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Quebec National Assembly passes Bill 4, creating an added measure against domestic violence

Martin C. Barry
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Quebec National Assembly passes Bill 4, creating an added measure against domestic violence

Legislation inspired by ‘Clare’s Law,’ which was first implemented in the United Kingdom

The head of a Montreal-based family services agency is giving a thumbs-up to the CAQ government’s recently-adopted Bill 4, which allows criminal and police record information to be shared in order to prevent femicide and intimate partner violence.

Melpa Kamateros, executive-director of Shield of Athena, says Bill 4 creates another level of security for domestic violence victims. (Newsfirst Multimedia file photo: Martin C. Barry).

Based on a UK law

In a June 11 statement, Premier Christine Fréchette’s government said they were proud to confirm the adoption by the National Assembly of Bill 4, inspired by Clare’s Law, “taking a significant step to prevent intimate partner violence and femicides and to combat these scourges.”

First implemented in the United Kingdom in 2014, Clare’s Law is named after Clare Wood, a woman murdered in England by a former domestic partner who police knew to be dangerous. Variations on the legislation, implemented in different areas of the world, provide several ways for police officers to disclose a person’s history of abusive behaviour to those who may be at risk.

Quebec’s Bill 4 amends various legislative provisions in order to allow the disclosure, to a person who fears for their safety or that of their child, of information concerning the history of domestic violence of a current or former intimate partner.

SQ and local police checks

Following a background check by the Sûreté du Québec (SQ), in collaboration with municipal and Indigenous police forces, disclosure will be made through a designated organization with expertise in domestic violence “to ensure compassionate and tailored support,” according to the government’s statement.

The person at risk can also be referred to appropriate resources if needed. The goal, says the government, is to provide the person at risk with as many tools as possible “to make an informed decision about their relationship, without imposing a decision.”

The law grants a victim the right to be informed of the conditions of any supervision imposed as part of a release order, a probation order with supervision, or a suspended sentence. It also grants the victim the right to be informed of the area where the person will be residing.

The government says significant collaborative work will continue in the coming months to develop tools with the partners involved who have expertise in this area, particularly as regards the use of the online application forms.

Some of the new law’s measures

The new law adds an additional mechanism to existing measures implemented in Quebec to combat femicide and intimate partner violence. These measures include:

  • The addition of specialized domestic and sexual violence units within police forces;
  • The deployment of electronic monitoring bracelets for perpetrators of domestic violence;
  • The establishment and strengthening of rapid intervention units for domestic violence in all regions of Quebec;
  • Emergency financial assistance to quickly relocate victims of sexual or domestic violence who wish to leave a dangerous environment;
  • The creation of a dedicated phone line, which offers four hours of free legal consultation to all victims of domestic or sexual violence;
  • And the creation and implementation of specialized courts for sexual and domestic violence cases.

A tool for domestic violence victims

Melpa Kamateros, executive-director of Shield of Athena Family Services, cited some examples of how the new law might be applied on a day-by-day basis.

“If you suspect something about someone your daughter is going out with, you will have the right under this law to go to the police station and ask if this guy has had any previous situations of conjugal violence, criminal arrests, complaints, if they’ve been tried,” she said.

While acknowledging she was aware that some critics have objected that disclosing personal information potentially violates individual privacy rights, Kamateros said, “As a person who works in the domain, this information could be a reliable source and an additional point of security for domestic violence victims.”

A right to feel safe

“Everyone should be able to feel safe with their intimate partner,” said Quebec Public Security Minister Ian Lafrenière. “I am particularly proud of the collaborative work with all my colleagues in the National Assembly. We don’t play partisan politics when it comes to violence against women.

“The adoption of this important bill is the concrete result of collaborative work among parliamentarians, united by the desire to do even more to combat femicide and intimate partner violence,” he continued. “The work is far from over, but the adoption of this bill is a strong step that strengthens our safety net. This measure complements a range of other measures already implemented by our government.”

‘We owe it to the women’

“Every time a femicide is committed, all of Quebec is in shock,” said Quebec Minister of Justice Simon Jolin-Barrette. “In recent years, we have worked tirelessly to better support victims throughout their healing process. If we can offer an additional tool that is more likely to prevent another tragedy, we must try.

“We owe it to the women of Quebec,” added Jolin Barrette. “If the measures included in the new law allow us to prevent even one case of domestic violence, all of society benefits. Once again, we are sending a clear message to victims: you are not alone.”

‘It could save my life’

Martin C. Barry
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‘It could save my life’

Chomedey Blues football alumnus Greg Bradic needs a kidney

Martial arts instructor Gregory Bradic, a Chomedey Blues alumnus and lifelong resident of Chomedey, needs a donated kidney and is reaching out to the community for help.

A Chomedey Blues football club alumnus, who is also a dedicated martial arts instructor and lifelong Chomedey resident, is reaching out for help to the Laval community as he faces impending kidney failure from a hereditary medical condition.

Gregory Bradic, 53, suffers from Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), a condition that several other members of his family have had to struggle with for generations.

A former captain of Concordia University’s football Stingers, in 2016 Gregory’s 1993 Stingers team was inducted into the Concordia Sports Hall of Fame.

A few weeks ago, Bradic decided to turn to the community to which he had given so much, saying that he was seeking a living kidney donor while also hoping to raise awareness about kidney disease and the life-saving impact of organ donation.

Devoted to the martials arts

Born and raised in Chomedey, for over 20 years Greg has devoted his life to teaching martial arts to teenagers and adults at a martial arts dojo called Club Budo de Montréal in the Borough of Saint-Laurent.

A fourth-degree black belt, Gregory is known not only for his discipline and skill, but for the positive impact he has had on so many people over the years.

According to Greg’s girlfriend, Sonia D’Elia, his students see him “as a mentor, role model and source of encouragement both inside and outside the dojo,” she said in an e-mail to The Laval News.

However, according to Sonia, Gregory’s PKD has progressed to the point where he will soon need to be placed on the kidney transplant list. While waiting for a deceased donor kidney can take many years, a living donor transplant offers the best chance for a healthier and longer life.

They are hoping that by sharing Gregory’s story, it may help raise awareness about living organ donation and possibly inspire someone to come forward as a potential donor – not just for Gregory, but to help educate the public about how life-changing and life-saving living donation can be for so many people and families.

His PKD has reached the crisis point

In a recent social media post, Gregory wrote that his PKD “has now progressed to the point where my kidneys are no longer functioning well enough to keep me healthy.

Over the years, Gregory has given extensively of his time as an instructor in the martial arts.

“My options are limited. Dialysis can keep me alive by doing some of the work my kidneys can no longer do – but it is not a long-term solution. A kidney transplant, on the other hand, would give me a real chance at a longer, healthier and more normal life. It would give me time – time to live, to experience the things I love, and to be present for the people who matter most.

“But finding a kidney is incredibly difficult. Thousands of people are waiting right now for a deceased donor, and the reality is harsh: the wait can be 3 – 5 years or longer. Many people don’t make it that long.”

However, according to Gregory, there is another path – receiving a kidney from a living donor – and it could happen much sooner. “It could save my life,” he said.

“Asking anyone to donate a kidney to me is difficult, but it greatly improves my chances of getting a transplant. A living kidney donation typically lasts longer and has better function.”

What you need to know

While most people might not know a lot about living kidney donation (and Gregory himself admits he didn’t until it started to affect his life), he offered the following information on living-donor kidney transplants:

• You only need one kidney to live a healthy, long life.

• Most donor surgery is done laparoscopically, meaning through tiny incisions.

• The recuperation period is usually fairly quick, generally two weeks.

• The cost of your evaluation and surgery will be covered by Gregory’s insurance. The hospital can give you extensive information on this.

• You will have a separate team of healthcare professionals to evaluate you as a living donor. Their job is to help you understand the risks and benefits and look out for your best interests.

Now he needs your help

Outside of his work, Gregory spends a lot of his time teaching martial arts at a non-profit. “It’s something that means a lot to help others grow, build confidence and stay strong both mentally and physically,” he says. “Now, I’m in a position where I need that same kind of support.”

If donating a kidney to Gregory is something you would like to consider, please think of sending him a message and he would be happy to tell you more about his story and explore the process of determining if you are a match.

However, he says he realizes that living donation may not be right for everyone – but you may still be able to help. You may want to consider being an organ donor after death, and also help by sharing Gregory’s story with others.

At the very least, he says, he wants to raise awareness of kidney disease and living donation. “I am hopeful my efforts will help me receive a kidney sooner and encourage others to consider helping the many people on the wait list,” Gregory says. You can reach out to Greg Bradic at gregbradic@gmail.com 

‘Time for bold reforms,’ Mayor Boyer tells Quebec’s Municipal Infrastructure Summit

Martin C. Barry
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‘Time for bold reforms,’ Mayor Boyer tells Quebec’s Municipal Infrastructure Summit

Calls on provincial election leaders to work towards reducing municipal infrastructure costs

Laval mayor Stéphane Boyer says he is encouraged by discussions held at the Municipal Infrastructure Summit last week on the skyrocketing cost for financing municipal infrastructure.

In a statement, he said he particularly welcomed the Quebec government’s commitment to abandoning the total nitrogen standard in wastewater treatment facilities.

Laval and other cities need a new deal from the Quebec government given the skyrocketing costs for important infrastructure work like this water infrastructure project in 2021 near the corner of Curé Labelle and Notre Dame in Chomedey. (Newsfirst Multimedia file photo: Martin C. Barry)

According to Boyer, this measure alone would allow Laval to avoid additional investments estimated at nearly $250 million, without compromising its environmental leadership and commitments.

Boyer is now calling on the leaders of the political parties in the upcoming provincial elections to continue working to sustainably reduce the cost of municipal infrastructure.

In its brief presented during the summit, the City of Laval advocated for a review of the standards it claims have contributed to skyrocketing construction costs, a simplification of government subsidy programs, and an acceleration of the construction permitting process.

Optimizing public funds

The city also reiterated the importance of continuing efforts to pool resources among municipalities and the Quebec government in order to reduce costs and optimize the use of public funds.

With the next Quebec election campaign close to getting underway, Laval’s mayor said he was inviting all party leaders to continue the work begun at the summit.

According to Boyer, controlling infrastructure costs will require decisions that may sometimes be difficult but necessary, in order to preserve the ability of municipalities to invest in the services and equipment their citizens need.

“Municipal infrastructure is becoming increasingly expensive and taxpayers have the right to expect that every dollar will be used as efficiently as possible,” Boyer said in the statement issued by the city.

“Today, we have put forward concrete solutions to reduce costs, simplify processes and increase resource sharing,” he continued. “Now we must have the courage to see this through, and I invite all political party leaders to commit to taking the necessary steps to make our infrastructure more affordable for citizens.”

‘A shared and funded vision’

The memo submitted by the city stated that the City of Laval “aspires to a shared and funded vision to act proactively in order to maintain economic prosperity and vitality while keeping public health and environmental protection at the centre of its concerns and making constructive proposals in this regard.”

The city listed three main priorities: reduce standards that increase construction costs; increase efficiency in the management of government programs; and accelerate the pooling of resources.

The city’s memorandum also offered some additional reflections: creating a more efficient, flexible and predictable funding model, both locally and provincially, while generally respecting taxpayers’ ability to pay; identifying methods for prioritizing the needs related to maintaining municipal assets; and identifying standards and requirements that can be reviewed or reduced to lower infrastructure construction costs.

Bearing costs without revenues

In the document’s conclusion, the City of Laval also maintains that cities in Quebec are responsible for 60 per cent of public infrastructure, but receive only 7.7 per cent of tax revenue, and the deficit in maintaining water and road assets is approaching $50 billion – an amount that could double by 2036 if nothing changes.

“The wastewater treatment plant that serves three-quarters of Laval’s households needs to be renovated,” it continues. “Lacking government funding, the city had to borrow $334 million to avoid delaying a project essential to its residents.

“This episode perfectly illustrates what these Estates General are seeking to correct: a financing model that is neither predictable enough nor flexible enough to keep pace with actual needs, and which shifts a risk onto taxes and municipal debt that municipalities cannot bear indefinitely.”

Memo says cities ready to rethink

The city says it took action to try to address these problems, noting that an “alliance formed with the City of Longueuil to explore the opportunity to launch joint calls for tenders, share plans and specifications and standardize replicable facilities demonstrates that municipalities are ready to rethink their practices to build more efficiently and at a lower cost.

“This initiative directly addresses the central objective of the government’s approach to reducing construction costs,” the memo continues. “This is particularly relevant when we consider that municipalities absorb up to $1.5 billion in additional costs each year, a significant portion of which results from the accumulation of government regulations. Cities are not waiting for efficiency to be imposed on them; they are already inventing it.”

Planning for the coming years

By making asset maintenance the top priority of its financial planning for the coming years, with major financial commitments to water, roads and underground networks, “the City of Laval is fully assuming its share of responsibility,” states the city. “This effort, however determined, is reaching the limits of what a municipality can bear alone.”

The memo closes by saying, “This is not about asking higher levels of government to replace cities, but about re-establishing a partnership commensurate with the challenge: a reduction in standards that increase construction costs, increased efficiency in the management of public programs, and an acceleration of the pooling of resources.”

Laval Receives two awards for communications achievements

Martin C. Barry
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Laval Receives two awards for communications achievements

Two projects by the City of Laval’s communications and marketing division received awards in June from leading communications organizations in Quebec and internationally.

The redesign of the laval.ca website received a Merit Award at the 2026 Gold Quill Awards from the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).

At same time, the internal rollout of a new branding by the city won the Silver Award at the Quebec Society of Public Relations Professionals (SQPRP) Awards of Excellence.

Nathalie Monette, head of communications and Mireille Laurin-Burgess, graphic designer with the City of Laval’s communications and marketing service. (Photo: City of Laval)

“Receiving, within a few days of each other, such prestigious international and Quebec awards in two distinct areas of communications demonstrates the expertise and innovation that characterize the City of Laval,” Mayor Stéphane Boyer said in a statement.

“These awards reflect the excellence of the work done by our teams and our commitment to developing impactful initiatives that concretely meet the needs of the public and our staff,” added Boyer.

Designed to meet the needs of more than 460,000 citizens, according to the city, the new laval.ca was thoroughly redesigned to offer a modern, accessible and user-centric experience. A continuous feedback section allows residents to provide comments and contribute to the ongoing improvement of the platform.

Designed according to best practices in digital accessibility, the city says the site facilitates access to information and municipal services for people with physical or cognitive limitations.

Its redesign was also guided by eco-design principles, notably through a streamlined architecture that promotes more responsible use of digital resources.

The City of Laval also distinguished itself on the Quebec scene by winning the Silver Award at the SQRP Awards of Excellence on June 3 in the Internal Public Relations Program category.

The city said the award highlighted the internal rollout of the City’s new employer branding, a strategy focused on collective experience and team engagement. The initiative generated results that exceeded the established objectives in terms of awareness, participation, and satisfaction, according to the city.

“These accolades demonstrate the expertise of the Communications and Marketing Department and its ability to develop effective strategies that enrich both the citizen and employee experience,” stated a press release from the city, acknowledging both awards.

City mobilized to support households seeking housing on July 1

As the annual July 1 moving day approaches, the City of Laval says it is reaffirming a commitment to support individuals and families facing hardship.

In conjunction with its partners, including the Housing Search Assistance Service (SARL) at the Laval Municipal Housing Office, the city says it is deploying resources to support tenants, while continuing efforts to better protect them and preserve affordable housing.

“Housing has long been a top priority for Laval,” said Mayor Stéphane Boyer. “In recent years, numerous measures have been implemented to help the most vulnerable find housing, and we intend to continue to go further. The SARL’s support for households seeking housing is an important tool that we are deploying once again.”

The SARL is offering free support to Laval households at risk of becoming homeless, helping them find solutions tailored to their situation. Services are tailored to various eligibility criteria, including the household’s circumstances and income.

The city says it is working with its Social Emergency Division as well as community organizations to ensure a rapid and coordinated response. To date, the SARL is providing support to 154 Laval households. Of these, 28 cases are considered a priority for July 1 due to the risk of becoming homeless, while 32 others involve situations where the move-out date is later in the year.

Taking into account the current intense pressure in the rental market, the city says it is working towards the adoption this fall of a new bylaw aimed at better regulating eviction practices, thereby helping to prevent wrongful evictions and keep households in their homes.

Following the implementation of the new regulations, applications for demolition permits for any building with 10 or more units will be assessed based on the loss of affordable housing and the number of affordable units planned in the replacement project, while also taking into account the characteristics of the neighborhood and the vulnerability of the households.

The bylaw will also specify the applicants’ obligations to the tenants.

The city says it is continuing the implementation of its recently adopted 2025-2028 Housing Action Plan. This plan aims to sustainably improve access to quality, affordable housing that meets the needs of the population.

By 2028, the city intends to contribute to the construction of 2,000 social, affordable and non-profit housing units through a series of measures, including financial incentives, to promote residential construction and social inclusion, as well as the mobilization of municipal land and resources to accelerate residential development.

Available Resources: Individuals experiencing housing difficulties are encouraged to contact the SARL at 450-505-6025 or by email at sarl@omhlaval.ca. For information on the various collection services, go to laval.fr/collectes on the city’s main web page.

Laval fast-tracks flood protection with $21.3 million more in infra funding from Quebec

Martin C. Barry
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Laval fast-tracks flood protection with $21.3 million more in infra funding from Quebec

Cities ‘on the front lines of the impacts,’ says climate minister Pascale Déry during stop in Vimont

Less than 48 hours after a torrential rain storm caused extensive flood damage in several neighborhoods of Montreal, officials from the provincial government and the City of Laval were on hand last Monday morning at a stormwater drain worksite in Vimont to announce a $21.3 million subsidy from Quebec to boost Laval’s ability to deal with a heightened risk of floods.

Among the stormwater drain infrastructure projects being undertaken by Laval this year is the modernization of systems in the Vimont district to reduce the risk of backups and stormwater flooding. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

An overdue modernization

Faced with increasingly frequent extreme rainfall events and the challenges posed by aging municipal infrastructure, the City of Laval says in a press release, the municipality is accelerating the modernization of its water systems to better adapt its territory to new climate realities.

This year alone, according to the city, more than $102 million will be invested in drinking water, sewer and stormwater management infrastructure throughout Laval, including $65 million funded by Quebec through various programs.

Laval is receiving the $21.3 million in financial aid through the Quebec government’s OASIS program to accelerate, over the next three years, the deployment of green drainage infrastructure designed to better manage stormwater and strengthen the Laval territory’s resilience to climate change.

Climate change’s impact

“Climate change has a real impact on our neighborhoods and requires us to act faster and invest more intelligently,” said Mayor Stéphane Boyer. “Thanks to our ongoing efforts to secure funding and rigorous planning of our interventions, we are maximizing every dollar invested and accelerating the modernization of our water infrastructure.

“And thanks to the funding received through the OASIS program, we will take advantage of our projects in the coming years to integrate more sustainable stormwater management solutions directly into our neighborhoods,” he added. “The goal is simple: to better protect our residents today and prepare our city for the realities of tomorrow.”

“Municipalities are on the front lines of the impacts of climate change,” said Pascale Déry, Minister of the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change in the Coalition Avenir Québec government.

“Through the OASIS program, our government supports projects that adapt infrastructure to new realities,” she continued.

From the left, Vimont MNA Valérie Schmaltz, Quebec Environment and Fight Against Climate Change Minister Pascale Déry and Laval mayor Stéphane Boyer go over some points with supersize rainwater drain pipes ready to be buried at a work site in Vimont last Monday morning. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

Reducing sewer overload

“The green spaces that will be deployed in Laval will be able to absorb a significant amount of rainwater, the equivalent of approximately seven Olympic-sized swimming pools, thus reducing sewer overload and the risk of flooding, while making neighborhoods greener and more pleasant for residents,” she said.

This year alone, according to the city, more than 40 kilometres of pipes will be upgraded in Laval, the equivalent of the distance between Laval and Mirabel.

The funding provided through the OASIS program will allow Laval to integrate more green drainage infrastructure into its street reconstruction projects over the next few years. Features, such as vegetated strips, drainage planting pits and bioretention areas, will allow for the capture, filtering and drainage of some rainwater directly into the ground rather than into the sewer system, in addition to reducing urban heat islands.

To optimize public investment, the infrastructure will be strategically placed primarily in areas where underground infrastructure work is already planned. This approach, according to the city, will allow for multiple interventions to be carried out simultaneously, limiting costs and maximizing benefits for residents.

Managing stormwater at source

The city says it is relying on an integrated approach to strengthen the performance of its infrastructure and increase the resilience of its territory. Complementary interventions planned by the city combine increasing the capacity of certain networks, rebuilding aging infrastructure, rehabilitating existing pipes without excavation, and deploying green infrastructure to manage stormwater at its source.

“Municipalities are on the front lines of the impacts of climate change,” said Pascale Déry, Minister of the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change in the Coalition Avenir Québec cabinet. (Photo: Martin C. Barry, Laval News)

This year alone, work will be carried out on nearly one hundred street sections in Laval, representing more than 40 kilometres of infrastructure. The approach, according to the city, will not only reduce the risks of overflows, backups, and stormwater flooding, but also protect natural environments while ensuring sustainable service for the population.

The city says the projects it has planned for this year will contribute to strengthening the capacity of municipal infrastructure while sustainably improving the Laval region’s resilience to extreme weather events.

Among the major projects currently underway are the ongoing construction of the Cartier retention basin, designed to reduce overflows into the Rivière des Prairies; the modernization of water infrastructure in the Vimont district to reduce the risk of backups and stormwater flooding; and the Mille-Îles Blvd. stabilization project.

Strategy to maintain assets

The city says the modernization of its water infrastructure is part of a strategy to maintain its assets. As part of Laval’s 2026-2028 Three-Year Capital Investment Program, the city is dedicating the majority of its investments to maintaining and modernizing its existing infrastructure. The city has chosen to allocate 75 per cent of its investments to maintaining existing municipal assets and 25 per cent to new projects.

Regarding the water networks, the city says interventions are prioritized based on rigorous technical analyses, taking into account factors such as the condition of the pipes, network capacity requirements, history of breaks and risks associated with extreme weather events.

Laval News Volume 34-13

Laval News Staff
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Laval News Volume 34-13

The current issue of the Laval News, volume 34-13, published on June 24th, 2026.
Covering Laval local news, politics, and sports.
(Click on the image to read the paper.)

A Year of Adjustment and Investment at Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board

Alessandro Commisso
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A Year of Adjustment and Investment at Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board

Over the past year, the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board has invested more than $12 million in infrastructure, expanded capacity in the North Shore and added hundreds of new classroom technologies. Those moves have marked a significant period under chairman James Di Sano’s leadership.

“When I came in, there was a need to improve our infrastructures across the organization,” said Di Sano. “Not just Laval, but across the North Shore.”

Rather than concentrating funds into one major project, the board spread the investment across multiple schools. Some saw significant upgrades, particularly older flagship buildings, while others received more modest improvements that nonetheless address pressing issues.

“We invested to respond to the needs of the respective communities,” he said, emphasizing that each region required a different approach.

At the same time, the board has expanded to meet rising enrolment in certain areas. A similar trend is unfolding in Saint-Jérôme, where Laurentia Elementary has reached capacity. In response, the board opted to expand beyond its original site, acquiring a second property with support from the Ministry of Education for just over $5.5 million. Located roughly 12 minutes from the main building, the new site will serve as a secondary campus to better accommodate growing student needs. The building required minimal work to become operational and provides an opportunity for future expansion if enrolment continues to rise.

Growth all across the regions has required more immediate solutions. At Mountain View Elementary in Deux-Montagnes, rising enrolment led to the installation of portable classrooms, modular units connected directly to the main building. These portable classrooms are a cost-effective way to expand schools immediately.

“It’s like another wing to the school,” he said, noting that the additions can range from single-level units to multi-storey extensions depending on demand.

Rather than viewing the expansion as a strain, Di Sano frames it differently. “It’s to respond to the growing numbers, which is a fantastic position to be in.”

James Di Sano, Chairmen of the Sir Wilfred Laurier School Board in his office.

Investing in more technology

Beyond physical space, the board has also focused on modernizing classrooms. Over the past year, it installed 398 new smartboards, representing an investment of approximately $1.3 million. These investments have taken place across a system that remains uniquely complex. The Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board spans Laval, the Laurentians and Lanaudière, covering a vast territory with 40 schools and centres serving very different communities.

“Collectively, the territory of our board is the size of Belgium,” he said. “It’s not always one size fits all. It’s impossible. We adapt ourselves to the specific region and clientele that we’re servicing.”

That geographic diversity is reflected in enrolment trends. While some schools in Laval are seeing declining numbers, others in the surrounding regions are growing steadily.

“We’re losing in Laval, but we’re growing in the regions,” he explained.

Inevitable budget cuts

The challenge for the board has been to respond to both realities at once, expanding when needed while maintaining stability elsewhere. That balancing act has been further complicated by financial constraints. Like many school boards across Quebec, the school board had to contend with budget pressures that force difficult decisions.

“When I came in, it was to make the board more transparent, more accountable, and more fiscally responsible,” he said.

Those principles have shaped how the board has managed cuts. Rather than scaling back services outright, efforts have focused on restructuring and reallocating resources internally.

“If you’re cutting me here, I’m going to go find it here to pay for it,” he acknowledged. “We do the best that we can with the resources that we have.”

Community above all

Amid those pressures, Di Sano points to community involvement as a defining strength of the board. Within the English-language sector, parent engagement remains a consistent driver of school life. That involvement came into focus at Our Lady of Peace Elementary in Laval West, where a new playground structure opened last fall after years of fundraising efforts by parents.

“The parents took five or six years to raise the money,” he admitted. “And the difference that they were missing, we committed to funding.”

The result reflects a broader reality across the board’s schools, where projects are often shaped by collaboration between families and administration.

Student experience has also remained part of the board’s focus. Efforts to promote inclusion included raising the Pride flag at head office, a move Di Sano says is intended to encourage dialogue and understanding.

“It’s very important that students come together and have meaningful conversations about inclusion and respect,” he said.

Academic achievement has continued alongside these initiatives. At Laval Senior Academy, students hosted the Montreal Regional Science and Technology Fair, with several participants advancing to higher levels of competition in the United States.

Looking back on the year, there is no single defining initiative. Instead, what emerges is a pattern of response and adaptation. Investments in infrastructure and technology have been paired with expansion in growing regions and ongoing efforts to maintain services elsewhere.

Through it all, Di Sano returns to a consistent focus.

“Our collective duty and responsibility are to ensure the success of our students.”

Committed to mobility, STL files activity report for a ‘challenging’ 2025

Martin C. Barry
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Committed to mobility, STL files activity report for a ‘challenging’ 2025

The Société de transport de Laval (STL), which released its 2025 activity report last month, said the year was marked by persistent economic challenges, but also progress in terms of the future development of mobility on its territory, particularly in terms of electrification and on-demand transportation in industrial areas.

Bus in Laval Qc.

“In a context marked by austerity and budgetary constraints, the STL has also been able to transform these challenges into opportunities for growth and optimization, while placing the customer experience at the heart of its operations,” stated Laval city councillor for Vimont Pierre Brabant, chairman of the STL board of directors.

“Alongside the ongoing funding challenges, the STL has made it a priority in 2025 to guarantee quality service to its customers, on the one hand, and to support its teams to foster a healthy, safe, and inclusive work environment, on the other,” said Josée Roy, the STL’s CEO.

Well-being and commitment

“More than ever, we are convinced that the success of our mission depends on the well-being and commitment of the women and men who carry it out every day,” she added.

The STL said it continued its mission to serve the residents of Laval, while ensuring the efficiency and optimization of its resources. However, according to the transit agency, ridership in 2025 was down 2.5 per cent compared to the previous year.

The STL board attributed the decrease to various external factors, including adjustments to service offerings, exceptional weather conditions, including storms and heat waves, as well as periods of strike action at the Société de transport de Montréal (STM), the impact of which was felt on the Laval network.

Despite the slight decline, public transit ridership in Laval remained the highest in the metropolitan region, said the STL. “This result demonstrates the continued importance of public transit in the travel habits of Laval residents, even in a less favorable economic climate,” stated the annual report.

Paratransit trips up 5 per cent

A graphic designer’s rendering of the exterior of the STL’s new garage facility to house and service its fleet of electric buses.

The STL said paratransit has been following an opposite trend, with a five per cent increase in trips, surpassing 2019 levels, totaling nearly 550,000 trips for the year. Initiated in 2024, paratransit service optimization efforts continued in 2025 “to better reflect actual ridership on the network,” the STL said.

In spite of a demanding budgetary context, the STL said it demonstrated agility by redesigning its service to meet anticipated mobility needs and facilitate access to new express stations for its customers. Five additional routes were also added to support ridership, particularly in western Laval, and to optimize connectivity between networks.

To support economic growth in industrial sectors, the STL said it launched three new on-demand taxi routes. The initiatives aimed to improve worker mobility in these sectors, particularly in western Laval.

To meet budget rationalization requirements of the Metropolitan Regional Transportation Authority and to contribute to metropolitan efforts in this area, the STL continued its efforts to optimize its administrative expenses in 2025.

Paratransit partner with STM

In addition to continuing to adjust its service offerings based on ridership on its network, the STL entered into a partnership with the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) to take over the reservation centre and paratransit services for Laval residents, effective January 1, 2026.

The year 2025 also marked a significant milestone in the STL’s energy transition. Progress on the future electrified garage – the largest infrastructure project since the STL’s inception – paved the way for the imminent arrival of the first new-generation electric buses, according to the transit agency.

The agency said this major transformation will require profound changes, impacting infrastructure, work practices and staff skills. “This strategic project is fully aligned with the STL’s commitment to an energy transition and more sustainable mobility,” they said.

The STL’s 2025 performance results indicated that customer satisfaction with regular transit saw a slight decrease, primarily due to service adjustments implemented during the year.

Former STL chair reacts

The nearly 30 projects will help improve the STL’s performance, according to STL president David De Cotis.

Reacting to the STL report, Action Laval city councillor for Saint-Bruno David De Cotis (who chaired the STL’s board from 2013-2017) faulted the transit agency primarily for a lack of transparency, while maintaining that nothing was said of the STL’s recent cuts in service brought on by a supply-chain-generated shortage of spare parts.

While the service cuts were actually implemented in the first few months of 2026, De Cotis said there should have been some mention of the problem in the 2025 report because the problem started last year, he claimed.

“It started in 2025 because they knew about it,” said De Cotis. “The parts weren’t coming in in February and March. They knew about that last November. It wasn’t something new. There’s absolutely no mention of what happened, of why it happened, and what they would do to prevent it from happening again.”

De Cotis also noted that other public transit agencies in the Montreal region were facing similar circumstances, but didn’t report any supply chain problems. Although Action Laval had asked for an inquiry to be held, the Mouvement lavallois council majority voted the motion down, he added.

Charges pending against 18-year-old who crashed into school

Martin C. Barry
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0
Charges pending against 18-year-old who crashed into school

An 18-year-old driver who crashed into an elementary school in eastern Laval last week was released pending a court appearance, although further searches and analysis could lead to charges.

The identity of the driver was not immediately released by the Laval Police, as the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions (DPCP) has a mandate to decide on the next legal steps, according to the Laval Police Department.

Around 3:25 a.m. last Thursday morning, the driver suffered serious injuries after fleeing police and crashing into the Charles-Perrault Elementary School building on de la Concorde Blvd. East.

He was taken to hospital where his condition was initially considered critical, although he was deemed to be out of danger a few hours later. The elementary school, which was closed all day Thursday last week, reopened Friday morning.

Possible arson blaze damages de la Concorde barber shop

A possible arson fire damaged a barbershop in the district of Pont-Viau in eastern Laval early last Monday morning.

The Laval Police received a 9-1-1 call at 4 a.m. about the incident on de la Concorde Boulevard East. Although tenants living above the shop were forced from their homes, there were no reported injuries.

Police say witnesses saw a suspect fleeing the scene before the arrival of authorities.

A 21-year-old woman, alleged by the police to be a possible accomplice, was arrested nearby. She was expected to be questioned by police later in the day.

Recent fires in Laval

JUNE 7 | 2:10 AM // Building fire on Chemin Saint-Antoine in the Laval-Ouest sector. Residential building. Visible smoke. Code 10-09, full response, potential for escalation.

An electrical short circuit caused by a revolving fan is believed to be the most likely cause of this fire which damaged a residence at this address on the night of Sunday June 7.

The incident occurred in a residential area of ​​Laval-Ouest around 2:10 a.m., when 9-1-1 was first received a call. The Laval Fire Department sent eight units to the scene, including 30 firefighters and officers, with the first crew members arriving at 2:14 a.m.

Smoke was visible from the outside, and an evacuation was completed to ensure that all occupants, including some in an adjacent building, were evacuated as well.

Firefighters located the source of the fire in the basement and quickly extinguished the flames, limiting spread to the building structure and upper floors.

Firefighters brought the blaze under control around 2:42 a.m. and damage was estimated at around $25,000 for the building structure, and an additional $10,000 for furnishings and other contents.

May 27 | 10:36 PM // Building fire on Grand-Pic Street in the Sainte-Rose sector. Residential building. Smoke visible. Code 10-07, meaning intervention required.

De Cotis, Barrasso and Uva lead community cleanup at Lausanne Park

Martin C. Barry
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0
De Cotis, Barrasso and Uva lead community cleanup at Lausanne Park

Saint-Bruno city councillor David De Cotis joined community volunteer/environmental advocate Enrica Uva and Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board Ward 6 Commissioner Barbara Barrasso on May 30 to take part in an annual Spring Cleanup at Lausanne Park.

The event, the fourth of its kind, brought together a large number of local residents, students from Terry Fox Elementary School and their families, with all being united by a common goal: to preserve and enhance one of Saint-Bruno’s most cherished green spaces.

“Our fourth annual cleanup was another tremendous success,” De Cotis told The Laval News.

A year-after-year success

“This initiative continues to grow year after year because it strengthens community pride, promotes environmental responsibility and encourages residents of all ages to take an active role in caring for their neighbourhood,” he said. “I am committed to ensuring this tradition continues for many years to come.”

Throughout the morning, dozens of volunteers worked together to remove litter and beautify the park. Students from Terry Fox Elementary School demonstrated remarkable enthusiasm and dedication, setting an inspiring example of civic engagement.

“I was truly impressed by the energy and commitment shown by these young people,” added De Cotis. “Their participation sends a powerful message about the importance of community involvement and environmental stewardship. They are helping build a stronger and more responsible generation for the future.

A unifying event

“This is something that always brings the community together,” he continued, noting that some of the participants were passers-by who decided on the spur of the moment to join the citizen cleanup crew in order to do their part.

He said part of the day’s mission was to explain to some of the younger people that there are consequences when trash, such as cardboard and paper waste from convenience stores or fast-food takeout restaurants, is disposed of carelessly instead of placing it in garbage or recycling bins as it should.

“We’re telling them, ‘Look what happens when you just throw things away and it just piles up,’ said De Cotis. “We’re trying to teach them about dedication and discipline, so that when they’re eating something, they know enough to put it in the garbage can right away.”

Volunteerism and commitment

The success of the initiative was also made possible through the collaboration of dedicated community partners and volunteers who generously contributed their time and efforts. According to Barrasso, the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board strongly encourages initiatives among students and their families that promote citizenship, volunteerism and community commitment.

“Our students have once again demonstrated that they are capable of achieving great things when they come together for a meaningful cause,” she said. “I am extremely proud of their efforts and I know their families share that pride. Through activities like this, we are helping shape the engaged and compassionate citizens of tomorrow.”

Committed to the environment

For her part, Enrica Uva emphasized the importance of bringing families together around a shared commitment to the environment. “When young people see adults working together to improve their community, they learn that every action matters,” said Uva.

“It was inspiring to see so many families, students and volunteers come together to care for Lausanne Park,” she continued. “By working side by side, we are not only creating a cleaner environment, but also building stronger connections within our community.”

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