PQ Sworn‑In, Canada Malting Dismantled & Arrest in Downtown Killing — Montreal Thursday

🚑 Breaking & Incidents

1. Canada Malting plant in Sud-Ouest to be partially dismantled over collapse risk. Montreal officials say sections of the century-old Canada Malting complex on Notre‑Dame St. will be removed after engineers identified structural failure risk; the city and owner have scheduled controlled dismantling work this month and will restrict nearby sidewalks and traffic during operations.
2. 33-year-old arrested in killing of woman found during Zoom call. Montreal police arrested Youcef Moussaoui in Ville‑Marie and will charge him with first‑degree murder in the Sept. 22 death of 45‑year‑old Leila Ben Salem; police say she was found unresponsive in an apartment on René‑Lévesque Blvd. and investigators determined the attack occurred while she was on a work Zoom call.

🏛️ Government & Politics

1. 59 Parti Québécois MNAs sworn in as St‑Pierre Plamondon prepares minority government. The PQ took oaths at the National Assembly on Wednesday after winning 59 of 125 seats in the Oct. 5 election; leader and premier‑designate Paul St‑Pierre Plamondon confirmed the party will not swear allegiance to the monarchy under the Assembly's 2022 rule change and has requested recounts in two ridings.
2. Montreal commits $15.8M to modernize winter road maintenance. City hall announced a $15.8‑million investment to upgrade winter equipment and operations this season, including fleet replacements and new snow‑clearing technology, with implementation set for the upcoming winter maintenance cycle.
3. Competition Bureau reaches settlement with Quebec real estate association over data access. The Bureau's consent agreement requires QPAREB and Société Centris to provide members a real‑estate data feed containing sale prices, listing history and property characteristics, with the association agreeing to implement measures over the next year.
4. Canadiens fall 5–4 in Washington as Jakub Dobeš struggles continue. Montreal lost to the Capitals 5–4 on Wednesday, the team played back‑to‑back games and the report notes Dobeš had another difficult night in net while Alex Newhook, Josh Anderson and Lane Hutson each recorded notable contributions.

📰 Also Today

• Sherbrooke resident credited with rescuing elderly neighbour from house fire.
• Sûreté du Québec investigates 60+ suspected BB‑gun vandalism cases in Vaudreuil‑Soulanges.
• Céline Dion becomes a new Barbie doll, fans debate likeness.
• Three Innu communities request pause on Ontario‑Quebec LNG project.
• Quebec's position examined as provinces consider ending seasonal time changes.
• Record pumpkin grower aims for weekend weigh‑off win.
• Retailers stock Angine de Poitrine Halloween costume options.
• Provincial police arrest in Baie‑Saint‑Paul homicide.
• Plan to close two English Laval schools put on hold.
• Quebec Court of Appeal hears case on tenants' right to keep pets.