Montreal QC
Good morning, Montreal!
We hope your coffee is nice and hot this morning, because we have quite a bit to talk about. Between stories moving in the city, news that touches the heart, and some stories that remind us where we come from, today is shaping up to be a busy one. Let’s go.
Main Story
Violence in Romantic Relationships Among Youth on the Rise in Montreal
Montreal’s Public Health Directorate is sounding the alarm: the proportion of young people who have experienced violence in their romantic relationships is increasing. Eight percent of high school students aged 14 and over reported at least one forced sexual encounter in their lives—a higher figure than the previous two surveys, where the average was five percent. The percentage is higher among girls (12%) than boys (4%). Additionally, 38% of young Montrealers who have been in a romantic relationship report having been victims of at least one form of violence (physical, psychological, or sexual) from their partner. In 2010-11, this figure was 31%. The data comes from the third edition of a survey conducted during the 2022-23 school year, in which 5,800 students from 92 Montreal schools were interviewed. Researcher Salomé Lemieux explains that technology plays a role: digital surveillance, control of social networks, and geolocation are increasingly present phenomena. The #MeToo movement may also have facilitated reporting. The report emphasizes that it’s essential to act early to reduce this violence in the long term.
Of Note
🚨 SAAQ Suspends Operations at Place Vertu
The Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec has temporarily closed its service center at Place Vertu after client complaints. An administrative investigation is underway. Clients with appointments will be contacted and redirected to centers in Kirkland or on Henri-Bourassa Boulevard. Some transactions can also be completed online.
💰 Enhanced GST Credit This Spring
Canadians who receive the GST credit will get a one-time enhanced payment this spring after Parliament quickly passed a bill. The Canadian Grocery and Essentials Benefit will provide a one-time payment equal to 50% of the credit as soon as possible this spring. The regular value of the credit will also increase by 25% for five years starting in July. A family of four will receive up to $1,890 this year, and about $1,400 per year for the next four years.
🇨🇦 Party Leaders Invited to Tumbler Ridge
Prime Minister Mark Carney has invited each party leader to commemorate the victims after the Tumbler Ridge shooting. The RCMP in British Columbia revealed the identities of the eight victims: five children and an educator found dead at the high school, as well as two other victims in a residence.
Many Montrealers are now wondering if the real factors that led to this tragedy will ever be fully explained, and above all, if we will finally have an honest discussion about what could have contributed to such an extreme act.
🍽️ Restaurants Struggling to Make Profits
A Restaurants Canada survey reveals that 44% of respondents are operating at a loss or barely breaking even—a rise compared to 2019, when only 12% were in this situation. Lower traffic and rising costs are making business difficult.
✈️ Air Transat Suspends All Flights to the U.S.
Air Transat is canceling its last two flights to Florida this spring, thus suspending all its operations to the United States.
⛸️ Courtney Sarault Wins Bronze in the 500m
Canadian short track speed skater Courtney Sarault finished third in the women’s 500m with a great comeback. It’s her second Olympic medal after silver in the mixed relay. Meanwhile, William Dandjinou finished just off the podium in the men’s 1000m, though he was heavily favored for gold.
⛷️ Young Girl Between Life and Death After Ski Lift Accident
A 13-year-old girl, seriously injured in a ski lift accident during a school outing at a ski resort in western Quebec, is between life and death in the hospital.
🏛️ Amnesty International Calls for Withdrawal of Quebec Constitution
Amnesty International is calling for the “complete withdrawal” of Quebec’s Constitution Act (Bill 1) from the Legault government for violating multiple local and international laws and infringing on the rights of linguistic and cultural minorities. The organization says the proposed constitution “reduces the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms by imposing new limits.” The bill was introduced by the CAQ in October 2025 and is set to take effect on June 24, 2026.
💰 Santé Québec Near Financial Balance
Santé Québec says it has regained control of costs in the network.
🎓 Shortfall Doubles for CEGEPs
The Federation of CEGEPs warns that a shortfall of $175 million is expected, adding to this year’s $151 million deficit.
🗳️ Deadline Today for PLQ Leadership
Today is the deadline to apply for leadership of the Quebec Liberal Party. Charles Milliard, former president of the Quebec Chamber of Commerce Federation, has the support of most of the caucus. Mario Roy, a farmer from Beauce, is the only other to have confirmed his interest, but could be excluded due to debts from the 2025 race. The race comes at a pivotal moment: the CAQ is also seeking a new leader after François Legault announced his departure. Quebecers will go to the polls in October.
📄 “Brownies” Texts: Liberals Say Rodriguez Cleared, PQ Not Convinced
A 39-page report by former judge Jacques Fournier examined text messages suggesting party members were offered $100 (nicknamed “brownies”) to vote for Rodriguez. Fournier concludes the messages could be fabricated or a “montage,” but cannot definitively rule out vote buying. Interim Liberal leader Marc Tanguay says the report proves there’s no evidence supporting the allegations. The PQ is reserving judgment until other parallel investigations are completed, including one by UPAC.
🏛️ Cree Chief Criticizes Proposed Constitution
More than 50 years after his grandfather and other Cree chiefs confronted Robert Bourassa about the James Bay project, Grand Chief Paul John Murdoch returned to the National Assembly Thursday with a scathing critique of the proposed Quebec constitution.
At Home
🎨 Exhibition for Black History Month: A Congolese Artist Paints “To Say Something About the World”
Julien Lubanda-Kandolo, a Montrealer who moved from Kinshasa in 2009, is showcasing his work in the exhibition “Rituels et Avatars d’Afrique” at Galerie Éclats 521. The exhibition includes his paintings, including one of his late mother, as well as large-format photographs by Claude Gauthier. A graduate of UQAM, Lubanda-Kandolo has exhibited around the world. Free admission, the exhibition runs from February 14 to 27. Opening reception on February 19 at 5 p.m.
🎂 Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Island Celebrates 50 Years
Montrealers gathered Thursday morning at Jack Astor’s in Dorval for the 26th annual Valentine’s Day fundraising breakfast of Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Island, as the organization celebrates its 50th anniversary. The biggest challenge is raising $100,000, according to executive director Valentino Pietrantonio. Recruiting mentors remains a constant challenge, especially for boys waiting. Over 75 children are on the waiting list, mostly boys.
🚧 The Mayor Wants to Remove Cones from Downtown
Soraya Martinez Ferrada says she wants better coordination and the use of artificial intelligence tools to help reduce the impact of roadwork on Montrealers.
🏛️ A Trailblazer Honored: Gloria Baylis
Gloria Baylis, a Black nurse from Barbados, took a Montreal hotel giant to court in the 1960s and won. It was the first Canadian case where an institution was found guilty of race-based hiring discrimination. An exhibition and a play honor her legacy.
⚖️ Frank Stronach Trial: Cross-Examination of the Plaintiff
The sexual assault trial of businessman Frank Stronach continues in Toronto with the cross-examination of the first plaintiff. She testified Thursday that she was “terrified” decades ago when she woke up in a bed in an unknown place and realized she was being assaulted. She said she did not consent to a sexual relationship with Stronach after meeting him in his Toronto restaurant in the early 1980s. Stronach, 93, has pleaded not guilty to a dozen charges related to seven plaintiffs for incidents allegedly occurring from the late 1970s to the 1990s.
Favorite Moment
Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Island celebrates 50 years of helping young people—a half-century of mentoring, support, and connections that change lives.
Practical Corner
🚗 SAAQ Center Closed at Place Vertu
If you had an appointment at the SAAQ service center at Place Vertu, you will be contacted to be redirected to Kirkland or Henri-Bourassa. Many services are also available online.
Take care, Montreal. Have a good Friday.
EXCERPT:
Montreal’s Public Health Directorate reports a worrying increase in violence in romantic relationships among youth: 8% of high school students aged 14 and over reported at least one forced sexual encounter in their lives, and 38% of young people who have been in a romantic relationship say they have been victims of at least one form of violence from their partner, according to a survey of 5,800 students from 92 Montreal schools during the 2022-23 school year.
Leave a Reply