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Laval Today. May. 12, 2026

Laval QC ☕ The morning chat

Good morning,

Today we are keeping a close eye on traffic, with major work announced for Highway 13 in Laval and a significant closure coming on Route 136 in Montréal. There is also sports action at Place Bell, a criminal case resurfacing in Laval, and several Québec‑wide issues touching everything from digital justice to the audiovisual sector.

Top Stories This Morning

  • Highway 13 construction through September in Laval: Major work and closures are planned on Highway 13 in Laval through September.
  • Arrest warrant in the Chomedey shooting investigation: The Sûreté du Québec is searching for a 54‑year‑old Laval resident in connection with the killing of Charalambos Theologou at a Starbucks in Chomedey.
  • Do‑or‑die game at Place Bell: Montreal Victoire faces the Minnesota Frost in Laval after a postponement linked to illness.
  • Full closure of Route 136 this weekend: Eastbound lanes will be closed from Friday night to Monday morning in the Ville‑Marie and Viger tunnels, with heavy congestion expected.
  • Digital justice overhaul under scrutiny: The 500‑million‑dollar project is facing delays and may be audited over governance and cost issues.
  • TVA warns the crisis exceeds its capacity: Pierre Karl Péladeau is calling for rapid action and is not ruling out further cuts.

Local

  • REM extends to the West Island: The extension toward Anse‑à‑l’Orme is set to open Monday with four new stations and free access before launch.
  • 2026 census deadline is today: The final day to submit the form is May 12.
  • Canadiens play Game 4 at the Bell Centre: Montréal will try to take a 3‑1 lead in its series against the Sabres.

Justice and Society

  • Arrest in a long‑unsolved LaSalle murder: A man already detained in Drummondville will be charged with first‑degree murder in a case dating back to 2007.
  • Dozens of federal prosecutions affected by Project South: The investigation continues to ripple through the justice system.
  • Teaching licences revoked at Bedford Elementary: The decision follows findings of a toxic and regressive work environment.
  • Head of the Public Service Commission resigns: She denounces a culture of secrecy surrounding Bill 7.

Québec to Watch

  • Audiovisual unions denounce pressure tactics: They say employers are trying to roll back protections in the collective agreement.
  • Digital Health Record slowed but did not crash: Santé Québec cites faulty equipment and says nearly 20,000 users have already logged in.
  • Éric Girard defends investment in Nemaska Lithium: The minister stands by the decision despite criticism from the sustainable development commissioner.
  • CAA‑Québec again ranks the Outaouais as having the worst roads: The region tops the 2026 list once more.

Main Story

Highway 13 construction will disrupt travel in Laval through September

Major work begins May 18 on Highway 13 southbound between Dagenais West and Highway 440, with lane shifts and reduced capacity for the entire project. The Ministry of Transport plans partial and full closures, including a long‑term shutdown between Sainte‑Rose and Highway 440, where traffic will be diverted to the two‑lane service road. During the morning rush, an extra contraflow lane will be added to maintain three lanes heading south.

Drivers should expect night closures in both directions, ramp closures, reduced speed limits and significant congestion. Marked detours will be in place during full closures, and Québec is urging motorists to allow extra travel time and check Québec 511 before heading out. The work is scheduled to continue until late September, with the goal of improving safety and road conditions on this heavily used corridor.

In Detail

Arrest warrant issued in the Chomedey fatal shooting

The Sûreté du Québec has issued an arrest warrant for Denis Beaupré, a 54‑year‑old Laval resident, in the investigation into the October 1, 2025 shooting at a Starbucks in Chomedey.

Charalambos Theologou, known as “Bobby the Greek,” was killed in the attack and two other men were injured. The SQ says the suspect has been missing since October 5.

A police operation was carried out May 6 in Vankleek Hill, Ontario, in connection with his disappearance. The case remains active with concrete developments in a file that had already marked Laval.

Place Bell hosts a decisive Victoire game after illness‑related postponement

The decisive game between Montreal Victoire and the Minnesota Frost will be played at Place Bell in Laval after being postponed Monday.

The postponement was made for safety reasons linked to illness. The league says the symptoms observed do not match hantavirus.

The stakes are high: the winner advances to the Walter Cup final against the Ottawa Charge. For Laval, it puts Place Bell at the centre of another major sports moment.

Digital justice project faces delays and possible audit

Québec’s 500‑million‑dollar digital justice overhaul is raising concerns due to delays, fragmentation and unclear total costs.

Several components have been pushed to 2029. The Ministry of Cybersecurity and Digital Technology is considering an audit to clarify governance, budgeting and overall coherence.

The scale of the project and the difficulty of tracking dozens of sub‑projects stand out. After other major public tech transitions, public patience is wearing thin.

TVA says it can no longer shoulder the crisis alone

Pierre Karl Péladeau says the crisis at TVA now exceeds the company’s capacity to respond. He points to falling advertising revenues, competition from global platforms and declining cable subscriptions.

He is not ruling out further cuts or cancelled productions. He is calling for less administrative burden, more union flexibility and a rebalancing of advertising rules.

At the same time, unions in the sector say they are facing pressure to reduce negotiated working conditions, including minimum pay and social protections. The picture is one of a sector under intense strain on both the employer and worker sides.

Coup de Coeur

The REM extension toward Anse‑à‑l’Orme is a reminder that better access to public transit can change habits and bring closer together parts of the region that often feel far apart. When the network grows, it is more than a new line on a map.

Before You Go

Thanks for starting your morning with us.

Give yourself a little extra time on the road, keep an eye on what is moving here and elsewhere, and we will be back tomorrow, one story at a time. ☕

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Laval Today. May. 4, 2026

Laval QC ☕ The morning chat

Good morning,

Today we start with an upcoming increase in public transit fares across Greater Montréal, something that will affect many everyday trips. We’re also keeping an eye on the rain and strong winds expected this week, on a few Quebec files that continue to move slowly, and on several federal decisions that could have broader impacts.

In Brief

  • Public transit fares will increase on July 1 in Greater Montréal: Monthly passes will go up, while single tickets and one‑ or two‑trip passes will remain unchanged.
  • A stretch of rain and strong winds is settling over Montréal until mid‑week: Tuesday could bring gusts up to 70 km/h, heavier showers, and a risk of thunderstorms.
  • The 2026 Census begins across the country: Households will receive a letter with instructions on how to respond.
  • Ottawa announces $1.5 billion in support in response to new U.S. tariffs: Part of the aid targets manufacturers affected by surcharges on products containing steel, aluminum, or copper.

Society & Politics

  • Return‑to‑office expands in the federal public service: Executives are now back full‑time, and unionized employees will be required to return four days a week starting July 6.
  • The PEQ still hasn’t reopened: The relaunch of the Quebec Experience Program was among Christine Fréchette’s commitments, but it remains on hold.
  • Quebec gives the green light to a digital‑health rollout in two CIUSSS: Pilot projects will take place in Montréal and Mauricie.
  • Paul St‑Pierre Plamondon promises to cut homelessness in half: He presents this as the top social priority of a potential PQ government.

To Watch

  • Federal audits highlight several shortcomings: They point to issues in funding for First Nations, avian flu vaccines, accommodation requests in the public service, and flood‑zone mapping.
  • Teachers say they lack tools to deal with artificial intelligence in the classroom: There is still uncertainty around how to regulate a technology already widely used by students.
  • Patients now expect concrete changes following the agreement with medical specialists: Wait times remain high across the network.
  • The restaurant sector continues to struggle: More than one‑third of Canadian restaurants are reportedly operating at a loss or just breaking even.

Main Story

Public transit fares will increase on July 1 in Greater Montréal

The change is simple enough to remember, even if no one on the metro, bus, or train will be thrilled. Starting July 1, public transit fares across Greater Montréal will rise by an average of 3 per cent.

More specifically, regular monthly passes will increase by $5.50, and reduced‑fare passes by $3.25. Monthly bus‑only passes will also go up.

As for occasional fares, single tickets and one‑ or two‑trip passes will remain unchanged. The ARTM is also removing certain temporary fare options linked to the REM on the South Shore. For trips combining the REM and buses, riders will need to purchase standard all‑mode passes.

The stated goal is to limit the financial impact on users while maintaining service quality and network stability. In practice, this means that people who rely on monthly passes will feel the change sooner than those who travel occasionally.

For a Closer Look

A period of rain and strong winds expected through mid‑week

After a brief lull, the weather is expected to turn more unsettled in the coming days in Montréal. Tuesday looks particularly windy, with sustained winds of 50 km/h and gusts reaching up to 70 km/h, along with heavier showers and a risk of thunderstorms.

Rain is expected to continue Tuesday night and Wednesday, with cooler temperatures. Thursday should remain cloudy with another chance of showers. In short, this week calls more for a windbreaker than for any big weather optimism.

Ottawa puts $1.5 billion on the table to help businesses hit by U.S. tariffs

The federal government is announcing $1.5 billion in support in response to the expansion of U.S. tariff criteria. One billion dollars will flow through the Business Development Bank of Canada to support the manufacturing sector, and $500 million will be added to the regional tariff‑response fund.

Affected businesses will be able to access low‑interest loans of up to $50 million over three years. The government says it wants to provide short‑term liquidity while helping exporters adapt and develop new markets.

The 2026 Census begins this week across the country

The 2026 Census begins Monday across Canada. Households will receive a letter with instructions on how to complete the questionnaire.

It’s one of those administrative steps that never steals the spotlight but ends up shaping many public decisions. Once again, it’s worth keeping an eye on the mailbox.

Federal audits highlight delays, blind spots, and a lot of poorly managed paperwork

Five audits released Monday reveal several issues within the federal system. One concludes that Indigenous Services Canada did not effectively implement, monitor, or evaluate certain funding provided to First Nations.

Another notes that 95 per cent of avian flu vaccines purchased by the Public Health Agency of Canada expired without being used. The audits also point to delays in accommodation requests within the public service, gaps in flood‑zone mapping, and weaknesses in tracking the federal climate strategy.

Coup de Cœur

Even in a busy news cycle, there’s something reassuring about seeing Montréal prepare a full year of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Olympics. Exhibitions, sports events, outdoor cinema, tours, and free gatherings — all of it is a reminder that an urban legacy can still be a meeting place, not just a framed memory.

In Closing

Thanks for spending part of your morning with us.

We’re heading into a day filled with movement… on the roads, in mailboxes, and across public agendas. A good dose of coffee helps, but a good summary does too. ☕