Montréal QC ☕ The morning chat
Good morning, Montreal.
We start the week with a call for caution, a story that hits close to home for parents, and a tribute to a great artist. There are also reminders that vigilance is key, even in the small things.
Top Story
Two Montreal hospital ERs overflowing
The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) is asking the public to avoid the emergency rooms at the Montreal General Hospital and the Royal Victoria Hospital, both of which are operating at full capacity.
This comes as pressure on the health network remains high. The MUHC is directing people to other resources, such as their family doctor or walk-in clinics, for non-urgent cases.
For those who must go to the ER, expect a long wait. The most critical cases remain the priority.
Close to Home
Montreal mayor backs Quebec’s plan to fight homelessness
The mayor of Montreal has voiced support for the federal government’s plan to end homelessness, saying everyone needs to get on board for it to succeed.
This backing comes as the city is on the front lines of the homelessness crisis, with camps multiplying and resources stretched. The mayor stressed the need for collaboration across all levels of government and community groups.
Leonard Cohen, ten years on
Throughout the weekend, a steady stream of Montrealers visited Leonard Cohen’s grave and some of his iconic spots to pay tribute, ten years after his death.
The poet and musician, born in Montreal, left an indelible mark on the city’s cultural landscape. The spontaneous pilgrimages by his fans show that his work still resonates long after his passing.
Worth knowing
Four-year-old boy hospitalized after eating contaminated chocolate
A mother from Drummondville is raising the alarm after her four-year-old stepson was hospitalized for eating a chocolate bar containing cannabis, received during Halloween trick-or-treating.
Rebeka Lefebvre posted on social media to warn parents in the area. She says the KitKat bar looked perfectly normal and sealed. The child showed symptoms like extreme drowsiness and a rapid heart rate.
The child has since returned home and is no longer in danger. The Sûreté du Québec has confirmed an investigation into the incident.
Montérégie pizzeria destroyed in suspicious fire
A pizzeria in Ormstown, Montérégie, went up in flames Sunday morning. The fire broke out around 2:30 a.m. at Sara Pizza on Lambton Street, near Fulford Street.
The restaurant was empty at the time, and no one was injured. The Sûreté du Québec confirms the business is a total loss. Incendiary devices found at the scene suggest the fire was deliberately set.
According to the SQ, several similar fires have hit other businesses in the region in recent weeks. This is the fourth suspicious fire to strike Ormstown in a few months.
Unexploded shells recovered by the army along the St. Lawrence
The Department of National Defence has recovered an unexploded shell along the banks of the St. Lawrence River. It was found by residents with a metal detector in the Port Saint-François area, across from Trois-Rivières.
Two other shells were found at the same spot in July. The army is currently conducting an operation to collect projectiles near Lake Saint-Pierre.
Alleged immigration fraud: more than 100 falsified certificates
A former employee of Quebec’s Immigration Ministry, Marilena Ida, has been charged with breach of trust and document forgery. She is accused of issuing more than 100 falsified Quebec selection certificates between 2016 and 2019.
The Immigration Minister said he was deeply shocked by the allegations. The investigation is ongoing.
Practical Corner
ERs to avoid: what to do?
If you need care and it’s not urgent, the MUHC suggests seeing your family doctor or a walk-in clinic first. For urgent cases, the ER remains accessible, but expect delays.
When in doubt, call 811 to be directed to the right resource.
Coup de Coeur
A tribute that transcends time
The line of Montrealers at Leonard Cohen’s grave, ten years after his death, is a beautiful reminder that some works and artists become collective landmarks. In a city that changes quickly, these moments of reflection show that culture weaves bonds that don’t fade.
Before you go
Wishing you a week that starts gently, despite the overflowing ERs and calls for vigilance. Take care of yourself and your loved ones, and keep an eye on your surroundings. ☕