Laval QC โ The morning chat
Good morning! As we wrap up this week of freezing rain, things are slowly getting back to normal. The storm caused less damage than expected, but we still have major economic news today: Canada lost 84,000 jobs in February. Grab your coffee… hereโs what you need to know.
๐ Main Story
Canada loses 84,000 jobs in February, unemployment rises to 6.7%
Statistics Canada reports that employment fell well below expectations in February, with a surprise loss of 84,000 jobs pushing the unemployment rate up two points to 6.7%.
The agency says last monthโs job losses were concentrated among youth aged 15 to 24 and men aged 25 to 54, with most of the decline coming from fullโtime work and the private sector.
Quebec accounted for the majority of the drop, losing 57,000 jobs in February, while British Columbia lost 20,000.
This sharp decline follows the loss of 25,000 jobs in January.
A Reuters poll of economists ahead of todayโs release had expected a slight increase in the unemployment rate but also predicted a gain of 10,000 jobs last month.
Wholesale and retail trade led Februaryโs losses on the services side of the economy, while goodsโproducing sectors such as construction and manufacturing also shed jobs.
โก Key Updates
Ottawa unveils $40โbillion plan for the Far North
โThe country is moving from dependence to resilience,โ the Carney government says as it presents its economic and military strategy for the North.
War in Iran could give Canada leverage in CUSMA negotiations
Countries around the world are facing soaring costs for key goods like oil and fertilizer as the war with Iran continues to disrupt global trade. With no end in sight, the conflict is likely to overshadow trade talks ahead of the mandatory review of the CanadaโU.S.โMexico Agreement โ and could ultimately give Canada more bargaining power.
Oil and natural gas prices have surged after Iran effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz in response to U.S.โIsraeli bombing campaigns. Fertilizer inputs and potash are also being held back, driving up global prices just weeks before planting season. Aluminum prices have jumped as well.
Canada is a key alternative supplier for many of these products. Trump has repeatedly claimed the U.S. โdoesnโt need anything from Canada,โ but the Middle East conflict may suggest otherwise.
Massive explosions shake Tehran
Iran marks Qods Day on Friday with demonstrations in solidarity with Palestinians. The Gulf remains a target.
Canadians turn to alternative spring break destinations
Many Canadian travellers are choosing different destinations this year as unrest and violence disrupt tourism in traditionally affordable hotspots.
Travel agents in the Greater Toronto Area say economic and political instability in Cuba, fears of violence in Mexico, and the impact of a devastating hurricane in Jamaica have pushed many people to change their plans.
Cuba is facing a humanitarian crisis triggered by shortages of fuel, food, and medicine caused by a U.S. oil blockade. Last month, cartel violence erupted in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
John Wood, president of Durham Travel, says bookings to Cuba have dropped 86% this month compared to March 2025. The company also reports a 15% decline in bookings to Mexico. Florida and the Dominican Republic โare absorbing most of the redirected business,โ with bookings up 163% and 142%, respectively.
๐๏ธ The Daily Rundown
Alarming report on Montrรฉalโs bedbug problem
A housing advocacy group is sounding the alarm about the impact of bedbug infestations in Montrรฉal with the release of a new report calling for stronger government action. The Comitรฉ logement de La PetiteโPatrie published the report Friday to coincide with World Sleep Day.
Titled โThe Bedbug Plague in Montrรฉal: A Call to Action,โ the study was produced with financial support from Montrรฉalโs regional public health authority.
According to the report, pestโcontrol companies recorded more than 41,000 bedbug infestations in the city between 2014 and 2024. Researchers say the real number is likely much higher, since many cases are never reported.
The document also highlights the health impacts associated with infestations, including stress, sleep disruption, and anxiety.
Suspicious fires in Montrรฉal and Longueuil
Two vehicles were reduced to charred wrecks early Friday morning after a fire believed to have been intentionally set in SaintโLรฉonard. The blaze was reported around 2 a.m. when a 911 caller alerted Montrรฉal police to vehicles on fire on DโAntibes Street near De LโAiglon. Officers found a pickup truck and an SUV already engulfed in flames. Both vehicles were completely destroyed, though nearby buildings were not damaged and no injuries were reported. Early findings suggest an incendiary substance was used to ignite the vehicles.
Meanwhile, Longueuil police are investigating a house fire in Brossard that may have been deliberately set Thursday night around 9 p.m. on Castello Street, as well as a vehicle fire shortly after 8:30 p.m. on Carignan Street. In both cases, preliminary observations suggest the fires may have been intentionally lit.
๐ธ The secret behind Angine de Poitrineโs guitar
The extravagant instrument was designed by a luthier from Alma, owner of Lutherie Le Breton. Fans have been working hard to figure out who is behind Angine de Poitrine, and some internet sleuths have managed to identify the musicians behind the masks.
โธ๏ธ Kim Boutin reflects ahead of her final championship
The prolific speed skater will end her athletic career this weekend at the world championships in Montrรฉal.
โก More outages in CentreโduโQuรฉbec
The provincial utility is reporting more than 4,000 outages.
๐จ๏ธ The orange alert was justified, says Environment Canada
The winter storm caused fewer power outages than expected.
โ๏ธ Dave Turmel faces nine new charges
The alleged head of the Blood Family Mafia is now facing nine additional charges.
๐ฎ Ian Lafreniรจre open to publishing BEI reports
Other independent investigative bodies in Canada make their reports public, unlike Quebecโs BEI.
๐ญ Julien Lacroix returns to the stage with Juste pour rire
The comedian stepped away from performing in 2020 following allegations of sexual misconduct.
๐ฌ Ottawa announces $552M for Canadian research
The federal government was set to unveil today which projects will receive funding through the Canada Foundation for Innovation at an event at Universitรฉ de Sherbrooke. The money, distributed through the Innovation Fund, supports dozens of research projects in life sciences, engineering, and other fields at postโsecondary institutions across the country.
๐ Shai GilgeousโAlexander breaks a Wilt Chamberlain record
The Canadian scored 20 points in his 127th straight game, breaking a record held by Wilt Chamberlain since 1963. He surpassed it Thursday night in Oklahoma City.
๐๏ธ Conservatives push for a selfโdefence law
They are calling for legislation that would add new protections for people who fight back during a home invasion.
๐ Don Cherryโs Order of Canada nomination sparks controversy
PaulโHus says he is looking for โsomething positiveโ in his partyโs choice. The hockey figure has been criticized for comments disparaging francophones, Indigenous people, and women.
โ๏ธ Canadian found dead on boat off Belize
A man found dead on a drifting catamaran was a Canadian originally from Vancouver.
๐ฎ๐ท Carney government criticized over lack of transparency on Iran
Bloc and Conservative MPs say Ottawa is being too quiet about the conflict in the Middle East.
๐ป Bill aims to expand access to digital data
A new bill would make it easier for law enforcement to access digital information and would also change rules around computer search warrants.
๐ก Petition filed over blinding LED headlights
A Gatineau resident says LED headlights pose a roadโsafety hazard and has submitted a petition to the House of Commons.
๐ผ Returnโtoโoffice policy catches departments off guard
Several departments and agencies were unprepared for the threeโdaysโaโweek returnโtoโoffice requirement. The new telework framework is proving challenging for publicโservice managers.
๐ข๏ธ U.S. temporarily authorizes sale of some Russian oil
Washington says the move is intended to โincrease the global reach of existing supply.โ
๐ Shooting at Michigan synagogue
The suspect rammed the buildingโs doors while driving alone. The attacker was killed.
๐บ Is Canada missing the mark on alcohol awareness?
A new crossโCanada study finds alcohol is the most harmful substance in the country. While it may not cause the most deaths, the study suggests it causes the most overall harm โ made worse by the fact that most Canadians are poorly informed about basic alcoholโconsumption safety.
๐ซ Spotlight
Kudos to the Comitรฉ logement de La PetiteโPatrie for thoroughly documenting Montrรฉalโs bedbug problem and calling for action instead of letting the issue worsen in the shadows.
๐ To wrap up
A week ending with tough economic news, but at least the freezingโrain storm caused less damage than expected. The weekend is here โ along with the world speedโskating championships in Montrรฉal, where Kim Boutin will take her final bow.
Have a great Friday and enjoy your weekend! โ