Laval QC ☕ The morning chat
Good morning Laval !
It’s Thursday, and while Montreal prepares for its sixth snow removal operation of the season tonight, local news keeps coming in. Between garbage collection in Laval, developments in the metro, and some stories affecting our region, you have plenty to fuel your conversations. Let’s dive in.
🗑️ Main Story
Action Laval Calls for Public Consultation on Biweekly Garbage Collection
Garbage collection in Laval is a hot topic. An opposition councillor and a citizen are asking the mayor to reconsider his refusal to hold a public consultation on the planned switch to biweekly garbage collection starting April 1.
David De Cotis of Action Laval and citizen Wael Hamdar sent a joint letter to the mayor this week, stating that growing public opposition justifies an open discussion. Action Laval, led by Achille Cifelli, is the official opposition at Laval City Hall.
Their request comes as a citizen petition to maintain weekly garbage collection nears 9,000 signatures. The petition is expected to be officially submitted at the Laval city council meeting in March.
“When nearly 9,000 people express their dissatisfaction by signing a petition, the least we can do is open a dialogue. Refusing any consultation in this context sends the message that citizens’ opinions don’t matter,” said De Cotis.
Action Laval notes that the decision to reduce collection frequency was announced in June 2025 without prior public consultation. A proposal for a public consultation submitted by De Cotis last July was rejected.
“Continuing to refuse a public consultation gives the impression that the decision is already set in stone, no matter the concerns expressed. At this stage, the mayor must explain why he chooses to ignore this citizen voice,” said Hamdar.
The issue continues to evolve just weeks before the new system takes effect.
🏠 In the Region
👩🏫 Twelve School Support Workers Lose Their Jobs in Mille-Îles
Twelve school support workers in the Mille-Îles region lost their jobs following the application of Quebec’s State Secularism Law. The dismissals took place at the Mille-Îles School Service Center (CSSMI), which recently sent letters to support staff requiring them to comply with the legislation within five to seven business days or face dismissal.
The Federation of Public Service Employees (FEESP-CSN) says these are the first reported cases linked to the current compliance process, but warns that other school service centers are now taking similar steps.
Each of the 12 employees cares for 20 to 45 children, affecting 240 to 540 children who will need new support workers.
FEESP-CSN is asking Education Minister Sonia LeBel to intervene.
🔎 Montreal Police Conduct Searches Related to the Death of Nooran Rezayi
Montreal police (SPVM) are conducting searches Thursday as part of their parallel investigation into the events leading up to the death of Nooran Rezayi, the 15-year-old shot by a Longueuil police officer last September.
SPVM is searching several locations on Montreal’s South Shore, including Beloeil, Brossard, Candiac, Longueuil, and Saint-Philippe.
Nooran was shot by police on September 21, 2025, in Longueuil’s Saint-Hubert district. The Bureau of Independent Investigations (BEI) is investigating the police intervention itself, while SPVM has been tasked with investigating the events that preceded it.
Nooran’s family is suing the City of Longueuil for $2.2 million.
🏫 Israeli Military in Schools: “Extremely Concerning,” Says LeBel
Active or retired military personnel gave lectures in subsidized Jewish schools in Montreal.
👮 Arrest of Possible Leaders of the North Savage Gang in Sept-Îles
The SQ also carried out four searches related to drug trafficking and armed violence.
🏛️ Former Mayor of Oka Wants to Run for PQ in Mirabel
Pascal Quevillon has approached the party, hoping to be nominated as a candidate in the Mirabel riding.
🌲 Students Desert Food Processing
A 40–50% drop in enrollments in food processing is worrying the Quebec industry.
🚌 “Go Habs Go” Returns to STM Buses
The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) will once again use the word “Go” on its buses’ electronic displays, as in “Go Habs Go” or “Go Alouettes Go,” to support Montreal’s sports teams.
Last year, the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) banned the English version of the expression following a complaint. This decision was criticized. When the OQLF reversed the ban, STM did not immediately resume using “Go.”
STM announced Thursday it will resume using the English expression. The word “Go” will be used for the Montreal Canadiens, Montreal Victories, and the Alouettes. The word “Allez” will be used for CF Montréal and the Montreal Roses.
❄️ Sixth Snow Removal Operation Tonight
The City of Montreal will launch its sixth snow loading operation of the season tonight at 7 p.m. in all boroughs, following recent snowfalls that left up to 15 centimeters of accumulation in some areas.
Nearly 3,000 workers and 2,500 vehicles will be deployed to clear about 11,000 kilometers of streets. Overnight, 8,223 temporary parking spaces will be available between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.
The city is rolling out an improved version of its mobile app, now called 311 Montréal, which allows real-time tracking of snow removal.
🚇 STM Special Constable Charged After Pepper Spray Incident
A special constable of the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) faces criminal charges after allegedly spraying a metro user with pepper spray at Berri-UQAM station.
Mikaël Lahaie, 39, was charged Thursday with assault with a weapon and simple assault following the incident on January 13, 2025. Prosecutors allege Lahaie used pepper spray gel on the victim.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Independent Investigations (BEI). STM special constables have had peace officer status since 2021.
Lahaie’s next court appearance is set for May 4.
🏗️ Sainte-Catherine Street Will Be Finished a Year Early
The transformation project for Sainte-Catherine West will be ready in 2029, a year earlier than planned. The new schedule is possible thanks to “optimization” of the revitalization project. The accelerated timeline will also reduce the overall cost.
There are plans to build two public pedestrian squares on Sainte-Catherine: Place McGill between Robert-Bourassa and Mansfield, and Place Concordia between Bishop and Guy. Pedestrianization will happen “gradually.”
Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada said people have not yet returned to downtown and the street is not ready for full-time pedestrianization.
🏥 Over 100 Surgeries Postponed at Pierre-Boucher Hospital
More than 100 non-urgent surgeries were postponed due to equipment failure at Pierre-Boucher Hospital on Montreal’s South Shore. Medical instrument sterilizers used during surgeries failed the visual inspection.
No patient was put at risk and an emergency plan was quickly put in place. Between February 20 and 27, a total of 111 elective surgeries were postponed, representing about 15% of the hospital’s scheduled surgeries.
No cancellations are planned for next week. The hospital expects to return to regular activities by March 9.
🌎 Across Quebec and the World
🗳️ Sinclair-Desgagné Will Represent the Bloc Again in Terrebonne
Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet announced Thursday morning that Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné will again be the party’s candidate in Terrebonne in a by-election that could have a major impact on the Carney government.
The Supreme Court invalidated the results of last spring’s federal election in this riding on February 13. Sinclair-Desgagné had been declared defeated by just one vote against Liberal Tatiana Auguste, but a Bloc Québécois vote did not reach the polling stations due to an Elections Canada error.
This election could determine whether the Carney government secures the 172 seats needed for a majority in the House of Commons. Currently, the Liberals hold 169 seats, the Conservatives 141, the Bloc Québécois 22, the New Democrats seven, and the Greens one.
💼 Half as Many Vacant Positions as in 2022 in Quebec
In 2025, there were 118,000 vacant positions in Quebec, a 14% drop compared to the previous year, according to the ISQ.
💰 Hydro-Québec Achieved Net Earnings of $2.9 Billion in 2025
Net earnings are up 9% compared to 2024. The state corporation’s export revenues increased by $200 million.
💬 “Enough,” Says François Legault to Specialist Doctors
The president of the FMSQ must update negotiations with the government.
🇮🇳 India, Future Client and Friend of Canada?
The Carney government believes India is no longer involved in criminal activities in Canada.
🚨 ICE Frightens Akwesasne Mohawks
Residents fear the approach of the U.S. Federal Immigration Control Agency.
🐯 Secrets of the Saint-Édouard Zoo Revealed
Behind the benevolent facade of some zoos are owners with shocking practices.
🇨🇺 Cuba Denounces Attempted Infiltration
Cuban authorities claim an armed group from the United States tried to infiltrate by sea.
🇰🇷 Canada and South Korea Sign Defense Agreement
The agreement concerns the protection of classified information in military and defense fields.
💻 Nvidia Surpasses Expectations Again
Nvidia remains the barometer of the artificial intelligence sector.
👋 Before We Go
A busy day, between garbage collection in Laval and developments in the region… If you go out tonight, be careful with snow removal operations. Have a great day, and see you tomorrow morning! ☕