Highrise Rescue, PQ Minority & Officers' Names — Montreal Friday

🚑 Breaking & Incidents

1. Two window-repair workers rescued after platform malfunction at 1001 Robert-Bourassa Blvd. Montreal fire crews lowered rescuers from the roof after a suspended platform derailed about three feet at roughly 7:45 a.m.; both workers were brought down with no injuries and the provincial workplace safety board is taking over the investigation.
2. Lightning strike causes REM outage during morning rush hour. A lightning strike disrupted REM service this morning, forcing delays on the light-rail line during peak commute hours; transit operators reported the outage affected multiple trains and repair crews were deployed.

🚨 Crime & Public Safety

1. Family of 15-year-old Nooran Rezayi to learn identities of officers involved in 2025 fatal shooting. Quebec Superior Court approved a confidential disclosure that will name the two officers directly involved in the September 2025 Longueuil shooting and provide coroner files and emergency-services documents, subject to publication bans.
2. Two teens, aged 14 and 15, arrested after alleged armed robbery at Bijouterie Royale d’Or in Place Versailles. Montreal police say the suspects fled in a vehicle, struck another car—sending an elderly man to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries—and officers recovered a bag of jewelry at the scene.
3. Quebec Superior Court authorizes class-action over alleged sexual assaults at Nordik Spa Nature; 143 people joined. Judge Enrico Forlini ruled the lawsuit for incidents from 2007 to 2026 may proceed after 143 plaintiffs joined between Aug. 13, 2025 and July 3, 2026, citing allegations involving at least 36 massage therapists.

🏛️ Government & Politics

1. PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon asks caucus to stay mobilized after minority win. The Parti Québécois won 59 seats on Monday to form a minority government; St-Pierre Plamondon plans a swearing-in on Oct. 15 and a cabinet announcement on Oct. 21 and warned the average minority lasts 18–24 months.
2. CAQ culture minister expelled from party after attending Parti Québécois victory rally. The culture minister was booted from the Coalition Avenir Québec caucus following attendance at the PQ’s victory event, a decision the party announced on Friday.

💼 Economy & Business

1. Google and environmental coalition to question Hydro-Québec consultants in data-centre rate hearing. At the Régie de l’énergie hearing, Hydro-Québec seeks a new rate for data centres over five megawatts averaging 13¢/kWh; consultants told the regulator they expect data-centre demand to more than double between 2024 and 2030.
2. Five grocery staples have seen sharp price increases this year. The report lists five staples with notable price spikes in 2026 and explains drivers behind the increases (article details prices and reasons).

🏥 Health

1. New flu shot guidance ahead of season; vaccine effectiveness estimates discussed. Health officials detailed this year’s influenza vaccine performance and what to expect for the upcoming season, including effectiveness information and target groups for vaccination.
2. Driscoll’s berries recall prompts questions about Canada’s food-safety watchdog. Coverage examines a Driscoll’s berries case and raises concerns about federal oversight and recall procedures related to the incident.

🎨 Community & Culture

1. Montreal couple to run the full marathon this weekend; husband will push wife in adapted wheelchair after her ALS diagnosis. Spencer Levine will run 42.2 kilometres while pushing Amanda Tam in a specialized racing wheelchair; the pair have logged 623 kilometres of training since June and bought the chair in June after marrying in 2024.
2. Montreal opening nine warming centres ahead of winter. The city announced nine dedicated warming-centre locations to support unhoused residents as temperatures fall.
3. Road closures announced for Montreal Marathon this weekend. Organizers published the marathon route and closure schedule for this weekend’s event affecting key downtown and plateau arteries.

📰 Also Today

• Man charged after alleged attempt to open cockpit on Quebec North Shore flight, accused after midair incident.
• (Duplicate entry suppressed)
• Olympic Stadium roof to be raised again, new work on the stadium roof scheduled.
• Investor Stephen Jarislowsky dies at 101, noted Canadian philanthropist.
• Official languages commissioner rebukes Air Canada CEO over English-only message, federal watchdog criticizes CEO’s language choice.
• Ethics commissioner probing Lévis police after new teen-death details emerge, investigation ongoing.
• Several minors detained after separate police chases and crashes, multiple incidents involving youths.
• Unhoused man, 59, found dead in Granby, Que.
• Analysis piece: Was Christine Fréchette forced off a political 'glass cliff'?
• (See Health: Driscoll’s berries case)
• (Duplicate: Spa Nordik class action proceeding)