Laval QC ☕ The Morning Chat
Good morning,
Today we’re diving into a pivotal day: advance voting continues, a new poll shakes up the campaign, and the Canadiens have finalized their roster by sending several players to the Rocket de Laval. We’ve got it all covered, with a local perspective.
What to Know This Morning
- Advance voting continues today: Polls are open from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. across all 127 ridings, for this second and final day before the October 5 election.
- New poll puts PQ in majority territory: The CAQ drops to 17% while the Parti Québécois reaches 30% of voting intentions, according to a Synopsis-La Presse survey.
- Canadiens send Reinbacher and Fowler to the Rocket de Laval: Defenseman David Reinbacher and goaltender Jacob Fowler will start the season in the American League, along with several others.
- Traces of a high-risk pesticide found in drinking water of seven Quebec cities: Concentrations exceed the European standard, while no threshold exists in Quebec.
- Brandon McNulty wins Cycling World Championships in Montreal: The American ends a 33-year drought for his country.
Local Stories
- QS candidates in Laval back the campaign “Laval wants its fair share. Now.”: The sextet is calling for funding for the Cité-de-la-Santé expansion and the extension of the Orange metro line.
- A dance show inspired by Laval residents’ love stories: “L&L – La grande valse” will be presented free on October 6 at the Espace citoyen des Confluents, as part of Seniors’ Week in Laval.
Across Canada
- 80% of Canadian restaurants raised prices in 2026: About half of owners plan further increases next year, according to a report commissioned by Econolease.
- Tribute to fallen police officers in Ottawa: Six police and correctional services officers were honored at the annual ceremony.
Main Story
New Poll Puts PQ in Majority Territory as CAQ Collapses
The first day of advance voting was marked by the release of a poll that could reshape the campaign. According to the Synopsis-La Presse study made public Sunday, the Parti Québécois would get 30% of voting intentions, up two points, while the Coalition Avenir Québec drops seven points to 17%.
Éric Duhaime’s Conservatives, on the rise, tie the CAQ at 17%. Québec solidaire gains ground with 13%. Charles Milliard’s Liberals hold second place with 22%, but their support seems more tied to the CAQ’s decline than to real progress.
PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon also gains as Quebecers’ preferred premier, reaching 26%, while Christine Fréchette loses six points. Nearly one in five voters say none of the major party leaders would make a good premier.
The poll was conducted online among 1,000 voters between September 24 and 27. With just over a week before the October 5 vote, 13% of respondents say they are still undecided.
In Detail
Canadiens Finalize Roster, Send Several Players to the Rocket de Laval
The Montreal Canadiens’ training camp ended Sunday with a series of decisions that directly affect Laval. Forwards Owen Beck, Dillan Bentley, Laurent Dauphin, Jared Davidson, Filip Mesar, and Tyler Thorpe were assigned to the Rocket de Laval, along with defensemen Luke Mittelstadt, Owen Protz, and David Reinbacher, as well as goaltender Jacob Fowler.
Defenseman Adam Engström and forward Florian Xhekaj start the season with the big club. Xhekaj, who impressed during camp, could however start as a spare for Tuesday’s opener in Toronto.
The return of Kaiden Guhle, recovering from surgery, could also influence the lineup. In the meantime, Reinbacher will play a key role with the Rocket, and Fowler is expected to be the starting goalie in Laval.
Traces of High-Risk Pesticide Found in Drinking Water of Seven Quebec Cities
Tests have detected traces of a pesticide deemed high-risk in the drinking water of seven Quebec cities. Measured concentrations exceed the European standard, while no specific threshold exists in Quebec.
This news reignites questions about pesticide regulation in the country and public health protection. Quebec authorities have not yet commented on the situation.
Brandon McNulty, World Champion No One Saw Coming
American Brandon McNulty won the road race at the Cycling World Championships in Montreal on Sunday, ending a 33-year drought for Americans. He crossed the line 13 seconds ahead of the pack, after more than 273 kilometers of racing.
Australia’s Michael Matthews takes second, and Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel completes the podium. The last American to win this title was Lance Armstrong in 1993.
Coup de Cœur
Our pick of the day goes to ‘L&L: The Great Waltz’, a dance show completely inspired by the love stories of people from Laval.
By meeting a dozen long-term couples, choreographers Vincent-Nicolas Provencher and Mélissandre T-B have created a show that celebrates support, complicity, and the beauty of the small gestures that shape a shared life. Presented for free on 6 October at the Espace citoyen des Confluents, this creation reminds us that lasting bonds are never trivial; they are danced, lived, and passed on.
To Close
Wishing you a productive day, a smooth vote if you plan to head out, and a bit of comfort from the sports news. In Laval and elsewhere, every action counts, even the smallest.
See you tomorrow. ☕