Laval QC ☕ The morning chat
Good morning! It’s Saturday, and while many are easing into the weekend, a few important stories deserve our attention today. From a tragic crash in Chaudière‑Appalaches to a growing haul of Paralympic medals and a Montreal invention making international waves, there’s plenty to reflect on. Grab your coffee — let’s dive in.
🚌 Top Story
School bus crash in Chaudière‑Appalaches: one dead, about twenty injured
A school bus crash Saturday morning in Sainte‑Rose‑de‑Watford, a small municipality of 737 residents in the Chaudière‑Appalaches region, left one person dead and around twenty injured.
One person is fighting for their life, and about 20 others were injured after the bus, which was carrying local children, veered off the road.
The Sûreté du Québec responded to the crash on Grande‑Ligne Nord Road around 8:30 a.m. Saturday. The children on board were local residents.
Initial reports indicate that four people suffered serious but non‑life‑threatening injuries, while about 15 sustained minor injuries. The person whose life is in danger is not the bus driver.
The bus, which was heading south, reportedly skidded to the left before overturning. The Sûreté du Québec says “difficult road conditions” may have contributed to the crash.
Police remain on scene, and a reconstruction specialist is working to determine the causes and circumstances of the incident.
Sainte‑Rose‑de‑Watford is located near the Canada–U.S. border, about 35 kilometres from Saint‑Georges.
⚡ The Essentials
🥈 Three medals for Canada at the Paralympic Games
Kalle Eriksson, a visually impaired alpine para‑skier from Kimberley, British Columbia, won silver in the downhill event at the Milan‑Cortina Paralympic Games on Saturday… Canada’s first medal of the Games.
Eriksson, guided by Sierra Smith, finished with a time of 1:18.33.
Kurt Oatway of Calgary then captured bronze in the sit‑ski downhill with a time of 1:19.42. It was a remarkable comeback for Oatway, who missed the 2022 Beijing Games after suffering a broken collarbone, two torn ligaments, three ribs broken in five places, and a punctured lung.
Natalie Wilkie of Salmon Arm, British Columbia, earned her eighth Paralympic medal at her third Games, taking silver in the standing sprint biathlon. She completed the 7.5‑kilometre course in 18:46.4 with no shooting penalties — her first biathlon medal at the Paralympics.
🎵 A Montrealer invents an instrument made from bicycle parts
Montreal multidisciplinary artist Lateef Martin is turning bicycle parts into music — and attracting international attention. Martin, CEO and creative director of Miscellaneous Studios, invented the Lethelium, a unique instrument built from bike components and other materials.
The idea began in a cooperative bike workshop when a volunteer suggested adding guitar strings to a wheel Martin was repairing. The Lethelium is made from bicycle parts, guitar components, household items, and brass pieces.
It produces a sound Martin describes as “the love child of a dulcimer and a harp.” The instrument has 24 strings arranged over two octaves.
The creation earned him a finalist spot at the prestigious Guthman Musical Instrument Competition in Atlanta. The Lethelium is also part of a larger creative universe Martin built around Z’Isle, a comic‑book series set years after a zombie apocalypse in Montreal, where bicycles are central to tools and technology.
🚨 27‑year‑old man found unconscious near Montreal airport
Montreal police say a 27‑year‑old man was found unconscious near Montréal–Trudeau International Airport in Dorval on Saturday morning. SPVM officers were called by paramedics around 6:50 a.m. about a man with upper‑body injuries on Montréal‑Toronto Boulevard near the Dorval traffic circle.
He was transported to hospital in critical condition. “According to initial information, the victim was found on the ground with upper‑body injuries,” said SPVM spokesperson Johany Charland.
Police are seeking witnesses and reviewing security‑camera footage. The investigation is ongoing.
🏒 Canadiens fall 6–5 in shootout to the Ducks
Chris Kreider scored the tying goal with 42 seconds left in regulation, and Alex Killorn scored in the sixth round of the shootout to give the Anaheim Ducks a 6–5 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Friday night.
Kreider matched his career high with a four‑point night for the Ducks, who earned their seventh win in eight games despite blowing a two‑goal lead in the third period.
Cole Caufield scored two of Montreal’s three third‑period goals, and Lane Hutson added a goal and two assists. Samuel Montembeault made 28 saves for the Habs, who have lost four of their last six games.
Montreal was quiet at the trade deadline. General manager Kent Hughes worked until the final moments to try to add a key player, but no deal was completed.
🏠The Overview
⚖️ Frank Stronach: Crown cannot prove attempted rape charge
Both the Crown and the defence have asked the judge to issue an early directed verdict of acquittal before the trial concludes.
⚖️ Cardinal Ouellet: “He rubbed his pelvis against me,” witness says
Two more women have alleged inappropriate behaviour by the cardinal at the defamation trial he initiated.
🗳️ CAQ : Christine Fréchette concerned about setbacks in gender equality
Coalition Avenir Québec leadership candidate Christine Fréchette says she is troubled by the rise of masculinist rhetoric undermining gender equality. “People feel a bit uninhibited. They feel free to openly express opinions hostile to women, and that worries me greatly,” she said.
A recent study found teachers reporting an increase in intolerant comments from students toward several groups, including women. There have been seven femicides in Quebec since the start of the year.
Like her leadership rival Bernard Drainville, Fréchette wants to adopt legislation inspired by “Clare’s Law,” which would allow women to check a partner’s history of violence. She also proposes adding 50 new resources to shelters for women fleeing domestic violence, at a cost of nearly $4 million per year.
If elected CAQ leader, she would become Quebec’s second female premier after Pauline Marois of the PQ. The latest Léger poll shows the CAQ receiving only 11% support among women.
🗳️ CAQ : Bernard Drainville says he supports equality but does not call himself a feminist
CAQ leadership candidate Bernard Drainville insists he is a “strong supporter of gender equality,” though he does not wish to identify as a “feminist.” He believes his proposals on home ownership and in‑vitro fertilization will attract women to the party.
Drainville has pledged to achieve gender parity among CAQ candidates for the October 2026 election if he becomes leader. He argues that helping first‑time homebuyers and funding up to three IVF cycles will appeal to young women. The latest Léger poll shows the party with only 11% support among women.
Like Christine Fréchette, Drainville says he supports “Clare’s Law,” which would allow women to check a partner’s history of domestic violence. With Bill 94, he previously added the requirement to “behave in a manner that respects equality between men and women” to the student code of conduct.
However, he refuses to label himself a feminist. “I don’t want to be trapped by any definition,” he said.
✈️ More Canadians expected to arrive in Toronto from the Middle East
More Canadians fleeing the Middle East are expected to land at Toronto Pearson Airport this morning as the war in Iran reaches the one‑week mark. Passengers arriving from Dubai travelled on an Emirates flight on which the federal government reserved 51 seats.
The Emirates flight departed just hours before Dubai Airports announced a temporary suspension of operations at the major Middle Eastern travel hub due to security concerns, with some media reporting an explosion nearby.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said more than 108,000 Canadians in the region have registered with Global Affairs Canada, and about 3,500 have requested assistance to leave.
Canadians who arrived in Toronto yesterday from Dubai described a long and anxious journey home.
📺 Radio‑Canada in Beirut: “Stressed or relieved, they are leaving Lebanon under the bombs”
Radio‑Canada visited Beirut’s airport to speak with departing Canadians.
💥 Explosions in Gulf countries despite Iranian president’s apology
Iran claims to have “evidence” that certain Gulf states have “made themselves available to the enemy.”
🕍 Three synagogues targeted by gunfire in the Greater Toronto Area
No injuries have been reported in the past week, according to Toronto Police and York Regional Police.
🤝 Ottawa–Alberta agreement to speed up major projects
The deal will allow the province to conduct its own impact assessments for major developments.
🇺🇸 Canada–U.S. trade negotiations: time is running out
Last October, Donald Trump halted negotiations after a controversial Ontario advertisement.
🤖 Anthropic to challenge its designation as a “risk” company
The Pentagon added Anthropic to its list of firms posing a “supply‑chain risk.”
🎬 Ben Stiller: “War is not a movie”
A clip from one of his films appeared in a U.S. government montage about the conflict in Iran.
🇨🇳 When young Westerners adopt the Chinese lifestyle
Sherry Zhu, a 23‑year‑old Chinese‑American influencer, is at the centre of this trend.
💛Spotlight
💫 Hats off to Lateef Martin, who proves that with creativity and perseverance, bicycle parts can become a world‑recognized musical instrument… and earn a spot in the finals of a prestigious competition in Atlanta.
Closing Note
A Saturday marked by difficult news, but also inspiring achievements. Between tragedies on our roads and the remarkable performances of our Paralympic athletes, life continues with its ups and downs. Enjoy your weekend and don’t forget to set your clocks forward one hour tonight. Until next time. ☕