The current issue of the Laval News, volume 34-12, published on June 10th, 2026.
Covering Laval local news, politics, and sports.
(Click on the image to read the paper.)
Laval News Volume 34-12
Delays expected on southbound A-13 in Laval starting June 13
The Quebec Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility says that starting June 13, reconstruction work on a section of Autoroute 13 southbound between Dagenais Boulevard West and Autoroute 440 in Laval will necessitate a traffic detour and require lane management for several weeks at a time, until the fall.
Here are the details.
A-13, between Sainte-Rose Boulevard and A-440:
Complete closure of A-13 southbound at any time.
Traffic will be diverted onto the southbound service road, which has two lanes.
During the morning rush hour (Monday to Friday), an additional lane will be available on the opposite side of the highway (i.e., traffic will flow in the opposite direction), creating a third southbound lane.
These lane changes will be implemented between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m., and again between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., using dynamic lane management.
It should be noted that the right shoulder of the southbound service road will remain reserved for buses during the morning rush hour.
The speed limit may be reduced in the construction zone on the highways to 70 km/h southbound and 90 km/h northbound, as well as to 60 km/h on the southbound service road.
As congestion is expected, the department recommends that motorists travelling in the area allow extra time to reach their destination.
During complete closures, detours will be marked with temporary signage.
The work may be postponed, extended or cancelled due to adverse weather conditions or operational constraints.
Therefore, before travelling, it is recommended drivers consult Québec 511, a practical tool for planning road trips.
Computer crash impacting Cité de la Santé resolved, though some services may still be delayed
A major computer crash affecting Laval’s Cité de la Santé hospital, as well as health services in the Lanaudière and Laurentian regions, appeared to be resolved by mid-day Tuesday, although it was still unclear how it might continue impacting patients with blood test appointments.
On Monday, the Integrated Health and Social Services Centre (CISSS) of Laval was asking the public to avoid the emergency room at Cité de la Santé until further notice, except in cases needing immediate intervention.
However, on Tuesday officials told CBC News that the broken fibre optics cable that affected several institutions, including Cité de la Santé, was fixed at around 1:15 a.m. Tuesday.
The CISSS was initially recommending that those with medical should seek help elsewhere for the time being, even though Cité de la Santé remained open to the public.
“Our teams are mobilized to maintain essential services and minimize the impact on the population,” the CISSS said on one of its social media feeds.
Although the emergency department at Cité de la Santé remained operational, many computers weren’t working, forcing staff to take notes on paper rather than digitally, which slowed down their work, according to the CISSS.
A fiber optic cable located north of Laval that was severed as a result of a road accident was the apparent cause of the computer systems failure, according to a Facebook post issued by Santé Québec Lanaudière.
The CISSS de Laval initially announced that it had cancelled all appointments scheduled for Tuesday morning at its blood collection centres, although it wasn’t clear whether the situation had changed.
“Our team will contact those affected to reschedule their appointments. Thank you for your understanding,” read a post shared on the CISSS’s social media.
At some facilities within the CISSS de Laval’s institutional network, staff were experiencing telephone problems Monday and Tuesday.
Incoming calls were reported as not working at the Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital in Chomedey, the Sainte-Rose CLSC, the Louise-Vachon residence, the Centre hospitalier ambulatoire régional de Laval, and the Centre de réadaptation pour les jeunes en difficulté d’adaptation de Laval.
Patients are being advised to call 8-1-1 if they required services or clarifications about appointments, or 9-1-1 in case of an emergency.
Contraband and unauthorized items seized at Federal Training Centre
The Correctional Service of Canada says that on May 17, as a result of the vigilance of staff members, contraband and unauthorized items were seized at the Federal Training Centre, a multi-level security federal institution located in Laval’s Saint-Vincent-de-Paul district.
The contraband items seized included cocaine, cannabis concentrate, cell phones and accessories.
The total estimated institutional value of this seizure was $182,500.
The CSC says it uses a number of tools to prevent drugs from entering its institutions.
These include ion scanners and drug-detector dogs to search buildings, personal property, inmates and visitors.
The CSC says it is heightening measures to prevent contraband from entering its institutions “in order to help ensure a safe and secure environment for everyone.”
CSC says it also works in partnership with the police to take action against those who attempt to introduce contraband into correctional institutions.
The CSC says it has also set up a telephone tip line for all federal institutions so that it may receive additional information about activities relating to security at CSC institutions.
These activities may be related to drug use or trafficking that may threaten the safety and security of visitors, inmates and staff members working at CSC institutions.
The CSC says that those who call the toll-free number (1‑866‑780‑3784) are ensured that the information shared is protected and that callers remain anonymous.
Collège Laval’s Journée Marcellin‑Champagnat (JMC) with guest appearance from FC Supra du Québec
Under clear blue skies on May 27, 2026, Collège Laval’s campus transformed into a vibrant celebration of community, generosity, and youthful energy. The annual Journée Marcellin‑Champagnat (JMC), a cornerstone event in the school’s calendar, once again brought together more than 2,000 students and 175 educators for a fun filled day.
At its core, JMC is about far more than games and festivities. It represents a collective effort to support the Collège Laval Foundation, which plays a crucial role in ensuring that education remains accessible to students from all walks of life.
This year’s edition took on an added dimension through a special collaboration with FC Supra du Québec. Collège Laval hosted club President Rocco Placentino, the club’s Brand Director Paul Desbaillets and several FC Supra players including Riad Bey, Matisse Chrétien, Bakary Kaboré, and Thomas Lebeuf.
A lively atmosphere
From the start of the day, the school was rampant with energy as students selected from a wide range of activities aimed at sparking their curiosity and exposing them to new experiences.
There were tournaments in volleyball and basketball which ran alongside creative workshops like pottery and wellness activities such as yoga. Escape games and performances added further variety, ensuring that every student could find their place within the day’s programming.
As Principal Caroline Claveau explained, the diversity of activities reflects a broader mission.
“It’s a day of cultural, athletic, recreational, and philanthropic activities. But the intention behind all of this is to raise money for the Collège Laval Foundation.”
By early afternoon, the campus had evolved into a lively festival atmosphere.
A driving force behind the day’s success were teachers Sandra Conte and Judith Désormeau, who played a central role in organizing the event. Conte was instrumental in reaching out to FC Supra du Québec and coordinating their visit, ultimately bringing the professional club to campus for the friendly match against their Maraudeurs.
Changing lives through education
While the energy of the day was palpable, its deeper purpose lies in the impact it enables. Funds raised during JMC go directly to the Collège Laval Foundation, which provides financial assistance and life-changing opportunities to students.
“Their tuition is completely paid. Related expenses, school supplies, uniforms, are all covered,” said Claveau emphatically. “We’re essentially changing a student’s life.”
Through programs such as the Marist Scholarship, students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds are able to attend the school without the burden of tuition or related expenses.
“We’re very fortunate to welcome students who come from families that are financially disadvantaged,” Claveau explained. “The Collège Laval Foundation is there to support them financially. This means we have students at the school who wouldn’t have had the opportunity to experience Collège Laval otherwise.”
Caroline Battista, Development and Partnership Advisor for the Foundation, emphasized that identifying these students often involves collaboration with the wider community.
“We have partnerships with certain community members who identify young people who have great athletic potential and great academic potential,” said Battista “This way they can pursue an academic path at Collège Laval.”
But the Foundation’s role also extends to families facing unexpected hardships.
“In life, you never know what might happen,” Battista noted. “There are families going through difficult times, job loss, illness, or whatever. The Foundation is there to help with exactly those kinds of problems… to life’s unexpected events.”
Claveau also underscored the importance of discretion and care. Support is handled confidentially, ensuring dignity for every student. This approach allows those receiving assistance to fully integrate into school life without stigma.
A memorable match: the Maraudeurs take on FC Supra
One of the defining highlights of JMC 2026 came in the form of a friendly soccer match between the Collège Laval Maraudeurs and FC Supra du Québec. For students, it was a rare opportunity to witness and participate in high-level competition alongside professional athletes, even if it was just a friendly match.
Set on the soccer pitch behind the school, the match drew a crowd of nearly 1,000 students. Some gathered along the hillside overlooking the field, while others packed the bleachers to capacity, leaving no seat empty.
Before kickoff, a student sprinted around the pitch carrying a massive 10‑foot flag, energizing the crowd as cheers echoed across the field. And once the whistle blew to start the game, bedlam.
“Truly the highlight of the event, which we’re wrapping up with a great friendly match between our students, our Maraudeurs, and the Supra,” Claveau said.
Players not only competed on the field but also took time to connect with students. They were seen laughing and teasing each other after the game, surely a very important experience for everyone involved.
“It’s a beautiful day here at Collège Laval, we’re all so happy to be here and be apart of this,” said FC Supra player Riad Bey.
The match itself was competitive and spirited, reflecting the heart and determination of the Maraudeurs.
“Honestly, it’s super fun to play against them,” Bey added. “They [Marauders] really played hard, they were very competitive, it was an honour to play against them.”
For Bey, the connection to the local community made the event even more special.
“I’m from Montreal, but I played three years at FC Laval so I know this particular region very well,” he shared. “The community around us is extremely important.”
Building bridges
Beyond the match itself, the presence of FC Supra du Québec highlighted the importance of community engagement. For Paul Desbaillets, the club’s Brand Director, initiatives like JMC are central to their vision.
“Well, first of all, it’s an honor,” he said. “A brand-new football club launching in the province fully loaded with Quebec kids, homegrown talent showing off the French football to the rest of Canada… we’re blessed.”
Desbaillets emphasized that the players’ role extends beyond performance.
“You’re seeing the players take a few minutes talking to all these kids, and all of them are going to absorb all this information,” he noted.
Community connection remains at the core of the club’s philosophy though.
“I think as long as we’re activating in the community, we’re constantly talking to the community, and we’re putting our money where our mouth is, that sort of old adage, I think we’ll be okay.”
A lighthearted moment during the day reflected the growing bond between the school and the club. Noticing Principal Claveau wearing an FC Supra scarf, Rocco Placentino, the club’s president joked to her, “Next year we’re going to make another one with both the Maraudeurs and the Supra on it.” The comment drew smiles and laughter as they both embraced.
A collective effort and lasting impact
The success of Journée Marcellin‑Champagnat (JMC) is the result of a remarkable collective effort. From the student life team who helped coordinate the many moving parts to teachers whose initiative brought FC Supra to campus.
By the end of the event, more than $20,000 had been raised for the Collège Laval Foundation. These funds will directly support students and families in need, ensuring that access to education.
For students, it is a powerful reminder that education is not only about academics, but also about empathy, engagement, and community responsibility.
As the afternoon came to a close, one thing was certain.
Journée Marcellin‑Champagnat is more than a tradition at Collège Laval. It can quite literally change someone’s life.
Québec solidaire announces candidates for October elections
Party has a full slate for Laval’s six provincial ridings
Last Sunday during an investiture assembly held in Laval-des-Rapides, Québec solidaire presented the team that will represent the party in Laval’s six ridings in the October provincial elections.
The nominated candidates are Geru Schneider (Chomedey), Josée Chevalier (Fabre), Sabrina Di Matteo (Laval-des-Rapides), Zachary Robert (Mille-Îles), Karine Cliche (Sainte-Rose) and Stella Bourgon-Germain (Vimont-Auteuil).
In a statement, Québec solidaire said the assembly marked an important milestone for the party in Laval, adding that QS “intends to run a campaign rooted in the realities of Laval’s neighbourhoods and in the concrete concerns of the population.”
QS wants to be ‘a stronger voice’
Those concerns, according to the left-leaning party, include the housing crisis, the rising cost of living, access to public services, public transit, social and ecological justice and “the need to give a stronger voice to the citizens of Laval, Quebec’s third-largest city.”
They said other issues will include defending accessible public services, fighting inequality, responding to the climate emergency, improving intra-regional mobility and “building a Quebec that is more just, more democratic and more solidaristic.”
On hand to address party members were Haroun Bouazzi, the Québec solidaire MNA for Maurice-Richard, and Andrés Fontecilla, the QS MNA for Laurier-Dorion.
Schneider, 33, a lifelong resident of Chomedey, former political attaché with the Action Laval municipal party and a labor union activist, has an interesting backstory. His parents came to Quebec from Chile more than 35 years ago and settled in Laval after fleeing a repressive right-wing regime that came to dominate Chilean politics.
Schneider’s roots in Chile
Schneider said his grandfather was Chile’s deputy minister of health in the government of socialist president Salvador Allende. Allende died in 1973 at the climax of a coup d’état staged by General Augusto Pinochet, who then ruled Chile as a dictator until 1990.
Schneider acknowledged in an interview with The Laval News that the outcome of the October 5 election in the PLQ bastion will likely be more difficult to predict since the incumbent, Sona Lakhoyan Olivier, a former Quebec Liberal, has been cast out by the party.
“It’s always been Liberal,” he said about Chomedey, which has voted Liberal since 1981 when the riding was first created.
“That’s my main concern not only for Chomedey, but also for the rest of Laval. The PLQ has always thought that Laval was a natural for them. But now they’re going to have to work for it for real. And obviously we’re going to do everything we can to be an alternative.”
To be treated as ‘equals – not scapegoats’
In the statement furnished by Québec solidaire, Schneider said the concern driving him in this campaign is simple. “The right to live with dignity in Laval. The right to affordable housing, well-maintained schools, efficient public transit, and the right for our fellow citizens of all backgrounds and faiths to be treated as equals – not as scapegoats. Chomedey deserves a voice that says these things plainly.”
Sabrina Di Matteo said she intends to run a campaign grounded in Laval-des-Rapides’ urban and social issues. “Laval-des-Rapides is at the heart of several major transformations,” she said. “We must ensure that the development of our neighbourhoods serves the people who live there, not just real estate interests. Our priority must be the quality of life for families, access to affordable and social housing, and quality public services rooted in social justice.”
The ’politics of proximity’
Zachary Robert, a QS candidate in 2022, said he wants to continue his commitment in Mille-Îles through “politics of proximity,” listening and collective action.
“The solutions exist, but they require political courage,” said Robert. “I want to run a campaign grounded in reality, close to people, to defend our public services, a just ecological transition, and a politics that refuses to make the middle class and the most vulnerable pay. At the same time, the wealthiest continue to enrich themselves.”
Karine Cliche, also a QS candidate in 2022 and a resident of the riding for over twenty years, said she wants to continue her commitment to social justice and the environment by winning in Sainte-Rose. A teacher at Cégep Montmorency, she is also involved in education and the union movement.
“Sainte-Rose is my home, the place where my daughters were born and are growing up,” said Cliche. “I want to keep defending our heritage, our natural spaces, local agriculture and the social causes that give our community its strength and humanity.”
Amplifying voices of the unheard
QS’s Vimont-Auteuil candidate, Stella Bourgon-Germain, said she wants to amplify the voices of those too often made invisible in the political debate.
“My experience as a caregiver, my work in the community sector, and my own life have convinced me of one thing: vulnerable people must be better represented. I want to defend access to physical and mental health care, the fight against the cost of living, wealth redistribution, and an education system that allows every young person to reach their full potential.”
Fabre candidate Josée Chevalier, who ran for QS in 2022, is a teacher of English at Collège Montmorency, a union activist and a feminist. She said she wants to run a campaign focused on change.
“Coming from a working-class family, I know that social justice is built through concrete struggles,” Chevalier said. “In Fabre, I want to advocate solutions to the rising cost of living, the housing crisis, poverty and the erosion of our public services. We are the only real alternative for improving people’s lives.”
Musical wiz Steven Atme honored by Lieut. Governor and in National Assembly
Sainte-Dorothée resident is helping others after struggling in his earlier years with autism
As a proud ‘Lavallois’ living in Sainte-Dorothée, Steven Atme reached out to The Laval News last week to share what he said were two pieces of news worth celebrating.
Diagnosed with autism at a young age, though he later overcame the challenges, Atme is a musician and entertainment professional. Self-taught in the beginning, at age 13 he started composing music, then later attended the McGill Conservatory of Music.
Service and success
Since then, Atme, 33, has provided countless hours of service to others struggling with learning disabilities and autism, while also leading a successful career in entertainment and the performing arts as a producer, director and educator.
On May 13, he was in Quebec City to be honored for his years of service at the Quebec National Assembly by Elisabeth Prass, the Liberal MNA for D’Arcy-McGee who is also the Official Opposition Critic for Special Needs and the Autism Spectrum.
“My father Elie and good friend Rocco were there with me,” Atme said, while sharing a video of the meeting.
Two hours after being at the National Assembly, they went across the street and met with Quebec Lieutenant Governor Manon Jeannotte at a government building. “We had a wonderful hour with [Jeannotte] alongside the chief of staff and personal assistant,” said Atme.
Touching base with dignitaries
Having previously gone over his work in the arts, humanitarian acts and performance while conversing with Governor General Mary Simon last year, Atme recently also wrote a personal letter to His Majesty King Charles III containing a proposal for a National Special Needs and Mental Health Movement.
“We went onto a sentimental subject about our personal experiences in life and how crucial it is to continuously work with our hearts and positive energy,” Atme said about the discussion with the governor general. “Rocco and I shared with her about last February, [when] we both gave an amazing workshop and performance for the Cree School Board while they were in Montreal,” said Atme.
“Her face glowed because she knows them well. We added to our statement, hoping both of us and my father would go to the north and help the Six Nations community because of increasing mental health cases. Therefore, it would be beneficial to incorporate with performance, teach, play and storytelling. Any sort of help. We want to help.”
A memorable performance
Atme said that during the meeting with Jeannotte, “an unexpected moment occurred. [Jeannotte] wanted me to perform on the piano. At the last minute, I played for her an original composition, ‘Precious Memories,’ followed by singing Charlie Chaplin’s, ‘Smile.’”
After the performance, Jeannotte told him words “I’ll forever cherish close to my heart,” he continued. “She told me in French, ‘Hearing your music made me transcend to another place. A peaceful tranquil place. The way you worked your fingers is an art form creating the unique rich sound as it flows like the water.’”
His response to her, “People must realize when they play music, we hear the sound but thinking too much mechanics. On the other side, by feeling free and playing with our hearts delivers such a significant meaning in our musical phrases, it’ll capture them more than words can say.” Jeannotte was touched, added Atme.
An emotional encounter
“We were fortunate for getting a private tour around the place and ended at [Jeannotte]’s favourite room for welcoming dignitaries, ‘The Seasons Room.’” he said. She presented him with two gifts: her personal pin and a book featuring all Quebec’s Lieutenant Governors, not previously published.
“We had great conversations with smiles and laughter. [Jeannotte] also thanked me for my service to province and country and would like to hear more updates on shows plus other engagements. Two milestone moments in one day. Even now, my heart still cries with joy.”
Atme had the additional honor of recently being invited to join the Saint Brendan chapter of the Knights of Columbus in the Montreal district of Rosemont. He acknowledged that personal faith and dedicated service to the K of C and the causes it supports are now part of his everyday life.
Bringing fairness to a ‘wholly unfair situation’
Ottawa agrees to refund City of Laval $1.1 million claimed by CRA
The City of Laval won’t have to pay $1.1 million to former mayor Gilles Vaillancourt for unpaid taxes owed to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
Federal Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced last week that he was authorizing a voluntary, non-binding payment of $1.1 million to the CRA to cover the bill.
The amount is being disbursed to settle an obligation the CRA claimed the City of Laval had to the federal tax collection agency. Vaillancourt, who served as mayor of Laval from 1989 to 2012, was arrested in 2013 by UPAC, Quebec’s anti-corruption police.
Three years later, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy, breach of trust and fraud after $7 million believed to have been stolen by him was finally located in a Swiss bank account. But after Vaillancourt returned the money to the city, Laval was left on the hook for $1.1 million in taxes still owed to the CRA.
Minister Champagne’s statement
In a statement texted to The Laval News last Thursday by John Fragos, press secretary to Champagne, Fragos said, “Minister Champagne connected with the mayor of Laval earlier today to confirm that, in the interest of fairness and in keeping with the Quebec government’s own handling of the tax matter at the time, he will authorize an ex gratia payment of $1.1 million to rectify this wholly unfair situation and bring fairness to the city of Laval and its residents.
“This payment will be made in recognition of a payment that the City of Laval is required to make to the Canada Revenue Agency,” he added.
Mayor Boyer jubilant
For his part, Boyer said in a statement, “A major victory for Laval residents in this matter! I received confirmation today that an agreement has been reached with the federal government, at no cost to Laval taxpayers.
“Laval residents have already paid a heavy price for the criminal acts committed by Mr. Vaillancourt, and we can now finally turn the page on this unjust affair,” he continued. “I would like to thank Minister François-Philippe Champagne for his collaboration on this matter and his commitment to finding a solution in the best interests of our community.”
Boyer had been contesting a request from the CRA for the City of Laval to pay the taxes owed on the amounts which had been refunded by Vaillancourt to the municipality.
Closure sought by CRA
Boyer first brought up the issue in March. During that month’s city council meeting, he said in his opening remarks that a resolution would be passed asking Champagne to intervene in the City of Laval’s favor.
Although Vaillancourt returned more than $7 million to the city, the CRA reportedly wanted to close the file by getting someone to make the final payment.
According to a Radio-Canada report, Vaillancourt’s lawyers were arguing that the City of Laval should be held responsible for the unpaid taxes since the municipality got what it wanted when it received the sum Vaillancourt had reimbursed.
In a relatively rare instance of solidarity between the mayor and opposition forces on city council, Action Laval opposition city councillor David De Cotis (Saint-Bruno) tabled a motion in March supporting the administration’s position on the unpaid taxes.
Former mayor suing the city
Following these new developments, there was no word late last week as to whether Vaillancourt still intends to proceed with a lawsuit against the City of Laval for reasons that were never entirely clear.
According to La Presse, which had obtained a heavily-redacted copy of a notice of legal action filed by lawyers for Vaillancourt, only 13 of nearly 40 paragraphs in the document were legible, making it difficult to understand the grievances of Laval’s former mayor.
Even the amount of the damages claimed was redacted beyond legibility. However, a handwritten note on the back mentioned a claim for $3,517,000, although the reasons for this massive redaction, unusual in civil matters, were also not clear.
Vaillancourt’s lawyers
In the matter of the unpaid tax bill, Vaillancourt’s lawyers had argued that the City of Laval should be held responsible for the unpaid taxes.
In sections of his claim that weren’t redacted, Vaillancourt’s lawyers explained that he reached agreements in 2016 with Revenu Québec, the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions and the City of Laval.
His lawyers said he was asking the court to order the City of Laval to pay four separate amounts – which were all redacted in the document – including reimbursement of his extrajudicial fees.
Virginie Dufour blames CAQ gov’t for Laval’s ‘one bin’ recycling regulation
For large families, it’s ‘already full after a week,’ says PLQ Mille-Îles MNA
What started out as a kind of April Fool’s statement on Virginie Dufour’s Facebook page nearly two months ago has turned into a campaign by the Mille-Îles Liberal MNA to get the City of Laval to furnish more recycling bins, as the municipality continues to encourage recycling while discouraging the disposal of garbage in landfill.
‘No joke,’ says Dufour
“It’s not a joke, from April 1st, the recycling collection will move to two weeks in Laval,” Dufour, herself a former Laval city councillor and executive-committee member, states in her video.
“For a large family like mine, the bin is already full after a week. And a slightly bigger bin won’t be enough either,” she continues.
While maintaining it’s not entirely the city’s fault, but rather Éco Entreprises Québec that bears responsibility due to budgetary constraints, Dufour ultimately blames the current provincial government, “because costs have exploded under the rules imposed by the CAQ,” she says.
Expenses through the roof
She says she asked a parliamentary commission to shed some light on why waste management expenses “exploded” so drastically, but “still no answer. Less collection, less recycle. And that’s everyone paying the price.
“I’ve got four children, two dogs, and this is what my recycling bin looks like after just one week,” adds Dufour, pointing to her family’s household recycling bin filled nearly to the top.
“So, you can understand, every two weeks is impossible. And frankly, if we keep heading in that direction, we’re going to hit a wall and people will give up on recycling.”
In an interview this week with The Laval News, Dufour pointed out that as the city took measures to comply with new provincial requirements to cut back garbage output, an immediate consequence was a correspondingly vast increase in the volume of recyclables.
No to second bin, says city
“We have four teenagers who eat like two people each,” she said. “So, yeah, we consume a lot, but we have kids to feed. So, every week our recycling bin is full. And we knew this was coming. But what we did not expect is that they would not allow us to have a second bin.”
She said she tried three times to get the City of Laval to provide a second recycling bin to deal with her family’s exceptional output, but that “the only thing they offered me was a bigger bin,” even though it wasn’t large enough to handle their needs.
Dufour said that after posting the video, she received replies from people all over Quebec saying they had the same problem, but were able to receive a second bin from their municipality after putting in a request.
“But in Laval we’re not allowed to,” she maintained. “And my understanding now is that it would be a rule imposed by Éco Entreprises Québec.”
Under new management
Since January 2025, the management of recycling bins in municipalities across Quebec has been under the control of Éco Entreprises Québec. The non-profit organization, according to information on its website, represents companies that supply containers, packaging and printed paper in Quebec.
For contractual reasons, according to Dufour, the City of Laval signed an agreement that remains in effect and which restricts the number of recycling bins assigned per household.
“I even went to my city councillor and I was told ‘no, it’s not possible’ [to get an extra bin],” she said, adding that she was told single-family homes are only allowed one bin, although it can be a larger one that holds 1.5 times the capacity of the smaller bin.
Because her smaller bin was full in no time at all, she said “I told them several times that it just doesn’t add up for me. Even like in one week, sometimes it was a problem. Sometimes we had to even put recycling in neighbours’ bins. But now they’re all full – all the bins around the neighbourhood.”
Recycling vs. landfill costs
Dufour, who is the Official Opposition Critic for Environment in the PLQ shadow cabinet, holds the CAQ government responsible for an increase in recycling costs after the government imposed new rules on Éco Entreprises Québec as well as other agencies active in the recycling sector.
“The cost increase in three years went from $285 million to $483 million,” she said, while adding that some businesses particularly impacted by recycling have seen their costs double or even triple during the same period.
While acknowledging that it’s now more than nine times more costly to recycle waste as it is to send it to landfill, Dufour insisted that landfill is still not a viable alternative.
“It’s just that when it costs so much more to recycle, it runs the risk that people will get away from recycling,” she said. “There is a problem with cost control. There’s been like a cost explosion. And I’ve been asking the government to do an inquiry because it just doesn’t add up in the end.”
Laval unveils details of its ‘Fête nationale’ celebrations
On June 23, the City of Laval will welcome leading figures from Quebec music to the Centre de la nature for a free, inclusive evening where thousands of people will celebrate Quebec culture and pride.
This highly anticipated show will feature musical performers Richard Séguin, Véronic DiCaire, Lisa LeBlanc, Ingrid St-Pierre, Ariane Roy, La Bronze, Blynk, Choses Sauvages, Alphonse Bisaillon and Irdens Exantus.
The evening will be hosted by Xavier Watso and Kim Lévesque-Lizotte will write and deliver the evening’s patriotic address, while DJ Montana will provide entertainment before and after the show, preceded by a short performance by Waahli.
“The Fête nationale is an opportunity to celebrate our Quebec language, culture and identity, while recognizing the richness of our diversity,” said Mayor Stéphane Boyer.
“Through music, words and the talent of our artists, we share what unites us and what makes Laval a place where everyone belongs,” Boyer added.
“The city is proud to offer this high-quality celebration free of charge to the public, a celebration that embodies our collective pride as Quebecers.”
The Centre de la nature site will open at 6 p.m. Food trucks will also be on hand.
The event is made possible with the support of the Government of Quebec and the Société nationale du Québec à Laval, as well as Co-Motion, the Marriott Courtyard Montreal Laval Hotel, Signé Laval, La QV, Lagabière, Rakatak and Fou Gin.
There will be free shuttle service between the Montmorency bus terminal and the Centre de la nature. Full details are available online at laval.ca/fetenationale.
Laval takes action to stabilize the banks of the Rivière des Mille Îles
Following several instances of ground subsiding in recent years, the City of Laval is launching a major project to stabilize the banks along Boulevard des Mille-Îles to make this iconic thoroughfare safer.
Funded by a federal government investment of over $25.3 million through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund, this project – whose total cost across all phases is estimated at over $80 million – will sustainably strengthen the resilience of this critical infrastructure against erosion and extreme weather events.
The announced project spans 9.5 kilometers, between Highway 25 and the eastern tip of Laval Island.
It aims to stabilize the Boulevard des Mille-Îles’ shoreline while preserving the area’s ecological quality.
In practical terms, the work will ensure the stability of more than seven kilometres of riverbanks along the riverfront of Boulevard des Mille-Îles.
Located at the eastern tip of Laval, the Boulevard des Mille-Îles runs along an ecological corridor known for the richness of its wildlife and plant habitats.
It is also one of Île Jésus’ original routes. Highly popular with cyclists, this waterfront path is among Laval’s most beloved routes.
The project includes the development of safe and user-friendly amenities for walking and cycling, promoting active mobility in the area.
The project, one of the largest undertaken by the City of Laval to ensure the sustainability of its waterfront infrastructure, will be carried out in phases to minimize impacts on traffic and residents’ daily lives.
The design work and environmental studies required to obtain ministerial approvals and First Nations community consent are already underway, and the first construction activities are expected to begin in 2027 and continue for approximately six years.
“The Boulevard des Mille-Îles is one of the founding thoroughfares of the Laval region,” said Mayor Stéphane Boyer. “Protecting it is inextricably linked to preserving the heritage, landscapes and exceptional biodiversity of the island’s eastern tip.
“In recent years, several instances of subsidence have forced the City to take emergency action, resulting in repairs totaling nearly 3 million dollars,” he continued.
“With this major project, we are shifting from reactive measures to a sustainable approach to ensure the maintenance of this essential infrastructure and the protection of the riverbanks.”
“It is essential to invest in infrastructure that helps protect Canadians from natural risks and the effects of climate change,” said Alfred-Pellan Liberal MP Angelo Iacono, speaking on behalf of British Columbia MP Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure.
“By supporting the City of Laval with this significant federal funding of over $25 million, the government of Canada is making a tangible contribution to securing this vital transportation corridor and protecting it from extreme weather events, while preserving a natural corridor and an exceptional heritage site for future generations,” said Iacono.
