Montreal QC ☕ The morning chat
Good morning, Montreal.
We start today with a landmark temporarily vanishing from the skyline and a camera that has a resident worried. There’s also a festival opening, and a housing issue resurfacing in politics.
Main Story
Mount Royal cross taken down for a year of restoration
The Mount Royal cross was lowered from its pedestal today. The City of Montreal had announced in late September that the monument would be dark for a year for work, but didn’t say it would disappear from the horizon entirely.
The 33-metre structure stays on site, but it has been lowered to a horizontal position on the ground. This is one of the few times that has happened since it was installed in 1924.
The bulbs are being replaced with LED lighting that can be dimmed to cut energy use and light pollution. Steel parts are also being replaced, along with painting and landscaping work.
A metalworker on site said the cross could be back on its pedestal within three weeks, though the City hasn’t confirmed that timeline.
Around Town
SPVM camera installed outside a kitchen window
A Montreal woman says she feels “invaded” after an SPVM security camera was installed in front of her home. The device sits in her line of sight from her kitchen window, which worries her about privacy.
The story highlights the potential tension between police surveillance measures and residents’ right to privacy.
Non-certified tour guides want the regulation scrapped
Independent Montreal guides, grouped under the Association des guides indépendants de Montréal (AGIM), are asking the City to abolish or thoroughly reform the certification requirement to work in their field.
Misha Pelletier, one of them, says she was “harassed” by certified guides in front of the Amphitrite statue in the underground city. The certification program, offered only at the Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec (ITHQ), is capped at 26 students and runs only every two years. The ITHQ has also cancelled its 2026 offering, making access to the profession even harder.
Guides without a permit face fines from $100 to $1,000. The AGIM is pressing the City to find a solution by early 2027.
Keep in Mind
Quartier Molson breaks ground
The groundbreaking ceremony for Quartier Molson took place Wednesday on the site of the former Molson brewery, along the St. Lawrence River. It’s the first step in transforming this historic spot in the metropolis.
Montreal metro turns 60, but in a worrying state
The Montreal metro is celebrating its 60th anniversary, but the party is dampened by the condition of many stations. More than half are in poor shape, and some could even have to close due to lack of proper maintenance.
The network, built in the 1960s, remains a vital tool for moving Montrealers quickly, even in winter, while cutting congestion and greenhouse gas emissions. There are calls for a return to a big-picture vision for public transit.
Québec solidaire wants eviction moratorium extended
Québec solidaire is asking the new PQ government to extend the eviction moratorium, which is set to end on June 6, 2027. Spokesperson Ruba Ghazal notes the housing crisis isn’t over and eviction notices could arrive in December, right in the middle of the homelessness crisis.
The party also proposes banning evictions during winter. Sol Zanetti, the other spokesperson, is urging the PQ to keep its promise of electoral reform to bring in proportional representation.
Practical Corner
Earthquake drill Thursday morning
Montrealers are invited to take part in the annual earthquake preparedness exercise on Thursday at 10:15 a.m. The City recommends practising the three key actions: drop, cover, and hold on until the shaking stops.
Montreal sits in a seismic zone, and this drill is a chance to review emergency plans and survival kits.
Editor’s Pick
The Massimadi Film Festival opens Thursday for its 18th edition, with nearly 40 Afro-queer and Indigenous films, workshops, an exhibition, and an Afro-drag evening. It’s an event that keeps growing, and a reminder that diverse voices and stories have a real place in Montreal’s cultural life.
To Wrap Up
We wish you a day that starts with a good coffee and a glance at the sky, even if the cross isn’t there for a while. And if you hear a siren at 10:15 a.m., Enjoy your day to the fullest and be vigilant. ☕