MTLQC – Montréal QC

Montreal QC ☕ Morning Chat

Good morning, Montréal.

We hope your coffee is nice and warm this Tuesday morning, because today’s edition touches on several parts of your daily life.

Between a tragedy that reminds us of the importance of vigilance, changes that affect everyone’s sleep, and a few local stories that deserve your attention, there’s plenty to start your day with.

Take a good sip, and let’s dive in.

🔦 Main Story

A six‑year‑old boy dies in a sledding accident in Chambly

A tragedy shook the Montérégie region Monday afternoon as spring break begins. A six‑year‑old boy died following a sledding accident at Robert‑Lebel Park in Chambly.

Emergency services were called shortly before 3 p.m. to the toboggan hill behind the local arena. The child reportedly lost control while going down the slope and collided with a pole separating the hill from the parking lot, suffering severe head injuries and significant blood loss.

He went into cardiorespiratory arrest while being transported to the Saint‑Jean‑sur‑Richelieu hospital. Sergeant Marie‑Ève Boulanger confirmed that the child died as a result of the accident.

Police secured the area and closed the hill. The City of Chambly noted that the site is not supervised and recommends adult supervision.

A coroner’s investigation will examine the circumstances surrounding the child’s death. This tragedy is a painful reminder of the importance of vigilance during winter activities, even those that seem the most harmless.

⚡ Noteworthy

Time change disrupts sleep for most Quebecers

A new Léger poll shows that the spring time change affects Canadians’ sleep, with more than four in ten reporting sleep debt and sleeping less than seven hours per night.

Sixty‑seven percent of Canadians say the time change disrupts their sleep routine and that it takes several days to return to normal. Psychiatrist Dr. Annick Vincent explains that losing one hour of sleep causes short‑term effects that make the brain behave as if it had ADHD.

Eighteen percent of Canadians admit to having driven while feeling unfit after losing an hour of sleep during the switch to daylight saving time, a rate that drops to 16% among Quebecers.

Only 11% of Canadians say their sleep routine returns to normal the same day, while one‑third say it takes three days or more.

The poll surveyed 1,570 Canadians between January 30, 2025, and February 1, 2026.

Concerns about fraud reach new heights

A large majority of Canadians (83%), and a slightly smaller proportion of Quebecers (76%), are worried enough about fraud that they no longer trust any unexpected email, text, or phone call. More than three‑quarters of Quebec respondents are irritated by the omnipresence of fraud (78%) and feel that a new scam appears almost every week (76%).

Eighty‑four percent of Quebecers find it increasingly difficult to determine whether an ad is real or fraudulent, and 73% struggle to know whether a website is legitimate when shopping online.

About one‑third of Quebecers have clicked a link, opened an email or attachment, or spoken to someone on the phone before realizing it was a scam. Nearly half (43%) do not feel confident in their ability to spot AI‑generated fraud.

Carney in Australia to deepen trade and defense ties

Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Sydney at midday Tuesday local time, seeking to strengthen intelligence ties by expanding collaboration in trade and defense. Defense Minister David McGuinty said there is “a new openness here in Australia to work with Canada.”

On Thursday, Carney will travel to Canberra to address the Australian Parliament before heading to Tokyo. He will meet Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Both countries are Commonwealth nations and partners in the Five Eyes intelligence‑sharing alliance.

At the G20 summit in South Africa last November, Carney launched a partnership on emerging technologies with India and Australia. Ottawa and Canberra also signed an agreement last year for Canada to purchase an over‑the‑horizon radar system from Australia for Arctic use.

White Admiral butterfly could become Quebec’s official insect

Quebec MNAs have voted in favor of Bill 496, recognizing the White Admiral butterfly as one of the province’s symbols. Native to Quebec, it could become the province’s first official insect following a decades‑long campaign.

Air Canada cancels flights to Tel Aviv and Dubai

Air Canada announced Monday that all flights to and from Tel Aviv and Dubai are cancelled amid escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Pierre Poilievre begins first international tour in London

Pierre Poilievre has begun his first international tour in London, aiming to offer a preview of what Canada’s foreign policy would look like under his leadership.

Most Canadians see the United States as a threat

Another poll, this time from Nanos, confirms the trend seen in recent weeks. Sixty‑four percent of Canadians say they are concerned that the United States represents a potential threat to Canadian sovereignty in light of Trump’s annexation rhetoric. Only 19% say they are not concerned.

Alex Newhook eyes a top‑six role with the Canadiens

With the NHL trade deadline approaching Friday, speculation has grown that the Canadiens may seek a top‑six forward. Alex Newhook says, “I can be that guy,” regarding a potential top‑six role.

🏙️ Local Stories

Tour guides call for modernization of certification rules

Some of Montréal’s tour guides, including Indigenous guides, say the city’s certification rules make it harder for certain voices to be heard. They argue that the single pathway to certification and the language requirements limit access and create barriers.

Sophie-Claude Miller, a Cree tour guide from the First Nations who is not certified, said the bilingual language requirement can exclude some Indigenous storytellers.

Montréal is one of only two cities in Canada that require guides to be certified before offering tours under bylaw G‑2. The only way to obtain certification is through a program at the Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec.

Candidates must demonstrate B2‑level proficiency in both French and English unless they qualify for an exemption. The program is an eight‑month course costing several thousand dollars.

Guides want the bylaw replaced with options such as a standardized city exam or renewable municipal licenses.

Montréal police arrest two teens for theft and fraud targeting seniors

Montréal police say two teenagers, aged 17 and 18, have been arrested in connection with a series of thefts and frauds targeting seniors. The SPVM alleges the two suspects operated in Mercier–Hochelaga‑Maisonneuve, Montréal‑Nord, and Sherbrooke. They were arrested on February 19.

The scheme involved targeting addresses where seniors lived in order to enter and steal their bank cards. The suspects allegedly called victims while posing as police officers or financial institution representatives to confirm their address and the PINs of the stolen cards.

Once they had the information, they reportedly made withdrawals at various banks.

Montréal police investigate fatal shooting of 18‑year‑old man

Montréal police received a 911 call around 1:45 a.m. Sunday about an injured person in an apartment on Saint‑André Street, near Ontario Street, in the Ville‑Marie borough. Police are investigating the fatal shooting of an 18‑year‑old man.

Pilot project for unhoused Montréalers leaving the hospital

Leo McLean has been hospitalized multiple times with health issues and recently had to start using a walker, all while living full‑time on the street over the past year. A new pilot project offers unhoused Montréalers leaving the hospital a structured path toward recovery.

Montréal’s Iranian community reacts to the death of the ayatollah

Members of Montréal’s Iranian community are watching events unfold in Iran with a mix of fear, hope, and uncertainty. Coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of other senior officials.

Iranian activist Hessam Sobhani said, “When we heard about the Supreme Leader of Iran, we were so happy because he killed so many Iranians over the years.”

Over the weekend, Iranian Quebecers gathered in Montréal and Québec City, waving pre‑revolution flags and holding photos of Reza Pahlavi.

Many in Montréal hope that Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last shah, could lead a transitional government.

💛 Spotlight

The new pilot project offering unhoused Montréalers leaving the hospital a structured path to recovery, including people like Leo McLean, who lived on the street for a year while managing serious health issues.

🌙 Practical Corner

Increased vigilance against fraud

With 76% of Quebecers no longer trusting unexpected emails, texts, or calls, it’s best to treat any unsolicited communication as a potential scam until proven otherwise. Always verify before clicking, opening, or responding.

Total lunar eclipse visible early this morning

A total lunar eclipse briefly colored Montréal’s sky early this morning before disappearing behind the horizon. If you missed it, the next one won’t come for several years.

👋 Before we go

That’s it for this Tuesday morning.

Between the tragedies that remind us to stay cautious, the developments affecting our sleep and safety, and the initiatives that show the best of our community, there’s plenty to reflect on.

Take care of yourselves and your loved ones, stay vigilant and supportive, and have a great day, Montréal. 🍁