Laval Mayor Stéphane Boyer took to social media early Tuesday morning to leave a message to his constituents just before undergoing surgery to remove a golf ball-sized tumour in his brain. “They have to take out the tumour that’s in between my brain, my eye and an important artery,” he said, wearing a hospital gown and looking visibly nervous. “There are obviously risks. I could lose my eyesight, become paraplegic, hemorrhage.” The 38-year-old went on to explain that his chances of recovery from a successful operation are “excellent,” adding that he’s confident in his surgical team’s abilities. “Access to health care in Quebec is sometimes difficult; the hospitals are in bad shape, but I can attest that the people are competent,” Boyer said before listing some of the procedures he endured in preparation for the surgery. Taking deep breaths, but laughing slightly, Boyer acknowledged that “the times we live in aren’t perfect.” “There is [U.S. President Donald] Trump, tariffs, potholes,” he said, smiling. “But there are also beautiful things around us, and there is some good.” The mayor ended his message by encouraging Quebecers to listen and work together, and love each other. “For everyone who is sick right now, physically or mentally, just know that you’re not alone. I’m thinking of you today,” he said before signing off. Temporary absence The City of Laval confirmed that Boyer would be temporarily absent “for a minimum period of two months.” During that time, Executive Committee Vice-Chair Ray Khalil is set to take over as acting mayor. “The people of Laval can count on the executive committee, my colleagues on the City Council, the city’s administrative services and myself to continue running the municipality and providing services,” said Khalil. “We wish our mayor, Stéphane Boyer, a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back in full health.” ‘Quite a shock’ Last month, Boyer shared a photo of the tumour in his brain, calling it “as big as a golf ball.” “It’s quite a shock, and it’s stirring up a lot of emotions,” he wrote on social media at the time. He explained that he had been experiencing headaches and visual disturbances for several months, prompting him to undergo an MRI. Boyer has been the mayor of Laval since 2021. Elected at 33 years old, he became the youngest mayor in the city’s history. He was re-elected in 2025, with 59 per cent of the vote. Boyer also lives with ankylosing spondylitis, a condition characterized by inflammation of the spine that causes stiffness and pain.
