Laval - Les Îles

This urban riding is made up of the western part of the city of Laval. Rivières-des-Milles-Îles is the northwest boundary and Rivière-des-Prairies is on the southwest. The eastern boundary is 83rd Avenue, Boulevard Cur´-Labelle, Highway 117 and the hydro transmission lines.

This is a predominantly residential riding. The main employers are manufacturing, including pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, followed by retail trade and other services. The average family income is $78,504 and the unemployment rate is 5.8 per cent.

According to the 2006 census, 52 per cent of residents speak French as a first language while 33 per cent have a mother tongue other than French or English. The total immigrant population is almost 27 per cent.

In 2004, the riding name was changed to Laval-Les Îles, keeping 83 per cent of the former Laval West territory. The riding was established in 1949 as Laval and the name was changed to Laval West in 1990. There were no changes in the 1996 redistribution.

Population: 111,958 (2006 census; an increase of 11.8% since 2001)

Political History

Laval-Les Îles remained a Liberal stronghold in 2006 as incumbent Raymonde Falco won a fourth term, beating Bloc Québécois hopeful Christianne Pichette.

In 2004, Folco defeated Bloc Québécois candidate Micaël Poirier to win a third term as MP.

Liberal Marcel Roy was MP for five terms in Laval, serving from 1968-1984. Progressive Conservative Guy Ricard won in 1984 and 1988. In 1993, Liberal Michel Dupuy was elected and was named minister of Canadian heritage in 1996.

• 1949-57 inclusive - LIB
• 1958 - PC
• 1962-80 inclusive - LIB
• 1984, 1988 - PC
• 1993, 1997, 2000, 2004, 2006 - LIB