Laval Mayor Stéphane Boyer announced Monday that he has a brain tumour. While he must wait for more information to “see what happens next,” he plans to remain in office, though he will scale back his public activities.
In a social media post, Boyer explained that he had been experiencing headaches and visual disturbances for several months, which prompted him to undergo an MRI of his brain.
“The diagnosis is in: a meningioma, a brain tumour,” he revealed. “Most of these tumors are benign, but I have to wait for my upcoming appointments with a neurosurgeon to find out what happens next.”
Boyer announced that he will scale back his public activities this fall to take care of himself, but he indicated that he will continue to fulfill his duties as mayor and attend all working meetings.
“I feel fine, my energy levels are excellent, and I retain all my abilities,” he wrote.
“While I don’t yet have answers to all my questions, I know one thing: I want to continue to be involved in my city,” he said, adding that “there is no greater joy in life than sharing my daily life with those around me.”
He concluded by saying that he is moving forward “with serenity.”
Provincial party leaders were quick to express their support for the mayor of Laval, wishing him well and urging him to take care of his health.
Outgoing Premier and leader of the Coalition Avenir Québec, Christine Fréchette, wished him “much courage and strength to get through the next steps.”
“Every day, you stand up for your people, your citizens, and your community. Today, all of Quebec is behind you,” she wrote on X.
@stephaneboyer_ Cher Stéphane, je pense très fort à toi dans cette épreuve.
Je te souhaite beaucoup de courage et de force pour traverser les prochaines étapes. Tu défends chaque jour ton monde, tes citoyens et ta communauté. Aujourd’hui, c’est tout le Québec qui est derrière…
— Christine Fréchette (@CFrechette) September 7, 2026
Liberal Leader Charles Milliard assured him, in a message on X, that he was “with you wholeheartedly” “through this ordeal, which I am convinced you will overcome.”
J’ai appris ce matin la triste nouvelle concernant l’état de santé du maire de Laval, @stephaneboyer_.
Stéphane, je te souhaite un prompt rétablissement. Nous sommes de tout cœur avec toi dans cette épreuve, que tu sauras relever, j’en suis persuadé !
Prends soin de toi, mon…
— Charles Milliard (@CharlesMilliard) September 7, 2026
Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, for his part, left a comment under the mayor’s Facebook post. “Stay strong, dear Stéphane; we’re behind you. Come back to us in good health,” said the leader of the Parti Québécois.
Noting that the news came as “a shock,” Québec solidaire spokesperson Ruba Ghazal expressed her hope that “this ordeal will be short-lived.”
“You are a courageous and kind person—that’s what you demonstrate in the work you do for the people of Laval,” she said in a message on X.
Boyer has been mayor of Laval since 2021. Elected at age 33, he became the youngest mayor in the city’s history. He was re-elected in 2025, winning 59 per cent of the vote.
Boyer has also been living with Ankylosing spondylitis for several years, a condition characterized by inflammation of the spine that causes stiffness and pain.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
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