On Thursday, October 22, the City of Laval and Communauto announced the launch of the FLEX one-way car-sharing service in Pont-Viau, near Cartier metro station.

Developed through close collaboration, this new expansion reflects a shared commitment to diversifying transportation options across the city by offering a practical alternative to private car ownership.

A New Way to Get Around

Available immediately, the FLEX car-sharing service allows users to access a vehicle spontaneously, without making a reservation in advance or returning it to its original location.

Using the Communauto app, users can locate an available FLEX vehicle nearby, access it and travel to their destination.

At the end of their trip, the vehicle can be parked in an authorized parking space within the FLEX service area, which includes Montreal and Longueuil.

Communauto’s station-based car-sharing service has been available in Laval since 2010. Today, it operates 37 stations and 58 vehicles in the city.

A Strategic Choice

The choice of Pont-Viau, near Cartier station, is intended to integrate car-sharing into an area where several transportation options are already available.

Metro, bus, walking, cycling, station-based car-sharing and now one-way car-sharing can complement one another, providing residents with more options for getting around, according to the City of Laval and Communauto.

“More than 2,500 Laval residents have already chosen to reduce their dependence on private cars and adopt more sustainable transportation habits through Communauto,” said Christine Poirier, city councillor for Pont-Viau, in a press release.

In announcing the launch, the member of Laval’s executive committee added that the new service offers a flexible, accessible car-sharing solution tailored to the daily needs of residents in Laval-des-Rapides and Pont-Viau. (B.L.)

L’article Communauto’s FLEX Car-Sharing Service Arrives in Laval est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

In a ruling issued on October 16, the Quebec Superior Court dismissed Amazon’s application for judicial review challenging the legality of a decision rendered by the Administrative Labour Tribunal (ALT) on October 22, 2024, in the case involving the unionization of 230 employees at the DXT4 warehouse in Laval. The facility was closed in the winter of 2025, along with the six other warehouses operated by the e-commerce giant in Quebec.

In essence, the American multinational was challenging the constitutionality of Quebec’s union certification process, arguing that the absence of a mandatory secret ballot infringed on employees’ freedom of association.

As a result, the Tribunal rejected Amazon’s request to revoke the union’s certification. The employer had challenged the investigation conducted by an ALT labour relations officer to determine whether the union was representative of the employees.

In this regard, Quebec Superior Court Justice Catherine Piché upheld the conclusion reached by Administrative Judge Irène Zaïkoff two years earlier: the grounds put forward by the applicant were based solely on suspicions, assumptions or hearsay.

Reactions

“Amazon’s legal guerrilla warfare has hit a wall once again,” said CSN President Caroline Senneville on Monday, on the website of the Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN).

“However, it is deeply regrettable that these delaying tactics, which were pervasive in the other lawsuit concerning [the closures of its warehouses in Quebec], are postponing justice and compensation for the hundreds of workers who lost their jobs in January 2025.”

The union federation noted that “Justice Catherine Piché has reaffirmed the principles set out by the ALT.” It argued that Quebec’s Labour Code excludes employers from proceedings concerning a union’s “representative character” and the method used to verify it, in order to protect the confidentiality of union membership and prevent any form of employer interference or retaliation.

“This victory is excellent news and something we can celebrate,” wrote Bertrand Guibord, president of the Conseil central du Montréal métropolitain (CCMM–CSN), in a blog post yesterday. “The fight to obtain justice for the workers brutally dismissed by Amazon is not over, but this is an essential step forward that will allow legal proceedings to move ahead.”

At the time of publication, Amazon’s spokesperson had not responded to an email sent yesterday afternoon.

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L’article Laval: Amazon Loses Another Court Battle est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

On October 6 and 8, the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board (SWLSB) held two public meetings at Laval Junior Academy in Chomedey, where the Board of Commissioners presented proposed scenarios for restructuring school catchment areas and the use of its school buildings in Laval.

Following analyses based on enrolment trends, building capacity, educational needs and financial constraints, the SWLSB presented its proposed scenarios to the public for the first time.

These included the possibility of closing Our Lady of Peace Elementary School (Fabreville) and Phoenix Alternative High School (Duvernay).

Students currently attending these schools would be transferred to other schools in Laval. The OLP building would remain vacant for one year, while the building used by Phoenix would be allocated to the CDC Vimont adult education centre, whose lease for its premises on boulevard des Laurentides expires in 2027.

These possibilities were strongly denounced by hundreds of parents during the meetings, as well as online through the launch of a petition and the organization of a citizen-led movement on social media. The consensus is clear: no one wants to see their child uprooted and transferred to a new school.

Students with Special Needs

All the scenarios proposed by the SWLSB as part of its review of schools, programs, catchment areas and space utilization in Laval involved relocating students with special needs.

In the western part of the city, the proposal would have added students from Crestview Elementary School to the student population at Souvenir School. In the east, Phoenix Alternative High School would have been relocated to optimize the use of the building at 1105 rue Victor-Morin.

The SWLSB denies targeting vulnerable students when developing its scenarios, but parents and former students at the schools concerned remain unconvinced.

“This is shameful and disgusting,” says Victoria Rebelo, a Phoenix alumna and organizer of the Save Phoenix Alternative Highschool initiative. “There are already not enough resources for children with special needs and alternative schools. […] It gives the impression that the Board of Commissioners favours neurotypical children over neurodivergent ones.”

“We should not be asking vulnerable students to find a place for themselves in the buildings currently available to us,” added Christina Cichon, who served as Phoenix’s principal from 2012 to 2015, on the Save Phoenix Alternative Highschool Facebook page. “We should be developing an environment tailored to their needs to support their success. Phoenix is more than a program, a place or a number on an enrolment list. It is a culture that has changed lives. That culture deserves to be protected and invested in.”

Phoenix is the only English-language alternative school in the Laval region, and its program is highly valued and sought after by many families. So why consider closing it?

“We also need to look at alternative education across the entire SWLSB territory, not just in Laval,” replies Maxeen Jolin, the SWLSB’s Assistant Director of Communications. “[…] The School Board would like to establish a committee to examine the future of English-language alternative education, not only in Laval, but also in the Lanaudière and Laurentians regions.”

Why These Scenarios?

The SWLSB began its presentations by revealing that enrolment in its schools in Laval has been declining for several years and that, as a result, its facilities are operating well below capacity.

Indeed, there are 705 fewer students from Laval attending its schools than in the 2020–2021 school year, and government projections indicate that this trend is expected to continue. This inevitably affects revenue from tuition fees as well as government grants allocated according to student enrolment, deepening a financial deficit that is becoming increasingly difficult to overcome.

“The School Board’s financial situation is the result of several pressures that have accumulated over the years, including school transportation costs, the resources needed to meet students’ growing needs, and expenses related to staff absences and the CNESST [Quebec’s occupational health and safety commission],” adds the Assistant Director of Communications.

According to the Board of Commissioners, declining enrolment is affecting English-language school boards across Quebec, and Laval is no exception.

When asked what measures had been taken before consulting families about potential school closures, the SWLSB referred to a recovery plan that remains confidential because the document is “awaiting the required approvals.” The Board of Commissioners also stated that it had achieved savings by not replacing employees who retired, reducing energy costs, and selling buildings and land.

Consultation to Continue

In response to mounting opposition from families, the Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution on Tuesday, October 13, to temporarily suspend the portion of the public consultation relating to the proposed school closures, as well as the proposed changes to the catchment areas of OLP, Twin Oaks and Crestview elementary schools in western Laval.

In an email signed by Board Chair James Di Sano, the SWLSB clearly stated that no school closures or catchment area changes would take place next year. However, it reiterated that “declining student enrolment and the need to optimize the use of school buildings remain significant challenges.” No date has been set for the resumption of the consultation.

The consultation regarding the proposed relocation of CDC Vimont and Phoenix Alternative High School will continue, although closing Laval’s only alternative school is no longer being considered.

An information session for staff will be held on Wednesday, October 21, and a public meeting is scheduled for Sunday, November 25, to discuss these potential relocations further.

“Relocating Phoenix into a traditional school risks destroying the very environment that makes it successful,” says Victoria Rebelo, reiterating the importance of continuing the fight. “Phoenix exists because the traditional school system failed students like me. Simply describing Phoenix as a ‘separate entity’ does not in any way guarantee that its identity, independence or the support it provides to its students will be preserved.”

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L’article Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board Proposes Closing a School to Help Reduce Its $7.5 Million Deficit est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

The Laval Police Service (SPL) is investigating a violent incident involving a firearm that occurred on the evening of Wednesday, October 14.

At approximately 10:45 p.m., numerous people contacted the 911 emergency call centre to report hearing several gunshots in the Sainte-Rose area.

Near the intersection of boulevard Je-Me-Souviens and rue Lancelot, not far from Sainte-Rose-de-Lima Cemetery, SPL patrol officers located two victims who had sustained multiple gunshot wounds.

The two men, aged 34 and 28, were treated by Urgences-santé paramedics before being transported to the nearest hospital, where they were placed in the care of a medical team for appropriate treatment.

Fortunately, their injuries are not life-threatening. Investigators will interview them as soon as their medical condition allows.

It should be noted that SPL forensic identification technicians examined the scene in the early hours of the morning to collect as much evidence as possible to assist with the investigation.

The Crimes Against Persons Unit will lead the investigation to determine the causes and circumstances of the incident.

L’article Gunfire Leaves Two Injured Near a Laval Cemetery est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

The Government of Canada has announced that it will soon introduce a bill to decriminalize advance requests for medical assistance in dying (MAID).

However, the bill would maintain indefinitely the exclusion of individuals whose sole underlying medical condition is a mental disorder.

The Quebec Association for the Right to Die with Dignity (AQDMD) welcomed the first part of the announcement. The organization said it was pleased with the announced amendment to the Criminal Code, a change it has been calling for over several years.

“This amendment will provide much-needed legal certainty for healthcare professionals,” said Dr. Laurent Boisvert, president of the AQDMD and an emergency physician, in a press release. “They will be able to act with greater peace of mind while respecting the wishes expressed by their patients.”

Indeed, the current prohibition under the Criminal Code has created uncertainty for healthcare professionals. Some have remained reluctant to proceed for fear of prosecution, despite directives from the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions and the fact that MAID requests have been permitted in Quebec since October 2024.

Changes Still Needed

Conversely, the AQDMD deplores the part of the decision concerning mental disorders.

The organization states that “this decision reflects the recommendations of the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying, whose bias the AQDMD had previously criticized.” It also maintains that “this blanket exclusion based on the nature of the diagnosis is discriminatory.”

Justice Minister Sean Fraser acknowledged that difficulties accessing healthcare across Canada are among the reasons justifying the exclusion.

“If access to care is inadequate, then access to care must be improved,” said Dr. Boisvert. “If the way care is organized is problematic, then the organization of care must be improved. But the answer cannot be to deprive an entire category of patients of a healthcare service because of deficiencies in the system.” (N.P.)

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L’article Medical Assistance in Dying | AQDMD Responds to Federal Decision est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

Hydro-Québec is conducting inspections of its power lines in the Laval-des-Rapides area using drones, the provincial utility has confirmed.

“A specialized team mandated by Hydro-Québec will carry out these detailed inspections to document the condition of the power lines and their immediate surroundings using appropriate technological tools,” said Alain Paquette, Hydro-Québec’s Community Relations Advisor and spokesperson.

The goal of the initiative is to reduce “the risk of power outages” and “limit high-risk field interventions.”

To inform residents, Hydro-Québec plans to publish a geotargeted Facebook post for people living in the affected areas of Laval-des-Rapides.

The initiative comes as several parts of Laval-des-Rapides have experienced recurring power outages for years, a situation that has frustrated many residents.

Fed up with the repeated outages, local citizens recently launched a petition calling on Hydro-Québec and municipal authorities to conduct “a thorough investigation” to determine the root causes of the problem.

In this context, on June 10, Hydro-Québec met with Laval-des-Rapides MNA Céline Haytayan, along with City of Laval councillors Seta Topouzian (Renaud-Coursol) and Martin Fiola (Laval-des-Rapides), to discuss the quality of electrical service in the riding.

During the meeting, the utility outlined the measures already implemented, as well as planned initiatives aimed at improving the reliability of the electrical grid.

Despite these commitments, service interruptions have continued. On July 13, residents once again reported power outages on the Laval-des-Rapides neighbourhood Facebook group.

According to Hydro-Québec, vegetation remains the leading cause of power outages in the area, including those recorded during the months of May and June.

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L’article Drones Flying Over Power Lines in Laval-des-Rapides est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

Costco Wholesale Canada and Lactalis Canada are recalling certain Lactantia milk products due to a food safety concern.

The affected product is Lactantia UltraPūr 2% lactose-free protein milk with 20 g of protein, sold in 2-litre packages at Costco warehouses and through the Costco Business Centre locations.

The recalled units were sold between May and June 2026.

Lactalis Canada stated that these products, bearing a best-before date of June 22, 2026, contained higher-than-permitted levels of vitamins A and D compared to the recommended daily intake limits.

Consumers who still have this milk in their possession are advised not to consume, serve, or use it. They should also not sell or distribute the product. Anyone experiencing symptoms is encouraged to consult a healthcare professional.

Customers may return the product to any Costco warehouse for a full refund. (N.P.)

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L’article Lactantia Milk Recall for Product Sold at Costco est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

The Ministry of Transportation and Sustainable Mobility is informing the public that, beginning Saturday, June 13, construction work and road closures will take place on a section of Highway 13 in Laval and continue through the fall.

These disruptions are due to the reconstruction of a southbound section of Highway 13 between Dagenais West Boulevard and Highway 440 (Jean-Noël-Lavoie).

The project will require traffic detours and dynamic lane management for several weeks, extending until the fall season, which officially begins on September 22.

Traffic Management

During this phase, the southbound lanes of Highway 13 between Sainte-Rose Boulevard and Highway 440 will be completely closed at all times.

Traffic will be diverted onto the southbound service road, which has two lanes.

However, during the morning rush hour (Monday through Friday), an additional lane will be made available on the opposite carriageway of the highway (through a contraflow traffic configuration), providing a third southbound lane.

The Ministry notes that these traffic configuration changes will be implemented overnight, between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m., as well as between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., through dynamic lane management.

The right shoulder of the southbound service road will remain reserved for buses during the morning peak period.

Additional Closures

Throughout the project, the following nighttime closures are also planned: partial closures of northbound Highway 13, partial closures of the southbound service road, and complete closures of the access ramps from Dagenais West Boulevard.

Speed limits may be reduced within the construction zone to 70 km/h on the southbound express lanes, 90 km/h on the northbound express lanes, and 60 km/h on the southbound service road.

Motorists should expect periods of congestion. The Ministry recommends allowing extra travel time when driving through the area.

During full closures, detour routes will be clearly marked with temporary signage.

Other Important Information

The work may be postponed, extended, or cancelled due to adverse weather conditions or operational constraints.

Before travelling, motorists are encouraged to consult Québec 511, a useful tool for planning trips and obtaining up-to-date road conditions.

The Ministry thanks road users and local residents for their cooperation and reminds everyone that respecting posted signage is essential for the safety of both motorists and construction workers.

For questions or comments, residents may contact the Ministry by dialing 511 or by visiting the Québec.ca Transportation Ministry contact page. (B.L.)

L’article At Least 14 Weeks of Construction Work and Closures on Highway 13 in Laval est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

On June 2, the Laval Police Service (SPL) released its annual activity report for 2025, revealing that interventions involving individuals experiencing mental health crises reached a new high, with 3,293 cases representing 20% of all police activities.

The year 2025 highlighted the growing challenges related to mental health and homelessness, which accounted for an increasing share of police work in the region, rising by 4% compared to 2024, among other factors.

“To respond to these complex situations, the SPL relies in part on its Social Emergency Division and its psychosocial response teams, which provide more humane and appropriate interventions in collaboration with community and institutional partners,” the Laval Police Service stated in a press release.

The Service also carried out several hundred interventions involving people experiencing homelessness, prioritizing support and referrals to appropriate resources.

Extortion and Enforcement Actions

Amid the growing extortion phenomenon that has expanded in recent years, combating urban violence involving firearms remained a priority for the SPL in 2025.

“Thanks to the coordinated Project Paradoxe, our teams maintained constant pressure on criminal actors,” Laval police stated in their communication to the media.

The report recorded 16 firearm discharge incidents, compared to 25 in 2024, along with the seizure of 26 firearms and 21 arrests.

The significant increase in extortion cases primarily affected restaurants, but also certain entrepreneurs and service-based businesses.

These acts of intimidation, often accompanied by threats, financial pressure, or violence, have major consequences for public safety perceptions and economic vitality, the SPL added. In response, the Service deployed the coordinated Project Vigilance, which focuses on a structured approach combining prevention, targeted investigations, and close collaboration with business owners and community partners.

Road Safety Report

For the second consecutive year, the total number of traffic collisions on Île Jésus declined, with 4,157 cases recorded in 2025, representing 211 fewer incidents than in 2024, a decrease of 5%.

Although a slight increase in fatal collisions was observed, the Service maintained a proactive approach focused on protecting vulnerable road users, particularly pedestrians, school zones, and residential areas.

It should be noted that two of the three fatal pedestrian accidents recorded in 2025 occurred in workplace-related incidents investigated by CNESST and did not take place on the public road network.

Other Statistics

The total number of incidents reported to the SPL reached 16,868 in 2025, compared to 18,961 in 2024, representing a decrease of approximately 11%.

Crimes against persons decreased by 6%, while property crimes declined by 8%.

Motor vehicle thefts of all types recorded a significant decrease of 18%.

For the second consecutive year, property crimes declined, showing an 8% reduction compared to 2024 and an 18% decrease since 2023.

“Behind every statistic are women and men who are deeply committed to serving the public,” stated SPL Director Karine Ménard in a press release. “I am proud of the professionalism, compassion, and adaptability demonstrated by our police officers and civilian staff. Every day, they are there to protect, support, and reassure the citizens of Laval. Their work makes a real difference in people’s lives, and it is together with our partners and community that we continue to move forward.” (B.L.)

L’article Laval Police Report for 2025: Increased Interventions Related to Mental Health est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

Late in the evening on Monday, May 4, excavation work caused a natural gas leak in a commercial sector along Saint-Martin West Boulevard.

At approximately 10:58 p.m., the excavator operator accidentally severed a three-quarter-inch gas line connected to a business, triggering a leak that quickly formed a small cloud, easily spotted by firefighters minutes later.

Evacuation Required
The Laval Fire Department deployed five units—around twenty firefighters and their officers—to the scene. They quickly called in Énergir technicians while evacuating, as a precaution, the few remaining customers from the neighboring business, Café Milano Laval.

At the same time, other firefighters established a safety perimeter with assistance from officers of the Laval Police Service, temporarily blocking traffic on Saint-Martin Boulevard just east of Chomedey Boulevard.

Quick and Effective Response
Fortunately, road traffic was nearly nonexistent at that late hour.

The Énergir team arrived within about fifteen minutes and immediately began operations to quickly seal the breach.

At 11:50 p.m., Laval firefighters confirmed the leak was fully under control after conducting standard detection tests and measuring carbon monoxide levels to ensure there was no risk to public health.

L’article Gas Leak and Business Evacuation in Chomedey est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.