Montreal QC ☕ The morning briefing
Good morning, Montreal.
We open with a story that touches public trust in the police, as two external investigations are launched into a suspended officer. Then: the Canadiens win outdoors, Notre-Dame Basilica unveils its restored facade, and a few practical reminders to start the week right.
Top Story
Two external probes into suspended SPVM officer
Quebec’s Minister of Public Security, Guy Lapointe Jr., has ordered a public inquiry into allegations that an SPVM officer urinated on a person experiencing homelessness. The Police Ethics Commissioner and the Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes (BEI) have been tasked with shedding light on the matter, in order to “preserve public trust.”
The officer in question, assigned to Station 21, was suspended earlier this month. Another officer has also been sanctioned for a separate incident, also involving a homeless person. An investigation by the SPVM’s professional standards division is already underway.
The minister was careful to say this is not a vote of no-confidence in the Montreal police force, nor a questioning of the quality of its investigation. Rather, it is a matter of transparency, he said, adding that in this specific case, the probe must be conducted by an external entity. Guy Lapointe Jr. previously served as communications director at the Sûreté du Québec before entering politics.
Local Stories
Notre-Dame Basilica reveals facade after ten years of work
Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal unveiled its restored facade on Sunday, marking a major milestone in the renovation of the 200-year-old monument. For years, the building was hidden behind a ten-storey scaffold while crews carried out extensive masonry and conservation work.
More than 800 guests were expected for the event, which included performances outside and inside the church, notably by the Société philharmonique du Nouveau Monde and organist Jean-Willy Kunz.
The overall project, covering both exterior and interior, is estimated at $100 million and is expected to continue for several years. Restoration began after concerns about the structure’s safety, when the left hand of the statue of the Virgin Mary threatened to fall off. Further inspection revealed the entire facade was at risk of collapsing.
To fund the rest of the work, the walkway between the two towers will be reopened to the public. The Fabrique’s general manager, Michel Issa, estimates the interior restoration could take another five to ten years, with completion expected in 2035.
Three men injured in home invasion in Saint-Michel
Two men were stabbed and a third beaten during a home invasion Sunday morning in the Saint-Michel neighbourhood. The SPVM received a call around 8 a.m. reporting a man injured at the intersection of Saint-Michel Boulevard and Legendre Street East.
Arriving on scene, officers found a 35-year-old man with stab wounds to his upper body. He told them of possible other victims in an apartment on 14th Avenue, near Louvain Street East. There, they discovered a 24-year-old man injured in an assault. Shortly after, a third call reported another 24-year-old man, stabbed in his lower body, near Robert Street and 13th Avenue.
All three victims were taken to hospital, and their lives are not believed to be in danger. According to initial information, several people forced their way into the apartment on 14th Avenue. The suspects fled, and no arrests have been made.
City wants rent registry and cap on increases
The City of Montreal has adopted a motion asking the Quebec government to create a mandatory rent registry and cap increases at inflation over a three-year average. Tenant advocacy groups welcome the initiative, but not everyone agrees.
The request comes amid pressure on Montreal’s rental market, where rent hikes and housing scarcity fuel concerns. The motion opens the door to discussions on the best way to protect tenants without discouraging landlords.
Worth Noting
Canadiens win 2-1 over Jets at Heritage Classic
Jacob Fowler made 34 saves, becoming the youngest goaltender to start an outdoor NHL game, at 21 years and 335 days. The Habs beat the Winnipeg Jets 2-1 Sunday night at Princess Auto Stadium, in the eighth edition of the Heritage Classic.
Lane Hutson and Kaiden Guhle scored for Montreal, which now has a 6-3-2 record. Cole Caufield added two assists. Isak Rosen cut the lead late in the third period for Winnipeg.
Florian Xhekaj returned to the lineup after missing five games with a lower-body injury. Owen Beck was a healthy scratch.
Lula wins Brazil presidency, Bolsonaro contests
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva defeated conservative Flavio Bolsonaro in the runoff with 51.76% of the vote, a margin of 4.4 million ballots. Bolsonaro’s camp, however, announced it would seek to annul the election.
Canada receives first F-35 fighters
The Royal Canadian Air Force announced Friday it had received its first two F-35 fighter jets, built by Lockheed Martin. Ottawa has not yet decided how many aircraft it will buy in total, as Prime Minister Mark Carney has paused the planned order of 88 jets.
The government may instead opt for a mixed fleet including Saab’s Gripen. The purchase review, launched amid trade threats and annexation rhetoric from the United States, was supposed to be completed a year ago.
Nearly 30,000 violent incidents in Quebec schools
The number of reported incidents of violence against support staff in Quebec schools has tripled in four years, reaching nearly 30,000. The rise is alarming, as school personnel increasingly face difficult situations.
Practical Corner
Notre-Dame facade open to visits, walkway reopens
If you want to see the result of ten years of work, Notre-Dame Basilica is presentable again. And to fund the rest, the walkway between the two towers will reopen to the public. A chance to see Old Montreal from a bit higher, while contributing to the restoration.
72-year-old woman missing in Montreal-North
The SPVM is asking for the public’s help to find Leonne Aneus, a 72-year-old woman missing since Saturday afternoon. She may be disoriented. Anyone with information can contact police.
Coup de Coeur
Notre-Dame Basilica is not just a building. It’s a piece of history that stands thanks to the patience of those who restore it stone by stone, and the generosity of those who fund it. When a 200-year-old monument gets its face back, it’s a bit of collective memory straightening up.
To Close
We wish you a week that starts with a good coffee and a little gentleness, even if the news reminds us that trust and vigilance are in order. Take care of yourselves, and your neighbours. ☕