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 dollarsโa 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 31โa 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 Cลur
Our coup de cลur 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 Lavalโs 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 thatโs growing and changing fast, this chain of solidarity, from first responders to the last act of kindness, remains one of Lavalโs 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