Strong citizen turnout at Laval council opposes closure of Centre de la nature farm
The future of the Centre de la nature’s small farm dominated discussions at Laval’s municipal council meetings held on February 3 and 4. The session, initially scheduled for February 3, was adjourned to the following day due to the unusually high number of citizen interventions.
On the evening of February 3, dozens of residents gathered at City Hall to reiterate their opposition to the announced closure of the farm, an issue that has generated sustained public mobilization over recent weeks.
A question period marked by repeated interventions
During the public question period, several residents pressed the municipal administration for clarifications and commitments.
Dennis Fivet, who launched the citizen petition opposing the closure, asked the administration to specify the exact date of the report indicating that the farm posed a safety risk warranting its closure. He also questioned how funds tied to the Centre de la nature rehabilitation plan, estimated at $30 million between 2015 and 2025, were allocated, and what work had been carried out.
Citizen Jonathan Tremblay described the farm as an educational, intergenerational and accessible site. He emphasized that it represents one of the few free activities available to families, including those facing financial hardship. He also questioned the City’s capacity to finance new projects, such as the acquisition of Golf Sainte-Rose, while citing the farm’s maintenance costs as a reason for closure. Among his questions were when the farm’s financial difficulties were first identified and the status of the mayor’s commitment to make certain advisory committee minutes public.
Lucas Maltais, president of the City of Laval’s recreation workers’ union, addressed council for the third time on the issue. He denounced the loss of a free public service and suggested alternative funding options, including paid parking for certain visitors. He also challenged the argument that the animals were aging, noting that new animals had been introduced shortly before the closure announcement. Maltais called for greater transparency regarding operating costs, pointing out that the figures cited have varied between interventions.
Robert Lacasse, a Laval resident for 56 years, drew attention when he expressed his anger over the decision. He asked the mayor to respond clearly, yes or no, on the possibility of holding a public consultation on the farm’s future, which he described as a distinctive feature of the city.
Opposition councillors voice concerns
Saint-François councillor Isabelle Piché, of Action Laval, who had put forward a motion calling for a public consultation, thanked those who mobilized and recalled the January 31 demonstration that drew approximately 125 participants. She stated that the farm welcomes more than 180,000 visitors annually and is the most visited municipal facility in Laval. According to Piché, the decision to close it was made without sufficient reflection or meaningful citizen input.
Marc-Aurèle-Fortin councillor Louise Lortie, of Parti Laval, said residents want the farm itself preserved, not merely occasional animal-related activities. She argued that the site allows children to learn where animals come from and offers experiences beyond common household pets.
Mayor cites budgetary pressures
In response, Mayor Stéphane Boyer provided extensive context for the decision. He said the City is facing significant inflation-related catch-up costs, particularly for contracts and payroll, and noted that recent budget decisions included the layoff of approximately 100 municipal employees.
According to the mayor, the costs cited for operating and renovating the farm are based on internal analyses conducted by municipal departments. He stated that the current building no longer meets modern animal welfare standards and that bringing it up to code would require constructing a new facility, involving investments of several million dollars. While acknowledging the attachment many families have to the farm, Boyer said the City is now exploring alternative ways to offer animal-related educational activities without maintaining the existing structure.
Closure confirmed despite mobilization
Despite a petition that has surpassed 20,000 signatures, council members from the governing party voted against holding a public consultation, rejecting the opposition’s motion. Instead, the administration mandated the City’s general management to analyze alternative options, explicitly excluding the preservation of the farm in its current form.
Opposition parties Action Laval and Parti Laval denounced the decision as being taken without consultation and described it as anti-democratic. They criticized what they characterized as a rushed vote that limited in-depth debate and said they intend to continue discussions with residents independently.
As the Centre de la nature farm, which has been open for more than 55 years, prepares to close in the coming months, the issue has highlighted a growing divide between the municipal administration and part of the population over citizen participation, budget priorities and the preservation of public facilities in Laval.
