Laval
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| Laval | |
|---|---|
| Name | Laval |
| Settlement type | City |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | Canada |
| Subdivision type1 | Province |
| Subdivision name1 | Quebec |
| Subdivision type2 | Region |
| Subdivision name2 | Laval |
| Subdivision type3 | Metropolitan community |
| Subdivision name3 | Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal |
| Established title | Founded |
| Established date | 1702 |
| Established title2 | Merged |
| Established date2 | 1965 |
| Government type | Mayor–council government |
| Leader title | Mayor |
| Leader name | Stéphane Boyer |
| Area total km2 | 247.09 |
| Population total | 438,366 |
| Population as of | 2021 |
| Population density km2 | auto |
| Population rank | 13th |
| Population metro | Greater Montreal |
| Timezone | EST |
| Utc offset | −5 |
| Timezone DST | EDT |
| Utc offset DST | −4 |
| Coordinates | 45, 35, N, 73... |
| Website | https://www.laval.ca/ |
Laval is a city in southwestern Quebec, Canada, and the central municipality of the Laval region. It is located on Île Jésus, north of Montreal, and is bordered by the Rivière des Prairies to the south and the Rivière des Mille Îles to the north. As a major component of the Greater Montreal metropolitan area, it is the third-largest city in the province and a significant suburban hub.
History
The island was first granted as a seigneury in 1636 to the Jesuits, from whom it derives its name. Permanent settlement began with the establishment of Sainte-Rose parish in 1740. Following the Conquest of New France, the island saw increased agricultural development. In 1965, a major municipal merger orchestrated by the provincial government under Jean Lesage and Quebec Liberal Party amalgamated the island's 14 municipalities into the single city, a process similar to the creation of other large Quebec cities like Longueuil. Key historical figures include early settler François de Montmorency-Laval, the first Bishop of Quebec, for whom the city is named, and former mayor Gilles Vaillancourt, who served for over two decades.
Geography
The territory is coextensive with Île Jésus, the third-largest island in the Hochelaga Archipelago after Montreal and Île Perrot. Its landscape is predominantly flat, shaped by the Champlain Sea, and is bisected by several streams and the Rivière des Prairies. The city includes natural areas like the Bois-de-L'Île-Bizard Nature Park and the Centre de la nature de Laval, a large urban park. It is connected to Montreal and the Laurentides region by a network of bridges, including the Pont Viau and the Autoroute 15 (Décarie) bridge.
Demographics
According to the 2021 Canadian census, the population was 438,366, making it one of the most populous cities in Canada. A majority of residents are French-speaking, but the city is linguistically diverse, with significant communities speaking Italian, Greek, Arabic, and Spanish. The city is part of the Laval electoral district for federal elections and several ridings for the National Assembly of Quebec, including Chomedey and Laval–Les Îles.
Economy
The economy is diversified, with strong sectors in technology, pharmaceuticals, and retail. It is home to the Cosmodome space science centre and major corporate offices for companies like Provigo and AstraZeneca. The Centropolis district is a major commercial and entertainment hub, while the Laval Science and Technology High School supports specialized training. The Autoroute 440 corridor hosts numerous industrial parks and shopping centres like Carrefour Laval, one of Quebec's largest malls.
Government and politics
The city operates under a mayor–council government system within the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal. The current mayor, Stéphane Boyer of the Mouvement lavallois, was elected in 2021. The city council is composed of 21 councillors representing districts such as Sainte-Rose and Duvernay–Pont-Viau. Provincially, the area is represented in the National Assembly of Quebec by members of the Coalition Avenir Québec and the Quebec Liberal Party. Federally, seats are held by members of the Liberal Party of Canada and the Bloc Québécois.
Culture and landmarks
Cultural institutions include the Maison des arts de Laval performing arts centre and the Musée Armand-Frappier science museum. Annual events include the Festival de la Poutine and the Laval International Jazz Festival. Notable landmarks are the historic Sainte-Rose-de-Lima Church, the modern Place Bell sports and entertainment complex, home to the Laval Rocket of the American Hockey League, and the Île de la Visitation nature park. The city is also served by the Université de Montréal's campus and the Collège Montmorency.
Category:Cities in Quebec Category:Greater Montreal Category:Populated places established in 1965