Citizens mobilize to oppose planned closure of the Centre de la nature farm
Credit changeorg
As the City of Laval prepares for the progressive closure of the farm located at the Centre de la nature, public mobilization continues to grow. A petition launched two weeks ago on Change.org by Laval resident Dennis Fievet had gathered 17,229 signatures as of January 1.
The petition calls on the City to reverse its decision and keep the farm open, while investing in its renovation and modernization. According to the petition text, the farm plays an important educational and social role for families, particularly in an urban setting where access to animals is limited.
A community space with educational value, according to signatories
In the petition description, supporters argue that the farm allows children to learn where food comes from, develop respect for nature, access an affordable educational activity and contributes to the overall quality of life and attractiveness of the Centre de la nature. The petition states that closing the farm would represent a significant loss for the community and urges the City to prioritize preservation over closure.
Several signatories shared personal testimonies in the comments section. One resident, Laurent, wrote that his family has visited the farm across three generations and described it as “the heart of the Centre de la nature,” expressing concern about what he described as a lack of public consultation. Another signatory, Thérèse, a former teacher, noted that she regularly brought students to the farm and said she would find it unfortunate if future children could no longer benefit from the experience.
These views reflect individual opinions expressed by petition supporters.
Mayor acknowledges concerns while reaffirming financial constraints
On December 22, Stéphane Boyer, Mayor of Laval, addressed the situation in a public message shared on Facebook. In his statement, Mayor Boyer said he understood the disappointment expressed by residents and emphasized that the proposal to decommission the farm was not made lightly.
According to the Mayor, the existing building is outdated and no longer meets current standards, particularly with respect to animal welfare. He stated that while maintenance work has been carried out in recent years, the facility remains unsuitable and that rebuilding a compliant structure would cost several million dollars, in addition to annual operating costs of approximately $600,000.
Mayor Boyer added that the City is facing significant financial pressures due to inflation and has committed to prioritizing core municipal responsibilities, including infrastructure maintenance, service quality and flood protection. He also stated that the City has asked its administration to explore alternatives that would allow families to continue accessing an educational farm-type activity, potentially through partnerships with local farms, while ensuring animal welfare remains the top priority.
Petition organizer challenges the City’s framing
In an update posted on December 22, petition organizer Dennis Fievet offered his own analysis of the Mayor’s statement. He argued that while the message acknowledged citizens’ emotions, it did not leave room for reconsidering the decision. According to Fievet, the emphasis on costs and animal welfare framed the debate in a way that made other options appear unrealistic, and the use of the term “alternative” suggested that closure was already settled. These comments represent Mr. Fievet’s personal interpretation.
City confirms closure in 2026 budget
In a December 19 article published by Courrier Laval, journalist Benoit Le Blanc reported that the farm’s permanent closure was included in the City’s 2026 budget. According to information provided by the City to Courrier Laval, the farm will cease operations progressively by June 2026, citing animal welfare, aging infrastructure and budgetary constraints.
The City also indicated that animals will be relocated to specialized farms or shelters, that no permanent full-time staff layoffs are expected and that annual operating costs total approximately $600,000. A full reconstruction meeting current standards was estimated at $15 to $20 million, according to the same source. Source: Courrier Laval, December 19, 2025.
Ongoing debate
While the City maintains that the decision reflects responsible financial management, citizen opposition continues to grow. The petition and public commentary highlight broader questions about municipal priorities, public consultation and the role of educational spaces in urban environments. As of early January, no formal consultation process has been announced.
