Montreal QC ☕ The morning chat
Good morning Montreal.
We start with news that touches the daily life of the city: the blue-collar strike is avoided, and the city council has adopted a bylaw that will get people talking. We continue with the election campaign entering its final stretch, a difficult anniversary in Longueuil, and some practical reminders for voting.
Main Story
Montreal blue-collar strike narrowly avoided
Montreal’s blue-collar workers will not be on strike this week. The City and the union reached a tentative agreement on a new collective agreement, which allowed the suspension of the seven-day walkout that was to begin Tuesday.
More than 6,000 blue-collar workers were called to strike. They will now have to vote on the tentative agreement in the coming weeks. The president of the local union, Nicolas De Ciccio, praised the patience and determination of the workers, who have been without a collective agreement since January 1, 2025.
Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada called it “good news for Montreal,” stressing the importance of dialogue and the shared will to offer quality services to Montrealers. An outcome that avoids many headaches, especially in the middle of the world cycling championships week.
In Our Neighbourhood
Montreal adopts bylaw against insults toward police and municipal employees
Montreal’s city council has adopted a bylaw prohibiting insults toward police officers and other municipal employees. The text targets insults, harassment, threats, abuse and intimidation, as well as offensive and aggressive behaviour.
Offenders face fines of $350 to $1,000 for a first offence. A measure that sparks debate, but is now in force in the metropolis.
One year after Nooran Rezayi’s death, family still seeking answers
Hundreds of people gathered Monday in Longueuil to mark the first anniversary of the death of Nooran Rezayi, the 15-year-old shot by a police officer from the Service de police de l’agglomération de Longueuil (SPAL) during an intervention that lasted only a few seconds after a 911 call.
The family, accompanied by loved ones and citizens, walked to the scene of the tragedy. Nooran’s sister described the past year as an “unbearable image” and an “endless nightmare,” as answers are still awaited. The family’s lawyer, Fernando Belton, recalled that several questions remain unanswered: the officer’s name, the reasons for the intervention, why the teen was shot so quickly.
The vigil began in front of a Longueuil police station, where the family was joined by supporters. A man who lives five minutes from the scene said Nooran’s death had particularly affected him, as his younger brother is the same age.
To Remember
Election campaign enters final stretch
Less than two weeks before the October 5 vote, party leaders are back on the ground. The third and final televised debate is scheduled Wednesday in Montreal. Polls still put the Parti Québécois in the lead, with about 29 per cent of voting intentions, but the possibility of a minority government remains the most likely.
Leaders reject the idea of formal alliances, preferring piecemeal agreements. CAQ leader Christine Fréchette revived the idea of an ideological rapprochement between the PQ and the Conservatives, which Paul St-Pierre Plamondon denied. Liberal leader Charles Milliard called “dangerous” the Conservative proposal to cut 20,000 public service jobs.
More than 1,500 doctors demand public inquiry into physician suicides
More than 1,500 doctors signed a letter sent September 18 to Quebec’s chief coroner asking for a systematic public inquiry into physician suicides. The letter mentions that five deaths of Quebec doctors reported as suicides have been brought to their attention since March 2026.
The signatories want to determine whether professional, organizational or systemic factors may have contributed to these deaths, and to examine barriers to seeking help, such as fears related to confidentiality or the right to practice. Dr. Jean-Paul Brutus, a plastic surgeon, cites overwork and the “denigration” of doctors, often called “doctor-bashing” in Quebec.
The Bureau du coroner said it was aware of the situation and that a thorough analysis of the request was underway, without commenting on whether a public inquiry would be held.
Parties propose financial incentives for birth rates, but experts doubt
Quebec’s fertility rate was estimated at 1.36 children per woman in 2025, one of the lowest levels in 15 years. During the election campaign, parties are proposing financial incentives to boost birth rates, but experts say these measures have limited impact.
PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon called the idea of a “baby bonus” “disinformation,” insisting people are not paid to have children. The debate remains lively, but specialists remind that family decisions are rarely motivated by purely financial considerations.
Practical Corner
How to vote on October 5: everything you need to know
The vote is approaching, and it’s good to recall the rules. Your employer must give you four consecutive hours to vote on election day. You can also vote in advance. The deadline to register on the electoral list is October 1. To check your registration and get more information, visit the Élections Québec website.
World cycling championships: road closures to expect
Montreal is at the heart of the world cycling championships, and road closures continue. Tuesday, the Bonaventure Expressway will be closed from 6:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. On the weekend, the Champlain Bridge will be closed to daytime traffic for the final events. A trip that normally takes 15 minutes between downtown and Mount Royal Park took nearly an hour Monday. Check the City’s interactive map to plan your travels.
Favourite
The walk to end polycystic kidney disease in Dollard-des-Ormeaux brought together hundreds of people Sunday, including Luisa Miniaci-Di Leo, who lives with this hereditary disease and had a double liver and kidney transplant in 2024. Living donors, patients on waiting lists and loved ones walked together, reminding that research and solidarity can change lives. A beautiful lesson in resilience and hope.
To Close
We wish you a day that rolls, despite the detours. Between debates, votes to prepare and road closures, take time to breathe. And if you cross paths with a cyclist, smile at them: they might be living the greatest moment of their career. ☕