Montréal QC ☕ The Morning Chat
Hello, Montréal.
This morning’s edition begins with a look at how the province hopes to modernize its public services, even if the effort has yet to settle into a steady rhythm. We also follow a downtown incident, a key matchup for the Alouettes, and a few decisions from outside the city that still matter here at home.
Main Story
Quebec drops artificial intelligence and automation projects in the public sector
Quebec has abandoned pilot projects tied to automation and artificial intelligence in the public sector, including a planned conversational robot for the Quebec.ca website.
A ministry document highlights several major technical challenges: conversations lacking fluidity, difficulty handling complex requests, imperfect error management, and slow response times from the conversational robot.
Two other automation pilots also failed to move forward. The obstacles involved data access, certain functions restricted for security reasons, and an internal expertise level considered too limited to propose alternatives.
The ministry confirmed that the chatbot project for Quebec.ca has been abandoned and that no new timeline has been set. The feasibility study and business case were never completed because the project was not prioritized.
Local Stories
45-year-old man injured in a stabbing downtown
A 45-year-old man was found Saturday morning near the intersection of Sainte-Catherine and Saint-Marc in Ville-Marie after a stabbing.
The incident reportedly occurred around 4 a.m. following a conflict between several people in an alley near Sainte-Catherine and Chomedey. The victim was taken to hospital in critical condition, but his condition later stabilized.
An investigation is underway. No arrests had been made at the time of publication.
Alouettes host the Tiger-Cats in a key matchup in the East
The Montréal Alouettes face the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Sunday at Percival-Molson Stadium.
Montréal enters the game with a 5–1 record and three straight wins, while Hamilton sits at 3–3. Return specialist DeVonte Dedmon will make his debut with Montréal after being sidelined with a hamstring injury.
A Montréal win would give the Alouettes the season series against Hamilton and the tiebreaker between the two teams.
Of Note
Quebec sends water bombers to British Columbia
Quebec has sent three water bombers to British Columbia to support efforts against wildfires that have intensified in recent days.
The aircraft left Thursday for Williams Lake with six pilots and three technicians, a reinforcement made possible because the situation in Quebec is currently under control.
More than 900 fires remain active across the country, including nearly 700 that are not contained, and British Columbia is dealing with several major fires and ongoing evacuations.
Interprovincial alcohol rules loosen, but not entirely
Nine provinces agreed this week to allow direct-to-consumer alcohol sales, a new step toward reducing interprovincial trade barriers.
This move is part of a broader effort launched last year to improve the flow of goods and services across the country, as premiers also look to shield themselves from new tariff threats from the United States.
Despite the progress, several obstacles remain, particularly in agri-food, labour mobility, and road transport, where differing rules from one province to another continue to complicate trade.
Energy drinks: the United Kingdom follows Quebec, but Canada stands still
The United Kingdom will ban highly caffeinated energy drinks for youth under 16 starting in 2027, adopting an approach similar to Quebec.
London cites health risks for young people, noting that about 100,000 children consume these drinks daily.
In Canada, the debate remains open. The parents of Zachary Miron, whose death reignited the discussion, are calling for national action. Quebec has already passed legislation, but Ottawa says only that it is monitoring the situation closely.
Practical Corner
If you follow the Alouettes
The Montréal–Hamilton game is set for Sunday at Percival-Molson Stadium. It is an important matchup in the race for the East and marks the return of DeVonte Dedmon to the lineup.
Coup de Cœur
The short break we took reminded us of something simple: Montréal is a city that recharges its own batteries. You do not need to go far to feel like you can breathe again.
Between overflowing terraces, singing back alleys, festivals that appear without warning, and the smells of food drifting through the neighbourhoods, this city knows exactly how to lift people’s spirits.
We are easing back in, with the certainty that Montréal can offer a real little getaway without ever leaving the island. This city knows how to give you energy simply by being itself.
Before we go
We wish you an excellent weekend, a clear head, and a schedule that cooperates a little more than a complicated IT project. Montréal knows how to juggle big questions and small urgencies, often before the second coffee. ☕