On Sunday July 19, Laval Transit Corporation (STL) customers can ride the bus for $1 due to a smog alert issued for the Laval and Montreal regions by Environment Canada.
The special fare will apply all day on the entire STL regular network (buses and shared taxis).
To take advantage of this offer, you should pay on board with cash, credit card or debit card.
Launched in 2008, the STL’s annual smog alert program is unique in Canada.
It aims to promote the use of public transit rather than cars when air quality deteriorates to the point of falling below acceptable standards.
The STL is monitoring Environment Canada’s smog alerts until Labour Day.
Although MetLife Stadium in New Jersey USA is the place FIFA soccer fans want to be on Sunday afternoon when Spain and Argentina play the concluding match for the 2026 World Cup, the City of Laval is offering residents one of the next best things: a live public screening of the match in Lausanne Park in Vimont beginning at 3 pm.
“Bring your chairs, blankets, or snacks, and put on your team’s sweaters!,” the city says in an announcement posted on its website, while adding that the activity is organized in partnership with the AS Laval Football Club.
The site will be opening at 2 pm, with a few preliminary activities planned before the game’s start.
As access to the site will be via de Lausanne St., parking in the immediate area is expected to be limited.
However, it will be available in front of the soccer fields, at the Régent-Martimbeau Community Centre, and on surrounding streets (albeit subject to the regular parking regulations applicable on those streets).
There will be accessible parking for people with reduced mobility near the football pitches, and there will be toilets (also accessible) in the Régent-Martimbeau community centre, as well as “Johnny-on-the-spot” mobile toilets outside.
According to the city, dogs on leashes are welcome on the trails and grassy areas, although not in children’s playgrounds, on sports fields or in buildings.
The city says all bags will be checked before admission to the site, and food may be brought in a soft cooler or bag.
Plastic containers are permitted. However, glass containers, cans, hard coolers and cooking appliances are prohibited for safety reasons.
Bringing alcohol onto the site is totally prohibited, and there will be no sale or consumption of alcohol.
However, the AS Laval Football Club will be hosting a BBQ with food and drinks for sale.
A water fountain for refilling reusable containers will be available outside the Régent-Martimbeau Community Centre.
The Maison de la famille de Laval-Ouest will be able to upgrade its computer resources with new desktops, laptops, tablets and other IT accessories thanks to a donation announced by the Electronics Recycling Association (ERA) in conjunction with Fabre MNA Alice Abou-Khalil.
Together, according to a statement issued by the ERA, the association and Abou-Khalil (who is Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Cybersecurity and Digital Technology in the CAQ government cabinet) donated:
2 desktop computers
3 laptops
3 tablets
1 projector
and 1 printer
“These devices will help strengthen the [Maison de la famille’s] ability to support families throughout the Laval community by providing greater access to technology for educational programs, administrative services, digital learning and community initiatives,” said the ERA.
The Maison De La Famille De Laval-Ouest supports families through programs that promote learning, inclusion and community well-being.
Through partnerships with businesses, governments, elected officials and community organizations, the ERA refurbishes and redistributes technology to charities, schools and non-profit organizations across Canada.
If your business or organization has retired computers, laptops, tablets, or other IT equipment, consider donating them to ERA at era.ca.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 251 Sergeant at Arms Chuck Washburn and branch First Vice-President Dean McKay paid their respects during the 2022 Remembrance Day ceremony at the Laval War Cenotaph. (File photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia)
In 2026, The Royal Canadian Legion celebrates 100 years of service to Veterans, their families and communities across Canada.
As part of the centennial, Branch 251 will host an official Centennial Celebration and the unveiling of newly added commemorative bricks on the branch’s Commemoration Wall.
“This ceremony will bring together members, community partners, and invited dignitaries to reflect on a century of remembrance and service, while honouring the individuals whose names and memories are preserved on our Commemoration Wall,” says Patricia Vezina, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 251’s secretary.
According to Vezina, the Commemoration Wall stands as a lasting tribute within the branch.
Following a period of more than two decades without additions, the legion’s Centennial “has provided the opportunity to renew this meaningful initiative,” she added.
She said the newly engraved bricks will represent “a continuation of remembrance and a commitment to preserving our legacy for future generations, while leaving space for many more to be honoured in the years ahead.”
Branch 251 has served the Laval community for over 60 years and the members’ efforts extend well beyond Remembrance Day ceremonies.
Among other things, the branch members coordinate the annual Armistice Day Parade in Chomedey, welcoming over 600 cadets from the Laval area, while actively supporting 10 Cadet units by providing facilities for training, meetings and community activities.
Through Branch 251’s Poppy Campaign, members continue to provide financial support to Canadian Forces veterans, their families and community organizations.
Recent contributions have also supported Ste-Anne’s Veterans Hospital, Wounded Warriors, The Last Post Fund, as well as several local organizations serving vulnerable populations.
Branch 251 also works closely with the Sir-Wilfrid Laurier School Board and other local partners to support events and initiatives that strengthen the community.
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.
