LaSalle, Quebec, the most southerly borough of Montreal, Canada, is a vibrant community with a rich history and a thriving present. Located in the south-west portion of the Island of Montreal, along the Saint Lawrence River, LaSalle was a separate municipality until 2002, having been incorporated in 1912.
LaSalle was named after the area's first seigneur, French explorer René-Robert Cavelier de La Salle (1643–1687). 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 neighbouring 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 (what is now LaSalle Boulevard).
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.
LaSalle is bounded by five adjacent municipalities and boroughs, these being Lachine towards the west, Verdun and the Sud-Ouest neighbourhood of Ville-Émard to the north-east, and Montreal West and the neighbourhood 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. To its south and east lies the shore of the Saint Lawrence River, specifically a portion of the river known as the Lachine Rapids.
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.
LaSalle is served by the LaSalle commuter train station on the Candiac Line. Angrignon metro is right near the border of LaSalle located in Le Sud-Ouest. 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. Despite its name, the Montreal Metro station of LaSalle is not located in LaSalle, but on a portion of the boulevard of the same name in Verdun.
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. Former home of Pop Harrigan Hockey and LaSalle Colts Football.
