TL;DR
- Supreme Court wrapped a high‑stakes week of hearings (Mar 23–27) on Quebec’s Bill 21, spotlighting the notwithstanding clause and a split between governments on courts’ oversight. (ca.news.yahoo.com)
- CAQ leadership: Fréchette and Drainville held their second and final debate in Laval (Mar 28); CAQ says 20,576 members can vote Apr 7–12. (halifax.citynews.ca)
- Montreal transit: STM and its 2,400 maintenance workers reached a tentative deal on Mar 24; members will vote on the mediator’s recommendation. (newswire.ca)
- Montreal City services: blue‑collar workers announced a new three‑day strike sequence starting Apr 15, with essential services maintained. (985fm.ca)
- Hydro‑Québec rates: regulator set multi‑year electricity tariffs—about +3.2% on average from Apr 1, 2026; typical households face roughly +8.85% over three years; industry groups object to competitiveness impacts. (regie-energie.qc.ca)
Bill 21 at the Supreme Court: marathon hearing ends, clause dérogatoire under the microscope
- Key facts and current state of the topic
- The Supreme Court of Canada heard appeals on Quebec’s secularism law (Bill 21) from Monday, March 23 to Friday, March 27, 2026. Quebec defended the law’s legitimacy, while other governments argued courts should still be able to issue non‑binding Charter rulings even when the notwithstanding clause is used. (cfjctoday.com)
- Important context and background information
- The hearing drew extraordinary participation: Law360 Canada tallied 140 counsel of record, with 64 slated to argue over four days, and a record 51 interveners—underscoring the case’s constitutional stakes. (law360.ca)
- Recent developments or changes
- With arguments complete, the Court has reserved judgment; the outcome will shape the scope of judicial review under the notwithstanding clause and directly affect Bill 21’s future. (ca.news.yahoo.com)
CAQ leadership: second and final debate held; voting window set for April 7–12
- Key facts and current state of the topic
- Christine Fréchette and Bernard Drainville squared off in their second and final official debate in Laval on Saturday, March 28, 2026. Themes included language, immigration, security and housing. (halifax.citynews.ca)
- Important context and background information
- The party reports 20,576 eligible members for the ranked phone vote scheduled April 7–12, following the March 13 membership cutoff. (lecourriersud.com)
- Recent developments or changes
- The stakes remain high: the winner is expected to become premier ahead of the October 2026 election; endorsements and debate performances are now feeding GOTV efforts before balloting opens. (coalitionavenirquebec.org)
STM labour file: tentative agreement with maintenance workers
- Key facts and current state of the topic
- On March 24, a tentative agreement based on a mediator’s recommendation was reached between the STM and its ~2,400 maintenance workers (CSN). The proposal will be presented to members for a vote. (newswire.ca)
- Important context and background information
- This closes the last major open front after earlier deals with operators and professional/administrative staff, potentially stabilizing service after months of disruptive actions. (leprogres.net)
- Recent developments or changes
- La Presse Canadienne reports the conciliation breakthrough ends a lengthy impasse; details will become public after ratification procedures. (lechodelaval.ca)
Montreal blue‑collar workers: new three‑day strike announced for mid‑April
- Key facts and current state of the topic
- Montreal’s blue‑collar union (CUPE 301) announced a second strike sequence: three days starting Wednesday, April 15; the City says essential services will be maintained. (985fm.ca)
- Important context and background information
- This follows a 24‑hour walkout on February 4—Montreal’s first blue‑collar citywide strike in over 15 years—amid stalled contract talks. (scfp.qc.ca)
- Recent developments or changes
- Residents should expect localized service adjustments around those dates (snow/cleaning, facilities, collections) as the parties return to the table. (985fm.ca)
Hydro‑Québec rates set for 2026–2029: average +3.2% from April 1, consumer impact flagged
- Key facts and current state of the topic
- The Régie de l’énergie issued Decision D‑2026‑033 setting Hydro‑Québec distribution tariffs for 2026–2028; average bills rise about 3.2% starting April 1, 2026. (regie-energie.qc.ca)
- Important context and background information
- Consumer outlet Protégez‑Vous estimates a typical residential customer faces roughly +8.85% over three years; the Régie also asked Hydro‑Québec to revisit a proposed “high‑consumption” residential tariff later in 2026. (protegez-vous.ca)
- Recent developments or changes
- Industrial and small‑business groups (AQCIE, CFIB) criticized the decision’s competitiveness impacts versus U.S. power prices. (cfib-fcei.ca)