Laval QC ☕ Morning Chat
Hello,
Today, we turn first to Alberta, where a military tragedy has plunged the country into mourning. We also look at Quebec politics, the cooling weather, and a homegrown cultural initiative that is well worth a look.
What to know this morning
- Four soldiers killed in a fire at the Wainwright base: The fire broke out Saturday during a training exercise, and 39 members of the Armed Forces remain in hospital, 19 of them in critical condition.
- Mathieu Lévesque becomes interim leader of the CAQ: The former MNA for Chapleau, in the Outaouais, succeeds Christine Fréchette, who resigned after the October 5 election defeat.
- The Quebec Liberal Party unveils its opposition officers: André Fortin, MNA for Pontiac, has been chosen as parliamentary leader, while the party has doubled its representation in the National Assembly.
- The Honoré-Mercier Bridge is fully reopened: Repairs to a crack on a beam are complete, and all traffic lanes are open again.
- Art-house cinema comes to Salle André-Mathieu: A pop-up cinema is offering independent Quebec films, with meet-and-greets with the people behind them, including two screenings coming up in November.
Close to Home
- Respiratory virus vaccination begins Tuesday in Laval: Eligible people can book an appointment now on Clic Santé to protect themselves against the flu, COVID-19 and RSV.
Across Canada
- It’s referendum day in Alberta: Voters are deciding on the province’s place within Canada, a vote being held in the shadow of the Wainwright tragedy.
- Former MNA Pascal Paradis named diplomat: He becomes the government’s chief negotiator, responsible for talks with Indigenous nations and the United States.
Top story
Four soldiers killed in a fire at the Wainwright base, a tragedy that has shaken the country
A violent fire ravaged the Canadian Forces base at Wainwright, Alberta, on Saturday during a training exercise. The fire, which spread within seconds because of strong winds, killed four soldiers and injured 39 other people, 19 of whom are in critical condition.
The victims have been identified: soldiers Aidan Goulding, Shaun Farrell and Hayden Lykkemark, as well as Sergeant Morgan Wong. They were training for a deployment to Latvia planned for 2027, as part of a NATO mission.
Prime Minister Mark Carney called the incident “one of the worst tragedies for the forces on Canadian soil in peacetime.” Authorities have confirmed that there is no indication pointing to a terrorist act, and an investigation is under way to determine the exact causes of the fire.
In detail
Mathieu Lévesque takes the reins of the CAQ on an interim basis
The former MNA for Chapleau, in the Outaouais, was named interim leader of the Coalition avenir Québec on Saturday evening. He succeeds Christine Fréchette, who resigned the day after the party’s worst electoral defeat in its history, having failed to elect a single MNA on October 5.
Lévesque, a founding member of the CAQ, will have the heavy task of rebuilding the party, which had 79 MNAs before the legislature was dissolved. He finished third in his riding in the last election, behind the Liberal candidate and the Parti québécois candidate.
The Quebec Liberal Party puts its opposition team in place
On the eve of the swearing-in of its MNAs, Liberal Leader Charles Milliard unveiled the officers of the Official Opposition on Sunday. André Fortin, MNA for Pontiac, was chosen as parliamentary leader, while Madwa-Nika Cadet becomes chief whip and Filomena Rotiroti becomes caucus chair.
The Quebec Liberal Party doubled its representation in the National Assembly, going from 18 to 40 MNAs. A judicial recount is under way, however, in the riding of Vachon, where Liberal candidate Affine Lwalalika leads her Parti québécois rival by only ten votes.
A pop-up cinema to discover local films in Laval
Co-Motion and Casa du 7ème art have teamed up to launch a temporary cinema at Salle André-Mathieu, where Laval residents can see independent Quebec films that usually do not make it to the big theatres. Each screening will be followed by a meet-and-greet with the people behind the film.
Two screenings have already taken place, and two more are coming: “Deleau: le cinéma en liberté” on November 1, and “Space Cadet” on November 22. An initiative that promises to bring audiences closer to the creators.
Coup de Coeur
The pop-up cinema initiative at Salle André-Mathieu is a reminder that culture also happens outside the big circuits. Giving Laval residents the chance to meet the people who make the films is a great way to nurture the bond between art and community.
In closing
We wish you a day that starts with sunshine, but with a little something warmer on your back. Between the news that saddens and the news that inspires, take the time to breathe and enjoy the colours of autumn. ☕