LaSalle, Quebec

History

Named for the area's first seigneur and French explorer Robert René Cavelier de La Salle (born at Rouen, France in 1643, died in Texas in 1687). LaSalle came into existence as a municipality in 1845 and finally became the City of LaSalle in 1912.

Lachine Rapids are situated inside LaSalle territory. The name Lachine, which is also the name of the neighboring borough, stayed because in the French Regime period, LaSalle was actually part of the Lachine Parish. Before the creation of the Lachine Canal, the rapids had to be portaged on a trail called "Chemin LaSalle" (what is now LaSalle Boulevard).

It is known for its many public schools, most noticeably l'École secondaire Cavelier-de-LaSalle, known as one of the top talent producing schools in the field of dance, song, and the home of two Montreal Alouettes cheerleaders. The other common public school in LaSalle is LaSalle Community Comprehensive High School, opened many years ago, home to many cultures.

Michel Leduc, who served as Mayor from 1983 to December 31, 2001, was the last Mayor of an independent LaSalle. Under Leduc, LaSalle became the first large city in Quebec to launch a large recycling. LaSalle was annexed by the city of Montreal on January 1, 2002, along with a number of other cities on the Island of Montreal.

Geography

LaSalle is bounded by five adjacent municipalities and boroughs, these being Lachine towards the west, Verdun and the inner city neighborhood of Ville-Émard in correlation to the north-east, and Montreal West and the neighborhood of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce within the borough of Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce towards the north, the latter two being divided by Autoroute 20 as well as the Lachine Canal. All complemented by the shore of the Saint Lawrence River to the south and east, specifically a portion of the river known as the Lachine Rapids.

Federal and provincial elections

Federally the western part of the borough is located in Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle and the eastern part in LaSalle—Émard—Verdun. They are represented by Anju Dhillon and David Lametti of the Liberal Party of Canada.

Provincially, the entire borough is within the electoral district of Marguerite-Bourgeoys. Marguerite-Bourgeoys was represented by Monique Jérôme-Forget of the Quebec Liberal Party until her 2009 resignation. Since the September 4, 2012 Quebec provincial election, Marguerite-Bourgeoys is represented by Robert Poëti of the Quebec Liberal Party.

Borough government

The borough is divided into two districts.

The borough elects a borough mayor, two city councillors, and four borough councillors.

As of the November 3, 2013 Montreal municipal election, the current borough council consists of the following councillors:

Demographics

As indicated by the 2011 census, the City of Montreal's borough of LaSalle has a population of 74,276. This demonstrates a decrease from the population indicated by the 2006 census, which was 74,763. Much like a substantial amount of other communities in the Greater Montreal area, LaSalle remains ethnically, racially and linguistically diverse. Visible minorities account for approximately 33.1% of the population,the largest and most notable groups being Black Canadians and South Asians. Linguistically, approximately 43% of LaSalle's residents speak French as their primary language at home, 37% speak English, and 21% primarily speak some other language at home. As with most boroughs on the island of Montreal, a great number of LaSallians are bilingual, having 59% of the population possessing the capability to speak both French and English.

Religious distribution

Post-secondary education

Cégep André-Laurendeau is in LaSalle.

Primary and secondary schools

The Commission scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys operates Francophone public schools.

Adult schools:

Professional development centres:

Secondary schools:

Primary schools:

The Lester B. Pearson School Board (LBPSB) operates Anglophone public schools.

Secondary schools:

Primary schools:

Public libraries

The Montreal Public Libraries Network operates the L'Octagone Branch in Lasalle.

Cityscape

Among the LaSalle's attractions are Angrignon Mall, the Lachine Canal and the Canal de l'Aqueduc, with their recreational areas; the Octagone library; the Parc Angrignon; the Île aux Hérons migratory bird refuge; the Saints-Anges archeological site; Des Rapides Park; and the Fleming windmill, which is used as the borough's symbol. Other major installations include the Cégep André-Laurendeau.

Economy

LaSalle's main economic engines include industries and agrifoods:

Infrastructure

LaSalle is served by the LaSalle commuter train station on the Candiac Line. Route 138 passes through the borough before crossing the Honoré Mercier Bridge to Kahnawake. Other important thoroughfares include LaSalle, Newman, La Vérendrye, Bishop Power, Champlain, Shevchenko, Lapierre, Centrale and Jean-Brillon Boulevards.

Sports and recreation

LaSalle also has various sports teams, the football association (Warriors), the hockey association (Cougars),the baseball association (LaSalle Cardinals) and the soccer association (Lasalle Rapids) which remain popular. The Cardinals play their home games at Stade Éloi-Viau. The first ever cricket team called "Lasalle Strikers" came into existence in 2015.

Notable people

Notable athletes