Montreal
Legal groups challenge Montreal bylaw banning insults against police
Two legal organizations, the Association des juristes progressistes and the Clinique juridique de Saint-Michel, filed a lawsuit Thursday arguing that a Montreal bylaw prohibiting insults directed at police officers and municipal employees violates freedom of expression. Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada defended the bylaw, saying it is necessary to protect city workers.
Canada Malting plant faces collapse risk, report says
An engineering firm’s report has found that the historic Canada Malting plant in the Sud-Ouest borough is at risk of structural collapse. The report recommends controlled demolition as the only safe course of action for the long-vacant industrial site.
Hydro-Québec faces off against Google at data centre hearing
Hydro-Québec appeared Thursday at a regulatory hearing on data centres, where it faced industry players including Google. The hearing centres on how Quebec’s electricity grid should accommodate the surging power demands of the data centre sector.
La Cordée closes after more than 70 years
Outdoor retailer La Cordée has ceased operations, ending a run of more than 70 years as one of Montreal’s best-known outdoor and adventure gear stores. No details on a potential buyer or restructuring were immediately available.
Record number of tents at Notre-Dame encampment
A record number of tents have been observed at the Notre-Dame encampment in Montreal, underscoring the city’s ongoing struggle with homelessness. The encampment has grown steadily in recent weeks.
Canada
Alberta sets October 19 vote on separation referendum
Alberta is preparing for a public vote on October 19 on whether to hold a formal referendum on leaving Canada. Premier Danielle Smith said she intends to vote to remain in Canada but acknowledged that 22 per cent support for separation is ‘still too high.’
Carney draws Nobel and Time Person of the Year speculation
Prime Minister Mark Carney is being discussed as a potential Nobel Peace Prize recipient and Time magazine’s Person of the Year, following his firm public stance against U.S. President Donald Trump during an escalating trade dispute. Carney has not commented publicly on the speculation.
Federal inmate dies at Grand Valley Institution
Jennifer Simao, an inmate at Grand Valley Institution for Women in Ontario, died in custody of apparent natural causes. An investigation into the circumstances of her death is underway.
World
Flydubai flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after cockpit altercation
A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia after an altercation between pilots reportedly triggered a hijacking alert code. Authorities are investigating the incident.
European rights court hears case on Russia’s treatment of Ukrainian children
The European Court of Human Rights is hearing a case alleging that Russia has systematically integrated children from occupied Ukrainian territory into Russian society. Lawyers for the applicants told the court that more than 14,000 children from Luhansk Oblast have participated in a Russian state-run program designed to assimilate them.
Sports
Greyhounds name 2026-27 leadership group
The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds announced their leadership group for the 2026-27 OHL season. No further details on the selections were immediately available.
Weather
Tonight will be showery with around 5 mm of rain expected and a low of 17°C. Winds will be moderate out of the southwest, gusting to strong at times.
Tomorrow will be mainly cloudy with a high of 22°C and a humidex of 26. Southwest winds will again gust to strong, and there is a 30 per cent chance of showers. The UV index is expected to be moderate.
