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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. 11, 2026

Laval QC ☕ The morning chat

Good morning,

Today brings a mix of very concrete topics for Laval and the North Shore, including sports, health, housing and a few decisions that affect Québec more broadly. It is the kind of edition you can skim in a minute, then dig deeper where it matters most.

What to know this morning

  • Québec announces a 250 million dollar health prevention plan: The government is introducing 54 measures over five years to reduce the growth of preventable diseases and narrow the gap in premature mortality linked to socioeconomic inequalities.
  • Rocket eliminated despite Owen Beck’s two goals: Owen Beck scored twice, but the Laval Rocket lost 3–2 to Toronto in Game 5 and is out of the playoffs.
  • Rent regulation sparks an emotional debate at the QS convention: Delegates opted for capping rent increases at inflation rather than a full freeze.
  • Québec dubbing of The Simpsons will resume after a deal between Disney and Bell: An agreement allows Québec dubbing to restart, and season 36 is expected to air this fall on Noovo.
  • Montreal’s only women‑focused sports bar, Le Nadia, forced to relocate after noise complaints: Le Nadia has closed its Ontario Street location and is now looking for a new permanent space.
  • Montreal motorcyclist fined for driving 160 km/h on Highway 40: A 36‑year‑old driver received several tickets, 32 demerit points and a seven‑day licence suspension.

Justice and Society

  • Two‑year prison sentence for Luck Mervil: He was sentenced to two years in prison and will be listed on the sex offender registry for 20 years.
  • Québec considers regulating service‑dog training schools: These institutions may soon be required to obtain a permit from the Office de la protection du consommateur.
  • Bill C‑16 amended to include “quasi‑nude” deepfakes: The definition of intimate images has been expanded to include images where a person is nude or nearly nude.

Health and Services

  • DSN: Santé Québec preparing for a surge in support requests on Monday: The agency expects to receive about three times its usual daily volume of requests.
  • Digital health file enters a full‑scale test day: The main issue still being reported is latency related to bandwidth.
  • An HPV infection contracted 20 years ago can lead to cancer at menopause: The virus can remain dormant for decades before resurfacing and causing complications.

Culture and Québec Life

  • Full Bye Bye 2025 cast returning in 2026: The same cast and production team will be back.
  • Independent grocers as a turning point for food entrepreneurs: These stores act as true entry points for new projects, offering market access and a springboard that major chains do not provide.
  • After calm and confidence, a bit of flair from the Canadiens: Montreal controlled the pace and beat the Sabres decisively.

Top Story

Québec commits 250 million dollars to a five‑year health prevention plan

The Québec government has announced a 250 million dollar investment in health prevention. It is part of a five‑year roadmap that includes 54 measures.

The goal is to reduce the progression of preventable diseases by 10 percent and narrow the gap in premature mortality linked to socioeconomic inequalities by 10 percent.

Examples include measures to improve access to physical activity for people who are less active, increase support for those who want to quit smoking and promote healthy habits in the workplace.

For residents of Laval and the North Shore, this is the kind of announcement that affects very concrete issues. Not spectacular, perhaps, but clearly in the category of decisions that end up shaping daily life.

In Depth

Laval Rocket eliminated despite Owen Beck’s two goals

Owen Beck scored twice in Laval’s 3–2 loss to Toronto in Game 5.

The loss ends the Rocket’s playoff run. For Laval, the takeaway is simple: a strong individual performance, but an elimination all the same.

Digital health file enters a high‑pressure test day

Two elements stand out in this file. First, Santé Québec is preparing for a major increase in support requests on Monday, with a volume expected to be about three times higher than usual.

Second, the main issue still being observed is latency related to bandwidth. It paints the picture of a system entering an important phase under real technical pressure.

Le Nadia looks for a new home after closing its location

Le Nadia, Montreal’s sports space dedicated to women and families, closed its Ontario Street location on May 1 after noise complaints.

The team is now looking for a new permanent space. They were also trying to open a temporary venue to host gatherings for upcoming games.

Rent debate continues at the Québec solidaire convention

Québec solidaire delegates debated rent regulation in an emotionally charged atmosphere.

The outcome was a cap on rent increases at inflation rather than a full freeze. For a region like Laval, where housing remains a concrete issue for many households, the debate has immediate relevance.

Coup de Cœur

There is something persistent about places that try to bring people together differently. Even when the address changes or disappears, the idea behind it keeps looking for a home.

Before You Go

Thanks for spending this moment with us this morning.

Wishing you a clear, useful day that feels a little lighter than your inbox. ☕

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Daily

Laval Today. May. 6, 2026

Laval QC ☕ The morning chat

Good morning,

Today we stay close to home, with a call for witnesses in Laval, a story of perseverance on the North Shore, and a few updates that touch daily life more broadly across Québec and Canada. There is a bit of gastronomy, a bit of consumer news, and just enough concrete information to start your day without getting lost in the noise.

What to Know This Morning

  • Laval police reopen a 2024 attempted murder case: A command post has been set up on boulevard de l’Avenir to gather information from the public.
  • A Blainville artist continues her work despite serious health challenges: Catherine Lavoie keeps painting, drawing inspiration in part from the Montreal Canadiens.
  • Energy drinks pulled from Familiprix pharmacies: The Ordre des pharmaciens du Québec cites cardiovascular risks, especially when combined with certain medications.
  • Honda may slow its Canadian electric vehicle project: A media report suggests the company could shift its North American strategy toward hybrids.
  • Montréal earns two new Michelin stars: Sushi Nishinokaze and Hoogan et Beaufort join the list of one‑star restaurants.
  • Friday’s Lotto Max climbs to 80 million dollars in Québec: The draw includes a 70‑million‑dollar jackpot and an estimated 10 Maxmillions.
  • OpenAI violated privacy laws without facing penalties: The case is a reminder that these issues often move faster than our morning coffee.

Top Story

Laval police reopen investigation into the attempted murder of Ali Chaaban

Laval police are asking the public for help in the investigation into the February 2024 attempted murder of businessman Ali Chaaban. A command post was set up on May 6 near 1690 boulevard de l’Avenir.

On February 9, 2024, around 1 p.m., police received several 911 calls reporting gunshots in a commercial parking lot. Officers found 33‑year‑old Ali Chaaban with gunshot wounds.

Investigators believe the incident was linked to an attempted extortion. Police also say one of his businesses was targeted twice by acts of violence before shutting down.

The case remains very active, and the renewed call to the public shows investigators are still working to move concrete elements forward. For Laval, this is a heavy, deeply local story tied to broader public safety concerns.

In‑Depth Stories

In Blainville, Catherine Lavoie keeps painting despite surgery and serious health challenges

Blainville‑based artist Catherine Lavoie continues her work while recovering from surgery related to a likely benign brain tumour and a rare inner‑ear condition affecting her balance and hearing.

She says her work has evolved over the past seven years and remains driven by emotion, movement and instinct. Her style sits between abstract and figurative.

The Montreal Canadiens often appear in her creative world, especially during the playoffs, as a symbol of connection. In her current journey, painting seems to hold an even stronger place, both as an artistic practice and as an anchor.

Familiprix pharmacies remove energy drinks following pharmacists’ recommendation

The Ordre des pharmaciens du Québec recommends removing energy drinks from pharmacies due to cardiovascular risks when combined with psychostimulants and other medications.

Familiprix quickly announced the complete withdrawal of these products across its network. New signage will also encourage patients to discuss their energy drink consumption with their pharmacist.

The Association des bannières et des chaînes de pharmacies du Québec is asking the government to consider setting a minimum age for access. For families and young people, this is a very concrete issue tied to everyday consumption habits.

Honda may more clearly slow its 15‑billion‑dollar Canadian electric vehicle project

A media report says Honda Motor plans to more firmly pause development of its 15‑billion‑dollar Canadian electric vehicle complex.

The same report says weaker U.S. demand for electric vehicles could push the company to refocus its North American strategy on hybrids. Honda Canada says it has nothing to announce for now.

Even if the project does not directly affect Laval, decisions of this scale reach far beyond a single plant. When a major industrial investment slows in Canada, it draws attention well outside the auto sector.

Montréal adds two new Michelin stars to its culinary map

Two Montréal restaurants, Sushi Nishinokaze and Hoogan et Beaufort, have earned one Michelin star following the update to the Québec edition of the guide.

Montréal now has five one‑star restaurants, with Jérôme Ferrer‑Europea, Mastard and Sabayon keeping theirs. For residents of Laval and the North Shore, it is simply another excellent reason to cross the bridge with an appetite and a bit of planning.

Coup de Cœur

Catherine Lavoie’s story is a reminder that some people keep creating even when life decides to complicate the schedule. On the North Shore, that kind of perseverance feels both simple and powerful.

Wrapping Up

That’s your morning overview. Take what you need, keep a bit of momentum for the rest of the day, and move forward once again with that very local mix of caution, curiosity and coffee. ☕