Montreal ☕ The morning chat
Good morning, Montreal.
We start the day with a story that strikes at the heart of public trust in the police, as two SPVM officers are suspended for actions deemed humiliating. There’s also a call for vigilance on the roads, a charity run in Town of Mount Royal, and a Montreal teenager whose resilience commands admiration. Plus a frost reminder for gardeners.
Top Story
Two Montreal police officers suspended for humiliating acts
The Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) has suspended two officers assigned to Station 21, which covers downtown, Centre-Sud, Old Montreal, and the islands of Sainte-Hélène and Notre-Dame. According to information reported by La Presse, one officer allegedly urinated on a homeless man in the street. The other is accused of mocking a suspect placed in a humiliating position during an arrest.
The SPVM says it is investigating other allegations of “inappropriate urination” involving the same officer. The internal investigation was opened after complaints from other Station 21 officers who allegedly witnessed these acts.
This case follows a recent scandal involving officers from Station 39 in Montreal-Nord, where several police officers were accused of racial profiling and cutting suspects’ hair to keep as trophies.
In Our Neighbourhood
11th Cedars Run in Town of Mount Royal
The 11th edition of the Cedars Run for ovarian cancer takes place today in Town of Mount Royal, in honour of its founder, Dominique Dagenais, who died in March 2025. Before her cancer diagnosis in 2015, Dominique was a passionate long-distance runner. With her husband Stephen and their son Maxime, she created the Dagenais Joly-Smith Fund, which has raised more than $1.2 million for the DOvEEgene research program.
This annual event aims to fund the DOvEEgene program, which has contributed to the development of a revolutionary genomic Pap test capable of detecting ovarian and endometrial cancers at stage 1. The run brings together families, friends, hospital staff, patients, and cancer survivors, who take part in a 2-kilometre walk, a timed 5-kilometre run, or a timed 10-kilometre run.
Montreal teenager recovers from septic shock
Karim Ahmed-Belizer, a 16-year-old Montrealer, survived septic shock and multi-organ failure after surgery for scoliosis, caused by a perforated ulcer. Four months in hospital didn’t stop him from studying, leading his robotics team, and graduating on time.
“I live with the effects every day, but it’s not what defines me,” he said. His mother, Iram Ahmed, says she had to help him walk, wash, and eat, as if he had become a baby again. She highlights the role of the community, especially members of the WIBCA (West Island Black Community Association), who visited him and gave him hope.
Karim, captain of the WIBCA robotics team, led his team from the bottom of the standings to a semifinal at the Canadian robotics championship. He wants to become a software engineer and sees robotics as a stepping stone.
What to Remember
Quebec drivers hit by “lug nut challenge” on social media
Léonie Pelletier was driving on Highway 10 on Monday with her three young children when another driver signalled her to stop. Four of the five lug nuts on one of her wheels were missing. She reported the incident to Bromont police. “The noise was really loud, the car was shaking,” she said. The garage told her she had been a victim of the “lug nut challenge.”
Another Quebecer, Raphaël Blais, says four lug nuts on his vehicle had been loosened in January, leaving only the security nut. He says he has been contacted by at least 100 people who experienced the same thing. Longueuil police have received eight reports this year, including three collisions without injuries. The Sûreté du Québec is aware of the phenomenon in several regions but cannot confirm a link to a TikTok challenge.
Authorities recommend drivers check their wheels and report any suspicion of sabotage. André Durocher, from the CAA-Quebec Foundation, suggests walking around the vehicle and stopping if you hear or feel something abnormal.
Man charged with premeditated murder of federal official in Montreal
A 33-year-old man appeared by videoconference at the Montreal courthouse on Friday and was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Leïla Ben Salem, 45. Yousef Moussaoui was arrested Thursday afternoon in the Ville-Marie borough. He was detained and will return to court on December 21.
The victim was killed with a blunt object while on a videoconference with a colleague. The motive for the murder is not yet known, but the prosecution suggests the act was planned and deliberate. Defence lawyer Maria Vivas said she had only received a summary of the case. Criminal lawyer Walid Hijazi explains that details will be protected to preserve the integrity of the evidence and trial.
CAQ drops Christine Fréchette’s name
The Coalition avenir Québec is returning to its original name after the departure of its leader. The political party founded in 2011 will no longer carry Christine Fréchette’s name.
Practical Corner
Frost advisory for Montreal
Environment Canada has issued a frost advisory for Montreal, with temperatures expected to drop to 1 degree Celsius overnight from Saturday to Sunday. Frost advisories are issued when widespread frost is expected during the growing season, which can damage plants and crops. It is recommended to take preventive measures to protect cold-sensitive plants.
Coup de Coeur
Karim Ahmed-Belizer’s story is a powerful reminder of what resilience and community support can achieve. This young man turned an ordeal that could have broken him into a source of motivation, and he surrounded himself with people who believed in him. It’s a lesson in humility and determination that inspires the whole community.
To Close
We wish you a gentle day, despite the cold settling in. Think of your plants, your loved ones, and all those who, like Karim, find the strength to get back up. Take care of yourself and your neighbourhood. ☕