Montreal QC ☕ The morning chat

Good morning, Montreal.

We start with news that hits close to home: demolition work has been halted in the Sud-Ouest after a partial collapse. We also look at a student initiative improving health care access for Indigenous women, a major history prize awarded in Montreal, and a busy weekend of sports and culture. Plus practical reminders about rabies and the B.C. election.

Top Story

Demolition halted at Canada Malting plant after partial collapse

Demolition work that began Monday at the Canada Malting plant in the Sud-Ouest borough has been paused following a partial collapse. The developer said it was notified of the incident Wednesday, and no one was injured.

The work stoppage raises questions about what happens next at this iconic waterfront site. It’s unclear when demolition can resume or what safety measures will be required.

Local

Her Circle of Care: med students improve access to care for Indigenous women

A group of medical students at McGill University has launched a community initiative offering gynecological care and sexual health information to Indigenous women in a culturally safe environment. The project, called Her Circle of Care, grew out of the experience of Florence Millette, now a resident in obstetrics and gynecology at Université de Montréal, who saw the barriers to care during a placement in Maniwaki.

Clinics are organized with an Indigenous women’s shelter that serves as a point of contact. Appointments are longer than usual—30 minutes or more—to build trust. Since launching earlier this year, three clinics have been held, and the program has expanded to include women’s health circles and workshops for health professionals.

Cundill History Prize awarded to Princeton professor in Montreal

Princeton University professor Beth Lew-Williams has won the Cundill History Prize for her book John Doe Chinaman: A Forgotten History of Chinese Life under American Racial Law. The prize, worth US$75,000, was awarded Friday at a ceremony in Montreal. The book examines laws that restricted the lives of Chinese immigrants in the American West in the 19th century, drawing on court records, immigration files, and personal accounts.

The prize, administered by McGill University, recognizes historical writing in English. Finalists Jonathan Cheng and Alexander Lee each received US$10,000.

In Brief

Hampstead mayor pleads guilty, fined $30,000 over Palestine comments

Hampstead Mayor Jeremy Levi has pleaded guilty to a professional misconduct charge and will pay a $30,000 fine. The complaint involved more than 20 social media posts between January 2024 and February 2025 about Palestine and pro-Palestinian activists.

Double murder in Rivière-du-Loup: victims may have been targeted by organized crime

Provincial police are investigating the murder of two women shot in a restaurant parking lot in Rivière-du-Loup, in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region. The victims, believed to be in their twenties, were found Thursday evening. Authorities say they may have been targeted by organized crime, but no arrests have been made.

Coroner’s report questions suicide finding in death of Emmanuel Diafouka

A Quebec coroner says the evidence does not support a finding that the death of 18-year-old Emmanuel Diafouka was a suicide. His family is asking police to reopen the investigation.

Baseball players’ union calls salary cap proposal a ‘nuclear bomb’

On the eve of the World Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays, players’ union chief Bruce Meyer sharply criticized owners’ proposal for a salary cap. He called it a ‘nuclear bomb’ and argued that the success of low-payroll teams this year proves the current system works. Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred defended the cap as necessary for competitive balance. The collective bargaining agreement expires December 1, and a lockout is expected.

Federal government invests in Quebec aluminum

Industry Minister Mélanie Joly announced Friday in La Baie more than $193 million in federal funding for projects at four Rio Tinto facilities in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean and at the Alouette aluminum smelter in Sept-Îles. She said the investment is a first step toward reducing the Canadian aluminum sector’s dependence on the United States, as 50 percent tariffs apply on both sides of the border. The minister also stressed the importance of building rolling mills in Canada.

Federal government ‘disappointed’ after strike votes announced for 120,000 workers

The Public Service Alliance of Canada has announced that 120,000 federal workers will hold strike votes starting November 16. The federal government said it is ‘disappointed’ by the decision, as negotiations continue in mediation.

Practical Corner

Rabies: what you need to know

Quebec and British Columbia public health authorities are reporting an increase in rabies cases among wild animals. In Quebec, an outbreak among raccoons has been detected, and the virus has been transmitted to three cats.

Between January and September, 397 cases of animal rabies were confirmed in labs across Canada, compared to 281 for all of 2025. Human infections remain extremely rare but are almost always fatal if not treated before symptoms appear.

If you’ve been bitten or scratched by a wild animal, see a health professional quickly.

B.C. election: it’s today

British Columbia voters head to the polls Saturday to choose their next government. Preliminary results will be posted after 8 p.m.

Coup de Coeur

The Her Circle of Care initiative is a great example of what a university community can do when it listens to needs on the ground. By offering time and trust to women who have too often been poorly served by the health system, these students and their community partners show that medicine can be more humane, and that culturally safe care is not a luxury but a necessity.

To Close

We wish you a weekend that suits you, whether it’s browsing antique shops in the Sud-Ouest, catching a show, or simply enjoying the fall. And if you see a raccoon, keep your distance. ☕