Laval QC ☕ The morning chat
Good morning! We’re starting the day with some welcome news: Ottawa is finally looking for a solution in the Gilles Vaillancourt tax saga. Meanwhile, Quebec is preparing to allow stores to stay open later on weekends, and the rest of the world keeps turning. Coffee in hand—let’s dive in.
🏛️ Top Story
Gilles Vaillancourt tax bill: Ottawa says it’s looking for “a solution” for Laval
After weeks of refusing, Ottawa has changed its tone and now says it is looking for “a solution” to prevent Laval from having to pay $1 million to former mayor Gilles Vaillancourt.
Until now, the federal government had refused to grant the city an exemption that would spare it from paying this massive sum to Vaillancourt to cover federal taxes owed on money recovered from his corruption scheme.
The issue sparked outrage yesterday when Laval mayor Stéphane Boyer made a public appeal to Ottawa. “Laval residents have already paid a heavy price for this fraud. It would be unacceptable to ask them to pay taxes on money that was stolen from them,” he said.
Boyer urged Ottawa to use its discretionary powers to exempt the recovered funds from federal tax, noting that Quebec took a similar step in 2016.
Vaillancourt, who served as mayor from 1989 to 2012, was sentenced to six years in prison in December 2016 after pleading guilty to fraud, breach of trust, and conspiracy to commit fraud. Authorities say he ran a large‑scale corruption system involving kickbacks from construction contractors.
Ottawa’s announcement that it is now seeking a “solution” marks a major shift and could finally bring an end to this long‑running controversy.
⚡ What You Need to Know
Quebec stores to stay open later starting Wednesday
Beginning Wednesday, a one‑year pilot project will allow retailers in Quebec to stay open until 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, instead of the current 5 p.m. closing time set by rules introduced in the 1990s.
“We believe that for small and local businesses, it’s good to stay flexible and be more available to customers and their needs,” said Jane Ding, general manager of Signé Local, a Quebec retailer specializing in locally designed and made products.
Ding said their store at Montreal’s Eaton Centre is eager to take part, adding two hours on Saturdays and one hour on Sundays.
The 1990s rules were designed to protect workers’ work‑life balance and help small businesses compete with large retailers. Some malls, including CF Carrefour Laval, have already tested extended hours.
Business groups say the change could boost local spending and create more weekend job opportunities, especially for students.
Quebec is currently the only province in Canada that regulates retail hours year‑round. The pilot project will run for one year while the province evaluates whether extended hours should become permanent.
TikTok allowed to continue operating in Canada
TikTok can continue operating in Canada after the federal government completed a national security review.
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly says the decision comes with key conditions, including stronger protections for minors and for Canadians’ personal information. She also says the move will protect jobs by ensuring TikTok Canada maintains a physical presence in the country.
The decision reverses a 2024 order requiring TikTok to shut down its Canadian offices over national security concerns. Last month, a Federal Court judge overturned an order requiring the company to cease operations in Canada.
Joly says the government will monitor compliance and consider additional measures to make social media safer for young Canadians.
Seniors losing pension payments due to federal software issues
The federal government’s new pension management system, CÚRAM, is causing worry and anxiety among seniors across the country.
Carney heading to Norway to observe NATO exercises
Prime Minister Mark Carney plans to travel to Norway on Friday to observe Cold Response, a Norwegian‑led military exercise above the Arctic Circle. The NATO exercise takes place every two years and involves about 25,000 troops from 14 countries training together in Arctic conditions. Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Sweden, and Finland are among the participants.
While in Oslo, Carney is expected to meet Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store to discuss trade, investment, clean energy, critical minerals, and the aerospace sector. He will also attend the Canada‑Nordic Summit to meet Nordic leaders and discuss ways to strengthen geopolitical cooperation.
Before returning to Canada, Carney plans to stop in London to meet UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss defence and the war in the Middle East.
Former broadcaster Peter Mansbridge voices submarine ad
South Korean firm Hanwha Oceans has enlisted former news anchor Peter Mansbridge to voice an advertisement as it seeks a multibillion‑dollar procurement contract from Ottawa.
Mansbridge, the former voice of CBC’s The National, can be heard in a video posted last week on Hanwha’s YouTube page promoting the company’s submarines as proven and reliable.
Hanwha Oceans is competing with German submarine manufacturer TKMS for a contract to supply Canada with up to 12 new submarines.
Mansbridge, who now hosts a podcast called The Bridge, says that since leaving daily news nearly a decade ago, his company has expanded into strategic communications.
In recent months, Hanwha ads promoting its KSS‑III submarine have appeared across Ottawa as the shipbuilder works to raise its profile in the nation’s capital.
Annette Ryan appointed new Parliamentary Budget Officer
Annette Ryan previously served as a senior official at Canada’s financial intelligence agency.
🏙️ The Daily Rundown
6‑year‑old injured after being struck by a vehicle in Anjou
A child was taken to hospital with serious injuries Monday evening after being struck by a vehicle in Montreal’s Anjou borough.
Montreal police say they received a 911 call around 5:40 p.m. reporting a collision involving a car and a pedestrian near the intersection of Châteauneuf Boulevard and Guy Avenue.
Officers found the young victim with a lower‑body injury. The child was conscious when transported to hospital, and police say their life is not believed to be in danger.
A section of Châteauneuf Boulevard was temporarily closed during the police response but has since reopened. The investigation is ongoing.
Woman dies after SUV crashes into STM bus in Montreal North
A 25‑year‑old woman has died after an SUV rear‑ended a city bus in Montreal North on Saturday evening.
Police say the collision happened just before 5:50 p.m. near Henri‑Bourassa Boulevard and Salk Avenue. The STM bus was stopped at a bus stop when it was struck from behind by the SUV.
The woman, who was a passenger in the vehicle, was taken to hospital in critical condition and later died of her injuries. The 29‑year‑old driver suffered minor injuries. No bus passengers were hurt.
Investigators say the exact cause of the crash has not yet been determined. Police are reviewing surveillance footage and speaking with witnesses.
Woman found dead in the St. Lawrence River in Lachine
Montreal police have launched an investigation after the body of a woman was pulled from the St. Lawrence River Monday afternoon.
Authorities say they received a 911 call shortly before 2 p.m. reporting a body in the water near 44th Avenue and Saint‑Joseph Boulevard in Lachine.
Firefighters were already on scene when police arrived and were working to recover the woman. She is believed to be about 36 years old and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police set up a security perimeter so investigators could examine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The cause of death has not yet been determined.
Closing arguments begin in Cardinal Ouellet trial
A woman is accusing the religious leader of sexual misconduct.
Frank Stronach trial: defence calling more witnesses
Defence lawyers are expected to call additional witnesses today in the sexual assault trial of Canadian auto magnate Frank Stronach.
The defence began presenting its case Monday, calling several witnesses, including Stronach’s former driver. Glenn Anderson told the court he spent about a decade in the 1980s driving Stronach to business events, meetings, and other engagements.
He testified that Stronach was not a “car enthusiast” and owned no European or sports cars—only Cadillacs. The last of the seven complainants testified last week that Stronach had picked her up in a low, two‑door foreign car she believed was a Porsche.
Since the trial began last month, prosecutors have reduced the number of charges they are pursuing and said Monday they are now seeking convictions on seven counts involving four complainants.
Suspicious death of a woman in Drummondville
An unconscious woman was found Monday morning around 8 a.m. on des Mésanges Street in Drummondville.
Beauce farmers denounce trail blockages
A long‑running dispute continues between agricultural and forestry producers and the Express Beauce‑Mégantic over a snowmobile and ATV trail.
64 Mauricie officials reject TES Canada wind project
“Never has our region seen a citizen mobilization of this scale,” the signatories say.
Quebec’s next generation of researchers “deserves better”
The Quebec Student Union says it’s time to lift young researchers out of precarity.
900 workers invited to Quebec’s selection program
About 900 workers in health care, education, and early childhood sectors received invitations under the PSTQ for priority fields.
Ontario town on the brink of bankruptcy
The township of Fauquier‑Strickland was facing an accumulated deficit of more than $2.5 million.
Shots fired at U.S. consulate in Toronto
The incident reportedly occurred around 5:30 a.m. on University Avenue downtown.
Allan Legere, the “Monster of the Miramichi,” has died
The serial killer and rapist terrorized New Brunswick in the late 1980s.
Another revival of the Keystone XL pipeline
Despite federal ambitions, a pipeline to the United States still holds economic interest.
Live Nation reaches settlement with U.S. government
If approved, the deal would end the antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation.
Canada and India: trade versus security
Two years ago, Justin Trudeau told Parliament there was credible evidence the Indian government was involved in the killing of a Canadian citizen.
Since becoming prime minister, Mark Carney has worked to rebuild ties, inviting India to the G7 and travelling to the South Asian country on trade missions.
Despite these efforts, the Canadian government still has no clear answer on whether India is considered a security threat.
Opposition parties criticize Carney’s absence from debate
Opposition parties say the prime minister’s statements on the Middle East conflict are contradictory.
Donald Trump sends mixed messages on Iran
While announcing Monday that the war would end quickly, Trump also threatened to strike Iran “20 times harder.”
Gulf states face a dilemma over Iran
They had invested significant diplomatic effort to avoid a direct confrontation with their neighbour.
Can you really make money selling your grocery receipts?
Inovo CB’s promise is tempting: get back 20% of what you spend on everyday purchases.
Family of Tumbler Ridge victim sues OpenAI
The family of 12‑year‑old Maya Gebala, who is fighting for her life at BC Children’s Hospital after the Tumbler Ridge shooting, has filed a civil lawsuit against OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT.
OpenAI has faced criticism after it was revealed that the ChatGPT account belonging to the shooting suspect, Jesse Van Rootselaar, had been internally flagged in 2025 for misuse “toward violent activity,” months before she was accused of killing eight people in February. The account was banned, but OpenAI says she circumvented the ban by creating a second account.
The company said in February it had considered reporting the account to law enforcement but determined the activity did not meet the threshold.
Calling OpenAI “reprehensible and morally repugnant,” the lawsuit accuses the company not only of failing to raise the alarm but also of what it describes as the “negligent design” of ChatGPT itself.
The family is seeking compensation for losses and punitive damages on behalf of Maya, her sister, and her mother.
Radio‑Canada explains its decision on Prime Video
Several political figures have criticized the arrival of ICI RDI and CBC News Network on Amazon’s platform.
👋 Before we wrap up
That’s it for this Tuesday. Some welcome news for Laval as Ottawa finally appears to be moving on the Vaillancourt file, and a few practical changes coming as early as Wednesday for weekend shopping. Enjoy your day and stay warm! ☕