Author: Alec Brideau
From 2016–21, the demographic weight of Laval residents speaking French as their first official language decreased by three percentage points (71.9 to 68.9 per cent), reveals the latest federal census data released by Statistics Canada on August 17. That situation can be seen in all regions of Quebec, except that of Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine, where French registered a gain of 1.1 per cent. Compared to Montreal After the Nord-du-Québec, Laval recorded the biggest drop of percentage points (-three per cent), ahead of Montreal and the Outaouais, where French fell by 2.4 per cent. At 68.9 per cent, Laval is ranked 15th in the…
The Ministry of Transport announced the complete closure of a section of Route 335, in both directions tonight. This will take place between Saint-Saëns Street (east) and Dagenais Boulevard (east) from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. That hindrance is required in order to continue the necessary work for the construction of the Saint-Saëns interchange, as part of Highway 19’s extension project. Road users going southbound will have access to a detour by taking des Laurentides Boulevard, westbound, as well as Dagenais Boulevard (east), eastbound, to return to Route 335. Conversely, those going northbound can take des Grands-Maîtres Boulevard on the…
The labour shortage is hitting hard, affecting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) of all sectors and harming Quebec’s economy. More than 60 per cent of SMEs owners are working more hours than they should in order to make up for the lack of staff, while almost 50 per cent indicate that their employees have done the same. To support Quebec entrepreneurs, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) meets with them to inform them about the programs and measures available to them. With the arrival of the provincial elections, CFIB is unveiling its new labour shortage awareness tool. “It’s important…
Eliminated 6-4, 7-5 in the first round of the National Bank Open against Grigor Dimitrov, Alexis Galarneau came to his postgame press conference pretty happy. It however made a lot of sense, since the 23-year-old athlete from Laval was playing a first Masters 1000 match, in Montreal. “I’m extremely proud,” Galarneau said. “I’m also proud of my team and my family, especially for making it this far. It’s been an amazing day for us.” Experience Galarneau said he gained a lot of experience yesterday. For him, playing against a player like Dimitrov is a great occasion to learn, no matter…
The Ministry of Transport has announced the complete closure of the Pie-IX Bridge in both directions this weekend, from tonight 10 p.m. until Monday morning 5 a.m. Users going northbound are invited to follow a detour via rue Charleroi, avenue Garon, boulevard Henri-Bourassa and Highway 19 (northbound). Those going southbound will be able to take boulevard de la Concorde (westbound), Highway 19 south, rue Fleury, as well as boulevards Saint-Michel and Henri-Bourassa. Some default closures will also take place tonight, starting at 9:30. Among those, there’s the entrance from boulevard de la Concorde (east) for route 125 (south). It will…
The second block was underway yesterday at the 55e Finale des Jeux du Québec – Laval 2022, and softball was one of the sports to start its competition. An inspiring story of that second block is Isabelle Campagna’s one, who’s coaching Laval’s girl softball team. Campagna knows her sport very well, having played softball for about 20 years before becoming a coach about five years ago. She developed a sense of attachment to the Jeux du Québec at a very young age, when her father took her to see the 1985 edition, in Charlesbourg. “I was dreaming of participating in…
The first block of competition ended yesterday at the 55e Finale des Jeux du Québec – Laval 2022, and for the occasion, a press conference was held late in the afternoon in order to recap the first days of the event. Some important people of the Jeux du Québec were there to share their thoughts of the event so far. Among them was Marc DeBlois, executive director of the Organizing Committee of the event. “Athletes will remember that first block for a while,” DeBlois said. “It was in fact our priority. We’re having a solid team.” Christopher Skeete, MP for…
Yesterday was finally the opening ceremony of the 55e Finale des Jeux du Québec – Laval 2022, at Place Bell. The evening was hosted by Émilie Duquette and Alexandre Despatie, both of whom played the Jeux du Québec at a younger age. They were impressed by the energy of all the young athletes present for the ceremony. THE SHOW Laval has reserved a light show for the athletes and parents at Place Bell, offering impressive laser effects and rhythmic music. Former Laval athletes were also at the opening ceremony to celebrate the start of the competition. Gymnast William Emard had…
The Société de transport de Laval (STL) recently announced the largest project of its history, aiming for the complete electrification of its bus fleet by 2040. These past years, the STL has been trying to increase its number of electric buses in circulation. It won’t be easy to ensure public transport’s electric shift in Laval, but the committee working on the file has been preparing for it for a long time now. Alexandra Gallo, project manager and engineer, says that in 2018, the STL started a pilot project with 10 hybrid buses, thus making it possible to better see the…
Alexandre Despatie is one of the big sports names in Laval these past decades. The retired professional diver will be the spokesperson of the 55e Finale des Jeux du Québec, played in Laval from July 22-30. Despatie’s career took off, in part, at the Jeux du Québec de Baie-Comeau, in 1993. Eight years old at the time, the two-time Olympic Games medalist had won gold in the diving event. “It can be the start of something big for many young talents,” Despatie said. “It’s also about all the jokes we were making on the bus while going to our competitions.…