MTLQC – Montreal QC
Montréal QC ☕ Morning Chat
Good morning, Montreal.
We hope your coffee’s nice and hot this Thursday morning, because between a violent altercation shaking Pierrefonds–Roxboro, a verdict that closes a heartbreaking trial in Laval, and oil prices that keep climbing, there’s a lot to take in.
And that’s not to mention a few heartwarming stories that remind us of the strength of our community.
Take a good sip… here’s what’s happening today.
🔦 Top Story
Man in critical condition after altercation in Pierrefonds–Roxboro; woman seriously injured
A 51‑year‑old man and a 41‑year‑old woman were taken to hospital after a physical altercation inside a home in Montreal’s Pierrefonds–Roxboro borough early Thursday morning.
Montreal police (SPVM) say the incident happened around 3 a.m. near Athéna Street and Callas Street. Police say the man is considered the suspect and is believed to have injured the woman before harming himself.
The woman was taken to hospital with serious injuries but is now in stable condition and not considered to be in life‑threatening condition.
The man was also transported to hospital and is in critical condition while undergoing surgery. The investigation is ongoing.
⚡ The Essentials
Laval man accused of killing his children found guilty on all counts
A jury has found a man guilty on all charges after he drowned his two children in their Laval family home in October 2022.
Kamaljit Arora, 49, was convicted of first‑degree murder in the deaths of his 11‑year‑old son and 13‑year‑old daughter, whose names are protected by a publication ban. The jury also found him guilty of attempted murder of his eldest daughter and of strangling his wife, Rama Rani Arora, who survived the attack.
In a written admission at the start of the trial, Arora acknowledged drowning his two youngest children, but his lawyers argued the acts were not premeditated and that he was experiencing a relapse of depression.
A first‑degree murder conviction carries an automatic life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years.
The case returns to court in May for sentencing on the remaining charges.
Brent crude nears $115 after Iran strikes key Gulf energy facilities
Global energy prices surged Thursday after Iran attacked two oil refineries in Kuwait and a major natural gas facility in Qatar that supplies roughly one‑fifth of the world’s liquefied natural gas.
Brent crude, the international benchmark, jumped nearly 6% to US$113.77 a barrel, up from under US$73 before the war began. The U.S. benchmark rose less sharply, up under 1% to US$96.26 a barrel.
Europe’s TTF natural gas benchmark rose 17% Thursday and has doubled over the past month.
The Iranian attack struck Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG export terminal. Qatar normally supplies about 20% of global LNG demand. The facility shut down following a drone strike.
Canada drops to 25th in the World Happiness Report
A new report shows Canada has fallen to 25th place in the World Happiness ranking, with researchers pointing to heavy social media use as a major factor in declining well‑being among young people.
The annual report, published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, found Finland remains the world’s happiest country for the ninth straight year, with other Nordic countries, Iceland, Denmark, and Sweden, also in the top 10.
Canada slipped from 18th last year and now ranks behind the United States, which placed 23rd. In 2015, Canada ranked fifth, but its position has steadily declined, making this its lowest ranking since the report launched in 2012.
Researchers note that life evaluations among people under 25 in Canada, the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand have dropped sharply over the past decade, with long hours spent scrolling social media identified as a key factor.
CFIA fines Loblaw‑owned stores for falsely promoting imported food as Canadian; Sobeys under investigation
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has begun issuing fines and launching investigations into major grocery chains accused of misleading shoppers by promoting imported foods as Canadian.
The CFIA publicly listed five food businesses penalized for false or misleading labelling or advertising, including Real Canadian Superstore and Fortinos Etobicoke, both operated under Loblaw Companies Limited. The penalties stem from violations of section 6(1) of the Safe Food for Canadians Act, which prohibits false or misleading claims about food products.
Real Canadian Superstore in Ontario and Fortinos in Etobicoke each received a $10,000 fine for incidents that occurred in October 2025.
The CFIA also confirmed it is investigating labelling and advertising practices overseen by Sobeys’ national head office.
Large majority of Canadians oppose military involvement in the war in Iran
A new Angus Reid Institute study shows most Canadians believe the Canadian Armed Forces should not be involved in the war in Iran. In total, 74% oppose military involvement, while only 10% support it.
Conservative voters (21%) are more likely to support involvement than Liberal (3%) or NDP voters (8%).
Prime Minister Mark Carney has reiterated that Canada will “never take part” in the U.S.–Israeli war against Iran.
The Angus Reid Institute conducted the online survey from March 11 to 16, 2026, with a randomized sample of 3,467 Canadian adults.
Pierre Poilievre appears on The Joe Rogan Experience Today
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre sat down for an interview on The Joe Rogan Experience for an episode expected to be released Thursday.
A spokesperson for Poilievre says he and Rogan recorded a full episode, which could run more than three hours. Poilievre recorded the interview while in Austin, Texas, where he also met with Governor Greg Abbott.
Rogan’s podcast regularly tops Spotify charts and has 20.8 million YouTube subscribers.
Here is a clear, natural Canadian‑English translation of your full text, with no em dashes, consistent tone, and newsroom‑style clarity.
Two men arrested at Montreal airport after incident on a flight
The Sûreté du Québec says it arrested two men at Montreal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport. The arrests followed an incident involving a suspicious piece of luggage that forced one of the airport’s two runways to close.
The “suspicious suitcase,” initially treated as a potential bomb threat, briefly disrupted operations and triggered a temporary ground stop Wednesday evening. The two men who were arrested may face fraud charges.
Montreal’s airport was fully operational again after the suspicious item temporarily reduced air traffic on Wednesday.
🏙️ Local Stories
Exo Vaudreuil-Hudson train service still suspended after Wednesday’s derailment
Train service remains suspended on the Vaudreuil-Hudson line as of Thursday morning. The interruption is linked to a freight train derailment that occurred Wednesday morning.
No timeline has been provided yet for the return of regular service.
Montreal’s metro infrastructure deteriorating quickly with no short-term funding in Quebec’s plan
New data confirms that Montreal’s metro system is deteriorating, while no short-term funding has been allocated to maintain public transit assets under Quebec’s 2026–2036 infrastructure plan.
Nearly half of the metro’s assets, or 46 percent, are now rated in poor or very poor condition. More than half of its stations, 35 out of 68, fall into those categories. The share of metro assets in poor condition has reached a new high, surpassing the road network for the first time.
The Quebec Infrastructure Plan (PQI) 2026–2036 shows that funding to maintain public transit assets will remain unchanged over the next five years.
In its pre-budget submission, the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) requested a gradual increase in annual maintenance investments, targeting 669 million dollars by 2030.
After pushback from residents, weekly summer garbage pickup restored in Montreal borough
Following complaints, a petition, and several heated exchanges, the borough of Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve is officially restoring weekly garbage collection during the summer.
Concordia Stingers women’s hockey team seeks redemption at fifth straight national championship
On March 7, the Concordia Stingers women’s hockey team defeated a longtime rival, the Université de Montréal Carabins, securing a spot at the U SPORTS national hockey championship, which begins Thursday.
💛 Spotlight
Wael Allou is offering free Ramadan meals to anyone who wants one at his restaurant, Al-Quds Grill in Roxboro. No conditions and no questions asked, whether you are Muslim or not, whether you are fasting or not, because “when we give, we gain more by giving.”
🚇 Practical Info
Exo Vaudreuil-Hudson train service remains suspended
If you normally use the Vaudreuil-Hudson line, train service remains suspended Thursday morning due to a freight train derailment on Wednesday. There is currently no estimate for when regular service will resume. Plan your travel accordingly.
Montreal airport fully operational after Wednesday’s incident
After a suspicious suitcase temporarily disrupted operations and closed a runway on Wednesday, Montreal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport is fully operational again. If you are travelling today, everything should be back to normal.
👋 Before we wrap up
That’s it for this busy Thursday morning.
Between a violent altercation in Pierrefonds-Roxboro, a troubling verdict in Laval, rising energy prices, and a few uplifting local stories that highlight our community’s solidarity, you now have a clear picture of what’s happening in our region.
Stay safe and take care of yourselves and your loved ones.
Have a great day, Montreal. ☕