Montreal QC ☕ The morning chat
Good morning, Montreal.
It’s the big day: Quebecers head to the polls to choose their next government, after a 39-day campaign more contested than ever. We break down what you need to know before voting, and we look at the issues that marked the last few days, from the leaders’ final appeals to transportation and digital files.
Main Story
Quebec voters head to the polls for a hotly contested provincial election
Voters in Quebec’s 127 ridings head to the polls today to elect their next government. More than 15,000 polling stations will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., with preliminary results released starting at 8 p.m.
The 39-day campaign has been one of the tightest in 50 years, with five parties potentially able to elect members, a first in half a century. According to Élections Québec, nearly a quarter of eligible voters have already cast their ballots in advance.
Paul St-Pierre Plamondon’s Parti Québécois leads in the polls, buoyed by four consecutive by-election victories. The PQ leader has promised to hold a referendum on sovereignty if his party forms a government, but not before U.S. President Donald Trump leaves the White House, expected in 2029.
His rivals—CAQ leader Christine Fréchette, Liberal leader Charles Milliard, Conservative Éric Duhaime, and Québec solidaire co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal—made their final appeals to voters on Sunday. Fréchette expressed regret, saying she should have focused more on the consequences of a referendum. Duhaime, meanwhile, hopes to elect at least 12 members to gain official party status.
Close to Home
Collision on Route 116 in Longueuil: man out of danger
A 38-year-old man, seriously injured in a collision on Route 116 East in Longueuil, near Highway 30, is now out of danger but suffers serious injuries. The accident occurred Sunday around 6:15 a.m. The Sûreté du Québec has completed its collision investigation, but the SPAL’s continues.
Noteworthy
Screen time limits not enough, experts say
A series of articles published in The Lancet on Sunday says the responsibility to protect young people from problematic social media use must shift from families to big tech companies and governments. Experts, including Jay Shaw, Canada Research Chair in Responsible Health Innovation at the University of Toronto, note that platforms’ business models, designed to maximize engagement, contribute to mental health problems in youth. They recommend government regulation, such as Bill C-34, which would create a Digital Safety Commission.
Missing plane: U.S. Coast Guard suspends search
The U.S. Coast Guard has announced it is suspending the search for the missing air ambulance off the U.S. coast. “Suspending the search is not an easy decision to make,” said Rear Admiral Matthew Lake.
Florida considers eliminating property taxes, passing the bill to Canadians
Florida is studying a proposal to eliminate property taxes, which could lead to a sharp increase in taxes for temporary residents, mainly Canadians.
Practical Corner
How to vote today: what you need to know
To vote, you must go to your polling station with an ID: Quebec driver’s licence, health insurance card, Canadian passport, Indian status card, or Canadian Forces ID card. You don’t have to bring your voter information card, but it can speed up the process. Polls are open until 8 p.m.
In Closing
We wish you a peaceful voting day, whether you’ve already cast your ballot or are about to. It’s a moment where every vote counts, so take the time to get to the polls. ☕