McGill University Suspends Activities
On March 11, 2026, McGill University announced the suspension of all in-person activities due to inclement weather conditions affecting the Montreal area. This decision was made to ensure the safety of students and staff amid severe weather warnings.
As a result of the suspension, all exams scheduled for that day with the Student Accessibility and Achievement office have been cancelled. The university is currently assessing the impact of these cancellations on students and will provide further updates as necessary.
This suspension comes at a time when the university community is reflecting on the achievements of its athletic programs. Notably, the McGill women’s hockey team, known as the Martlets, made history by winning their first national championship on March 10, 2008, defeating the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks with a final score of 2-0.
The Martlets had an impressive season record of 37-4-1 in the 2007-2008 season, showcasing their strength in the Quebec league with an 18-0 finish. Their victory at the national championship was a significant milestone, marking the first time any McGill women’s team captured a CIS championship.
Charline Labonté, the goaltender for the Martlets, earned shutouts in all three games at Nationals, facing a total of 55 shots. Cathy Chartrand scored the winning goal in the final match and was named the tournament’s MVP.
Head coach Peter Smith expressed pride in the team’s accomplishment, stating, “It was a huge win for our program.” He added, “We have been knocking at the door for a number of years and it’s really nice to finally reach the top.” Charline Labonté also reflected on the pressure the team faced, saying, “There was a lot of pressure on us, but we were also up for the challenge.”
The Martlets’ victory is a testament to their resilience, especially after previously finishing as runners-up in the national championship in 2007. Their journey to success has been marked by dedication and teamwork, as noted by Chartrand: “We did it as a family. We had one goal, and we followed it step by step.”
In light of the current weather conditions, the university encourages students and staff to stay safe and monitor official communications for updates regarding the rescheduling of exams and activities.
