Montreal QC: Your Morning Digest
Good morning, Montreal! ☕
We hope your coffee is nice and hot and that you’re ready for your morning dose of local and national news. Today, we’re celebrating a first Olympic gold medal, discovering local talents who shine, and catching up on some issues that affect our daily lives. Let’s get started!
Main Story
Mikael Kingsbury Finally Brings Gold to Canada
The king of moguls restored Olympic order for Canada. Mikael Kingsbury, 33, from Deux-Montagnes, gave the country its very first gold medal at Milano Cortina 2026 with a spectacular win in parallel moguls—a new Olympic event.
The most decorated moguls skier in history beat his longtime rival, Japan’s Ikuma Horishima, in the final after Horishima missed the last jump. For Kingsbury, it’s sweet revenge after he took silver earlier in these Games in men’s moguls—a medal lost on a tie-breaker for turns against Australian Cooper Woods, despite identical scores.
This victory, likely Kingsbury’s last Olympic appearance, marks his fifth career medal at the Winter Games: two gold, three silver. An Olympic legacy worthy of the greatest moguls skier of all time.
Canada now has nine medals at these Games: one gold, three silver, five bronze. And thanks to Kingsbury, gold finally shines.
Of Note
Laurent Dubreuil Redeems Himself with Bronze
Quebec speed skater Laurent Dubreuil won his second Olympic medal Saturday: bronze in the 500 meters in long-track speed skating. A great redemption after missing the podium by 3/100ths of a second four years ago. Every hundredth counts, and this time, they were on his side.
Charlotte Cardin Triumphs in France
Quebec singer Charlotte Cardin was named Female Artist of the Year Friday at France’s Victoires de la musique awards. Our Quebec talent continues to conquer the world, one stage at a time.
No Quebecers on Canada’s Men’s Hockey Team
Surprising fact: no Quebec players are on Canada’s men’s hockey team at the Milan-Cortina Olympics. An absence that hasn’t gone unnoticed by local hockey fans.
William Dandjinou Inspires the Next Generation at CRCP Laval
Canadian short track speed skater William Dandjinou, one of the best in the world, left his mark at CRCP Laval, his former club. Many young skaters hope to follow in his footsteps and cheer him on as he competes at the 2026 Olympics. That’s what being a role model means.
A 13-Year-Old Musician Sends Love to Tumbler Ridge
Kairo Ellis, 13, from Cobble Hill on Vancouver Island, sends love and support to the Tumbler Ridge community through music. His tribute videos, including covers of “Pink Skies” and “Something in the Orange” by Zach Bryan, have been viewed nearly a million times. His music even reached the hospital room of Maya Gebala, 12, who remains in critical condition after trying to protect her classmates.
Police Tape Removed at Tumbler Ridge
The RCMP removed the yellow tape around Tumbler Ridge Secondary School on Saturday, though the school remains closed to the public and roads leading to it are still barricaded. Forensic work at the family home was expected to be completed this weekend. Autopsies, including that of shooter Jesse Van Rootselaar who committed suicide, should be finished. Van Rootselaar’s troubling online presence revealed a history of engagement with violence, including a Roblox game simulating a mall shooting.
Black Artists in Quebec Open Doors for the Next Generation
Thirty years after February was recognized as Black History Month in Canada, comic artist Lateef Martin and rapper Webster examine Black artistic traditions in Quebec and how they’re paving the way for the next generation.
Food Inflation Expected to Spike in January
Last year’s fiscal changes will drive food inflation up when Statistics Canada releases January figures Tuesday. With the end of the December 2024 sales tax holiday, food inflation could exceed 7%, especially for restaurants. The overall rate should stay around 2.4%.
Home Insurance: Prices Up, Coverage Down
Home insurance costs rose 31% between 2021 and 2025, outpacing overall inflation of 15%. Insurers are raising deductibles, excluding certain risks, and reducing exposure in high-risk areas. About 1.5 million households can’t get flood insurance. British Columbia (+68%) and Alberta (+58%) saw the biggest increases.
Final Report on SAAQclic Fiasco Expected Monday
Judge Denis Gallant is set to release his final report Monday morning on the tumultuous launch of the SAAQclic website, after months of testimony from Quebec ministers and officials.
Canada and Denmark Sign Defense Agreement
The signing took place Friday at the Munich Security Conference.
At Home
Kid Koala Makes Directorial Debut
Montreal DJ and artist Kid Koala, known for global tours with interactive multimedia shows, sees his first animated film, Space Cadet, premiere in Quebec cinemas. From vinyl to the big screen—a creative evolution.
Andreas Kessaris Celebrates Park Ex in His New Book
Montreal author Andreas Kessaris, a native of Park Extension, published a book of essays and memories where the title story features the neighborhood. In the story, he gives a tour of Park Ex to his girlfriend, poet Kelly Norah Drukker, on a Sunday afternoon in April 2020. A beautiful love letter to a vibrant neighborhood.
Stigma Discourages Blood Donation in Black Communities
Policies dating back to the 1980s likely still play a role in the mistrust some Black communities in Quebec feel toward blood donation. People like Stanley Étienne, working with Héma-Québec, strive to encourage more people to move past this history and save lives.
Opinion: Time for an Anglo Summit on a Quebec Constitution
The Greater Quebec Movement (GQM), a group committed to defending the interests of Quebec’s anglophones, is calling for a summit to promote their full inclusion in Quebec society.
Favorite Story
Kairo Ellis, 13, sending love to Tumbler Ridge through music, whose videos reached the hospital room of Maya Gebala, reminds us that compassion knows no age and music can truly heal.
Practical Corner
Sunday Weather: Sunny skies with increasing clouds in the afternoon and a high of minus 5. After a long winter, it’s time for a dose of vitamin D! Take the opportunity to get outside and enjoy the fresh air.
Have a great day, Montreal! We’ll be back tomorrow with your next dose of local news. In the meantime, stay curious and take care. ☀️
EXCERPT:
Mikael Kingsbury, 33, from Deux-Montagnes, Quebec, gave Canada its first gold medal at Milano Cortina 2026 with a win in parallel moguls, beating his longtime rival, Japan’s Ikuma Horishima, in the final. This victory, likely the last Olympic appearance for the most decorated moguls skier in history, marks his fifth career medal at the Winter Games.
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