Petition launched to save Laval Firefighters’ Festival gathers nearly 400 signatures
A new petition calling on the City of Laval to maintain the Grande Fête des pompiers de Laval was launched by Aaron Rodriguez, a former municipal candidate in Saint-Martin for Parti Laval, gathering 398 signatures as of Friday, March 6.
The petition follows reports that the long-running community event will not return in its traditional format this year. The Grande Fête des pompiers de Laval, created 17 years ago by local firefighters, has historically attracted more than 50,000 visitors annually.
Background of the decision
In an article published February 3, 2026, in Courrier Laval, journalist Nicholas Pereira reported that the event will not take place in its usual two-day format this summer.
According to the report, the City had previously announced during the presentation of its 2026 budget that the event would be reduced to a single day. Instead of the traditional weekend of demonstrations and family activities, the program will mainly focus on the Laval Firefighters Run.
Jonathan Lévesque, public affairs advisor for the City of Laval, told Courrier Laval that the change aims to reduce costs related in part to overtime for personnel. He indicated that the revised format will include the race along with prevention and safety kiosks at the finish line to allow the Service de sécurité incendie de Laval to maintain outreach with families.
However, the Association des pompiers de Laval stated in an email exchange with the publication that, in its view, the Grande Fête itself has effectively been cancelled and replaced by the race event.
What the petition calls for
The petition argues that ending the event would eliminate a longstanding community tradition focused on fire prevention awareness and family activities.
According to the petition text, the festival’s demonstrations, firefighter meet-and-greets and children’s activities provided educational value and helped raise awareness about fire safety. It also notes that the decision was reportedly made to save about $400,000.
Signatories are asking the City to reconsider its decision and take steps to maintain the Grande Fête des pompiers de Laval starting this year and in future editions.
Debate over costs and community impact
During the December 19, 2025 special council meeting where Laval’s 2026 budget was adopted, opposition councillors had already questioned the change.
Fabreville-Sud councillor Martin Vaillancourt stated at the time that the reduction represented “another loss” for Laval children. Mayor Stéphane Boyer responded that the City had to make difficult budget choices and that the change could reduce costs by approximately $415,000, including $285,000 in overtime.
According to the Courrier Laval report, the City described the revised format as a “new formula” for the firefighters’ weekend while acknowledging the popularity of both the race and the festival among residents.
Over its 17 editions, the Grande Fête des pompiers de Laval became a recurring event on Île Jésus, featuring fire truck parades, rescue demonstrations, educational activities and family entertainment.
