Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault will be given a new portfolio in Mark Carney's cabinet, a source with knowledge of the decision told Radio-Canada

The following is a capsule review of the Montreal restaurant Le Filet. To read the 2025 Montreal Restaurant Guide, please click here.

Le Filet

If you need to sum up the vibe of our city’s food scene and its historical heft, simply proclaim: “Le Filet!” Irresistibly chic, this Plateau gem sits hidden in plain sight below a greystone triplex on Mont-Royal near Esplanade. Service is exceptional under the tutelage of chef Yasu Okazaki who commands with quiet strength and executes with precision on dishes like tuna tataki, miso oysters and seafood linguini, to name just a few gems. For a special thrill, grab a seat at the bar to enjoy the open kitchen and some dinner theatre. (219 Mont-Royal W.)

For more on Le Filet and to make a reservation, please visit their website.

For more on the food and drink scene in Montreal, please visit the Food & Drink section.

The post Montreal Restaurant Guide: Le Filet appeared first on Cult MTL.

Spending time with life/love/work partners Didier Lortie and Édith Foliot on their family farm, and adjacent award-winning restaurant Maison de Soma, was truly an experience.

I remain in awe of their pioneer vision and forward-thinking balance of tradition and best practices when it comes to growing and foraging food. Drive up to Mont-Tremblant (90 minutes from Montreal) and find out why En Route magazine named Maison de Soma one of the top restaurants in Canada.

Produced and Hosted by Heidi Small

Filmed and Directed by Ezra Soiferman

Edited by Teagan Lance

Graphic Design & Logo by Alex Chocron

Beyond the Plate by Heidi Small is an experience brought to you by Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove.

For more on the food and drink scene in Montreal, please visit the Food & Drink section.

The post Maison de Soma x Beyond the Plate: Asian-influenced finer dining on a family farm appeared first on Cult MTL.

Police were notified of the incident around 1:30 a.m. Thursday. The vehicle transporting two men and two women, aged between 18 and 35, crashed into a wall near the Highway 15 South on-ramp. The highway has since reopened.

Tardiness is nothing new at Via Rail, but late arrivals are soaring since passenger trains have been forced to slow down at hundreds of rail crossings operated by CN Rail.

Defender Maja Nylén Persson's power-play goal in overtime leads New York to a 3-2 victory over PWHL-leading Montreal and ends a nine-game losing streak.

As we eagerly anticipate the release of the MICHELIN Guide for Quebec in 2025, here are our predictions for which Montreal restaurants might earn this coveted recognition.

Controversial as it may be, a Michelin Star remains one of the most prestigious accolades in the culinary world, awarded to restaurants that showcase outstanding cooking based on five universal criteria: ingredient quality, harmony of flavours, mastery of techniques, the personality of the chef as expressed through their cuisine and consistency across the menu over time.

While we don’t expect any Montreal restaurants to earn 3 or even 2 stars, the following restaurants include potential 1-star locks and standout Bib Gourmand options:

1 STAR

Mon Lapin

As Canada’s reigning best restaurant (according to Canada’s 100 Best), Marc-Olivier Frappier and Vanya Filipovic’s Little Italy spot is a likely 1-star lock. Frappier and co-executive chef Jessica Noël’s menu has a clear identity and consistently delivers thought-provoking, exceptionally rendered food.

Toqué

While Toqué has fallen further down best restaurant lists in recent years, Normand Laprise’s fine-dining institution has been one of the city’s most respected tables since 2005. An easy lock for quality, consistency and personality.

Mastard

Chef Simon Mathys’s ode to seasonal Boreal cuisine has made Mastard an industry darling. Meticulously sourced ingredients, refined execution and a concept with Michelin written all over it.

Beba

While potentially too casual or understated for a 1-star distinction, Ari and Pablo Schor’s Verdun restaurant is both a deeply personal reflection of their cultural heritage and a masterclass in ingredient sourcing and intentional cooking. If merit truly comes from what’s on the plate, Beba is an easy lock.

Le Mousso

Let’s be honest — Michelin has a type, and that type is le Mousso. Run by the iconoclastic, self-taught chef Antonin Mousseau-Rivard, le Mousso is a product of the Golden Era of Nordic cooking, rendered with the very best local ingredients. From artful plating (and the hand-thrown ceramic plates themselves) to the overall refinement of the dishes, le Mousso is another easy prediction.

Île Flottante

Chef Sean Murray Smith’s Expo 67-influenced restaurant on St-Viateur has been charming locals and visiting gastronomes since opening in 2017. If there’s such a thing as “Oscar bait” in dining, then Île Flottante is Michelin bait. Smith is best known for awe-inspiringly beautiful presentations of delicious (if a bit eccentric) dishes and a tasting menu with the best value for money in town.

Lawrence

Sourcing the best quality local ingredients has been part of Lawrence’s DNA since it opened in 2010. Historically, Chef Marc Cohen focused on serving hearty dishes made of quality Quebec meat and vegetables with a noted British inflection. Since moving operations to a smaller storefront, running the kitchen solo and broadening his influences, Lawrence has become one of Montreal’s most thoughtful, refined and best-executed restaurants. Certainly deserving of a star.

Candide

“Love and precision, warmth and refinement, but in the end, Candide is an excuse to make people smile.” John Winter Russell’s celebrated restaurant is always carefully considered and thoughtfully executed. It’s got all the makings of a Michelin-star restaurant.

Bouillon Bilk

Bouillon Bilk is all about nuance, precision and finesse. Having recently moved to a new location, they’ve only dialled things up. This is a highly skilled, highly technical team putting out beautifully intricate dishes. Seems ripe for a star.

Marcus

Chef Jason Morris is an ingredient obsessive, overseeing a kitchen that regularly works with the highest quality seafood available in Canada. While Marcus’s supper-club reputation might preclude it from a star, the seriousness of the food makes a legitimate argument for recognition.

Joe Beef

If identity, consistency and legacy (not to mention good eats) have any bearing on who merits a star, then Joe Beef is an absolute lock. Since 2005, Joe Beef has been a taste-making restaurant that has not only redefined Montreal’s dining culture but has influenced chefs and restaurants around the world.

Jun-I

Among Montreal’s premier sushi restaurants, it’s one of the few local Japanese spots operating at a 1-star level. Chef Junichi Ikematsu’s style combines Japanese and French techniques to create a cuisine that is entirely his own.

Hoogan & Beaufort

Having recently cooked for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and French President Emmanuel Macron, Marc-André Jetté’s pedigree is only growing. Refined wood-fire cooking, artful plating and a focused Quebec-forward identity.

Okeya Kyujiro

Montreal’s first reservation-only Omakase restaurant specializing in Edomae sushi. Using exceptional quality fish imported from Japan and sourced locally, the restaurant would follow in the footsteps of many high-end sushiyas, including Okeya Kyujiro’s Vancouver location, which earned 1 star earlier this year.

Hélicoptère

Easily Hochelaga’s top fine-dining destination, Hélicoptère operates at a 1-star level with its innovative seasonal menus. Chefs David Ollu, Natacha Lehmann and Youri Bussières-Fournel bring a unique style that blends local ingredients with creative, vegetable-forward dishes, offering an elevated and thoughtful dining experience.

Montréal Plaza

Founded by Charles-Antoine Crête and Cheryl Johnson, Montréal Plaza is a confluence of their culinary prowess and Crête’s unmistakably playful personality. Known for its eclectic menu, the chefs combine classic French techniques with global influences. A likely 1-star based on the chefs’ pedigrees, the clear identity and the quality of the food.

Cabaret l’Enfer

Led by Massimo Piedimonte, Cabaret l’Enfer delivers an innovative, often unorthodox and always playful dining experience rooted in traditional Italian cooking. Piedimonte, who cut his teeth at Maison Boulud, le Mousso and Noma, comes with a Michelin-level pedigree. There’s personality in spades here and tons of technique to back it up — an easy pick for a star.

Maison Boulud

Daniel Boulud’s Ritz-Carlton restaurant is about as sophisticated and refined as they come. Boulud himself is no stranger to Michelin (2 for his eponymous Manhattan restaurant Daniel, and 1 each for le Pavillon and Joji) so he certainly has an understanding of what it takes to get a star — though his Toronto outpost, Café Boulud, was noticeably omitted from the Toronto guide. 

BIB GOURMAND

The Bib Gourmand category recognizes “restaurants that offer high-quality food at a reasonable price.” This somewhat nebulous description is usually awarded to high-calibre restaurants providing a more casual experience.

Bar St. Denis

BSD is easily one of the city’s best tables, thanks to the consistently inventive and brilliantly executed food by chef and co-owner David Gauthier. The bar backdrop, however, hurts its star potential.

Pichai

Jesse Grasso’s considered take on regional Thai fare is as focused and quality-driven as any on this list, though the casual nature of the restaurant likely precludes it from earning a star.

Le Vin Papillon

While at least one of the Joe Beef group restaurants is likely to get a star (my money is on the flagship), the more casual Vin Papillon is an obvious Bib Gourmand lock.

Casavant

Bustling energy, beautiful food and a stunning dining room — Casavant has plenty going for it. After a year or so of praise and nods, the Villeray bistro deserves a Bib Gourmand mention.

Alma

Since shifting their focus from Italy and Catalonia to chef and co-owner Juan Lopez-Luna’s native Mexico, the level of precision, intention and personality has skyrocketed. Alma is Bib Gourmand at a minimum and a good candidate for a star.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Key to the star rating system is “consistency over time.” Restaurants are usually visited multiple times before they are eligible to earn a star. Below is a selection of restaurants that might not make the list this year but likely will in the next edition of the guide.

• Le Violon
• Hiatus  
• Dorsia  
• Panacée

For more on the MICHELIN Guide, please visit their website. This article was originally published in the Dec. 2024 issue of Cult MTL.

For more on the food and drink scene in Montreal, please visit the Food & Drink section.

The post Michelin Star predictions: 23 Montreal restaurants that might make the cut appeared first on Cult MTL.

L’article Job posting est apparu en premier sur Sherbrooke Record.

Canada’s prime-minister-designate Mark Carney made a statement calling for humanitarian aid for Palestinians, the return of essentials to Gaza and adherence to international law after Israel cut off the region’s electricity.

Carney also called for the return of all hostages and for the completion of the ceasefire agreement.

“It has been more than two days that the supply of electricity to Gaza has been shut off. It must resume — essentials including food, electricity and medical supplies should never be used as political tools.

“Canada must work with our allies to stand up for international law to promote sustainable peace and security in the Middle East and to support full access to humanitarian aid for Palestinian families. As this work continues, both parties must work towards the return of all hostages and the completion of the ceasefire agreement.”

Mark Carney previously condemned Trump’s intent to occupy Gaza and expressed that he is in favour of a free Palestine.

For our latest in news, please visit the News section.

The post Mark Carney calls for humanitarian aid for Palestinians and adherence to international law appeared first on Cult MTL.

The Quebec liquor board will start by establishing six small stores within existing businesses that already hold alcohol permits, such as grocery and convenience stores, offering a selection of around 30 products.

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

The Stanstead town council met on March 10 at the town hall, with Mayor Jody Stone presiding over the session attended by approximately six residents. The meeting covered a range of municipal matters, including infrastructure projects, hiring needs, and environmental concerns, with a particularly engaged discussion during the question period.

Infrastructure and budget updates

The council reviewed ongoing municipal projects, particularly focusing on roadwork, fire station development, and drainage improvements. One of the key financial discussions involved an upcoming $1.75 million expense for the reconstruction of Passenger Street. The provincial government is covering most of the cost, leaving the town responsible for approximately $102,000. Mayor Stone noted, “That’s the amount we will repay over 20 years.”

A second major infrastructure project concerns the construction of a new fire station on Notre-Dame-Ouest Street, estimated at $3.47 million. The provincial government will subsidize 70 per cent of the cost, with the remaining amount shared among the 10 municipalities that form the regional fire service.

The meeting also included a discussion on drainage issues along Lajeunesse Street in the Beebe sector. The town had commissioned a study on possible solutions, revealing that the two viable options would cost between $500,000 and $1.5 million. The council will further analyze the best course of action. “It’s a difficult problem to solve because there is no slope,” one council member noted.

Personnel and environmental matters

The town is preparing to hire additional employees for public works and a seasonal horticulture specialist as part of a long-term beautification effort for Stanstead’s three villages.

Additionally, the council discussed the sale of a town-owned lot in Derby, Vermont, to the Memphremagog Watershed Association. The property, which previously housed a well that is no longer in use, will be transferred to the organization to protect the watershed. Mayor Stone emphasized that the sale is beneficial for both parties, as the association will cover all transaction costs and ongoing maintenance.

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L’article Stanstead council meeting covers development projects, infrastructure, and media attention est apparu en premier sur Sherbrooke Record.

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

In an era of constant connectivity and high-performance expectations, taking time to slow down is often seen as a luxury rather than a necessity. But according to Mouvement Santé mentale Québec, it is a vital act of self-care that can help manage the rising tide of collective anxiety. As spokesperson Joséphine Tschirhart explained in a recent interview, the organization is launching a campaign to encourage people to recognize the importance of recharging their mental batteries.

“We work in mental health prevention and promotion,” said Tschirhart. “Every year, we launch a campaign focused on how to protect, develop, and reinforce our mental health. This year, we’re talking about how to take a step back, take breaks, and manage the challenges of living in a fast-paced, high-performance society.”

The campaign, titled “Reenergize: Discover What Recharges Your Battery,” will officially launch on March 13, the National Day for the Promotion of Positive Mental Health. It aims to provide tools and strategies to help individuals build moments of rest into their daily routines. The initiative is based on research indicating that prolonged exposure to stress and anxiety-inducing news, coupled with the demands of multitasking, can deplete mental energy reserves and lead to burnout.

A growing concern – The human energy crisis

According to a Léger survey commissioned by the Association pour la santé publique du Québec, 38 per cent of workers and students believe they are at risk of burnout if they continue at their current pace. The study also found that over half of Quebecers wish to slow down their lifestyle, a figure that rises to 76 per cent among students and 68 per cent among parents.

Tschirhart highlighted that society is facing what mental health experts call a “human energy crisis.” The constant interruptions of modern life, from work demands to social media notifications, weaken attention spans and increase stress levels. Research from Laval University found that the average workweek has increased by 3.3 hours in recent years, exacerbating stress and limiting people’s ability to recharge. This relentless pace, experts say, is taking a toll on relationships, social lives, and overall well-being.

Professor Jean-Pierre Després of Laval University’s Department of Kinesiology and Scientific Director of the VITAM – Centre de recherche en santé durable, warns that “we have built a society that is incompatible with human health. We overuse our mental energy just as we overuse the planet’s resources.”

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L’article Slowing down to recharge? A mental health necessity, says local health org est apparu en premier sur Sherbrooke Record.

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

The SAQ location in Stanstead is set to close when its lease expires, leaving residents without a local option for purchasing alcohol. Mayor Jody Stone was informed of the decision via a call from a senior SAQ official, who cited low customer numbers and suggested that Stanstead residents were already shopping at SAQ outlets in nearby Ayer’s Cliff, Magog, and Coaticook.

Stone expressed skepticism over the justification, questioning why residents would travel to Ayer’s Cliff when Stanstead has a comparable grocery store with an SAQ outlet offering a larger selection. “The logic for me doesn’t work,” he said, adding that Magog’s wider selection might be a draw, but Ayer’s Cliff’s smaller offering seemed an unlikely alternative for many local customers. He has requested more detailed data from SAQ to verify the claims.

The mayor also highlighted the broader economic impact of the closure, explaining that when people travel outside Stanstead to buy alcohol, they are likely to do other shopping in those communities, potentially harming local businesses. “What upsets me is that they’re taking away a service that we offer in Stanstead,” Stone said. “That hurts other businesses that we have.”

Stone has already contacted the office of the local MNA to voice his dissatisfaction and plans to continue pressing for a solution that would keep SAQ products available in town. He noted that no alternative options, such as a smaller SAQ outlet with delivery options, had been proposed by the corporation. “I would hope that they would give me a solution to the problem,” he said. “They didn’t say they weren’t making money. They’re just saying they’re not making enough.”

The issue has sparked a strong reaction online, with local lawyer and activist Colin Standish criticizing the government-run liquor monopoly for closing a location so close to the U.S.-Canada border, particularly in the context of a trade dispute. “It’s so nice when the government, already controlling a state-administered and owned monopoly, closes down local services literally several hundred metres from the US-Canada border on the literal frontlines of a trade war,” Standish wrote on Facebook, also drawing attention to the price disparity between Canadian and American alcohol due to different taxation and business models.

While Stone continues to advocate for a reversal of the decision, he acknowledges that the town has limited influence over the SAQ, which operates independently of direct provincial government control. “I’m doing what I think I can do,” he said, encouraging residents to make their voices heard. “Just put pressure,” he urged, noting that community feedback could play a role in influencing the decision.

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L’article Stanstead faces loss of SAQ location, mayor pushes for answers est apparu en premier sur Sherbrooke Record.

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EYE ON SPORTS

Ovechkin inches closer to Gretzky’s record

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An exhibit at the McCord Museum is displaying dozens of photographs and objects that tell the story of the historic Montreal neighbourhood's transformation. Through this project, exhibitor Andrew Jackson exposes the duality involved in designating a place or neighbourhood as a “Black space.”

The following is a capsule review of the Montreal restaurant Fu Chun Soupe Dumpling. To read the 2025 Montreal Restaurant Guide, please click here.

Fu Chun Soupe Dumpling

Home to Montreal’s best xiaolongbao. Originally founded in Shanghai in 1995, the Montreal location is only the fourth in 30 years, and the only location outside of Asia. Xiaolongbao, the juicy Shanghainese soup dumpling, is the specialty here, but the Shanghai-style wontons and fried pork chops easily hold their own. (1978 de Maisonneuve W.)

For more on Fu Chun Soupe Dumpling, please visit their website.

For more on the food and drink scene in Montreal, please visit the Food & Drink section.

The post Montreal Restaurant Guide: Fu Chun Soupe Dumpling appeared first on Cult MTL.

Amid tensions between Canada and the U.S. over tariffs, acclaimed Quebec author Louise Penny cancelled the launch of her latest novel at Washington's Kennedy Center.

Measles is making a comeback in Quebec. From December to March, at least 31 cases were reported and experts point to one cause — declining vaccination rates.

Prime minister-designate Mark Carney’s team has approached former Quebec premier Jean Charest to offer him a role, Radio-Canada is reporting.