Laval mayor confirms run for second term

Laval Mayor Stéphane Boyer. (LA PRESSE CANADIENNE/Christinne Muschi)

Laval Mayor Stéphane Boyer announced Wednesday that he plans to run for a second term as mayor of the city on Montreal’s north shore.

Boyer, 37, said in a press release that he wants to continue to defend Laval’s interests at a time when “the needs of the suburbs continue to be underestimated.”

“Laval, Quebec’s third-largest city, deserves infrastructure to match its growing population. At present, we have only one hospital, one CEGEP and one homeless shelter, all of which are under pressure,” he said. “In this second mandate, I want to ensure that Laval obtains the necessary recognition and support from government bodies.”

Boyer also said he wanted to focus on “efficiency and services to citizens.”

“Whether it’s fixing a pothole or obtaining a building permit, we need to be faster and more efficient in delivering our services. To achieve this, we are investing in new technological tools and instilling a new organizational culture,” he said.

Boyer became Laval’s youngest elected mayor in 2021 at the age of 33.

The next municipal election is slated for Nov. 2.

-- This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Jan. 29, 2024.