Articles from Radio Canada En continu

The article details the progress of the new roof construction for Montreal's Olympic Stadium. The project, costing $870 million, involves replacing the original kevlar roof with a new steel and elastomer structure that is expected to be completed in 2027. Currently, workers are removing the old concrete technical ring and will install a more efficient and lighter steel ring. The stadium renovation promises enhanced ventilation, lighting, and sound equipment, leading to a better experience for visitors.

The Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital in Quebec is moving forward with its expansion project by beginning preliminary work on a new multi-level parking structure, reducing its cost from $125 million to $40 million. The project aims to build 678 parking spaces and 76 bicycle slots, with work expected to last until spring 2027. The overall hospital expansion, costing over $5 billion, has stirred political discussions and gained support from local politicians, who emphasize the difficulty of postponing the project further.

A new liquefied natural gas (LNG) project is being proposed in Baie-Comeau by the Norwegian company Marinvest Energy Canada, which aims to build a natural gas liquefaction plant and pipeline. While local officials express cautious interest, environmental groups and political figures, such as Greenpeace and Québec solidaire, voice strong opposition due to concerns about fossil fuel infrastructure. The proposal comes amid recent federal moves to ease restrictions on national projects, potentially bypassing environmental regulations. The project is seen as controversial, especially considering past rejections of similar projects in Canada.

In Sept-Îles, Quebec, rising rental costs and low vacancy rates are putting significant pressure on tenants ahead of July 1st. Local housing offices are offering support services to prevent homelessness. The Quebec Tribunal has recommended a 5.9% rent increase, which some find difficult to afford. This situation has sparked concerns about potential evictions and the financial strain on tenants as housing costs outpace income growth.

Montréal has seen rental prices for two-bedroom apartments increase by 71% since 2019, the highest among Canada's major cities. The average rent in Greater Montréal is now $1930, still less expensive than Vancouver and Toronto but rapidly catching up. Vancouver and Toronto experienced significant rent spikes during the pandemic, but recent trends show decreasing rents in these cities, while less urbanized areas such as Drummondville and Sherbrooke see dramatic rises in rental costs.

The article discusses the challenges faced by the original six teams in the Women's Professional Hockey Federation (LPHF) following the expansion draft which introduced teams in Seattle and Vancouver. While this expansion offers more opportunities for women in hockey, it weakens the existing teams by requiring them to give up key players. Danièle Sauvageau, the general manager of the Montreal Victoire, expresses optimism about drafting new talents and sees this as a chance to strengthen the league. The overall aim of the expansion is to ensure competitiveness and growth while maintaining balance within the league.

The Parti Québécois warns that Bill 69, a proposed energy law, could cost Quebec consumers a billion dollars by allowing Hydro-Québec to pass on more costs to customers. The bill would enable tariff increases, and costs from agreements with Indigenous communities and municipal redistributors, to be transferred to consumers. Minister Christine Fréchette argues that the bill is necessary to cap residential tariff increases at 3% and enable wind power initiatives, expected to bring significant savings and create jobs. This bill, yet to be fully studied, aims to increase Hydro-Québec's electricity production by 30% by 2035.

The Quebec government has appointed two women, Renée Amilcar and Ann MacDonald, to lead the newly established Mobilité Infra Québec agency, which will focus on managing complex public transport projects. This marks a shift in the traditionally male-dominated transport sector. Amilcar, who previously managed Ottawa's public transit system, and MacDonald, who has a background with Bombardier Transport Canada and VIA Rail, will oversee the East Montreal tramway project as their first task. This initiative aims to regain control of major transport developments and decrease dependency on private organizations.

Canadian minister Dominic LeBlanc discussed concerns with U.S. commerce secretary Howard Lutnick regarding the U.S. decision to increase tariffs on steel and aluminum from 25% to 50%. The Canadian government, alongside ex-Quebec Premier Jean Charest, criticized the tariffs as unlawful and harmful to Canada's economy, impacting the export of Canadian steel and aluminum. This move by the Trump administration is seen as part of a broader strategy of applying global tariffs to extract concessions in trade agreements.

The city of Montreal will convert eight major streets into pedestrian-only zones this summer, spanning a total of 7.3 kilometers across six boroughs. This initiative aims to enhance accessibility to over 1300 businesses and foster more community-friendly spaces. The project involves a $12 million investment over three years, supported by the Quebec government. However, it also poses challenges for motorists who will face disruptions due to concurrent major roadworks.

The article discusses the debate in Quebec over whether to abolish the carbon pricing on gasoline, with 56% of Quebecers in favor of removal for a potential 10-cent per liter price reduction. Despite reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990-2022, the government faces challenges in communicating the benefits of its carbon pricing. The decision contrasts with federal actions, and social acceptance of the policy is low, impacting Quebec's inflation. Quebec Premier François Legault must decide whether to maintain or abandon the system under political pressure.

On a construction site in Blainville, Canada, two retaining walls collapsed, resulting in one death and three injuries. Signs of weakness in the walls were previously observed by a safety representative but were not addressed before the incident. Investigations by local police and the workplace safety commission are underway to determine if there was criminal negligence. The company involved, Syscomax, is cooperating with authorities and has provided psychological support to its employees.