- BREAKING NEWS - 2026

MARK CARNEY IS WORRIED…  By Bernard Bujold—  If Mark Carney watched the special program aired by Radio-Canada, "Cinq chefs,une élection", he must be worried… In fact, none of his favorite candidates performed well, and the big winner, in my opinion, is Paul-Saint-Pierre Plamondon…  Current Prime Minister Christine Fréchette was nervous and tried to avoid answering questions by changing the subject. Charles Milliard would have been the most skilled if this had been a debate, as he continually attacked Christine Fréchette—just as one does in a debate. He was aggressive, but he didn’t use the platform to showcase himself and raise his profile, as he should have. Éric Duhaime was the most candid of the five leaders; he didn’t hide his weaknesses but highlighted his strengths. Ruba Ghazal was the most likable of the group, but she showed a touch of wishful thinking when she declared she was convinced she would form the next government with a majority… In the end, it was Paul ...

MARK CARNEY IS WORRIED…  By Bernard Bujold—  If Mark Carney watched the special program aired by Radio-Canada, "Cinq chefs,une élection", he must be worried… In fact, none of his favorite candidates performed well, and the big winner, in my opinion, is Paul-Saint-Pierre Plamondon…  Current Prime Minister Christine Fréchette was nervous and tried to avoid answering questions by changing the subject. Charles Milliard would have been the most skilled if this had been a debate, as he continually attacked Christine Fréchette—just as one does in a debate. He was aggressive, but he didn’t use the platform to showcase himself and raise his profile, as he should have. Éric Duhaime was the most candid of the five leaders; he didn’t hide his weaknesses but highlighted his strengths. Ruba Ghazal was the most likable of the group, but she showed a touch of wishful thinking when she declared she was convinced she would form the next government with a majority… In the end, it was Paul ...

THE POWER OF POLITICS-  By Bernard Bujold -  With the Quebec provincial elections just a few weeks away, a question arises: What draws candidates to politics? It’s a job that pays little and demands a great deal of time, and there’s no such thing as loyalty.  Personally, I was introduced to the world of politics through Brian Mulroney in 1984, but I also experienced the world of business and finance through Quebecor and Pierre Péladeau in 1991. I quickly realized that political power is an illusion and that true power lies in finance.  With Brian, whenever we walked down the street, everyone treated him as if he were their employee… When Pierre Péladeau was around, people viewed him as a kind of god and believed that the chance to speak with him would bring them wealth… (a Chinese belief that touching gold makes one rich).   Pierre Péladeau never wanted to go into politics, and he often told me that true power lies in finance. There are many reasons why ...

VISITING THE NEW CONDO...  By Bernard Bujold -  My friends Donald and Mark really love my new city condo (an urban pied-à-terre in Old Montreal). I have to admit I won them over by showing around my workspace, where I’d placed a photo of each prominently on my coffee tables. Ulysse keeps a watchful eye on the photos...  The challenge: how to have two political opponents in the same room! The answer is simple: politics is nothing more than theater. The real reality lies behind the curtain, and in the end, we’re always surprised to find that what we see on stage is an illusion…  Happy Labor Day—2026 edition.  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JXx4JKMMHtj1s6w26GX3bgU3f15zihue/view?usp=sharing

SUMMIT MEETING—  By Bernard Bujold -  We are one month away from the provincial elections in Quebec, which will be held on October 5. Who is the favorite to become the next premier? There are three possible candidates: Christine Fréchette, Paul Saint-Pierre Plamondon, or Charles Milliard!  According to my friend Mark, Christine could win by default, but Paul Saint-Pierre Plamondon’s team is more popular as a political party than the CAQ. Charles Milliard’s Liberal Party has several strong candidates, but it hasn’t managed to take the lead in the race. The next few days of the campaign will be eventful—or at least they should be—otherwise we’ll be headed for an election with a disastrous voter turnout of less than 50%…  This Labor Day long weekend will be an opportunity for the candidates to take stock and draw up their action plans for the coming month. You could call this weekend the candidates’ summit…  Stay tuned!  www.lestudio1.com

A NEW LIFE—  By Bernard Bujold -  It’s done—I finally sold my city condo! Selling real estate is an art, and according to Donald Trump (an expert in the field), this art relies entirely on “good timing” and nothing else… So you have to know how to seize the moment when it comes! According to Donald, cashing in on a real estate investment can take anywhere from two weeks to two years. It all depends on the timing…  In my case, however, I still have to wait a little while longer before leaving the city for good to move to the countryside—even though the condo has been sold. Professional and personal obligations currently require me to maintain quick and easy in-person access to Montreal’s urban environment… To that end, I’ve decided to temporarily rent another condo in the same neighborhood to better prepare for my move toward new adventures and a new life entirely in the countryside.  Have a great fall 2026 and happy voting in the October 5 election!  To be con...

QUEBEC ELECTIONS 2026-  By Bernard Bujold -  Premier Mark Carney is a true champion, and he proved it by winning all three by-elections held on Monday, August 31, in Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia. Mark and I have different visions for how a political election campaign should be organized. Mark is methodical, whereas I, when I was in politics in Brian Mulroney’s cabinet in 1984, was instinctive. In English, this style is called “shooting from the hip.” Donald Trump uses my strategy…  According to Mark, to win an election, you need a precise plan, and he has clearly proven that his formula works. I have a great deal of admiration and respect for Mark, and I proudly display on my desk the birthday gift he sent me last June. The question is: will the five leaders in the Quebec election campaign act in Mark’s style or mine… Mark doesn’t want to say who he’d like to see as premier, but we know he doesn’t favor the Parti Québécois! His support—even if it’s discreet and ...

THE CAREER OF PABLO RODRIGUEZ—  By Bernard Bujold -  Life is often full of injustices, and Pablo Rodriguez is a victim of one such injustice. Government authorities—the Chief Electoral Officer of Quebec (DGEQ) and the Permanent Anti-Corruption Unit (UPAC)—have just rendered their verdict on the charges against Pablo Rodriguez, and he has done nothing wrong. We can conclude that his political enemies destroyed his career out of sheer malice or greed. It’s sad for Pablo, for whom I would have voted on October 5. In conclusion, Pablo is a good man without malice, and he was unable to stand up to his enemies. Sometimes in life, you have to be a ruthless warrior to survive...  SEE THE REPORT IN LA PRESSE  https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/politique/2026-08-25/crise-au-parti-liberal-du-quebec/pas-de-preuve-de-brownies.php

THE WINE RESERVES ARE DRY...  By Bernard Bujold-  I love sharing a glass of wine with friends. I prefer red wine, although in the summer I occasionally switch it up with a white. I was devastated when the SAQ pulled American wines from its shelves on February 4, 2025, because they were my favorites. Luckily, I had a few cases in reserve… My favorites are Coppola and Mondavi. But now my reserves are almost gone, and with the breakdown of negotiations between Mark and Donald, I’m going to run out completely… Yet Mark and Donald had promised me they’d come to an agreement! Now the two are blaming each other for the failure of the negotiations…  I’m going to have to reach out to Giorgia Meloni and invite her to the cottage so she can bring me a case or two of her excellent LIANO Cabernet Sauvignon…  www.lestudio1.com

ACADIAN NATIONAL DAY - 2026 -EDITION - By Bernard Bujold -  Happy National Day to the Acadians, of whom I am one. The history of the Acadians resembles that of the Americans! Both peoples had to face England... In both cases, England wanted to occupy the territory. The big difference is the reaction! The Americans raised an army, took up arms against British soldiers, and waged war. The Acadians, being more peaceful, did not form an army or take up arms; instead, they chose to flee or be deported. War is always tragic, but it’s less terrible than deportation. During the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), it is estimated that approximately 25,000 Americans died fighting on the side of the American Revolutionary forces. During the deportation of the Acadians, which began in 1755 and continued until 1763, it is estimated that 5,000 people died. These tragic deaths occurred primarily due to the catastrophic conditions of the deportation. At the time of the deportation in 1755, the...