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Laval Today. Oct. 27, 2026

Laval QC ☕ Your morning briefing

Good morning,

Today we look at an urgent public warning from Laval police, an upcoming decision that could touch your personal finances, and a tribute to a former local MNA. We also round up what is happening across Quebec and the country that directly impacts our community.

Need to know this morning

  • Laval police are tracking a police impersonator: A scammer posing as an officer persuaded victims to surrender bank cards, PINs, and jewelry, with unauthorized transactions traced to Laval, Sherbrooke, and Quebec City.
  • Bank of Canada may raise its key rate Wednesday: If announced, this would mark the central bank’s first rate increase since July 2023.
  • Former Mille-Îles MNA Jean-Paul Champagne dies at 95: He represented the Laval-area riding between 1981 and 1985 in the René Lévesque government.
  • Paul St-Pierre Plamondon’s opening address sparks debate: The PQ leader intends to deliver his inaugural Salon bleu speech without the lieutenant-governor present.
  • No speaking role for PSPP at Canada-EU summit: Quebec’s premier will not address the Montreal gathering scheduled for October 29 and 30.
  • Rising concern over school violence: A support staff union is calling for $28 million in emergency funding, matching the sum recently allocated to tackle homelessness.

Around town

  • $56,018 contraband seizure at Saint-Vincent-de-Paul prison: Staff confiscated narcotics, tobacco, and mobile phones at the Federal Training Centre.
  • Ongoing Hydro-Québec infrastructure work on Île Paton: Drivers in Chomedey should plan for traffic delays linked to projects under way since October 7.
  • Laval’s Rachel Lessard coaches Canada to flag football gold: The national team earned a historic 27-20 win against the United States in the World Cup final.
  • David Chatenet reappointed at Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie: The INRS has renewed his mandate for a second term leading the research centre.

Across Canada

  • Mark Carney expresses openness to repealing the Indian Act: Calling the legislation racist, he advocated replacing it through direct partnership with First Nations.
  • Quebec premier scheduled to meet AFNQL on Wednesday: The meeting with First Nations leaders follows criticism over his absence at the Ottawa summit.
  • Landmark youth climate trial begins in Vancouver: Fifteen young plaintiffs have brought Canada’s first constitutional challenge targeting federal climate policy.
  • Microsoft offers buyouts to 60,000 employees: The voluntary departure plan affects roughly 27 percent of its global staff as AI investments surge.

Top story

Laval police seek public assistance to identify suspect posing as an officer

The Service de police de Laval (SPL) has asked residents for help identifying a man tied to a false-representation scheme targeting local households. Investigators with the general crimes division report that the fraudster phones victims while pretending to be a police officer.

After telling residents their financial accounts have been compromised, the caller instructs them to place debit and credit cards, along with any gold jewelry, inside an envelope for safekeeping. He also demands their personal identification numbers (PINs). An accomplice then arrives at the home to collect the package, followed quickly by fraudulent withdrawals.

Investigators note the suspect has conducted ATM transactions across Laval, Sherbrooke, and Quebec City. Seniors and vulnerable residents have been the primary targets, prompting police to urge heightened vigilance.

In depth

Possible Bank of Canada interest rate hike this Wednesday

The central bank could implement a modest bump to its overnight benchmark on Wednesday. If delivered, the move would represent the first increase since July 2023, carrying immediate consequences for variable mortgages and personal lines of credit.

Controversy surrounds PQ leader’s inaugural legislative address

Paul St-Pierre Plamondon’s plan to deliver his opening remarks in the National Assembly without the lieutenant-governor in attendance has drawn scrutiny and political debate as the new legislative session opens.

Support staff union demands emergency funds to tackle school violence

The Fédération du personnel de soutien scolaire (FPSS-CSQ) is urging the provincial government to allocate $28 million to curb violence in classrooms. With nearly 30,000 incidents documented over the previous school year, union officials point to critical gaps in prevention and staffing.

Former Laval MNA Jean-Paul Champagne passes away

Jean-Paul Champagne, who held the Mille-Îles riding from 1981 to 1985, died on October 16 at age 95. A French teacher for a quarter of a century, he also served as president of the Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Montréal and devoted decades to promoting the French language.

Coup de Coeur

Laval native Rachel Lessard delivered a masterclass in determination as head coach of Canada’s national flag football squad. Navigating an uphill road to the World Cup final, she led her players to an upset 27-20 win over the United States, proving what disciplined teamwork can accomplish on the international stage.

The wrap

Here is to a productive morning and a smooth day ahead. A quick reminder before you head out: genuine police officers will never call to ask for your bank cards or PINs. Have a great Tuesday! ☕

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Daily

Laval Today. Sep. 16, 2026

Laval QC ☕ The daily chat

Greetings to all,

This morning we take you to Percé, Montreal and Quebec City, with a required stop at a Laval story that calls for a moment of silence. There is also election news, artificial intelligence and a tribute to a young pilot.

Enough to start the day informed, without chasing the news.

What you should know this morning

  • A diver injured by a great white shark in Percé: The incident happened Wednesday morning during a diving activity, and all activities have been suspended for the rest of the season.
  • The second leaders’ debate is tonight: The five leaders meet for a second time in two evenings, covering five main themes.
  • Trump signs an order to remove Canadian products from U.S. government purchasing: He directs his administration to identify Canadian exports that could be excluded.
  • Alberta separation could cost up to $170 billion initially: A University of Calgary report did the math.
  • The Fed raises interest rates for the first time in three years: Citing persistent inflation, it raises its policy rate by 0.25 percentage points.
  • The U.S. Congress passes a new package of sanctions against Russia: It is Congress’s first major action against Moscow since Trump’s return to power.
  • LoiZéro secures more than $300 million in funding: The announcement was made on the sidelines of the ALL IN summit, taking place in Montreal.

Close to home

  • A Laval mother remembers her daughter, a 23-year-old pilot: Mayan Guesmi died on July 20 during a solo training flight in Victoriaville, when the aircraft crashed into a field and caught fire.
  • A baby referred to the DPJ after an intervention near the Notre-Dame encampment in Montreal: The SPVM received a call around 7 p.m. Friday and contacted the Direction de la protection de la jeunesse after observing elements deemed concerning.

Across Canada

  • Élections Québec will have to send its reminder cards in French and English: A judge issued a ruling to that effect Wednesday morning, in the first year the agency sent its election documents in French only.
  • Canada knocks on the European Union’s door: The country is popular on the European stage, but how far will this romance go?
  • The Bank of Canada worries the trade conflict will weigh on confidence: The central bank publishes a summary of the deliberations that led to keeping its policy rate unchanged.
  • A federal party to carry Alberta’s voice is in the works: The future political formation would be modelled on the Bloc québécois.

Main story

A Laval mother mourns her daughter, a 23-year-old pilot killed in a Victoriaville crash

Samah Jebbari wants people to remember who her daughter was. Mayan Guesmi, 23, died on July 20 while on a solo training flight in Victoriaville. The aircraft crashed into a field and caught fire on impact.

“I don’t know what happened because I don’t know what happened to Mayan,” her mother says. She says she is speaking with investigators to understand exactly what happened.

Mayan worked at Air Canada as a flight attendant. Her mother says she had become “full of energy, full of life,” and that after about six months, she began talking about becoming a pilot.

In her grief, Samah Jebbari found comfort with another mother who lost her daughter in an accident involving two flight-school planes in Winnipeg. She hopes the safety recommendations that come out of these tragedies will spare other families from the same experience.

In detail

The five leaders meet tonight for a second debate in two evenings

After a first face-off Tuesday, the leaders of the five main parties return to the stage tonight for the “Grand Débat des chefs.” It is the second of three election debates, all in French.

Five themes will be addressed: the cost of living and U.S. tariffs, finances and infrastructure, children’s future, health and homelessness, and the protection of French.

The debate is moderated by Michel Bherer at Campus Bell, on Île des Sœurs, and broadcast on Crave and Noovo. The five leaders in the running are Christine Fréchette (CAQ), Charles Milliard (Liberal), Paul St-Pierre Plamondon (PQ), Ruba Ghazal (Québec solidaire) and Éric Duhaime (Conservative).

During the first debate, Christine Fréchette was the main target. Her opponents sought to present her as a continuation of François Legault, and the CAQ was accused of wasting taxpayers’ money. The next debate will take place on September 23, and voters go to the polls on October 5.

A diver injured by a great white shark in Percé, activities suspended for the season

The incident happened Wednesday morning during a diving activity in Percé, in the Gaspésie region. According to Plongée Percé, care measures were triggered immediately: the person received first aid on site before being transported to hospital for further evaluation.

The scuba diving centre thanked the teams that responded for their speed and professionalism, and said no further details would be released, out of respect for the privacy of the person concerned.

As a precaution, all diving activities in Percé have been suspended for the rest of the season. According to the most recent data from the Canadian Shark Attack Registry, only 15 incidents have been confirmed in Canada out of the 30 attacks reported over the past 330 years.

The ALL IN summit opens in Montreal, and LoiZéro lands more than $300 million

Montreal is at the centre of Canada’s conversation on artificial intelligence as thousands gather for ALL IN 2026 at the Palais des congrès. The two-day event brings together companies developing AI, organizations adopting it and researchers working to shape its future.

Among the day’s biggest announcements, Canada and Germany committed up to $300 million in joint funding for LoiZéro, the Montreal non-profit founded by AI pioneer Yoshua Bengio. Canada is investing $150 million, and Germany plans to provide 100 million euros.

This funding will support LoiZéro’s work on Scientist AI, an approach designed to make advanced AI more transparent, reliable and safe by design. It will also support research, engineering talent and computing capacity, including a new German office and sovereign computing infrastructure dedicated to Canada.

Canada’s Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, Evan Solomon, said the goal is not to stop AI development, but to ensure it is done responsibly.

Up to 30 STM bus routes could be detoured during the world cycling championships

Montreal is preparing to host the UCI Road World Championships, an eight-day competition that will cause major road closures. Up to 30 bus routes could be detoured.

The STM says it has been preparing for the event for more than three months, in collaboration with the City of Montreal, police and organizers. Alexandre Fernandez, head of bus dispatching at the STM, notes that the length of the event represents a different challenge from the weekend events the agency is used to.

The STM’s operations centre will monitor the network throughout the competition and respond to unforeseen events, such as accidents and road blockages. For users, the STM recommends consulting its dedicated event webpage, scanning the QR codes posted in affected areas, allowing more time for travel and combining bus and metro when possible.

Editor’s pick

Mayan Guesmi’s story is a reminder that a dream of flight rarely begins in a cockpit. It begins with a conversation, a bit of daring, and a mother who chooses to believe her daughter can go further. What Samah Jebbari asks for today is not pity, it is that we remember, and that we learn.

In closing

We wish you a full day, a trip without unnecessary detours and just enough time to breathe between two appointments. In Laval as elsewhere, small minutes well used often make all the difference. ☕