Highway 13 – LAVAL QC

Laval QC ☕ The Morning Chat

Good morning,

Today brings a lot of concrete, very concrete news: your wallet, the roads, major events in Montréal and a few signals worth keeping in mind for everyday life on the North Shore. We start with a quick overview, then take a bit more time with what might actually change your week.

What to know this morning

Quebec announces three new cost‑of‑living measures: The province will remove the QST from certain products, cut the annual vehicle registration renewal by 50 dollars for one year and provide a one‑time payment of up to 200 dollars for people who receive the solidarity tax credit.
Road closures in Montréal near Highways 13 and 520: Lane and ramp closures are planned from May 29 to June 1 in an area directly affecting travel between Montréal and Laval.
Montréal’s pedestrian streets return for 2026: Seven streets in six boroughs will go pedestrian‑only, with more than 1,260 businesses within walking distance.
The Montreal Heart Institute reports a rise in cardiac emergencies during Canadiens games: More than a 20 percent increase in patient volume during playoff games.
The 2026 Dictée lavalloise highlights French in Laval’s public spaces: Municipal representatives were present, reflecting a clear desire to promote French in the city.
Ottawa strengthens its wildfire‑fighting air fleet: The federal government has leased about ten additional planes and helicopters.
Canada welcomes a major business delegation from India: Around 150 business leaders are visiting the country to build commercial ties.

Justice and society

Serge Audette found guilty of manslaughter in the death of Patricia Ferguson, 30 years later: The case dates back to 1996 and involves the disappearance of Patricia Ferguson in Pointe‑aux‑Trembles.
Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal holds hearings in Montréal on Indigenous residential schools: The tribunal aims to shed light on testimony and allegations of violence against Indigenous children.
Ontario minister Caroline Mulroney announces her resignation: She had served as Minister of Francophone Affairs since 2018.
Quebec’s “Votre Santé” IT project draws scrutiny from investigators: A contract was renewed without a call for tenders by an American firm.

Close to home

The Victory Parade will take place Saturday in Montréal: The event will be held downtown, though the route has not yet been announced.
Just for Laughs unveils its 2026 program in Montréal: The festival runs from July 15 to 26 across 25 downtown venues.
The Merhaba Bazaar in the West Island brought together communities from several areas, including Laval: Part of the proceeds will go to a Canadian organization.
Montréal firefighters and local businesses show support for the Canadiens ahead of Game 3: Donations, hot dogs and team‑themed shirts are on the menu, with a rare bit of citywide coordination around hockey.

Main story

Quebec introduces three cost‑of‑living measures that affect daily life

The Quebec government is announcing three measures tied to the cost of living, with very concrete effects on everyday expenses.

First, the province will permanently remove the QST from several common consumer products starting July 15. This includes certain snacks, ready‑to‑eat fruits and vegetables, toilet paper and facial tissues.

Next, a 50‑dollar reduction in vehicle registration renewal will apply for one year starting September 1. The reduction will be applied automatically.

Finally, a one‑time payment of up to 200 dollars will be issued automatically on June 4 to people who receive the solidarity tax credit.

In a local bulletin, announcements like this matter because they touch the things that come back every week or nearly so: groceries, the car, the fees that pile up without asking permission.

In detail

Closures near Highways 13 and 520 may complicate some trips between Laval and Montréal

Closures are planned from May 29 to June 1 in the area of the Highway 13 and 520 interchange due to reconstruction work on the Highway 520 overpass above Highway 13.

Several ramp and lane closures are expected, along with periods of congestion. The pedestrian passage under Highway 520 near Highway 13 will also remain closed until it is rebuilt.

A continuous shuttle service will be available for pedestrians. For Laval residents who travel through this area, this is the kind of detail that can save an unnecessary detour or at least help with mental preparation, which, if it doesn’t speed up the trip, sometimes helps preserve patience.

Montreal Heart Institute notes a rise in cardiac emergencies during Canadiens playoff games

The Montreal Heart Institute reports more than a 20 percent increase in patient volume during Canadiens playoff games.

The study cited shows a 40 percent rise in major heart attacks after a win. The cases mainly involve men aged 50 to 55 with certain risk factors.

Symptoms to watch for include chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations and near‑fainting. The message is simple: the emotion of sports can stay a pleasure, but some warning signs should never wait until the end of the period.

Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal in Montréal seeks accountability for alleged crimes against Indigenous children

The Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal on missing children and unmarked graves began its hearings in Montréal on Monday and will continue until Friday.

The prosecution argues that Canada committed crimes against humanity and genocide, largely through the residential school system. Survivors, experts and other witnesses are expected to testify.

A preliminary declaration is planned for Friday and the full judgment is expected on September 30. It is a heavy file, but an important one to follow because it touches directly on memory, responsibility and what the country is willing, or not willing, to face.

Montréal’s pedestrian streets return with seven corridors and more than 1,260 walkable businesses

Seven streets totalling seven kilometres will become pedestrian‑only in six Montréal boroughs. This includes sections of Mont‑Royal, Duluth, Bernard, Wellington and Villeray, as well as Ontario East and Sainte‑Catherine East.

The City says more than 1,260 businesses will be within walking distance thanks to this measure. The pedestrian periods will run from May 15 to October 12, 2026 depending on the sector.

For Laval residents heading into Montréal for an outing, an appointment or a last‑minute dinner, this kind of information quickly changes how you move around and sometimes even where you decide to go.

Spotlight

The Dictée lavalloise is a reminder that a city can come together around words. It may not be the loudest event of the day, but it says something simple and valuable about Laval: here too, community life runs through the language we share.

Before we go

Wishing you a good start to the week, a commute without unnecessary surprises and just enough calm to stay on course. In Laval as elsewhere, the small bits of morning information often make the biggest difference before 9 a.m. ☕

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.

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. ☕