Laval QC ☕ The morning chat
Good morning and happy Saturday.
Two fatal crashes overnight, a series of break‑ins targeting Montréal restaurants, and Trump giving Iran 48 hours to reach a deal. Grab your coffee and let’s go through it together.
The Daily Rundown
- Two fatal crashes in Quebec overnight A passenger was killed in Saint‑Juste‑du‑Lac and a man in his twenties died in Huntingdon after hitting a roadside boulder.
- Wave of break‑ins in Montréal restaurants Three restaurants hit in recent weeks, with thousands of dollars in damage.
- Hit‑and‑run in Brossard caused by impaired driver Several people injured Friday evening. The suspect was arrested after fleeing.
- Canada’s oldest man dies at 110 Burdett Sisler, the country’s oldest Second World War veteran, passed away Thursday.
- Surprise departure of the Port of Montréal CEO Julie Gascon stepped down from her position on Friday.
- Fake maple syrup pulled from shelves Steve Bourdeau’s canned products recalled, refunds offered.
- Meningococcal infections reach 10‑year high More than 150 cases detected in Canada in 2025.
- Alejandro Kirk placed on injured list The Blue Jays catcher has a fracture in his left thumb.
Noteworthy
- Police interventions in Quebec City arenas surge The SQ responded 161 times in 2025, compared with 30 in 2017.
- War in Iran pushes mortgage rates higher Three‑ and five‑year fixed mortgage rates rose by 0.5 percent after the conflict began.
- European ministers call for taxes on energy profits Five countries are urging the EU to tax energy companies as prices continue to soar.
International
- Russian strikes in Ukraine: 5 dead, 30 injured Russia launched 286 drones overnight, 260 of which were shot down.
- Trump issues 48‑hour ultimatum to Iran “The clock is ticking. Forty‑eight hours before we unleash hell on them,” the U.S. president wrote.
- Lebanon: new Israeli strikes on Tyre The IDF says it is acting against Hezbollah, an ally of Tehran.
- Three charged in antisemitic arson in London Two men and a teenager accused of setting fire to four ambulances belonging to a Jewish organization on March 23.
- Japan deploys missiles in response to China Tokyo announces the deployment of missiles capable of reaching targets 1,000 kilometres away.
Main story
Wave of break‑ins in Montréal restaurants causes thousands in damage
A series of break‑ins has hit Montréal restaurants since late March, leaving thousands of dollars in damage and a deep sense of insecurity among several owners.
At La Spada, owner Scott Usheroff discovered the safe had been stolen after an intrusion made possible by a faulty alarm system. Locks, keys and security equipment had to be replaced, costing an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 dollars.
At Bocadillo Bistro in Little Italy, about 1,200 dollars’ worth of bottles were stolen and the cash register was forced open. “You feel invaded. Everything has been touched,” said owner Marco Russo, who expects to spend about 4,500 dollars on new security measures.
The restaurant Bossa on Wellington Street was also targeted. The thief broke the door mechanism, ripped out two cash registers and left in under a minute, according to co‑owner Daniel Lo Manto. Repairs are estimated at around 3,000 dollars.
The SPVM says police stations in the affected areas have not reported an official increase in break‑ins, but the service is reminding business owners to check locks, test alarm systems and maintain good lighting around entry points.
In depth
Two fatal crashes in Quebec overnight
A passenger died early Saturday morning in Saint‑Juste‑du‑Lac after the vehicle he was in rolled over on Route 295. The driver, a woman in her thirties, reportedly lost control before leaving the roadway. She was taken to hospital for blood tests to determine whether alcohol or drugs were involved. The road was closed for the investigation.
A few hours earlier in Huntingdon, a man in his twenties died after hitting a roadside boulder on Ridge Road. According to the SQ, he lost control before veering out of his lane. A collision investigator was sent to the scene to determine the cause.
One year of U.S. tariffs: Canadian auto sector very concerned
One year after the imposition of American tariffs, the Canadian automobile industry is sounding the alarm. Manufacturers fear for their competitiveness and for jobs, which are already weakened by supply chain disruptions.
Industry representatives hope that a new trade agreement can be reached quickly in order to stabilize the situation and prevent further losses.
Justine Dufour‑Lapointe: “Sports should matter as much as school”
The distinguished skier Justine Dufour‑Lapointe has no doubt that sport should receive more funding in this country.
The Olympic champion believes that physical activity and sport should hold a place as important as education in the lives of young Canadians.
Her comments come in the context of a recent report on the future of sport that includes 98 calls to action, about twenty of which directly involve governments and provincial organizations, particularly in the Atlantic provinces.
Quebec video game explores the Duplessis orphanages
The Quebec studio Chien d’Or has created a video game titled “Into the Abyss of the Dream” that brings players back into the horror of the orphanages of the Grande Noirceur.
The game explores this dark period in Quebec’s history, when thousands of children were placed in psychiatric institutions and subjected to systemic abuse.
This Quebec video game creation aims to raise awareness among a new generation about this historical tragedy while offering an immersive narrative experience.
Coup de Cœur
Burdett Sisler, Canada’s oldest Second World War veteran, passed away Thursday at the age of 110. He leaves behind 11 grandchildren, 22 great‑grandchildren and 14 great‑great‑grandchildren, a legacy of service and family spanning four generations.
Before we go
A Saturday marked by two tragic crashes in Quebec, a wave of break‑ins affecting Montréal restaurant owners, and international tensions that continue to weigh on our local economy.
Enjoy your weekend, take care on the roads, and have a great Saturday. ☕