-Dame Boulevard in the Chomedey sector. Residential building. Smoke visible from the 2nd floor. Code 10-09, full response, potential for escalation. File forwarded to the police for investigation of possible arson.

SEPTEMBER 18 | 9:10 PM // Building fire on Mirelle Street in the Saint-François sector. Residential building. Fire contained to the basement. Smoke visible. Code 10-09, full response. There was potential for escalation.

Quebec civil court judge forces government to issue bilingual election information cards

Martin C. Barry
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Quebec civil court judge forces government to issue bilingual election information cards

1.6 million English-speaking Quebecers ‘deserve respect,’ says Task Force’s Andrew Caddell

A provincial lobby group that promotes bilingualism in Quebec is applauding a decision by judge Sylvain Lussier to force bilingual election information cards to be sent out before the October 5 provincial election.

The Task Force on Linguistic Policy has been using legal challenges, public meetings, rallies, expert panels and submissions to governments and the courts to promote bilingualism, inclusion and the protection of linguistic rights across Quebec.

Task Force president Andrew Caddell pointed out the organization was a leader in the bilingual information card issue, which called for an injunction against the decision by Élections Québec to issue all information in French.

Task Force on Linguistic Policy president Andrew Caddell said they were elated upon learning last week of a Quebec Court judge’s decision ordering the Quebec government and Élections Québec to print and circulate English-language pre-election explanatory materials after they had initially declined to do so.

Task Force led case

“Congratulations to lawyers Doug Mitchell and Eric Maldoff, who brought the initiative to court,” Caddell said in a statement issued last week, while noting that Task Force vice president Geoffrey Chambers was the plaintiff in the case.

“We have been calling this decision voter suppression from the very beginning, and we have been joined by commentators and public officials across Quebec and Canada,” added Caddell.

He said the decision sends a message to Premier Christine Fréchette, French Language Minister François Roberge and French Language Commissioner Benoît Dubreuil, “who deliberately prevented bilingual information,” Caddell maintained.

“There are 1.6 million English-speaking Quebecers who deserve respect,” said Caddell. “As citizens and taxpayers, they should be treated equally with every other Quebecer.”

Vulnerable Anglophones

Although the CAQ government had said a QR code in the election information would be satisfactory for English-speaking Quebecers, Caddell responded:

“While the vast majority of Anglophone Quebecers are bilingual, many who are not are the most vulnerable: the elderly, indigenous people, visible minorities, the rural poor and people with physical and mental challenges. Many do not have smart phones and are not capable of using a QR code.”

In a phone interview late last week with Newsfirst Multimedia, Caddell said what astonished him most about the situation was the CAQ government’s determination to ignore Élections Québec’s recommendation that the English-language text be included in the pre-election materials.

CAQ ignored Élections Québec

“They first started writing to them in 2023,” he said regarding the provincial election office’s intervention. “And the last letter was the eighth of April 2025, which is when they last wrote to them and they continued to say no.”

While noting that Élections Québec is supposed to be an autonomous body at arm’s length from the provincial government, Caddell said the CAQ government passed Bill 96 (which he dismissed as unconstitutional), making Élections Québec subject to the reform of Bill 101, Quebec’s original French language protection legislation.

“So, Élections Québec had to ask the minister if they could get an exemption from the Charter of the French Language to do what they’ve always done in the past – and which is in line with Section 133 of the constitution and Section 3 of the Charter – where one affirms English-language rights and the other affirms voting rights.”

Bill 96 challenge still in play

The Task Force currently has a major court case still in motion to challenge Bill 96. They are hoping to be allowed to invoke a legal principle set by the Supreme Court of Canada in 2016 when the “Jordan rule” established a framework for numerical ceilings to go to trial within a reasonable time after charges are laid to the conclusion of a case.

“We submitted our brief on January 31 more than two years ago and we have yet to hear from the Quebec government as to how they are going to respond,” Caddell said. “Like that is a delay that is far too great. And the issue is, I think what is happening is they’re waiting until the decision on Bill 21 on the notwithstanding clause has been decided by the Supreme Court.

Notwithstanding ‘irrelevant,’ Task Force claims

“But our case shouldn’t be determined on the basis of the notwithstanding clause, because we argued that the notwithstanding clause is actually in some ways irrelevant to the issues that we’re raising,” he continued.

“Because we’re raising issues about different parts of the constitution, and we’re also saying that the charter itself and the notwithstanding clause should be put aside, because the charter itself does not change any laws that already exist.”

Caddell said the Task Force’s view is that the government should have given them a court date sooner, “but we’re still waiting.” He said the Task Force has no intention of giving up on the issue until they’ve exhausted all legal avenues.

U.S./Canada trade war puts over 50,000 Canadian small businesses at risk

Martin C. Barry
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U.S./Canada trade war puts over 50,000 Canadian small businesses at risk

Additional product bans loom, Canadian Federation of Independent Business estimates

According to new estimates released in recent weeks by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, 53,112 businesses are directly impacted by either U.S. tariffs, Canadian counter-tariffs or both.

Ryan Mallough, vice-president for legislative affairs and communications at the CFIB, says there is a growing belief that midterm elections in the U.S. in November may help lead to more positive developments in the tariff war between Canada and the U.S. (Photo: Courtesy of Canadian Federation of Independent Business)

Of that total, 13,160 are exporters, while 45,414 are importers.

Small business excluded

“While government has made a few important and welcome changes to the main tariff supports, the programs continue to exclude about half of the small business community,” says Corinne Pohlmann, executive vice-president for advocacy at the Toronto-headquartered CFIB.

“We have been telling government that the counter-tariffs would have a far broader impact than the U.S. tariffs,” she continues.

“Programs that only help a few thousand businesses are unacceptable when tens of thousands need support,” says Pohlmann, adding that the recent announcement that some Canadian goods will be outright banned from U.S. import at the end of September only underscores the need to get support ASAP.

Small business relief

With that in mind, the CFIB is proposing three important measures:

  • A dedicated Small Business Tariff Relief (SBTR) program, where impacted exporters and importers who can provide direct evidence they paid the tariffs directly, or adjusted prices to absorb part or all of the tariff, would be eligible to receive initial tariff relief up to $70,000 CAD.
  • An SME Desk for Tariff Remissions to speed up decisions on eliminating Canadian retaliatory tariffs if there are major negative impacts on the industry or if alternatives to the U.S. product are not readily available.
  • Immediate tax relief for all small businesses in the form of a Small Business Corporate Tax Rate cut from 9% to 6%, retroactive to January 1, 2026, and an increase to the Small Business Deduction threshold from $500,000 to $700,000 with future indexation to inflation.

“The Regional Tariff Response Initiative Programs have standardized eligibility criteria and reduced their access thresholds down to $1 million, but it doesn’t go far enough,” said Pohlmann.

Direct suppport for small players

“A $1-million threshold will still exclude a huge number of businesses. We need a simple, direct support program to help small businesses on the U.S. and Canadian tariff lists in addition to broad-based tax relief to help all small firms that will be hurt by the trade war.”

In an interview with Newsfirst Multimedia, Ryan Mallough, vice-president for legislative affairs and communications at the CFIB, was asked whether the CFIB foresees the current tariff war between Canada and the U.S. being toned down in the next two years or sooner as President Donald Trump’s time in office is projected to end in January 2029.

“First and foremost, really and truly, I think we hope it doesn’t take two years,” he said. “I hope we’re able to reach some kind of deal well before then.” He suggested that the date many Canadians and Americans are now eagerly anticipating comes in November when the U.S. midterm elections take place.

Shifting political climate in U.S.

Historically, midterm elections often see the president’s party lose seats in the U.S. Congress, and frequently see the president’s opposite-party opponents gain control of one or both houses of Congress.

“If the House or the Senate changes hands or both of them change hands, what that does can change the administration’s tenor or their ability to invoke things,” said Mallough. “So, the first potential exit ramp is probably over the next couple of months.”

After that, he said it will be a question of whether federal Minister Responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade Dominic Leblanc and his U.S. counterpart Jamieson Greer continue to talk and “force the conversation to become more pressing on both sides, and do we see something happen there.

No signs of short-term relief

“Overall, we hope that the sides are still communicating and talking,” Mallough continued. “You know, would I expect a deal imminently? I don’t think so. But, as we’ve experienced throughout the trade war, things tend to move very quickly in both directions.

“So, it would both be a surprise and not a surprise to hear that there is a deal, you know, in the works. But at the same time, I think a lot of people are making the calculus that in two years, constitutionally there has to be a change in the presidency, you know, and that’s sort of the long end of the timeline on that side.”

Stay busy with activities offered by City of Laval this month

Martin C. Barry
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Stay busy with activities offered by City of Laval this month

For those with some free time in their agendas as well as a sense of curiosity and a desire to learn, the City of Laval is offering several educational and family-oriented activities in September. Here are three taking place this month.

Do you remember (or can you at least imagine) some of the restaurants and lounge bars with their exotic and captivating decor that once defined exciting and romantic evenings in Laval and Montreal between 1950 and 1980?

During a friendly gathering on Friday September 25 from 2– 3:30 pm, Roxanne Arsenault and Caroline Dubuc, authors of the book and documentary series KITSCH QC (broadcast on the Historia Channel), invite you to rediscover this colorful and bygone era.

Roxanne Arsenault and Caroline Dubuc, authors of the book and documentary series KITSCH QC.

How did the trend manifest itself here in Laval? What traces of it remain today? And what role did cultural communities play in the rise of these unique establishments? With matchboxes, postcards and vintage ads, the authors will share some of the unusual objects they found while doing their research.

Coffee and snacks will be served in addition to the discussion, animated by Maxime, the ever-cheerful hostess at Maison André-Benjamin-Papineau.

For those who choose to attend, your ticket will also include access to the exhibitions at the Maison André-Benjamin-Papineau.

The Maison André-Benjamin-Papineau is located at 5475 Saint-Martin Blvd. West, in Laval. There’s a $10 admission charge and information on reservations can be found on the City of Laval’s website.

On Friday September 25 From 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., residents of the Val-Martin neighbourhood in Chomedey will be celebrating at Val-Martin en Fête (Val-Martin Festival) at the Parc des Trajectoires (3730 Boulevard Notre Dame, Laval, QC H7V 3J1).

This festive and free-of-charge event aims to highlight and celebrate the many achievements that have transformed the Val-Martin neighborhood over the years with the help of residents, partners and community organizations.

With numerous activities planned in the park and garden on this day, everyone is invited to come celebrate the strengths of the neighbourhood.

On the program:

• 3:30 p.m.: Welcome for partners and residents;

• 3:45 p.m.: Opening remarks, thank yous and testimonials;

• 4:15 p.m.: Opening of activities (face painting, gardening, sports and arts activities, DJ);

• 6:30 p.m.: Closing of the event.

Photography for beginners

Finally, from1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday September 26, a free photography workshop for beginners given by the Laval Photo Club will be taking place at Bernard-Landry Park in Laval-des-Rapides (meeting point at the park chalet). No registration is required.

For two hours, workshop participants will work on composition, shooting techniques and lighting. Through games and experiments, they will put basic theoretical concepts into practice.

While this activity is open to everyone, children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Concepts that will be covered during the workshop:

  • Composition (the rule of thirds, leading lines, framing, background management);
  • Lighting (direction, soft vs. hard, backlighting);
  • Stabilization;
  • Complementary colors.

By the end of the workshop, you should be able to:

  • Compose a thoughtful image;
  • Obtain sharp, well-exposed pictures;
  • And have a sharper photographic eye and creativity.

Prerequisites:

Have a cell phone and ensure the battery is charged before the start; have a basic understanding of your equipment; be open to receiving constructive feedback and take the time to practice during the designated periods. In case of adverse weather conditions or circumstances beyond anyone’s control, the activity may be cancelled at the last minute. You can follow the Laval Photo Club on their Facebook social media platform.

Laval News Volume 34-18

Laval News Staff
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Laval News Volume 34-18

The current issue of the Laval News, volume 34-18, published on September 23rd, 2026.
Covering Laval local news, politics, and sports.
(Click on the image to read the paper.)

Front page of The Laval News.
Front page of The Laval News, September 23rd, 2026 issue.

SPL prioritizing safety during back-to-school period

Martin C. Barry
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SPL prioritizing safety during back-to-school period

With thousands of students returning to school after the summer, areas around Laval schools are once again busy and the police are taking measures to prevent accidents.

To help ensure the safety of all, the Laval Police (SPL) are launching a new edition of their ‘Drop Me Off Safely!” campaign, which aims to raise awareness among road users about best practices to adopt around schools.

As the school year is now underway, police officers will be present in the next few weeks in school zones to conduct road safety and prevention activities.

They will also take the time to speak with parents and drivers to remind them of the importance of respecting traffic signs, speed limits and safe driving practices during student arrival and departure times.

“The safety of young people is a responsibility we all share,” said Karine Ménard, Director of the Laval Police Service.

“Every back-to-school season is an opportunity to work hand in hand with schools, school service centres, crossing guards, parents and all our partners to create a safe environment around our schools.

“Through simple actions, such as slowing down, obeying traffic signs and being patient, everyone can help protect children during their daily commutes,” she said

The ‘Drop Me Off Safely!’ campaign will be rolled out in four phases. Each phase will be launched at a strategic point in the school year to raise awareness among road users about the specific challenges of each period.

  • Phase 1: ‘Back to School,’ from August 31 to September 25, 2026.
  • Phase 2: ‘Darkness Arrives,’ from November 2 to 13, 2026.
  • Phase 3: ‘During Winter,’ from January 18 to February 5, 2027.
  • Phase 4: ‘Spring Arrives,’ from April 12 to 23, 2027.

Police dismantle two networks in theft and resale of stolen tools

Laval is one of several Montreal-area communities where police executed warrants and conducted raids recently in conjunction with the alleged theft and resale of construction and renovation tools stolen home improvement and hardware stores in the Montreal area.

According to a statement issued by the Montreal Police (SPVM), two major criminal networks allegedly stole nearly $800,000 worth of new tools from Montreal area retailers. In both cases, it is alleged the suspected receivers of the stolen goods used online classified ad platforms to resell the stolen items.

In April, the SPVM’s Anti-Theft Unit conducted searches at a house in Laval and two apartments in the Montreal borough of Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension.

In total, investigators seized newly acquired stolen tools valued at approximately $500,000, as well as $325,000 in cash and other evidence. A judge also authorized the seizure of the Laval residence, valued at $500,000.

The main suspects arrested in this criminal investigation were Jaspreet Singh Nagra, 33, Ajit Singh Dablehar, 37, and Baljinder Singh, 37.

They appeared in custody at the Montreal courthouse on April 2, and faced several theft charges. A fourth suspect and alleged receiver of stolen goods, aged 45, was released on a promise to appear in court on October 12.

“Behind every shoplifting incident lies a cost not only for the merchants involved, but also for all consumers, as product prices eventually rise to compensate,” said Commander Éric Lafontaine, head of the SPVM’s ACCESS and Proceeds of Crime Section. “It is therefore important to fight this type of crime collectively.”

Suspicious fire at Laval auto repair causes $35,000 damage

A Laval auto and windshield repair business was the scene of a suspicious fire on the night of Monday September 1 in an industrial area of ​​Chomedey.

Around 1:06 a.m., Laval Police (SPL) officers spotted smoke coming from the business located on Industriel Blvd. between Saint-Martin Blvd. and Autoroute 440.

After requesting the assistance of the Laval Fire Dept. (SSIL), the police officers discovered that the storefront window of the business, called Auto Glass Experts, had been smashed.

As some highly suspicious items were found at the scene, the SSIL transferred investigation responsibility over to the Laval Police for a criminal inquiry. A preliminary damage assessment estimated damages at approximately $5,000 for the building and $30,000 for contents.

Recent fires in Laval

SEPTEMBER 2 | 11:54 PM // Building fire on 4th Street in the Chomedey area. Residential building. Smoke visible. Fire contained to the basement. Code 10-07, meaning intervention was required.

August 30 | 5:14 PM // Fire on 100th Avenue in the Chomedey area. Residential building. Fire contained to the kitchen. Code 10-09, meaning full response was necessary, with potential for escalation.

August 29 | 3:07 PM // Building fire on Lévesque Boulevard East in the Saint-Vincent-de-Paul area. Residential building. Smoke visible. Code 10-07, meaning intervention was required.

Ex-PLQ Lakhoyan Olivier seeks re-election as independent in Chomedey

Martin C. Barry
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Ex-PLQ Lakhoyan Olivier seeks re-election as independent in Chomedey

Says an independent can do so much more for Chomedey’s constituents

For those who may not already have heard it through the grapevine, incumbent Member of the National Assembly for Chomedey Sona Lakhoyan Olivier has made it official.

Incumbent independent MNA for Chomedey Sona Lakhoyan Olivier, who has decided to seek a second term is seen here with her new campaign posters in a strategic location in Chomedey.

Yes, she is running for a second term, albeit as an independent candidate, rather than as a Liberal Party of Quebec candidate, as she might have preferred.

After leaving the question of her candidacy for a new mandate open these last few months, Lakhoyan Olivier made waves in the past few weeks when it was revealed that her campaign posters for the October 5 election drew the ire of Quebec Liberal Party officials.

Stylized ‘L’ upset the PLQ

The posters, according to the PLQ, made use of a stylized L that resembled a character in the Liberal Party of Quebec logo so much, they claimed, it would confuse voters.

In an interview earlier this week with The Laval News, Lakhoyan Olivier said that since becoming an independent MNA last December when she was expelled from the PLQ, she had become aware of the advantages conferred on independent MNAs, compared to sitting as a member of an organized party.

“With a party where there is a party line to be followed, having projects that are close to the people of Chomedey, sometimes they were not a priority because it was always the party that gets priority,” she said.

Perks of an independent MNA

“And when I became independent, I found out that there was so much more that I could do,” she continued, noting that her privileges in the National Assembly as an independent were almost like those of a full-fledged party organization.

While maintaining that as an independent she could table motions or declarations without first having to seek approval from the PLQ, Lakhoyan said, “I was able to represent the people as they should be right away without waiting for the right moment. So, it gave me a lot more liberty.”

On that basis, she said she will be asking the voters of Chomedey to support her at the ballot box, “so I can continue to serve and complete what I started representing the citizens of Chomedey. I’m asking for a second mandate, as an independent this time. Let’s show that Chomedey is independent and cannot be muzzled.”

Former Chomedey PLQ MNA Sona Lakhoyan Olivier (seen here on election night in October 2022). (File photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

Chomedey’s unresolved issues

Among the shortcomings in Chomedey that Lakhoyan Olivier said have never been addressed and she would like to bring forward are the riding’s lack of a large sports staging venue, as well as better resources to deal with immigration issues for Chomedey’s highly multicultural population.

“Let’s make history in Chomedey,” she added, noting that the last time Chomedey had an independent provincial representative for any length of time was back in the mid-1960s. “Our politics are becoming so partisan. What has become of democracy? Why are we going only with a party?”

As for the controversial campaign posters, Lakhoyan Olivier said she and her team had fewer than a dozen printed, and they agreed, after receiving a legal notice from the PLQ, to cover the offending L with a sticker to conceal it. A new batch of campaign posters eliminated the problem, she added.

Federal Liberal Quebec MPs focus on tariffs during three-day caucus

Martin C. Barry
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Federal Liberal Quebec MPs focus on tariffs during three-day caucus

‘All about the economy, how to make Canada strong and how to face the tariffs,’ says El-Khoury

The impending impact of tariffs imposed on Canada by U.S. president Donald Trump was front and centre as a topic of concern during a three-day meeting of the Liberal Party of Canada’s caucus of 44 sitting MPs from Quebec held on Montreal’s North Shore and in the Lower Laurentians regions last week.

“Your Quebec MPs are gathered in caucus ahead of the parliamentary return, in the wonderful riding of @lindalapointeplc, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, to talk about what truly matters to Quebecers,” the caucus members said in a message posted on social media. “Now more than ever, our team is ready and determined to stand up for your interests in Ottawa,” they added.

Ahuntsic-Cartierville Liberal MP Mélanie Joly, the Minister responsible for the Canada Economic Development Ministry in Quebec, said the federal Liberal government intends to pursue the policy it adopted during the first wave of tariffs, which is to increase Canada’s reliance on its own means and resources. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

In touch with the regions

“To represent Quebec well and keep in contact with what’s going on in our regions, we talked a lot about this these last few days, about what’s going on in the regions everywhere in Quebec,” Rivière-des-Mille-Îles Liberal MP Linda Lapointe, who hosted the gathering, said during a press conference outside the Town of Rosemère’s community centre at the conclusion.

“We spoke a lot about the regions of Quebec over the last few days, and of course the Lower Laurentians region in particular,” said chairman of the LPC’s Quebec caucus, Jean-Yves Duclos, the MP for the riding of Québec Centre.

Canada’s response to tariffs

“And, of course, we talked a lot about the government of Canada’s response following the actions of the American government’s unfair and unjustifiable tariffs, the tariff response by the Canadian government with ministers and parliamentary secretaries and key secretaries of state.”

Liberal Party of Canada Quebec caucus chair Jean-Yves Duclos, the MP for Québec Centre, is seen here with the 44 members of the caucus in Rosemère last week following their three-day meeting. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

He said the caucus members discussed at length about the impact not only on businesses affected by the tariffs, but also on the workers.

Ahuntsic-Cartierville Liberal MP Mélanie Joly, the Minister responsible for the Canada Economic Development Ministry in Quebec, said the federal Liberal government intends to pursue the policy it adopted during the first wave of tariffs, which is to increase Canada’s reliance on its own means and resources.

Laval-les-Îles Liberal MP Fayçal El-Khoury (centre) said the federal government is tightly focused on the tariffs issue. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

How to deal with tariffs

For businesses struggling with the new tariffs, she suggested getting in contact with the local Member of Parliament who can provide precise information on available federal programs providing interest-free loans as well as non-reimbursable subsidies to assist employees.

In an interview following the press briefing, Laval-les-Îles Liberal MP Fayçal El-Khoury said the federal government remains tightly focused on the tariffs issue.

“These last three days, it was all about the economy, how to make Canada strong, and how to face the tariffs,” said El-Khoury.

“And as you heard the minister say, we are ready to support businesses and people who are affected, be they small and medium-size businesses or larger enterprises.”

Enthusiastic Caquistes welcomed Christine Fréchette in Laval’s Vieux Sainte-Rose

Martin C. Barry
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Enthusiastic Caquistes welcomed Christine Fréchette in Laval’s Vieux Sainte-Rose

‘We will not be like the PQ who only want to argue,’ incumbent CAQ Premier tells supporters

Coalition Avenir Québec MNA for Sainte-Rose Christopher Skeete, who is seeking a third term in the upcoming provincial election, says the people of Laval will have an important choice to make on October 5.

“Do they want someone we can hardly find – Où est Charles?” – he declared sarcastically last week in an interview with The Laval News, referring to Quebec Liberal Party leader Charles Milliard, who has been lagging second to last in decided voter intentions in recent polls.

Incumbent Premier Christine Fréchette, who leads the Coalition Avenir Québec government, helped kick off the Laval segment of the CAQ’s 2026 provincial election campaign at a rally of supporters held last week at a vacant heritage building in Laval’s Vieux Sainte-Rose neighbourhood. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

The choice is clear, claims Skeete

“Or do they want to have some predictability and stability?” Skeete added. “I think our government is the one offering stability and the predictability that Quebecers are looking for.”

Skeete, who holds a number of portfolios in the CAQ cabinet including International Relations and Francophonie, made the comments during a pre-election gathering of CAQ supporters held in Laval’s Vieux Sainte-Rose neighborhood.

They were marking the beginning of the election campaign with a visit by incumbent Quebec Premier and CAQ leader Christine Fréchette at a rally and BBQ event.

Skeete and incumbent CAQ candidate in Vimont-Auteuil Valérie Schmaltz are the party’s only current MNAs from Laval in the Quebec National Assembly vying for re-election. (Alice Abou-Khalil [Fabre] and Céline Haytayan [Laval-des-Rapides] decided not to seek second terms.)

Premier Christine Fréchette was welcomed by enthusiastic CAQ supporters at a former restaurant in Sainte-Rose. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

Laval as electoral battleground

While Skeete acknowledged that Laval’s six provincial ridings are almost always hotly contested and have changed allegiances numerous times over the past decades, Schmaltz suggested that Laval is no more an electoral battleground than anywhere else in Quebec.

“It’s the same thing everywhere,” she said. “When you’re in the midst of an election campaign, everybody has their own ideas. That being said, everybody is working towards the target date of October 5 when the results will be known. But as for me in my riding up to now, I have received nothing but a positive response.”

For her part, Fréchette defended her party’s record in the past four years, despite the fact the CAQ was overseen for a large part of that time by another leader – namely former Premier François Legault.

Among other things, she pointed out during a vivid address to more than 50 party loyalists that the CAQ government had a quick response to the first wave of tariffs imposed a year-and-a-half ago by U.S. president Donald Trump.

Quick response to tariffs, said Fréchette

“We were among the fastest in Canada to implement aid programs,” she said. “And now we’re learning about the new wave of tariffs from around a week ago and there again our response is rapid.

“We are going to have to remain very focused, because we want to help businesses build and get through this,” she added. “And I am confident that we will be able to do this without help from the federal government. Our own assistance will not only help them get through this crisis, but also come out stronger than ever.”

From the left, CAQ Laval candidates Lucie Létourneau (Fabre), Cattiouceca Ambroise (Chomedey), incumbent MNA Valérie Schmaltz (Vimont-Auteuil), incumbent Premier Christine Fréchette (Trois Rivières), incumbent MNA Christopher Skeete (Sainte-Rose), Sonia Amedome (Mille-Îles) and Vincent Bolduc (Laval-des-Rapides). (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

Fréchette also talked about the needs of the province’s families and parents, especially in the context of the impact the second wave of Trump tariffs stands to have on them.

Leading into the election, the incumbent CAQ government is proposing modifications to the Régime québécois d’assurance parentale (Quebec Parental Insurance Plan), which delivers benefits to eligible workers during pregnancy or childbirth, during the adoption of a child or during a parental surrogacy.

Proposed parental insurance changes

According to Fréchette, the changes would allow accumulated hours to be used not only in the months immediately after the birth of a child, but for up to five years.

“And so, parents will be able to use as they see fit these banked hours over the course of years,” said Fréchette, adding that parents might even be able to use part of the benefits to compensate grandparents or other caregivers who provide assistance to parents.

Fréchette also took shots at some of the leading contenders in the 2026 electoral race. Regarding the Quebec Liberals, she said: “We know them don’t we. They are unable to defend the language; they are unable to defend our culture.

“They give in to the federal. As for us, we will continue standing up, we will be respected for our jurisdictions. But at the same time, when something is good for Quebec, we will sign onto partnerships.

“We will not be like the PQ who only want to argue,” she continued. “For whatever it’s worth, we always seek out what’s best in Ottawa. The PQ they’re always looking for trouble.” She dismissed the Quebec Liberals as not even knowing what to look for.

Thousands took in the late summer sun at Laval’s annual ‘Fête de la famille’

Martin C. Barry
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Thousands took in the late summer sun at Laval’s annual ‘Fête de la famille’

Favorable weather on Sunday Labor Day weekend probably encouraged thousands of moms, dads and kids to get on out and enjoy the remainder of the summer’s sunshine at Laval’s Centre de la nature in the city’s Duvernay district during the annual Fête de la famille.

Among the many fun things to do were “zip lines” (a big and little one, depending on your age and size), a climbing wall, sports challenges, an exhibition of municipal public works heavy equipment, a delegation from the Laval Rocket hockey team, and officers from the Laval Police as well as firefighters from the city’s fire department.

Favorable weather on Labor Day weekend Sunday encouraged thousands of moms, dads and kids to get on out and enjoy the annual Fête de la famille at Laval’s Centre de la nature. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

If that wasn’t enough, there were also science workshops, nature talks and exhibits, a mobile library, giant games, a mobile animal petting zoo, inflatable games, food trucks and just plain relaxing with family members and a picnic lunch enjoyed on the lawns of the nature centre.

Well-known children’s entertainers performed throughout the day.

For families looking for a place to relax during the Fête de la Famille, the Centre de la Nature was the ideal place to bring a picnic lunch for the whole family to enjoy in a secluded spot somewhere within the park’s huge green space.

The Centre de la Nature is a sprawling outdoor place and virtually every square foot of it is well-used each year for the Fête de la Famille.

Personnel from the Laval Fire Department were on hand as always to give hands-on demonstrations of firefighting techniques.

It would probably be fair to say there was so much to see and do at the Fête de la Famille this year that a walk from one end of the Centre de la Nature to the other was enough to exhaust many fathers and mothers.

For their part, the kids probably slept well that evening when it was all over.

A powerful enchantress kept this magically-animated beast from another era in line and away from the large crowds attending the 2026 Fête de la famille at Laval’s Centre la nature in Duvernay. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)
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