- BREAKING NEWS - 2026

HISTORY ACCORDING TO STEPHEN HARPER -   By Bernard Bujold -   I just received the memoirs of former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper: “HERE FOR CANADA.” I liked Harper as prime minister, and I met him a few times as a journalist, but his wife was much less shy and easier to talk to at public events… I always admired Laureen Harper as a woman during the couple’s time in politics. She loved motorcycles, cats, and Stephen! Laureen was a graphic designer by trade. The Stephen I knew was always very serious…   Former Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper is a gifted writer and has published several books covering sports history, international politics, and the country’s institutional history, in addition to his memoirs.   -A Great Game: The Forgotten Leafs and the Rise of Professional Hockey (2013)   -Right Here, Right Now: Politics and Leadership in the Age of Disruption (2018)   -The Flags of Canada / Les drapeaux du C...

DONALD TRUMP’S NEW PLANS—   By Bernard Bujold —   The Republican Party’s defeat in the midterm elections has set off a series of developments that will set the tone for the final two years of Donald Trump’s presidency. Indeed, deeply annoyed by this electoral setback and seeking to stay one step ahead of his critics, the question is: How will Donald Trump react? Far from waving the white flag and considering stepping down, Donald has decided to go on the offensive and appoint his most loyal allies to key decision-making positions in his administration. The president made a bold move on Friday by replacing his chief of staff, Susie Wiles, with the highly aggressive and controversial Stephen Miller. The new chief of staff is anything but conciliatory in the face of adversity and enemies…   Conclusion: no resignation in sight for Donald, and J.D. Vance will have to wait to replace his president… To be continued!    SEE REPORTS   The Wal...

MARK CARNEY IS IN TOWN— By Bernard Bujold - Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has taken Old Montreal by storm—if not physically, then at least virtually—through the numerous campaign posters featuring his giant photo that line nearly every street in Old Montreal. Prime Minister Mark Carney has called six federal by-elections in Canada, scheduled for December 7, 2026, and the Laurier–Sainte-Marie riding (Old Montreal), where I live, will hold a by-election featuring, among others, candidate Guy Cormier for Mark’s Liberals. The six ridings up for election for seats in the Canadian Parliament are: -Laurier–Sainte-Marie (Quebec – Montreal) – Seat vacated by Steven Guilbeault (LPC) -Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie (Quebec – Montreal) – Seat vacated by Alexandre Boulerice (NDP) -Saint-Hyacinthe–Bagot–Acton (Quebec) – Seat vacated by Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay (Bloc Québécois) -Brantford–South Brant (Ontario) – Seat vacated by Larry Brock (Conservative Party of Canada). -Scarborough North (Ont...

THE PAIN OF DEFEAT By Bernard Bujold - If the joy of victory is the ultimate pleasure, the sadness of defeat is probably the ultimate pain…  My friend Donald Trump lost his bet in the U.S. midterm elections. Several other American politicians have experienced the same defeat, including Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden. Trump remains the U.S. president until January 20, 2029, but he is now a minority leader—a situation we experience in Quebec and elsewhere in the world, whether in France, Israel, or elsewhere.  Having been involved in politics with Brian Mulroney, I’ll say it again: in the end, politics is an illusory exercise bordering on vanity, rather than real power. True power lies in business and the economic freedom that goes with it, as I also experienced with Pierre Péladeau Sr. Pierre often told me, “Political power is always an illusion!”  But in any case, life goes on, and above all, let’s never forget that everything is temporary and eventually passes—wheth...

THE U.S. MIDTERM ELECTIONS – 2026  By Bernard Bujold-  Election night is like a playoff game, and it’s always a lot of fun to follow the action on various TV networks. So I set up my big-screen TV to watch the U.S. midterm election results from the comfort of my living room in front of the fireplace. The big question: Will my friend Donald Trump’s Republican Party come out on top? Two key factors could work in its favor:  1. American polls have always been thrown off by Donald because Republican voters turn out to vote but don’t participate in polls. We’ll remember how, in 2016, the New York Times declared Hillary Clinton the clear winner at dinnertime, but by midnight they had to announce Trump’s predictable victory. Even Hillary, who had set up a large ballroom to celebrate her victory, was told—after taking a nap during the evening—that Donald was leading the race;  2. Will the promise of $5,000 to all Americans influence the vote?  Stay tuned, and have a gre...

THE US MIDTERM 2026 -   By Bernard Bujold -  On Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026, the US Midterm elections take place. The story of United States midterm elections is a political drama written into the U.S. Constitution. Held precisely halfway through a president’s four-year term, midterms function as a national check-and-balance mechanism—and a high-stakes referendum on executive power. In the 2026 midterm elections, the seats up for election are the U.S. House of Representatives (Congress), where all 435 seats are up for election (as members serve strict 2-year terms). In the U.S. Senate: 35 seats of the total 100 are up for election (33 regular class elections plus 2 special elections). Because senators serve staggered 6-year terms, the remaining 65 seats are not contested in this cycle. Whoever wins the midterms controls the congressional committee chairs, the legislative calendar, and holds the power to block—or greenlight—a president’s agenda. Heading into the 2026 mi...

TIME CHANGE...  The three brave and loyal companions were up at 2 a.m. on the night of Saturday, November 1, to set the clock back...  In the end, it’s like adding an hour to your life!  Have a great fall in 2026.  www.lestudio1.com

HALLOWEEN 2026 ​- By Bernard Bujold-  Halloween, as we celebrate it today, is the result of a long cultural and historical evolution spanning more than 2,000 years, blending Celtic, Christian, and North American traditions. This holiday marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of the dark season (winter), which in Celtic mythology was associated with cold, night, and death. In the United States and Canada, the holiday quickly evolved into a community event centered on festivities, costumes, and games. The phrase “Trick or Treat” was popularized in the mid-20th century (particularly after World War II). This tradition helped channel young people’s energy and prevent pranks by offering them candy. Today, Halloween is celebrated in many countries around the world as a popular and festive occasion centered on entertainment, costumes, fantasy films, and sharing treats, while still retaining echoes of its distant autumnal origins.  www.lestudio1.com

 PATRICK STEWART (1940–2026)  My all-time favorite actor, Patrick Stewart, the legendary star of “Star Trek” and “X-Men,” passed away at the age of 86 on Wednesday, October 28. The English actor played the famous Captain Picard in the “Star Trek” series and later Professor X in Marvel’s “X-Men” films.  Time passes, and life’s moments become mere memories...

MARK’S LITTLE MOMENT OF HAPPINESS...  By Bernard Bujold -  Montreal’s elite gathered at the Belvédère in the Old Port of Montreal for a dinner hosted on Thursday evening (October 29, 2026) by Mark Carney as part of the Canada-Europe Summit (EU-Canada Summit). Among the guests were several current and former Quebec politicians, including Charles Milliard, Christine Fréchette, Jean Charest, Lucien Bouchard, and even the mayor of Montreal. Business leaders such as Alain Bouchard and Pierre Karl Péladeau were also in attendance. Only Paul Saint-Pierre Plamondon was absent from the gathering, which brought together more than 150 guests. A humorous note to start the meal: no shrimp cocktail, but smoked trout…  Faced with Paul’s absence, my friend Mark probably had Félix Leclerc’s song “Le P’tit Bonheur” on his mind: “…  No matter how much I begged him, coaxed him, or made a scene  Showed him the huge hole he left in the depths of my heart  He always walked away w...

COFFEE WITH MARK...  By Bernard Bujold -  The Canada-European Union Summit is officially taking place in Montreal this Thursday, October 29, and Friday, October 30, but even though the event is dominating media coverage—due to the refusal to grant Paul Saint-Pierre Plamondon the right to speak—the location of the discussions as well as the venue for the dinner are being kept completely secret and have not been disclosed to the media. My friend Mark may be visiting Montreal, but there’s no way his local friends will be able to go say hello to him at the Summit and grab a coffee... Only a few official photographers and cameramen (press pools accredited on a very limited basis) are expected to be allowed a brief, few-seconds-long visit for a group photo or the opening remarks before being escorted back outside. The meal itself and the political discussions taking place there are held behind completely closed doors, far from cameras and notepads. Invitation cards and travel instru...