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

THE BRINKS IS IN TOWN

BRINKS IS IN TOWN -
By Bernard Bujold— 
Ever since the city condo was sold at the end of August, I’ve been getting constant calls from financial brokers who want to invest the proceeds from the sale... 
I really wonder how the brokers found out about the condo sale, since I’m usually so discreet! I hate indiscretions and never accept indiscreet people as friends… 
There’s probably an app online for tracking real estate sales. In any case, I no longer answer solicitation calls from financial brokers, and the proceeds from the sale were moved out of town immediately after the transaction… 
The treasure is safe, far away from predators, and my three faithful companions are keeping the curious, especially the brokers, at bay… 
Have a great fall 2026! 
WATCH THE VIDEO AT THE FOLLOWING LINK: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PBaokq9UXE1Cy9R7c8rTQ8cCrf2lsD-u/view?usp=sharing

MARK CARNEY IS A HAPPY MAN

MARK CARNEY IS A HAPPY MAN... 
By Bernard Bujold - 
My friend Mark Carney has once again won his bet, and the residents of Alberta voted against holding a referendum to secede from Canada. The result is unequivocal: 75,8% against the referendum and 24,2% in favor… When the wind is at your back, life is good, and Mark is currently riding a tailwind that’s propelling him full speed toward success in his projects. In the space of a few months, he has become the most popular leader not only in Canada but on the entire planet! 
Mark Carney officially became Prime Minister of Canada on March 14, 2025. 
To be continued. 
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ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND LOVE

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND LOVE -

By Bernard Bujold - 

I took advantage of the weekend (while Paris was burning…) to read Guillermo Da Empoli’s latest book: LES FONDATEURS. I had first discovered this author through his book on Putin: THE MAGICIAN OF THE KREMLIN. I identified myself with the mage, a public relations expert. In 2022, 

Da Empoli wrote THE HOUR OF THE PREDATORS, a novel about the growing alliance between modern-day politicians and artificial intelligence leaders, as well as the dominance of certain world political leaders through AI. In the new book LES FONDATEURS, the leaders of artificial intelligence have surpassed politicians, and it is now they who dominate both the politicians and their respective countries. Wars are merely tools used by AI leaders to better dominate the world’s politicians. Following the novel’s line of reasoning, one might conclude that the events of the weekend in France were orchestrated by the leaders of artificial intelligence to better dominate politicians... 

But the author, Da Empoli, adds an element of surprise to his new novel: the importance of human emotions in AI—love, in particular—which will prevent artificial intelligence from completely dominating the planet and destroying it. 

The novel’s conclusion is entirely logical, yet it remains unpredictable until the very last page of the book…. A must-read for AI enthusiasts as well as anyone passionate about love! 

See the publisher’s summary (French) 

https://www.gallimard.fr/catalogue/le-fondateur/9782073170651