By Murray Sherriffs
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Premier Legault’s departure from Quebec’s political scene ends with praise and controversy, after he led his party to two majority governments. Interim Quebec Liberal Party Leader Marc Tanguay has praised his “sincere commitment” to Quebec, especially during the pandemic. Quebec Liberal Party leadership candidate Charles Millard has praised his commitment to public service. Parti Quebecois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon says Legault demons trated genuine dedication to Quebec over his 25 years of public service and his personal sacrifices deserve recognition. Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada has praised the premier’s commitment to Quebecers. Quebec City Mayor Bruno Marchand says Legault’s commitment to the provincial capital was “deep and sincere.” Prime Minister Carney says Legault “demonstrated the value of thinking big, taking risks and working hard.” Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet has commended Legault for his years of service and his contributions to economic / linguistic nationalism and Quebec’s distinctiveness. Ontario Premier Doug Ford has thanked Legault for his friendship and leadership. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith; “I want to thank Premier Legault for his years of dedicated public service to Quebec and to Canada, especially his deep commitment to the well-being of Quebecers. Federal minister responsible for Official Languages Marc Miller has thanked the premier for his decades of public service A Pallas public opinion poll done before the Premier decided to leave shows his efforts to reboot his CAQ government before the next election was not working. Legault’s departure comes after months of falling poll results and ministers leaving the party. Some political observers say Legault’s focus on contentious bills that were rooted in identity politics were his undoing, noting the protests and legal challenges that resulted and Legault defending what he did by saying he was reflecting ”…the will of the vast majority of Quebecers” while ignoring voter’s primary concerns; their wallets / schools / healthcare.
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Interesting editorial in the only English newspaper in Montreal by Andy Riga; that Legault brought an end to decades of relative linguistic calm for Quebec anglos, following his rise to power in 2018 and prompted new questions about their place in Quebec society.
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Quebec’s electoral map has been redrawn Montreal island and the Gaspésie region losing one riding each and the Laurentians and Centre-du-Québec regions gaining one seat each.
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Former Montreal mayor and federal cabinet minister Denis Coderre has filed for bankruptcy protection from his creyditors to whom he owes $1.1 million, citing “illness, death, divorce, biopsy and media harassment” as reasons for why he’s in so much trouble ($663,162 to a management consulting firm he controls, $127,537 to the Canada Revenue Agency and $93,593 to Revenu Québec.
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The Quebec Institute of Statistics says that the province’s population continued to grow in 2024-2025, but at half the rate of the year previous.
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A 90-year-old copy of Mein Kampf is up for auction and Patrick Bleziel, owner of auction house Maison des Encans de Montreal sees nothing wrong, despite opposition from Jewish defence groups.
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Weighted vests are becoming popular again. You’re not confined to the gym and they can be worn doing every day things; walking, climbing stairs or even cleaning your home. Physical training experts say they’re very good for you because they offer a simple, manageable way to add resistance to everyday activities, don’t consume valuable time and don’t involve complex equipment or major changes to established routines because they are a low-tech, high-impact opportunity to sneak resistance training into everyday activities. Research has shown that adding weight can help with building muscle and bone, as well as losing weight and keeping it off.
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The Montreal Canadiens have signed forward Alexandre Texier to a two-year, US$5 million contract extension.
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Habs / Buffalo / 7 p.m.
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Snow ( 15 cms.) / -3º today
Cloud / sun / -9º tomorrow
