PQ’s $6.6B plan, Mayors’ ‘financial wall’ & Communauto breach — Montreal Tuesday

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🏛️ Government & Politics

PQ unveils plan to balance Quebec budget by 2028-29 with $6.6B in cuts. The Parti Québécois says it will eliminate the deficit a year earlier than the current government by cutting $6.6 billion in spending over five years and redirecting savings to health, education and small businesses; party economist Nicolas Marceau presented the plan ahead of the TVA leaders’ debate as Quebecers head to the polls Oct. 5.
Quebec leaders prepare for first televised debate Tuesday at 8 p.m. on TVA. TVA will focus the debate on the economy, taxes and public services and the future of Quebec; leaders paused campaign announcements to prepare for the event ahead of the Oct. 5 election.
Party leaders set to clash on province’s future, economy in tonight’s debate. The first major campaign debate will feature all five party leaders and list the economy, taxes and public services as central themes before voters decide on Oct. 5.
Quebec farmers’ union asks Ottawa to suspend Alto Quebec-Toronto high-speed rail project. The Union des producteurs agricoles asked federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon to suspend the project and launch an independent review; Alto estimates the project would cost $60B–$90B and construction on Montreal–Ottawa could start as early as 2029.

Quebec youth coalition calls for protections for 2SLGBTQ+ students in schools. A provincial youth coalition publicly demanded action to protect 2SLGBTQ+ students in Quebec schools; the group framed its call as a response to ongoing concerns about student safety and inclusion.
Virtual OPUS cards are now available to all Android users in Montreal. The STM rolled out virtual OPUS functionality for Android phones in Montreal, extending digital transit-payment access to the city's Android user base.
Canada’s national men’s soccer team will be undermanned for friendlies in Montreal and Toronto. The national team confirmed it will be short-handed for upcoming friendly matches scheduled in Montreal and Toronto, affecting squad selection for those fixtures.

Mayors of Montreal and Longueuil warn of a ‘major financial wall’ on infrastructure. Montreal and Longueuil mayors publicly called for action on infrastructure funding, describing looming fiscal constraints as a “major financial wall” for municipal projects.
Communauto says a data breach was initiated by its own employee. Car-sharing company Communauto reported a data breach and attributed the incident to actions by an internal employee, confirming the company as the source of the compromise.
Carney pushes tax incentives and a sovereign nationwide internet at summit. Finance Minister Mark Carney discussed using tax incentives to attract foreign investment and proposed a plan for a nationwide sovereign internet at a public summit.

Ex-Montreal priest allegedly viewed child sexual abuse material on public transit. A former Montreal priest is accused of viewing child sexual abuse material while on public transit; authorities have publicly identified the allegation in their reporting.
Quebec coroner says police mishandled a 2024 search for a missing Lévis teen. The Quebec coroner concluded the police mishandled the 2024 search for a missing teenager from Lévis and published findings assigning responsibility for investigative errors.

Canada seeks private investment at four airports, including Montreal’s.
Quebec reports a sharp rise in the cost of homelessness services.
Quebec remains the only province to ban student phone use all day in schools.
(See main) Quebec farmers’ union urges independent review of Alto high-speed rail.