Laval QC ☕ Morning Chat
Good morning to all!
We’re starting the weekend with some difficult news in the region, but also with hope for an Olympic gold medal for Canada. Between hockey keeping us on edge and important local issues, you have plenty to fuel your conversations. Grab your coffee, let’s dive in.
⚠️ Main Story
Fatal Snowmobile Accident in Sainte-Brigitte-de-Laval
A woman in her fifties lost her life Thursday afternoon in a snowmobile accident in Sainte-Brigitte-de-Laval, in the Capitale-Nationale region. The accident occurred around 2 p.m. The snowmobile driver, a woman in her twenties, reportedly lost control of the vehicle, which crashed into a tree. Both occupants were ejected from the snowmobile.
The driver sustained injuries that are not life-threatening, but the passenger, who was seriously injured, was transported to the hospital where she was pronounced dead. The Sûreté du Québec is investigating to shed light on the event. At first glance, no criminal element appears to be involved.
This fatal accident adds to four others that occurred last Saturday in Quebec. Men aged 47, 49, and 57 lost their lives, as well as a 47-year-old woman.
A difficult week for snowmobiling in Quebec.
⚡ Of Note
🏒 Canada in the final for Olympic gold in men’s hockey
Canada won 3-2 against Finland in Friday’s semifinal. Nathan MacKinnon scored the winning goal with 35 seconds left in the third period, assisted by Connor McDavid.
Finland led 2-0 after two periods thanks to goals by Mikko Rantanen and Erik Haula. Sam Reinhart and Shea Theodore helped Canada come back.
Sidney Crosby, injured in the lower body, couldn’t play. Connor McDavid wore the “C” and set a record for points in a single men’s Olympic hockey tournament with his 12th assist.
Canada will play for gold Sunday against the winner of the USA vs Slovakia match.
🥉 Valérie Maltais wins bronze in the 1500m
The speed skater from La Baie wins her third medal of the Milan-Cortina Games with a time of 1:54.50. Only Dutch skater Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong (gold) and Norwegian Ragne Wiklund (silver) did better. Maltais already had gold in team pursuit and bronze in the 3000m.
Canada now has 16 medals at these Games: four gold, five silver, and seven bronze. Maltais, 35, was not among the favorites after finishing 13th in this event at last year’s world championships. She’ll have one last chance to add a medal Saturday in the mass start.
🥌 Team Homan to play for bronze
Rachel Homan and her team lost 6-3 to Sweden’s Anna Hasselborg in Friday’s curling semifinal. Canada will play for bronze Saturday against the United States.
The Swedes dominated with an accuracy rate of 84% compared to 73% for Canada.
This will be the third consecutive Olympics where Canada will not win gold in women’s curling.
💔 Gold lost in women’s hockey
The Canadian women’s hockey team came very close to surprising the Americans in the final, but lost the gold medal. The honor remains despite the defeat.
🏠 Local Stories
🏘️ Montreal and Longueuil adopt new protocols for homeless encampments
Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada and Longueuil Mayor Catherine Fournier announced new intervention protocols for homeless encampments on Friday. The new rules aim to balance the rights of homeless people and public safety.
Martinez Ferrada was clear: “We will not make encampments permanent. Our goal is to get Montrealers experiencing homelessness off the street in a sustainable way.”
Montreal will create a centralized tracking tool to coordinate interventions and may designate tolerance zones in boroughs and downtown where encampments would be allowed.
In Longueuil, encampments cannot be set up within 250 meters of schools, daycares, women’s shelters, or seniors’ residences. Maximum of five tents or five people per site. Each person may have only one tent and one bicycle.
The new protocols do not rule out dismantling encampments, but forced relocation must remain a last resort in case of imminent threat to public safety.
🚗 Quebec drivers pay more for less service at the SAAQ
According to a study by the Montreal Economic Institute, Quebecers pay $142.35 for vehicle registration compared to $86.50 in Alberta. Driver’s licenses cost $26.75 in Quebec versus $19.60 in Alberta.
In Quebec, registration and license must be renewed every year, while in Alberta registration is renewed every two years and the license every five years. Quebec drivers pay about 60% more for this service than Albertans.
In 2023, the SAAQ received 15,000 complaints, more than the previous five years combined. In 2024, complaints dropped to over 9,000. In 2025, the SAAQ received 7,299 complaints, down 21.3% from 2024.
The SAAQ says the MEI comparison is misleading and that 99.6% of Quebecers have a service point within 50 kilometers. The SAAQ also notes that its insurance premiums remain among the lowest in Canada.
💰 Community organizations demand an extra $2.6 billion
As part of pre-budget consultations, autonomous community action groups are asking the Quebec government to inject much more funding into their overall mission. The Regroupement québécois de l’action communautaire autonome (RQACA) is demanding an additional $2.6 billion for the 4,500 concerned organizations.
These organizations include food banks, shelters for women victims of violence, and tenant advocacy groups.
The RQACA also asks that funding be prioritized for the global mission of organizations rather than for specific projects or service agreements, which would ensure greater stability and predictability.
📞 Dozens of organizations preparing a strike from March 23 to April 2
They will participate in the movement “Le communautaire à boutte.”
🌊 Cities will have to spend billions to meet new wastewater standards
They are demanding increased financial support from the government.
🏚️ The housing crisis still hits hard in Quebec
Affordable housing remains rare, while properties are being snapped up in the blink of an eye.
🛒 Sobeys stops supplying the only grocery store in Wemotaci
The supplier reportedly decided unilaterally to stop food distribution.
🍁 Hydro-Québec called to compensate for lost maple syrup potential
The construction of a Hydro-Québec line will result in the loss of about 50 hectares of maple syrup potential.
📜 Jolin-Barrette withdraws controversial abortion article
The Justice Minister has withdrawn the abortion article from his proposed constitution. Lawyers had pointed out that enshrining this right in the constitution would expose it to challenges.
🗣️ Ruba Ghazal and Sol Zanetti defend Haroun Bouazzi
The parliamentary leader of Québec solidaire defends her colleague Haroun Bouazzi, who claims that the National Assembly is a toxic environment where “lying, manipulation, and intimidation” are part of daily life. The CAQ is calling for Bouazzi’s expulsion from the QS caucus.
🌍 Quebec immigration increasingly feeds Canadian Francophonie
The end of the PEQ favors the success of Express Entry among temporary immigrants from Quebec.
🛠️ Practical Corner
⚡ New incentives for electric vehicles
Ottawa is offering between $2,500 and $5,000 for the purchase or lease of a new electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle.
👋 Final Thoughts
A week ending with ups and downs. Our thoughts are with the family affected by the accident in Sainte-Brigitte-de-Laval. And on Sunday, we’re crossing our fingers for Olympic gold. Have a great weekend. See you Monday morning. 💙