Laval QC ☕ The morning chat
Good morning!
It’s Tuesday morning in Laval, and while some of you are already planning for spring break, others are closely following the news from here and elsewhere. Between safety issues in the region, international developments, and cultural projects moving forward in Montreal, you have plenty to fuel your conversations. Grab your coffee, let’s dive in.
🚸 Main Story
Parents Demand Crossing Guard in Montreal West After Multiple Collisions
The intersection of Westminster and Ainslie in Montreal West became the center of a community mobilization Tuesday morning. Sofia Milbrandt, 13, a student at Royal West Academy, was hit by a car on February 16 while walking with a friend. She was sent to the hospital and now has difficulty climbing stairs due to an injury to her right leg. Police considered her injuries minor, but she was clear: “I was very lucky my injury wasn’t serious, but the next one could be fatal.”
On Tuesday morning, Milbrandt stood alongside dozens of parents and residents at the corner of Westminster and Ainslie, demanding stricter safety measures at this intersection, which they describe as dangerous and very busy. Parents counted 491 pedestrians crossing Ainslie and Westminster during school rush hours. The intersection is just steps from a railway crossing and becomes congested during rush hour as drivers head toward Highway 20.
Royal West parents now demand that a permanent crossing guard be assigned to the intersection. After a previous incident in October 2024, the school’s parent involvement organization submitted a 10-point safety petition to the City and the SPVM. A request for a crossing guard was denied.
Under current provincial rules, high school students are considered adult pedestrians, and crossing guards receive no funding from Quebec if stationed near a high school. A petition to the Quebec National Assembly calling for a change to the provincial rules for crossing guards at high schools gathered 3,535 signatures and was submitted on February 24, the day of the rally.
Montreal West mayor Jonathan Cha said the city acted within 48 hours of the February 16 collision, installing two new stop signs in the middle of the street. Flashing stop signs were installed in December 2024 and lighting was improved in summer 2025. Other design changes are planned, including new road markings, raised crosswalks, and possibly overhead lights. The city hopes to finish the work by summer.
Quebec’s Ministry of Transport stated that the decision to place a crossing guard is up to the city as long as it meets provincial standards. The question of responsibility remains at the heart of the debate.
“What are we waiting for, for a child to die on this street for them to actually do it?” asked Sofia’s mother.
⚡ Noteworthy
Ottawa Promises $2 Billion to Ukraine Four Years After the Invasion
Prime Minister Mark Carney promised an additional $2 billion in military aid and new sanctions against Moscow Tuesday, as Ukraine marks four years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.
The new sanctions will target 100 ships of the “shadow fleet” involved in attempts to evade sanctions on Russian oil sales.
Ottawa is also pledging $20 million to rebuild infrastructure damaged by Russian strikes.
Defense Minister David McGuinty said Canada is sending 400 armored vehicles to Ukraine and extending a training mission for Ukrainian troops by three years.
Moscow invaded Ukraine in 2014, taking control of Crimea, before launching its full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022.
Our Olympic Medalists Are Back
Valérie Maltais, Mikaël Kingsbury, and Courtney Sarault were all smiles upon their return to Montreal. A well-deserved welcome for our athletes.
More Than 26,000 Canadians Stranded in Mexico
Canadians remain stuck in Mexico as the country deals with cartel violence following the death of El Mencho.
The cartel leader, officially known as Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, was killed during a military operation Sunday morning in Jalisco, Mexico. He was known as the head of one of Mexico’s most violent criminal gangs, the Jalisco Nueva Generación cartel.
Two Canadians shared their experience in Puerto Vallarta, a “city under siege by the cartel.”
Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat, and Porter have resumed flights to Mexico.
Canada Approves Latest Gulfstream Jets After Trump Threats
Federal regulators gave the green light to Gulfstream G700 and G800 business jets a few weeks after new tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump.
A Transport Canada database shows it certified the latest private jets from the American company Monday, about a week after approving two older Gulfstream models.
Last month, Trump threatened to decertify and place tariffs on all planes built in Canada unless the government approved the Gulfstream business jets.
Transport Canada’s approval comes despite concerns about de-icing raised by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.
Trump’s 10% Tariffs Take Effect
Donald Trump’s new 10% tariffs have taken effect. However, they do not replace so-called sectoral tariffs, which range from 10% to 50%.
🏠 Around Us
What’s happening around us in the greater metropolitan area.
Street Closed in Longueuil for Emergency Repairs
An emergency intervention at a pumping station forced the complete closure of rue de la Savane in Longueuil starting at 6 a.m. Tuesday morning.
The street is closed between Leckie and Bishop for an indefinite period.
Emergency work began early Tuesday and crews are expected to remain on site all day.
Authorities have not provided details on what prompted the emergency repairs.
Drivers are urged to avoid the area and use alternate routes.
UQAM Study on Birth Control Pill and Anxiety
A laboratory study by UQAM suggests a link between anxiety and birth control pill use.
This association seems to persist among women who stopped taking the pill more than a year ago.
The results do not show a causal relationship but indicate correlations, says Lisa-Marie Davignon, PhD candidate in psychology and lead author.
During the experiment with 147 participants, women taking the pill showed higher fear responses in safe contexts than women who had never taken the pill.
Davignon believes the results support the need for further research to better understand the effects of hormonal contraception on mental health.
Empress Theatre to Become Cultural Space
After more than 30 years of vacancy, the former Empress Theatre in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce is ready for a new chapter.
The borough announced plans to deconstruct the deteriorating building on Sherbrooke West while preserving its iconic neo-Egyptian facade.
In its place, an outdoor cultural and community space will be created, with outdoor screenings, performances, and artistic activities planned for fall 2027.
Public consultations are scheduled for early summer.
At Least 1,000 School Employees Face Forced Departure
Hundreds of immigrant school employees face forced departure from Quebec following the end of the PEQ.
Quebec Announces Mini-Reform of Forestry Regime
Natural Resources and Forests Minister Jean-François Simard hopes to help the industry.
Municipal Police Federation Wants to Be Heard
Facing more complex issues, the Federation of Municipal Police Officers is calling for the reinstatement of an advisory council as provided by law with Minister Lafrenière.
Service Dogs Abused at Taxpayer Expense
Quebec reportedly paid at least $1.2 million for these dogs intended for victims of crime.
PQ Wins Chicoutimi By-Election
Marie-Karlynn Laflamme becomes the new MNA for Chicoutimi.
OpenAI Summoned to Ottawa After Tumbler Ridge
OpenAI officials are summoned to Ottawa following revelations about interactions between the Tumbler Ridge shooter and ChatGPT.
Fifth Complainant in Stronach Trial
A fifth woman finished her testimony at Frank Stronach’s trial, stating: “He became an animal.”
💛 Spotlight
Violette Ramirez, a sixth‑grade student at Edward Murphy Elementary School in Montreal, has been knitting every day since the beginning of February to raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society.
It’s the kind of initiative that reminds us you can make a difference at any age.
🛠️ Practical Corner
❄️ Winter Safety Before Spring Break
The Montreal Children’s Hospital and public health officials urge families and seniors to take precautions to prevent winter-related injuries as spring break approaches. Since November, the Trauma Center has treated more than 200 children and teens for injuries related to skating, skiing, snowboarding, and sledding.
Families are encouraged to ensure skates, ski bindings, and other equipment are properly fitted, and to closely supervise children. Helmets should be worn for all sports and replaced after significant impacts.
Seniors are also at high risk. One in three people aged 65 and over falls each year, and more than 6,500 seniors were hospitalized in Montreal for falls in 2020-2021. Falls increase significantly during winter months, especially from December to February, due to snow, ice, and freezing temperatures.
Public health authorities recommend caution during icy periods, especially after rain followed by freezing temperatures. Wear winter shoes with good traction and, if needed, use supportive devices like canes with non-slip handles. Choose well-maintained pedestrian pathways.
Rockaberry Laval: Verify Opening Hours
Rockaberry in Laval opened its doors at noon today, rather than at 11 a.m. as listed online. If you were planning to pick up a slice of what many say is the best cheesecake in town, it’s best to check opening hours before heading out.
👋 Before We Go
A day full of discussions, from community safety to international developments. Enjoy your Tuesday, and take care. Have a great day, Laval. 💙