Laval QC โ The morning chat
Good morning,
Today we’re talking about social housing in Laval, closures on Highway 440, and the election campaign heating up two weeks before the vote. Enjoy the read.
What to remember this morning
- 230 social housing units in Pont-Viau: a major step forward: The City has committed to selling a 50,000-square-foot lot to the non-profit Interloge for a minimum of $4 million, subject to conditions.
- Night closures on Highway 440 in Laval starting tonight: The Ministry of Transport is inspecting structures, with disruptions scheduled from September 21 to 23.
- Montreal blue-collar strike avoided: A tentative agreement was reached with the City, suspending the seven-day strike that was set to begin Tuesday.
- Judge extends bilingual voter card requirement until election day: The Quebec Superior Court decision is extended until October 5.
In our community
- Hockey Laval registrations up: 2,848 young players registered for the 2026-2027 season, a 2.8% increase over last year, with a 17% jump among girls.
- Laval police seeking victims of counterfeit money: A 19-year-old was arrested for using counterfeit currency, and investigators fear there are more victims.
Across Canada
- Carney won’t back down on digital services tax: The Prime Minister is sticking with his decision to eliminate the tax and online broadcasters’ contributions, despite criticism from the Bloc Quรฉbรฉcois.
- Over 1,500 doctors call for public inquiry into physician suicides: A letter was sent to Quebec’s chief coroner after five deaths reported since March 2026.
Main story
230 social housing units in Pont-Viau: a major step forward
The project led by the non-profit housing organization Interloge, aiming to build 230 non-profit units on the heritage site of the former Convent of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, has just cleared a major hurdle. A resolution passed at the last council meeting confirms the agreement in principle under which the City, subject to certain conditions, commits to selling a roughly 50,000-square-foot lot to Interloge for a minimum of $4 million.
This move is part of the non-profit’s broader effort, which is seeking funding from various backers, including the Sociรฉtรฉ d’habitation du Quรฉbec (SHQ) and Maisons Canada, the federal Crown corporation created last year to speed up affordable housing construction across the country.
The agreement is conditional on securing the required financing and on offering affordable rents as defined in the maximum rent grid of the Affordable Housing Program (PHAQ) administered by the SHQ.
In detail
Night closures on Highway 440 in Laval starting tonight
The Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility is advising the public that work will cause night closures on Highway 440 (Jean-Noรซl-Lavoie) from September 21 to 23. These closures are needed to inspect structures on this Laval highway.
From Monday, September 21 at 11 p.m. to Tuesday, September 22 at 4 a.m., Highway 440 westbound will be closed at Route 125 (Pie-IX Boulevard), and one of two lanes on the eastbound service road will be closed.
From Tuesday, September 22 at 11 p.m. to Wednesday, September 23 at 5 a.m., three closures are planned, including Highway 440 eastbound at Route 125. Other closures include the ramp from the eastbound service road to eastbound Highway 440 between Michel-Ange Boulevard and Route 125, and one of two lanes on the westbound service road.
During the work, detours will be marked with temporary signage. If there are operational constraints or bad weather, the work could be postponed.
Montreal blue-collar strike avoided: tentative agreement reached with the City
Montreal’s blue-collar workers have reached a tentative agreement with the City on a new collective agreement, avoiding a seven-day strike that was to begin Tuesday. The roughly 6,600 union members will need to ratify the deal in the coming weeks.
“The blue-collar workers have been patient and tenacious,” said local union president Nicolas De Ciccio in a statement. “Without a collective agreement for nearly two years, they held firm, and that’s what led us to a settlement.”
The blue-collar collective agreement had expired on January 1, 2025. Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada called the deal “good news for Montreal.” “I want to acknowledge the work done by both sides to reach this agreement,” she said. “It shows the importance of dialogue and our ability to find solutions together.”
Judge extends bilingual voter card requirement until election day
The Quebec Superior Court on Monday morning extended the requirement for รlections Quรฉbec to prepare voter reminder cards in both French and English until October 5, election day. Justice Sylvain Lussier’s ruling suspends certain provisions of the Charter of the French Language until 11:59 p.m. on October 5.
The language controversy stems from legislation passed in 2022 requiring public institutions to communicate with citizens in French, with few exceptions. รlections Quรฉbec initially sent out voting guides in French only, with a QR code for English information, but that code was criticized by the English-language group TALQ, which saw it as a barrier to voting.
Justice Lussier acknowledged a risk of “irreparable harm” for Quebecers who don’t understand French. Voters head to the polls on October 5.
Coup de Cลur
The walk in Dollard-des-Ormeaux to end polycystic kidney disease brought together hundreds of people, including Luisa Miniaci-Di Leo, who survived a double liver and kidney transplant. Her story reminds us that research and community support can turn hardship into hope.
In closing
We wish you a full day, with smooth commutes and a little time to breathe. In Laval, good news often comes in the details.
See you tomorrow. โ