Laval, Quebec, Canada, is the largest suburb of Montreal and the third-largest city in the province, with a population of 443,192 as of 2021. It is situated in the southwest of Quebec, north of Montreal, and is known for its unique blend of urban vibrancy and serene country landscapes.

 

Laval is home to various vocational/technical centers, colleges, and universities, including College Montmorency, CDI College, and the Université de Montréal (Laval campus). 

 

The city has two separate school boards serving Laval: the Centre de Services scolaire de Laval for French-speaking students and the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board for English-speaking students.

 

Laval is served by Montreal-based media, but it also has regional outlets. Two radio stations are licensed to serve the city: CJLV 1570 AM and CFGL 105.7 FM. Additionally, there are three major newspapers in Laval: The Laval News, Le Courrier Laval, and L'Écho de Laval.

 

There are several places to stay in Laval to suit various budgets, including budget-friendly options like Residence Inn by Marriott Laval and Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Laval, mid-tier options like DoubleTree by Hilton Montreal Airport and Hôtel Ô Laval, and luxury options like Le St-Martin Hotel & Suites Laval and Sheraton Laval Hotel.

 

Laval offers a range of dining options, including Au Grille-Pain for healthy breakfast food, Table 51 for comfort food, Lucille's Laval for seafood and steak, and Dallas Bar for specialty craft cocktails.

 

Laval was constituted as a city on August 6, 1965. It is governed by the Laval City Council, led by Mayor Stéphane Boyer. The city is part of the Alfred-Pellan, Vimy, Laval—Les Îles, and Marc-Aurèle-Fortin federal ridings and the Chomedey, Fabre, Laval-des-Rapides, Mille-Îles, Sainte-Rose, and Vimont provincial ridings.

 

Laval is home to several industrial poles, including the Agropole, Biopole, E-Pole, and Industrial Pole, which support over 1,750 companies, 624 companies, and 264 businesses, respectively. These poles contribute to the city's strong economy and job market.

 

Laval, Quebec, Canada, is a thriving city that offers a unique blend of urban and natural attractions. With its rich cultural heritage, beautiful landscapes, and exciting activities, Laval is an excellent destination for visitors and residents alike.

 

History of Laval, Quebec, Canada

Laval, Quebec, Canada, has a rich history of early European settlements. Here is a brief overview:

• 1636: The Jesuits, the first European settlers, were granted a seigneury on Île Jésus, now part of Laval. This marked the beginning of European settlement on the island.
• 1675: François de Montmorency de Laval, the first Roman Catholic bishop of Quebec, was granted island control. Later, in 1702, a parish was founded here, named after St-Francois de Sales.

• 1845: The first villages were founded on the island, with Ste-Rose remaining the main community for a long time.
• 1912: The first city in Laval was created: Laval-des-Rapides.
• 1961: The first amalgamation happened, with L'Abord-à-Plouffe, Renaud, and Saint-Martin coming together to form the city of Chomedey. This amalgamation was successful, leading to the merger of all the former villages, towns, and cities on the island into the city of Laval in 1965.
• 1965: The city of Laval was officially incorporated, named after François de Montmorency de Laval, the first Roman Catholic bishop of Quebec.

• 1995: Laval Technopôle was created to promote the city's economic development. 2015, it closed, and its functions were folded into the municipal bureaucracy.

 

Geography of Laval, Quebec, Canada

Laval, Quebec, Canada, is a city in the southwestern part of the province, north of Montreal. It is geographically separated from the mainland to the north by the Rivière des Mille Îles and from the Island of Montreal to the south by the Rivière des Prairies. Laval occupies all of Île Jésus and the Îles Laval.

 

Boundaries and Location

• North: Laval is bordered by Les Moulins Regional County Municipality and Thérèse-De Blainville Regional County Municipality.
• South: It is bordered by Montreal across the Rivière des Prairies.
• West: Laval is bordered by Deux-Montagnes Regional County Municipality across the Rivière des Mille Îles.

 

Climate

Laval has a humid continental climate with warm summers and cold winters. The average temperature in January, the coldest month, is around -10°C (14°F), while the average temperature in July, the warmest month, is around 22°C (72°F).

 

Demographics of Laval, Quebec, Canada

Laval, Quebec, Canada, is a city in the southwestern part of the province, north of Montreal. It is the largest suburb of Montreal, the third-largest city in the province after Montreal and Quebec City, and the thirteenth-largest city in Canada, with a population of 443,192 in 2021.

 

Population and Density

• Population: 438,366 (2021) and 422,993 (2016), with a population percentage change of 3.6% from 2016 to 2021.
• Population Density: 1,781.0/km² (4,612.9/sq mi) in 2021, significantly higher than the national average.

 

Age and Sex

• Median Age: 41.6 years in Laval, which is 2% lower than the median age in Quebec.
• Male/Female Ratio: 1.0:1, the same as the national average.

 

Language

• Knowledge of Official Languages: 65.2% of residents speak French most often at home, while 5.2% speak English only.

 

Income and Labour

• Average Total Income: $51,120 among recipients in 2020, with an average after-tax income of $41,880.
• Employment Rate: 60.0% (25% sample data), and an unemployment rate of 8.6% (25% sample data).

 

Housing

• Average Value of Dwellings: $451,600 in 2021.
• Average Monthly Shelter Costs: $1,374 for owned dwellings and $1,003 for rented dwellings.

 

Ethnicity and Immigration

• Arab: 10.1% of the population is higher than the national average.
• Black: 9.7% of the population.
• Latin American: 3.7% of the population.

 

Economy of Laval, Quebec, Canada

Laval, Quebec, Canada's economy is diverse and has undergone significant changes over the years. Here are some key points about the economy of Laval:

 

Traditional Economy

• Agriculture: Laval's traditional economic base was agriculture, which has given way to other industries.
• Limestone Quarrying: Limestone quarrying was another traditional industry in Laval.

 

Modern Economy

• Metallurgical, Pharmaceutical, and Food Products Industries: These industries have significantly contributed to Laval's economy.
• Service Sector: The service sector is the primary driver of Laval's economy, with a strong manufacturing component.
• Industrial Parks: Laval has four industrial parks, including the Industrial Park Centre, Autoroute 25 Industrial Park, Industrial Park East, and the Laval Science and High Technology Park.
• Biotech City: The Biotech City is a unique concept in Canada, with both universities and companies as residents.
• E-Pole: The E-Pole is a hub for information technology development.
• Agropole: The Agropole is a hub for agricultural and food products industries.
• Industrial Pole: The Industrial Pole is a manufacturing and industrial activities hub.
• Leisure/Tourism: The Leisure/Tourism pole includes attractions like Centropolis, the Cosmodôme, and Mille-Îles River Park.

 

Economic Development

• Laval Technopôle: Laval Technopôle was a nonprofit organization that promoted economic growth by attracting and supporting new businesses and investments.
• Programme de soutien à la productivité: The Programme de soutien à la productivité provides financial support and tax credits to manufacturing companies.

 

Job Market

• Manufacturing Jobs: Laval has over 22,000 manufacturing jobs and a gross domestic product (GDP) of nearly $1.9 billion.
• Job Growth: Laval's manufacturing sector has seen significant job growth, with nearly 570 companies employing people in the region.

 

Education in Laval, Quebec, Canada

Education in Laval, Quebec, Canada, is a significant aspect of the city's culture and economy. Here are some key points about education in Laval:

 

Universities and Colleges

• Université Laval: A French-language university located on the outskirts of Quebec, founded in 1663. It is recognized for its research achievements and offers a variety of programs, including those in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
• CDI College: A career training institution with a campus in Laval, offering programs in technology, early childhood education, business, healthcare, and legal fields.

 

Private Schools

• Private schools in Laval: Several private schools in Laval, including those in downtown Laval, Auteuil, Chomedey, Duvernay, Fabreville, Point-Viau, Saint-François, and Vimont. These schools offer challenging programming for kids of different ages.

 

Education Infrastructure

• Integrated health sciences training complex: The CIFSS complex encourages collaboration among students from different health sciences programs, providing access to ultramodern facilities like an anatomy laboratory and simulation centre.
• Montmorency Forest: The world's largest teaching and research forest, used for hands-on courses and research in fields like forestry, geodetics, biological sciences, and fish and game management.
• Trading rooms: The Faculty of Business Administration at Université Laval has three trading rooms equipped with high-tech workstations and software programs for financial analysis and negotiation.
• Roger-Van den Hende Botanical Garden: A six-hectare teaching and research facility with nearly 4,000 species, used as a living laboratory for hands-on learning in botanical and horticultural sciences.

 

Education Services

• MonPortail (MyPortal): An online learning portal providing centralized access to course websites, course results, and communication tools to facilitate interaction with professors and other students.
• Education infrastructure: The university has state-of-the-art facilities, including the integrated health sciences training complex, Montmorency Forest, trading rooms, and the Roger-Van den Hende Botanical Garden.

 

Education is a significant aspect of Laval, Quebec, Canada's culture and economy. The city is home to several universities and colleges, including Université Laval and CDI College, as well as private schools. 

 

The education infrastructure in Laval includes integrated health sciences training complexes, forests, trading rooms, and botanical gardens, which provide students with hands-on learning experiences.

 

Transport System of Laval, Quebec, Canada

The Société de transport de Laval (STL) is the public transit system in Laval, Quebec, Canada. It was founded in June 1971 as the Commission de Transport de la Ville de Laval (CTL) and became STL in 1984. 

 

The STL operates a network of buses and shared taxis to serve the growing suburban areas of Laval, north of Montreal.

 

Metro and Commuter Rail

The STL connects with the Montreal Metro at three stations:

• Cartier
• De la Concorde
• Montmorency

 

It also connects with Exo commuter trains at several stations, including Bois-de-Boulogne, De la Concorde, Vimont, and Sainte-Rose.

 

REM

The STL connects with the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) at several stations, including Du Ruisseau, Bois-Franc, and Sainte-Dorothée.

 

Fleet and Routes

The STL operates 47 routes, including 40 regular and seven collective taxi routes. The fleet includes 309 buses, 40% of which are hybrid buses. The STL also operates six-night routes and two routes up to 3:30 a.m. during the week.

 

Proposed Trolleybus System

2009-2010, a feasibility study was conducted to consider installing a trolleybus system in Laval. The study found that trolleybuses could operate reliably in harsh winter temperatures and would reduce harmful pollutants. 

 

However, the STL experimented with rechargeable battery-powered buses before deciding on trolleybuses.

 

Public Transport Infrastructure

Laval received an investment of over $26.8 million to improve public transportation infrastructure in 2020.

 

Mission and Goals

The STL's mission is to develop and provide a high-quality, efficient public transit system that evolves according to the community's needs and improves its quality of life. The STL aims to promote sustainable mobility in Laval and contribute to its growth.

 

Electric Buses

The STL has introduced fully electric buses with a range of 250 km. These buses will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide passengers with a quieter and smoother ride.

 

Living in Laval, Quebec, Canada

Laval, Quebec, Canada, is a city located north of Montreal, known for its diverse economy, cultural attractions, and family-friendly neighbourhoods. Here are some key points about living in Laval:

• Traditional Economy: Laval's traditional economic base was agriculture and limestone quarrying, but it has shifted to metallurgical, pharmaceutical, and food products industries.
• Service Sector: The service sector is the primary driver of Laval's economy, and it has a strong manufacturing component.

• Heritage Village Centres: There are heritage village centres throughout Laval, featuring churches dating back to the mid-1850s.
• Cosmodôme: The Cosmodôme is a space science center and a popular attraction in Laval.
• Museums: Laval has several museums, including the Armand-Frappier museum, which is dedicated to Armand Frappier's career.

• Family-Friendly: Laval is a family-friendly city with various parks and recreational activities.
• Active Lifestyle: Laval offers various sports and entertainment options, including the Laval Rocket and the new aquatic complex.

• Pros: Affordable housing, family-friendly neighbourhoods, job opportunities, and suburban and city life.
• Cons: Undesirable weather, traffic, and commuting to Montreal for work.

 

Laval, Quebec, Canada, offers a unique blend of suburban and city life, a diverse economy, cultural attractions, and family-friendly neighbourhoods. While it has its pros and cons, Laval is an excellent option for those looking for affordable housing and a mix of activities and amenities.

 

Healthcare in Laval, Quebec, Canada

Laval, Quebec, Canada, has several healthcare facilities and services, including hospitals, clinics, and private medical practices. Here are some key points about healthcare in Laval:

 

Hospitals

• Laval Hospital (IUCPQ): Located at 2725 Ch. Ste-Foy, Québec (Qc), this hospital offers various medical services, including radiology, MRIs, and more.
• Other hospitals: There are several other hospitals in Laval, including the Centre Hospitalier Ambulatory Regional De Laval and St-Mary's Hospital Center.

 

Healthcare Jobs

• Healthcare jobs: Numerous healthcare job opportunities are available in Laval, including positions in hospitals, clinics, and private practices.

 

Private Medical Clinics

• Priveo Santé: This private medical clinic offers in-person consultations in Laval and telemedicine services throughout Quebec for conditions like ADHD and mental health.

 

Medical Services

• Radiology and MRIs: Laval Hospital offers radiology and MRI services, including booking appointments and parking information.
• Cancer Liaison Nurse: The hospital has a cancer liaison nurse who provides information and support to patients.

 

Laval, Quebec, Canada, offers various healthcare services, including hospitals, clinics, and private medical practices. Patients can access various medical services, including radiology and MRIs, and find accommodations near the hospital.

 

Tourist Places of Laval, Quebec, Canada

Laval, Quebec, Canada, offers a variety of tourist attractions and activities for visitors. Here are some of the top tourist places to visit in Laval:

1. Nature Center: Located at 901 Av. du Parc, Laval, Quebec H7E 2T7, Canada, this nature center offers a variety of activities and exhibits focused on nature and the environment.
2. Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles: This park system features protected wildlife areas and recreational activities like kayaking and hiking.
3. Cosmodôme: A space science center with interactive exhibits and a space mission simulation.
4. Verrière (2000): A greenhouse with various plants and flowers, located at Laval, QC H7E 2T7, Canada.
5. Centre d'interprétation de l'eau: A water interpretation center with interactive exhibits and educational programs.
6. Éco-Nature: A nature reserve with hiking trails and educational programs, located at 345 Bd Sainte-Rose, Laval, QC H7L 1M7, Canada.
7. Fermette: A farm with various animals and activities located at J84R+V3, Laval, QC H7E 2T7, Canada.
8. Murale l'aube au crépuscule: A mural at the Gare De la Concorde, 1240 Av. Léo-Lacombe, Laval, QC H7N 3Y6, Canada.
9. Old Montreal: A historic neighbourhood with cobblestone streets and historic buildings located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
10. Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal: A historic church with beautiful architecture and interior design, located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
11. Montreal Underground City: A large shopping mall in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, with various stores and restaurants.
12. Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal: A historic church with a panoramic view of the city in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
13. Montreal Botanical Garden: A large botanical garden with various plant species and a tropical greenhouse in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
14. Mount Royal: A mountain with hiking trails and scenic views of the city, located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
15. Old Port of Montreal: This historic port area, located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, features a Ferris wheel and boat tours.
16. Chinatown: A historic neighbourhood with Asian culture and cuisine located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
17. Belvédère Kondiaronk: A lookout point with a scenic view of the city, located in Mount Royal Park, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
18. Monument à George-Étienne Cartier: A historic monument with a scenic view of the city, located in Mount Royal Park, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
19. SkyVenture: An indoor skydiving facility with a vertical wind tunnel located in Laval, Quebec, Canada.
20. Centropolis: A shopping and entertainment complex with various stores and restaurants in Laval, Quebec, Canada.

 

These are just a few tourist attractions and activities in Laval, Quebec, Canada.

 

Local Food of Laval, Quebec, Canada

Local food in Laval, Quebec, Canada, reflects the city's rich agricultural heritage and diverse cultural influences. Here are some key points about local food in Laval:

 

Farm-to-Table

• Farm tours: Laval offers various farm tours, such as Ferme Forget, where visitors can pick their own produce, such as strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries.
• Farm stands: Laval has numerous farms offering fresh produce and local products.

 

Local Cuisine

• Québecois specialties: Laval is known for its traditional Québecois dishes like poutine, tourtière, and tarte au sucre.
• Local meats and cheeses: The region is famous for its artisanal charcuterie, cheeses, and maple syrup.

 

Microbreweries and Wineries

• Microbreweries: Laval has several microbreweries, like Microbrasserie Route 8, offering a variety of beers with Québec-style flavours.
• Wineries: The region has several wineries, including Château Taillefer Lafon, which offers wine tastings and tours.

 

Local Restaurants

• Best restaurants: Some top-rated restaurants in Laval include LOV Laval, Carlos & Pepe's, La Belle et La Boeuf, and Jack Astor's.
• Local flavours: Restaurants in Laval offer a range of local flavours, such as the Boating Club, which serves traditional sourdough bread and local wines.

 

Local Markets

• Farmers' markets: Laval has several farmers' markets, like the Marché de Laval, where visitors can find fresh produce, local products, and artisanal goods.
• Local food festivals: The city hosts various festivals, such as the Fête des Fromages, which celebrates local cheeses and dairy products.

 

Local Food Tours

• Food tours: Laval offers guided food tours, like the Goûtez Lanaudière program, which takes visitors through the region's countryside to taste local products and meet local growers.

 

Local Food Products

• Maple syrup: Laval is known for its high-quality maple syrup, produced locally and used in various recipes.
• Artisanal products: The region is famous for its artisanal products, such as jams, honey, and fruit ketchup, made from local ingredients.

 

Local Food Culture

• Community connectedness: Local food in Laval is deeply rooted in the community, with many farmers' markets and food festivals promoting local products and supporting local growers.
• Cultural influences: The region's cuisine is influenced by its diverse cultural heritage, with dishes like poutine and tourtière reflecting French and British influences.

 

Local food in Laval, Quebec, Canada, reflects the city's rich agricultural heritage and diverse cultural influences. From farm tours to local restaurants, microbreweries, and wineries, Laval offers a wide range of local food experiences that showcase the region's unique flavours and products.

 

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