City of Laval adopts its 1.293 billion 2026 budget
The City of Laval has adopted its 2026 budget, totaling $1.293 billion, in a context described by the administration as financially demanding. The budget prioritizes the maintenance and upgrading of municipal infrastructure, while aiming to preserve service quality and respect residents’ ability to pay.
According to the administration, inflation from recent years continues to affect municipalities with a delayed impact, limiting financial flexibility. The City says the 2026 budget is designed to provide greater predictability while continuing to pursue efficiency and innovation in service delivery.
“Building the 2026 budget required complex but informed decisions to maintain sound financial health and limit impacts on taxpayers,” said Stéphane Boyer, Mayor of Laval, according to the City.
Residential taxes frozen, water fee increased
The residential property tax rate will be frozen in 2026. However, the base water fee will increase by $149 per household, a measure expected to generate $35 million in new revenue. The City says this adjustment is intended to fully fund the production and distribution of drinking water and wastewater services.
Non-residential and industrial property taxes will rise by 4 percent, accompanied by the creation of an additional tax bracket for high-value properties, aligning Laval with practices in other major Quebec cities.
Budget highlights
Key measures in the 2026 operating budget include:
- $4.7 million for water infrastructure maintenance and project preparation
- $3.3 million to improve snow removal efficiency
- $2.1 million to hire 14 additional firefighters
- $2.7 million to strengthen public safety, including cadet hiring and increased police patrols
- $8.3 million to maintain public transit services
- $3.2 million to prepare the opening of the Épicentre-Culturel and expand the library network
- Funding for bulky item collection, urban and industrial development support, and studies related to the Orange Line metro extension and the ALTO high-speed rail project
2026-2028 capital plan
The City also presented its 2026-2028 Three-Year Capital Expenditures Program (PTI), totaling $1.7 billion, to be formally adopted on December 22. The plan allocates 73 percent of investments to maintaining existing assets by 2028, with annual investments projected at $613 million in 2026, $538 million in 2027, and $554 million in 2028.
Major categories include municipal buildings, water and sewer networks, water treatment facilities, parks and public spaces, and the road network.
Yannick Langlois, councillor responsible for public finances, stated that the PTI seeks to balance infrastructure needs with taxpayers’ capacity to pay, while maintaining Laval’s strong credit standing.
Workforce and service adjustments
To restore financial balance, the City plans a $6.5 million reduction in payroll, corresponding to 100 full-time equivalent positions. Other adjustments include reorganizing 311 call centre shifts, modifying the format of the Grande Fête des pompiers, and maintaining a $500,000 envelope for public art.
The City also confirmed that the farm at the Centre de la nature will be taken out of service in 2026, citing aging infrastructure and high reconstruction costs. The City states that animal relocation and welfare will be prioritized.
Opposition reactions
Opposition parties reacted strongly to the budget.
Parti Laval criticized the budget, saying it would lead to higher costs for residents and reduced services. Party leader Claude Larochelle argued that tax increases and job reductions reflect what he described as years of poor financial decisions. The party specifically denounced the increase in water fees and pointed to service reductions such as changes at the 311 call centre and the planned closure of the fermarette.
For its part, Action Laval voted against the PTI, citing concerns over rising debt levels and declining reserves. Councillors David De Cotis and Isabelle Piché said that more than $1 billion of the capital plan would be financed through borrowing, increasing debt service costs in coming years. They also referenced warnings from S&P Global Ratings regarding the City’s financial ratios.
Maintaining financial standing
The City notes that Laval continues to hold an AA+ credit rating, the highest for a Quebec municipality, reaffirmed for a fifth consecutive year. According to the administration, the 2026 budget reflects a deliberate choice to focus on core municipal responsibilities while navigating a challenging economic environment.
