Laval QC ☕ The morning chat
Good morning! It’s Tuesday, and while the conflict in the Middle East continues to dominate headlines and affect our wallets, a few local stories hit closer to home. From a new opening in Laval to a major water‑main break in Montreal and some sleep tips ahead of the time change, there’s plenty to talk about over your morning coffee. Let’s dive in.
🏠 Main Story
Official opening of a 17‑unit transition house in Laval
A new second‑stage transition house with 17 units has officially opened in Laval. This housing resource aims to support people in vulnerable situations by offering a stable and structured living environment during their journey toward independence.
The opening represents an important addition to the region’s services for people in transition. Second‑stage transition houses play a key role by providing a safe environment and support tailored to residents’ needs.
To learn more about the activities of the Société d’habitation du Québec, you can visit their website at www.habitation.gouv.qc.ca/english.html (habitation.gouv.qc.ca in Bing).
A great piece of news for the Laval community, strengthening its social safety net.
⚡ Highlights
💧 Major water‑main break floods De Lorimier Avenue
A major water‑main break has flooded several buildings and forced the closure of part of De Lorimier Avenue in the Laurier East area. At least one nearby home has water inside.
The break, involving a 20‑inch pipe, shut down De Lorimier Avenue between Masson Street and Saint‑Joseph Boulevard in both directions. Drivers are asked to avoid the area until further notice.
City crews are on site securing the area, while the SPVM is managing traffic. The City’s Drinking Water Division is carrying out emergency repairs, which may take an undetermined amount of time.
A salt truck was dispatched because freezing temperatures created dangerously icy conditions.
The City notes that sustained investments in recent years have cut the rate of water‑main breaks in half. It plans to invest $7.3 billion over the next decade to continue modernizing the network.
📈 Toronto Stock Exchange drops nearly 1,000 points
Canada’s S&P/TSX composite index fell nearly 1,000 points late Tuesday morning as investors worried about an escalation of the war involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.
Crude oil prices rose after Iran launched a series of retaliatory attacks, including a drone strike on the U.S. embassy in Saudi Arabia. The April crude contract was up US$5.96 to US$77.19 a barrel.
The S&P/TSX composite index was down 987.93 points to 33,553.34. Anish Chopra of Portfolio Management Corp. says fears of a prolonged conflict between the U.S. and Iran are driving risk‑averse sentiment.
“Markets are trading in risk‑off mode as investors worry about the Middle East conflict, its escalation, and the possibility that it could last longer than people expected.”
🎮 McGill study links problematic video gaming to mental health
Researchers from McGill University and Maastricht University followed more than 6,000 American adolescents and found that 12‑year‑olds showing signs of “problematic gaming”—difficulty controlling gaming that causes distress or disrupts school and relationships—were more likely to experience mild paranoia, unusual beliefs, or distorted perceptions at age 13.
Supportive environments at home and school were associated with lower rates of problematic gaming, but once gaming habits became problematic, family and school support alone could not offset the mental‑health risks.
“Video games can foster creativity and social connection, but for a minority of youth, they overshadow other aspects of life,” said Vincent Paquin, lead author and psychiatrist at McGill.
The study was published in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions.
🌍 Overview
⚠️ Six U.S. soldiers killed; Trump does not rule out ground troops “We’ll do what we have to do,” he said on the third day of the U.S.–Israeli war against Iran.
🇱🇧 Israel sends troops to southern Lebanon
Israel deployed troops to southern Lebanon on Tuesday and warned residents in more than 80 villages to evacuate, as the Iran‑backed militant group Hezbollah said it was ready for an “open war” with Israel following the U.S.–Israeli war against Iran.
The deployment comes after Hezbollah fired rockets and launched drones toward northern Israel on Monday. Israel responded with a wave of airstrikes that killed 40 people in Lebanon, according to Lebanese Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine.
Lebanon also reported 246 injured and tens of thousands displaced. A senior Hezbollah official said that after more than a year of respecting a ceasefire despite ongoing Israeli strikes in Lebanon, the group’s patience had run out.
📱 Quebecers are becoming very wary of fraud
A large majority of Canadians (83%), and a slightly smaller proportion of Quebecers (76%), are concerned enough about fraud that they no longer trust unexpected emails, texts, or phone calls. An Angus Reid survey conducted for RBC reveals widespread fear and irritation.
More than three‑quarters of Quebec respondents are irritated by the omnipresence of fraud (78%) and believe a new scam occurs almost every week (76%). And 84% say it is increasingly difficult to tell whether an advertisement is real or fraudulent.
About one‑third of Quebecers have clicked a link, opened an email or attachment, or spoken to someone on the phone before realizing it was a scam. Thirty‑five percent have set up a password with loved ones to prevent identity‑theft scams.
💊 3 million Canadians are taking GLP‑1 medications
A new survey suggests that about three million Canadian adults are currently taking GLP‑1 medications such as Ozempic or Mounjaro… and many more would like to, but cost remains a barrier.
More than half of respondents taking these medications reported reduced appetite, and 40% said they had fewer food cravings. About 30% go to restaurants less often or order less takeout.
Roughly one‑third are buying more fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as high‑protein foods. Weight loss is the number‑one reason people take or consider taking GLP‑1 medications, followed by diabetes.
🚗 Accident‑damaged cars: transparency isn’t always guaranteed Any important fact — such as an accident — must be disclosed to the consumer. It’s the law.
🍁 Maple syrup industry has no clear answers on climate change Last summer’s drought could have consequences for the province, experts say.
🎿 Kalle Eriksson: a Paralympic hope for Canada Kalle Eriksson, a two‑time world silver medalist who lost his sight on a glacier in Sweden, is a strong Paralympic hopeful for Canada.
🔒 White supremacist fight clubs worry Ottawa These clubs are formed by white supremacist groups to supposedly promote good health. Ottawa considers them a risk for “extreme violence.”
🛡️ Allies turn to Canada for energy The Energy Minister notes increased interest in Canadian resources since the strikes in Iran.
⚖️ Meriem Boundaoui murder case: the accused denies involvement Aymane Bouadi insists he had nothing to do with the death of the 15‑year‑old girl. “I know I didn’t do anything,” he said.
🏢 Inmate killed at Donnacona prison A conflict escalated into a fight.
🎓 Pierre Poilievre begins his first international tour He is traveling to London to give a preview of what Canada’s foreign policy would look like if he came to power.
💰 Tariffs: request for postponement rejected The surtaxes imposed by Trump have brought in about US$130 billion for the U.S. government.
🧠 The “sandwich generation” is burning out Caught between the needs of their children and their aging parents, many 45‑ to 54‑year‑olds are exhausted.
💤 Practical Corner
⏰ The time change disrupts sleep for most Quebecers
A new Léger survey shows that the time change disrupts Canadians’ sleep. More than four in ten say they have a sleep debt, sleeping less than seven hours per night. Sixty‑seven percent of Canadians find their sleep routine is disrupted by the time change and need several days to get back to normal.
Dr. Annick Vincent, a psychiatrist, explains that sleep is essential not only for restoring energy, but also for consolidating learning, memory, and metabolic, immune, and cardiovascular health.
Eighteen percent of Canadians admit to having driven while feeling unfit after losing an hour of sleep during the switch to daylight saving time, a rate that drops to 16% among Quebecers.
Forty‑five percent of Canadians say losing an hour of sleep during the switch worsens their sleep problems, compared with 39% of Quebec respondents.
Only 11% of Canadians say their sleep routine recovers the same day, while one‑third say it takes them three days or more to get back to normal.
Among the strategies for those who struggle to adapt to the time change, Dr. Vincent suggests trying to wake up at a consistent time to adjust to the new schedule. She also recommends visiting dormezladessuscanada.ca to better understand sleep disorders.
Reminder: the time change will take place next Sunday, March 8.
🌦️ Spring Break Forecast: variable temperatures and rain
Montrealers starting their spring break can expect a mix of weather throughout the week.
- Tuesday brings a mix of sun and clouds, with a high of –1 °C and a wind chill of –13 °C in the morning.
- Wednesday sees slightly milder conditions with a high of 6 °C.
- Thursday will be sunny with a high of 3 °C, but freezing rain is expected overnight.
- Friday and Saturday will be rainy, with daytime highs between 4 °C and 6 °C.
- Sunday remains unstable: a mix of sun and clouds, a 60% chance of showers, and a high around 8 °C. Temperatures will remain similar on Monday.
👋 To wrap up
A busy day of local and international news to spark conversations. Don’t forget to get good rest this week ahead of Sunday’s time change, and if you’re heading out, dress warmly even though milder temperatures are on the way. Enjoy the spring break if you’re taking part! ☕