A Laval opposition councillor and a local resident are calling on the mayor to reconsider his refusal to hold a public consultation on the city’s planned shift to bi-weekly garbage collection starting April 1.
David De Cotis of Action Laval and citizen Wael Hamdar sent a joint letter to the mayor this week, arguing that growing public opposition warrants an open discussion.
Action Laval, led by Achille Cifelli, is the official opposition at Laval City Hall.
Their request comes as a citizen petition to maintain weekly garbage pickup approaches 9,000 signatures. The petition is expected to be formally tabled at Laval’s March municipal council meeting.
“When nearly 9000 people express their discontent by signing a petition, the least we can do is open a dialogue. Refusing any consultation in this context sends the message that citizens’ opinions do not count,” said De Cotis.
Action Laval notes that the decision to reduce collection frequency was announced in June 2025 without prior public consultation. A proposal for a public consultation submitted by De Cotis last July was rejected.
“Persisting in refusing a public consultation gives the impression that the decision is already set in stone, regardless of the concerns expressed. At this point, the mayor must explain why he chooses to ignore this citizen voice,” said Hamdar.
