Montreal QC ☕ The morning chat
Good morning Montreal.
The election campaign enters its final stretch with tonight’s leaders’ debate, while the city tackles issues of safety, urban planning, and culture. There’s also roadwork to expect on the South Shore, a film festival opening, and a new honour for a downtown hotel.
Main Story
Leaders’ debate: the last chance to convince
The leaders of Quebec’s main political parties will face off tonight in the third and final debate of the campaign, less than two weeks before the October 5 vote. The event, airing from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on all Radio-Canada platforms, is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for parties still trying to break through.
According to a recent poll, the PQ holds a lead, but the race for second place is tightening. About 40% of Quebecers say they are still undecided or could change their minds by election day, suggesting a decisive debate.
The leaders’ strategies will be crucial: it’s no longer just about convincing, but pleasing an electorate that hasn’t made up its mind. The issues are plentiful, from the cost of living to immigration, housing, and the environment.
In Our Neighbourhood
Montreal asks Quebec to intervene on Sanimax plant odours
The City of Montreal is asking the provincial government to intervene in the case of the Sanimax fat-processing plant in Rivière-des-Prairies. A 2024 Quebec Court decision ordered the company to modernize its facilities to reduce odours and improve air quality, but the City says the work still hasn’t started.
Residents of the neighbourhood, who have fought for years for a solution, remain without a concrete answer. The City’s request for intervention with Quebec is a new chapter in this long-running file that directly affects the quality of life of residents in the area.
12-year-old boy robbed in Rivière-des-Prairies park
A 12-year-old boy was playing soccer at Pasquale-Gattuso Park in Rivière-des-Prairies on Sunday afternoon when three teenagers approached him and demanded his phone, showing a weapon, possibly a firearm, according to his parents. The child was not physically hurt, but his parents, who wish to remain anonymous, describe a traumatized boy.
“I couldn’t believe it. I was shaking when I arrived at the park. I saw my son traumatized, white as a ghost,” says Ivana, the mother. His father, Steve, who is recovering from major leg surgery, says he feels helpless: “I’m angry. I feel my role as a parent is to protect my child and I couldn’t do it.”
Montreal police confirm the investigation is ongoing, but note that until the weapon is found, it’s impossible to confirm whether it was a firearm. The parents say they spent two hours with officers, who also went door-to-door to collect surveillance camera footage.
Montreal adopts bylaw against insults toward municipal employees
We’re returning to this story today because it’s still sparking plenty of discussion: Montreal’s city council on Tuesday adopted a bylaw that prohibits insults, threats, intimidation, and offensive behaviour toward police officers, elected officials, and municipal employees. The measure passed 35–25 after a debate that lasted more than half an hour.
The official opposition called the proposal “unfinished,” criticizing a lack of clear definitions and the absence of public consultations. Councillors opposed to the bylaw, such as Carla Beauvais, raised precedents in other cities where judges can’t agree on the definition of “insult,” which could lead to court backlogs.
Fines for a first offence can reach $1,000, and $2,000 for repeat offences. Other municipalities like Laval, Longueuil, Sherbrooke, and Quebec City already have similar bylaws and have reportedly issued thousands of tickets over the past six years.
Journalist says beaten by police at anti-AI protest
Press groups are calling for an investigation after an independent journalist said he was beaten by Montreal police while covering a protest against artificial intelligence in the downtown core last week. The journalist, who says he was “targeted,” was hospitalized.
This allegation raises questions about the protection of journalists during protest coverage and about police practices. Press groups are demanding an independent investigation to shed light on the events.
To Remember
Secularism: a quiet issue in the election campaign
The Legault government passed secularism laws that prohibit several public servants from wearing religious symbols at work. As the campaign winds down, political parties have been tight-lipped on the subject, but voters, for or against these laws, want to know how the next government will handle the issue.
Quebec’s freeze on international adoptions: a debate between hope and ethics
It’s been about two years since Quebec suspended most international adoptions due to concerns about child trafficking. The province wants to ensure better safeguards are in place, which adopted adults applaud. But with no word on a possible thaw, prospective parents are left wondering where they stand.
Guy Turcotte denied supervised prison outings
Guy Turcotte, the Quebec cardiologist convicted of murdering his two children, was denied supervised prison outings by the Parole Board of Canada on Tuesday. Turcotte is serving a life sentence for stabbing to death his five-year-old son and three-year-old daughter.
Practical Corner
Paving work: overnight closure of part of Highway 15 service road
Quebec’s Transport Ministry announces that the Highway 15 service road (Marie-Victorin Boulevard) will be completely closed at night, from September 28 to October 7, southbound, between the Samuel-De Champlain Bridge area and Tessier Street in Brossard, for paving work.
Closures will take place from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights. A detour will be in place for residents between De Rome Boulevard and Turenne Street, via Highway 10 east, Taschereau Boulevard west, and De Rome Boulevard north. Work could be postponed in case of bad weather; it’s advised to check Quebec 511 before hitting the road.
Pick of the Day
The Montreal International Black Film Festival returns for its 22nd edition with 70 films from 21 countries, from September 23 to 27. It’s a chance to discover authentic stories that might otherwise never be seen, and to celebrate the diversity of Black voices on screen, with screenings at the Cinéma du Musée and Concordia University, among others. A reminder that cinema can be both a mirror and a window.
To Close
We wish you an exciting debate night, whether you choose to follow it live or catch up later. And if the Sanimax odours or Highway 15 construction complicate your day, remember that every issue eventually moves forward, even when it takes a little patience. Have a great day, and happy chatting. ☕