Montréal QC ☕ Morning Briefing

Good morning, Montréal.

This morning, we go from an evacuation on McGill’s campus to a new attempt to ease noise tensions in the Plateau, with a detour through Longueuil for a closely watched space return.

We’re also keeping an eye on a few very concrete files, from the deposit‑return system to disappearing cafés, along with what’s moving at the Quebec National Assembly and in Ottawa.

In short, a very Montréal kind of morning, where you can talk politics, neighbourhood life and the Moon in the same breath.

Top Story

False alarm leads to evacuation of McGill’s Bronfman Building

Friday evening, McGill’s Bronfman Building downtown was evacuated after calls reporting possible gunshot sounds inside the building on Sherbrooke Street near Metcalfe.

A 911 call came in around 5:35 p.m. Montréal police then fully evacuated the building to ensure the safety of those inside. The response brought several police vehicles and heavily armed officers to the scene.

By 7:45 p.m., investigators confirmed it was a false alarm. No one was injured. Police also said the situation did not appear to be connected to the incident unfolding at the University of Ottawa at the same time.

Local Stories

Starbucks keeps retreating in Montréal

Starbucks continues to lose ground in Greater Montréal. At least 30 locations have closed in the region over the past decade, while new openings haven’t kept pace.

More broadly, the company closed more than 200 stores in North America in September 2025, including eight in Quebec. In Montréal, it finds itself squeezed between lower‑cost chains and well‑established local specialty cafés.

New approach to noise in the Plateau

The Plateau–Mont‑Royal borough wants to reduce tensions between venues and residents with a new by‑law on noise‑related complaints. The plan includes a cap on fines and a shift in enforcement from police to the borough.

It’s a very Montréal file: cultural venues want to keep neighbourhoods vibrant, while residents want to sleep without negotiating with every bass line that travels through the walls.

Deposit‑return machines gradually leaving Quebec grocery stores

Bottle‑and‑can return machines are being phased out of Quebec grocery stores as part of Consignaction’s modernization. New sorting centres will replace them.

Not everyone is convinced. Some people already doubt the new system will make returns easier in everyday life.

Jeremy Hansen returns to Earth under Longueuil’s watch

More than 100 employees and family members gathered at the Canadian Space Agency in Longueuil to watch the live return of the Artemis II crew. Splashdown in the Pacific took place at 8:07 p.m. Eastern.

The mission lasted more than nine days and took the crew around the far side of the Moon. Jeremy Hansen returned from a journey that carried humans farther into space than any crewed mission in more than half a century.

Cole Caufield hits 50 goals

Two days later, Montréal is still buzzing: on Thursday night, Cole Caufield became the seventh player in Canadiens history to reach the 50‑goal mark, in a 2–1 win over Tampa Bay. The Bell Centre erupted… one of those goals that becomes a collective moment.

And this morning, the excitement hasn’t faded. Analysts note that Caufield is only 25, has already shattered his personal bests, and leads the NHL in game‑winning goals this season. For fans, it’s simple: if the Habs want to dream a little this spring, he’s at the centre of it.

Quebec Stories

Quebec will know its next premier on Sunday

The CAQ will choose its new leader Sunday in Drummondville, and that person will automatically become Quebec’s next premier. Christine Fréchette and Bernard Drainville are the two candidates.

By Friday just before noon, nearly 66% of the more than 20,000 eligible members had already voted. The two candidates offer very different styles — one more direct, the other more measured.

Digital Health Record launch may be delayed

Cybersecurity and Digital Minister Gilles Bélanger says meetings next week will determine whether the launch of the Digital Health Record, currently set for May 9, should be postponed.

He and the Health Minister want answers on risks, issues and possible solutions. Santé Québec maintains everything is in place for a safe launch.

Homelessness rising across Quebec, especially outside Montréal

New provincial data shows homelessness increasing across Quebec, with the sharpest rises outside Montréal.

The conclusion is simple and heavy: the issue continues to spread well beyond major centres already under pressure.

SAAQ revises its governance practices

The Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec says it has changed its organizational structure following the Gallant commission report. The changes target oversight, accountability, transparency, financial monitoring and contract management.

A new division dedicated to governance, performance, integrity and compliance is also planned. The goal is to rebuild trust and correct course for the long term.

Quebec wants to extend the end of the “double welcome tax”

Minister Geneviève Guilbault wants to extend the end of the “double welcome tax” to homes received through inheritance. Bill 22 already aims to eliminate the double tax for common‑law partners in certain situations.

The minister also wants to address cases involving people in mourning who inherit a property. The next steps depend on the incoming premier, as parliamentary work is paused until May 5.

Supreme Court confirms Quebec man declared dead was alive

The Supreme Court of Canada upheld a decision to cancel the death declaration of a Quebec man after new evidence showed he was alive in Iran.

Details remain limited, but the case is certainly unusual.

National Stories

Liberals debate minimum age for social media

At the Liberal convention in Montréal, members will debate a proposal to restrict access to social media accounts to Canadians aged 16 and older. The resolution is supported by Jonathan Nuss of the Outremont Liberal Association.

The idea is to spark a national conversation about addictive technologies and their effects on youth. The vote is expected Saturday.

Mark Carney promises next Governor General will be bilingual

In an interview with Radio‑Canada, Mark Carney said Canada’s next Governor General will be bilingual, able to speak both French and English.

Current Governor General Mary Simon speaks English and Inuktitut and has limited French. A new appointment could come in 2026.

Liberals one seat away from a majority

The Liberals now hold 171 seats in the House of Commons, one short of the 172 needed for a majority in the 343‑seat chamber.

Beyond the numbers, several observers note that this progress hasn’t come solely from elections: in recent months, multiple MPs from other parties have crossed the floor to join the Liberals, shifting the balance without a national vote. In some cases, the majority seems to be advancing through party‑switching, almost as if a majority can be “built” faster than it can be won.

Three by‑elections are scheduled for Monday, including one in Terrebonne. A majority would significantly change the dynamics around passing legislation, committee work and the influence of opposition parties.

Unemployment remains at 6.7% in March

Statistics Canada reports that the unemployment rate held at 6.7% in March. The economy added 14,000 jobs during the month.

After losses in January and February, the trend is moving slightly in the other direction.

Practical Corner

Today’s weather in Montréal

Environment Canada forecasts sunshine Saturday morning, then a mix of sun and cloud around noon. The high is 9°C, with northwest winds of 20 km/h and gusts up to 40 km/h in the afternoon.

The UV index rises to 5. In the evening, skies should clear with a low of –1°C.

Deposit‑return: a small habit to rethink

With machines disappearing from grocery stores, it’s worth checking ahead of time where to return your containers as the new system rolls out. It’s not a major upheaval, but exactly the kind of detail that can cost you a few minutes when you thought it would be quick.

Coup de cœur

The gathering in Longueuil to watch Jeremy Hansen’s return had something quietly beautiful about it. Seeing families, employees and a whole community look up together at a scientific achievement is a gentle but powerful reminder: here too, we know how to celebrate what lifts us beyond ourselves.

Before we go

Thank you for starting your morning with us.

We wish you a bright, gentle day, light enough to leave room for a little spontaneity. ☕