Montréal QC ☕ The morning chat
Good morning Montréal.
Advance voting is underway, and a new poll confirms the Parti Québécois surge. The leaders gathered last night on Tout le monde en parle, mixing serious talk with laughter. In sports, the cycling world championships wrapped up in style with an American victory, and the Canadiens finalized their roster. We also look at rising restaurant prices and the health of our police officers.
Main Story
New poll confirms Parti Québécois surge
As Quebec voters began casting advance ballots, a Synopsis-La Presse poll published Sunday puts the Parti Québécois on top with 30 per cent support, up two points. The Coalition Avenir Québec is crumbling: the CAQ lost seven points and now sits at 17 per cent, tied with the Parti conservateur du Québec, which gained three. Québec solidaire has 13 per cent, while the Liberal Party, led by Charles Milliard, holds steady at 22 per cent in second place.
CAQ leader Christine Fréchette also saw her personal approval rating drop six points, while Paul St-Pierre Plamondon gained two and now sits at 26 per cent. Nearly one in five voters say none of the major party leaders would be their choice for premier.
The PQ’s rise is visible across several groups: it leads among francophones with 36 per cent, and is gaining ground with voters 55 and older, a demographic that was traditionally CAQ territory. In Montréal’s suburbs, the race is no longer close: the PQ has 32 per cent there, ahead of the PLQ and CAQ, which are nearly tied. On the island of Montréal, the Liberals dominate with 38 per cent, followed by Québec solidaire at 22 per cent.
The poll was conducted online with 1,000 voters between September 24 and 27. Advance voting continues today from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., ahead of the October 5 election.
Close to Home
Leaders on Tout le monde en parle: foreign interference and laughter
The five party leaders gathered last night on the set of Tout le monde en parle for one last televised round before the vote. The exchanges stayed courteous, the format more relaxed, and the tone differed from previous debates. Foreign interference came up, and the CAQ leader promised to “shed light” on the issue. The PQ and PLQ say she has “disqualified herself” on the file. The evening also featured shared laughs, a sign the campaign is entering its final stretch.
Canadiens finalize roster: Florian Xhekaj and Engström stay, Reinbacher and Fowler sent down
After a week-and-a-half training camp and five preseason games, the Montréal Canadiens announced Sunday afternoon their roster for the start of the season. Forward Florian Xhekaj and defenceman Adam Engström remain with the big club, while David Reinbacher and goaltender Jacob Fowler are assigned to the Laval Rocket.
Xhekaj, who earned a five-game tryout last season, impressed management with his consistency. “I think I showed what I can bring to the team and why I should be here,” he said after Saturday’s 4-2 win over the Senators at the Bell Centre. “It would be a dream come true,” he added, about the possibility of starting the season in the NHL.
Coach Martin St-Louis noted the young player “has no identity problem” and knows what he brings. Engström, meanwhile, could serve as a spare before Kaiden Guhle returns from surgery. Samuel Montembeault was solid at camp, and Jakub Dobes is expected to start the season as the number-one goaltender. The Canadiens open their season Tuesday in Toronto against the Maple Leafs.
Mike Matheson fined $5,000 for roughing
Canadiens defenceman Mike Matheson was fined $5,000 by the NHL’s department of player safety for punching Senators forward Ridley Greig in the head on Saturday. The incident happened in the second period after Greig knocked Matheson down in front of his net. Both players received two-minute roughing penalties. The fine is the maximum allowed under the collective bargaining agreement.
Worth Noting
Brandon McNulty wins cycling world championships in Montréal
American Brandon McNulty won Sunday’s elite men’s road race at the UCI Road World Championships in Montréal, ending a 33-year drought for American riders. The 28-year-old crossed the line 13 seconds ahead of the pack, after covering more than 273 kilometres in six hours and 17 minutes. Australia’s Michael Matthews took second, and Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel, a former champion, completed the podium. The last American to win this race was Lance Armstrong in 1993.
Leylah Fernandez wins Singapore Open
Quebec’s Leylah Fernandez won her first title of the season Sunday, beating Australia’s Talia Gibson in the Singapore Open final, 7-5, 6-0.
Félix Roussel Canadian short-track speed skating champion
Félix Roussel was crowned Canadian men’s short-track speed skating champion Saturday in Montréal, earning his fourth gold medal and a second silver. On the women’s side, Brunelle took the title.
80% of Canadian restaurants raised prices in 2026
According to the Hospitality Operator 2026 report, commissioned by Econolease and conducted with more than 250 Canadian operators, 80 per cent of restaurants raised prices this year. About half plan to do so again next year, citing economic uncertainty, labour shortages, rising wages and tariff-related disruptions.
Montréalers tell CityNews they are worried about rising prices. Some say they eat out less often, while others prefer spending more at a good establishment rather than going out frequently. Owners like Jean-Daniel Nadeau of pizzeria Brigade are trying not to pass all costs on to customers. Alain Creton, of restaurant Chez Alexandre, created a “broth menu” with smaller portions under $20 for a main and under $10 for an appetizer. He says 50 per cent of his clientele has adopted this menu. Despite the difficulties, 83 per cent of operators say they are optimistic about the year ahead.
Traces of high-risk pesticide found in drinking water in seven Quebec cities
Traces of metolachlor, a high-risk pesticide, have been detected in the drinking water of seven Quebec cities. The concentrations measured exceed European standards, while no specific threshold exists in Quebec. The news raises questions about current regulations.
Santé Québec concerned about rising absenteeism in the network
Absenteeism has been rising in the health network for ten years, a vicious cycle that is hard to break, according to Santé Québec. The trend worries the organization, which is looking for solutions.
Practical Corner
Advance voting: today
Advance voting continues today from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. It’s a chance to vote before the October 5 election. Voters can head to their polling station to exercise their right to vote.
Alouettes learn French every week
The Montréal Alouettes hold French sessions of 20 to 30 minutes each week, the day before each game. The initiative helps players integrate and communicate with fans.
Favourite
The story of Ken Carter, the daredevil from Saint-Henri who tried to cross the St. Lawrence River in a rocket car, has become a film, The Stunt Driver, starring Jay Baruchel. It’s a reminder that ambition, even the wildest kind, can be a form of beauty. And that dreams, even the riskiest, deserve to be told.
To Close
We wish you a day full of discoveries, whether on the cycling routes or in the voting booths. And if you cross paths with a police officer, remember that some have given their lives to protect ours. Have a great day, and see you tomorrow ☕.