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Laval Today. Oct. 21, 2026

Laval QC โ˜• The Morning Chat

Good morning,

Today we bring you a mix of inspiring local initiatives, valuable community resources and a few stories that touch the region one way or another. Just the thing to start the day, with a thought for those going through difficult times.

This Morning’s Takeaways

  • A new listening space for people affected by cancer in Laval: Santรฉ Quรฉbec Laval has unveiled the Cycle room at the Integrated Cancer Centre, a free space for support and information.
  • The Barreau de Laval offers two days of free legal information: On October 22 and 23, lawyers will be available to answer questions about housing and homelessness.
  • Volunteers plant 150 trees and shrubs in Laval: As part of the TD Tree Days program, about thirty volunteers took part in the activity near Bois de la Source.
  • Triathlon Laval athletes return from Worlds with pride: The club was represented by 11 athletes at the age group world championships in Spain.
  • The Canadiens blow a two-goal lead and fall in overtime: The San Jose Sharks win 4-3, a loss that stings.

Around Town

  • A new director for culture, recreation, sports and social development in Laval: Sรฉbastien Vallรฉe returns to the City after a stint in Gatineau.
  • Quรฉbec flags at half-mast in Laval: The City pays tribute to the victims of the Wainwright base tragedy.
  • DigiWomen wants to open the doors of the digital world wider for women: DigiWomen is a non-profit organization based in Laval that works to foster access for girls and women to the digital sector through events, school programs and networking activities offered throughout the year.

Across Canada

  • Danielle Smith closes the chapter on Alberta separation: The premier confirms there will be no further referendum on the question.
  • A judicial recount will take place in the riding of Champlain: The vote recount will be held Thursday and Friday in Trois-Riviรจres.

Top Story

A new listening and support space for people affected by cancer in Laval

Santรฉ Quรฉbec Laval unveiled a new welcome and support space at the Centre intรฉgrรฉ de cancรฉrologie de Laval (CICL) on Friday, October 16. Named Cycle, this free space allows people affected by cancer and their loved ones to find a listening ear, support, information and resources adapted to their needs at every stage of their journey.

“Aujourd’hui, ce qu’on fait, c’est qu’on rajoute une pierre d’assise [au CICL] pour รชtre encore plus proche des besoins des usagers et s’adapter ร  leurs besoins,” said Jeanne-Evelyne Turgeon, president and CEO of Santรฉ Quรฉbec Laval, at the launch.

On site, people can talk with volunteer partner users who have themselves been affected by cancer or have supported a loved one. “[Users] can come and chat, find information, get support and talk things through,” says Guylaine Veillette, clinical-administrative coordinator of the oncology program at the CICL. “It is a place that complements the current services.”

For now, the Cycle premises are open on a variable schedule available on the Santรฉ Quรฉbec Laval website. There is no need to make an appointment to access the services offered.

Cycle was born out of a process of consultation and partnership with people affected by cancer. More than 4,000 former patients were approached as part of this project, and 850 of them answered the call by taking part in telephone interviews and focus groups. The project was then submitted to the institution’s management, and the Fondation Citรฉ de la Santรฉ got involved with $165,000 in funding to create this space.

In Detail

The Barreau de Laval offers two days of free legal information on housing and homelessness

Nearly two out of three Quebecers would not know where to direct a loved one at risk of losing their home. That is why the Barreau de Laval will take part in the Legal Marathon, which this year focuses on housing and homelessness, on Thursday, October 22 and Friday, October 23.

Over these two days, Laval lawyers will offer free legal information to the public. Three activities are planned: information sessions at the Relais communautaire de Laval, a housing law kiosk at the Municipal Court, and a training session on housing law and human rights at the Centre Jean-Paul-Campeau.

According to a Lรฉger survey conducted for the Barreau du Quรฉbec, 23% of Quebecers know someone at risk of losing their housing, but 63% would not know which resource to direct them to. The need is very real: 70% of Quebecers feel it would be useful to be able to speak with a lawyer for free to find out how to help.

Volunteers plant 150 trees and shrubs in Laval

About thirty volunteers gathered in Laval on October 4 to plant 150 trees and shrubs as part of the annual TD Tree Days program. The activity took place near Bois de la Source and was organized locally in collaboration with CANOPร‰E โ€“ Le rรฉseau des bois de Laval.

The volunteers first learned how to plant the trees and shrubs properly before taking part in tasks such as digging, planting, mulching and watering. The meeting point was at Parc Saint-ร‰douard, on 18th Avenue.

Since 2010, the TD Tree Days program has helped plant more than 590,000 trees and shrubs across Canada, thanks to the participation of more than 44,000 volunteers. The program aims to add 30,000 more plantings this fall.

Triathlon Laval athletes return from Worlds with an enriching experience

Triathlon Laval athletes return from the Age Group World Championships, held from September 23 to 27 in Pontevedra, Spain, with an enriching experience under their belts. “It was a memorable experience,” writes club president Annie-Claude Bรฉdard in an email exchange. “Several of us did three races in four days. [โ€ฆ] It was harder than we imagined to manage it all.”

Laval was represented by 11 club athletes at these Worlds. In the sprint distance, Josiane Lafleur finished seventh in her age group, women aged 40 to 44. Joanna Szymczyk took 10th place among women aged 45 to 49, just ahead of her teammate Annie-Claude Bรฉdard. Mรฉlodie Dao took 10th in the sprint distance among women aged 19 to 24, while Pascal Aubertin finished 14th among men aged 45 to 49.

Joanna Szymczyk also stood out in the aquabike event, which combines swimming and cycling, with a seventh-place finish in her category. Finally, note the seventh-place finish by the Laval mixed relay, made up of Joanna Szymczyk, Ian Poitras, Annie-Claude Bรฉdard and Pascal Aubertin. In total, 31 teams from around the world took part in this event.

The Canadiens blow a two-goal lead and fall in overtime against the Sharks

The Montreal Canadiens once again let a two-goal lead slip away, falling 4-3 in overtime to the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday night. Macklin Celebrini scored his second goal of the game at 2:13 of overtime on the power play, after an interference penalty on goaltender Jakub Dobes.

Juraj Slafkovsky, Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki each scored a goal and added an assist for the Canadiens (4-3-2), who have surrendered a two-goal lead for the fourth time this season. Dobes made 26 saves after three difficult outings.

The Canadiens will begin a four-game road trip Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Coup de Coeur

The Cycle room initiative at the Centre intรฉgrรฉ de cancรฉrologie de Laval is a fine example of what a community can accomplish when it pulls together. By placing listening and support at the heart of care, this project is a reminder that healing also comes through human warmth and solidarity.

In Closing

We wish you a day filled with good encounters and moments of comfort. Whether these stories touch you closely or from afar, take the time to lend a hand to those who need it. In Laval, solidarity makes all the difference. โ˜•

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Explainers

Laval welcome tax in 2026: how much, when to pay and the new first-time buyer credit

Laval QC โ€” Welcome tax

Buying in Laval? A few weeks after you sign at the notaryโ€™s, a bill arrives in the mail: the property transfer duties everyone calls the โ€œwelcome tax.โ€ In 2026, Laval charges 3% on the entire portion of the price above $500,000, and Quebec now refunds up to $5,875 to first-time buyers. Here is how it is calculated, what you will pay and what could change in 2027.

In short

  • For a single-family house at $622,300 (last yearโ€™s average price in Laval, according to the Courrier Laval), the welcome tax is about $9,280 in 2026.
  • The bill comes after the sale and must be paid in one payment, within 30 days.
  • First-time buyers: a Quebec refundable tax credit covers up to $5,875 for purchases made since January 1, 2026.
  • Laval is studying interest-free instalments, with a view to the 2027 budget.

Lavalโ€™s 2026 rates

The tax works in brackets, like income tax: each slice of the price has its own rate. This is the scale published in the City of Lavalโ€™s 2026 budget (p. 18).

Slice of the priceRateMaximum for the slice
Up to $62,9000.5%$314.50
$62,901 to $315,0001.0%$2,521.00
$315,001 to $500,0001.5%$2,775.00
Above $500,0003.0%โ€”
Source: City of Laval, 2026 budget, p. 18.

The base is the higher of the price paid and the municipal assessment, adjusted by the Cityโ€™s comparative factor. If you pay less than the assessment, the assessment is what counts.

What changed in 2026: until 2025, the rate stepped up above $500,000 (1.5%, then 2%, then 3%). Since the 2026 budget, Laval charges 3% from the first dollar above $500,000. On a $622,300 house, that is about $1,650 more than under the old structure.

How much for your purchase?

Price2026 welcome taxFirst-time buyer credit (max.)Left to pay for a first-time buyer
$400,000$4,110.50$4,110.50$0
$500,000$5,610.50$5,152.63$457.87
$622,300$9,279.50$5,875.00$3,404.50
$750,000$13,110.50$5,875.00$7,235.50
LavalQC calculations based on the Cityโ€™s 2026 scale and the credit rules. Your notary will confirm the exact amount.

The new credit for first-time buyers

Announced by Quebecโ€™s Ministรจre des Finances in spring 2026, the refundable tax credit for access to homeownership pays back a large part of the welcome tax:

  • 100% of the first $5,000 paid, then 25% of the next $3,500, for a maximum of $5,875.
  • For homes in Quebec acquired since January 1, 2026.
  • You (or your spouse) must not have owned and lived in a home during the previous four years, and the property must become your principal residence.
  • Houses, semi-detached and row houses, condos, duplexes and triplexes qualify.
  • The credit shrinks for homes over $750,000 and disappears at $1 million.
  • Since October 2026, you can ask Revenu Quรฉbec for an advance payment if the credit is over $1,000 (by December 1 of the purchase year). Otherwise, you claim it on your tax return.

Paying in instalments?

Today, Laval wants the full amount within 30 days of sending the bill, often just after new owners have emptied their savings for the down payment. On February 9, 2026, city council unanimously asked the administration to study payment in several equal, interest-free instalments, with a view to the 2027 budget. It is not a programme yet: the 2027 budget will tell whether Laval goes ahead.

Our take

For a first-time buyer purchasing a condo or a house under $500,000, Lavalโ€™s rates combined with Quebecโ€™s credit make the welcome tax almost painless. That is genuinely good news. For families buying at Lavalโ€™s average house price, though, the jump straight to 3% above $500,000 made the bill heavier just as the average down payment soared. Interest-free instalments would cost the City little and help exactly the households that need it. We hope to see them in the 2027 budget.

This article explains the rules in force in October 2026; it does not replace advice from your notary or tax adviser.

Sources

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Laval Today. Sep. 22, 2026

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 ร‰lections 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. ร‰lections 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 Cล“ur

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˜•

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Laval Today. Sep. 21, 2026

Laval QC โ˜• The Morning Chat

Good morning,

Today we’re talking construction, housing, and safety in Laval, with a look at the world cycling championships taking place in Montreal. We’re also checking in on the election polls that could redraw Quebec’s political map. In short, plenty to start the week on a good note.

What to Know This Morning

  • Laval tops $1 billion in construction permit value: As of August 31, the city’s urban planning department had issued some 2,500 permits and authorization certificates, with a declared value totalling more than one billion dollars.
  • Fire in eastern Laval leaves resident homeless: The blaze, accidental in origin, caused $130,000 in damage to a home on Rue Mirelle in Saint-Franรงois.
  • PQ leads in Montreal suburbs, according to poll: Charles Milliard’s Liberals lead on the Island of Montreal, while the CAQ sits third in the Outaouais.

Close to Home

  • $20M project in L’Abord-ร -Plouffe: Groupe Damco will build a 79-unit residential building at the northeast corner of Boulevard Perron and Boulevard Curรฉ-Labelle. Occupancy is planned for fall 2027.
  • Over 2,200 housing units under construction in Laval in 2026: Despite a slow August, the CMHC counts 2,227 units started since the beginning of the year, representing 12.5% of all new housing in Greater Montreal.

Across Canada

  • Parliament resumes Monday: The trade war with the United States and closer ties with the European Union will be at the heart of discussions. Prime Minister Mark Carney promises “some of the most important legislation in decades.”
  • Poilievre opposes the idea of an EU “associate state”: The Conservative leader says Canada will never be the EU’s “28th state.”

Main Story

Laval surpasses $1 billion in construction permit value in 2026

As of August 31, Laval’s urban planning department had issued roughly 2,500 permits and authorization certificates. Their declared value totals more than one billion dollarsโ€”a sign of the vitality of the city’s construction sector.

These permits cover residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional projects, whether new builds, expansions, or renovations.

On the housing front, 2,316 new units have been authorized since the start of the year, nearly identical to the same point last year. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), for its part, counts 2,227 units started as of August 31โ€”a gap explained by the federal agency’s counting method.

In Detail

Fire in eastern Laval causes $130,000 in damage, leaves resident homeless

An accidental fire seriously damaged a single-family home on Rue Mirelle in Saint-Franรงois on the evening of Friday, September 18. Firefighters, arriving quickly on scene, found a smoke alarm present but not functional.

The blaze, brought under control around 10:16 p.m., caused roughly $90,000 in structural damage and $40,000 to contents. Investigators with Laval’s fire safety service (SSIL) are working to determine the fire’s origin, which could be linked to lithium battery chargers or overheating electrical wiring.

The SSIL reminds residents that residential buildings constructed before 1985 must now be equipped with smoke alarms powered by a non-removable 10-year lithium battery.

$20M project in L’Abord-ร -Plouffe

The L’Abord-ร -Plouffe district in Chomedey will welcome a significant residential project. Groupe Damco will build a 79-unit, six-storey building at the northeast corner of Boulevard Perron and Boulevard Curรฉ-Labelle.

The lot, vacant until now and owned by the developer for 12 years, is valued at $680,600 on the property roll. All 75 parking spaces will be underground.

The rental offering will include 41 three-and-a-half units, 29 two-bedroom units, and 9 five-and-a-half units. The leasing office is expected to open next spring, with occupancy in fall 2027.

PQ leads in Montreal suburbs, Liberals dominate on the island

A Radio-Canada poll places the Parti Quรฉbรฉcois ahead in Montreal’s suburbs, while Charles Milliard’s Liberals lead on the Island of Montreal. In the Outaouais, the PQ is gaining ground and the CAQ ranks third.

Provincially, the PQ remains first, with the Conservatives and Liberals racing for third place. These results come as the election campaign heats up, two weeks before the October 5 vote.

Coup de Cล“ur

Our coup de cล“ur of the day: the firefighters of Laval and the volunteers who support residents when life takes an unexpected turn.

The fire in eastern Laval, which caused $130,000 in damage and left a resident homeless, is a reminder of how essential the work of Lavalโ€™s fire service truly is. They arrive within minutes, take real risks, and protect lives in unpredictable conditions.

And once the flames are out, others step in; volunteers, community groups, people who give their time to help those affected regain stability and dignity.

In a city thatโ€™s growing and changing fast, this chain of solidarity, from first responders to the last act of kindness, remains one of Lavalโ€™s strongest foundations.

To Wrap Up

We wish you a productive week, projects that move forward, and a bit of gentleness in the busier moments. In Laval as elsewhere, small gestures often make all the difference. โ˜•