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Montreal businessman among victims of Beirut explosion

Montreal businessman Nazar Najarian, who also led a Lebanese political party, was killed in Tuesday's explosion in Beirut, CTV News has confirmed. 2

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Chez Doris women's shelter has seen 'astounding' number of clients in pandemic, says director

The Chez Doris day shelter has seen about 350 clients during the pandemic as homeless women -- whose homelessness is often not obvious -- have come seeking help. 1
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Teachers association calls for school year to begin after Labour Day over COVID-19 concerns

As the fall semester nears, and Quebec's government prepares to release its back-to-school plan, Quebec's teachers are calling for classes to be postponed to after Labour Day. 2

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Crumbling concrete of infamous Dorval overpass finally set to come down

Residents have waited for years, and the Highway 520 overpass in Dorval will finally come down starting next week as a two-year construction project gets underway. 1
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The key to preventing COVID-19? Planning way ahead, says one Montreal care home

One Montreal CHSLD avoided all COVID-19 infections among patients. It says the key was thinking far ahead, including offering all staff full-time jobs. 1

Quebec reports two new COVID-19 deaths, 123 new cases

Quebec announced two more people have died of COVID-19 in the province as of Tuesday, bringing the province's death toll from the virus to 5,685.
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'I saw people flying': Eyewitnesses describes horror of Beirut explosion

An eyewitness to the huge explosion that shook Beirut on Tuesday afternoon, shattering glass, toppling buildings and burying countless people under rubble, told CTV News that 'it was terrifying.' 8

Quebec's outreach workers are reporting high levels of burnout: study

At least 20 per cent of Quebec's community workers said they were experiencing burnout before the COVID-19 pandemic, a number that researchers say may now increase.
Kahnawake sticking with 50-person limit on gatherings

As Quebec moved this week to allow gatherings of up to 250 people both indoors and outdoors, a Mohawk community south of Montreal isn't following suit. 1

Tropical storm Isaias will hit some Quebec regions in the form of heavy rains

Environment Canada's Hurricane Centre predicted Tuesday morning that Isaias, now a post-tropical storm, would pass through the Eastern Townships in the evening and reach the Quebec City area on Wednesday morning.
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Temporary road closure coming near Champlain Bridge next week

Heads up drivers heading to or from the South Shore next week: the corporation in charge of the Champlain Bridge is warning that Marie-Victorin Blvd. West near the bridge will be closed for one night.

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Teachers more worried about COVID-19 than other Quebecers: INSPQ

Surveys from the end of May show that people who work in elementary schools and daycares are generally more worried about COVID-19 than the rest of the province.
Massive Beirut blast kills more than 70, injures thousands

A massive explosion rocked Beirut on Tuesday, flattening much of the port, damaging buildings across the capital and sending a giant mushroom cloud into the sky. More than 60 people were killed and more than 3,000 injured, with bodies buried in the rubble, officials said. 8

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Montreal-based company behind Tristan fashion line files for creditor protection

Montreal-based retailer Boutique Tristan & Iseut Inc. is seeking creditor protection.
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Employer changes salary conditions for Port of Montreal longshoremen

The Port of Montreal longshoremen's union announced to its members it was served with 72 hours' notice from the employer on Monday, providing for a downward modification of certain wage conditions in the collective agreement.

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Two men injured after crashing into parked truck in Saint-Laurent

A driver and a passenger were seriously injured early Tuesday morning when their car came into contact with a parked truck.
Quebec authorities defend new 250 people limit on gatherings as low-risk

The decision to allow public gatherings of up to 250 people comes with a relatively low risk of COVID-19 transmission compared to other riskier social activities, Quebec's public health director said Monday. 28

Virus testing, contact tracing essential for schools to safely reopen, studies find

Effective contact tracing and virus testing are essential for the safe reopening of schools during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to two new studies. 29
Habs offence comes up short as Penguins even series with 3-1 win

Sidney Crosby, Jason Zucker and Jake Guentzel scored for the Pittsburgh Penguins in a 3-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Monday night to tie the best-of-five qualifying series at one game apiece.

Canadian privacy watchdogs support COVID-19 exposure app

Federal and Ontario privacy commissioners have concluded their review of the country’s new COVID-19 exposure notification app and say they support its use following initial privacy and security concerns. 4
NHL says zero positive COVID-19 results so far in Edmonton, Toronto

The NHL says there have been zero positive coronavirus test results since 24 teams entered quarantined bubbles in Toronto and Edmonton.

First cancer diagnosed in dinosaur fossil hints at communal life

Canadian researchers who included specialists from surgeons to paleontologists have identified what they say is the first known cancer in a dinosaur.
Day shelter helping homeless connect to ancestors via art

A Montreal homeless shelter is helping clients work through their struggles through the traditional art of carving. 1

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A tale of one city, torn in two by aging bridge

An Eastern Townships town has been almost literally torn in two by the closing of a bridge, forcing some residents to take lengthy detours to get the basics. 2
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Liberal MP looks for ideas, solutions during COVID fact-finding trip to Laval

One of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's lieutenants was in Laval last week as part of a tour of Quebec's regions aimed at taking the pulse of the province's situation amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Quebec calls on anyone with slightest doubt to get tested for COVID-19

Quebec Health Minister Christian Dube is encouraging everyone -- recent travellers and otherwise -- to get screened for COVID-19 if they think may have come into contact with the virus. 1
COVID-19 conspiracies creating a 'public health crisis' in Canada, experts say

The anti-mask movement is not unique to Quebec, nor are masks the only source of conflict in the country when it comes to public health directives around the novel coronavirus. But the issue is one of several at the heart of a growing online movement of disinformation around the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada.

New building at Verdun Hospital to add 36 beds as early as winter

The construction of a new building at the Verdun Hospital will add 36 beds as early as this winter, Quebec’s health minister announced on Monday. 1
WHO warns there may never be a COVID-19 'silver bullet'

The World Health Organization says there might never be a 'silver bullet' for COVID-19. 17

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Road accident leads to petroleum spill in Richelieu River

An accident involving a tanker truck caused a spill of petroleum products in the Richelieu River near McMasterville in the Monteregie region on Monday.
Tropical storm Isaias to reach Quebec Wednesday morning: Environment Canada

Tropical storm Isaias will hit Quebec around 9 a.m. on Wednesday in the form of a post-tropical storm, according to Environment Canada’s Hurricane Centre.

Quebec reports two new COVID-19 deaths, 123 new cases

There are now 5,683 people who have died of COVID-19 in Quebec, health authorities announced Monday, as confirmed cases in the province reached 59,722. 1
Aloha! Canadians will soon be able to visit Hawaii without having to quarantine

Starting Sept. 1, Canadians will be permitted to visit Hawaii without having to quarantine, as long as they provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival. 3

Charities worry about loss of trust, donations in wake of WE deal controversy

The head of a group promoting charities says the sector is worried about long-term negative impacts of the ongoing WE controversy on Parliament Hill. 28
Rural Canadians face greater disparities from lack of anesthesia care: doctors

Canadians living in rural or remote communities are at risk of poorer health outcomes due to a shortage of anesthesia services, say researchers calling for a national strategy to address inequitable access to care.

In much of the U.S., progress made in COVID-19 fight has turned into progress lost

In some U.S. states, much of their progress against COVID-19 has been erased after an abysmal July that shattered records for new cases, hospitalizations or deaths.
Quebec seeing spike in drownings compared to rest of Canada: Lifesaving Society

Quebec is seeing a spike in the number of reported drownings this year, having already surpassed its yearly death total in each of the past two years.

Can I catch COVID-19 on a train? New study explains which seats are riskiest

Researchers found that COVID-19 patients who used China's busiest train before their diagnoses infected 3.5 per cent of the passengers sitting directly beside them. 6
Severe thunderstorm hits, leaves thousands without power in Montreal

Thousands of Hydro Quebec customers were without power in Montreal after a powerful thunderstorm hit the region on Sunday. 1

Rollout of 'COVID Alert' app faces criticism over accessibility

The federal government's COVID-19 contact tracing app is facing criticism for its download requirements, which restrict some Canadians from accessing and using the app.
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Public gatherings in Quebec can increase to 250 people as of Monday

The maximum size of a public gathering in Quebec just got a lot larger. As of Aug. 3, as many as 250 people can gather at an indoor or outdoor event, a significant increase from the 50 people previously authorized to do so. 2

5 things to know for Monday, August 3, 2020

Canada is approaching 117,000 total cases of COVID-19, with more than 6,300 cases considered active.
'COVIDsomnia': Why the pandemic is messing with people's sleep

COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on the global economy, public health systems and upended industries from tourism to summer camps. Now, doctors from around the world say they’re seeing an influx in patients with disrupted sleep patterns. 2

Doctor circulates petition warning Quebec government against next step of re-opening plan

Doctors are expressing concern over the next phase of Quebec's re-opening, as groups of up to 250 people will be allowed go gather indoors as of Monday. 1
The old Champlain Bridge is coming down... very slowly

Deconstruction of the old Samuel-de-Champlain Bridge will begin soon, and is expected to take around three-and-a-half years. 2

Businesses slowly re-open, adjust to new normal in COVID-era Montreal

Montreal's businesses are slowly re-opening, but their return is to anything but normal. 1
Quebec teens getting less exercise, more screen time during pandemic: study

Quebec's teenagers have been getting less exercise and more screen time than usual during the COVID-19 pandemic. 1

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Oy, Canada: Quebecers take to Twitter over Buble's English-only anthem

While many Quebecers were thrilled by the Canadiens 3-2 overtime win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night, some were less happy with what happened before the game.
Quebec announces 141 new COVID-19 cases, three more deaths

Quebec public health officials announced Sunday that a total of 59,599 people have tested positive for COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic and 5,681 have died due to the novel coronavirus. 3

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Rainy day brings relief to beleaguered Quebec movie theatres

The grey, rainy weather that hit much of southern Quebec on Sunday led to a highly appreciated influx of people to the province's movie theatres, a development welcomed by owners.

Latest Montreal News

Severe weather moves across eastern Ontario bringing tornado watches and warnings

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Glasses up! Quebec wine, spirits producers having banner year despite pandemic

Thousands paid rent with Quebec lifeline loan this spring, pointing to bigger problems in fall

Canadians who turn to social media for COVID-19 news more prone to misconceptions: study

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LIVE COVERAGE

COMING UP on August 5
11:00 a.m. ET: Nova Scotia COVID-19 briefing
11:15 a.m. ET: Minister McKenna makes funding announcement
12:00 p.m. ET: Man. Premier Pallister makes announcement
12:30 p.m. ET: P.E.I. officials on education plans
1:00 p.m. ET: Ont. Premier Ford holds COVID-19 briefing
1:00 p.m. ET: Que. Premier Legault on COVID-19 cases
1:30 p.m. ET: New Brunswick COVID-19 update
2:00 p.m. ET: Man. COVID-19 briefing
2:00 p.m. ET: City of Toronto gives an update on COVID-19 cases
3:30 p.m. ET: Alta. Premier Kenney speaks
4:30 p.m. ET: Sask. officials give COVID-19 update
5:00 p.m. ET: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at White House
5:30 p.m. ET: Alta. health officials give COVID-19 update
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