Montréal QC ☕ The Morning Chat

Good morning, Montréal.

This morning brings a mix of municipal life, commuting, school‑zone safety, rising prices, and the small, practical adjustments that shape the day. There’s also a bit of Quebec politics, a look across the country, and a few useful markers to help you stay ahead of the day. Here’s everything you need, neatly laid out before your coffee gets cold.

Top Story

Montréal is bringing more employees back to the office

The City of Montréal will require eligible municipal employees to work in person at least three days a week starting September 14, 2026. For now, the rule is two days on‑site for eligible employees and three for managers.

The City says the change is meant to strengthen collaboration, innovation, and connections between colleagues, while tightening the link with residents. It also follows a broader trend seen in both the public and private sectors.

The shift comes as negotiations continue with the Montréal Municipal Employees’ Union, which has criticized the move.

Local

Bixi is starting its season early

Bixi launches its 2026 season on Tuesday, two weeks earlier than usual. The network returns with more bikes, more stations, and coverage expected to reach all 13 cities by April 15.

Electric‑assist bikes are already back. Bixi trailers will be available starting April 15, and the mobile app will let riders check the network’s status in real time before heading out.

A crossing guard finally stationed near Royal West Academy

In Montréal‑West, a school crossing guard is now posted at Westminster South and Ainslie, near Royal West Academy. The decision follows more than a year of pressure from concerned parents after several incidents involving students.

The intersection drew particular attention after a 14‑year‑old student was struck in November 2024, followed by more collisions in February 2025. Even though the rules didn’t originally allow for a crossing guard near secondary schools, a review led to an exception for this high‑risk corner.

Fire in a vacant downtown building

A fire broke out Monday afternoon in a vacant building on Saint‑Laurent Boulevard near Milton Street. Forty to fifty firefighters were deployed, and the flames were brought under control shortly after 3 p.m.

The file has since been handed over to the Montréal police. Smoke affected the area enough to push downtown air quality from “good” to “poor” during the intervention.

Lady Gaga cancels her final Montréal show

Lady Gaga cancelled the final show of her Montréal run on Monday night due to a respiratory infection. She said her condition had worsened and her doctor advised her not to perform.

Tickets purchased by credit card will be refunded automatically. Those who bought tickets in person must contact Evenko for a refund.

A David Lynch and Angelo Badalamenti tribute this week in Montréal

A tribute concert to David Lynch and Angelo Badalamenti will take place April 9 at the Joseph‑Rouleau Hall on Mont‑Royal Avenue East. Eight musicians will perform new arrangements of music associated with the two creators.

Two performances are scheduled. The early show is sold out, but tickets were still available for the 9:30 p.m. performance.

Gas prices remain above two dollars per litre

Gas prices in Montréal remain above two dollars per litre. Several stations were showing 202.9 cents per litre on Monday.

The increase is tied to speculation surrounding the conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, as well as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. In short, filling up still requires a bit of courage.

Across Quebec

CAQ members begin voting

Voting has begun for CAQ members choosing François Legault’s successor as party leader and premier. About 20,500 members can participate, with voting open until Sunday afternoon.

The result will be announced April 12 in Drummondville. Bernard Drainville and Christine Fréchette are the two candidates.

FMOQ directive raises concerns for vulnerable patients

The Collège des médecins says a directive issued to family doctors by the FMOQ could disadvantage vulnerable patients. The issue raises ethical and professional questions about access to care.

Patio Design sanctioned by the Régie du bâtiment

The Régie du bâtiment du Québec has suspended Patio Design’s licence. The company is contesting the decision.

Quebec’s road network under pressure

Experts say Quebec now has 2.5 times more kilometres of paved roadway per resident than Ontario. They link this to what they call the “ribbon syndrome.”

In other words, a massive network requires massive upkeep — and drivers often feel it behind the wheel.

More flexibility in education, more concerns too

A major administrative overhaul in education aims to give schools more flexibility in how they spend money. The reform is presented as a significant shift, but it’s also raising concerns.

Avian flu remains on farmers’ radar

Migration season is renewing concerns about avian flu among Quebec poultry farmers. Even though cases have declined in recent years, biosecurity measures remain essential.

That includes limiting visitors and disinfecting barns, clothing, and boots.

Employment Insurance gets another temporary boost

Temporary enhancements to Employment Insurance have been extended. The decision is generally welcomed by the National Council of the Unemployed.

Travelling will cost a bit more for some passengers

WestJet and Porter are temporarily increasing certain fees due to rising fuel costs. WestJet will add $60 to some companion‑voucher bookings starting April 8. Porter has already been charging a temporary $40 fee per flight on certain reward bookings since March 23.

Air Canada says it does not apply a fuel surcharge on tickets, but is adding $50 per passenger on some new vacation package bookings that include flights.

Across Canada

The wait continues for generic Ozempic

Patients without drug coverage are still waiting for generic semaglutide to arrive in Canada, as current treatments can cost several hundred dollars a month. Health Canada is currently reviewing nine applications for generic versions.

The initial review takes about six months, not including delays when additional information is requested. Public plans generally cover Ozempic for diabetes, but not for obesity treatment.

A Canadian at the heart of lunar history

Canadian astronaut Jenni Gibbons shared details of the successful lunar flyby by the Artemis II crew — a mission that took its members farther from Earth than any human has ever travelled, while completing ten scientific objectives.

The crew is now on its way back to Earth and is expected to splash down Friday in the Pacific Ocean.

Green Shirt Day returns with its organ‑donation message

Green Shirt Day returns with a renewed call to register as an organ donor. The campaign honours Logan Boulet, a Humboldt Broncos player who died after the 2018 bus crash.

His donation helped save six lives and inspired roughly 150,000 registrations in the weeks that followed.

The Humboldt Broncos memorial continues to take shape

Eight years after the Humboldt Broncos tragedy, work continues on a memorial site near the crash location. This year, the committee plans to pave a parking area and walking paths.

The next step will be building a monument. Another committee is also working on a future recreation centre in honour of the team.

Sports

Caufield nears a milestone that has people talking

Markus Naslund says he hopes Cole Caufield reaches the 50‑goal mark, a milestone Naslund himself never managed to hit.

In Montréal, conversations always seem to circle back to hockey. Let’s just say this one found its way there on its own.

Practical Corner

A grey start to the day, then a warm‑up ahead

Montréal begins the day with a bit of snow, gusty winds, and temperatures near zero, before conditions gradually improve later on. The night will be cold, with wind chills approaching –13.

The rest of the week should warm up, with sunshine Wednesday, a high around 15 degrees Thursday, and rain on Friday.

Temporary car shelters must soon come down

Deadlines are approaching to remove temporary car shelters in Montréal. Most boroughs require them to be taken down by April 15, while some allow until April 30 or May 1.

The City reminds residents that fines of $250 to $1,000 can be issued if shelters aren’t removed on time.

Metro strike begins to show in stores

The strike involving more than 550 Metro employees, including at the Laval distribution centre and a warehouse in Rivière‑des‑Prairies, is already visible on store shelves. Some Montréal‑area locations are seeing shortages of fruits and vegetables.

The distribution centre supplies roughly 1,000 Metro‑group stores across Quebec.

Goo Goo Dolls cancel their stop in Laval

The Goo Goo Dolls have cancelled their Wednesday show at Place Bell in Laval, along with the rest of their Canadian tour. The band says singer John Rzeznik is suffering from pneumonia and has not fully recovered.

Tickets can be refunded at the point of purchase.

Editor’s Pick

Green Shirt Day is a reminder that a deeply personal gesture can have enormous reach. In a daily life often crowded with complications and calculations, this simple idea still carries rare weight: what we choose today can help someone far beyond what we imagine.

Before We Go

That’s it for this morning. Wishing you a smooth day, steady travel, and just enough momentum to check off what needs doing without racing the clock.