MTLQC – Montreal QC

Montréal QC ☕ Morning Chat

Good morning, Montréal.

We hope you’re enjoying your Saturday morning with a good cup of coffee.

Today’s edition brings a mix of good news and tougher stories.

Between public transit issues making travel more complicated, a loss for Quebec’s baseball community, and a few stories that highlight local solidarity, there’s plenty to stay informed about.

Take a sip… and let’s dive in.

🔦 Top Story

Quebec’s baseball community mourns Rodger Brulotte, dead at 79

Quebec has lost one of its most iconic baseball voices. Rodger Brulotte, the beloved commentator who covered Major League Baseball in French, including the Montreal Expos, has passed away.

Brulotte was far more than a sports commentator. For generations of Quebecers, his voice was baseball, bringing the passion and excitement of the game directly into francophone homes.

His passing marks the end of an era for baseball in Quebec and leaves a void in the hearts of those who grew up listening to his spirited calls of Expos games and other MLB matchups.

⚡ What to Know

CAQ leadership candidates face off in their first debate

The two candidates hoping to succeed François Legault, Christine Fréchette and Bernard Drainville, will face each other for the first time on Saturday in Québec City.

They’ll debate issues including the economy, public finances, infrastructure, transportation, regional development, and Canada–U.S. relations.

The Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) expects about 300 people to attend the debate, held at Espace Saint‑Grégoire, a former church converted into an event venue.

The debate will also be streamed online.

The CAQ has just under 20,600 members eligible to vote for the next leader. The deadline to become a member and vote in the leadership race was March 13.

Federal government plans to cut 12,000 full‑time equivalent positions

Federal departments and agencies plan to eliminate more than 12,000 full‑time equivalent positions over the next three years as part of the Carney government’s spending review.

The figure comes from departmental plans for 2026–27 outlining how they will cut billions in spending to meet cost‑reduction targets.

Planned job losses include: • 1,793 positions at Public Services and Procurement Canada • 900 at Statistics Canada • 942 at Health Canada

The Canadian Space Agency says it plans to end work on the LEAP Lunar Rover mission.

The Canada Revenue Agency plans to close units no longer aligned with government priorities, including those handling the digital services tax and consumer carbon pricing.

Most NDP leadership candidates say they’re in no rush to enter the House of Commons

Four of the five federal NDP leadership candidates say they won’t rush to seek a seat in the House of Commons if they win.

Filmmaker Avi Lewis says that if he becomes leader next week, his top priority will be preparing the party’s base for an election.

Three other candidates, union leader Rob Ashton, farmer Tony McQuail, and social worker Tanille Johnston, agree that winning a seat is not their immediate priority.

Meanwhile, Heather McPherson, who has won her Edmonton riding in the last three elections, stresses the need for a leader who can advance NDP priorities in the House from day one.

Voting in the six‑month leadership race ends March 28. The new NDP leader will be announced March 29.

Quebec pushes back on Doug Ford’s concerns over EV targets

Quebec is rejecting Ontario’s call to abandon electric‑vehicle mandates, saying it has already adjusted its targets despite pressure from U.S. policies and tariffs.

Quebec skier Naomi Urness wins big air gold and Crystal Globe title

Canadian freestyle skier Naomi Urness won gold in the women’s big air event at a World Cup stop on Friday, securing the Crystal Globe as season champion.

Three Quebec maritime trainees return home after being stranded in the Persian Gulf

A Quebec‑based shipping company says three Canadians have returned home after being stranded aboard their vessels in the Persian Gulf.

Advocacy groups urge Quebec to respect Supreme Court ruling on asylum seekers’ access to subsidized childcare

Advocacy groups and former politicians are urging Quebec officials not to override a recent Supreme Court of Canada decision granting asylum seekers access to subsidized childcare.

Some political leaders, however, say they are open to using the notwithstanding clause.

🏙️ Local Stories

REM: No service at Édouard‑Montpetit station on the Brossard line

REM service at Édouard‑Montpetit station is down in the Brossard direction on Saturday morning.

The transit agency says trains will not stop on the A1 Brossard line due to technical issues.

Service remains normal on the A4 Deux‑Montagnes line.

Passengers on the A1 Brossard line who need to get off at Édouard‑Montpetit should instead get off at McGill, then transfer to the A4 Deux‑Montagnes line at platform 1.

The agency has not provided an estimate for when service will resume.

Montréal hosts the 27th edition of the Week of Action Against Racism and for Equal Opportunity

“Resist and Unite: Rethinking Tomorrow’s Society Together” is the theme of the 27th edition of the Week of Action Against Racism and for Equal Opportunity (SACR), which officially launched on Friday.

Community leaders and members gathered at Montréal City Hall for an opening ceremony led by Josué Corvil, the councillor responsible for culture, diversity, inclusion, Indigenous relations, and community harmony.

Organizers say this year’s activities focus on one central goal: preventing and combating exclusion based on skin colour, ethnic origin, or national origin.

The program includes symposiums, exhibitions, workshops, and artistic events, along with an expanded series of online talks.

All events are free and take place daily across Montréal and surrounding regions until the closing ceremony on March 31.

The full 12‑day schedule is available on their website: www.sacr.ca.

“The worst is yet to come,” says Montréal as it announces new pothole measures

The City of Montréal says it is working to address the number of potholes on its streets, but warns that this spring will be particularly difficult in the meantime.

Lack of federal funding threatens services for Montréal’s most vulnerable

Face à Face, a non‑profit organization, serves more than 1,200 clients without a fixed address with only a handful of staff. Workers now fear the situation will worsen due to a lack of federal financial support.

💛 Spotlight

Kim Reid, founder of On Rock Community Services, a non‑profit based in Pierrefonds, has spent more than 35 years helping West Island residents facing food insecurity.

At 67, she is now passing the torch to her daughter.

🚇 Practical Corner

REM service issues this Saturday morning

If you are using the REM to get around this Saturday morning, be aware that service at Édouard‑Montpetit station is down in the Brossard direction due to technical problems.

If you need to get off at this station, get off at McGill instead and transfer to the A4 Deux‑Montagnes line at platform 1.

The agency has not provided an estimate for when service will resume, so plan your travel accordingly.

Sun on Saturday, snow overnight

Environment Canada is calling for a mix of sun and clouds on Saturday with a high of 4 degrees.

Enjoy it, but be aware that snow is expected to return overnight.

If you have plans for Sunday, keep that in mind.

👋 Before You Go