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Daily Montreal Apr 8 - Apr 8, 2026

Space Calls, New Cuisine & Playoff Excitement — Your Montreal Tuesday

24 articles 5 days ago 23

🚀 Canada & Space

  1. Proud to hear French from space! Prime Minister Mark Carney showered astronaut Jeremy Hansen with praise during a call with the Artemis II crew, calling the mission “hugely inspiring.” Canadians are beaming with pride for Hansen’s achievements, and Carney even plans a maple syrup reunion when Hansen returns home.
  2. Virtual concerts for healing! Patients at St. Mary’s Hospital in Montreal are experiencing their appointments in a whole new way—with VR concerts! This innovative approach is helping take their minds off medical visits, turning anxiety into relaxation.

⚖️ Law & Politics

  1. Keeping kids safe first! A new proposed bill in Quebec aims to prioritize child safety in custody decisions, especially in abusive situations. Christine Labrie is leading this initiative that has garnered support from numerous organizations and experts. A significant step toward ensuring children’s well-being!
  2. Minister in hot water! Quebec’s immigration minister Jean-François Roberge is under investigation for a potential ethics breach related to data sharing with leadership candidates. He’s promised full cooperation, but the scrutiny raises questions about transparency in government.
  3. Political transition ahead! The Quebec legislature has been prorogued as the Coalition Avenir Québec prepares to name its new leader this weekend. With a fresh face expected to step into the role of premier, excitement—and curiosity—runs high among constituents.

💼 Business

  1. Job cuts amid aviation turbulence! CAE Inc. is laying off about 280 employees as the company braces for spending cuts in the aviation industry. Most layoffs are occurring in Montreal, posing a tough time for many as the company undergoes a transformation plan led by new leadership.

🎉 Feel-Good Stories

  1. Playoff excitement in the air! The Montreal Canadiens have clinched their playoff spot for the second consecutive season, igniting the spirits of fans across the city. It’s a thrilling time to be a Habs supporter! True Montrealers have something to cheer for this spring.
  2. Breaking isolation this Easter! An Easter meal initiative is bringing joy and companionship to seniors in Montreal, helping them break free from loneliness. This simple act of kindness reminds us all of the power of community connection.
  3. New beginnings for a refugee cook! A local shelter has opened a new kitchen, providing fresh opportunities for a refugee cook to showcase their culinary skills. It’s a heartwarming reminder of how second chances can fuel new journeys!

🚌 Community & Culture

  1. A bus network overhaul coming! Vaudreuil-Soulanges is prepping for a complete bus network update to accommodate the new REM line arrival. With better public transport on the horizon, it’s an exciting time for residents to anticipate improved connectivity.
  2. New shelter for men in Nunavik! Kuujjuaq is set to welcome its first-ever men’s shelter, marking a significant development in support services for the community. This initiative promises positive change for men in need of a safe space.
  3. Crossing guard joy in Montreal West! Parents in Montreal West are celebrating as their kids will finally get a crossing guard at a busy intersection. Safety for children matters, and this change is sure to bring peace of mind to families.

🔥 Notable Legal News

  1. Justice for COVID-19 victims! A Quebec judge has granted approval for a class-action lawsuit concerning COVID-19-related deaths at a private care home in Montreal. This decision underscores the importance of accountability in the healthcare sector.
  2. Former SNC-Lavalin exec’s penalty! A judge has ruled for the return of a former SNC-Lavalin executive to prison for an extended ten-year sentence. Accountability in high-profile corruption cases continues to be highlighted, ensuring integrity is upheld.
  3. Boys facing a tough system! A report reveals that boys are systematically disadvantaged within Quebec's education system, highlighting inequalities that need addressing. These findings could reshape education policies moving forward!

Source Articles (25)

Quebec judge orders former SNC-Lavalin exec back to prison for 10 years

A Quebec Superior Court judge ordered Sami Bebawi, a former SNC-Lavalin executive convicted of fraud and corruption, back to prison for another 10 years on Tuesday.

General Apr 8, 2026

Montreal West parents rejoice as students get crossing guard at busy intersection

After years of public pressure, a crossing guard has now been stationed at a busy intersection in Montreal West, located near Royal West Academy. Parents had been asking for extra safety measures following multiple incidents involving kids being hit by cars.

General Apr 8, 2026

Boys are systematically disadvantaged in Quebec’s education system, report concludes

Québec Solidaire MNA Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois presented a report aimed at understanding why boys are falling behind in the province’s education system and called for the creation of a new system “for everyone.”

General Apr 8, 2026

3 dead after weekend house fire in Whapmagoostui, Que.

Three people are dead after a house fire on Easter Sunday in the Cree village of Whapmagoostui in northern Quebec.

General Apr 8, 2026

Quebec judge OK's class action over COVID-19 deaths in private Montreal care home

A Quebec judge has authorized a class-action lawsuit against a private long-term care home in Montréal-Nord over alleged mismanagement of a COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, during which at least 68 residents died.

General Apr 8, 2026

Nunavik to get its 1st men’s shelter, in Kuujjuaq

A new men's shelter in Kuujjuaq, Que., has six units, with half of them big enough to accommodate a family. Plans are also underway in Puvirnituq, Que., for a shelter and transitional housing for women and children fleeing violence.

General Apr 8, 2026

Vaudreuil-Soulanges to get complete overhaul of bus network this spring for REM arrival

The imminent opening of the REM’s Anse-à-l’Orme branch — connecting the West Island city of Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue to downtown Montreal — is resulting in a review of bus routes, schedules, stops and bus numbers for the off-island suburb, west of Montreal.

General Apr 8, 2026

Taking the temperature in Terrebonne, Que., as advance voting wraps up in federal byelection

Monday marked the last day of advance voting in the Terrebonne, Que., byelection that, along with two more in Toronto, could result in a federal majority government.

General Apr 8, 2026

Montreal shelter opens new kitchen, fuels fresh start for this refugee cook

Awoua Yigo Coulibaly, a cook and refugee from Burkina Faso, saw her kitchen reduced to ashes by a local terrorist group. Now, she’s starting over in Montreal at Welcome Hall Mission’s new kitchen, which is capable of producing 10,000 meals a day.

General Apr 8, 2026

Why some Quebec churches are seeing more adult baptisms

Religious leaders in Montreal and Quebec City are rejoicing after seeing an uptick in people seeking to be baptized in the last couple of years. But some warn the numbers should be taken with a grain of salt.

General Apr 8, 2026

Canadiens clinch playoff spot for 2nd consecutive season

The Montreal Canadiens are playoff-bound again. Montreal clinched its spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs Sunday afternoon after the Detroit Red Wings fell 5-4 to the Minnesota Wild, making the Canadiens the first Canadian NHL team to secure a post-season berth.

General Apr 8, 2026

How this Easter meal helps Montreal seniors break out of isolation

A recent Léger poll suggests one in five seniors often or always feel alone. Non-profit Les Petits Frères says coming together over a meal can make a big difference.

General Apr 8, 2026

Montreal Port Authority CEO Julie Gascon abruptly leaves role after less than 2 years

Julie Gascon has left her role as president and CEO of the Montreal Port Authority, which manages the largest container port in Eastern Canada, after taking on the job in early 2024.

General Apr 8, 2026

Are publicly-funded film journals the secret to Quebec's vibrant film industry?

The province’s publicly funded film magazines have created a resilient "island" of local cultural discourse resisting the pressures of U.S. cultural influence.

General Apr 8, 2026
FIFA releases plans for cross-Canada World Cup celebration tour

FIFA releases plans for cross-Canada World Cup celebration tour

A cross-country World Cup tour will bring events to 34 Canadian cities this summer as FIFA looks to build excitement ahead of the 2026 tournament.

Sports Apr 8, 2026
Calgary Zoo’s new polar bear makes his first public appearance

Calgary Zoo’s new polar bear makes his first public appearance

The Calgary Zoo's new polar bear, 20-year-old Yelle, is now out of quarantine and exploring his new home and is available for the public to see.

Entertainment Apr 8, 2026
Oil prices fall as Iran agrees to reopen Strait of Hormuz during ceasefire

Oil prices fall as Iran agrees to reopen Strait of Hormuz during ceasefire

Oil prices fell sharply Wednesday morning amid news Iran has agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as part of its two-week-long ceasefire with the United States.

Canada Apr 8, 2026
Carney praises Hansen, calls hearing French from space a point of pride

Carney praises Hansen, calls hearing French from space a point of pride

Carney called the mission “hugely inspiring” and said Canadians “couldn’t be more proud” of Hansen and the collaboration with the United States.

Canada Apr 8, 2026
Proposed Quebec legislation targets custody rules in abuse cases

Proposed Quebec legislation targets custody rules in abuse cases

Dozens of groups back a Quebec bill to keep children out of abusive parents’ custody, shifting the burden of proof and focusing on children’s best interests.

Canada Apr 8, 2026

This teen soccer prodigy is stuck in Quebec with invitation to Real Madrid training camp

A 14-year-old aspiring soccer player living in Quebec has been given the opportunity of a lifetime. But his status as an asylum seeker is preventing him from getting on a plane and capitalizing on it.

General Apr 9, 2026
How a Montreal hospital is using VR and music to transform patient care

How a Montreal hospital is using VR and music to transform patient care

The project explores how immersive experiences and music can reduce stress, pain and improve emotional health. 

Canada Apr 8, 2026
Quebec immigration minister says he’ll cooperate with alleged ethics breach probe

Quebec immigration minister says he’ll cooperate with alleged ethics breach probe

Jean-François Roberge is being investigated for allegedly sharing data produced by his department with the two Coalition Avenir Québec leadership candidates.

Politics Apr 8, 2026
CAE laying off roughly 280 workers amid aviation headwinds

CAE laying off roughly 280 workers amid aviation headwinds

The company says nearly two-thirds of the roughly 280 positions affected are in Quebec, mainly in the Montreal area where it's headquartered.

Canada Apr 8, 2026
Quebec legislature prorogued as CAQ set to name new leader who will become premier

Quebec legislature prorogued as CAQ set to name new leader who will become premier

The cabinet of outgoing Premier Francois Legault says the national assembly will return with a new session — and new premier — on May 5.

Politics Apr 8, 2026
‘We are fighting to win’ Terrebonne, Liberals say, as government eyes majority

‘We are fighting to win’ Terrebonne, Liberals say, as government eyes majority

Thousands of Liberals will be in Montreal for the party's convention just as voters in the suburban riding of Terrebonne get ready to cast ballots in a key byelection on Monday.

Politics Apr 8, 2026