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Laval unveils 2024 financial results

Laval News Contributor
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Laval unveils 2024 financial results
Mayor Stéphane Boyer.

The City of Laval has unveiled its financial results for the fiscal year 2024, showcasing an operating surplus of $7.2 million, which represents less than 0.61% of its revenue budget. This achievement comes despite increased municipal responsibilities and reduced government transfers.

“In a context where expectations are growing faster than resources, Laval is showing that it is possible to remain financially solid while continuing to invest for the common good. This report reflects our desire to act with lucidity, to plan rigorously and to always ensure that every Laval resident sees the concrete benefits of our choices,” stated Stéphane Boyer, Mayor of Laval.

Yannick Langlois, municipal councillor for L’Orée-des-Bois and responsible for public finances, added, “The investments made in 2024 reflect a clear commitment: to maintain what we have while planning for the future. By devoting 62% of our $355 million investment to maintaining our assets, we are choosing sustainability, efficiency, and respect for public funds. These decisions are part of a long-term vision: to preserve our infrastructure, improve our living environments, and build a solid future for our community.”

Results at a glance

Growth in Operating Revenues: The City generated operating revenues of $1,189.9 million, $13.9 million more than budgeted. This increase is attributed to: • $7.6 million in transfer revenues (environment, public safety, community support) • $3 million from the disposal of capital assets • $1.9 million in grants from organizations • $1.1 million in contributions from promoters

Operating Expenses: The City incurred $1,074.4 million in operating expenses, which is $63.3 million more than budgeted. Key expenses included: • $33.7 million in compensation and payroll taxes, including the application of Bill 15 concerning municipal sector pension plans and overtime worked by City employees to support citizens affected by Storm Debby • $21.5 million in goods and services, mainly for professional fees

Major Investments in Infrastructure: Laval invested $355.1 million in the territory, with $221.5 million (62%) dedicated to asset maintenance. Funding sources included: • $221.6 million in long-term debt • $82.7 million in government transfers • $98.5 million in financial reserves and surpluses

Infratructure investments. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia)

Debt Management: Long-term debt stood at $1,053.4 million as of December 31, 2024, compared to $929.3 million in 2023. The debt service-to-income ratio remained stable at 11.26%. Under the Financial Reserves Management Policy, the City allocates a significant portion of its financial surpluses to reserves to meet minimum thresholds, particularly for snow removal, chemicals, and unaffected operating surplus. Consequently, 50% of the $1.6 million surplus, or $0.8 million, is allocated to the financial reserve for the cash payment of capital assets.

Major infrastructure investments

Capital expenditures totaling $355.1 million in 2024 enabled the completion of numerous significant projects for Laval residents. The three-year capital expenditure program (PTI) reached 69% progress for the year. Notable investments included: • $54.4 million for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of sewer and water mains • $28.4 million for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roadways and structures (bridges, viaducts, culverts) • $19.1 million for the Aquatic Complex • $13.7 million for the development and maintenance of parks and public spaces • $12.3 million for cultural infrastructure in the downtown core (central library and professional artistic creation centre)

Credibility confirmed by auditors The financial report was jointly audited by the Auditor General and Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton. Additionally, S&P Global Ratings renewed Laval’s AA+ credit rating with a stable outlook for the fourth consecutive year, highlighting the strength of the city’s financial governance.

Bibliosale of the libraries of Laval: thousands of cultural treasures at low prices

Martin C. Barry
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Bibliosale of the libraries of Laval: thousands of cultural treasures at low prices

The Bibliovente, the annual sale organized by the Laval Libraries, is set to return from May 23 to 25 at the Enclav in Place Bell. This year, over 50,000 second-hand documents in both French and English will be available at affordable prices.

The selection includes novels, documentaries, comic books, magazines, CDs, DVDs, and video games, catering to all tastes and ages. The proceeds from the sale will be used to enhance the services provided by the libraries in the region.

For the second consecutive year, this cultural event will be held at the Enclav of Place Bell, a landmark location that is easily accessible by public transit. Additionally, the indoor parking lot at Place Bell will be available free of charge to motorists attending the event. However, attendees should anticipate a large turnout.

“The Bibliovente is a must-see event in Laval. It makes culture accessible at low prices, while giving a second life to a multitude of interesting documents. I invite all citizens to come and make great cultural finds,” said Flavia Alexandra Novac, Sainte-Rose City Councillor and Cultural Files Officer.

Practical information

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own bags or boxes to carry their purchases. Only cash and Interac payments will be accepted.

Event schedule at Place Bell

Friday, May 23: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Pricing: Books and comics: $3.50/kg Magazines: $0.10 per unit CDs: $0.50 each DVDs: $1 each Video games: $5 each

Access: By public transit:  2-minute walk from Montmorency metro station

By car: Free parking at the Place Bell community ice rinks, accessible via Boulevard de la Concorde (consider the expected high attendance)

Donations accepted starting May 10

The items available for sale at the Bibliovente come from the collections of the Laval Libraries as well as public donations.

From Saturday, May 10 to Thursday, May 22, between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m., donations of novels, comics, CDs, DVDs, and video games can be dropped off at the Enclav reception desk at Place Bell.

Residents arriving by car can use the drop-off area on Le Corbusier Boulevard to leave their donations inside at the designated spot.

Who is most fit to lead the Quebec Liberal Party?

Martin C. Barry
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Who is most fit to lead the Quebec Liberal Party?

With Premier François Legault’s Coalition Avenir Québec government having seemingly outlived its usefulness after two terms in office, and the Parti Québécois still far from regaining the groove that kept them in power for nearly a decade, the Quebec Liberal Party is poised for a return.

However, what could make all the difference is who the PLQ chooses for a leader in June, and how that choice is perceived by Quebecers who will be casting ballots in the October 2026 election.

There was a time only a few years back when the party that François Legault assembled from scratch more than 13 years ago was seriously considered an existential threat to the Quebec Liberals.

The CAQ had managed to differentiate itself from the Parti Québécois by seemingly putting aside sovereigntist nationalism, while posing as the party that had all the answers to the province’s economic problems, because it was led by a man with an established record of success as the co-founder of Air Transat.

It might be recalled that prior to launching the CAQ, Legault – truly in keeping with his vocation as a corporate maven – conducted extensive market research and focus groups all over Quebec (including some stops in Laval).

It was only then that he decided there was sufficient grassroots support to create a political party, which would be largely built around himself.

It should therefore come as no surprise that as the nearly 68-year-old Premier mulls whether or not to tempt fate by rolling the dice once more to run in next year’s election, the truth is that the CAQ government ran out of energy and started falling apart almost as soon as they won their second term.

As the PQ continues to obsess over language, culture and sovereignty, the CAQ’s failure offers the Quebec Liberals everything they need to regain their mantle as the pragmatic centrists with Quebec’s economic well-being largely at heart.

Gone now are the demoralized days, concurrent with the CAQ’s rise, when the most the PLQ could offer in terms of direction was the short-lived leadership of Dominique Anglade. Five candidates are now vying for the position, although, if anything, it should be noted that none of them is a woman (which is perhaps a shortcoming that may eventually have to be addressed.)

While the CAQ’s economic policies have failed to generate results (the government’s disastrous Northvolt investment being perhaps the most blatant example), it was populist politics mostly that carried and kept the CAQ in power since 2018. And that is also the challenge the Quebec Liberals now face.

It’s well-known that the CAQ’s base of power is in electoral ridings located in Quebec’s rural regions. That is arguably where the PLQ will need to concentrate its efforts.

The Quebec Liberals’ success in the 2026 election may depend more than they now realize on whether next month they choose a leader with a strong grassroots appeal to voters in the regions, rather than one who is more urbane.

During the PLQ’s ongoing leadership debates, former federal cabinet minister Pablo Rodriguez has emerged as the candidate targeted the most often with criticism.

But it’s also worth noting that most of the criticism came from Mario Roy, a native of the province’s isolated but very independent Beauce region, who demonstrated his willingness to challenge the status quo by speaking out while his colleagues were mostly collegial and silent.

It is perhaps that kind of spirit that the Quebec Liberals should be taking more seriously as they contemplate who to choose as their next leader, as well as the strategy they will employ next year as they campaign for the support of voters all over Quebec.

The Quebec Liberal Party will need a leader who possesses a common touch and embodies populist strength, but also one with a thorough and fact-based knowledge of economics to face the challenges which almost certainly lie squarely ahead.

Recent shootings prompt Duvernay man to question Laval Police’s abilities

Martin C. Barry
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Recent shootings prompt Duvernay man to question Laval Police’s abilities

‘The next time somebody will be killed,’ Michel Saintonge tells city council

Firearms incidents which have become more commonplace in recent years in the City of Laval’s otherwise tranquil residential neighborhoods were the focus of a complaint made by a Duvernay resident to city council during its May 6 public meeting.

Local attempted murders

Michel Saintonge said he wanted to talk about two recent murder attempts in Duvernay’s Val-des-Arbres sector, the first one having taken place around three weeks earlier. The Laval Police found spent ammunition cartridges in the parking lot as well as the yard of a nearby elementary school.

A Laval resident questions the council during the May 6 city council meeting. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

He said that on the Sunday before, a series of gunshots was again heard, this time on Cap-à-l’Aigle St. also in Duvernay/Val-des-Arbres.

So, while acknowledging that he didn’t expect the Laval Police to be everywhere all the time, he asked how it was possible for two “completely out of control” events like this to take place in such a small area of Laval over the space of just three weeks.

‘Truly unacceptable’

While noting that the target of the second attack wasn’t killed – “fortunately for him,” added Saintonge – he pointed out that children often play on the nearby streets. “I don’t understand the Laval Police’s priorities,” he said, wondering why they don’t seem to be devoting more resources to take care of the situation.

“I find this truly unacceptable, to say the least. The next time somebody will be killed. I hope it won’t be a child. But we’re going to do what? The journalists will be arriving, the police will arrive. But now for the situation we’re in, we’re just lucky fortunately that nobody died.

Laval city councillor for Concorde–Bois-de-Boulogne Sandra Desmeules. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

“Two murder attempts with rapid-fire handguns,” he continued. “This means they found around seven spent cartridges on the ground, while the second time they found three or four cartridges, including what was in front of the residence of my daughter.”

Daughter ‘in shock’

He said his daughter was unable to speak for herself at the May 6 council meeting “because she’s in shock,” while her two children also have been staying home because they feel so uneasy with how things are going in their neighborhood.

“So, you have here honest people – honest citizens – who are living in a peaceful neighborhood. And what are the police doing? I am raising questions about the competence of the management of the police. And I would like to know what concerted action the police will be undertaking in the next hours and days?”

He maintained that the Laval Police haven’t been out patrolling the streets. And while the person targeted in the attack still lives there, Saintonge said the police haven’t done anything in particular to protect him.

LPD are onto it, says Khalil

Speaking on behalf of Mayor Stéphane Boyer (who was absent on May 6 for personal reasons, according to a city hall spokesperson) Sainte-Dorothée city councillor Ray Khalil, the executive-committee vice-president, insisted the city and the Laval Police “make every effort to reassure citizens.”

Still, he allowed Concorde–Bois-de-Boulogne councillor Sandra Desmeules (who is in charge of public safety dossiers) to respond in more detail. According to her, the police responded immediately and established a security perimeter.

“At the present time, the investigation is underway,” she said, while adding the police haven’t been able to provide additional details as it remains an open investigation.

“But I can tell you again that they are still working on the dossier and they are making all efforts possible to make arrests.” She took issue with Saintonge’s comments on the competence of the police, while defending Laval Police director Pierre Brochet.

Jacques-Plante bike path rejected

Laval city councillor for Sainte-Dorothée Ray Khalil, who is also the executive-committee vice-president. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

A group of residents from Jacques Plante St. in the city’s Chomedey district complained to the council about a bicycle path recently added on their street – “and this without a consultation in our neighborhood which is directly impacted,” according to a spokesperson.

The last time the spokesperson was at council, he left behind a petition containing at least 70 signatures of residents asking for the bike path’s withdrawal. “It’s been almost six months we have yet to receive an answer specifically for rue Jacques Plante,” he said.

Lost parking and collisions

He said the issues facing the residents include a 50 per cent reduction in parking, narrowing of the street, and increased risk of collisions between bikes and motor vehicles.

“We are asking the city to take all the right steps to find a solution, because the new bike lanes are not secure for both bicyclists and the drivers,” he continued. “The whole neighborhood is complaining about the deterioration on a daily basis and it is affecting our quality of life.”

City of Laval ombudsman dealt with 636 complaint files in 2024

Martin C. Barry
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City of Laval ombudsman dealt with 636 complaint files in 2024

Snow removal and waste management are constants, says Nathalie Blais

In her latest report on the City of Laval’s efforts to address residents’ complaints about shortcomings in municipal services, ombudsman Nathalie Blais says her department managed last year to cut its response time to less than 48 hours, while dealing with 636 dossiers, most of which concerned routine issues like sidewalk repairs, road paving and street lighting.

Nathalie Blais, the City of Laval’s ombudswoman, says her department processed 636 complaints about various City of Laval services last year.

In the 12th annual report filed by the ombudsman’s office, Blais said 124 of the 2024 dossiers were carried over from past years and that 53 dossiers are still unresolved while being processed.

Learning opportunities

“Above and beyond the quantifiable results, each complaint remains for us an opportunity to learn, to correct and to improve the municipality’s services,” she said in a statement issued on the same day her report was tabled in Laval city council.

“It’s in this spirit that we work with teams from the city to create a culture of listening, of transparency and continuous improvement,” said Blais. In all, 32 per cent of the files received by the ombudsman in 2024 were deemed acceptable – that is, the complaints were judged to be founded.

However, of the 68 per cent judged as unacceptable, the administration was found to have initiated corrective action or the process hasn’t been completed yet. In those cases, residents who’d sought the help of the ombudsman were steered to the city’s 3-1-1 service for follow-up action.

Public works complaints

In 2024, the municipal services that were the subject of the ombudsman’s intervention most often were public works (20 per cent), environment (19 per cent), engineering (15 per cent) and urban planning (9 per cent). In 15 per cent of all the dossiers, municipal services decided not to contest claims.

Many of the complaints received by the ombudsman’s office concern snow removal, says Nathalie Blais.

The ombudsman’s office noted that some of the dossiers remain active in 2025 in view of their complexity. One of the more outstanding of the complaints dealt with by the ombudsman last year was snow removal, which falls under the oversight of public works and engineering.

According to a summary of the ombudsman’s work in 2024, the matter remains unresolved, although management at Laval’s public works department “has committed itself to revising the internal administrative procedures and to present to the ombudsman a plan of action in 2024.”

Policy being revised

Again, according to the summary, a new policy statement for snow removal is currently being revised by the city’s legal affairs department. “Considering the political implications, the adoption of the snow removal policy has been postponed until 2026,” states the document.

In an interview with The Laval News, Nathalie Blais said snow removal is an issue that comes up in her annual report every year, as does the city’s handling of waste removal and recycling. “As regards snow removal, there’s probably still a lot of work to be done,” she acknowledged.

“There’s the new plan that is supposed to be released next year,” she said. “But in the meantime, things seem to be a lot better this year. Thanks to the work done by the city’s environment service in conjunction with the ombudsman’s office, we were able to find solutions to make things more efficient.”

Laval gets a good deal for disposing of household waste

Mobility access at Val-Martin

Another issue the ombudsman’s office dealt with last year – access by mobility-challenged apartment tenants at the Habitations Val-Martin social housing project – is also currently unresolved.

According to the ombudsman’s report, the city’s department of engineering services is working in conjunction with the Office municipal d’habitation de Laval (OMHL) to carry out a survey among residents this spring, before making recommendations on the interventions judged to be necessary.

In the meantime, at least one parking space for people with reduced mobility issues was supposed to be implemented at Habitations Val-Martin by this past February. And the engineering department is also evaluating the possibility of installing lowered curbs in order to improve access for the mobility-challenged.

Laval News Volume 33-10

Laval News Staff
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Laval News Volume 33-10

The current issue of the Laval News, volume 33-10, published on May 14th, 2025.
Covering Laval local news, politics, and sports.
(Click on the image to read the paper.)

LPD asks for Duvernay residents’ help after Cap-à-l’Aigle shooting

Martin C. Barry
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LPD asks for Duvernay residents’ help after Cap-à-l’Aigle shooting

The Laval Police are asking residents of Cap-à-l’Aigle Street in the city’s Duvernay district for permission to view their homes’ security camera images as part of an investigation into a shooting incident that took place during the late night hours on Sunday May 4.

Officers from the LPD responded to a 9-1-1 call around 11 pm after shots were fired at a residence on the street.

Although there were no reported injuries and no arrests have been made, LPD investigators are seeking leads to identify the perpetrators.

Sainte-Dorothée home heavily damaged by fire

Martin C. Barry
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Sainte-Dorothée home heavily damaged by fire
The house on Desjardins St. in Sainte-Dorothée heavily damaged by fire on May 3. (Photo: Association des Pompiers de Laval)

A house on Desjardins St. in Laval’s Sainte-Dorothée district suffered more than $250,000 in damages from a fire that broke out in the early morning hours last weekend.

Firefighters who arrived on the scene around 4:10 am on May 3 could see flames within the house’s kitchen.

Although they succeeded in preventing the blaze from spreading further, three people are now temporarily homeless.

As well as the damage done to the building, there was an estimated $100,000 in additional damages to interior furnishings.

Part of Méga Centre Notre-Dame to become mini-industrial park

Martin C. Barry
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Part of Méga Centre Notre-Dame to become mini-industrial park

A Saint-Laurent property developer has acquired a large section of a consumer megamall on the edge of Autoroute 13 near Sainte-Dorothée, with plans to redevelop it into a modern industrial space while reinforcing Laval’s supply-chain and logistics corridor.

The company, Rosefellow, paid owners RioCan REIT and Harden $75 million for the underused retail and commercial property where recent tenants included designer apparel factory outlets and occupancy was relatively low.

An aerial view of the northern end of the Méga Centre Notre-Dame site, where a small industrial park is planned by developer Rosefellow. (Photo: Courtesy of Rosefellow)

The company plans to spend around $200 million to develop 550,000 square feet, including three buildings, on the site at the northern end of Méga Centre Notre-Dame.

Demolition would begin as soon as existing leases end and current tenants are relocated, tentatively at the end of 2025, according to a commercial real estate source.

“This strategic acquisition represents a major step in the development of our activities in Laval and confirms our commitment to long-term investment in prime locations,” said Rosefellow co-CEO Sam Tsoumas.

“We are excited about the opportunity to positively contribute to Laval’s economic vitality,” he added.

Laval keeping close watch over riversides for springtime flooding

Martin C. Barry
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Laval keeping close watch over riversides for springtime flooding

With the spring season well underway and melted snow runoff from the winter adding to rain expected in the Montreal region over the next few days, the City of Laval is urging residents living near the water’s edge to be prepared for flooding

City workers have installed a retention dike along the edge of Riviera St. in Laval-Ouest – one of the most flood-impacted sectors of Laval in recent years.

While saying that other flood-control measures may be coming, the city is urging residents in affected areas to make sure their sump pumps are in working order, while also double-checking whether their home insurance covers flooding.

Among the recommendations being made to residents is that they be prepared to evacuate if necessary (with a travel bag containing living essentials), and that they have 72 hours of emergency supplies on hand in case they are unable to leave home.

Should floodwaters enter your dwelling, the city recommends carefully shutting off the electricity (being careful not to be in contact with any wet or damp surfaces); turning off the natural gas; staying clear of fallen electric wires; keeping water from backing up through sewer drains by stuffing them with rags; avoiding walking in floodwater (which is contaminated) by always wearing boots; and never using open flame cooking equipment inside dwellings.

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