Laval QC ☕ The morning chat
Greetings,
This morning, we’re focusing mainly on what hits the wallet most directly: Quebec is cutting taxes for 75,000 small and medium-sized businesses, a move that could have very real effects for many entrepreneurs and workers in Laval.
We’re also looking at two practical reminders for anyone who regularly heads into Montreal, including an important update on measles. In short, this is a short but useful edition, firmly rooted in everyday life on the North Shore.
What to know this morning
- The Bank of Canada is holding its key interest rate at 2.25%:Â This is the fourth straight hold, and it remains something to watch closely for housing, mortgages, and the cost of living.
- Quebec is cutting taxes for 75,000 small and medium-sized businesses:Â The measure amounts to nearly $630 million over five years, or up to $5,000 per year for each business owner.
- Ottawa wants to invest in construction, while Quebec is defending its jurisdiction:Â The federal government is planning to spend $6 billion over five years, while Quebec is stressing that workforce training falls under its authority.
- Lotto Max will offer $66 million on Friday:Â The next draw will include a $60 million jackpot and six Maxmillions prizes.
Worth watching
- Sports organizations want energy drinks banned for those under 16: About a dozen Quebec groups are calling for tighter rules to limit young people’s access to these products.
- Montreal-Trudeau Airport is changing access to the arrivals area until May 1:Â Vehicles are being redirected to the departures area daily from 6 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- A possible measles exposure has been flagged at three Montreal locations:Â Public health officials are reminding people that measles is highly contagious and outlining who is considered protected.
Main story
Quebec cuts taxes for 75,000 small and medium-sized businesses, with direct impact for Laval
The Quebec government is immediately lowering the tax rate for small and medium-sized businesses from 3.2% to 2.2%. The announcement represents nearly $630 million in tax relief over five years for about 75,000 businesses across the province.
Each business owner could save up to $5,000 a year. In Laval, where small and medium-sized businesses play a major role in the local economy, that added flexibility could translate into investment, hiring, or simply a bit more breathing room at a time when operating costs have been rising.
The government is presenting the measure as a way to strengthen the competitiveness of Quebec businesses and support their growth in a changing economic environment. It comes on top of other existing programs, including the SME Plan 2025–2028 and several regional development initiatives.
For owners of shops, professional services, or family businesses in Laval, this is the kind of announcement that could have concrete effects over the coming months.
Going a little deeper
The 2.25% key interest rate is still shaping everyday financial decisions
The Bank of Canada is holding its key interest rate at 2.25%. The text notes that this is the fourth straight hold.
For people in Laval and across the North Shore, this is the kind of decision that affects several parts of daily life at once, especially housing, mortgages, and the cost of living. It may not be dramatic, but it is exactly the kind of update that ends up making its way into a lot of very practical conversations.
Ottawa is betting on the skilled trades, while Quebec is drawing a line around its role
The federal economic update includes $6 billion over five years to attract between 80,000 and 100,000 young people into construction trades.
Quebec says it is ready to work with Ottawa, while also insisting that workforce training is under provincial jurisdiction. Behind that institutional disagreement is a very concrete question: who trains, who pays, and how the labour shortage in an already stretched sector is going to be addressed.
Two practical reminders for Laval residents heading into Montreal
Montreal-Trudeau Airport is temporarily closing its arrivals area every day from 6 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. until May 1. During those hours, vehicles are being redirected to the departures area.
At the same time, Montreal public health says there may have been measles exposure at three locations visited around the middle of the month. Measles is highly contagious, and people considered protected are those who have received two doses of the vaccine or who have previously had the disease. For everyone else, it is recommended to watch for symptoms during the 14 days following a possible exposure.
Symptoms to watch for:
- a sudden high fever
- a persistent cough
- a runny nose and red eyes that are sensitive to light
- small whitish spots in the mouth
- a rash that begins on the face before spreading to the rest of the body
If these symptoms appear, it is recommended to avoid close contact with others and call Info-Santé 811 before going to a clinic. For reliable and up-to-date information, the INSPQ remains a strong reference point.
Two very different updates, but both useful if your regular travel plans take you across the bridge.
Coup de cœur
Tax relief that directly affects thousands of business owners is never really abstract. In Laval, where small and medium-sized businesses make up a big part of the local economy, this kind of measure is a reminder that a city’s vitality also lives in its workshops, offices, storefronts, and small teams quietly keeping things moving every day.
Wrapping up
Wishing you a smooth rest of the day, easy travels, and a coffee that is somehow still warm when you get back to it. That small miracle always deserves a little respect. ☕