Laval QC ☕ Morning Chat
Hello and good morning!
It’s Saturday, and while some are preparing to dive into the icy waters of the Lachine Canal, others are keeping their eyes on the Olympic Games. Between Canadian medals, local news, and some international developments, you have plenty to fuel your weekend conversations. Let’s get started.
🏒 Main Story
Sidney Crosby might play in the final tomorrow
The suspense continues around the Canadian captain. Sidney Crosby skated with the team in practice Saturday, giving him a chance to play Sunday. His participation in the gold medal final against the United States will be decided at the last minute, head coach Jon Cooper told reporters after the morning practice.
Crosby was injured in the lower body during Canada’s quarterfinal match against Czechia on Wednesday. He limped off the ice in the second period after being crushed along the boards in the neutral zone by Czech defender Radko Gudas, then suffered another awkward hit along the boards later in the same period.
The 38-year-old player has collected two goals and four assists in four games in this tournament, his third Olympics.
Meanwhile, defenseman Josh Morrissey has been ruled out for the game as he continues to deal with an injury suffered earlier in the tournament. Morrissey was injured in the opening preliminary match against Czechia and has missed all games since. Travis Sanheim has taken his place in the lineup and has a plus-6 rating with one assist in four games.
We’ll know tomorrow morning. In the meantime, fingers crossed.
⚡ Noteworthy
🥈 Blondin wins silver in mass start
Ivanie Blondin took silver in the women’s speed skating mass start on Saturday, for the second consecutive Olympics. She finished behind Dutch skater Marijke Groenewoud. American Mia Manganello took bronze.
Valérie Maltais finished fifth after recovering from a fall early in the race, narrowly missing a fourth medal at these Games. Canada now has 19 medals at Milan-Cortina 2026: four gold, six silver, nine bronze. One day of competition remains.
🥉 Rachel Homan wins bronze in women’s curling
The Canadian team beat the United States 10-7 in the bronze medal match Saturday. Canada scored three points in the eighth end to break open the game. This is Homan’s first Olympic medal at her third Games.
After starting 1-3, Team Homan won five straight games to reach the playoffs. It’s Canada’s first women’s curling medal since Jennifer Jones’ gold in Sochi in 2014.
⛷️ Disappointment in ski cross: no Canadian medals
For the first time since the event debuted at the Winter Olympics in 2010, Canada did not place any athletes on the podium in ski cross at Milan-Cortina 2026. Canadian star Reece Howden, 27, criticized the conditions after being eliminated in the quarterfinals Saturday: “It’s an absolute joke.
Honestly, I’m glad I’m not involved in this race because it’s ridiculous. This isn’t ski cross, it’s terrible.” Olympic organizers had postponed several events in the mountain region this week due to bad weather.
💵 Trump raises global tariffs to 15%
U.S. President Donald Trump says he is raising his global tariff to 15%. Trump signed an order Friday to impose a worldwide levy of 10% after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled his previous tariff tool illegal.
A White House fact sheet says the latest tariff will not apply to goods compliant with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement. The duty also won’t be applied in addition to sectoral tariffs like steel, aluminum, and automobiles.
🏠 Local News
🏙️ Laval studies welcome tax payment in installments
The City of Laval is considering allowing the welcome tax to be paid in several installments—a potential relief for new homeowners.
🧊 Polar Bear Challenge at the Lachine Canal
Montreal police officers and elected officials are preparing to dive into icy waters this morning for the 18th annual SPVM challenge. Public Safety Minister Ian Lafrenière and Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada are expected to participate.
The proceeds support Special Olympics Quebec, which offers sports programs for athletes with intellectual disabilities and autism. Fundraising goal this year: $115,000. Over the past three years, the event has raised more than $300,000.
🐉 Chinatown celebrates Lunar New Year
Montreal’s Chinatown is preparing to celebrate the Lunar New Year this weekend with traditional dancing lions, cultural performances, family workshops, and light installations around Place Sun Yat-Sen. It’s the Year of the Fire Horse. The free festivities are organized by Asie en fête.
🔪 Assault downtown: 67-year-old man seriously injured
A 67-year-old man was seriously injured after being struck with a blunt object during a dispute that escalated late Friday night in Ville-Marie. Emergency services were called around 11:30 p.m. after the victim was found lying on Woolf Street near Sainte-Catherine East.
The man suffered significant upper body injuries. His condition stabilized Saturday morning and his life is no longer in danger. Police arrested a 56-year-old man in connection with the assault.
🛂 Transport Canada certifies Gulfstream jets after Trump threats
Transport Canada has certified the Gulfstream G500 and G600 after Donald Trump threatened last month to withdraw certification for planes built in Canada.
🌲 Forestry: Atikamekw and Innus sue governments
Indigenous nations are suing the governments of Quebec and Canada.
💛 Spotlight
Police officers and elected officials diving into icy water this morning to support Special Olympics Quebec: that’s the kind of solidarity that’s good to see.
🛠️ Practical Corner
📱 Social media addiction: solutions exist
Social media addiction has been compared to casinos, opioids, and cigarettes. Before setting scrolling limits, it helps to understand how news feeds and advertising work to attract users.
Small, meaningful changes like moving the app on your phone or turning off notifications could help. iPhones and Android devices have built-in controls to help regulate screen time.
Some users set their phone to grayscale to make it less appealing. If all else fails, it may be worth exploring therapy.
👋 Before We Go
We wish you a great Saturday. Whether you’re diving into icy water, celebrating Lunar New Year, or watching hockey tomorrow morning, enjoy your weekend. See you tomorrow. 💙