On July 1, get ready for a memorable day at the Centre de la nature de Laval.
To celebrate Canada Day, the city invites everyone to a big family gathering from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., designed to enchant visitors of all ages.
Everyone is invited to come and share a moment of happiness and conviviality with the Laval community, in a warm and festive atmosphere.
Organizers say they’ve planned an unforgettable experience.
The Centre de la nature de Laval will be transformed into a huge playground with attractions for everyone: inflatable games where children can have fun in complete safety, game booths to test skills, and face painting counters to add a touch of fantasy.
Highlights of the day will include shows specially designed for children, transporting them to a world of dreams and adventure.
In addition, the presence of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police will add a touch of patriotism.
A particularly moving moment will be the swearing-in ceremony for new Canadian citizens, symbolizing the values of welcome and diversity cherished by the community.
And of course, the sharing of the traditional Canada Day cake will provide a moment of indulgence for all.
It’s sure to be an opportunity to create lasting memories with loved ones. Laval’s Canada Day celebration promises to be as entertaining as it is inspiring.
Full event details are available at feteducanadalaval.net. Follow on Facebook and Instagram to make sure not to miss any of the surprises in store.
The Laval Police have arrested an underage fraudster who allegedly convinced victims, including several seniors, to hand over their debit cards and personal identification numbers (PINs), which he then allegedly used to commit fraud.
The LPD believe that up to 30 fraud incidents may all be connected to the same suspect.
As part of the scheme, he would call victims at home and pretend to represent a financial institution.
He would then tell his targets that their bank card had been defrauded.
According to the LPD, the suspect used a classic ruse to deceive the victims.
“He would ask them to place their cards in an envelope and write the personal identification number (PIN) on the back,” said an LPD spokesperson.
“He then told them that a courier would pick up their cards at their home. Once retrieved, the cards were used to commit fraud at bank machines and businesses.”
However, in a few cases the courier called the victims back in a multi-party conference call, so that they could speak directly with a real representative of their financial institution to reactivate their card, which had been blocked on suspicion of fraud.
The weekend of June 14-15-16 was a very long one for Action Laval city councillor for Saint-Bruno David De Cotis and Action Laval Saint-François city councillor Isabelle Piché.
On June 16, it was the LFFMQ – Ligue Féminine de Football mineur du Québec at Parc Berthiaume-Tremblay in Chomedey.
“This afternoon, Isabelle Piché, the city councillor of St-Francois and me David De Cotis, the city councillor for St-Bruno, we attended the minor women’s football leagues final games at Park Berthiaume-Tremblay,” De Cotis recounted in an e-mail to The Laval News.
Some information about the league:
HISTORY
The LFFMQ, or the “Ligue Féminine de Football mineur du Québec.” is a non-profit organization and was incorporated in 2023.
MISSION
To allow underage girls (15 to 17 years old) to develop and play contact football, in an inclusive, safe and competitive environment in Quebec.
OBJECTIVE
To establish a competitive and inclusive football league, which promotes positive experience and leadership development in a sporting context.
To inspire young girls to lead an active lifestyle.
To exclusively allow young women to develop their skills, educate themselves and perfect their training in the field of contact football.
Allow young girls to come together so that they can emancipate themselves through playing football. Allow girls to represent Quebec in Canadian and international competitions.
ORIGINS
The project emerged from the desire of four civic football associations that have given themselves the mission of offering a competitive football league to girls aged 15-16 and 17 in Quebec. Currently they are starting with five teams: Gatineau, the North Shore of Montreal, Laval, Montreal and the South Shore of Montreal.
Other events the two city councillors recently took part in:
June 14
Plaisir en Famille at Parc de Lausanne in Saint-Bruno.
June 15 Service Bénévole d’Entraide de Vimont-Auteuil: Annual Bazaar from 8 am to 3 pm.
Accident investigators were on the scene all afternoon and into the evening Friday just before the start of the Canada Day long weekend, following a major accident involving a large truck and several cars on Route 335 in east end Laval, in which three people died.
(Photo: Courtesy TVA Nouvelles)
Around 2 pm, according to initial news reports, the southbound truck crashed head-on with a car headed in the opposite direction, followed by a second collision involving another car.
One of the impacted cars collided again into the truck, after which both caught fire.
It is presumed that the occupants of both vehicles, three people in all, died in the ensuing blaze.
According to reports, four other people, including a pregnant woman, suffered injuries, although not life-threatening.
The Laval Police announced five days after the crash that they are seeking witnesses to the crash.
The investigation is still ongoing and the police are hoping to speak to anyone who was near the crash scene.
Anyone with information is asked to call the LPD’s Info Line at 450-662-INFO (4636) or 9-1-1. The file is LVL-240628-055.
Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilièvre flashes a V for victory sign during a pre-election year Quebec campaign launch held at a Jewish community centre in Montreal on June 19. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia)
‘He wants you to forget the problems he caused,’ Conservative leader says at Quebec campaign launch
Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre got a head-start last week campaigning in Quebec for the October 2025 federal election, with a well-attended launch event at a Jewish community centre in Montreal.
Addressing a packed auditorium of ardent Tory supporters, Poilièvre said a Conservative government would prioritize the housing crisis.
And given Justin Trudeau’s drastic drop in popularity according to the most recent opinion polls, Poilièvre laced into the Liberal Prime Minister – much to the delight of the highly partisan crowd.
Alluding to hateful rhetoric and recent antisemitic incidents outside Montreal-area Jewish schools and synagogues, Poilièvre said, “It wasn’t like this before Justin Trudeau.”
Tears into Justin Trudeau
Alternating between French and English as he spoke, he said, “Justin Trudeau with an extreme and radical ideology aims to divide us over race and religion and other issues.
“He tries to divide people over their wealth, their religion and their language. And he is a prime minister who has tried to divide people for nearly a decade … And why is he trying to divide people? Because he wants you to forget the problems he caused.”
On the issue of housing, Poilièvre maintained that rents in the Montreal region have tripled over the last nine years from an average $700 per month to more than $2,000 for a one-bedroom apartment.
“Now people are lining up around the streets to go to food banks,” he continued, adding that “one in four Canadians live in poverty, and the danger on our streets is seen everywhere.
Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilièvre was received by an enthusiastic crowd of supporters during a campaign launch rally last week in Montreal’s west end. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia)
‘Everything is broken’
“Children need to have police escorts to go to a daycare. Violence targeting our Jewish community – a community that lived in peace and tranquility here literally for well over a century next to neighbors who are of totally different religious and ethnic backgrounds.”
According to Poilièvre, after nine years of Trudeau, “everything is broken” and “crime, chaos, drugs and disorder rage out of control on our streets. People can’t afford the basics of life. He promised to help the middle class, but nine years later the middle class no longer exists.”
Regarding the government’s financial management, Poilièvre promised that, if elected, he would counter the effects of the Liberals’ free-spending and deficits with a “dollar for dollar” approach which would oblige federal ministries to match every dollar of spending with equivalent savings.
Spending ‘within our means’
“Our approach will be to spend within our means,” he said, comparing the Conservative way to how responsible households are usually managed.
Addressing a packed auditorium in Montreal’s west end, Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilièvre urged voters to vote Conservative and oust Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia)
“Just like that, we will force them to look for waste and mismanagement to optimize each dollar to make the same deals or trade-offs that single moms, small businesses and seniors make every single day.”
Among other things, Poilièvre also took swipes at Montreal mayor Valérie Plante, blaming excessive bureaucracy at the municipal level for blocking the construction of homes and driving up prices, while calling her “incompetent.”
Laval resident Konstantinos Merakos is one of several candidates who are currently hoping to be nominated as the Conservative Party’s candidate in the riding of Laval-Les Îles. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Newsfirst Multimedia)
“When I am prime minister, we will no longer take your money and give it to incompetent mayors,” he said. He said a Conservative government would oblige municipalities to allow 15 per cent more housing units to be built as a condition for their being able to receive federal funding.
Laval-Les Îles candidate Merakos
Following last week’s rally, Newsfirst Multimedia had a chance to speak with one of the hopefuls currently vying to be nominated as the Conservative Party’s candidate in the Laval riding of Laval-Les Îles.
“Democracy is the most powerful tool that humans have ever created,” said Konstantinos Merakos, a Laval resident and staff lawyer with the Montreal-based Bergman & Associates law practice.
“When people are going through difficult moments, whether financial or over human rights, they turn out to vote,” he added. “So, I hope that when they are having difficulties and are seeing others suffering and the nation is divided, they will use their democratic right to voice their concerns and bring about change.”
More than 300 free activities to explore in Laval parks
The City invites the public to brighten up their summer by taking advantage of the wide range of outdoor activities offered free of charge in some twenty Laval parks starting June 29.
Once again this year, the highly diversified programming of Dehors ce été highlights culture, sports and recreation.
“We invite citizens to take advantage of the Outdoors outdoor offer this summer with family, friends or alone to enjoy a unifying entertainment experience near their homes. Taking advantage of the beautiful summer days and evenings to move, learn and enrich yourself, what a great idea!” said Nicholas Borne, member of the Executive Committee, Laval-les-Îles City Councillor and responsible for parks and neighbourhood life.
Summer in Laval’s parks.
Have fun and move
Various sports and leisure activities are offered in partnership with Laval organizations: aerobic dance (zumba), soccer, fitness, yoga, dance, and more! Young and old alike will find their place among the variety of activities for all tastes and all levels.
Open-air family shows
In order to introduce toddlers and children aged five and over to the performing arts, an original theatrical program is offered to them. Among the shows, let’s highlight the new play Payzages, which is aimed at 18 months and over, and the two creations of the Théâtre à ciel ouvert, Nico l’unforgettable and Iris en été.
A program of circus shows for the whole family will also be presented in several parks and, among thisnumber, let’s mention Chouf le ciel, a high-flying Moroccan creation from the touring program of MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE. For optimal comfort, it is recommended to bring blankets and folding chairs during activities in the parks.
Stories in books and on the big screen
Thanks to the Reading Tents, the youngest (up to 5 years old) will be able to have stories told and even borrow books in order to continue reading their favorite at home. A break between two swims will be offered to children (up to 12 years old) during the Tales in Swimsuits, in some water games and neighborhood pools.
In addition, in some parks, the Bibliomobile will offer a relaxing reading area for the whole family as well as Mobile Storytelling activities for children. Finally, it will be possible to attend nearly 20 performances of good family films on the big screen, also in some parks, during the summer.
9th edition of the Musical Zones
Colourful experiences to punctuate your summer
“Let’s take advantage of the summer to rediscover the Musical Zones! A new experience awaits you every time thanks to the diversity of musical styles and locations in the four corners of the island.
This free event, which stands out for the quality and accessibility of its shows, ranging from the most intimate to larger-scale performances, invites you to memorable experiences in enchanting places close to home. It’s a date!” said Flavia Alexandra Novac, Municipal Councillor for Sainte-Rose and responsible for cultural issues.
8 zones throughout the territory
The shows of this 9th edition, some of which will be accompanied by dancers, will be presented in 8 zones: Vieux-Sainte-Dorothée, Vieux-Sainte-Rose, Centre de la nature, berge aux Quatre-Vents, rue de l’Église in SaintFrançois, Bernard-Landry Park, Légaré Park as well as in the Montmorency sector, in the inner courtyard of the Maison des arts and at the Place publique of Place Bell (Momo cultural station).
In addition, two exclusive concerts by the Orchestre symphonique de Laval under the direction of guest conductor Mélanie Léonard will be held at Bernard-Landry Park.
On August 13, a family concert created especially for young and old will recall the heroes and heroines of popular cinema, while on August 14, a second major concert will take the audience on a journey into the world of classic works inspired by heroism over time. Several amenities and facilities will be available on site.
In addition, on some sites, a food and bar offer will be offered and pre-show entertainment will be presented. This will be the perfect opportunity to enjoy the beautiful season, arriving early to picnic and bask in the sun or to go for a bike ride. Discover all the programming online at zonesmusicales.laval.ca
Six awards for « Tout doux dans nos rues » campaign
Recently, the City of Laval’s Communications and Marketing Department team, won a total of six industry awards highlighting the quality and creativity of the “Tout doux dans nos rues” campaign.
It was at the Plumes d’excellence of the Association des communicateurs municipaux du Québec (ACMQ), then at the Idéa competition propelled by the Association of Creative Communication Agencies (A2C) in collaboration with the Société des designers graphiques du Québec (SDGQ).
This unique campaign first won the Plume d’Or in the Behavioural Campaign/Awareness category at the Plumes d’excellence gala, presented on June 6. This ACMQ award recognizes the professionalism of municipal communications specialists and highlights the most remarkable achievements.
At the awards ceremony of the Idéa competition on June 13, which celebrates the best of creative communication in Quebec every year, “Tout doux dans nos rues” won a Gold Award in the Music category. The campaign also won four other awards, including Silver Awards for Achievement – Branded Video Content, Integrated Campaign under $250,000 and Branded Video Content – Public Service, as well as a Bronze Award for Branded Audio Content.
Laval Mayor Stéphane Boyer, was very happy of the awarded campaign. “These awards are a clear testament to the effectiveness and creativity deployed in the “Tout doux dans nos rues” campaign by the Communications and Marketing team,” he said.
“This exceptional campaign was able to mobilize the Laval community and strengthen the sense of solidarity in the neighbourhoods, of which we are extremely proud. I would also like to express my gratitude to the various departments that contributed to the success of this initiative through their valuable collaboration.”
The campaign focused on reduced speed limits and other measures to improve safety and road sharing in Laval. With “Tout doux dans nos rues”, Laval has reinvented road safety awareness by relying on a disruptive approach and popular culture to improve the daily life of the community. It should be noted that this campaign included, among other things, an original song by Claude Bégin, a video and awareness posters that the population was invited to put up on residential lots.
City offers ‘concrete solutions’ for recent rise in urban violence
In the lingering aftermath of a shooting incident in November 2022 at Collège Montmorency which led to a day-long lockdown at the CEGEP, the City of Laval last week unveiled a new multi-faceted strategy for ensuring security and well-being in Laval – with a significant focus on young adults and youths.
Laval’s Plan stratégique Sécurité et bien-être collectif (Strategic security and well-being plan) will act as a framework to be gradually implemented over the next 10 years.
Laval Police Chief Pierre Brochet explains part of the city’s long-term urban violence plan, as Mayor Stéphane Boyer listens. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)
A preventive action plan
Based on the premise that social, economic, domestic and personal experiences often play a key role in determining whether a young person turns violent or becomes delinquent, the strategy places emphasis on persons from 12 to 35 years of age.
Although it was probably the most troubling crime-related incident in Laval in recent years, the Collège Montmorency shooting was not by any means an isolated happening.
Since at least early 2020 when the Covid pandemic first set in, the number of shootings and firearms-related incidents in Laval – involving younger people for the most part – skyrocketed.
Rising crime levels
According to statistics furnished by the city last week during a technical briefing held at the de l’Avenir Blvd. college campus, from 2019 to 2021 Laval saw an increase in juvenile criminality and violent acts, two-thirds of which involved suspects between the ages of 17 and 21.
Laval’s police chief Pierre Brochet, Mayor Stéphane Boyer, Vimont CAQ MNA Valérie Schmaltz and Chomedey Liberal MNA Sona Lakhoyan Olivier are seen here at the centre of a group of Laval city councillors who were on hand last week at Collège Montmorency for the city’s Strategic security and well-being plan announcement. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)
Some shorter-term strategies the city implemented in response, with financial help from the Quebec government, appear to have brought the situation under control – at least for the time being. What the city is aiming for now is a much longer-term fix for the problem. This latest strategy will serve as a framework for a range of smaller programs, according to the city.
80 groups involved
In a revitalized effort to keep violent acts and gun-related crimes under control, the city has enlisted the active support of some 80 local community organizations that share a stake in the outcome. They are involved in education, mental and physical health, substance abuse rehabilitation, as well as ethnic and multicultural integration.
Although specifics for the plan appear to be far from finalized at this point, the city says that more than a dozen meetings between officials in City of Laval departments have already taken place, as well as a half-dozen meetings between members of a steering committee made up of leaders from 16 partner groups.
“Today we are ramping up our efforts in order to respond directly to the needs of young people in Laval,” said Mayor Stéphane Boyer. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)
As for who is going to pay for it all, the Quebec Ministry of Public Security has agreed to pony up with $4.6 million, a significant amount of which will be originating from the federal government’s Building Safer Communities Fund (BSCF).
Quebec’s financial support
Quebec’s front-and-centre role in providing financial support was emphasized by the fact that CAQ MNA for Vimont Valérie Schmaltz was cued to deliver remarks first during the city’s press conference, before Mayor Stéphane Boyer or Laval Police Dept. chief Pierre Brochet spoke.
“Today we are ramping up our efforts in order to respond directly to the needs of young people in Laval 12 to 35 years of age, and to invest in the long term in resources in all the neighbourhoods to be able to maintain a city that is secure for everyone,” said Boyer.
“With the valuable cooperation of more than 80 partners, we are bringing together all our strengths to follow and influence the trajectories of youths who are at-risk for social breakdown or for becoming involved in delinquent behaviours,” he continued. “This historic partnership in Laval that we are building together will lead to a city that is stronger, more secure and more agreeable.”
A concerted effort
“The coming into being of this strategic plan demonstrates the power of the collaborative work done with our partners for the security and well-being of the population,” said Brochet.
“Our police service is treating urban violence as an organizational priority,” said Laval Police chief Pierre Brochet. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)
“All the players who are involved have expertise and an approach that complements one another. Our police service is treating urban violence as an organizational priority, and we are stating once again out commitment to making all possible efforts to contribute to maintaining a sense of peace among all our citizens, while offering Laval’s youths avenues to be able to turn their backs on crime.”
Braking crime in Chomedey
Chomedey Liberal MNA Sona Lakhoyan Olivier, who has expressed deep concerns about rising crime levels in her riding, told The Laval News she was pleased with the city’s efforts, although “we should have done this a couple of years ago,” she added.
“I’m worried about Chomedey. We have beautiful spaces, but crime’s really coming up, and this is something important that’s finally being done. I just hope Chomedey isn’t left out because Laval is big. Hopefully we are not left out.”
Action Laval, one of the city’s two opposition parties, also had a mixed reaction. While a spokesperson said the party membership was pleased that something was finally being done, he suggested it was overdue and they were waiting for further developments.
The current issue of the Laval News, volume 32-13, published on June 26th, 2024. Covering Laval local news, politics, and sports. (Click on the image to read the paper.)
The tranquility of the Fête nationale holiday in Laval was disrupted during the early morning hours on June 24 when LFD firefighters were summoned to a business on Guillet St. in the Laval industrial park to extinguish a fire that broke out in what appeared to be a storage building.
The tranquility of the Fête nationale was disrupted on Monday by an industrial fire on Guillet St. in the Laval industrial park. (Photo: Courtesy Association des Pompiers de Laval)
According to the Association des Pompiers Laval (the Laval firefighters’ labour union), the incident was called in at 1:45 am as a code 10-09, meaning “help fully involved.”
Flames were seen shooting out of the 1 1/2-story industrial building, with the potential to spread to nearby structures.
In spite of threatening rain Sunday evening that eventually turned into a downpour, there was a good turnout at the Centre de la nature in Laval’s Duvernay district for the city’s Fête nationale du Québec concert show.
Representing the Legault government, Sainte-Rose CAQ MNA Christopher helped opened the show with some comments about the meaning of Quebec’s national holiday and its importance for reinforcing the culture and linguistic identity of Quebec.
Impending rain and the possibility of serious storm activity forced the cancellation of some of the Fête nationale du Québec events which had been planned to take place at the Centre de la nature earlier on Sunday.
The evening’s concert program included performances by Zachary Richard, Ariane Moffatt, Galaxie, Laurence Jalbert, Marie-Pierre Arthur, Fanny Bloom, Safia Nolin, Kanen Lumière, Ya Cetidon and Sensei H.
