Montreal QC ☕ The morning chat
Good morning, Montreal.
We start with news that hits close to home: a 79-year-old woman is fighting for her life after being struck by an SUV in Villeray. We continue with a breakthrough in a criminal case that shook the metropolis, a permanent shelter for people experiencing homelessness, and an art projection lighting up Parc-Extension. There’s also plenty for movie buffs and a few practical reminders.
Top Story
Pedestrian, 79, in critical condition after being hit in Villeray
A 79-year-old woman was seriously injured Thursday morning after being struck by an SUV in the Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension borough. The accident occurred on Papineau Avenue, near the intersection with Tillemont Street.
According to the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM), the woman was trying to cross the street when she was hit and thrown to the ground. She was unconscious when she was rushed to hospital, and resuscitation efforts were made during transport.
Collision investigators were dispatched to the scene to determine the exact causes of the incident. For now, it’s difficult to confirm precisely what happened, said SPVM spokesperson Raphaël Bergeron.
Close to Home
Suspect arrested in Mexico two years after Montreal influencer’s murder
A suspect wanted for two years in the murder of cryptocurrency influencer Kevin Mirshahi has been arrested in Mexico. Quebec’s provincial police, the Sûreté du Québec, confirm that Guillaume Nobert, 38, from Saint-Lazare, was apprehended in Cancun, and extradition proceedings will begin to bring him back to Quebec.
Nobert faces charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping, and unlawful confinement of three other people. The arrest resulted from collaboration between Mexican authorities, the RCMP, and Interpol.
Mirshahi, 25, was abducted on June 21, 2024, from a condo building in Old Montreal, and police believe he was killed that day. His body was found four months later in the Île-de-la-Visitation nature park, in Ahuntsic-Cartierville. Three other suspects linked to the kidnapping and murder had already been arrested.
The influencer was under investigation by the Autorité des marchés financiers, which in 2021 sought an order prohibiting him, two other individuals, and a company from any activity or transaction covered by the Securities Act. According to a tribunal decision, Mirshahi ran a private, paid Telegram group called Crypto Paradise Island.
Montreal to open permanent transitional shelter for people experiencing homelessness
The City of Montreal is partnering with community organization L’Anonyme to open a permanent, 24-hour transitional shelter for people experiencing homelessness, just in time for winter.
Located in trailers near the Notre-Dame Street encampment in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, the shelter will open its doors on December 1. It will offer bunk beds, a kitchen, bathrooms, and showers for up to 36 residents at a time. One-third of the spaces will be reserved for women and LGBTQ+ individuals.
On-site staff will be available to guide residents toward long-term housing solutions and provide access to health and psychological support services. L’Anonyme’s executive director, Julien Montreuil, reminded of the collective responsibility to offer dignified, safe housing to people experiencing homelessness, while stressing that this project must be part of a broader set of actions to ensure their long-term stability.
Two churches threatened with demolition: Montreal prepares public consultation
Two Montreal churches are at risk of being demolished to make way for housing: Sainte-Brigide-de-Kildare Church on Alexandre-DeSève Street and Saint-Eusèbe-de-Vercelli Church on Fullum Street.
Before any demolition, the City will have to ask the Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM) to consult the public on the future of these religious heritage buildings. In May 2026, Héritage Montréal submitted a letter to the City requesting a public consultation on religious heritage, with the aim of encouraging the development of an overall vision and strategy.
A meeting took place at the end of the summer between representatives of the City, Héritage Montréal, and the OCPM to better understand expectations and discuss the issues. The City is still working on the mandate, and the OCPM has not yet received an official mandate on the matter.
Monumental art projection lights up Parc-Extension
The former Jean-Talon station, a historic landmark in Parc-Extension, transforms every evening into a giant canvas. A seven-minute architectural projection is displayed on its 121-by-58-foot facade, celebrating the neighborhood’s history, culture, and diversity.
Created by Montreal artists Louis Robert and Thaïla Khampo, the work tells a story that connects to Khampo’s immigrant roots. One key scene features a character knitting, an important image for the artist: “Knitting is the knitting of the community,” she explains.
The project is part of Choice Properties’ public spaces enhancement program, which aims to bring people together and strengthen neighborhood ties. The projection incorporates recognizable references from the area, including Jarry Park and a souvlaki restaurant. It is free and shown daily from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. until November 14, at 395 Jean-Talon Street West.
Worth knowing
ERs overflowing: Santé Québec asks public to consider other resources
Quebec’s emergency rooms are extremely busy, and the situation shows no sign of improving. Several hospitals have been overwhelmed for days due to an early flu season and other viruses.
Thursday morning, the average occupancy rate of Quebec ERs was 130%, a situation similar to the past ten days. In Montreal, four hospitals had occupancy rates of 200% or more: Royal Victoria Hospital, LaSalle Hospital, Lakeshore General Hospital, and Jewish General Hospital, which reached 245%. Montreal Children’s Hospital was also very busy, at 175%.
The flu test positivity rate is 12.2%, compared to 1.2% at the same time last year. On average, people waited nearly six hours in the waiting room on Wednesday, and the average length of stay for people on stretchers was 21 hours and 36 minutes.
Santé Québec is asking for the public’s cooperation to relieve the pressure. Before going to the ER, consider calling 8-1-1.
Global outage hits Microsoft applications
A widespread outage affected Microsoft platforms on Thursday, including Outlook, Teams, and Microsoft 365. More than 120,000 users reported problems accessing their email, and thousands of others reported difficulties with Teams and the Copilot assistant.
Microsoft said it was investigating the problem, which appears linked to “high load” on part of its infrastructure. The company said it had begun “redistributing” traffic to rebalance the load. A similar outage had been reported earlier in the day for Teams in North America, but some users continued to experience connection difficulties.
Death of octogenarian in Drummondville CHSLD raises questions
An 80-year-old woman died after being assaulted in a long-term care facility in Drummondville. The family of Andrée Denault says the facility must improve its security measures.
This story, which touches on the safety of the elderly, is a troubling reminder of the challenges that persist in the health network.
Practical Corner
Generations Foundation donation campaign launched
The Generations Foundation’s annual food and toy donation campaign is underway. You can contribute by donating toys, non-perishable food, or money to support Montreal families in need. A great way to make a difference this time of year.
Montreal movie lovers spoiled for choice
November is a big month for cinema in Montreal. Among the releases to watch: Club Kid (November 27), Paper Tiger (November 20), The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth (November 25), and The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (November 20). Art-house fans can also discover Minotaur, Josephine, and Elsinore, all in theaters on November 20.
For Formula 1 fans, the biopic Villeneuve: Rise of a Legend, dedicated to legendary Quebec driver Gilles Villeneuve, has been in theaters since November 11. And for kids, a new adaptation of The Cat in the Hat and the animated film Hexed are now showing.
Several film festivals are also taking place in November: image+nation, Canada’s oldest LGBTQ+ film festival, and the RIDM, Montreal’s documentary festival, run from November 19 to 29. Cinemania, which celebrates French-language cinema, continues until November 15.
Coup de Coeur
The art projection on the former Jean-Talon station is a beautiful illustration of what makes a neighborhood strong: people who come from elsewhere, build new lives, and forge connections. By highlighting the history and diversity of Parc-Extension, this work reminds us that beauty can emerge from collective memory. And when an artist says she hopes the city “gives a little more love” to this area, we understand that art can also be a call for recognition.
Before you go
We wish you a day that starts well, despite overflowing ERs and email outages. Take care of yourself, think of 8-1-1 before the ER, and if you see a pedestrian, slow down. The city needs all our attention. ☕