Montreal QC ☕ The morning chat
Good morning, Montreal.
We start with a story touching women’s safety and a grief that turns into commitment. The election campaign enters its final stretch, and there’s also news that directly concerns hockey fans and those who follow sports in Montreal. A few practical reminders are in order, too, between cinema and voter cards.
Main Story
After the killing of Leïla Ben Salem, the community remains shaken and is demanding real action
One day after the death of Leïla Ben Salem, 45, who was attacked during a video call in her Ville‑Marie apartment, the shock is still very real. The mid‑afternoon attack, which happened while she was working, has reignited urgent calls to better protect women from a level of violence that keeps escalating.
The investigation continues. Police interviewed a person of interest who was later released, and no suspect has been identified. The exact circumstances of the attack remain unclear, but emotion in the neighbourhood is high: white flowers now sit outside the building, and neighbours describe a growing sense of insecurity.
Messages of support keep coming in. Prime Minister Mark Carney and Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre offered condolences. The union representing Canada Revenue Agency employees, where Ben Salem worked, said it was “shocked and saddened.” SOS Violence Conjugale has described the killing as a femicide, while noting the investigation is still underway.
For many advocacy groups, this must be a turning point. They’re calling for stronger, faster, and more concrete measures to prevent violence against women and to ensure no other family faces a tragedy like this.
The community is still trying to understand how such a sudden, brutal attack could happen during something as ordinary as a work video call.
In Our Neighbourhood
Montrealer turns grief into helping others after brother’s suicide
Vanessa Da Costa lost her brother Fabio, a passionate chef, to suicide three years ago at age 30. For months, she sought support and eventually turned to the Montreal Suicide Prevention Centre (CPSM), first to make a donation in Fabio’s memory, then to find help for herself.
Today, she is involved with the organization, notably as a mentor for the “Reinforcement – Community Support” project, which aims to prepare workplaces, schools, and communities to respond after a death by suicide. The CPSM hopes to raise $4.5 million to fund this project and another, to support prevention and accompaniment in Greater Montreal.
“My brother continues to be deeply loved, and there was so much life in him that it deserves to be remembered,” says Vanessa Da Costa. She hopes her story and Fabio’s can bring hope to others in difficulty.
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, help is available 24/7 by calling 988 (national line) or 1-866-277-3553 (Quebec line).
Wheelchair user denounces Canadiens’ ‘discriminatory’ ticket policy
Joey Racanelli, a hockey fan who uses a wheelchair, says the Montreal Canadiens have changed their ticket sales policy for people with reduced mobility. Now, these tickets can no longer be purchased online like for other spectators, but only by phone or in person at the Bell Centre box office.
This year, Mr. Racanelli was surprised to learn he could only attend one game of the season. He denounces a “discriminatory” policy that forces him to beg for tickets, while other customers can easily buy them online.
Montrealers’ favourite sports personalities
The “Best of MTL” 2026 survey has revealed Montrealers’ favourite sports personalities. Unsurprisingly, Canadiens players dominate the list: Cole Caufield comes out on top, followed by Nick Suzuki, Marie-Philip Poulin, Lane Hutson, and Juraj Slafkovsky.
To Remember
CAQ divided over $20 bingo tickets
Some CAQ candidates feel leader Christine Fréchette should have been tougher with Louis-Charles Thouin, at the centre of a controversy involving $20 bingo tickets. The affair is creating unease within the party during the election campaign.
PQ confirms it will hold referendum even with minority government
Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon has confirmed his party would hold a referendum on independence even if it only wins a minority government on October 5. According to Qc125 projections, 69% of Quebecers oppose sovereignty, and the PQ is currently projected to form a minority government.
Leaders prepare for municipal congress
Leaders of the main parties will gather in Quebec City for the congress of the Fédération québécoise des municipalités. An opportunity for them to address municipal elected officials as the campaign enters its final stretch.
Practical Corner
Bilingual voter cards to be sent next week
Élections Québec has confirmed that bilingual voter cards have been mailed, but voters should only receive them early next week. If you’re waiting for yours, don’t panic: it should arrive in time for the October 5 vote.
‘Forgotten Island’: an animated film celebrating Filipino culture
DreamWorks’ new animated film, “Forgotten Island,” hits theatres this Friday. It features Filipino characters and explores the archipelago’s mythology. For Montreal’s Filipino community, it’s a chance to see themselves represented on screen, with voices like Liza Soberano and Manny Jacinto.
Favourite Pick
Vanessa Da Costa’s story reminds us that grief can become a driver of action. By turning her pain into support for others, she embodies a solidarity that goes beyond simple prevention: she builds bridges between people and resources, and shows there is always hope, even in the darkest moments.
To Close
We wish you a day where the small victories of daily life find their place, and where Montreal solidarity continues to shine. Take care of yourselves and others, and we’ll see you tomorrow for the rest. ☕