Laval QC ☕ The morning chat
Good morning! It’s Thursday, and while tensions in the Middle East continue to dominate international headlines, a few local and regional stories deserve our attention today. From a major arrest in Montreal to troubling repairs on a local bridge and new political developments, there’s plenty to talk about. Grab your coffee and let’s dive in.
🚔 Main Story
Montreal police arrest Canada’s most‑wanted fugitive
Montreal police say the most‑wanted fugitive in Canada, an alleged member of a Montreal street gang, was arrested Thursday morning.
Bryan Fuentes Gramajo was wanted by Toronto police in connection with a July 2025 homicide. Gramajo, an alleged member of Zone 43 — a Montreal street gang with ties in Ontario and British Columbia — was arrested around 2:40 a.m. in Rosemont–La Petite‑Patrie.
He is expected to appear in court in Montreal Thursday afternoon.
“The SPVM is pleased to have contributed to the criminal investigation led by our partners at the Toronto Police Service by arresting Bryan Fuentes Gramajo within our jurisdiction,” SPVM Commander Mélanie Dupont said in a statement.
Jamal Bentley‑Jean was shot and killed in the parking lot of Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre on July 17, 2025. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Gramajo was one of three Montreal‑area suspects wanted in connection with the killing. Bradley Lucate Nicolas was arrested and charged with first‑degree murder in August. Jimmy Prudent remains wanted by Toronto police.
Gramajo had been named Canada’s most‑wanted criminal in October by the Bolo Program, a national initiative that highlights the country’s fugitives.
His arrest means the Bolo program’s most‑wanted suspect is once again Ail Boivin, a Saguenay man wanted in connection with drug‑trafficking cases dating back to 2021 in Saguenay, Brossard, and Abbotsford, British Columbia. Police have been searching for Boivin since February 2023.
⚡ Noteworthy
Emergency repairs on Châteauguay bridge despite mayor’s concerns
Emergency crews were working Thursday morning to repair a gaping hole in a bridge in Châteauguay, south of Montreal. The large hole formed Wednesday in the middle of a traffic lane on the Pont de la Sauvagine, which crosses the Châteauguay River, after a small section of the deck collapsed.
The bridge was initially closed completely, but the east side has since reopened to two‑way traffic after Quebec’s Transport Ministry deemed it safe. “The ministry is aware that the bridge has structural deficiencies, but it remains safe,” spokesperson Martin Girard said.
The decision to reopen the east side while repairs continue on the west side has been questioned by Châteauguay Mayor Éric Allard. “I am speechless and do not understand this decision,” Allard wrote on Facebook. “Given the level of rust on the metal rods, it’s hard to believe the problem is limited to a single area.”
The provincial government had planned to demolish and rebuild the bridge last year, but the project was postponed to 2030.
Bixi bikes coming to Dollard‑des‑Ormeaux this summer
Residents of Dollard‑des‑Ormeaux will soon be able to hop on a BIXI Montréal bike closer to home. The bike‑sharing program confirmed it will roll out service in the West Island city this summer, making it the first municipality in the region to get Bixi.
About 60 bikes — 30 electric and 30 regular — will be installed across seven stations in the central and eastern parts of the city. The network expansion is expected to be ready for residents by summer 2026.
Although the new stations are partly intended to help residents connect to the Réseau express métropolitain, cyclists may have to wait until at least 2027 before Bixi docks appear at the REM’s Fairview–Pointe‑Claire and Des Sources stations on the future Anse‑à‑l’Orme branch.
🏠 Chez Nous
Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to Bill 21 on March 23
The Supreme Court of Canada is just weeks away from hearing the challenge to Quebec’s controversial secularism law, known as Bill 21. Over five days beginning March 23, the country’s highest court will hear from teachers, civil‑rights groups, and religious organizations contesting the legislation.
The challenge is led by the English Montreal School Board (EMSB), which argues that the law is discriminatory and makes it harder to hire teachers by prohibiting public‑school employees from wearing religious symbols. Lower courts have largely upheld the law.
At the heart of the case is the use of the notwithstanding clause — Section 33 of the Charter — and the question of how far governments can go in overriding certain rights.
Dominic LeBlanc Heads to Washington
Canada–U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc will travel to Washington for meetings tomorrow. The visit comes as the review of the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA/USMCA) intensifies.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said during a media availability in Australia yesterday that Canada’s free‑trade pact with the United States “has effectively been broken in the short term by American actions.” He said certain CUSMA protocols were not followed when the U.S. imposed tariffs on Canada.
LeBlanc’s trip also follows a ruling by a U.S. Court of International Trade judge on Wednesday, stating that companies are entitled to refunds for tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
Paméla Groleau Testifies Against Cardinal Marc Ouellet
The woman being sued for defamation by Quebec Cardinal Marc Ouellet took the stand at the Montreal courthouse to repeat her allegations of misconduct against him. Paméla Groleau testified in Superior Court that she felt as though she was under a spotlight that drew Ouellet toward her whenever they attended events together.
She accused Ouellet of several incidents of inappropriate touching between 2008 and 2010, including one in which he allegedly slid his hand down her back to the top of her buttocks during an event in Quebec City. The allegations first surfaced in 2022 as part of a broader class‑action lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Quebec.
In response, Ouellet filed a $100,000 defamation suit against Groleau, claiming she damaged his reputation, honour, and dignity. He has denied acting inappropriately toward her or anyone else.
UMQ Calls for Homelessness to Become a National Priority
The Union of Quebec Municipalities is urging the provincial government to make homelessness a national priority, backed by adequate funding. In a statement released Wednesday, the UMQ said the situation of people experiencing homelessness “continues to deteriorate across Quebec.”
It is calling for homelessness to be treated as a national priority “supported by predictable and recurring investments that meet needs for the next five years.” The organization stresses the importance of stable funding for both municipalities and community groups working with unhoused people.
“The next budget will be the last of the Legault government. This is its chance to give itself the means to reverse the trend on homelessness,” said Bruno Marchand, chair of the UMQ’s homelessness committee and mayor of Quebec City.
Québec Solidaire Proposes Front‑Line Service to Fight Cyberviolence
Québec solidaire says the province should follow New Zealand’s example and create a front‑line service to curb cyberviolence and support victims. The service would receive reports from victims and intervene “directly with the perpetrators of violent behaviour.”
The proposal is inspired by New Zealand, which adopted a law in 2015 aimed at “deterring, preventing, and mitigating harm caused to individuals by digital communications.” The country now has an agency, NetSafe, which says it resolves more than 97% of cyberbullying cases in under 15 days during its 2024–2025 fiscal year.
Québec solidaire says its government would also introduce legislation allowing judges to quickly issue orders to stop harmful online behaviour.
Additional Regional and National Developments
Crown drops third charge against Frank Stronach — The defence has completed cross‑examination of the final complainant in the sexual‑assault trial.
Mature trees saved in Estrie — Conservation‑value trees slated for removal in a proposed protected area will be preserved.
La Ronde sold to Village Vacances Valcartier’s parent company — EPR is acquiring seven Six Flags amusement parks, including La Ronde.
McGill aims to attract top international researchers — The university seeks to position itself as U.S. academics consider leaving.
Fréchette promises “budget stability” in education — Bernard Drainville pledges cuts to social assistance for asylum seekers.
Terrapure plant continues to expose workers to lead — Lead contamination remains above safety standards.
Shediac jail mishap — Sensitive documents were found in a witness’s cell, potentially jeopardizing the Janson Baker trial.
OpenAI commits to cooperating with the RCMP — Canada’s AI Safety Institute will review OpenAI’s protocols.
Carney: “We will defend our allies when justified” — He does not rule out Canadian involvement if the Middle East conflict expands.
Poilievre promotes Canada as a reliable LNG supplier — The Conservative leader continues his European tour.
U.S. reciprocal tariffs rising to 15% this week — Sector‑specific Trump‑era tariffs remain unaffected.
Israeli army orders evacuation of South Beirut — Panic grows as displaced residents flee intensified bombardments.
Iran conflict fuels misinformation online — Social media has been chaotic since last weekend’s Israeli‑American strikes.
Trump denies lack of planning in U.S. evacuations — His administration faces criticism over the absence of a pre‑offensive evacuation plan.
Union Nationale risks losing its authorization — An investigation found multiple violations of Quebec’s electoral law.
Anti‑spit hoods under scrutiny — Originally designed to protect police, the hoods have been linked to several incidents.
Putin accuses Ukraine of sinking Russian LNG tanker — Moscow claims the attack was launched from Libya’s coast using naval drones.
British Columbia to keep daylight saving time — Premier David Eby encourages three U.S. states to adopt the same schedule.
Two Russian aircraft detected near North American airspace — NORAD says the activity is routine and not considered a threat.
👋 Before We Go
It’s been a busy day, with a major arrest and significant developments across the region. Between the troubling repair work on the Châteauguay bridge and the arrival of Bixi bikes in Dollard‑des‑Ormeaux, there’s plenty happening in our local infrastructure. Wishing everyone a great day… see you tomorrow morning for a new edition! ☕