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July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Field Notes • Canada Places

Laval, Quebec

Laval is a city and administrative region in southwestern Quebec, Canada, located north of Montreal on Île Jésus.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Laval is a city and administrative region in southwestern Quebec, located north of Montreal on Île Jésus. It is the third-largest city in Quebec and a major suburb within the Greater Montreal area.

What it is

Laval occupies most of Île Jésus, bordered by the Rivière des Prairies to the south and the Rivière des Mille Îles to the north. It was incorporated in 1965 through the merger of 14 municipalities and is named after François de Laval, the first Roman Catholic bishop of Quebec.

Key details

As of the 2021 census, Laval's population was 438,366, making it the third-most populous city in Quebec and the thirteenth-largest in Canada. It also serves as one of Quebec's 17 administrative regions, giving it a distinct role in provincial governance.

Why it matters

Laval is a significant urban centre and a key part of the Montreal metropolitan area. Its size and regional status make it relevant to discussions of Canadian population centres and suburban governance.

In short

  • Laval is the third-largest city in Quebec, with a population of 438,366 (2021).
  • It was created in 1965 by merging 14 municipalities on Île Jésus.
  • The city is both a municipality and an administrative region in Quebec.
  • It lies directly north of Montreal, within the Greater Montreal area.
Canadian angle

Laval is one of Quebec’s major urban centres and a large suburb of Montreal, making it relevant to Canadian readers interested in population centres, regional governance, and Greater Montreal.

Quick questions

Where is Laval located?
Laval is on Île Jésus, north of Montreal, between the Rivière des Prairies and the Rivière des Mille Îles.
When was Laval incorporated?
Laval was incorporated in 1965 after the merger of 14 municipalities.
Why is Laval named that?
It is named for François de Laval, the first Roman Catholic bishop of Quebec.

Sources

  1. The Canadian Encyclopedia — https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/laval
    Supports: Incorporation in 1965, merger of 14 municipalities, location on Île Jésus, population, and naming after François de Laval.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laval,_Quebec
    Supports: General description, location north of Montreal, population ranking in Quebec and Canada.
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Laval-Quebec
    Supports: Geographic location on Île Jésus and separation from Montreal and the mainland by the Rivière des Prairies and Rivière des Mille Îles.