MTLQC – Montreal QC
Montréal QC ☕ Morning Chat
Good morning, Montréal.
Good morning, Montréal. We hope your coffee is nice and hot this Wednesday morning, because after three years of waiting, there is finally movement in one of the most significant tragedies our city has faced.
Between a major arrest, a provincial budget that’s shaping up to be modest, and a few heart‑warming sports developments, there’s a lot to take in today.
Take a good sip and let’s dive in.
🔦 Main Story
Arrest made in Old Montreal fire that killed seven people three years ago
Three years after the tragedy, Montreal police arrested a suspect Tuesday in connection with the fire at Place d’Youville in Old Montreal. The suspect is expected to appear in court Wednesday afternoon. Their identity and the charges have not yet been released.
The fire destroyed a heritage building on March 16, 2023. Six of the victims had been staying in illegal short‑term rentals. Police said traces of an accelerant were found at the scene, which may explain how the fire spread so quickly through the building.
Twenty‑two people were inside at the time of the fire and nine were injured. The victims were Charlie Lacroix, 18; Walid Belkahla, 18; An Wu, 31; Dania Zafar, 31; Saniya Khan, 32; Nathan Sears, 35; and Camille Maheux, 76.
The owner of the Old Montreal building, Émile Benamor, already faces seven counts of manslaughter in connection with the 2023 fire. This arrest comes after more than a year of investigation by the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions, who reviewed the file prepared by Montreal police investigators.
⚡ Key Points
Quebec will convert 5,000 non‑subsidized daycare spots into subsidized ones.
Finance Minister Eric Girard announced the conversion of 5,000 non‑subsidized daycare spaces into subsidized spots at $9.65 per day. The measure will be included in the 2026–2027 Quebec budget, which Girard will table Wednesday in Quebec City. The cost is estimated at $400 million over five years.
Because of the deficit, Girard promised a “responsible” and “moderate” budget with a few “targeted measures.” Since 2021, the CAQ government will have funded “60,000 subsidized daycare spaces, a major achievement,” he said.
When asked whether he planned to help drivers, Girard answered without hesitation: “No.” He said it’s still unclear whether the spike in gas prices will be “temporary” or “persistent.”
Girard also revealed he has set aside a financial “envelope” to give the next premier room to make campaign‑related announcements. Premier François Legault said Tuesday that the 2026–2027 budget will include “good news” regarding the return to a balanced budget.
Quebec’s budget will be tabled Wednesday.
Finance Minister Eric Girard is set to table his budget today for the next fiscal year. Speaking to reporters Tuesday, he said Quebecers should not expect costly new measures as the province works to reduce the deficit.
Today’s budget will likely be Girard’s last before the fall general election, and it comes just weeks before the Coalition Avenir Québec chooses a new leader to replace Premier François Legault. Girard said the budget will include a financial envelope for Legault’s successor, either Christine Fréchette or Bernard Drainville, to use for campaign promises.
In his November financial update, Girard said the province is expected to run a $12.4‑billion deficit for the 2025–26 fiscal year, about 1.5% of GDP. He said government spending will focus on essential services, infrastructure, and addressing issues such as domestic violence and homelessness.
Bank of Canada to announce its key interest rate amid global uncertainty.
The Bank of Canada is expected to make an interest‑rate announcement this morning as it weighs the effects of the Middle East conflict, trade uncertainty, and recent economic data. The key rate currently sits at 2.25% after being held steady in January, but the economic landscape has shifted since then.
A Reuters poll shows economists widely expect the bank to maintain its current rate. They say the central bank faces turbulent waters this year due to ongoing inflation risks tied to a global oil‑price shock caused by the U.S.–Israeli war against Iran, as well as uncertainty surrounding the upcoming review of the North American trade agreement.
The Bank of Canada will also consider February’s annual inflation rate, which came in slightly lower than expected at 1.8%. It will also factor in Friday’s jobs report, which showed unemployment rising to 6.7% after the economy lost 84,000 jobs in February.
Two out of three Canadians say Canada should remain neutral in the Iran war, poll finds.
A new Léger poll suggests most Canadians believe the federal government should remain neutral, while one in four say Canada should support the United States and Israel in their attacks on Iran. The poll surveyed 1,608 Canadians between March 13 and 16.
Sixty‑seven percent said Ottawa should remain neutral and support neither side, while one‑quarter said Canada should back the U.S. and Israel. Fifty‑eight percent said they oppose the war, while 25% said they support it.
Ninety‑one percent said they are worried about rising gas and grocery prices. And 82% said they are concerned about the threat of a global recession leading to job losses in Canada. Nearly 60% said they would support sending troops to defend a NATO member attacked by Iran.
Nearly three‑quarters said Canada should immediately take steps to increase oil and natural‑gas production to offset global shortages caused by the war.
Hydro‑Québec continues repairing outages caused by high winds
Hydro‑Québec had warned that some customers would remain without power from Tuesday night into Wednesday, and that was the case for more than 30,000 households. Despite this, the number of affected addresses continues to decline.
Early Wednesday, about 35,000 homes across the province were still without electricity, down from 50,000 late Tuesday night. The peak, reached Tuesday morning, was roughly 320,000 addresses.
The outages were caused by branches and trees falling onto power lines during Tuesday’s strong winds. Some gusts exceeded 100 km/h in certain regions.
The Montérégie remained the hardest‑hit area Wednesday morning, with just over 10,000 customers still without power. About 8,000 were without electricity in the Laurentides–Lanaudière region.
Wednesday is expected to be sunny across most of Quebec, but cold temperatures are in the forecast. In Quebec City, the wind chill dropped to –21°C before dawn, while Montreal saw –18°C at the same time.
Quebec’s federation of medical specialists issues formal notice to Santé Québec
The Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec (FMSQ) denounced what it calls “illegal reprisals bordering on bad faith” by Santé Québec in response to the union’s latest pressure tactic in its negotiations with the province. The FMSQ’s director of legal affairs and negotiations, Marie‑Josée Crête, sent a letter Tuesday to Santé Québec president and CEO Geneviève Biron regarding the Centres de répartition des demandes de services (CRDS).
As negotiations continue, the FMSQ launched a new phase of pressure tactics Monday, urging its members to stop offering appointments through the CRDS platform. The federation argues the system is “deficient and does not meet expected standards.”
Unless Santé Québec changes course, the FMSQ says it will take “all necessary legal measures” to protect its members’ rights.
Parti Québécois wants police to finish Liberal fundraising probe before the election
The Parti Québécois is urging the anti‑corruption police unit to release the findings of its investigation into alleged irregularities in Liberal Party fundraising before the October general election.
Quebec’s digital health‑record project faces major issues
As Quebec prepares to launch its new digital health‑record pilot project, confidential Radio‑Canada sources say the software, originally designed for the U.S. system, contains translation errors and inefficiencies that could significantly delay patient care.
🏙️ Local Stories
Suspected arson attack on vacant building in Saint‑Michel
A vacant commercial building was set on fire early Wednesday morning in Montreal’s Saint‑Michel neighbourhood. Calls to 911 alerted Montreal police shortly before 1 a.m. about a fire in a building on Jean‑Talon Street East, near Pie‑IX Boulevard.
Authorities say incendiary materials were found at the scene. No injuries were reported and the building sustained only minor damage. Two nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution.
According to early information, a suspect broke a window, set the interior on fire, and fled on foot before police arrived. No arrests have been made.
The investigation is ongoing and has been handed over to the Montreal police arson squad.
Cole Caufield becomes first Canadiens player to score 40 goals in 32 years
Forward Cole Caufield became the first Montreal Canadiens player since Vincent Damphousse in 1993–94 to reach the 40‑goal mark on Tuesday night. Caufield scored the overtime winner with 22 seconds left as the Canadiens beat the Boston Bruins 3–2.
He buried a pass from Nick Suzuki for his 40th of the season. Suzuki and Josh Anderson also scored, while Jakub Dobes made 26 saves for Montreal (37‑20‑10), snapping a two‑game losing streak.
Brendan Gallagher picked up an assist in his 900th NHL game, all with Montreal. He is now the 13th player in franchise history to reach 900 games with the Canadiens.
Kirby Dach out 2–4 weeks with another injury
Montreal Canadiens forward Kirby Dach will miss two to four weeks with another injury. At least this time, it wasn’t his knee.
💛 Spotlight
Brendan Gallagher celebrated his 900th NHL game, all with the Montreal Canadiens, becoming the 13th player in franchise history to reach the milestone, just three days after being a healthy scratch for the first time since his NHL debut in January 2013.
❄️ Practical Notes
Cold weather despite the sunshine
Wednesday is expected to be sunny across most of Quebec, but cold temperatures persist. In Quebec City, the wind chill hit –21°C before dawn, while Montreal saw –18°C at the same time. Dress warmly despite the sunshine.
About 35,000 households still without power Wednesday morning
If you’re among the 35,000 households still without electricity this morning, the number continues to decline. The Montérégie remains the most affected region, with just over 10,000 customers still without power, followed by the Laurentides–Lanaudière region with about 8,000.
Check Hydro‑Québec’s website for updates on service restoration.
👋 Before we wrap up
That’s your Wednesday morning roundup. Between the long‑awaited arrest in the Old Montreal tragedy, a cautious provincial budget on the way, and Cole Caufield making Canadiens history, you’re fully up to speed on what’s happening in our city and our province.
Stay warm in the biting cold, and good luck to those still without power.
Have a great day, Montréal. ☕