Laval QC โ The morning chat
Good morning,
Today we’re covering a busy news cycle: the election campaign heats up with promises and debates, the sports world holds its breath with the cycling world championships in Montreal, and we’re watching a Supreme Court decision that touches Terrebonne. A good way to start the day.
What to remember this morning
- Supreme Court annuls federal election in Terrebonne: A postal code error is deemed “likely to undermine the integrity of the electoral process,” overturning the one-vote victory of the Liberal candidate.
- Baby found in a Montreal encampment reignites the homelessness debate: CAQ leader Christine Frรฉchette promises a $250 million emergency fund and is set to meet with Montreal’s mayor.
- World cycling championships set up in Montreal: The event, running from September 20 to 27, will cause major traffic disruptions starting Saturday.
In Canada
- Carney at the UN General Assembly: The prime minister will attend the event in New York from Monday to Wednesday, without delivering a speech, but with meetings planned.
- FBI temporarily halts collaboration with RCMP: The controversy over the words used to describe the September 11 attacks has ruffled the American agency.
Main story
Supreme Court invalidates federal election in Terrebonne due to Elections Canada error
The Supreme Court of Canada explained Friday its decision to overturn the one-vote victory of the Liberal candidate in the Terrebonne riding during the 2025 federal election. The error, made by Elections Canada in the postal code, is deemed “likely to undermine the integrity of the electoral process.”
This decision, made public, aims to preserve public confidence in the electoral process. The error, though technical, was considered serious enough to justify annulling the vote.
In detail
Discovery of a baby in an encampment shakes up the Quebec election campaign
The discovery, on September 11, of a one-year-old child living with their mother in an encampment on Notre-Dame Street in Montreal has sent shockwaves through the campaign. Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada called the situation a wake-up call and threatens to act if the province does not.
CAQ leader Christine Frรฉchette announced the creation of a $250 million emergency fund for homelessness and is set to meet with the mayor. Her opponents have also reacted: Liberal leader Charles Milliard promises $60 million a year to reduce homelessness to zero, while Quรฉbec solidaire and the Parti quรฉbรฉcois propose a superminister for homelessness, with Paul St-Pierre Plamondon committing to take on that role.
World cycling championships coming to Montreal
From September 20 to 27, Montreal will host the UCI Road World Championships. The courses will use the cobblestone streets of the Old Port and Mount Royal, turning the city into a vast racecourse.
Starting Saturday, significant traffic disruptions are expected in the Montreal area. Drivers will need to plan their trips accordingly.
FBI temporarily suspends collaboration with RCMP
The FBI temporarily stopped sharing information with the RCMP after an internal CBC memo told journalists not to call the September 11 attacks โterroristโ without attribution. A directive revealed on August 26 was later changed to allow direct reference to historical events. According to the New York Times, this controversy led FBI officials to cancel meetings and warn their Canadian counterparts that they would be unreachable, creating a noticeable chill between the two agencies.
The freeze was only aimed at the FBI; other US agencies continued their exchanges. The New York Times couldnโt determine whether President Trump or his advisers knew about the interruption, but the Bureauโs director, Kash Patel, had publicly criticised Canada after the memo leak, and his decision could have disrupted joint operations with the RCMP, which regularly works with the FBI on cross-border security cases.
Communications picked up around the 25th anniversary of the attacks, but the episode adds to the broader tensions between Ottawa and Washington, marked by trade disputes and political friction. Canada has always called 9/11 a terrorist attack, a position reaffirmed by Prime Minister Mark Carney, while the Republican Party revoked CBC/RadioโCanada’s media accreditation for their upcoming convention in response to the controversy.
Coup de Cลur
The 25th annual Pow Wow of McGill University and John Abbott College, held Friday at the MacDonald campus, illustrates the strength of community ties. As Kim Tekakwitha Martin, Dean of Indigenous Education at John Abbott College, points out, this event is an opportunity to bring communities together and celebrate Indigenous traditions in a spirit of reconciliation.
To close
We wish you a great day, whether you’re on the road, at work, or off. Take time to savor the little moments, and don’t forget to check for detours if you’re planning to travel near Montreal this weekend. See you again on monday!