Laval QC โ The morning chat
Good morning and happy Wednesday!
A young tourist from Lanaudiรจre has died in the Dominican Republic, freezing rain is expected tomorrow morning, and Air Canadaโs CEO is making headlines over official languages. Grab your coffee and letโs go through it together.
โก In 30 Seconds (The Essentials)
๐ A 19โyearโold from SainteโJulienne killed in the Dominican Republic
๐ง๏ธ Freezing rain expected Thursday morning in Montrรฉal
๐ Wave of support in CoteauโduโLac after the death of pilot Antoine Forest
๐ณ๏ธ Writeโin ballot for the Terrebonne byโelection
โ๏ธ Quebec defends Bill 21 before the Supreme Court
๐ฆ LacโSaintโJoseph parrots allowed to stay
๐ซ Gunfire at a business in LaSalle
๐ Local Stories
Air Canada CEO summoned to Ottawa
Michael Rousseau will have to explain himself before the Official Languages Committee after issuing a condolence message entirely in English to the families of the two pilots killed at LaGuardia.
The situation has sparked strong political and public backlash. His video, which includes only two words in French, โbonjourโ and โmerciโ, generated 84 complaints to the Commissioner of Official Languages and drew sharp criticism in Quebec City, Ottawa, and across social media. Rousseau must appear for one hour no later than May 1.
Freezing rain expected Thursday morning in Montrรฉal
A brief but potentially dangerous period of freezing rain is expected to sweep across Greater Montrรฉal overnight, raising concerns about slippery roads and difficult travel during Thursdayโs morning commute.
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) says a warm front moving into the region will begin with light snow this evening before shifting to freezing rain overnight and early Thursday. Up to two millimetres of ice may accumulate, creating slick conditions on untreated roads, sidewalks, and overpasses.
Drivers are urged to use caution, as the timing could slow down the morning rush. Temperatures should rise above freezing Thursday morning, turning precipitation to rain and reducing the risk of further ice buildup. The high will reach 9ยฐC.
Friday will bring sunshine with a high near 0ยฐC, followed by a sharp drop to โ12ยฐC Friday night. The weekend will be mostly sunny but cold.
Gunfire at a business in LaSalle
Shots were fired at a business in the LaSalle borough Tuesday night. Montrรฉal police were alerted around 2:30 a.m. after an employee discovered a bullet impact on the door of a business on Newman Boulevard.
According to early information, a bullet impact and shell casings were found at the scene. Surveillance footage confirmed the incident occurred at 12:30 a.m., when a suspect fired at the establishment. No 911 call was made at the time; an employee later notified police. No arrests have been made.
๐ Around the World & Across Canada
๐ Jakub Dobes: the competitiveness driving the Canadiens
โท๏ธ Valรฉrie Grenier wins the giant slalom in Hafjell
๐ฌ Canadian Screen Awards: Folichonneries and 40 Acres lead
๐ช First World War soldier identified a century after his death
๐๏ธ Meta fined $375M for endangering children
๐ข๏ธ Energy infrastructure at the heart of the IranโU.S. conflict
๐ช 1,000 U.S. soldiers from the 82nd Airborne headed to the Middle East
๐ท๐บ Russia: nearly 400 Ukrainian drones shot down
โ๏ธ Runway incursions rising in Canada, warns the TSB
๐งฌ Mammals cannot be cloned indefinitely
โฝ The Iran conflict is influencing gas prices in Canada
๐ซ Spotlight
๐ CoteauโduโLac mourns pilot Antoine Forest
Since Monday evening, hundreds of residents have been calling town hall to offer condolences, and the townโs Facebook page has been flooded with heartfelt messages. In a small community of 7,800 people, everyone knows someone connected to the family.
๐ Practical Info
- Weather: Freezing rain Thursday morning, up to 2 mm of ice. High of 9ยฐC Thursday. Sunny Friday near 0ยฐC, dropping to โ12ยฐC at night. Cold but sunny weekend.
- Roads: Expect delays Thursday morning due to icy conditions.
โก In Brief โ Other Headlines
๐ฅ Second death in less than a month at Donnacona Institution
๐ป Delays and failures in Quebecโs digital welfare system
๐ Quebec tries to โresetโ messaging on international students
๐ฐ Brookfield and the Caisse to acquire Boralex
๐ฌ Julien Lacroix announces he is stepping away
๐ Quebec universities fall in international rankings
โ๏ธ No francophones on Mark Carneyโs speechwriting team
๐ Top Story
Dominican Republic tragedy: young man from SainteโJulienne shot and killed
A 19โyearโold from SainteโJulienne, in the Lanaudiรจre region, was killed in the Dominican Republic on March 23, 2026.
Tristan PrimeauโPoitras was travelling with his family in Puerto Plata. According to local media, he was shot while riding a scooter with his brother around 5 a.m. and later died in hospital. His brother said they had left the hotel to get a sandwich.
A police investigation is underway. Local reports suggest the suspects may have been attempting to steal the scooter, but this has not been confirmed.
Friends and relatives paid tribute to Tristan on social media, saying he โbrought light everywhere he went.โ
๐ Before We Go
A day marked by tragedy in the Dominican Republic, weather that demands extra caution tomorrow, and a mix of local and international stories to follow.
Stay safe on the roads Thursday, bundle up… and have a good Wednesday โ