Montreal QC ☕ The morning chat
Good morning, Montreal.
A weekend marked by a protest that drew hundreds, a return to prison for a murderer who was studying at McGill, and a convincing Canadiens win in Chicago. We also have a food drive in the West Island, a complaint about properties in the West Bank, and a skateboarding speed record in Charlevoix.
Main Story
Four arrests at Montreal protest against police misconduct
Saturday afternoon, hundreds marched through Montreal streets to denounce allegations of misconduct against police officers, including one officer who allegedly urinated on homeless people. The Service de police de Montréal (SPVM) confirmed four arrests: three for assault on officers and one for obstruction. A 66-year-old bystander was also slightly injured in the upper body after being hit by an unknown object.
Protesters, chanting “Police everywhere, justice nowhere,” also raised other cases, such as the suspension of two officers from the Berri Street station in August, and the dismantling of a 16-member night patrol over racism allegations, including taking hair clippings from racialized people as “trophies.” Speakers denounced a systemic problem lasting decades and called for police funds to be redirected to homeless support organizations.
The protest, which began near Berri-UQAM metro, saw tensions: tear gas and cayenne pepper, plainclothes officers pulling protesters, and police barricades leading to standoffs. Most participants dispersed around 5:30 p.m., but a strong police presence remained an hour later.
In Our Neighbourhood
Murderer who studied at McGill law faculty back in prison
Jeffrey George Ewert, a convicted murderer who was taking courses at McGill University’s Faculty of Law, was returned to custody Saturday. Correctional Service Canada issued a warrant and suspended his parole, saying it wanted to review his situation more closely. The case had sparked controversy, as the man had been allowed to study at McGill despite his criminal past.
West Island food drive to address food insecurity
About 15,000 households in Pointe-Claire were visited Saturday morning as part of the fifth edition of the “Porch to Pantry” drive, organized by the West Island Mission. Some 40 volunteers walked the streets to collect donations left at doors, gathering about 8,000 kilograms of food.
The initiative comes as the 2026 HungerCount report shows food bank demand in Quebec hit a historic high, with over 3.27 million requests per month, and nearly half of food-insecure people living in Montreal.
Complaint against Israeli real estate agencies for West Bank properties
A group of lawyers and civil society representatives filed a complaint with the Competition Bureau regarding real estate events held in Toronto and Montreal. They allege at least four Israeli companies and one Canadian marketing agency promoted properties in West Bank settlements, leading consumers to believe they were in Israel.
The complaint, filed on behalf of six Canadians, includes photos and promotional material from real estate fairs held between 2024 and 2026, including a photo of a Montreal booth touting projects in West Bank settlements.
Noteworthy
Canadiens win 4-1 in Chicago
Jake Evans scored two goals and added an assist, and the Canadiens beat the Blackhawks 4-1 Friday night. Jacob Fowler made 20 saves, including only three in the third period, despite five Chicago power plays. Kaiden Guhle and Mike Matheson also scored. The Canadiens, 4-1-1 in their last six games, face the Winnipeg Jets Sunday in the outdoor Heritage Classic.
Spanish skateboarder sets speed record in Quebec
Diego Poncelet, a Spanish skateboarder, reached 151.83 km/h downhill on Route du Fleuve, in the Éboulements area of Charlevoix. She described how she prepared for the record descent.
Leylah Fernandez in final at Ningbo
Canada’s Leylah Fernandez qualified for the final of the Ningbo Open in China, beating Czech Marie Bouzkova 6-3, 7-5 in the semifinal Saturday. She will face Elena Rybakina in the final.
Practical Corner
Heritage Classic is today
The Canadiens face the Winnipeg Jets Sunday in the outdoor Heritage Classic. A reminder for those planning to attend or watch: dress warmly, because outdoor hockey is also about comfort.
Coup de Coeur
The “Porch to Pantry” drive in the West Island is a fine example of neighbourhood solidarity. Volunteers who pick up donations right from people’s homes, residents who leave a bag of food on their porch, and thousands of kilos of food ending up in food banks. It’s a chain of generosity that strengthens year after year, and a reminder that mutual aid often starts at the next door.
Before we go
We wish you a full Sunday, whether in front of the outdoor game or in a supermarket line. And if you cross paths with a West Island Mission volunteer, a sincere thank-you never hurts. ☕