ELECTION NIGHT IN UNITED STATES

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 great evening! 
www.lestudio1.com

THE US MIDTERM 2026

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 midterm elections, the exact breakdown of seats for the Republicans in the U.S. Senate is 53 seats (out of 100), and in the U.S. House of Representatives, Republicans hold 218 seats (out of 435, maintaining a narrow majority where 218 is the absolute threshold needed for control. 
Historically, midterms are brutal for the party sitting in the White House. In modern history (post-World War II), the president’s party has lost ground in the House of Representatives in nearly 90% of midterm elections, averaging a loss of roughly 26 House seats and 4 Senate seats. Only a tiny handful of modern presidents have bucked this trend and gained seats during their first midterms: Franklin D. Roosevelt (1934) during the height of the New Deal, Bill Clinton (1998) amid a booming economy and public backlash to his impeachment, and George W. Bush (2002) fueled by the post-9/11 "rally 'round the flag" effect. 
We will have to see what happens if Donald Trump succeeds in winning the 2026 Midterm. 
To be continued. 
See story in WSJ 
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/free-expression/the-what-if-midterms-6a212316?st=Fe2M2e&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink 
See The White House 
https://www.whitehouse.gov/

TIME CHANGE

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

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)

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 CARNEY'S LITTLE MOMENT OF HAPPINESS

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 with his head held high—without joy, without hatred 
As if he could no longer see the sun in my home....” 
Of course, I wasn’t invited to the dinner, but I was able to take a selfie outside, in front of the Belvédère mural… 
To my great sadness, Mark didn’t come to say hello to me—he was too busy with his guests... 

https://www.consilium.europa.eu/fr/meetings/international-summit/2026/10/29-30/

COFFEE WITH MARK CARNEY

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 instructions are, in fact, sent to participants via secure and discreet channels at the last minute, precisely to avoid crowds, political disruptions, or security risks to heads of state. It is also this same level of secrecy and protocol-related tensions that characterized the discussions surrounding the organization and selection of guests for the official dinner. 
So Paul and I will have to settle for watching the reports on TV that the organizers will release after the event—or Mark Carney’s press briefing—to find out if the meal was any good… 
Stay tuned! 
https://www.consilium.europa.eu/fr/meetings/international-summit/2026/10/29-30/

FALL SHOPPING

​FALL SHOPPING - 

By Bernard Bujold - 

I took advantage of my stay in town to do some fall shopping at the public markets. I love seasonal vegetables, and I really like the ATWATER Market near the canal. I stocked up on vegetables, but also picked up a few cuts of meat for my three faithful companions, who aren’t too fond of vegetables... Also, while I was there, I picked up a few pumpkins to decorate for Halloween this Saturday, October 31. 

Have a great fall 2026! 

https://www.marchespublics-mtl.com/fr/marches/marche-atwater?gad_campaignid=20363482494&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADNR06I4gy31CC021taqjoi5tRe7C&gclid=CjwKCAjwuobXBhBXEiwAYUaIlZLITrVlJXwBbF9J-WjSwldATr8crDs0Xsv2-NPJ-SiwKW0eD9z07RoCOjkQAvD_BwE

MARK & PAUL

MARK & PAUL... 
By Bernard Bujold -
Columnist and former politician Jean-François Lisée has written an interesting political analysis of Paul Saint-Pierre Plamondon’s new government. He urges the new PQ members of the National Assembly, as well as their leader, to show humility if they want to succeed! I fully agree with his analysis, and I cited the example of Mark Carney to him. Mark Carney is always humble and never pretentious. His competence and his “impassive” banker’s demeanor shield him from any arrogance he might otherwise display. Few politicians can resist the temptation of arrogance. Justin Trudeau was deeply pretentious, just like most other heads of state around the world… 
Humility is the essential quality for success in politics, as indeed in all fields… 
READ JEAN-FRANÇOIS LISÉE’S ARTICLE 
https://jflisee.org/mes-avertissements-aux-nouveaux-elus/? fbclid=IwY2xjawVNmZtleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mBWJyaWQRMUpGSVBwQzJJSThqdXNIVDZzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeIUeRCe98pFfc2Xq 5 6iSUtZC0TtjzbIyA_t83dy2WRNy0_HTcfPZ8WMXPEXk_aem_rUz-_XsCXtyMe4cdBSh1hw

PAUL SAINT-PIERRE PLAMONDON'S CABINET

 

PAUL SAINT-PIERRE PLAMONDON’S CABINET - 

By Bernard Bujold - 

Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon and his 22 ministers were sworn in on Wednesday afternoon, October 21, 2026, at the National Assembly in Quebec City. The cabinet has been downsized, which means greater and more numerous responsibilities for each minister. It remains to be seen whether the ministers will be able to carry out their initiatives and, in a sense, this will serve as a test to determine whether it is possible to lead a government with a smaller cabinet and less bureaucracy. The risk of fatigue amongst the political staff will be very high, which generally leads to the failure of government initiatives. 

To be continued 

SEE THE LIST OF MINISTERS

https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2026/10/21/voici-la-liste-des-ministres-du-gouvernement-st-pierre-plamondon