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Lifestyle

Filter by city: Montreal | Laval | Québec City

A Montreal TikToker has sparked a small metro controversy after posting a short video questioning the purpose of the STM's Blue Line.

In the nine-second TikTok clip, local creator Danick Coutu (@apollorising.dc) addresses Montrealers who ride the Blue Line, sarcastically asking: "I have a question for Montrealers who take the Blue Line — where are you going?"

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From blockbuster action flicks to Oscar-winning dramas, Montreal has quietly become one of Hollywood's favourite stand-ins.

Sure, these movies aren't usually set in the city itself, but its unique blend of European architecture and North American grit makes it a perfect double for New York, Paris, or just about anywhere else. Over the years, A-list stars have headed here as film crews turned McGill into a Manhattan campus, Old Montreal into France, and even the city's outskirts into alien landing zones.

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Facebook Marketplace has become a go-to spot for furnishing apartments, unloading clutter, or hunting down a bargain. But scroll long enough and you'll quickly realize it's also the Wild West of online shopping.

Alongside the usual IKEA dressers and secondhand couches, you'll stumble across things that make you do a double-take. Deep in the depths of the social network's shopping section are items that feel like they belong in a thrift store basement, a fever dream, or maybe both.

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It's officially spooky season, which means Montreal is about to lean into its darker side. But beyond the Halloween costumes, haunted houses, and pumpkin spice everything, the city itself has a reputation for being a little haunted.

That's not too surprising when you think about it.

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Walk into a Dollarama in Montreal these days, and it's hard to believe how far a so-called "dollar store" has stretched. What used to feel like a quick stop for batteries, dish soap, or off-brand chocolate bars has slowly turned into a place where you can find just about everything. Need a mop? Check. Snacks for the road? Done. A full set of dishes and glasses? Somehow, yes.

And when a holiday rolls around, the store leans all the way in. Right now, the aisles are packed with Halloween gear: costumes, decorations, candy buckets, and a few things that make you stop and wonder who decided this was spooky enough to sell.

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Bordeaux Prison is not a place most Montrealers know well, unless they've served time there or have a direct connection to one of its nearly 1,500 inmates.

Officially called the Montreal Detention Centre, the Ahuntsic-area facility is the largest provincial prison in Quebec, housing men serving sentences of less than two years as well as those awaiting trial.

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If you're one of the many people who paid extra for a fridge with a built-in water filter, you probably assume it's quietly handling the stuff you don't want in your glass. I've always treated mine that way, swapping it out every six months like clockwork, confident it was giving me something cleaner than what comes straight from Montreal's taps.

Until now, at least.

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If you're looking for a venue that will truly impress your guests, it's hard to beat Old Montreal. With its cobblestone streets, historic charm and timeless architecture, it's the kind of place that makes any gathering feel special — whether it's a black-tie wedding, an intimate holiday dinner or a company conference.

Corner Collection, a group of luxury hotels, restaurants, reception spaces and a spa, offers some of the most versatile and elegant event venues in the neighbourhood. Each space is unique, yet they're all just a short walk from each other, making it easy to plan an unforgettable celebration.

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Quebec isn't just home to stunning landscapes, world-class ski resorts, and historic cities. It's also been the backdrop for some pretty spectacular celebrity real estate deals. Over the years, a surprising number of famous faces have been drawn to the province's mix of natural beauty, privacy, and European charm, picking up multi-million-dollar properties to call their own.

Some of these homes are exactly what you'd expect from A-list buyers: sprawling estates with private lakes, luxurious ski-in chalets, and waterfront mansions tucked away from prying eyes. Others are a little more unexpected, offering a glimpse into how celebrities really live when the cameras are off. And while not every property is still in the hands of its star owner, the stories behind these purchases are just as intriguing as the homes themselves.

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If you shop at Costco Canada, chances are you've seen some wild behaviour in the aisles. And if you work there? You've probably seen it all.

Costco is a wonderland of cheap bulk buys and free samples, but not everyone shopping there makes the experience pleasant. From the cart-cloggers who treat the aisles like parking lots to the sample snatchers who think it's an all-you-can-eat buffet, some shopper habits drive employees up the (warehouse) walls.

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Canadian TV doesn't usually get the same spotlight as its American counterpart, but over the years, plenty of homegrown shows have left a real mark — from the charm of Corner Gas to the global success of Schitt's Creek. And while some series wrapped up neatly on their own terms, others disappeared from our screens way too early.

With that in mind, we recently asked MTL Blog readers on Facebook to name a Canadian series they wish had never been cancelled. As hundreds of nostalgic comments came pouring in, it became clear that plenty of viewers are still missing some favourites.

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Let's face it, summer in Quebec is too short.

That's probably why we all get so excited when it finally rolls around. As a result, it becomes a little easier to forget about the rules. But believe it or not, laws don't go on vacation. That's why we looked into some of the most commonly broken Quebec laws in the summertime — and how much the fines can set you back.

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