Montreal QC ☕ The morning chat
Good morning, Montreal.
With one week to go before the vote, Quebec’s election campaign is heating up and polls put the Parti Québécois in a strong position. Meanwhile, the City inaugurates a long-awaited new pool in the West Island, and a young hockey fan has an unforgettable moment with his favourite goalie. There are also closures to expect on Highway 20 and a highly anticipated drag show in town.
Top Story
PQ one seat shy of majority, CAQ slips to fourth
With one week to go before the October 5 vote, Quebec’s election campaign has taken a decisive turn. A new Léger poll puts the Parti Québécois in the lead with 30% of voting intentions, followed by the Liberal Party at 26% and the Conservative Party at 18%. The Coalition Avenir Québec, meanwhile, has slipped to fourth place.
The Qc125 site projects a PQ victory with 63 seats, just below the 64 needed to form a majority government. This lead comes with a surge among francophones, where the PQ is widening its advantage, while the PLQ gains three points and the PCQ expands beyond the Quebec City region.
CAQ leader Christine Fréchette is trying to distance herself from a controversy that has dogged her on the trail for days. She blamed members of her own party for trying to encourage journalists to pursue a story about foreign interference in the electoral process.
Meanwhile, the PQ believes it can beat Charles Milliard in the Orford riding, where the Liberal candidate is running. Paul St-Pierre Plamondon’s offensive in the Eastern Townships ended with a visit to that riding.
Local
New aquatic complex inaugurated in Pierrefonds-Roxboro
West Island families have been waiting for this moment for decades. A new indoor aquatic complex was inaugurated Monday in Pierrefonds-Roxboro, a $66-million investment from the City of Montreal, plus a $7.5-million contribution from the Quebec government.
The complex features a 25-metre, eight-lane pool, one-metre and one-to-three-metre diving boards, a recreational pool with wading area, slide and water games, a hammam, a multi-purpose room and viewing areas. For Montrealers, access will be free.
“Montreal must be a city where sport is accessible to all,” said Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada. “West Island families have been waiting for this complex for a long time. We are finally giving them, too, a place to learn to swim, move and spend time together, all year round.”
Borough mayor Dimitrios Jim Beis spoke of “immense pride” and “a legacy that will benefit children, families and future generations.” A first public swim is planned as soon as the official opening this fall, and a full program of activities will be rolled out gradually starting in winter 2027.
SPVM sends file to DPCP on allegations of police racism in Montreal-Nord
The Service de police de la Ville de Montréal has forwarded an investigation file to the Directeur des poursuites criminelles et pénales concerning allegations of racist conduct by officers. Among the allegations made public in June, officers from the unit allegedly kept the hair of racialized citizens as trophies.
The DPCP will determine next steps, according to the SPVM.
Man seriously injured in stabbing in Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve
A 49-year-old man was seriously injured by a sharp object Monday evening in the Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough. Police responded to Ontario Street East, near Desjardins Avenue, around 8:10 p.m. and found the victim with injuries to the upper body.
Taken to hospital, his condition is stable. At least one suspect is believed to have fled before police arrived. The investigation into the conflict behind the attack is ongoing, and no arrests have been made.
CN refuses to provide details on herbicide spraying in Montreal
Several Montreal boroughs are pressing Canadian National for a specific date or the name of the product used in its herbicide spraying. The railway company has refused to provide those details, raising questions about the transparency of its practices.
Calls for regulation after anti-abortion truck passes through Montreal
The passage of an anti-abortion truck through Montreal has renewed calls for regulation. The Canadian Center for Bio-Ethical Reform, a Calgary-based organization that campaigns against abortion in Canada, is behind the initiative.
Keep in Mind
Trump’s import bans take effect
Import bans imposed by the American president on certain Canadian products, including alcoholic beverages and derived dairy products, took effect Tuesday at 12:01 a.m. Donald Trump said he expects to reach a trade deal with Canada in the coming weeks, saying Canadians “are going to tell us they’re sorry.”
Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc responded that the absolute priority remains “protecting and supporting Canadian workers, farmers, families and businesses against these unjustified actions.”
Stelco to lay off up to 500 employees over U.S. tariffs
To ensure its “survival” in the face of U.S. tariffs of up to 50% on Canadian steel imports, Stelco has announced it will lay off up to 500 employees. The decision hits Canada’s steel industry hard.
Competition Bureau investigates grocery prices
The Competition Bureau of Canada has launched an investigation into grocery prices. Consumers could be deprived of certain deals, according to the agency, which is looking into retailers’ practices.
Mount Royal Cross to disappear from Montreal’s skyline for a year
Montreal’s most iconic monument will vanish from the landscape for a full year. About a quarter of the cross’s 1,800 steel pieces will be replaced, and its outdated lighting system will also be changed. Repairs of $3.7 million are planned.
Practical Corner
Highway 20 closures in the Boucherville area
The Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable announces full closures of Highway 20 in the Boucherville area for paving work. In the eastbound direction, the closure will run from Thursday, October 1 at 10 p.m. to Friday, October 2 at 5 a.m. In the westbound direction, it is scheduled from Friday, October 2 at 11 p.m. to Saturday, October 3 at 8 a.m.
The Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine tunnel will remain open during the week of September 28 to October 4. Also note: during the long weekend of October 9 to 13, Highway 25 southbound, including the tunnel, will be fully closed starting at the Anjou interchange. Before hitting the road, check Québec 511.
Flu and COVID-19 vaccination: it’s starting
Flu and COVID-19 vaccination campaigns are underway. Ontario has begun its rollout, prioritizing high-risk people, while some provinces have not yet specified their schedules. In Quebec, it is advised to check with your CLSC or pharmacist for details.
Coup de Coeur
Massimo, 10, meets his hero Jakub Dobeš
The story of Massimo, a 10-year-old neurodivergent Montrealer, warms the heart. Thanks to his family and a connection with goalie Jakub Dobeš’s coach, the young hockey fan was able to attend a Canadiens practice in Brossard in July, receive a signed stick, and then meet his idol in person in September. Dobeš took the time to make the encounter comfortable for Massimo, who can be overwhelmed by unfamiliar situations. For Massimo, the next big moment will be his first game at the Bell Centre, where he can finally shout his famous “Go Habs Go.”
Before we go
As the election campaign enters its final stretch, let’s take a moment to appreciate the small daily victories: a pool finally open, a child meeting his hero, a community coming together. Have a great day, and don’t forget to vote. ☕