Montréal QC ☕ The Morning Chat

Good morning, Montréal.

There’s a lot of very real‑world stuff in the air today: tricky traffic, public safety concerns, rising prices, and a hockey team that keeps giving people something to smile about. Here’s what matters most this morning, with a focus on the stories that touch daily life in Montréal and the greater region.

Top Story

Major road closures will make getting around Montréal difficult over the long weekend

Mobilité Montréal is warning of several major disruptions across the city, starting with the full closure of Souligny Avenue eastbound between Dickson and Honoré‑Beaugrand. The closure began Thursday at 11 p.m. and is scheduled to last until Tuesday at 5 a.m. Access to Highway 25 is also affected.

Detours are in place via Hochelaga Street to the north and Notre‑Dame Street to the south. Officials say this closure could cause heavy congestion in the east end, especially in Mercier–Hochelaga‑Maisonneuve.

Other disruptions are also planned across Montréal. A new lane configuration is in effect on Highway 10 between the Victoria and Clément bridges until April 14. In Ville‑Marie, the northbound lanes of De Lorimier Avenue will be fully closed between René‑Lévesque and De Maisonneuve during the day for the next four weeks.

There are also lane reductions on Viger Avenue, partial closures on Route 138 in LaSalle, and ongoing work on Highway 20 between Sainte‑Julie and Beloeil. The REM will run on a Sunday schedule on April 3 and 6, before returning to full service between Côte‑de‑Liesse and Deux‑Montagnes starting April 6.

Local Stories

The Canadiens pick up a seventh straight win and inch closer to the playoffs

The Montréal Canadiens beat the New York Rangers 3–2 on Thursday night. Cole Caufield scored his 48th and 49th goals of the season, and Alex Newhook added another.

This seventh straight win, the team’s longest streak in nearly a decade, keeps the Habs in the playoff hunt. Jacob Fowler made 21 saves in the victory.

Four arrests in three separate counterfeit‑money investigations

Four people aged 18 to 22 have been arrested in separate cases involving counterfeit bills. Montréal police say the files involve both the sale of fake currency and the use of counterfeit bills to buy electronics.

In one case, a suspect arrested in Rivière‑des‑Prairies–Pointe‑aux‑Trembles may be linked to more than 30 frauds. In another, a search in Saint‑Léonard led to the seizure of $16,200 in fake Canadian bills.

Man in critical condition after stabbing in east‑end Montréal

A 56‑year‑old man was found seriously injured Thursday night at Ontario and Dézéry in Mercier–Hochelaga‑Maisonneuve. He had a sharp‑force injury to the upper body and remains in critical but stable condition.

Thanks to information gathered at the scene, police quickly arrested a woman in her fifties, stopped in her vehicle at Sherbrooke and d’Orléans in Rosemont. She was taken to the investigation centre for questioning.

Early indications suggest the stabbing followed an altercation between the two individuals. Police set up two perimeters to better understand what happened.

Update on Thursday’s stabbing in Côte‑des‑Neiges

Police are continuing their investigation into the stabbing that occurred Thursday afternoon at Queen‑Mary Road and Trans‑Island Avenue. The 40‑year‑old victim remains in serious condition in hospital.

According to early information, a dispute broke out between the victim and another man before the situation escalated. No arrests had been made as of Thursday evening, and investigators are still searching for the suspect.

Montréal‑Nord therapist charged with sexually assaulting clients

A 35‑year‑old man from Montréal‑Nord is facing sexual assault charges involving two women who received massage and chiropractic care at his home. The alleged incidents occurred during two separate sessions, in July 2024 and February 2026.

Police believe there may be additional victims and are asking anyone concerned to come forward.

Across Québec

Advance voting begins in three federal by‑elections

Eligible voters can cast their ballots in advance on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. As always, voting must be done at the polling station listed on the voter information card. Addresses and accepted ID can be checked on Elections Canada’s website.

Cuts to water‑quality monitoring raise concerns

Watershed groups are criticizing the Québec government’s decision to suspend water‑quality sampling in several rivers, including in Gaspésie. About 50 monitoring stations are affected, reducing the ability to detect changes in waterways.

Groups warn that this could hinder environmental management, especially as climate‑related impacts can be subtle. They are asking the government to reverse the decision or implement another monitoring system.

Messy weather expected across much of Québec

A mix of rain, snow, and freezing rain is expected to hit large parts of the province, with several alerts issued this morning by Environment Canada. Depending on the region, residents may see icy roads, slippery conditions, or significant snowfall as the Easter weekend progresses.

National

New COVID‑19 variant detected in Canada

A new COVID‑19 variant, identified as BA 3.2, has been detected in several provinces. Public health officials say case numbers remain low and there is no evidence it causes more severe illness. Experts still recommend paying attention to symptoms, as COVID‑19 effects can accumulate over time.

Two food recalls affect products sold in Québec

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is recalling several brands of poultry cold cuts nationwide due to unusual smell and taste. The affected products include turkey and chicken sold under Brickman’s, Compliments, Lilydale, and Mon marché fraîcheur. They should not be consumed, sold, or distributed.

MAPAQ has also issued a warning about Noisettine pastries containing pistachios. These products, sold in Montréal and Laval, may be contaminated with Salmonella as part of a national outbreak linked to imported pistachios. Items with “best before” dates between April 30 and June 30, 2026, or with no date at all, should be discarded or returned.

Ukrainians in Canada face uncertainty about their future

Nearly 300,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Canada since 2022, according to La Presse, under the emergency program created after the Russian invasion. Many now face uncertainty as their temporary status approaches expiry and pathways to permanent residency remain limited.

The federal government has extended by one year the period during which AVUCU permit holders can apply for a new work or study permit, or renew their current one. Still, many families who have been here for four years worry about their long‑term future.

Canadian facing terrorism‑related charges in Kenya

According to The Canadian Press, a 32‑year‑old Canadian has pleaded not guilty to nine terrorism‑related charges after a machete attack in a Nairobi mosque. Kenyan authorities say five people were injured. The man remains in custody awaiting his next court appearance.

Practical Corner

If you’re driving around the city, give yourself a little extra time

With the closure of Souligny Avenue, lane reductions on De Lorimier, Viger and Route 138, plus the REM running on a Sunday schedule on April 3 and 6, traffic is likely to be slower than usual. Leaving a bit earlier might save you from an unexpected detour. Your morning coffee may thank you for it.

If you’ve bought cold cuts recently, a quick double‑check could be useful

A national recall affects 30 turkey and chicken products sold under several brands. Authorities say these items should not be used, served, or distributed.

Heartwarmer

The Canadiens continue to do something few things manage to do in this city: bring together people who don’t always agree on much. When a team strings together seven straight wins, even the most serious conversations tend to make room for a little hockey talk.

Before we go

Wishing you a smooth day, ideally not stuck between too many orange cones. Montréal can be complicated, but it still manages to keep a bit of charm before that second coffee kicks in.