Author name: Cult MTL

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

As an emergency measure to provide shelter and warmth for homeless Montrealers this winter, the City of Montreal is opening a warming centre in the Lucien-Saulnier building next door to city hall on Saturday.

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante explained that, given the upcoming cold snap, there is no time to wait for approval from the province for the $20,000 expense, and that she would simply bill the Quebec government, who won’t be able to refuse to pay.

This news comes days after a homeless man died in the cold in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. The cause of death is suspected to be hypothermia.

“The shelters are already full, and just yesterday, dozens of people were turned away. Faced with the emergency, we are taking action,” Plante said. “Providing safe and warm shelter is about respecting the dignity of people experiencing homelessness in difficult times. It is not a perfect solution, but it is a humane decision.”

30 makeshift beds have been set up, 24 for men and 6 for women, in the building 155 Notre-Dame E. that served as a temporary city hall from 2019 until earlier this year, when municipal officials moved back into the renovated city hall building at 275 Notre-Dame E.

The Old Montreal warming centre, which will be open all winter, will be supervised by security guards, with social workers on hand to support the people using the space.

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Humanitarian icon Terry Fox will soon be featured on Canada’s $5 bill. Aside from honouring the legendary athlete and cancer research activist for (among other things) his 1980 Marathon of Hope across Canada, the placement of Fox on the bill also aims to inspire Canadians to donate $5 to the cause that he championed.

When the Bank of Canada asked for public input on a new Canadian icon to feature on the $5 bill back in 2020, an Angus Reid study found that 57% of Canadians favoured Terry Fox.

Fox will replace the current face of the $5 bill, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, who will move to the next version of the $50 bill. There is no word of whether William Lyon Mackenzie King (the longstanding face of the $50) will appear on a different bill.

The federal government made the announcement about honouring Terry Fox on Monday, as part of their 2024 Fall Economic Statement.

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

With the onset of winter, the provincial and federal governments have introduced a joint plan to provide emergency funding to aid the homeless in Quebec. The Canada-Quebec Agreement on Unsheltered Homelessness and Encampments aims to provide “rapid and targeted” support to people living in encampments and other unsheltered situations.

Quebec communities will receive nearly $50-million in federal funding over two years, as part of the $250-million that Ottawa announced in the 2024 budget to address encampments and unsheltered homelessness across the country. Quebec will match that amount, bringing the funding for the endeavour to $100-million.

This investment will be allocated to provide additional shelter spaces during winter, help expand 24-hour services for the homeless in Quebec and “enhance support aimed at promoting housing stability and street outreach efforts to address the needs of individuals at imminent risk of unsheltered homelessness, or transitioning out of homelessness.”

Quebec Social Services Minister Lionel Carmant commented on today’s news.

“The homelessness situation in Quebec remains extremely concerning and requires coordinated action at all levels,” Carmant said. “This calls for concrete measures and strengthened collaboration with our partners, particularly within the community sector, to continue providing additional shelter spaces and suitable housing to support the most vulnerable individuals. Our government is proud to implement this initiative and reaffirms its commitment to restoring dignity, safety and stability to those who need it most.”

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Montreal saw a 21% decrease in the number of homicides in 2023, according to Statistics Canada. Montreal is also among the Canadian cities with the lowest homicide rates, at 1.19 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants. The city with the highest homicide rate is Thunder Bay, ON, at 5.34.

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante shared the news about the city’s homicide statistics, saying, “Our Montreal model of public safety is bearing fruit.”

Overall, the province of Quebec saw homicide levels reduce to numbers not seen since the 1960s. Across Canada, homicides have also gone down, for the first time in a decade.

While homicides in Montreal decreased in 2023 — there were 31 murders last year, and 42 in 2022 — rates of assaults, hate crimes and property crimes (such as car thefts) rose over the same period.

As of Oct. 31, 2024, there have been 32 homicides in the city this year.

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante told reporters today that the Molson Brewery site is going to be developed into a new neighbourhood, spanning roughly 1.2 million square feet between Old Montreal and the Jacques-Cartier Bridge.

The area will feature off-market housing (and a total of 3,200 housing units), green spaces, parks and a riverfront promenade with access to the river. A consortium formed by Groupe Sélection, Groupe Montoni and Fonds immobilier de solidarité FTQ bought the land in question in 2019, for $126-million.

“The iconic Molson Brewery site is beginning its transformation,” Plante said.

The City of Montreal is moving forward with the construction of modular housing units for the homeless as part of the forthcoming Namur-Hippodrome district in Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce and in the Louvain-West area in Ahuntsic-Cartierville. The construction of the two buildings, which will temporarily house a total of 60 people as they await more permanent housing solutions, is expected to be completed by the spring. The developments themselves are temporary, and will “give way to residential projects, including off-market housing.”

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante described these innovative modular developments as “unprecedented efforts” on the part of the city to provide a “dignified and safe” housing solution for the homeless. Plante also noted that the issue of homelessness represents a “collective failure” and that the province needs to step in to ensure people’s safety this winter.

“The vulnerability crisis affecting Montreal and all of Quebec is a collective failure that requires leadership at all levels. In the short term, a plan from the Quebec government remains essential to quickly deploy additional measures dedicated to mental health and addiction care, offer more emergency shelter spaces and accelerate social housing units. Our administration will not give up and we are reaching out to the government and all our partners to ensure that everyone is warm during the winter.”

When a call for tenders was put out for this pilot project in August, the city’s executive committee member responsible for the homelessness file, Robert Beaudry, told La Presse that each building would feature common areas as well as 30 separate rooms with toilets and showers. He added that a community organization (TBD) would be present to assist residents in need of specialized services.

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The federal government has expanded gun control measures in Canada by adding over 300 models and variants of assault weapons to its list of banned firearms. In a press conference, Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc said, “These firearms can no longer be legally used, sold or imported in Canada,” effective immediately.

Owners of the newly prohibited assault weapons will be granted amnesty from criminal liability until Oct. 30, 2025, when they will be required to comply by disposing of the firearms in question.

Announced on the eve of the 35th anniversary of the Montreal massacre, the expanded gun ban is meant “to ensure that no community, no family, is devastated by mass shootings in Canada again,” Leblanc said.

“The best thing we can do to honour the memories of those we lost in mass shootings is to act on gun control and to restrict access to the very weapons used to commit these horrible crimes.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau commented on this news, and on the buyback system inviting gun owners in Canada to collect and destroy these assault weapons in exchange for compensation.

“Military-style assault rifles don’t belong in your community. So, we’ve banned them.”

“Our buyback system that collects and destroys these banned firearms has launched with an early pilot program. In the coming days, it will open to businesses — and later, to individuals, so they can turn over these weapons.”

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

As part of their efforts to stabilize the cost of housing in Canada, the federal government is investing $50-million in the Short-Term Rental Enforcement Fund. With an estimated 235,000 Airbnbs, Vrbos and other short-term rental units in Canada right now, the goal of the fund is to “bring non-compliant units back to the long-term housing market” by helping cities to properly enforce regulations.

As Housing Minister Sean Fraser noted, the aim is “to make sure that short-term rentals don’t contribute to Canada’s housing crisis.”

The fund will specifically finance hiring enforcement staff, managing complaints and conducting inspections. To be eligible for funding, municipalities, Indigenous communities and (by exception) provinces and territories must already have strict regulations in place, include limiting short-term rentals to principal residences.

“There are more than 200,000 short-term rentals across the country — like Airbnbs or Vrbos — that could be turned into housing,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said. “So we’re giving cities more resources to crack down on those rentals and unlock more homes for Canadians.”

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

The Quebec government has tabled a bill that would require new doctors to work in the province’s public healthcare system for the first five years of their career, or face a fine of up to $200,000 daily.

Bill 83 (An Act to Foster the Practice of Medicine in the Public Health and Social Services Network) was tabled by Health Minister Christian Dubé in the National Assembly on Tuesday. The bill includes fines ranging from $20,000 to $100,000 per day, with repeat offences incurring fines of $40,000 to $200,000.

The law, which would apply to both general practitioners and specialists, aims to curb the trend of Quebec doctors choosing the private system over the public system. The Ministry of Health and Social Services reports that 775 of the 22,479 doctors in Quebec work exclusively in the private system, which constitutes a 70% increase since 2020.

Dubé says the law will improve access to the public healthcare system, including access to a doctor. In November, the Health Minister stated that the province is aiming to provide all Quebecers with access to a health professional by the summer of 2026, as part of the new Quebec Health Plan.

“Quebec invests a significant amount of time and money to train doctors. Places are limited and training takes many years. It is normal for doctors to give back to the community after their studies,” Dubé said.

“The private sector can be complementary to serve Quebecers more effectively, but there are issues that concern us. The bill is a first step, we will get back to you in early 2025,” he added. “We are considering different solutions, particularly concerning the back-and-forth between the public and private sectors, and will listen to the partners’ comments.”

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante has announced redevelopment plans for Ste-Catherine West, which include making the street “calmer, safer and greener” via partial pedestrianization and urban landscaping.

Plante noted that the wear-and-tear of the street’s century-old infrastructure, as well as pedestrian and cyclist safety concerns and the impact of online shopping, have moved the city to re-imagine the heart of the downtown core.

“It’s time to open a new chapter in the history of this iconic artery. Our plan is to create a calmer, safer and greener street than ever, with a public pedestrian plaza and urban landscaping that will transform the experience for those who visit, work and live there.”

The areas to be pedestrianized will be named after downtown Montreal’s universities, known as Place McGill (between Robert-Bourassa and Mansfield) and Place Concordia (between Bishop and Guy). Work on Ste-Catherine between Peel and St-Marc is scheduled to pick up in April and be completed in the summer of 2025.

Critics, including city hall opposition Ensemble Montréal, have decried a lack of consultation in regards to this plan, though the city claims that workshops were held in 2022 and 2023 and that the plan was pushed forward due to popular demand — both from the public and the universities.

 Glenn Castanheira, the executive director of downtown business association Montréal Centre-Ville, insists that there was no consultation and wants the plan to be postponed until after next year’s municipal election.

“If Montrealers don’t feel listened to, neither do we. The business community feels lied to and cheated with this project.”

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

As part of the federal government’s multi-billion-dollar affordability package announced today, GST will be suspended on certain essentials and retail items for Canadians from Dec. 14 to Feb. 15.

Among the items in this “GST holiday” are restaurant meals (dine-in, takeout or delivery), prepared foods at grocery stores, snack foods, beer, wine, cider and pre-mixed alcoholic beverages below 7% ABV, diapers, kids’ clothes and shoes, kids’ car seats and toys, books, newspapers, puzzles and real and artificial Christmas trees.

The Quebec Restaurant Association and Quebec’s Tourism Minister Soraya Martinez have voiced their approval of the GST suspension, forecasting an increase in spending at restaurants over the holidays. Some merchants, including Ted Dranias, who owns the restaurant Petros in Westmount, have concerns about the logistics of removing GST at checkout and eventually putting it back on invoices, estimating it will cost his business $1,000.

The GST holiday is a joint effort by the Liberal government and the NDP, announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on Thursday.

“The holiday season is when expenses are highest for many Canadians and their families — even with inflation back down to 2% and interest rates being cut four times this year,” Freeland said. “With new tax relief on groceries and seasonal expenses and a rebate for working Canadians, we are reducing costs when they are highest for Canadians. This is about helping you celebrate with family and friends and start 2025 with a little extra money in your bank account.”

While the Liberals opted to implement the GST holiday for two months, the NDP would have made it permanent, according to party leader Jagmeet Singh.

The affordability package also includes $250 Working Canadians Rebate cheques, which will be sent out in April 2025 to working Canadians who earned less than $150,000 in 2023.

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

As part of the federal government’s multi-billion-dollar affordability package to address cost-of-living financial strain, $250 cheques will be sent to working Canadians who earned less than $150,000 in 2023. To be eligible for the Working Canadians Rebate cheques, your 2023 income tax has to have been filed, or be filed by Dec. 31, 2024.

The affordability package, a collaborative effort between the Liberal government and the NDP, also includes a two-month GST holiday on prepared foods at grocery stores, restaurant meals and takeout, snack foods, beer and wine (as well as other types of alcoholic beverages below 7% ABV), diapers, kids’ clothes and shoes, car seats, toys, books, newspapers and periodicals and real or artificial Christmas trees. The GST suspension will begin on Dec. 14 and end on Feb. 15.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Finance Minister Chyrstia Freeland announced the details of the government’s affordability package in a press conference in East Gwillimbury, ON today.

“Inflation is down. We have been close to a year within the target range that the Bank of Canada set, which is why the Bank of Canada is now dropping interest rates faster than most of our peer countries. This allows us to make sure that we are putting money in people’s pockets in a way that is not going to stimulate inflation, but is going to help them make ends meet and continue our economic growth.

“This is something that we’re able to do because Canada has one of the strongest balance sheets in the world, the lowest deficit in the G7, and the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7. We have a strong fiscal position and we are putting it to work, with a tax break for all Canadians and with rebates for working Canadians.”

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

The City of Montreal has announced the creation of the Neighbourhood Cultural Participation Program to boost art and culture activities across the city. The program, the result of a joint investment of $2.5-million from the province and the city, replaces five existing cultural development programs in an effort to simplify the participation process and offer greater accessibility for cultural organizations. 

As part of the Montreal Cultural Development Agreement, this program will “enable various projects in cultural mediation, cultural leisure, amateur artistic practice, promotion of Montreal heritage and digital creativity.”

New features of the program include an entry point for organizations never funded by the Culture Service and a component to support experimental projects.

The Montreal executive committee member responsible for culture, Ericka Alneus, says that the program’s ultimate goal is to contribute to quality of life across the city.

“This program is a unique opportunity to strengthen ties between the city and local cultural stakeholders. We are proud to work to facilitate the daily lives of cultural organizations, for the benefit of the experience of Montrealers from all corners of the city.”

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé said today that the province is aiming to provide all Quebecers with access to a health professional by the summer of 2026, as part of the new Quebec Health Plan. This deadline lines up with the next scheduled Quebec election.

Getting access to a family doctor for every Quebecer was a CAQ campaign promise when the party was first elected in 2018. Conceding that this was too great of a challenge (a challenge exacerbated by COIVD-19), the government is now including other health professionals, such as nurse practitioners, in their promise of personalized healthcare for all Quebecers.

Dubé, who provided an update on the province’s Health Plan today, said, “We are moving in the right direction.”

“Quebecers are right to want better access to healthcare, and we are working on it every day,” Dubé said. “Today, we presented the advances in the Health Plan that allow us to set a clear, ambitious and realistic goal: to provide the population with care by the summer of 2026. We will work in collaboration with the Federation of General Practitioners and other health professionals to achieve this goal.”

The Quebec order of nurses also announced today that 2,760 new nurses have been added to their ranks.

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

The federal government will soon announce plans for the first high-speed rail line in Canada, according to a report from Radio-Canada. The rail line, on a newly built, separate, electrified track, would link Quebec City and Toronto, with trains travelling at 300 kilometres per hour — double the speed of Via Rail trains.

The high-speed, high-frequency rail line will reportedly reduce travel time between Montreal and Toronto from nearly six hours by car (or 5 hours by Via Rail express) to three hours. Other cities served include Trois-Rivières, Laval, Ottawa and Peterborough.

The government of Canada has reportedly chosen but not officially awarded one of the three contract bids that, according to Transport Minister Anita Anand, were still under consideration as of two weeks ago. Anand spoke about the project at an economic forum in Toronto.

“Rail is going to improve productivity, it’s going to improve efficiency, it’s going to lower carbon emissions and it’s going to allow for more housing to be built along these rail lines,” Anand said.

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

The CAQ shot down a Parti Québécois motion on Thursday that sought to cut public funding of private religious schools. This motion was introduced in the National Assembly in the wake of the Bedford School scandal, which reignited conversations about secularism in Quebec.

The roughly 50 Quebec institutions in question, most of which are of Catholic heritage, receive $160-million in public funds annually.

The private schools were founded, Premier François Legault said, “by members of the clergy. Schools that were Catholic, in our opinion, there is no problem with these schools!”

Some critics reacted to Legault’s comments citing the inherent hypocrisy of the government that introduced the secularism law Bill 21 supporting historically Catholic institutions on the basis of their religious or cultural heritage. Others, however, noted that defunding all schools with religious heritage would damage institutions such as Collège Notre-Dame and Brébeuf.

The Bedford School scandal, which resulted in the dismissal of several Maghrebi teachers for not following the curriculum and allegedly implementing Muslim cultural practices in the classroom, prompted Legault to decry “the entry of Islamism” into Quebec schools.

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

The Quebec government announced today that the province is considering getting rid of daylight savings time, the practice of moving the clock ahead one hour in March, and back one hour in November.

In a press conference today, Quebec Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette announced an online consultation on the topic, including a five-minute survey (to be uploaded to the government’s website soon) that Quebecers can fill out until Dec. 1.

“Every year, the time change sparks debates and raises questions. This practice, which dates back to World War I, has a significant impact on the daily lives of Quebecers. The time has come to think about abolishing the time change and keeping the same time all year round.”

Quebec Premier François has previously stated that he is not opposed to ending the practice of daylight savings time.

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

The City of Montreal has inaugurated 893 social and affordable off-market housing units, which are either being built or have officially opened, in collaboration with the community-oriented social enterprise Bâtir son quartier. Of these units, made possible by a joint investment of nearly $340-million by all three levels of government, roughly 600 are currently completed and habitable.

In a press conference this afternoon, Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante presented this sum of nine separate projects as part of the city’s plan to combat the housing crisis with not-for-profit housing solutions.

“The City of Montreal is committed to doing everything in its power to create new off-market housing units. The new Loger + strategy proves it. With measures like priority land transfer for off-market housing, the adoption of a 120-day administrative standard for issuing permits for as-of-right projects, and the three-year, $3-million fund I set up to cover project startup costs, Montreal is taking action to make things happen.”

Over 50% of the 893 units inaugurated today are eligible for the Société d’habitation du Québec’s Quebec Rent Supplement Program (SHQ), allowing their inhabitants to pay 25% of their income towards housing.

Plante spoke about the link between the housing crisis and homelessness, and the importance of addressing the needs of both homeless and those who are vulnerable to homelessness.

“Thanks to these projects, more than 1,000 people will be sheltered from the streets and will be able to live in dignified and safe conditions.”

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

As part of the City of Montreal’s ongoing efforts to combat the housing crisis, over 600 social and affordable housing units are being inaugurated as part of seven projects in Montreal this week.

Among the projects are LoReLi in Saint-Henri, which features 35 permanent housing units for homeless women, 55 units for single mothers in vulnerable situations and an additional 22 units reserved for lesbian seniors. Next door, another new building features 300 LoReLi condo units.

Isabelle Duclaud of Maison des RebElles, a non-profit organization responsible for the segment of LoReLi reserved for lesbian seniors, intends to move into one of the units. She told Pivot Quebec that she is looking forward to aging among members of her chosen family. “Most of us don’t have (biological) family. Our activists, our groups, our parties, that’s our family,” she says.

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Car theft in Canada saw a 20% reduction in the first half of 2024, while over 1,900 stolen vehicles have been intercepted at the border, according to Transport Minister Anita Anand. This update comes five months after the introduction of a federal action plan including tougher, 14-year prison sentences for those found guilty of car theft.

This initiative was developed in response to an issue that has been described as a “national crisis.” Over 105,000 vehicles were stolen in Canada in 2022, which breaks down to one vehicle stolen every five minutes. According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, private auto insurers paid out $1.5-billion in theft claims in 2023, an increase of 254% since 2018.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau commented on news of the decrease in auto theft yesterday, saying that “more stolen cars are being intercepted and returned to their rightful owners.”

“Auto theft is down in Canada. More stolen cars are being intercepted and returned to their rightful owners. The tools we’ve equipped law enforcement with — new scanners, new penalties and new intelligence sharing systems — are working.”

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Montreal police have announced the arrest of two suspects in connection with the fire in Old Montreal that claimed two lives last Friday, Oct. 4. In a press conference this afternoon, the SPVM confirmed that the suspects are aged 18 and 20, one of whom allegedly used a molotov cocktail to set the fire while the other drove the getaway car.

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante praised the SPVM for making these arrests quickly.

“I congratulate the SPVM teams who made quick arrests in connection with the Old Montreal fire. These criminal acts will never be tolerated and the perpetrators will face justice. These arrests are a show of strength by our police service, which will continue to shed light on this criminal act.”

French nationals Léonor Géraudie and her seven-year-old daughter Vérane Reynaud-Géraudie perished in the fire, which started in Loum wine bar on the ground floor of the building at 400/402 Notre-Dame E. and spread to the 19-room hostel upstairs, which was called Le 402. CBC reported that one hostel guest who escaped the blaze described his room as a “shoebox” with no windows. Online reviews of the hostel include complaints about windowless rooms and windows that don’t open.

The owner of the building is Emile Benamor, who was also the proprietor of the Place d’Youville building that went up in flames in March 2023, killing seven. That building was illegally being used to rent Airbnb units, at least one of which had no windows.

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

The STM has announced that two of the three metro stations on the Blue Line that were closed last Thursday — Fabre and d’Iberville — reopened this morning as of 10 a.m. Saint-Michel station will remain closed indefinitely.

The three stations were closed on the night of Oct. 3 “as a precautionary safety measure” due to structural issues at Saint-Michel.

“Works currently underway at Saint-Michel station have detected significant degradation of some of the main beams above the bridge. Given the location of the track equipment needed to turn trains, Fabre and d’Iberville stations must be closed as well.”

Shuttle bus service connecting STM users to Saint-Michel station remains in effect.

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

The STM has announced that three metro stations on the Blue Line — Fabre, d’Iberville and Saint-Michel — will remain closed indefinitely following an emergency closure “as a precautionary safety measure.” In a press conference this morning, STM Director General Marie-Claude Léonard confirmed that the closure of these stations could last “a few days or even a few weeks.”

“Works currently underway at Saint-Michel station have detected significant degradation of some of the main beams above the bridge. Given the location of the track equipment needed to turn trains, Fabre and d’Iberville stations must be closed as well.”

Shuttle bus service has been set up between Jean-Talon and Saint-Michel stations.

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante issued a statement this morning about the five-alarm fire that broke out in Old Montreal overnight. The fire at 400 Notre-Dame E., which Plante referred to as “suspicious” in an earlier statement, resulted in the death of two people on site, and left one person critically injured and two additional people with minor injuries.

“My thoughts are with the people affected by the fire that took place early this morning on the corner of Bonsecours and Notre-Dame streets. This is terrible news, and I’m sending my most sincere sympathies to all those affected.

“The SPVM is in charge of the investigation. We’ll get to the bottom of what caused this fire. Thanks to the City of Montreal Fire Service, who are still on site to control the fire and secure the sector.”

Plante held a press conference this morning outside Saint-Michel metro station to comment on the emergency closure of the station and two others on the Blue Line due to the need for urgent repairs.

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

The Montreal police will be holding a press conference tomorrow morning regarding their plans for security in the city next week, the one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 terrorist attack in Israel.

Mayor Valérie Plante issued a statement today expressing sympathy for Montreal’s Jewish communities, which have suffered a number of anti-Semitic hate crimes — including multiple instances of offensive graffiti and other forms of vandalism at Jewish institutions — since the war in Gaza began last fall.

“I understand the feeling of insecurity among Montreal’s Jewish communities. The police presence will be increased around places of worship and we will not tolerate demonstrations that lead to vandalism, as well as anti-Semitic or Islamophobic acts.”

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Sept. 30 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation across Canada, and Montreal public health director Dr. Mylène Drouin took the opportunity to address the issue of health equity for Indigenous peoples in the city.

Among many other reported incidents exemplifying the lack of equity for Indigenous peoples in the Quebec healthcare system, the death of Joyce Echaquan in a Joliette hospital in 2020 raised a rallying cry from critics, activists and community members across Canada and beyond.

“The regional director of public health pays tribute to residential school survivors, those who have disappeared, as well as members of their families and communities, and reiterates its commitment to promoting health equity for Indigenous peoples in Tiohtià:ke/Montreal.”

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante also issued a statement to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which is bringing the annual Every Child Matters rally and march to Parc Avenue this afternoon.

“Let us not look away from the past. Instead, let us face it and work together to write a new page of history. On this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, let us recognize the progress that has been made and the progress that remains to be made.”

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Across Canada, Sept. 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a time to commemorate the victims of the residential school system for Indigenous kids. Also known as Orange Shirt Day, Sept. 30 is being observed in Montreal with the fourth annual Every Child Matters: A Day of Action for Truth and Reconciliation, a rally and march organized by Resilience Montreal and the Native Women’s Shelter with support from the David Suzuki Foundation and the POP Montreal festival.

The event will begin at 1 p.m. on Monday by the Sir George-Étienne Cartier statue by Mount Royal, and will feature speakers and performers Kevin Deer, Jeremy Dutcher, Sacred Wolf Drummers, Alex McComber, Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer, Ellen Gabriel, Barbara Diabo, Maya Cousineau-Mollen and Beatrice Deer. Talks and performances will be followed by a march on Parc Avenue, Sherbrooke and Mansfield to René-Levesque.

“We come together in honour of the children found in mass graves, residential school survivors, and their families. We invite community members, organizations, and students to stand with us and listen to the wisdom of our powerful speakers.

“We encourage everyone to wear orange shirts and bring their drums as symbols of solidarity.”

Organizers note that the procession will pass Parc and Milton, an area where a number of homeless people gather, and encourages attendees to bring food, clothing and other items to offer.

For more on Every Child Matters: A Day of Action for Truth and Reconciliation in Montreal, please visit the event page.

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Following several days of escalating attacks between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, resulting in over 600 deaths and thousands of injuries in Lebanon (including two Canadians), Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement calling for an “immediate ceasefire” along the border of Lebanon and Israel.

“It has been devastating to the civilians in harm’s way, including the two innocent Canadians killed. We will support all diplomatic efforts towards de-escalation and a peaceful resolution.”

The Prime Minister’s Office released a joint statement on the subject, signed by Canada and 10 other countries including the U.S. and U.K., as well as the European Union. The statement calls for a 21-day ceasefire in order to explore diplomatic resolutions for the conflict, and to proceed with ongoing work towards a ceasefire in Gaza, as well.

“The situation between Lebanon and Israel since October 8th, 2023 is intolerable and presents an unacceptable risk of a broader regional escalation. This is in nobody’s interest, neither of the people of Israel nor of the people of Lebanon.”

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Following the announcement yesterday that Plateau music venue La Tulipe is closing after years of legal challenges from a neighbouring building owner, the City of Montreal has announced plans to exempt music venues, performance halls, bars and restaurants from the noise bylaw that facilitated those challenges — and those faced over the past 15 years by Divan Orange and Main Hall, two venues on St-Laurent Boulevard that closed under almost identical circumstances.

After hinting at a regulatory change yesterday, Plateau-Mont-Royal borough mayor Luc Rabouin told reporters today that this amendment will be ratified tomorrow — and encouraged all other boroughs to do the same. The bylaw currently states that any “noise produced by means of sound devices” should not be audible outside a venue; the change will specify that noise is permitted, below a certain decibel level (TBA).

Mayor Valérie Plante reacted to the news of La Tulipe’s closure in an executive committee meeting this morning, and echoed her thoughts on the matter in a video posted on Instagram this afternoon (see the embed below).

“We want to find solutions for La Tulipe, but also for the entire cultural ecosystem. We believe in good neighbourliness, that’s why we have programs to improve soundproofing, upgrade facilities, our bars, our neighbourhood cultural institutions.”

Plante expressed shock and sadness over the venue’s closure, and over the way it happened — one person singlehandedly shutting a venue down. “Yes to good neighbourliness, but no to the dictatorship of a neighbour,” she said. Planted added that the city will also increase their budget for venue sound-proofing.

When questioned about La Tulipe’s future, Rabouin said that he did not know if these measures will lead to the venue’s reopening, but that lawyers are looking into the situation.

No mention was made of city’s erroneous rezoning of the building next to La Tulipe that allowed its owner to convert it into residences in 2016 and launch the legal challenges against the venue.

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Following yesterday’s Quebec Court of Appeal decision against the longstanding Montreal music venue, la Tulipe announced on their website today that they are essentially being forced to close. The decision requires the venue to stop emitting any noise from their sound system.

This is the culmination of years of lawsuits and police intervention brought about by Pierre-Yves Beaudoin, who owns the adjacent building — which was mistakenly zoned as residential by the City of Montreal before it was sold to him in 2016. Between legal fees, sound-proofing costs and the pandemic, the venue has been decimated financially.

“It is with sadness, disappointment and incomprehension that we received yesterday the judgment of the Quebec Court of Appeal requiring us to stop emitting noise from sound equipment at la Tulipe.

“We are now asking the decision-making bodies of the City of Montreal and the Minister of Culture and Communications of Quebec to take a stand and implement measures to rectify the situation, thus affirming the essential role of live performance, song, music, and artists, in a city with an international reputation like Montreal. Because this decision, in the end, forces artists to keep quiet.”

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Montreal will be the site of a major climate march on Friday, Sept. 27, the last day of the week-long international Global Climate Strike. The local organizers represent the Quebec group Pour qu’il y ait une suite du monde (So That There May Be a Continuation of the World), which brings together 50 organizations: unions, environmental, health, economic, community and student groups, as well as citizen collectives and elected officials (including Projet Montréal).

The movement is calling for action and mobilization across the province to demand the implementation of concrete action “in favour of the social and environmental transition.” Expressing frustration over provincial government inaction, the organization says, “It’s time to create a balance of power and regain control to act on the future of Quebec.”

In the march’s event page, Pour la suite du monde says:

“For several years, Quebec civil society has been studying, documenting, consulting, working together and agreeing on principles and actions to achieve and implement this transition.

“Conversely, the government does not want to hear anything, and is navigating without adequate planning or clear direction. Our movement was born out of this fed-up feeling. We are calling for social dialogue to implement a true ecological and social transition, because it is together that we will be able to build the Quebec of tomorrow.”

The Montreal climate march takes place on Friday, Sept. 27, assembling at the Sir George-Étienne Cartier monument on Parc Avenue and Rachel at 6:15 p.m. and progressing to Bonaventure metro from 6:30 until 8 p.m.

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Given the fact that, as Montreal city councillor Alia Hassan-Cournol puts it, “pedestrianized streets are now part of Montreal’s DNA,” the city is investing $12-million in the seasonal transformation of nine streets into pedestrian-only zones through 2027.

This investment is a renewal of the funding that City Hall set aside for the pedestrianization of Montreal commercial arteries in 2022, which also covered a three-year period.

The streets that were selected are the most successful pedestrianization projects, which will no longer need to re-qualify annually for funding.

The funding ceiling for pedestrian streets is also increasing from $375,000 to $700,000, and Mont-Royal Avenue and Wellington and Ontario streets will boost their budgets accordingly in 2025.

Montreal’s pedestrian-only streets that have been renewed through 2027 are as follows:

1. Mont-Royal From St-Laurent to St-Denis, St-Denis to de Lorimier
2. Wellington From 6th Avenue to Régina
3. Ste-Catherine From St-Hubert to Papineau
4. Ontario E. From Pie-IX to Darling
5. Duluth E. From St-Laurent to St-Hubert
6. St-Denis (as well as Emery Street) From Sherbrooke to de Maisonneuve
7. Bernard From Wiseman to Bloomfield
8. De Castelnau E. From St-Denis to de Gaspé
9. Plaza St-Hubert From Bellechasse to Jean-Talon

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Plans to build the largest sponge park in Montreal were announced on Tuesday, with nearly $8-million being invested by the Quebec government into the transformation of Pierre-Bédard Park in the Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough.

To reduce flood risk in the area, the sponge park will have a water retention capacity of 4 million litres — the size of two Olympic swimming pools. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2025.

Alongside Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante and other government representatives, Quebec’s Municipal Affairs Minister Andrée Laforest was on hand at a press conference to discuss the sponge park project.

“Our government is once again demonstrating its commitment to the municipal sector to implementing sustainable solutions to address climate change.”

Today’s news build’s on the city’s plan to develop hundreds of sponge retention areas across Montreal by 2025. Among the other sponge projects previously announced this year are the city’s first sponge street in the Sainte-Marie borough and a massive sponge park in Verdun.

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Over a period of 11 days, from Aug. 29 to Sept. 8, 6 Indigenous Canadians were killed across the country in fatal shootings and vehicular manslaughter incidents perpetrated by RCMP and city police officers. In response to these killings, Resilience Montreal and the Native Women’s Shelter have organized a local vigil, “Justice for Indigenous Lives,” to take place in Place du Canada on Sept. 18.

“The legacy of police violence against Indigenous people has to stop! Join us on Wednesday, September 18, at Place du Canada for a vigil to honour the 6 people murdered by the (police).”

According to an APTN report, on Aug. 29, 31-year-old Jack Piché died after being struck by an RCMP vehicle in Clearwater Dené Nation, Saskatechewan. On Sept. 2, Tammy Bateman, an Indigenous woman in her 30s, was killed by a Winnipeg police cruiser.

On Aug. 30, 15-year old Hoss Lightning-Saddleback was shot in Samson Cree Nation, Alberta by RCMP officers responding to a 911 call that he placed, saying he was being “followed by people who wanted to harm him.” On Sept. 6, 57-year-old Jason West was killed by Windsor police, who were responding to a call about a person with a weapon outside a Beer Store.

Steven ‘Iggy’ Dedam, 33, was fatally shot by the RCMP during a “wellness check” at his home in Elsipogtog First Nation, New Brunswick on Sept. 8. On the same day, the RCMP shot and killed 31-year-old Daniel Knife (who they suspected was involved in a machete attack earlier that day) in Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation, Saskatchewan.

For more on the “Justice for Indigenous Lives” vigil at Place du Canada (Peel & René-Lévesque) on Sept.18, 6 p.m., please visit the Facebook event page.

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

A Quebec Liberal Party motion was passed unanimously in the National Assembly on Thursday amending the province’s controversial healthcare directives related to Bill 96 and so-called “historic anglos,” which were released to widespread criticism by the CAQ in July.

The 31-page document stated that healthcare services could only be provided in a language other than French if the patient did not understand French, or, in the case of Quebec anglos, if they produced a  a certificate of eligibility for English-language education, proving historic-anglo status.

“Today we didn’t want just words from the minister. We wanted to adopt a motion expressing the will of the National Assembly that that is the case: you do not need a certificate when you walk into a hospital to get service in the English language, and nobody should be worried about that.”

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

On Thursday, CAQ minister Simon Jolin-Barrette tabled a law that would regulate tips, mandating Quebec restaurants and other merchants to calculate tips based on subtotals — the price before tax — rather than totals after tax, as is the case now.

The Quebec Restaurant Association responded to the proposed legislation, saying that the passing of this law (Bill 72) “will naturally have an impact on the income of the dining room staff” but could also save money on fees for restaurants. They also expressed disappointment that there are no provisions in the law regarding unhonoured reservations (“no-shows”).

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

According to the 2022 census, there are 10,000 homeless people in Quebec, half of which (4,690) live in Montreal.

The local organization Bread and Beyond, which was founded in 2020 in response to an urgent call from local homeless shelters, is aiming to produce and distribute 5,000 sandwiches to homeless people in Montreal — all in one day.

“Together, we can make a sandwich for every unhoused person living in Montreal.”

The Great Sandwich Marathon will take place at Centre Greene in Westmount on Monday, Sept. 16, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with distribution through eight Montreal homeless shelters.

In July, the city announced plans for a public consultation on how Montrealers can better live “harmoniously” with the homeless population, which has grown significantly since the pandemic despite what the city calls the “doubling of resources.”

The Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM) has been mandated to run the public consultations. The city aims to identify best practices and initiatives to support the vulnerable population and promote social cohabitation when establishing new resources and services. This initiative is at least in part a response to the backlash from Saint-Henri residents when the city’s first supervised drug use site was set up in that neighbourhood last fall.

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

In a video posted on social media, Laval police are seen restraining and punching a Black man in an apparent act of police brutality. According to the Red Coalition, a Montreal-based human rights advocacy organization, the victim is 31-year-old Gulaid Mahdi Omar, who was visiting Montreal from the Toronto area. The incident took place on Sept. 1, 2024.

Another video shows a second man is restrained and arrested on the scene, and the two police officers who were initially restraining and beating Omar are joined by at least five more officers who participate in the arrest. Red Coalition says that Omar was also pepper-sprayed and tazed.

Omar is heard in the videos saying “I can’t breathe” and “I don’t want to die.”

The Red Coalition’s Joel De Bellefeuille says, “The footage in this video is deeply disturbing and reminiscent of the 2019 assault and death of George Floyd. This is the most shocking and upsetting instance of racial profiling I have ever seen. Mr. Omar was clearly in compliance, and yet officers continued to use excessive force.”

Laval police says they intercepted a stopped vehicle near a bar late at night and decided “to check the driver’s ability to operate the vehicle.” One of the occupants refused to co-operate, according to police, and “resisted, forcing them to use a continuum of force.”

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Two children were hit by vehicles in separate incidents in Montreal today. One accident occurred in Ahuntsic-Cartierville, as a child was on their way to school, the other on Crescent Street downtown, as the three-year-old child was going to daycare. Both children suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante issued a message to drivers following this news.

“My message to drivers: please slow down. Stay alert at all times. Our local streets are not shortcuts. Saving a life is more important than saving a few minutes to get to your destination.”

Plante also said, “All my thoughts go out to the families of these children,” and spoke about the city’s School Safety Program.

“Taking action to make travel safer is not a slogan, it is a priority,” she said. “When we deploy more photo radars and accelerate the development of safer, human-scale living environments, we save lives. We are asking the Quebec government for more photo radars in Montreal. We must do everything we can to protect the most vulnerable.”

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

A 99-page ruling from Quebec Superior Court was released on Tuesday pertaining to a $171-million class-action lawsuit filed by the Black Coalition of Quebec. Justice Dominique Poulin’s ruling found that systemic racism exists within the Montreal police force and that the SPVM’s tendency toward racial profiling creates “discriminatory effects on racialized people.”

A spokesperson for Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante, who testified during these proceedings, released a statement saying that this administration will continue its “unprecedented efforts to combat racial profiling.”

“As the first municipal administration to recognize the existence of systemic racism, we will continue to work with all of our partners and public organizations to make sure each citizen feels safe and enjoys the same rights.”

The lead plaintiff in the case, Alexandre Lamontagne, will receive $5,000 in compensation, as will any person of colour who was racially profiled, stopped by Montreal police and had their personal information recorded between July 11, 2018, and Jan. 11, 2019. (Two exceptions to eligibility for this compensation are people who were were approached during this period by the SPVM’s Éclipse unit, or had an altercation after a 911 call.)

Other victims of racial profiling by Montreal police are also eligible for between $2,500 and $5,000 in compensation, according to the ruling, but through individual claims as opposed to this class action.

In an interview with CTV, Red Coalition founder Joel DeBellefeuille pointed out that Judge Poulin’s ruling should make it even more difficult for Premier François Legault to maintain his longstanding denial of the existence of systemic racism in Quebec.

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

The City of Montreal launched a call for tenders today to acquire the modules needed for modular housing for the homeless. The first two buildings in this pilot project, which will house 60 people temporarily as they await more permanent housing solutions, is expected to be completed within six months.

While the location of these buildings has not yet been confirmed, the city’s executive committee member responsible for the homelessness file, Robert Beaudry, told La Presse that each would feature common areas as well as 30 separate rooms with toilets and showers. He added that a community organization (also TBD) would be present to assist residents in need of specialized services.

“Faced with the homelessness crisis, we must redouble our efforts to offer alternatives to those who are sorely lacking them and we are committed to this by launching our pilot project for supported modular housing.”

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

A $1-million complaint was filed this week against Bill 96, the CAQ’s law to protect the French language in this province, at the Quebec human rights commission (Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse).

Human rights advocacy group the Red Coalition, one of many Quebec organizations to have voiced criticism of the law since it was passed in 2022, is seeking punitive damages for affected organizations and individuals advocating for the rights and freedoms of people in Quebec due to “the widespread discriminatory impact” of Bill 96. Red Coalition specified that the complaint doesn’t specifically represent the anglophone community, but all Quebecers negatively affected by Bill 96.

Red Coalition founder and executive director Joel DeBellefeuille elaborated on the harm the bill is doing to minority ethnic and linguistic groups in Quebec, from creating barriers to essential services to normalizing derogatory terms and discriminatory practices.

“Bill 96 has fractured our society, deepening divides and legitimizing discrimination. This complaint is not just about holding the government accountable; it’s about healing our community and reaffirming the principles of equality and respect that should define Quebec.”

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Quebec Premier François Legault has announced that the province will impose a moratorium on new applications and renewals for temporary foreign workers in Montreal.

Exempt form this moratorium are jobs paying $57,000 or more per year in education, health, food processing and construction.

“Over the past two years, the number of temporary immigrants in Quebec has doubled from 300,000 to 600,000. We must reduce the number of immigrants to protect our public services, to take pressure off housing and to protect the French language, particularly in Montreal.”

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

The City of Montreal has released a statement asking Montrealers affected by today’s water main break to call 311 for assistance, and that the Accès Montréal office in Ville-Marie is currently closed. The incident occurred this morning near the corner of René-Levesque and de Lorimier, under the Jacques-Cartier Bridge.

There is also a boil water advisory in effect in the Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve and Rivière-des-Prairies/Pointe-aux-Trembles boroughs as well as the city of Montreal East.

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante noted that “city teams responded very quickly to control the leak, secure the area and help the population.” She also said that the Red Cross have assisted some residents near the water main break but that the vast majority of people were unharmed. Some residential and commercial buildings, however, were flooded.

“Our teams have managed to pump water out of the basements of the flooded residences. They are currently pumping water out of the few commercial premises that have been affected.

“Hydro-Québec teams are working extremely hard to restore power to the area as quickly as possible. Power should be back on soon.”

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

The City of Montreal will soon expand its social intervention squad EMMIS (Équipe mobile de médiation et d’intervention sociale) to the entire city.

Since 2021, EMMIS has been operating in collaboration with the police to assist the city’s homeless population in the Ville-Marie and Sud-Ouest boroughs as well as within the metro system. The project was expanded to the Plateau and Hochelaga last year.

The Quebec Public Security Ministry and the city are investing an additional $50-million in the project to increase the number of EMMIS workers from 32 to 90, deploy them across all of Montreal’s 19 boroughs and set up a 211 hotline, which is due to be operational in January 2025.

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante made the announcement in a press conference on Tuesday, telling reporters that EMMIS isn’t the end game. In a TV interview yesterday, Plante said, “The solution to homelessness is social housing with community support and appropriate healthcare,” with more investment needed from all levels of government.

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau introduced the Canada Public Transit Fund, a permanent program that will invest $3-billion per year in public transportation systems and projects across the country. The initial investment of $30-billion over the next 10 years makes this the largest public transit investment in Canadian history.

The Canada Public Transit fund has three streams of funding: baseline funding to maintain existing public transportation systems, targeted funding for projects focused on active transportation, rural and remote transit, transit in Indigenous communities and electrification, and metro-region agreements to support partnerships between provinces and their major cities, like Montreal. As Trudeau specified on social media, cities will get public transit funding if they “change their bylaws to unlock more apartments and homes near that transit.”

“Funding amounts will be based on merit, with the highest amounts of funding going to the most ambitious partnerships, including those that can best demonstrate how investments in transit will help build more homes.”

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante reacted to the announcement, calling it “excellent news” for the city.

“We look forward to knowing the share that will be allocated to Montreal at a time when major projects connecting the greater metropolitan region are on the table.”

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante commented today on the city’s rain management and efforts to mitigate flood risks with initiatives such as sponge parks and the forthcoming sponge street in the Sainte-Marie borough, which runs from de Lorimier to just east of Fullum. Plante also shared the first artist renderings of that street, Larivière, which will be able to absorb 900 cubic metres of rain, “reducing the pressure on our water infrastructures.”

“Heavy rainfall like the one this week in Montreal is becoming more frequent due to climate change, impacting our daily lives with increased flood risks. It requires thinking of the territory differently, to adapt it to these new realities.”

Work is expected to begin on this project in the spring of 2025, at a cost of $5.9-million.

by Timothy Edward, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

In a press conference today alongside Mayor Valérie Plante, Montreal public health director Dr. Mylène Drouin commented on the rise in visible homelessness in the city. Public consultations were announced, with the aim of collecting input on how Montrealers can live “harmoniously” with the homeless population. 

According to the latest homelessness survey conducted, there are 10,000 homeless people in Quebec, including 4,690 in Montreal.

The findings from the survey, carried out on Oct. 11, 2022, include alarming statistics about the number of people living outdoors nightly (800) and the overall homelessness increase since 2018 (33%). City officials are sounding the alarm about the situation, which they perceive has only worsened since the survey despite a doubling of resources following the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Visible homelessness is on the rise in Montreal. It is a complex phenomenon that has multiple facets.”

by Lorraine Carpenter, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

In an SPVM press conference last week, Montreal police announced that gun violence in the city is down 24% in 2024 compared with the statistics from the same period last year.

There have been 53 recorded incidents involving firearms in Montreal over the past five months: 7 murders, 9 attempted murders and 37 weapon discharges. The SPVM reports that they made 118 arrests in connection with events involving firearms and seized 275 weapons in the same period.

Gun violence in Montreal has been on a steady decline over the past three years.

“We will continue to make our presence felt on the ground and work on armed violence upstream, in a proactive and integrated manner.”