Montreal ☕ The morning chat
Good morning, Montreal.
We start with a Remembrance Day marked by loss, questions about street safety, and important public health reminders. There’s also news that touches one’s daily life, from housing to parking.
Top Story
Pilot dies in crash during Remembrance Day ceremony
A pilot died Wednesday morning when his aircraft went down in a wooded area near Saint-Georges airport in Beauce, about 100 kilometres south of Quebec City. Provincial police confirmed the accident happened around 11 a.m. and that only one person was on board. The pilot was pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash occurred during an event tied to Remembrance Day commemorations. The exact circumstances remain under investigation, and an inquiry has been opened.
Close to Home
Mobility agency admits error after veterans get parking tickets
City councillor Sterling Downey, a military reservist and the driving force behind the veterans’ parking exemption, received a ticket Monday evening even though his commemorative plate was clearly visible. Major Benoît Léveillé, who served more than 30 years with the Maisonneuve Regiment, also got a $100 fine after attending the same downtown ceremony.
The sustainable mobility agency acknowledged that Mr. Downey’s ticket was issued by mistake and promised to have it cancelled. It maintains the exemption applies from November 3 to 11 for vehicles with a veteran’s plate, but questions remain about how well the measure was communicated to enforcement officers.
Mr. Downey encourages any veteran who got a ticket during that period to contest it, even going back to 2022. He even suggests extending the exemption year-round, noting that parking can be a barrier for veterans coming from outside the city.
Toxic opioids found in three street drugs
Montreal public health is issuing a warning after dangerous opioids were discovered in three types of illicit drugs. A pink powder sold as tusi may contain fentanyl, with unpredictable effects and a high overdose risk.
Counterfeit oxycodone and hydromorphone pills contain etodesnitrazine, a highly concentrated opioid that can be toxic even in small amounts. Public health reminds people never to judge a pill by its appearance.
Gastro outbreak among homeless population
A severe intestinal virus has spread through Montreal’s homeless population, and shelter workers are raising the alarm. They say current measures are not enough to contain the outbreak, which is hitting people who are already vulnerable.
Tenants without hot water or electricity during renovation dispute
Tenants in a Saint-Laurent building are without hot water and electricity amid a heated dispute between owners and residents. The Saint-Laurent housing committee says several units are occupied by immigrants and newcomers.
Montreal rents have doubled since 2019
According to a Rentals.ca report, the average asking rent for a two-bedroom in Montreal has gone from $1,130 in 2019 to $2,251 today. The overall average rent is now $1,950. Meanwhile, a Radio-Canada investigation found nearly 25,000 vacant units across the city.
Worth knowing
Santé Québec cancels private surgery pilot project
The government has ended a pilot project that would have allowed orthopedic surgeries in private clinics. More than 1,000 patients have been waiting over a year for such operations, and the cancellation raises questions about how to reduce wait lists.
Federal government keeps ban on Russian players at World Juniors
Ottawa confirms that Russian and Belarusian players will not be allowed to take part in the World Junior Championship in Alberta, even if they hold a valid Canadian visa. Sport minister Adam van Koeverden said steps will be taken to assess and prevent their entry into the country.
The decision follows a Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling that forced the International Ice Hockey Federation to reinstate Russia. Several federations, including Finland, Sweden and Czechia, have already said they would refuse to play against the Russians.
Parti Québécois challenges Liberals on notwithstanding clause
French language minister Pascal Bérubé has issued an ultimatum to opposition parties: vote for or against renewing the notwithstanding clause that protects Bill 96. Liberal leader Charles Milliard responded that his party could use the clause “if necessary,” without saying how he would vote.
A Pallas Data poll released Wednesday shows the PQ and PLQ gaining ground, with 31% and 28% of voting intentions respectively, while the CAQ slips. Only 24% of Quebecers say they are satisfied with the new government.
Man, 63, charged after hatchet attack in Trois-Rivières
A man faces multiple charges after attacking two people with a hatchet in an apartment. The victims, one in his fifties and another in his forties, were hospitalized but their lives are not in danger.
Practical Corner
Check your tickets if you have a veteran’s plate
If you received a parking ticket between November 3 and 11 and have a commemorative plate, you can contest it. Councillor Downey is offering help to get the necessary documents.
Be careful with street drugs
Public health advises people who use street drugs to be extra cautious, especially with pink powder or counterfeit pills. Resources are available for overdose prevention.
Coup de Coeur
Benoît Léveillé’s story reminds us that free parking isn’t just about convenience. For veterans who travel far to meet their comrades, it’s a way to make those reunions easier and keep precious bonds alive. When a simple measure lets those who served get together more often, the whole neighbourhood benefits.
Before you go
Wishing you a day of reflection and gentleness, between the commemorations and the small gestures that make a city. Take care of yourself and those around you, and keep an eye on public health notices. See you tomorrow for another chat. ☕