Please complete your profile to unlock commenting and other important features.

Please select your date of birth for special perks on your birthday. Your username will be your unique profile link and will be publicly used in comments.
MTL Blog Pro

This is a Pro feature.

Time to level up your local game with MTL Blog Pro.

Pro

$5/month

$40/year

  • Everything in the Free plan
  • Ad-free reading and browsing
  • Unlimited access to all content including AI summaries
  • Directly support our local and national reporting and become a Patron
  • Cancel anytime.

essential

The federal government has announced a new path to permanent residency in Canada for over 90,000 essential workers and international students across the country — except for those continuing to live in Quebec.

According to a statement by the Canadian government, these special new public policies grant permanent status to temporary essential workers, especially those working in hospitals and long-term care homes, as well as international graduates.

Keep readingShow less

Good news! If you are an essential worker in Montreal, Mayor Valérie Plante recently said that you will soon be able to book your first COVID-19 vaccine appointment — if you didn't qualify before.

"The vaccination will soon be extended to the chronically ill and essential workers," Plante wrote on Twitter.

Keep readingShow less

Things are about to change again. While Greater Montreal is staying on red alert, five more Quebec regions will enter the orange zone on Monday — and, yes, that means a big proportion of Quebecers get to return to gyms, theatres and restaurants in a limited capacity. But what are the rules on travelling within the province? 

Although interregional travel continues to be heavily discouraged, you might find yourself in an orange zone in the coming weeks for essential reasons. But if you live in a red zone and go to an orange zone, you have to follow a different set of rules. Here's what you should keep in mind.

Keep readingShow less

There's a myriad of things that Quebec schools don't teach us, which is the exact reason Neo Collège came to fruition.

Neo Collège is a website where students can go to learn subjects that they likely haven't learnt before, such as sign language or understanding paycheques.

Keep readingShow less

Most of us know the basics of Quebec's next stage of lockdown: It's set to be in effect from January 9 to February 8 and includes a province-wide curfew every day from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

However, the details and specifics can be confusing.

Keep readingShow less

As Quebec heads toward what's expected to be a fresh new round of lockdown restrictions, it could join the ranks of countries and areas with COVID-19 curfew rules, according to multiple reports.

The Quebec government hasn't confirmed any details of its possible curfew ahead of a 5:00 p.m. Wednesday press conference, but around the world, jurisdictions with their own curfew orders offer some possible scenarios.

Keep readingShow less

On December 15, the Quebec government announced another round of shutdowns and restrictions set to come into effect during the holidays. Premier Legault called these new Quebec holiday rules a "pause."

"The goal is to start 2021 on the right foot so that we all reach the finish line together," he said in a statement. 

Keep readingShow less

With the announcement of yet another lockdown in Quebec, many people have been wondering which stores will stay open during this time — Dollarama being one of them.

Well, good news! Dollarama confirmed with MTL Blog that it will remain open to "ensure that Quebecers have access to a broad array of affordable essential goods through the lockdown."

Keep readingShow less

Life can get incredibly busy, particularly around the holidays.

That's why there's basically no better gift than the gift of sleep and relaxation — especially for those who love catching some Zs any chance they get.

Keep readingShow less

COVID-19 in Quebec has taken a significant toll on every aspect of life, from dampening Montreal's usual liveliness to forcing local businesses to shut down to impacting individuals' jobs, relationships and mental health.

Over the last nine months, as we've mitigated the same global pandemic, we've shared many similar experiences and picked up many of the same habits. We've rounded up 21 of the most relatable ones.

Keep readingShow less