Spa Safety Overhaul, Time‑Change Ending & Privacy Probe — Montreal Wednesday

🏛️ Government & Politics

1. Quebec premier refuses to confirm attendance at Canada‑EU summit, demands speaking slot. Premier Paul St‑Pierre Plamondon says he will only consider attending the Canada‑European Union summit in Montreal on Oct. 29–30 if Ottawa gives him an official opportunity to speak, and he has described the current invitation as “disrespectful.” Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed Plamondon was invited to sit at the head table with EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa.
2. PQ government plans to end biannual time change, likely final clock shift this weekend. Premier Paul St‑Pierre Plamondon announced Quebec will likely set clocks back one hour this weekend for the last time and will hold hearings before deciding whether to keep permanent daylight or standard time, citing a previous 2024 consultation with about 214,000 respondents where 91% favoured ending the time change.

🚨 Crime & Public Safety

1. Nordik Spa institutes consent training and audio options amid class-action sexual‑assault suit. Nordik Spa Village in Chelsea introduced mandatory consent and sexual‑violence prevention training for massage therapists, electronic health forms for consent on sensitive areas, verbal check‑ins during sessions, and optional audio systems that may be accessed when a complaint is filed; a Quebec judge recently authorized a class action that now includes close to 150 members after a December 2024 filing.
2. Privacy commissioner opens probe into Navigate360 after Crime Stoppers data breach. Office of the Privacy Commissioner Philippe Dufresne launched an investigation into U.S. provider Navigate360 after it disclosed a breach exposing names, addresses, dates of birth and social insurance numbers for data taken between Nov. 21, 2025 and March 5, 2026; Navigate360 says it has found no evidence the exposed data has been used for fraud.

💼 Economy & Business

1. Montreal “raccoon guy” received over $110,000 in crypto transaction fees. Louka Berman says he collected more than $110,000 in creator rewards from a token called “Pepper” listed on Pump.fun, has spent about $20,000 on personal expenses and debt, and plans to use remaining funds to build an animal sanctuary; Pump.fun appears on Quebec’s financial regulator warning list for high‑risk platforms.

🏈 Sports

1. Jacob Fowler posts 46‑save shutout as Canadiens win 2–0, third straight win. Goaltender Jacob Fowler stopped 46 shots in a 2–0 victory over the St. Louis Blues, marking his third straight start and continuing a run that included a 34‑of‑35 performance in Winnipeg and a third‑star weekly honour the previous Monday.

📰 Also Today

• Preliminary report finds Montreal’s bike paths not dangerous enough to warrant removal.
• Quebec premier asks Mark Carney to let him speak at Canada‑EU summit in Montreal.
• Montreal grandparent scammer who fled to Central America pleads guilty in U.S. court.
• Report: 75% of Canadians are fans of women’s sport, but games are hard to find.
• McGill law controversy highlights gaps in handling students with criminal records.
• Rise of makeshift shelters in Montreal raises safety concerns as winter nears.
• Ten students suspended at Lévis high school for posting AI‑altered staff images.
• Parti Québécois promises to abolish the time change starting next year.
• Olympic Stadium awarded $254,000 emergency waterproofing contract.
• YUL arrivals drop‑off area to close overnight until Dec. 19.
• Quebec coroner’s office posts changes after death of Chloé Bélanger.