Montreal QC ☕ The morning chat
Good morning, Montreal.
We start with a story that hits close to home for public health, as dangerous bacteria were found in products sold online. We also look at the state of emergency rooms at two major hospitals, a call to review police pursuits after a cycling tragedy, and an arrest tied to a murder in Montreal-North.
Top Story
Dangerous bacteria in unauthorized peptides sold online
Health Canada announced it found bacteria capable of causing serious infections in more than 11,000 vials of unauthorized peptides seized from online retailers. The products came from a Chinese wholesaler, Shanghai ERP Peptide Biotechnology Co. Ltd., and were sold by two Canadian companies, truenorthbiolabs.ca and bcaxiompeptide.com.
The federal agency says more than 11,400 vials were tested. While these peptides are often marketed for weight loss, muscle growth, anti-aging, or wellness, they can pose significant and unpredictable risks. Injecting contaminated products can lead to serious infections, hospitalization, and, in severe cases, potentially fatal sepsis, especially for people with weakened immune systems.
Both websites have been shut down. Health Canada has asked the wholesaler to immediately stop selling these illegal peptides in Canada and has directed the Canada Border Services Agency to block unauthorized shipments. If you have used such a product and experience symptoms like redness, swelling, pain at the injection site, fever, or chills, it is recommended to see a doctor without delay. To check if a drug is authorized, you can search for its eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN) in Health Canada’s database.
Close to Home
Montreal General and Royal Victoria ERs overflowing
The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) is asking the public to avoid the emergency rooms at Montreal General Hospital and Royal Victoria Hospital. On Friday evening, the facility reported a very high patient volume and was operating beyond capacity.
The MUHC encourages those who do not need urgent care to turn to other resources: Info-Santé 811, a pharmacist, a family doctor or clinic, or the Guichet d’accès à la première ligne (GAP) by dialing 811, option 3. Emergency rooms remain open to everyone, but patients are assessed based on the severity of their condition.
Montreal’s mayor calls for review of police pursuit protocols
Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada is asking the province to review the procedures governing Sûreté du Québec police pursuits in densely populated neighborhoods. The request follows the death of Isaac Larivée, an 18-year-old, struck on October 30 by a motorist fleeing police in the Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough.
Quebec has said it is open to examining these protocols. The mayor questions the relevance of such pursuits in residential areas, a concern that echoes many citizens’ worries about street safety.
Arrest linked to 2017 murder in Montreal-North
A 31-year-old man, Ducakis François, was arrested in Philadelphia on Wednesday in connection with the murder of a man in Montreal-North in August 2017. He was wanted after a new first-degree murder trial was ordered in 2025.
The investigation revealed that two suspects were waiting for the victim in the entrance of his building; one of them opened fire. François, a U.S. citizen, had been convicted of manslaughter in 2020, but the Court of Appeal overturned the decision. He was released after serving his sentence and returned to the United States, becoming a fugitive. He now awaits extradition proceedings.
Worth knowing
Hampstead: mayor expresses regret after online comments
The mayor of Hampstead, Jeremy Levi, has expressed regret over anti-Palestinian comments posted on social media in 2024 and 2025. He pleaded guilty before the disciplinary council of the Ordre des comptables professionnels du Québec and was fined $30,000.
In a letter read on October 26, Levi said he understands the impact of his posts on public trust in the accounting profession. He explained he wanted to respond to concerns of the community he serves. The council cited some of his messages, including one posted in February 2025 where he wrote: “There is no Palestine. Peace will only come when all terrorists are dead.”
Canada commits to ending homelessness in 10 years
The federal government announced a $30 billion investment in the 2026 budget to build stable housing and community facilities dedicated to mental health and addiction, as well as to support homelessness prevention programs. Ottawa will work with provinces, municipalities, and philanthropic partners.
Prime Minister Mark Carney made the announcement in Winnipeg, alongside Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew. Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada was present and said “homelessness has no borders.” The Quebec government, however, criticized the federal budget, fearing a jurisdictional conflict.
U.S. sanctions on Canadian companies linked to Ryan Wedding
The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on eight Canadian companies, mainly in British Columbia and Ontario, for allegedly helping to circumvent sanctions against Iran. Several of these entities are said to have collaborated with Ryan Wedding, an alleged drug lord and former Canadian Olympic snowboarder.
According to U.S. authorities, Wedding used these services to launder millions of dollars of illicit funds through digital asset transfers before his arrest in January. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Canada cannot be a “refuge” for sanctions evasion.
Carney welcomes efforts to restore free trade with the U.S.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said he welcomes “any initiative” to restore free trade between Canada and the United States. After the U.S. midterm elections, which gave Democrats control of Congress, several lawmakers have made eliminating tariffs a priority.
Carney said he has not yet spoken directly with Democrats, but stressed that a free trade agreement would serve both countries’ interests. Conservative MP Jamil Jivani, who traveled to Washington, believes the trade war is a “massive distraction” from domestic issues.
Canadiens win in overtime against Utah
Cole Caufield scored in overtime, once again, leading the Montreal Canadiens to a 5-4 victory over the Utah Mammoth. The return of Nick Suzuki made the difference, as he recorded three points.
Practical Corner
Traffic: major closures expected this weekend
Drivers in the Montreal area will need to be patient. Major closures are planned in the city, as well as on the Honoré-Mercier Bridge and in the Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine Tunnel. It is advised to plan your trips in advance and check road conditions before hitting the road.
Check your online purchases: unauthorized peptides are dangerous
If you bought injectable peptides online, especially from truenorthbiolabs.ca or bcaxiompeptide.com, it is important to check for signs of infection. Health Canada reminds that authorized drugs carry an eight-digit DIN. When in doubt, consult a health professional.
Coup de Coeur
The story of Montreal’s mayor calling for a review of police pursuit protocols after Isaac Larivée’s death reminds us that street safety is a collective responsibility. When a city listens to its citizens’ concerns and questions its own practices, it’s a step toward safer neighborhoods for all.
Before you go
We wish you a weekend that runs smoothly, despite the construction and detours. See you again soon, Montreal. ☕