Laval QC ☕ The morning chat
Good morning,
A busy morning is ahead: a gas leak that kept Chomedey schools on edge, a local athlete making a brave call, and libraries getting ready to celebrate. We’ve got it all covered, no fluff.
Need to know this morning
- Over 600 students evacuated in Laval after gas leak: A main line was ruptured during excavation work, forcing the precautionary evacuation of two Chomedey schools on Friday morning.
- Laval’s William Émard withdraws from gymnastics Worlds: With a right shoulder injury, the Olympian chose to step aside to protect his season and aim for 2027 qualifications.
- Mariana Mazza in Laval for Library Week: The comedian and author will be at Marius-Barbeau library on October 21 for a public meet-and-greet.
- Armand-Frappier park to be developed at a cost of $4M: Contractor Bau-Québec won the contract to turn this riverside park into a space for relaxation and strolling.
Around town
- Gas leak causes chaos in Chomedey: Laval firefighters were called early Friday morning for a ruptured gas line near École du Sommet. The evacuation of over 600 students was handled smoothly, and no one was injured. The leak was sealed by Énergir around 10:11 a.m.
- William Émard makes a bold choice: The 26-year-old gymnast, a three-time Commonwealth Games medalist, has decided not to compete at the World Championships in Rotterdam. A tendonitis in his right shoulder convinced him not to risk a more serious injury, preferring to focus on the 2027 Olympic qualifiers.
- Laval libraries pull out all the stops: From October 17 to 24, the 28th Quebec Public Library Week offers activities for all tastes, including a meet-and-greet with Mariana Mazza and a storytime for the little ones.
Across Canada
- A call for help for Canadian SMEs: Two recent reports, backed by figures like Clément Gignac and Olivier Primeau, describe the obstacles holding back the growth of small and medium-sized businesses across the country.
- Air Canada and United Airlines want to renew their alliance: The Montreal-based carrier has signed an agreement to expand its partnership with United, pending approval from Transport Canada. New routes to the U.S. are planned for next summer.
Main story
Gas leak forces evacuation of over 600 students in Laval
Friday morning, the calm of the Chomedey neighbourhood was disrupted by a natural gas leak. Around 7:39 a.m., 911 was alerted after a four-inch main line was ruptured during excavation work, right in front of École du Sommet.
The Laval Fire Safety Service quickly mobilized 22 firefighters, or six units, to handle the situation. First responders arrived at 7:46 a.m. and immediately proceeded with the precautionary evacuation of the two neighbouring schools, École du Sommet and École d’éducation internationale de Laval, as well as several nearby buildings.
In collaboration with the Centre de services scolaire de Laval and the Laval Police Service, firefighters organized the relocation of over 600 students. As a precaution, Hydro-Québec also cut power in the area.
A large safety perimeter remained in place until Énergir technicians contained and sealed the leak, around 10:11 a.m. Fortunately, no one was affected or injured.
In detail
William Émard withdraws from Worlds to protect his shoulder
Laval gymnast William Émard has announced he will not compete at the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships starting Saturday in Rotterdam. Tendonitis in his right shoulder, aggravated during a rings workout, led him to this decision.
“There was really a more pronounced inflammation in the two weeks before leaving,” explained the 26-year-old athlete. “I can train on the other apparatus, but it was really on rings where it was more complicated.”
Émard could have competed with cortisone injections, but he preferred a long-term view. “If I were to get injured this year, then be sidelined all season and then be rushed to come back for the 2027 World Championships, in my head, that made no sense,” he said.
His spot on the Canadian team will be taken by Xavier Olasz. Canada will aim for Olympic qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Games at the 2027 Worlds, where a healthy Émard could make all the difference.
Mariana Mazza and Laval libraries celebrate reading
The 28th Quebec Public Library Week runs from October 17 to 24, and Laval plans to make the most of it. Under the theme “My library: everything, everywhere, for everyone,” several activities are on the schedule.
The most anticipated event is likely the meet-and-greet with Mariana Mazza on October 21 at the Marius-Barbeau library in Saint-François. The comedian and author, who published the biographical stories Montréal-Nord and Rivière-des-Prairies, will chat with the public from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The youngest aren’t forgotten: on Saturday, October 17, the Yves-Thériault library in Sainte-Dorothée offers a storytime for kids aged 2 to 8. And at all city libraries, a themed bingo offers a chance to win a $50 gift card.
Armand-Frappier park gets a facelift
The City of Laval has awarded the contract for the development of the riverside Armand-Frappier park, located at the edge of the Laval-des-Rapides and Chomedey neighbourhoods. Landscape contractor Bau-Québec, from Boucherville, won the bid with a proposal of $4,045,924.
The project aims to restore and enhance natural areas, create spaces for relaxation, strolling, and gathering, and improve site accessibility. Work is set to begin next spring and should last 150 days.
Coup de Cœur
William Émard’s story reminds us that courage isn’t just about performance—it’s also about the wisdom to know when to stop. By choosing to protect his health to aim higher, the Laval athlete offers a great lesson in maturity.
The last word
We wish you a day full of great discoveries, whether at the library, in the park, or just taking a moment to breathe. In Laval, today’s thoughtful choices pave the way for tomorrow’s successes. ☕