While citizens have submitted a petition demanding the suspension of the project, a new welcome pavilion will nevertheless be built at Bois de l’Équerre to greet visitors and showcase this Laval natural gem.
The City of Laval announced the news in a press release issued the day after the municipal council meeting on Tuesday, September 9, specifying that the pavilion will feature a modern and eco-friendly design.

The contract, valued at $8.15M including taxes, was awarded to Entreprises Philippe Denis.
With this contract, and taking into account savings realized during municipal service works, the overall project will be carried out at a cost nearly 30% lower than the initial estimates.

The project is also supported by a major grant from the Government of Quebec and the Montreal Metropolitan Community (CMM), which will cover two-thirds of the eligible costs under the Green and Blue Corridor financial assistance program, up to a maximum of $6.6M.

Construction work will begin shortly in September and continue through October 2026.

“This new pavilion will allow Laval residents to enjoy modern, user-friendly facilities year-round, enhancing their experience at Bois de l’Équerre,” declared Mayor Stéphane Boyer in the release. “Everything has been designed to make this natural treasure even more accessible and enjoyable to visit.”

“The Greater Montreal Green and Blue Corridor is a recreational tourism network that brings citizens closer to nature,” added Valérie Plante, president of the CMM. “By supporting Laval in building this pavilion, the CMM is helping conserve an exceptional natural environment while promoting the territory’s adaptation to climate change.”

For the community

In addition to a welcome area, public space, and multipurpose room, the future pavilion will include washrooms, water fountains, a rest area for meals or warming up in winter, as well as storage spaces and lockers for visitors.

Outdoors, there will be an activity area and a recreational hill. Parking lots and access roads will also be reconfigured.

The pavilion, managed by the organization CANOPÉE, will also serve as the administrative center for managing all wooded areas across the territory.
Administrative and support offices, a workshop, a garage, and a covered warehouse will therefore be integrated into the building, enabling the organization to fully carry out its mission.

Access during construction

Bois de l’Équerre will remain accessible during construction via the secondary entrance at 4204, Industriel Boulevard.
The main entrance, located at 49, Rang de l’Équerre, will be closed.

Public art competition

In connection with the project, the City of Laval is also launching a public art competition to create an outdoor monolithic work as part of an initiative combining art and nature.
All details of the competition will soon be available on the City of Laval’s website. (B.L.)

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L’article $8.15M for the Pavilion at Bois de l’Équerre Under Construction est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

The City of Laval is moving forward with the acquisition of the Golf Sainte-Rose property to turn it into a major nature park—an acquisition it describes as “strategic for protecting biodiversity along the Mille Îles River while offering new outdoor spaces.”

The City has thus taken an important step toward acquiring and protecting the Golf Sainte-Rose property.

The executive committee has approved a letter of intent to Groupe immobilier Van Houtte, the site’s owner, confirming the City’s interest in starting negotiations for acquisition for park, green space, and conservation purposes.

This initiative is being carried out in collaboration with the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM) as part of its actions to conserve 30% of the territory and create a network of metropolitan parks.

To support the planned transaction, the City will officially submit a grant application to the CMM through the Green and Blue Trame program.

Although the transaction could be finalized in 2026, the goal is for Golf Sainte-Rose to remain in operation until the end of the 2027 golf season.

Strategic Site
Surrounded by the Mattawa Forest and the Mille Îles River, the Golf Sainte-Rose property is an essential link in Laval’s network of natural areas.

Its protection would allow for the restoration of marshes and wetlands, the creation of a unique ecological corridor, stronger climate change resilience, and a vast outdoor playground for the community.

“The Golf Sainte-Rose site is unique in Laval, both for its ecological value and recreational potential,” said Mayor Stéphane Boyer in a press release. “Few Laval riverbanks offer such a large area suitable for recreation. Together, we will make this site a model of balance between nature conservation, outdoor recreation, and collective well-being.”

“Natural environments and green spaces are essential to address the climate crisis and preserve residents’ quality of life,” added Massimo Iezzoni, Director General of the CMM, in the same media release. “We must act concretely and quickly to protect them and increase their size.”

Participatory Approach and Continuity
In its press release, the City of Laval expressed its wish for the site’s transformation to follow a participatory approach.

Residents as well as Laval’s environmental and recreational organizations will be invited to contribute and help define the site’s vision and future uses.

This announcement builds on Laval’s ongoing efforts to expand its network of natural spaces and strengthen the territory’s climate resilience.

It should be recalled that in 2023, the City announced it had surpassed its conservation targets by reaching 18% of protected territory through regulations or ownership—nearly five times more than in 2009.

Since 2021, the City has also acquired nearly 100 hectares of natural areas thanks to investments totaling nearly $35 million.

Among its strategic acquisitions is Île Locas, located near Golf Sainte-Rose, which helps strengthen the Mille Îles River’s ecological corridor. (B.L.)

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L’article Golf Sainte-Rose to Be Acquired Soon to Become a Major Nature Park est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a special weather bulletin expected to affect the Laval region starting Wednesday afternoon.

After a few centimeters of possible snowfall, freezing rain is expected to begin Wednesday evening in western and southern Quebec and reach the central regions by Thursday morning.

The freezing rain will gradually turn into rain throughout the day on Thursday.

Surfaces such as roads, streets, sidewalks, and parking lots may become icy and slippery throughout April 3.

Ice accumulation could also break tree branches. (N.P.)

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L’article Weather Advisory: Freezing Rain Expected in Laval est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

On Wednesday, March 19, the alert sirens of five establishments in Laval will sound as part of an emergency exercise.

These tests will be coordinated by the City of Laval, in collaboration with industries subject to municipal regulation L-12933 concerning alert sirens. The goal is to raise public awareness of the risks associated with accidents involving hazardous materials and to ensure that the sirens are functioning properly.

Exercise Procedure

The sirens will sound one after the other, following a predetermined schedule.
Each alert siren will emit a modulated signal, rising and then descending, lasting for three minutes.
This sound will be audible within the emergency planning zone of each facility.

Exercise Schedule for Each Industry

• 9:00 AM – MAPEI (2900 Francis-Hughes Avenue, Vimont)
• 10:00 AM – Dyne-A-Pak (3375 Francis-Hughes Avenue, Vimont)
• 11:15 AM – Supérieur Propane (111 Station Street, Chomedey)
• 1:30 PM – Gaz Propane Monin (555 Montée Saint-François, Saint-Vincent-de-Paul)
• 3:00 PM – Produits alimentaires Viau (6625 Ernest-Cormier Street, Saint-Vincent-de-Paul)

Taking Shelter

In the event of a major industrial accident involving a toxic leak or explosion risk, the first reflex when hearing a siren should be to take shelter indoors.

Once inside, residents should:
Close all doors and windows and turn off ventilation.
Seal openings (doors and windows) in the designated shelter room with adhesive tape.
Move away from windows.
Follow instructions from local authorities.

“The introduction of alert sirens is a new measure in Laval,” stated Sandra Desmeules, Executive Committee member responsible for public safety.
“This first simulation exercise aims to strengthen the resilience of affected communities by improving their emergency preparedness. I encourage all residents who hear the siren to familiarize themselves with the correct safety actions in case of a real emergency. I also want to commend the outstanding collaboration with the involved industries, which demonstrates our shared commitment to prioritizing public safety.”

Additional Information

To learn about all the instructions to follow in the event of a major industrial accident, hear a sample siren sound, or view a map showing the locations of the establishments and their potential impact zones, it is possible to consult the “Accidents with Hazardous Materials” section on the City of Laval’s website.

On the day of the exercise, teams from Civil Security, the Laval Police Service, and the Laval Fire Department will be near the concerned industries to answer any questions from the public.

“The City invites its population to register for its automated system to receive alerts by phone call, text message, or email in case of an emergency situation or any other event requiring immediate attention. Do it now at the following address: abonnement.laval.ca,” the City of Laval stated in its press release.

It is also reminded that in any emergency situation, it is the responsibility of citizens to ensure their own safety as well as the protection of their property.

Proper preparation is essential in order to always have a family emergency plan as well as an emergency kit containing the necessary items to meet their needs for at least 72 hours. (B.L.)

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L’article First Alert Siren Tests Coming Soon in Laval est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

Adopted yesterday evening, the 2025-2027 Three-Year Capital Program (PTI) includes an additional $100 million for the resilience investment plan focused on water management.

This highlights a PTI valued at more than $1.7 billion, with $594 million allocated for 2025.

Three months after the flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Debby, Mayor Stéphane Boyer’s administration is loosening the purse strings to better adapt to climate change, increasing the budget from $226 million to $326 million over three years.

“Even though it is impossible to protect against all the consequences of natural disasters, the goal is to accelerate work to reduce risks associated with sewer backups and flooding,” the mayor stated, noting that the city is increasing its infrastructure repair and maintenance budgets for the third consecutive year.

From Aqueducts to Sewers

The additional investments will be used to “improve and adapt infrastructure for the entire water management cycle, from aqueducts to wastewater systems.”

Key measures and projects in this major initiative include:

• Accelerating the reconstruction and rehabilitation of sewer and aqueduct lines, prioritizing vulnerable areas with recurring problems.
• Adding generators to strategic pumping stations.
• Implementing permanent protective measures, such as dikes.
• Adding new drainage infrastructures, including retention basins, sponge streets, trenches, and rain gardens.
• Reducing the impact of riverine flooding by stabilizing 9 km of the Mille-Îles River shoreline and enhancing knowledge of inland watercourse flooding.

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L’article Climate Change: Laval Injects an Additional 100 Million Over 3 Years est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

The large cedar hedge that marked the northern boundary of Bernard-Landry Park over a distance of more than 200 meters was removed last week.

“Everyone was in shock,” says Monique Chartrand over the phone, referring to the park users who visit daily.

These “majestic mature cedars,” which lined the path leading to the 30-hectare natural site in the eastern part of the park, served as a screen for the parking lots and various institutional establishments operated by the Integrated Health and Social Services Center (CISSS) of Laval facing the park, recalls this resident who has lived in the area for 30 years.

Explanation

“This hedge, which had been declining for several years, was overrun with virgin vines and poison ivy, making it irrecoverable,” states Jonathan Lévesque, the City’s Public Affairs Advisor, in an email. “Its encroachment of 8 feet on an adjacent path also required intervention for safety reasons.”

In Ms. Chartrand’s view, this “does not justify the total cutting,” as she believes that “many” of these trees “could have been preserved and supplemented by new cedar plantings.”

Moreover, the Municipality’s spokesperson mentions that the area has since been cleaned, damaged fences have been repaired, and a contractor will soon proceed with the stump removal of the 240 cedars and some maples cut down on the site.

Reforestation

Under a reforestation plan developed and approved earlier this year, the municipal administration will plant 26 trees by the end of the season to replace the now-missing hedge. The City will also take this opportunity to plant 25 additional trees in Bernard-Landry Park, specifies Mr. Lévesque.

Disappointed, Monique Chartrand would have much preferred a type of planting that would eliminate the “frost fence” and the “parking lot” to preserve the beauty of the landscape. “This is my park; I care about it.”

Finally, while she acknowledges “the City’s considerable efforts to green the island” and “concern for living ecosystems,” the “massacre” of last week remains completely “incomprehensible” to her.

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L’article A Park Stripped of 240 Cedars in Laval-des-Rapides est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

If you’re among that dominant group, here are four ways you can help fight against climate change.

Book a staycation

Planning a holiday at or close to home has multiple benefits. For one, you don’t have to break the bank with pricey airline tickets or multiple tanks of gas for an epic road trip. Cutting out those items also reduces the carbon footprint of your vacation.

Visiting nearby attractions helps you better connect with your community and keeps your hard-earned money circulating in the local economy.

If you do plan to go abroad, consider adding carbon offsets to the budget to help reduce your impact.

Apply the three Rs to your wardrobe

Globally, “fast fashion” is a major contributor to climate change and it also fills up landfills. Rather than buying cheap clothing that will fall apart after a few washings, invest in better-quality garments that will last for years to come.

Another option is to shop at thrift or consignment stores rather than buying new. You’ll save some money, and someone else’s previously loved clothing will get a new lease on life.

Finally, you can repurpose old clothing into new with some adornments or strategic snips with the scissors. Are we ready for the return of the iconic Daisy Duke jean shorts?

Eat smart

Much like a staycation, buying your food from local providers has multiple benefits, including reducing the carbon footprint required to get the food to your table and supporting nearby producers.

Wherever you source your food from, take steps to not waste it. Planning a menu ahead of time means you can use up leftovers and items you already have in the fridge or pantry before they go bad.

You can save yourself time and money by buying food in bulk and making large batches of your family’s favourite dishes. Reheat some of the leftovers for an easy meal the next day and freeze the rest in single-serve containers for healthy, homecooked lunches later on.

Conserve energy at home

Reducing energy consumption at home not only helps the planet; it also helps your wallet. One way to reduce your energy use is by using Wi-Fi enabled switches such as Square D. By pairing your switches and plugs with an energy monitoring system like Wiser Energy, you can use your phone to control light switches for intelligent home energy management.

(Source : News Canada)

L’article How you can do your part to fight climate change est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

If you have ever inadvertently come into contact with giant hogweed or wild parsnip you will not forget the encounter anytime soon. The sap from these invasive plants is toxic to the skin and can cause severe irritation.

Other invasive plants like phragmites, also known as common reed, can spread quickly and aggressively choke out native vegetation. This can be devastating for local ecosystems. While there are various options for controlling these plants, which can include mowing, flooding and compression, sometimes these steps can actually stimulate the growth of more of the invasive reeds.

Whether it’s giant hogweed, wild parsnip or phragmites, sometimes the best option for controlling them is by using an herbicide.

“Unlike other removal methods, herbicides get to the root of the problem, effectively killing the entire plant,” says Pierre Petelle, president and CEO of CropLife Canada. “All pesticides in Canada are regulated by Health Canada to ensure they can be used safely without harm to humans or the environment.”

Invasive species can have long-term impacts on natural environments from forests to wetlands and lakes. These plants compete with native vegetation for water, nutrients and space, which impacts soil and water quality, wildlife habitat, biodiversity and natural fire protection.

Invasive plants can also invade recreational areas, making them less attractive and less enjoyable for people and their families. Dense vegetation can make it difficult for people to enjoy walking trails, and popular swimming areas can become unusable due to uncontrolled aquatic plants. Unfortunately, outdoor recreation enthusiasts can inadvertently spread infestations by tracking seeds and other parts of the plants to new areas.

However, with an effective range of tools, which includes pesticides and mechanical methods to control invasive species, local land managers can keep our natural environments and urban green spaces healthy. 

(Source : News Canada)

L’article Invasive species take a toll est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

However, some items always make the cut for curbside collection – but that doesn’t mean they aren’t recyclable. Here are a few handy examples:

1. Carpet: Get it picked up
   Old carpeting is not typically accepted in regional blue box programs, but if you call the manufacturer or a local recycling company, they can often bring it to a depot. There it’s recycled into a new carpet or other items like plastic auto parts. Carpets are often made from synthetics or fossil fuel-based materials, so keeping them out of landfill is worthwhile.
2. Old pens: Drop off at a local store
   Although much of the world has gone digital, there are still many of us who keep a trusty pen and paper on hand. Some local and national retailers collect pens and stationery items that would otherwise need to be thrown out. Check out your office supplies store to see if they take broken or dried up writing utensils, from pens to mechanical pencils and felt tip markers.
3. Re-sell or donate: Bicycles
   Even if that old bicycle seems un-ridable, there are still plenty of ways to put it to use. There are many groups across the country that will take an old bike – either as a fixer upper or as a source for stripped parts that will create or repair another bicycle. Look locally for organizations or shops that sell or repair used bikes.
4. Mail in programs: Smoke-free products
   Recycling is a great way for all of us to be stewards of the planet and, in some cases, can be done from your home or office. Nicotine-containing products like vaping devices, pods and certain heated tobacco devices can be safely recycled or disposed of for free with the national Smoke-Free Recycling program. Collect your items in any old box, print a free shipping label and send them off in the mail. There is also the option to recycle cigarette butts through the program.

(Source : News Canada)

L’article 4 ways to recycle items that don’t go in the blue box est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

L’article 5 things you may not know that you can recycle est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.