Action Laval and petition organizer call for public consultation on the future of the Centre de la nature farm
Action Laval and Dennis Fiévet, initiator of the citizen petition opposing the closure of the farm at the Centre de la nature, issued a joint statement following a meeting held to discuss public concerns surrounding the site’s future.
According to the statement, the citizen mobilization, reflected in a petition that has gathered more than 18,000 signatures, highlights the importance of the farm for Laval families. Both parties indicated that they share the objective of ensuring citizens are heard before any final decision is made. They emphasized the educational and community role of the farm and called for a transparent and participatory process to determine its future.
They also stated that, within their respective roles, they intend to continue encouraging open and respectful dialogue so residents can take part in discussions regarding the site.
A proposal formally introduced at City Council
On January 13, during the first regular City Council meeting of 2026, Isabelle Piché, Action Laval councillor for the Saint-François district, formally tabled a notice of motion calling for a public consultation on the future of the farm. The proposal is expected to be debated in February.
The motion argues that the announced closure of the farm occurred without prior public consultation, which, according to the proposal, runs counter to the principles of transparency and citizen participation promoted by the City of Laval. It further notes the farm’s educational role in environmental awareness, agriculture and animal welfare, as well as its free and universal access for residents regardless of income.
The proposal also describes the farm as an emblematic and heritage feature of the Centre de la nature, contributing to the site’s family-oriented identity and appeal. It highlights the significant citizen response, including the ongoing petition calling for the farm’s preservation or a reassessment of the decision to close it.
In the motion, councillor Piché asks that the executive committee mandate the City’s general management to hold a public consultation examining multiple options, including maintaining, renovating, relocating the farm or developing partnerships, before any definitive decision on its closure or transformation. The proposal also calls for the results of such a consultation to be made public and presented to City Council.
Earlier calls for consultation
Action Laval had already called for a public consultation in a press release issued on December 22, 2025. At that time, party leader Achille Cifelli criticized what he described as a lack of transparency in the decision-making process and announced that an official notice of motion would be submitted.
In that release, Action Laval argued that the farm had not been identified as a potential closure during the municipal election campaign and described it as a free, emblematic attraction valued by generations of Laval families. The party stated that any decision affecting such a site should be preceded by public debate rather than adopted without consultation.
The City administration has previously indicated that it is examining alternative solutions for offering farm-style activities elsewhere, citing infrastructure conditions, animal welfare and financial constraints.
