Montreal QC ☕ The morning chat
Good morning, Montreal.
We start the week with news that touches all of Canada and reminds us of the cost of military service. There’s also good news for South Shore drivers, a winning return for the Canadiens, and a heartwarming story of local solidarity that brought the community together on Sunday.
Main Story
Four soldiers killed in fire at Wainwright base
Canada is in mourning after a fire swept through a training area at the Canadian Forces base in Wainwright, Alberta, on Saturday. Four soldiers lost their lives and 39 others were injured, 19 of them in critical condition.
The victims have been identified: Private Aidan Goulding of North Vancouver, Private Shaun Farrell of Prince Albert, Private Hayden Lykkemark of Langley, and Sergeant Morgan Wong of Edmonton. All were members of the 3rd Battalion of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, except Sergeant Wong, who served with the Royal Edmonton Regiment.
Prime Minister Mark Carney called the event one of the worst tragedies for the Armed Forces on Canadian soil in peacetime. He noted that these soldiers were training for a deployment to Latvia in 2027 as part of the NATO mission.
The fire broke out in a training area and spread quickly due to strong winds. Authorities confirmed no link to terrorist activity has been established. King Charles also expressed condolences to the families of the victims and to the Armed Forces.
In Our Neighbourhood
Honoré-Mercier Bridge fully reopens Monday morning
Repair work on a crack in a steel beam of the Honoré-Mercier Bridge is complete. All lanes are open in both directions as of Monday morning.
The crack, discovered Tuesday evening during maintenance work, measured about 30 centimetres—more than what was visible in initial photos. Transports Québec assured that the bridge remained safe for motorists throughout the incident.
One lane heading toward Montreal had been closed since the discovery, causing major traffic jams for South Shore commuters. A temporary bus service, route 744, was set up between Châteauguay and Delson to help users.
The bridge, which connects Montreal to Kahnawà:ke, carries about 70,000 vehicles a day. This incident has revived concerns about the aging structure, particularly its southbound section, built in the 1930s.
Walk4Friendship march brings Montreal community together
On Sunday, the Friendship Circle of Montreal held its annual Walk4Friendship march, an event celebrating inclusion and supporting people of all abilities. Families, volunteers, and community members gathered for a cause that, organizers say, goes far beyond a single day.
The event aims to raise funds for the organization, which offers recreational activities, volunteer opportunities, and friendship to children, teens, and young adults with special needs. Exotic cars, clowns, and performances livened up the day.
Sima Paris, co-founder of the Friendship Circle, stressed the importance of coming together to bring goodness and kindness into the world. The organization also offers training programs, including in its bakery and chocolate shop, helping participants develop skills and find employment.
To Remember
PLQ unveils opposition officers at National Assembly
On the eve of his members’ swearing-in, Quebec Liberal Party leader Charles Milliard presented his official opposition team on Sunday. André Fortin, MNA for Pontiac, was chosen as parliamentary leader, while Madwa-Nika Cadet becomes chief whip, Filomena Rotiroti caucus president, and Julie White deputy leader.
The PLQ kept its official opposition status after the October 5 election, even doubling its representation from 18 to 40 MNAs. A judicial recount is underway in the Vachon riding, where Liberal Affine Lwalalika won by a ten-vote margin over PQ candidate Stephan Fogaing.
Liberal MNAs will be sworn in Monday afternoon, a few days after their PQ colleagues. Québec solidaire follows Tuesday, and Conservatives Thursday. The composition of the Parti Québécois cabinet will be announced Wednesday.
Mathieu Lévesque becomes interim CAQ leader
Former Chapleau MNA Mathieu Lévesque, from the Outaouais, has been named interim leader of the Coalition avenir Québec. He succeeds Christine Fréchette, who resigned the day after her party’s worst defeat in the October 5 election, where the CAQ elected no MNAs.
A lawyer by training, Lévesque served as Minister responsible for Youth and Minister Delegate for Regions from April to October 2026. He is one of the party’s founding members, involved since 2012, notably as president of the Commission de la Relève.
In a statement, Lévesque said he deeply believes the CAQ represents the true third way, and that it’s time for collective introspection. He failed to keep his seat in the last election, finishing third in his riding.
Canadiens win in overtime against Sabres
For the second time in five days, the Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres went to overtime at the Bell Centre. Cole Caufield shone with two goals, giving the Tricolore the win.
Practical Corner
Honoré-Mercier Bridge: all lanes open
If you need to cross the Honoré-Mercier Bridge today, good news: all lanes are open in both directions. Repair work on the crack in the steel beam is done, and the Transport Ministry announced full reopening Monday morning.
A sunny but cooler week
Montreal is set to enjoy a week of sunshine, but temperatures will gradually drop. Monday, the mercury will hit 17 degrees, before falling to 16 Tuesday, then 13 Wednesday. By Thursday and Friday, highs won’t exceed 11 degrees, and nights will approach freezing, with a low of 0 degrees expected Friday night. A sweater or light jacket will be in order for the cooler mornings and evenings.
Coup de Coeur
Sunday’s Walk4Friendship march reminds us that inclusion isn’t just a word, but a daily practice. Seeing families, volunteers, and participants come together to celebrate everyone’s abilities is a reminder that a community’s strength is measured by its capacity to welcome everyone. And when a former participant returns as a teacher to help others find their voice, we understand that these bonds create virtuous circles that transform lives.
To Close
We wish you a week that starts on a note of solidarity and resilience. May the sun accompany you, even as mornings get cooler. And if you cross the Honoré-Mercier Bridge, enjoy the renewed flow. ☕