LaSalle, Quebec


LaSalle is a borough of the city of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Prior to 2002, it was a separate municipality that had been incorporated in 1912. LaSalle is located in the south-west portion of the Island of Montreal, along the Saint Lawrence river.

History

LaSalle was named for the area's first seigneur, French explorer René-Robert Cavelier de La Salle. The area became part of a municipality during the mid 19th century, and LaSalle was incorporated as an independent municipality in 1912.
The Lachine Rapids are situated within LaSalle territory. The name Lachine, which is also the name of the neighboring borough, stayed because the LaSalle area was part of the parish of Saints-Anges-de-la-Chine during the French regime period. Before the creation of the Lachine Canal in the 1820s, the rapids had to be portaged on a trail called Chemin LaSalle.
LaSalle is known for its many public schools, most notably l'École secondaire Cavelier-de-LaSalle, known as one of the top talent-producing schools in the fields of dance and song. The other common public school in LaSalle is LaSalle Community Comprehensive High School, opened many years ago and 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 program. 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.

Government

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 October 1, 2018 Quebec provincial election, Marguerite-Bourgeoys is represented by Hélène David 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 5, 2017 Montreal municipal election, the current borough council consists of the following councillors:
DistrictPositionName Party
—Borough mayor
City councillor		Manon Barbe Équipe Barbe Team
Cecil-P.-NewmanCity councillorLise Zarac Équipe Barbe Team
Cecil-P.-NewmanBorough councillorSerge Declos Équipe Barbe Team
Cecil-P.-NewmanBorough councillorJosée Troilo Équipe Barbe Team
Sault-Saint-LouisCity councillorRichard Deschamps Équipe Barbe Team
Sault-Saint-LouisBorough councillorLaura Palestini Équipe Barbe Team
Sault-Saint-LouisBorough councillorNancy Blanchet Équipe Barbe Team

Demographics

Ethnic originPopulation
Canadian31,545
French15,860
Italian10,250
Irish4,870
English4,840
Scottish3,190
East Indian2,340
Chinese2,035
Polish1,875
Jamaican1,375

LanguagePopulationPercentage
French28 77042%
English24 93536%
Other languages15 47022%

As indicated by the 2016 census, the City of Montreal's borough of LaSalle has a population of 76 853. This demonstrates an increase from the population indicated by the 2011 census, which was 74 276. 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 37% 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
ReligionPopulationPercentage
Christianity53,03573.0%
Muslim5,3657.4%
Sikh1,6302.2%
Hindu1,1201.5%
Buddhist9551.3%
Jewish3500.5%
Other religions2200.3%
No religious affiliation9,96013.7%

Education

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 operates Anglophone public schools.
Secondary schools:
Primary schools:
The Montreal Public Libraries Network operates the L'Octagone Branch in Lasalle.

Cityscape

Among 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:
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, Dollard, Lapierre, Centrale and Jean-Brillon Boulevards.

Sports and recreation

LaSalle also has various sports teams, the football association, the hockey association, the baseball association and the soccer association 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. Former home of Pop Harrigan Hockey and LaSalle Colts Football.

Notable residents, former and current

Notable people