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Laval Today. Oct. 26, 2026

Laval QC โ˜• The morning chat

Good morning,

Today’s rundown touches on local community care, national developments, and some standout weekend moments. On deck: a welcoming new support space for people touched by cancer, an accidental blaze at a local vocational centre, and an outdoor win for the Canadiens. Here is what you need to start the week.

Need to know this morning

  • Notre-Dame Basilica reveals restored facade after a decade of masonry work: The $100-million conservation project in Montreal will continue for several more years.
  • Canadiens edge Jets 2-1 at Heritage Classic: Jacob Fowler turned away 34 shots to become the youngest goaltender ever to start an outdoor NHL game.

Around town

  • School fire leaves $70,000 in damages in Chomedey: An accidental blaze broke out Friday afternoon at ร‰cole des mรฉtiers spรฉcialisรฉs de Laval on Avenue de Bois-de-Boulogne. Around 30 firefighters brought it under control in under an hour.
  • Espace La Salle de Jeu debuts family-focused programming: Founded by Marie-Claude Paquin, the non-profit organization produces hour-long concerts with reduced sound levels designed for young audiences. Its inaugural season kicks off October 30 featuring Marie-Pierre Arthur.
  • Val-Martin land acquisition paves way for 140 new social housing units: The City of Laval has purchased the final parcel required for Phase III of the area’s redevelopment plan for $678,400.

Across Canada

  • Canada welcomes initial F-35 fighter jets from the United States: The federal government has yet to finalize its overall purchase tally as the 88-jet procurement plan undergoes review.
  • United Kingdom opts out of Canadian-led defence bank initiative: London intends to pursue its own strategy instead, though it has committed to maintaining close cooperation with Ottawa.

Lead story

New cancer support and listening centre opens its doors in Laval

Santรฉ Quรฉbec Laval has launched a free drop-in and support hub for cancer patients, their families, and caregivers at the Centre intรฉgrรฉ de cancรฉrologie de Laval, housed inside Hรดpital Citรฉ-de-la-Santรฉ.

Introduced on October 16, the initiativeโ€”called Le Cycleโ€”provides peer support, guidance, active listening, and practical information to help people navigate every stage of their care journey.

Designed alongside medical staff and individuals who have lived with cancer, the centre pairs visitors with volunteers who have personal experience navigating a diagnosis or supporting a loved one. These volunteers share practical insights and help direct families to the right local services.

“Le Cycle reflects our commitment to providing a more compassionate care experience tailored to what cancer patients and their loved ones truly need,” explained Dr. Marie-รˆve Perron, director of professional services at Santรฉ Quรฉbec Laval.

The resource does not replace clinical treatment; rather, it offers a calm environment to pause, talk things through, and access guidance. No medical referral is necessary.

Le Cycle is open to anyone dealing with a diagnosis, as well as family members and caregivers. The room is located in Block G, Room GS-010, at Hรดpital Citรฉ-de-la-Santรฉ (1755 Boulevard Renรฉ-Laennec).

In detail

Accidental fire causes $70,000 in damage at Laval vocational school

A fire broke out Friday afternoon at ร‰cole des mรฉtiers spรฉcialisรฉs de Laval, situated on Avenue de Bois-de-Boulogne in Chomedey. Officials estimate the damage at approximately $70,000, including $50,000 to the building structure and $20,000 to interior contents.

Investigators attribute the blaze to an accidental electrical or mechanical breakdown in an industrial dust collector used for metalworking. Emergency crews received the 911 call around 1:01 p.m. as heavy smoke began rising from the facility.

Eight units from the Service de sรฉcuritรฉ incendie de Laval, bringing 30 firefighters to the scene, quickly secured the building and confirmed a full evacuation. The fire was extinguished by 1:55 p.m., and no injuries were reported.

Canadiens defeat Jets 2-1 in Heritage Classic outdoor matchup

The Montreal Canadiens grabbed a 2-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday evening at Princess Auto Stadium. Netminder Jacob Fowler stopped 34 shots, setting an NHL milestone as the youngest goaltender to start an outdoor game at 21 years and 335 days old.

Lane Hutson and Kaiden Guhle provided the goals for Montreal (6-3-2), backed by a two-assist performance from Cole Caufield. Isak Rosen got Winnipeg (4-4-3) on the board late in the third period.

Forward Florian Xhekaj returned to the lineup after sitting out five games with a lower-body injury, while Owen Beck was a healthy scratch. The Canadiens travel next to face the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday.

Montreal’s Notre-Dame Basilica unveils restored facade after 10 years

Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal showed off its newly restored facade on Sunday, marking a major milestone for the 200-year-old landmark following a decade of intricate masonry and heritage preservation.

Over 800 guests attended the unveiling ceremony, which featured musical sets by the Sociรฉtรฉ philharmonique du Nouveau Monde and an organ performance by Jean-Willy Kunz.

The broader $100-million restoration will span several more years. To help finance ongoing work, the high walkway connecting the two towers will soon reopen to visitors.

Coup de Coeur

Laval artist Naรฏsha Azor, of Haitian origin, just released her third single, “Bye Bye,” showcasing how music can build genuine connection. Blending kizomba and konpa rhythms, she delivers an empowering message of resilience and strength for women, drawn candidly from her own path.

Wrapping up

We hope you have a productive and smooth start to the week. Whether you are checking out a family show or taking a quiet evening walk, take time to enjoy the neighbourhood. See you tomorrow! โ˜•

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Daily

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˜•