🚑 Breaking & Incidents
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Two window-repair workers rescued after platform derailed 14 storeys. Montreal fire crews hoisted and lowered rescuers to bring the pair down at 1001 Robert-Bourassa Blvd. near de la Gauchetière after a platform derailed about three feet around 7:45 a.m.; no injuries were reported and the province’s workplace safety board has opened an investigation.
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Provincial police probe suspicious Sept-Îles fire that destroyed two businesses. Sureté du Québec investigators are examining a blaze that levelled two commercial buildings in Sept-Îles, with the incident described as suspicious by provincial police; local authorities continue evidence collection and no charges have been announced.
🚨 Crime & Public Safety
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Quebec Superior Court authorizes class action alleging sexual assaults at Spa Nordik. Justice Enrico Forlini approved a proposed class action that lists 143 people who joined between Aug. 13, 2025, and July 3, 2026, alleging assaults by at least 36 massage therapists dating from 2007 to 2026; plaintiffs’ lawyers say more claimants may come forward.
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Two teens arrested after armed jewelry-store robbery ends in chase and crash. Montreal police say suspects aged 14 and 15 fled from Bijouterie Royale d’Orleans, collided with another vehicle at Galleries d’Anjou Boulevard and Jarry Street, hospitalized an elderly man with non-life-threatening injuries, and left a bag of jewelry near the scene; additional suspects remain sought.
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Man charged after alleged attempt to open cockpit on Quebec North Shore flight. A passenger was charged following an incident on a flight from the North Shore where authorities allege he tried to break into the cockpit, prompting an emergency response and investigation by provincial and federal agencies; further court dates were scheduled.
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Montreal police investigating possible arson of vehicle in Dollard-des-Ormeaux. Local investigators have opened an arson probe after a vehicle was found burned in Dollard-des-Ormeaux; police are collecting evidence and have not released suspect information or motives.
🏛️ Government & Politics
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Legal group asks court to force Quebec MNAs to swear oath to the King. The Public Interest Litigation Institute filed for an injunction challenging Quebec’s law dropping the oath of allegiance, citing Section 128 of the Constitution Act, 1867; lawyer Lawrence David seeks suspension of the provincial change as the Parti Québécois prepares to form government.
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Parti Québécois set to take power amid legal fight over the oath. The PQ’s election victory and Paul St‑Pierre Plamondon’s refusal to swear allegiance to the King have prompted ongoing litigation and political debate as the new government prepares to assume office following the minority result.
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PQ leader tells caucus to stay ready after minority win. Paul St‑Pierre Plamondon asked his caucus to remain prepared for another election despite forming a minority government, signalling internal party readiness while transition and governance plans proceed.
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CAQ culture minister expelled from party after attending PQ victory rally. The CAQ removed its culture minister from the party for participating in a Parti Québécois victory rally, a disciplinary move indicating intra‑party tensions following the provincial vote.
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Parliamentary committee hears 40% of Quebec voters used chatbots and many received false election information. McGill political scientist Aengus Bridgman told MPs that roughly 40 per cent of Quebec voters asked AI chatbots about the election, and researchers found 39 per cent of ChatGPT voting advice in the campaign’s final three weeks came from an error‑filled hobby website.
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Anglophone groups cautiously optimistic about PQ government despite tensions. Montreal and provincial Anglo organizations told reporters they are “cautiously optimistic” about the Parti Québécois administration even as concerns remain about language and minority‑rights policy directions.
💼 Economy & Business
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Hydro‑Québec hearings probe proposal to raise data‑centre rates to about 13¢/kWh. Regulatory hearings began as Hydro‑Québec asks the Régie de l’énergie to approve a new rate for data centres over five megawatts averaging 13 cents per kilowatt hour; consultants predict data‑centre demand could more than double between 2024 and 2030 largely due to AI growth.
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Consultants tell regulator North American data‑centre demand could rise 133% by 2030. Analysts from Dunsky told the Régie de l’énergie that AI‑driven demand could increase energy needs dramatically and that data centres range from 20 MW to many thousands of MW, underpinning Hydro‑Québec’s rate‑reform proposal.
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Five grocery staples have seen steep price increases this year. A consumer pricing summary identifies five common grocery items with notable price hikes in 2026, providing specific examples and reasons tied to supply and distribution factors reported this week.
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Olympic Stadium roof work moves forward with major construction planned. Officials confirmed plans to raise the Stadium’s roof structure, restarting a long‑deferred renovation project aimed at extending the venue’s usable life and modernizing its infrastructure.
🏥 Health
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New flu‑shot information released ahead of season; vaccine effectiveness explained. Health officials detailed how this year’s flu vaccine was formulated, timelines for rollout, and which populations — including seniors and people with chronic conditions — are prioritized for immunization during the upcoming influenza season.
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Montreal opening nine warming centres for unhoused people ahead of winter. The city announced nine temporary warming centres to provide indoor shelter as temperatures drop, part of preparations ahead of winter and alongside other municipal support measures.
🎨 Community & Culture
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Scaffolding comes down Oct. 25 as Notre‑Dame Basilica facade restoration completes a major phase. After nearly ten years behind scaffolding, the basilica will unveil its restored facade Oct. 25; executive director Michel Issa said about 20 per cent of total work is done, with overall restoration costs expected to near $100 million and interior works to continue for years.
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Artist Lyne Lapointe wins a Governor General’s Award. The lifetime achievement honour adds to Lapointe’s long career in Montreal’s art scene, with the award announced this week and cited as recognition of her contributions to contemporary art.
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Montreal couple to run the marathon together after Amanda Tam’s ALS diagnosis. Spencer Levine will run 42.2 kilometres while pushing his wife, Amanda Tam, in a specialized racing wheelchair after training more than 623 kilometres together; Tam was diagnosed with ALS at age 20 and the pair married in 2024.
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Inside a Quebec cranberry bog: harvest season and local producers. A feature this week detailed cranberry harvest practices in Quebec, naming local bog operations, harvest timing, and processing steps that move product from bog to market during the fall season.
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“Backpacking at Fifty” column urges readers to embrace later‑life travel. A Montreal writer chronicled long‑distance backpacking experiences after age 50, citing specific routes and preparation tips from trips completed in recent years.
🏈 Sports
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Canadiens win 1‑0 in shootout as Jacob Fowler posts perfect six‑shot shootout performance. Montreal beat the Detroit Red Wings in a rare scoreless regulation game — the first goalless matchup between the clubs since 1954 — with Jacob Fowler converting a six‑for‑six shootout and Kaiden Guhle returning to stabilise the defence.
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Canadiens dominated the shot clock but lost 5‑2 to the Nashville Predators. Montreal allowed multiple goals and continue to seek consistent goaltending; Jakub Dobes held a .857 save percentage over three games while Jacob Fowler performed strongly in relief with a .946 save percentage over two games at Laval.
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Canadiens trade defenceman Struble to the Nashville Predators. The club completed a transaction sending defenceman Struble to Nashville as part of roster moves reported this week ahead of regular‑season play.
🌦️ Weather & Roads
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Lightning strike on REM line causes morning rush‑hour outage. A lightning strike knocked out service on Montreal’s Réseau express métropolitain, disrupting trains and commuters during the morning peak and prompting service adjustments and repairs by transit crews.
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Montreal marathon road closures detailed for the weekend. City officials published exact street closures and timing for the Montreal Marathon weekend, listing affected boroughs and major arterials to help drivers plan alternate routes.
