Montreal
Jazz fest and Summer Beats open as Montreal kicks off festival season
The Festival International de Jazz de Montréal launched Friday at Place des Arts, while the Montreal Summer Beats Festival opened the same day at La Fontaine Park. The two events mark the start of a busy summer festival season in the city.
City puts $540,000 toward housing for vulnerable residents
The City of Montreal is investing $540,000 to renovate 45 vacant units owned by the Société d’habitation et de développement de Montréal. The units are expected to be ready for occupancy by the end of August 2026.
Martinez Ferrada marks Great Peace of Montreal with reconciliation pledge
Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada spoke Friday at a commemoration of the Great Peace of Montreal, stressing collaboration and announcing that the city is developing a new reconciliation strategy. The event marked the anniversary of the 1701 accord between French colonizers and Indigenous nations.
Family of slain officer asks public to stop sharing video of shooting
The sister of Montreal police officer Mohamed Lamine Benredouane, who was killed in a shooting on June 22, asked the public Friday to stop circulating videos of his final moments online. Benredouane was killed in the line of duty earlier this week.
Anti-incel protest held at Polytechnique memorial
Demonstrators gathered Thursday at the memorial for the 1989 Polytechnique massacre to denounce incel ideology, following the deadly June 22 shooting. The protest called for greater awareness of the dangers posed by misogynist online communities.
Canada Day march to wind through Old Montreal on July 1
A civic celebration called Canada On The Move will launch Montreal’s Canada Day festivities with a festive march from Place d’Armes to the Grand Quay of the Old Port on July 1. The event was announced Friday by organizers.
Canada
Carney launches design competition to restore 24 Sussex Drive
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Friday an independent national design-and-build competition to restore and modernize 24 Sussex Drive, the official residence of the prime minister. Carney said the winning design proposal is expected to be revealed by Canada Day 2027.
Anand meets Turkish foreign minister ahead of NATO summit
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand met with Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan in Ottawa on Friday to discuss strengthening bilateral partnerships and economic ties. The talks come ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara.
Ottawa to prioritize electricity transmission funding after Yellowknife talks
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson announced Friday that the federal government will prioritize financial and regulatory support for electricity transmission projects to strengthen the national grid. The announcement followed discussions at the Energy and Mines Minister’s Conference in Yellowknife.
Ontario streamlines immigrant nominee program to match labour needs
Ontario launched the first phase of an overhaul of its Immigrant Nominee Program on Friday, consolidating eight streams into four. The new Ontario Workforce Priority stream, the first of the four to go live, is designed to better align immigration with provincial labour market demands.
Governor general names 61 new members to Order of Canada
Governor General Louise Arbour announced 61 new appointments to the Order of Canada on Friday, including four Companions, 19 Officers, and 38 Members. The appointments recognize Canadians for outstanding contributions to their communities and to the country.
Sports
Leafs take McKenna first overall at NHL draft in Buffalo
The Toronto Maple Leafs selected Canadian forward Gavin McKenna with the first overall pick at the NHL Entry Draft on Friday in Buffalo. McKenna is the first Canadian player taken first overall in several years.
Canadiens acquire Berard from Rangers in exchange for Trudeau
The Montreal Canadiens acquired forward Brett Berard from the New York Rangers on Friday in exchange for defenceman William Trudeau. The trade gives Montreal an additional forward option heading into the off-season.
Weather
Tonight will be partly cloudy with a low of 17°C and a 40 per cent chance of showers.
Saturday will bring a mix of sun and cloud with a high of 25°C and a 30 per cent chance of showers.
