MTLQC – Montreal QC

Montréal QC ☕ Morning Chat

Good morning, Montréal.

Today we’re talking about an Olympic event that puts the city back on the international sports map, a major contract that shines a spotlight on Québec’s aerospace sector, and several very concrete issues affecting daily life across the province. And yes, there’s a stop in the hockey world, because in Montréal, some habits are clearly stronger than the morning coffee.

Top Story

IOC selects Montréal to host Olympic qualifiers in 2028

Montréal has been chosen as one of four cities to host a stage of the Olympic qualifying series ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Games. The International Olympic Committee confirmed that the city will host the Montréal leg of the Q‑Series from June 1 to 4, 2028.

The event will take place at the 1976 Olympic Park. The exact program for each host city hasn’t been finalized yet, but six sports are part of the overall series: 3×3 basketball, beach volleyball, BMX freestyle, climbing, flag football and skateboarding.

The announcement comes as Montréal prepares to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Olympics, with a series of events culminating on August 1. For a city that already knows a thing or two about major sporting moments, the Olympic Park clearly isn’t done welcoming crowds.

Local

Airbus secures 150‑plane order from AirAsia in multi‑billion‑dollar boost for Québec aviation

Airbus Canada will supply 150 A220 aircraft to AirAsia in a multi‑billion‑dollar deal. The planes are built in Mirabel, just north of Montréal.

For the region and for Québec’s aerospace industry, this is a major contract. In fact, it is the largest firm order ever recorded for the A220 built here.

Canadiens stumble in opening game in Buffalo

The Montréal Canadiens fell 4–2 to the Buffalo Sabres in Game 1 of their second‑round series. Not the start they wanted, but at this point the message is simple: regroup and move on.

Across Québec

Bill 22: Québec municipalities call for more regulatory relief on double welcome tax

Municipalities across Québec are asking for more flexibility as consultations continue on Bill 22. The Fédération québécoise des municipalités and the Union des municipalités du Québec want the deadline for certain “double welcome tax” situations after a separation extended from 12 months to five years.

They’re also calling for the repeal of a section of the Planning and Development Act they say is costly to enforce, particularly because it requires sending individual notices to large numbers of residents. They also want to ease certain language requirements for small municipal contracts. The Minister of Municipal Affairs says amendments are coming.

Québec family grieving after 911 calls for father’s heart attack were misrouted to Ontario

In Abitibi‑Témiscamingue, a family is wondering whether the outcome could have been different after 911 calls for a heart attack were routed to Ontario instead of Québec. About 50 minutes passed between the first call and the arrival of paramedics.

A family is grieving, and the incident raises serious questions about how emergency calls are routed in these border regions.

Five years after Québec’s law, 129 Indigenous families still waiting for answers on missing children

A recent government report shows that 129 Indigenous families have taken steps to locate 221 missing children since Law 79 came into effect. Five years later, they are still waiting for answers.

The number is striking, but what lingers most is the weight of a file that remains painfully open for many families and communities.

Calls grow for Québec to restrict energy drink sales as some pharmacies pull them from shelves

Calls are increasing for Québec to tighten rules on energy drink sales to minors. At the same time, some pharmacies have announced they are removing these products from their shelves.

The issue is becoming both political and practical. When retailers start changing their own inventory, it’s clear the debate is moving beyond theory.

Québec man convicted of fomenting hatred against Jews seeks new trial

A Québec man convicted of fomenting hatred against Jews is seeking a new trial. His lawyer argues the judge was biased against him.

The case now returns to the courts, this time focused on how the trial was conducted rather than the underlying allegations.

Coup de Cœur

The return of an Olympic event to Montréal is a reminder of something simple but powerful: some cities still know how to gather people around a place, a spark, a shared memory. It’s not always about nostalgia. Sometimes, it’s about a city that still believes it can host big moments.

Practical Corner

Double welcome tax and municipal rules: a file to watch

Bill 22 touches on very concrete issues for municipalities; transfer taxes, administrative obligations, and language rules for small contracts. It’s not the kind of topic that jolts anyone out of bed, but it can have real effects on local governance.

Energy drinks: a debate moving closer to everyday life

Pharmacies pulling certain energy drinks from their shelves show that this issue is no longer theoretical. For families and young people, it may soon become a visible part of daily shopping.

Before We Go

Thanks for starting your morning here.

Take what you need, keep a bit of momentum for the rest of the day, and ease into it. Montréal knows how to make mornings move. ☕