🚨 Crime & Public Safety
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Coroner finds hog-tie restraint likely contributed to 29-year-old's 2025 death. Coroner Géhane Kamel wrote on Aug. 12 that Abisay Cruz had toxic levels of cocaine in his bloodstream and was held face-down with limbs tied behind his back for more than two minutes, a position she says poses a serious asphyxiation risk. Kamel urged Montreal police to review restraint and use-of-force practices after meeting nine officers involved.
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BEI opens probe after Montreal police shoot injured a person on Wednesday. The Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes said officers were called at about 3:23 p.m. and arrived at 3:28 p.m.; the person was shot, taken to hospital in stable condition and six BEI investigators have been assigned to the case. Both the police and BEI investigations are ongoing, the release said.
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Crown stays charges against 11 Longueuil teens linked to events before 15-year-old's 2025 death. Quebec’s prosecutor said new evidence raised a complex legal issue and paused proceedings for up to one year; charges included conspiracy to kidnap and wearing a disguise for a criminal purpose. Montreal police declined further comment and said their investigation ended in June when charges were laid.
🏛️ Government & Politics
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Advance voting opens Friday for three federal byelections, voting Aug. 31. The byelections fill vacancies in Ontario, Quebec and B.C. after one MP resigned and two were appointed to diplomatic and Senate roles; Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Jonathan Wilkinson and Richard Martel departures triggered the contests. The Liberals currently hold 171 seats, Conservatives 139 and the Bloc Québécois 21, the report noted.
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Report: Quebec ER wait times averaged 5 hours 12 minutes last year, an 11-minute improvement. The Montreal Economic Institute says Montreal, Laval, the Laurentians and Montérégie had median stays of six to eight hours and cites personnel shortages as a driver of long waits, according to spokesperson Renaud Brossard.
🎨 Community & Culture
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Hundreds gathered in Little Burgundy to mourn jazz legend Oliver Jones, 91. The funeral at Union United Church featured performances by Ranee Lee, Kim Richardson and the Dr. Oliver Jones Trio playing “Lights of Burgundy”; Jones died July 22 at age 91 and was a member of the Order of Canada. Widow Monique Leclerc Jones and son Richard Jones delivered eulogies recalling his lifelong ties to the neighbourhood and music.
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Alouettes beat Redblacks 46-16 as Montreal improves to 9-1; Ottawa drops to 0-10. Quarterback Davis Alexander threw for 260 yards and two touchdowns on 20-of-23 passing, while Travis Theis rushed for 88 yards and a TD; the game drew 22,482 to Molson Stadium and Montreal was penalized 11 times for 85 yards.
📰 Also Today
- Nearly 200-year-old Huntingdon mill has a buyer, future use unconfirmed.
- Alouettes overhaul cheerleading program after decades, team says changes underway.
- Teen arrested after daylight shooting in Plateau-Mont-Royal, police made an arrest.
- Israel clears itself in Quebecer's killing during World Central Kitchen convoy strikes, review completed.
- One suspect dead, another charged after two fatal intimate-partner cases in Montreal, authorities announced.
- Final farewell for Oliver Jones held back in Little Burgundy, community attended.
- Auger-Aliassime and Dabrowski eliminated at Cincinnati Open, both lost their matches.
- Coroner says hog-tie technique 'probably' a factor in man's accidental death, report dated Aug. 12.
- Surge in vandalism, anti-Muslim rhetoric prompts vigilance at Quebec mosques, communities increase watch.
- Survey finds Quebec teachers switching careers over poor working conditions, new data reported.
- John Abbott College teachers say a 'dark cloud' hangs over start of academic year, faculty warned.
- Quebec responds to Trump's three-day tariff pause, provincial measures discussed.
- Person seriously injured in Montreal police shooting after wellness check, hospitalized in serious condition.
- LeBlanc returns to Washington as tariff pause nears deadline, meetings with U.S. trade officials scheduled.
