Laval QC ☕ The Morning Chat
Good morning,
Today starts with a Laval that’s growing fast, very fast, while Montréal deals with closed metro entrances, aging equipment, and a strike on the horizon. There’s also a bit of politics, a bit of public transit, a quick detour through space, and a Montréal initiative that genuinely deserves a nod.
Top Stories
- Laval climbs into the top three North American cities for active cranes: The city now ranks just behind Toronto and Los Angeles, driven by a major residential surge.
- Montréal blue‑collar strike from April 15 to 18: Essential services have been deemed sufficient to avoid risks to public health or safety.
- Three metro entrances closed in Montréal: The STM cites safety concerns linked to disorder, cleanliness issues, and drug use.
- Montréal’s pothole‑repair equipment is in rough shape: More than half of the machinery is at the end of its useful life.
- Jean‑François Roberge under ethics investigation: The inquiry focuses on sharing ministerial analyses with CAQ leadership candidates.
- REM airport branch progressing on schedule: Service toward Trudeau Airport is still planned for 2027.
- Mark Carney set to speak with Jeremy Hansen: The Canadian astronaut is back from the historic Artemis II lunar mission.
- Ontario MP crosses the floor to join the Liberals: The government is now just one seat short of a majority.
- Survey shows disconnect in AI‑powered customer service: Consumers still want humans for complex issues.
- A deep‑dive article questions the science of aging: Metformin exposes major blind spots in current research.
Local
- Laval’s construction boom pushes the city into North America’s top three for cranes: The transformation of Laval’s landscape is accelerating around its emerging downtown core.
- The REM inches closer to Montréal‑Trudeau Airport: For Laval and the North Shore, this project directly affects travel to Montréal and the airport.
Society & Politics
- Minister Jean‑François Roberge under investigation by the Ethics Commissioner: The issue concerns the disclosure of internal ministry analyses.
- Ontario MP crosses the floor, leaving the federal Liberals one seat short of a majority: A move that shifts the balance in Ottawa.
- Customers and executives disagree on AI‑powered customer service: The message is simple: people like speed, but not at the expense of empathy.
Main Story
Laval climbs into the top three North American cities for active cranes
Laval is changing at high speed. The city now ranks third in North America for active cranes, behind Toronto and Los Angeles.
The surge is driven by a major wave of residential development, concentrated in the area slated to become Laval’s future downtown. Last summer, as many as 33 cranes were active. The number had dropped to 24 at the time of writing, with the potential to rise again.
Last year, more than 4,600 housing units were launched in Laval. Nearly 90% of them were rental units. The long‑term goal is ambitious: roughly 54,000 new homes over the next decade.
In Depth
Montréal blue‑collar strike moving ahead, essential services approved
The Administrative Labour Tribunal has approved the list of essential services for Montréal’s blue‑collar strike, scheduled from April 15 at 6 a.m. to April 18 at 6 a.m.
Some waste collection will continue, while other services will operate with reduced staff. For many Laval residents, disruptions like this often spill over into daily travel and shared services.
STM closes three metro entrances indefinitely
The STM has closed three metro entrances in Montréal for safety reasons: the Belmont entrance at Square‑Victoria–OACI, the Maisonneuve entrance at McGill, and the north entrance at De Castelnau.
The agency cites issues with cleanliness, disorder, and drug use. For Laval commuters, this can mean extra detours — sometimes before the first coffee of the day.
REM airport branch still on track for 2027
The REM branch toward Montréal–Trudeau Airport is progressing according to plan, with service still expected to launch in 2027.
Work continues inside the 2.5‑kilometre tunnel leading to the airport, where crews are installing rail systems and platform screen doors.
The project is being carried out by CDPQ Infra in partnership with Aéroports de Montréal, which is responsible for the airport station. For residents of Laval and the North Shore, this is the kind of infrastructure that could eventually make certain trips a lot less acrobatic.
Jean‑François Roberge under investigation by the Ethics Commissioner
An investigation is underway involving Immigration Minister Jean‑François Roberge at the National Assembly.
The issue centres on whether internal analyses from his ministry, specifically related to the Quebec Experience Program, were shared with candidates in the CAQ leadership race. The commissioner will determine whether non‑public information was used or disclosed in a way that could benefit the minister personally or advantage someone else.
It’s a political file, yes, but also a clear reminder that the management of government information is never just an administrative detail.
Metformin and aging: what science still overlooks
A long‑form article explores why metformin, a diabetes drug used for more than 60 years, has become the starting point for a much broader debate on aging, inflammation, and the limits of current clinical research. The piece shows how a single medication can reveal the variables human studies often ignore: diet, air quality, stress, microbiome, environment, baseline metabolism.
The article makes a simple but powerful point: the next breakthroughs in longevity may not come from a new drug, but from understanding the real‑world conditions people live in.
Read the full article: https://sportsmagazine.ca/health-fitness/metformin-and-aging-what-science-gets-wrong-about-human-health
Coup de cœur
The virtual‑reality concert project at St. Mary’s Hospital offers something simple and precious: a moment of calm in a care journey. When technology is used to bring comfort and beauty, it’s hard to complain.
To Finish
That’s it for this morning. Between cranes, metros, construction work and even a quick detour to the Moon, the day starts with a full menu. Wishing you a hot coffee, a smooth commute, and as few unnecessary detours as possible. ☕