Auditor General Urges New Quebec Government to Trim Spending
The Quebec auditor general warned that the incoming provincial government must cut spending to balance the budget, citing a deficit caused by weaker economic growth forecasts.
Tag
4565 storiesnewest firstlatest August 18, 2026page 108 of 229
The Quebec auditor general warned that the incoming provincial government must cut spending to balance the budget, citing a deficit caused by weaker economic growth forecasts.
Unions protested at Montreal's Old Port on Tuesday, claiming recent changes amount to privatization that limits public river access. Government officials were on site as the dispute over waterfront use continues.
The City of Montreal has delayed approval of a new school in Parc‑Extension, awaiting confirmation that projected growth in the school‑age population will occur. The postponement follows recent analyses by the CSSDM but pending validation keeps the project on hold.
Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador and the Canadian federal government announced a new Churchill Falls agreement on August 18, 2026, calling it a win‑win‑win and highlighting expected benefits for Quebec and potential impact on the province's upcoming election.
Oliver Jones, the 91‑year‑old Montreal jazz pianist who began playing at Union United Church at age five, will be honored with a public funeral at the same church on 17 August 2026.
The RCMP recovered an ancient Peruvian ceramic bowl in Montreal on August 17, 2026, after the Peruvian Embassy asked Canada to return it via Global Affairs Canada. The artifact will be sent back to Peru as part of ongoing repatriation cooperation.
Around ten Montreal homeowners report that Hilo thermostats sold by Hydro-Québec have caught fire and that the company has not responded to their complaints, raising safety concerns.
Unions are protesting the alleged privatization of Montreal’s Old Port, saying it restricts public river access amid growing private development.
Montreal’s Martinez Ferrada administration is exploring a revised plan to restart the eastern REM extension, aiming to link it with the metro’s green line after the project was cancelled in May 2022 due to public opposition.
Quebec’s Opération sac à dos program distributed school supply kits to 12,000 low‑income students in Montreal during the week of August 12‑18, 2026, with coordination by Regroupement Partage and coverage by CBC’s Sean Henry.
Montreal’s Martinez Ferrada administration has postponed approval for a new school in Parc‑Extension, pending confirmation of projected student‑population growth despite recent analyses from the CSSDM.
The STM announced a series of events to commemorate the Metro’s 60th anniversary in October 2026, marking six decades since its opening in 1966. The celebration will highlight the system’s historical importance and ongoing role in Montreal’s transit network.
A Montreal blue‑collar workers' union may strike during the UCI Road World Championships slated for September 2026, potentially affecting event logistics.
Political experts say the fall 2026 Quebec election is unlikely to affect the newly announced Churchill Falls hydroelectric agreement, as Ottawa's influence is expected to keep the deal intact despite potential changes in provincial leadership.
Montreal will hold a public funeral for jazz pianist Oliver Jones on August 17 at Union United Church, honoring his life and career after his death on July 22 at age 91.
Quebec strawberry and raspberry growers say a rise in Mexican and U.S. imports this summer is limiting shelf space for local fruit, leading to shortages in grocery stores.
The RCMP recovered an ancient Peruvian ceremonial bowl in Montreal and will repatriate it after the Peruvian Embassy requested its return through Global Affairs Canada.
The Quebec auditor general warned that the province must cut at least $2 billion from its budget starting in 2027 to stay on track for a balanced budget. The report highlights limited fiscal space for new spending promises by Quebec political parties.
Via Rail Canada will build a multimodal railway station in Dorval to link Montreal‑Trudeau Airport with rail, bus and other transit services, aiming to simplify public‑transport access for travelers.
Montreal’s blue‑collar workers, without a collective agreement since 2025, have warned of a September 2026 strike if the city does not grant higher wages before the UCI Road World Championships.