Michel Mathieu was just 14 when he wired his own radio transmitter, broadcasting his very own radio station to the blocks surrounding his home – no license, but heaps of confidence in his own remarkable aptitude for the art of radio.

It’s fitting, then, that Mathieu’s legacy is cemented at the end of his life too, in the radio tower erected in Kanesatake last year to strengthen the signal of Reviving Kanehsatà:ke Radio (RKR), the community’s local station that he dedicated years to helping support. 

The tower, erected in October of last year, stands in his memory, as the Mike “The Bear” Mathieu Radio Tower.

“I let him know before he passed that we were dedicating the tower in his name, and he was really, really proud of that,” said Karahkóhare Syd Gaspé, who is the president of Mohawk Multi Media, the nonprofit that oversees RKR. 

“He was always saying that the Mohawks are the most generous and friendly people he’s ever met and treated him so well, and he was really proud to work for us, for the Mohawk people.”

On February 20, Mathieu passed away at the age of 78, after a battle with cancer that led to various other health complications. His partner, Ginette Ricard, said that homages to Mathieu have come from near and far.

“He was someone passionate, you could see it, and he always wanted the best,” she said.

Mathieu spent some of his career working at Radio-Canada, but his heart was always with the “little guy.” 

As well as working at RKR and K1037 Radio, Mathieu dedicated his time to work with stations like Concordia University’s CJLO 1690 AM, Laval’s CJLV 1570 AM, and the multi-lingual Radio Humsafar 1610 AM.

“Sometimes the stations didn’t have a lot of money, so he’d do it for free or for little money,” said Ricard. “He didn’t like Radio-Canada because it was so big, he came back to his independent work to service little stations.”

When he was stretched thin consulting for what felt like every radio station in Quebec, Mathieu would rarely turn down someone in need of help.

“Even if he didn’t have a lot of time to take on extra things, he would always say yes, because of his passions,” Ricard said. “Radio interested him more than anything. He knew all of the stations pretty much all over.”

He was known for fighting for what he believed was right at the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), where he helped RKR after their license came under threat from another radio station trying to take over their frequency. 

Gaspé, who considers Mathieu his mentor, said that it was thanks to Mathieu that the CRTC sided with Kanesatake. 

“If it wasn’t for him, we wouldn’t have the radio station,” he said. 

Throughout the process of getting RKR back on the airwaves, Mathieu was there, helping to guide the ship. Over the past year, with Mathieu’s health declining, Gaspé has been able to continue that work, equipped with the knowledge that he’s built up over years of Mathieu’s mentorship.

“He was just a wealth of knowledge. I think I learned maybe an eighth of what he knew, but I’m trying to at least help continue his legacy,” Gaspé said. 

Every station was special to Mathieu, and Kahnawa’kehró:non Joe Delaronde remembers how willing to help Mathieu was when K1037 started planning their new tower and transmitter. 

He worked with Mathieu throughout the years at the station, including in the 1980s, when much of the equipment was second-hand and held together with “duct tape, WD-40, and whatever else we could find to stay on the air.”

“When we called him back, he was thrilled, he said it was like coming home. He remembered how much work he did in the old days, and he was working day and night to get us ready to make the switch when we moved to our new building,” Delaronde said. 

“He was working sometimes until two or three in the morning, just to make sure everything was done. That was Mike.”

Though he was deeply serious about his work, Mathieu was also known for his jokes, earning the nickname “The Bear” in reference to his imitations of the popular Radio-Canada show Pépinot et Capucine, which aired on Radio-Canada in the 1950s. He was a “walking telephone book” and memorized everyone’s phone number, ever reluctant to use a modern cell phone to keep track of his contacts.

“He was a really, really, wonderful man, and a great human being,” Delaronde said.

Mathieu will be missed by all who crossed his path professionally and personally, but his impact will remain obvious for generations to come.

“I’m lucky to have shared 44 years of my life with an exceptional man who knew how to bring out the best in everyone,” said Ricard.

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Wihse Stacey heads up the Kahnawake Fire Brigade, so he knows better than most that injuries and trauma can strike anyone at any time. But as he climbed into a blood drawing recliner at the Mohawk Super Bingo on Tuesday, his motivation for rolling up his sleeve was even more personal.

In September 2023, he lost his father Charlie Stacey to bone cancer, a disease that meant his father’s bone marrow was not producing enough platelets. While there was nothing doctors could do to defeat the cancer, the platelets the doctors gave him from blood donations meant everything to him and his family.

“It ended up giving us an extra year with him,” said Wihse. “I said at that point that I would give back.”

Giving back was in the air this week as 111 donors turned out to the Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre (KMHC) blood drive in partnership with Hema Quebec and the Kateri Memorial Foundation, easily beating the event’s goal of 75 donations.

A total of 95 bags of blood were collected, enough for more than 285 products for transfusion, according to Hema Quebec spokesperson Josée Larivée. Nearly 65 percent of donors on Tuesday were from Kahnawake.

“It is crucial to have donors from the Mohawk community because certain rare blood groups are predominant there,” said Larivée.

This includes type Di(b-) blood, she said.

“That may mean very little, until the day a loved one needs blood for his or her life,” Larivée said.

According to KMHC director of nursing and community care Robin Guyer, blood donations are frequently used by the local hospital.

“A lot of people use blood, and it could be for a multitude of reasons, so it’s not to say any specific type of client will need it. I think it’s something more common than people realize,” said Guyer.

She pointed out that while some may fear needles or feel uncomfortable with the thought of giving blood, the administrative process takes the bulk of the time – the donation itself is not painful and lasts only around 10 minutes.

“It’s great to see our community supporting our own community members, and it’s always really warming of the heart to have that happening,” said Guyer.

It was the KMHC’s second blood donor clinic since taking over the initiative from The Eastern Door last autumn.

“We’re hoping to see a rise in participation, especially since Kateri Memorial Hospital Center actually does utilize blood donations for some of the treatments that we offer,” said Simona Rosenfield, communications and public relations officer at KMHC, at the event.

This came to pass, with over 20 more donations than the 87 achieved when the blood drive was last held in October.

According to Rosenfield, the KMHC intends to offer a blood donor clinic alongside its partners every two to five months in Kahnawake.

While clinics are offered all over Quebec, giving Kahnawa’kehró:non the opportunity to give blood in town can make all the difference.

“I kept telling myself the next one, the next one, the next one,” said Wihse. “It got to the point where I was just procrastinating. I am a little nervous, I’ve never done this before, so I don’t really know what to expect, but the fact that this is here, this is now, I finally said okay, it’s time. It’s close. It’s community.”

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Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Alex McComber now holds an Indigenous health advocacy lifetime contribution award, a title granted to him this week by the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC). 

The associate professor was nominated by his colleagues in McGill University’s department of family medicine, he said. He’s taught the department’s course on Indigenous perspectives in health research for the last five years now, a graduate-level course. 

“I’m very, very honoured and very proud to be acknowledged and recognized for the work that I’ve done in cultural safety and with Indigenous cultural safety, working with medical students and residents and teaching them about Indigenous peoples’ ways, our history, our ways of knowing and doing,” McComber said.

“It’s just been an honour to be part of helping to transform the academy so that our people and future generations receive not only better care and treatment, but also equal opportunities to participate in the health process, in the healing process, and in learning and research.”

The health advocacy lifetime contribution award is given out in recognition of those who’ve made “outstanding contributions to support work related to the health of Indigenous peoples or Indigenous medical education over the course of the nominee’s life,” according to the AFMC. 

“This award recognizes the outstanding dedication of an individual or faculty member towards the dismantling of anti-Indigenous racism,” the AFMC wrote, “and the advancement of cultural safety, advocacy, health equity, and wellness of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit people.”

The Kahnawa’kehró:non was behind the creation of the Indigenous Program housed within the department, which he’s co-run alongside his colleagues Dr. Brittany Wenniserí:iostha Jock, Dr. Richard Budgell, and Dr. Sarah Konwahahawi Rourke. The program has been active for the last five years and works to facilitate the sharing of Indigenous teachings and knowledge within the department. 

“The Indigenous program is mainly an opportunity of exchange,” McComber said. “Learning about Indigenous Peoples, about our history, about our current situation, and also about the efforts that we make to bring our knowledge and ways forward.”

He often co-teaches courses or comes in as a guest lecturer, he said. Next week he’ll be meeting with medical residents in oncology and radiation to provide a workshop on cultural safety, for instance. He’s also contributed toward the development of some of the courses in McGill’s School of Population and Global Health, he said, which have been updated to reflect the importance of cultural safety.

McComber said it’s all about “broadening the circle of people who are learning about what’s needed when you want to work with Indigenous peoples and communities,” whether that be through “delivering respectful, safe care,” or “engaging in research opportunities.”

The AFMC also recognized him for his lifelong dedication to the prevention of diabetes. From 1994 onward he worked as intervention facilitator for the Kahnawake Schools Diabetes Prevention Program (KSDPP) alongside Rhonda Kirby, where he remained until about 2005. He still contributes to the program as a research team member and volunteer consultant, he said. 

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The Kahnawake Hunters Junior B Lacrosse team will be partnering with the Six Nations Arrows Junior A team for the coming lacrosse season.

“At the end of the day, the Arrows had an opportunity to affiliate with us and we were happy to accept,” said Greg Horn, general manager of the Hunters.

“The affiliation will help Kahnawake players get an opportunity to play at a higher level for one of the most successful Junior A teams in Ontario, which happens to be in another Haudenosaunee community.” 

The affiliation will indeed allow players from the Hunters to go play Junior A on a part-time basis with Six Nations.

“We’ll bring players in the short-term, because of injuries or just to have a look at them,” said Davey Robertson, assistant general manager and governor of the Six Nations Junior A lacrosse program.

Robertson said that getting that taste of Junior A while staying in their community for the bulk of the season helps younger players adapt to the higher level of play.

“The local kids stay home; they stay familiar with their surroundings before they think of that commitment to move out. You’ll have some players that are 17 years old and some players that are 21 years old. There’s a huge gap in lifestyle, maturity, and so on. It’s a big benefit to allow them to get the experience of Junior A but still stay at home,” said Robertson.

The Hunters were affiliated with the Peterborough Junior Lakers last year but decided to pursue other avenues of affiliation for this year, according to Horn.

Robertson explained that these kinds of changes in affiliation can be common, due to the Ontario Lacrosse Association limiting affiliation terms to a single year, although they can be reupped year after year.

“We always reevaluate after the year, so some teams bounce around,” said Robertson. “Talking with the staff at the Hunters and just knowing the talented players that are coming from Kahnawake, we are hoping that this is a long-term relationship that we can continue to build on.”

The Arrows are no strangers to Kahnawake laxers competing in the program. Most recently, Louis Alfred Jr. played for the Arrows before being drafted in the fifth round by the National Lacrosse League’s Halifax Thunderbirds in the 2024 draft.

“Kahnawake has a long history of producing great Junior A players, like Louis Alfred Jr. and with other players in the league and playing high level juniors. We’re really excited about the development that’s happening in Kahnawake, which would help us down here,” said Robertson. 

In affiliating with Kahnawake, Robertson also expressed his desire to have the Arrows roster continue to be comprised of a vast majority of Haudenosaunee players.

“We want a very high percentage of Haudenosaunee players. It’s great to affiliate with the program such as to bring other Haudenosaunee players in from different areas, not just Six Nations,” said Robertson.

Along with the Junior A affiliation, the Hunters will also have a Junior C team this year for the first time in its history, meaning that the organization will be able to bring up players from the C team to replace players and showcase them, much like the Arrows will be able to do with Kahnawake’s Junior B players.

The Junior B Hunters will begin their season on April 25, playing on the road against the Gloucester Griffins at Earl Armstrong Arena.

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For FightQuest co-promoter Stéphane Vigneault, it would have been hard to ask for a better show to put on for the 500 mixed martial arts (MMA) fanatics in attendance on Saturday at the Knights of Columbus for the latest FightQuest show.

“It was a big success. All of the fights, except maybe the main event, were very exciting, we’ve never had a show like that before,” said Vigneault.

“We have a lot of support from the fans and especially from our sponsors from Kahnawake. Without all that support, we could not do those shows.”

Indeed, the 13-fight card blew away the spectators at the Knights and Vigneault himself throughout the night – so much so that instead of giving two “performance of the night” recognitions and one “fight of the night” recognition, Vigneault said they gave three of each.

“It was too exciting not to,” said Vigneault.

The fights of the night went to Vince Nikiforov beating Keegan Chiasson by third round knockout; Jade Dumoulin submitting Nao Lapointe in the third round in the only women’s match on the card; and Felix Paquin defeating Kai Burns by unanimous decision in an extremely competitive match.

The three performances of the night went to JP Provost, Sarkis Panosyan, and Justin Lemay.

“The fight was very one-sided from start to finish. I was pushing the pace, being the intimidator, I dictated where the fight went and managed to get a KO in the end,” said Panosyan, who won by knockout punch in the first round against Mario Munoz.

Although he said grappling is his strength over striking, the fight did not really let him showcase that, and he was still very happy to win by knockout – especially considering this is his amateur debut.

“It feels amazing to get a KO win, I always knew I had it in me to deliver haymakers,” said Panosyan.

This was also Lemay’s first amateur fight, making his win by knockout 31 seconds into the fight against Raphael Grégoire-Durand all the more impressive.

“I feel like if I was floating on a cloud right now. I still have chills. This is the ideal scenario for me,” said Lemay.

When he won, he said he could see all of his family and friends celebrating in the crowd from inside the cage.

“I saw everyone standing up and cheering. That made me so happy,” said Lemay.

He has been practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu – one of the essential martial arts for MMA – since he was nine years old and has been practicing MMA for three years prior to his first fight.

He said that prior to the match, to get his striking up to snuff, he had been practicing for four hours per day for a month and a half.

“It definitely paid off,” said Lemay.

Vigneault said it was nice to be able to return to the Knights of Columbus for FightQuest, as the last show had to be held outside the Kahnawake Brewing Company under a tent due to the uncertainty surrounding the safety of the Knights hall in November 2024.

Since it was given the all-clear, some aesthetic renovations have taken place – cracks in the floor have been filled, and a new coat of paint put up, among other things.

“Even the crowd, they were saying that it looked like a brand-new building,” said Vigneault.

The Knights will continue to be the home of FightQuest, but given the success of the show under the tent in the fall, they’ll be going back to that environment for FightQuest 58 on May 31 for what they are hoping will be their biggest event yet.

“We’re going try to pull a big card and put more amateur championships on the line,” said Vigneault. “A lot of the fighters are messaging us right now, because they know it’s going to be a big show, so they all want to fight on it.” 

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Team Lucky 7, an all-women team featuring Kahnawake pool players Missy Montour and Darleen Sylvestre-Thompson, will be heading to Las Vegas, Nevada later this year to compete in the American Poolplayers Association (APA) 8-Ball Championships.

The team punched their ticket to Las Vegas by winning the Canadian Pool Players Association Women’s League Championship of the Monteregie in St. Hyacinthe, defeating the Striking Ladies team on March 1.

“I wanted to win, but I did not go there thinking, ‘alright, today I’m going to win here and for sure we’re going to Vegas,’” said Montour. 

“I don’t go in with that mindset, whatever happens, I was happy. Either you go to Vegas or you play in the Montreal International. I would have been happy with either one.”

This won’t be Montour’s first foray in Las Vegas for a pool championship. Despite only starting to play pool competitively semi-recently in 2017, this will be her third time going to Nevada to compete.

“I’m so excited, because it’s a lot of fun. I see the amount of people there, it’s crazy, insane, and it’s exciting,” said Montour.

“I love walking into the hotel for the first time when you arrive, and you have your pool cues on your back, and every single person in the hotel has pool cues in their hands. It’s just amazing.”

Montour has been a pool player long before playing competitively. When she quit smoking in 2017, she went looking for bars outside of town where she could play pool in a non-smoking environment. Afraid she would stick out, she instead found other, older pool players such as herself to play with. That’s where she got noticed by a coach, and she joined a competitive team.

She’s been playing for that team, The Fireballs, as well as a team in Akwesasne and the Lucky 7 ever since.

In particular, Montour said playing in Akwesasne has been preparing her well for the championships in Las Vegas.

“All the leagues here in Canada, they are played on a nine-foot table, but in Vegas, we play on a much smaller table. It’s a big difference,” said Montour.

“You might think a smaller table is going to be easier, but it’s not. On a nine-foot table, you know your surroundings, what you can do. All of a sudden, you win a tournament, and you’re in Vegas, and you’re on a little table, and nothing is working.”

In Akwesasne, they play on the same size of tables as those that will be played in Las Vegas.

“I have the best of both worlds. I have a little table in Akwesasne, and I have a bigger table here,” said Montour.

Sylvestre-Thompson has also been to Vegas to compete before, competing in the APA championships last year. She said that the experience changed a lot from when she had previously gone in the 1990s – but it’s still a great time.

“Seeing all those people there from all over the country, the United States, Canada, even other countries like Singapore and a few other places, playing for money, it’s exciting,” said Sylvestre-Thompson.

The money in question is a $50,000 prize purse, with $10,000 going to the winning team. 

The championships will take place from April 28 to May 1 at the Westgate Resort.

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Kahnawake Shakotiia’takehnhas Community Services (KSCS) and the Sports and Recreation Unit of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) are partnering up to create an education and awareness campaign to ensure sports stay safe and positive in town for all those who participate – athletes, coaches, spectators, and referees.

Although there have been highly publicized and scrutinized bullying incidents in sports recently in town, both KSCS and Sports and Recreation said that this initiative has been in development for a while, not just in reaction to these incidents.

“The campaign has been in the works since November 2024. It was brought to the prevention team’s table as one of the areas we hoped to address as many of our prevention team members are parents, coaches, and community members who are involved in Kahnawake sports programs themselves,” said Corleigh Beauvais, a KSCS prevention worker who is part of the team spearheading this campaign.

“We hope to raise awareness, encourage positive sportsmanship and foster a culture of respect – ultimately strengthening the foundation of our sports community as a whole.”

Roiatate Horn, director of the Sports and Recreation Unit, said that KSCS’s expertise and resources made them a natural fit for this partnership.

“We’re excited to partner with KSCS on this, in terms of them being subject matter experts on trauma and addressing bullying, and we’re excited to be able to take those key learning points from their disciplines and apply it to sports,” said Horn.

“We feel like in the long run, it’s going to help the athletes become not just better athletes, it’s going to help them to become role models for the younger generations.”

Violence in minor sports – not just physical but also verbal and emotional – is a pervasive problem everywhere, not just in Kahnawake. That sort of violence they are trying to curb often happens towards officials, and it is particularly problematic, according to Horn.

“While I can’t speak as an expert, I can tell you that recruitment for officials is down across all sports, especially hockey, not just in the Suroit zone, but across Canada and even parts of the US, and a lot of it has to do with the attitude of parents, coaches, and players,” said Horn, who himself used to be an official.

“The referees learn with every game that they do. They’re trying to improve. You have to understand that if your son or daughter is playing an Atom game, that’s a young referee, probably in their first or second year. They’re learning as well.”

Horn said that the campaign will include things such as banners placed around the Kahnawake Sports Complex walls, dressing rooms, and boards, as well as possible seminars for coaches and athletes and social media campaigns featuring athletes from town. 

A future part of the campaign, according to Horn, will also have the goal of giving athletes and coaches tools to deal with racism, which still happens to Kahnawake teams when playing teams from outside the community.

“It’s sort of a wide-reaching campaign. The first part, we’re looking at bullying, but we’re also looking at racism in an additional part of this campaign,” said Horn.

The campaign will begin in earnest in the coming weeks. 

“We have a good roadmap of what’s going to happen,” said Horn. “We’re just plotting out some things on that map as we go.”

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NGC Aerospace in Sherbrooke, Que., designs navigation systems for satellites, lunar landers and rovers. The company’s technology set foot on the moon as part of the Blue Ghost 1 landing, which was spearheaded by U.S. company, Firefly.

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

A cutting-edge underwater robot was tested under the frozen surface of Lake Massawippi on March 6 in an effort to better understand and combat the spread of invasive zebra mussels. The trial, conducted by conservation group Bleu Massawippi in collaboration with robotics company Robonotic, marked a significant step in the fight against the species, which has been threatening Quebec’s waterways.

Laurence Renaud-Langevin, director of Bleu Massawippi, was on-site overseeing the first real-world test of the technology. “It was the first time we tried the machine in real conditions, outside of the lab,” she said. The initiative served a dual purpose: not only testing the robotic system but also gathering crucial winter data on the state of zebra mussels in the lake.

Zebra mussels are known to disrupt aquatic ecosystems by outcompeting native species and clogging infrastructure. Understanding their behaviour during winter could provide new insights into controlling their spread. “We had a gap for winter data, so we were trying to collect that as well,” Renaud-Langevin explained. By comparing this data with previous studies, researchers hope to confirm whether existing models accurately reflect conditions in Lake Massawippi. “Sometimes there’s a difference between what it should be or should look like and how the zebra mussels actually evolve,” she added.

The uniqueness of Lake Massawippi itself is another factor in the study. “It’s a peculiar lake compared to others,” Renaud-Langevin noted, adding that the mussels were expected to be in a dormant state during the winter. If this is confirmed, it could open the door to targeted eradication strategies. “If they’re actually sleeping, maybe we can use different techniques—like freezing them on the spot,” she said. The winter setting also meant fewer competing species were present, allowing researchers to focus directly on the invasive mussels.
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L’article Robotic technology takes on zebra mussels in frozen Massawippi Lake est apparu en premier sur Sherbrooke Record.

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

A recent visit by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to the Haskell Free Library and Opera House has sparked strong reactions on both sides of the border, with community members decrying what they see as disrespectful remarks made during her appearance.

Noem visited the historic cross-border library on Jan. 30, accompanied by U.S. Border Patrol, Homeland Security officials, and the Secret Service. Her visit was unannounced until the morning of her arrival, when federal agents informed library staff that she would be touring the space. According to reports, Noem stood on the American side of the library, declared, “USA number one,” and then stepped onto the Canadian side, saying, “The 51st state.”

Witnesses, including library staff, found the remark inappropriate. “My employees were very shocked by what they saw,” said Sylvie Boudreau, president of the library’s board of trustees. She was in another room speaking with Homeland Security officials at the time of the incident but later heard about it from multiple staff members and volunteers. “They were surprised that she would do something like that,” she said. “For us, it was not respectful.” She also noted that Noem’s staff found the remark amusing.

The library, which has stood for over a century as a symbol of cross-border unity, operates in a unique legal grey area, allowing Canadians and Americans to enter from their respective countries without passing through an official border crossing. Given its history and role in fostering international community ties, Noem’s remarks have been widely condemned as needlessly provocative.

“The library was made to unite the two communities, to unite the people from the United States and Canada,” Boudreau emphasized. “It was very loose, and everything was fun. We’ve always been one big family at the library.”

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L’article Haskell library responds to Kristi Noem’s ’51st state’ remark est apparu en premier sur Sherbrooke Record.

Stanstead, Que., and Derby Line, Vt., share a street and a library that straddle the border. But the barrier separating both communities is now being felt more than ever.

We all vote for different reasons. We want to hear yours. Apply here to share why you feel so passionately about that issue on CBC Montreal.

A Quebec Superior Court judge ruled two people from Akwesasne should face extradition to the U.S., where they face charges related to a human smuggling run across the St. Lawrence River that ended in the drowning deaths of nine people on March 29, 2023.

An annual meeting at the White House scheduled for Friday between Canadian and U.S. mayors will still take place — but without Canadian representation.

Japan's Seven & i Holdings, the parent company of the 7-Eleven convenience store chain, has named a new CEO and plans to sell billions in assets as it tries to fend off a takeover bid from a Canadian rival.

A man in his 30s, who barricaded himself inside a home in Ormstown, Que., was arrested Thursday morning, following an armed assault in which a man was killed.

Manufacturers and suppliers are raising concerns about job insecurity in the wake of U.S. tariffs. Meanwhile, provincial and federal governments are working to decrease interprovincial trade barriers to make it easier to do business in Canada.

Throughout most of the 20th century, you could find downhill ski runs on and around Mount Royal, complete with tow ropes, T-bars and even a 100-foot-long ski jump.

The sport is a cousin of kickboxing. One gym in downtown Montreal has sent multiple athletes to the savate world championships and three returned with medals. CBC News reporter Jay Turnbull, however, returned with a few bruises after giving savate a try.

According to a new study by the Angus Reid Institute, 7 in 10 Canadians (71%) support a moratorium on the sale of Tesla electric vehicles in Canada.

The same study found that the vast majority of Canadians (79%) have an unfavourable opinion of Tesla CEO and Trump “special government employee” Elon Musk, including 69% whose views are “very unfavourable.”

“Canadians’ overwhelmingly negative opinions of Elon Musk come alongside broad support for targeting Musk’s company Tesla by stopping sales of the brand in Canada. This may be complicated by Tesla having multiple manufacturing facilities in Ontario, which perhaps underscores the challenges tariffs pose.“

The Angus Reid Institute conducted an online survey from Feb. 27 to March 3, 2025, among a representative randomized sample of 2,005 Canadian adults who are members of Angus Reid Forum.

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

The post  71% of Canadians support a moratorium on Tesla sales in Canada appeared first on Cult MTL.

The new exhibition at Montreal’s Musée d’art contemporain (MAC), Skyscrapers by the Roots, explores the lasting impact of late modernist architecture through works by Shannon Bool, Kapwani Kiwanga, Rachel Rose, Jonathan Schouela and a new film installation by David Hartt, alongside 1960s and 1970s pieces by Lynne Cohen and François Dallegret.

The group exhibition examines how functionalism and technological innovation shaped climate-controlled interiors, modular design, accessibility and media integration — once symbols of progress, now deeply entwined with the blurring of private life, labour, consumption and spectacle. Through a critical lens, it reflects on modernism’s complex legacy in contemporary spaces.

Skyscrapers by the Roots is at the MAC (Place Ville-Marie) from March 6 to Aug. 10

For our latest in arts and life, please visit the Arts & Life section.

The post The complex legacy of modernism is explored in the MAC exhibition Skyscrapers by the Roots appeared first on Cult MTL.

Set in a distant future where humanity struggles to survive, Bong Joon-ho’s latest film Mickey 17 follows Mickey (played by Robert Pattinson), a disposable “expendable” clone sent on a treacherous mission. Through his connections with those around him (human and alien), he inadvertently sparks a revolutionary movement far greater than anyone could have imagined. 

The film co-stars Naomi Ackie as an inspiring revolutionary character and Toni Collette, who steps into the shoes of a delightfully eccentric villain. In an interview on Zoom, the duo offered a glimpse into the film’s themes, their characters and the creative process behind bringing director Bong’s first film since his Oscar-winning Parasite to the big screen. 

For Ackie, the heart of Mickey 17 lies in its exploration of the value of life — human, animal and even alien. “When I read the script, that was what really shone out to me,” she says. “This idea of the value in all beings, things that we don’t know and aren’t aware of. That message was strong.” Her character, Nasha, begins her journey with a simple connection to Mickey, but it quickly grows into something much larger. “For her, it starts with Mickey, and it doesn’t seem like a big deal,” Ackie explains. “She’s like, ‘Yeah, that’s my guy,’ and she wants to defend that. From that grows this thing of wanting to defend everything else.”

What makes Nasha so compelling, Ackie notes, is her unintentional evolution into a revolutionary figure. “It wasn’t intended,” she says with a laugh. “But I think that’s how it starts.” Ackie’s portrayal of Nasha is both inspiring and relatable, offering a blueprint for how small acts of connection can lead to larger movements. “Mickey isn’t necessarily the hero you think he would be by the end of the film,” she says. “But it’s like, everyone can do that. We’re not all going to be out here saving the world, but how can you save your community? How can you save your family? How can you activate yourself, as a normal human being, to do something?”

On the other end of the spectrum is Toni Collette’s character Gwen Johansen, the wife of Mark Ruffalo’s Kenneth Marshall. An eccentric villain with a quirky obsession with sauces, Gwen adds a fascinating layer of menace and dark humour to the story. “That was the joy of it,” Collette says. “There’s so much to play with. Everything comes with a smile, but there’s a lot of prickly energy underneath, ulterior motives, the need to control and manipulate.” The sauce obsession, she explains, represents an “inane kind of priority” that reflects her character’s detachment from reality. “Given the circumstances of their living on the ship, they’ve got their own little luxurious bubble that has nothing to do with reality,” Collette says. “And I think that’s how she lives generally, actually.”

Collette’s ability to balance the quirky and the menacing is once again a testament to her skill as an actor, and her character serves as a dark counterpoint to Ackie’s hopeful revolutionary. Naomi’s character embodies a kind of resistance to the commodified self, offering a glimpse of how younger generations might break free from the pervasive logic of the status quo (capitalism) and reclaim a new sense of authenticity. In contrast, Collette’s character becomes a cautionary figure, her traits revealing the dangers of internalizing capitalist values, where identity is reduced to a consumable product, and life itself is stripped of any value, depth and meaning, distilled into nothing more than experimental, molecular-gastronomy-style sauces for the elite’s indulgence. Together, they illustrate the tension between human exploitation, alienation and the possibility of revolutionary connection.

At its core, Mickey 17 is a story about survival and morality, but it’s also a call to action. Both Ackie and Collette emphasize the importance of community and personal power in a world that often feels divided. “People aren’t encouraged to nurture their own sense of personal power,” Collette says. “In these times, when everybody’s so individualistic, having stories that indulge the community sense and looking out for others is very important.” Ackie echoes this sentiment, adding, “It’s about building connections and letting that grow into something really special. That’s how change happens.”

It’s clear that Mickey 17 is more than just another Hollywood sci-fi spectacle. It’s a reflection of the capitalist world we live in, a world where mere survival often feels like the only option, and connection is a radical act. Through its exploration of revolution, the fragility of life and the transformative power of community, the film challenges us to question the systems that reduce us to mere commodities and imagine what it might mean to truly live as a community, rather than simply endure as an individual.

With Naomi Ackie and Toni Collette delivering performances that are as nuanced as they are captivating, Mickey 17 doesn’t just entertain — it lingers, inviting us to consider how small acts of resistance and solidarity can spark profound change. Long after the credits roll, the film’s questions remain: What are we willing to fight for, and who do we become when we dare to care? ■

Mickey 17 opens in Montreal theatres on Friday, March 7

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Police arrested 37-year-old Kyle Le Huquet on Feb. 27, after a minor from the United Kingdom reported him through Cybertip.ca. Police believe there could be more victims.

Montreal bars, cafés and restaurants are getting their elbows up and boycotting U.S. products in the wake of President Donald Trump's tariffs.

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

Hatley Township council met at its town hall on March 4, presided over by Mayor Vincent Fontaine, with three residents in attendance. The meeting covered various municipal matters, with residents raising concerns over road maintenance, emergency access, and upcoming renovations to public spaces.

Public questions on road conditions and emergency access

During the question period, one resident brought up concerns regarding a steep section of road near the Auberge, questioning whether the municipality would take responsibility for winter maintenance. Council members clarified that the road is officially closed during the winter months and is maintained privately.

“It’s marked as closed for the season,” a council member explained. “There’s a private contractor who maintains it for those who need access, but the township does not take responsibility.”

The discussion shifted to public safety, particularly regarding fire department access. A resident asked what would happen if a fire broke out on the closed road.

“The emergency vehicles won’t be able to go up if the road conditions aren’t safe,” the council acknowledged, adding that the township had taken steps to ensure proper signage was in place to warn residents of the risks.

Bistro Hall renovations moving forward

Council approved a resolution to move ahead with renovations to the township’s Bistro Hall, focusing on electrical work and improved lighting. The upgrades are expected to enhance the space’s functionality for cultural and community events.

“The first step was demolition,” a council member noted. “Now, we’re moving on to installing the new electrical system and upgrading the lighting.”

The project is part of a broader effort to provide a multi-purpose space for the community, with potential uses ranging from film screenings to public meetings. The approved contract for the electrical work is valued at $17,580 before taxes.

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L’article Renovations, road concerns and public safety at Hatley Township council meeting est apparu en premier sur Sherbrooke Record.

Yves Ledoux finally received a few kegs of Guinness after what he calls an unprecedented delay. The creamy and bitter stout has experienced a surge in popularity, in part due to social media.

The shows are finally starting to stack up, signifying that our days of unbearably cold temps are now numbered. Having made it through the post-holidays drought, it’s time to plug in again and start putting the sweat back on the walls of our hallowed watering holes.

Before we get going here, you should know that the March 18 Montreal appearance by Helmet — who will play their classic record Betty in its entirety — is sold the fug out. Bummer, but the silver lining here is at least we won’t be missing a performance of In the Meantime — ‘cause that jammer kicks Betty’s butt. 

March 5

A true legend of proto-punk and early proponent of being a potty-mouth on vinyl — Jonathan Richman — returns to town for two shows with drummer Tommy Larkins in tow. Though the show on March 4 is unfortunately long sold out,  fear not, my furry friends, as a second show has been added the following night. If you’re swift enough, you might be able to grab some tickets right now — this show is most likely going to sell out as well. Both shows are happening in the perfect venue setting of la Sala Rossa. 4848 St-Laurent, showtime 8 p.m., $26.09

March 22

Long before Deafheaven had black metal gatekeepers’ keyboards clacking with disgust over adding elements of blasphemous shoegaze to their done to death tremolo-picking, France’s Alcest had already been pissing that crowd off for years. Alcest is a true master of adding dashes of psych, shoegaze and (dare I say) pop to doom and gloom — and they’ve been often imitated and never duplicated. Yeppers, this is my big pick of the month, and if that wasn’t enough, Japanese post-rockers Mono will set their phaser pedals on stunning in the middle slot. Kælan Mikla opens the night up, at Théâtre Beanfield. 2490 Notre-Dame W., showtime 7:30 p.m., available $134–$159 at press time

March 23

All of the psychonauts who like their eggs freaky-side up will definitely want to make it down to l’Esco to catch Slovenly Recordings jammers Acid Baby Jesus. Creepy organ and vocals surfing on a tsunami of reverb? Sign me up! If that wasn’t rad enough, the self-proclaimed “best band in the city,” Priors, will give the geeks something to think about while posi punkers Positive ID take up the sweat act. Better grab tix now cause this will fill up fast. 4461 St-Denis, showtime 8 p.m., $24.56

March 24

Can’t decide over a sprinkling of doom melancholy, oozing slocore, heady psych, ’90s indie, dense shoegaze and an undercurrent of country twang? Well, Cloakroom is your new favourite band and, as luck would have it, they just happen to be pulling into town. To get your crossed-arms and head-swish move on, just make it down to le Ritz early to catch openers Autre Part and Empress of Nothing. 179 Jean-Talon W., showtime 8 p.m., $28.41

March 25

When I saw Mayhem at Club Soda many moons ago, I was super bummed as it was really, really, uh… goofy. It remains one of the quietest shows I have ever seen. I mean their first record is a true classic black metal banger, but it at that particular show they could barely muster a whimper instead of ripping my spine out, which is what I was expecting. I don’t know, maybe I was just grumpy. You can catch them with fellow second wave black metal legend Mortiis, Imperial Triumphant and New Skeletal Faces at Théâtre Beanfield. 2490 Notre-Dame W., showtime 6:30 p.m., $60.75

Current Obsession: Yob, Clearing the Path to Ascend

For more Montreal music coverage, please visit the Music section.

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According to a new study by the Angus Reid Institute, 17% of Canadians have a favourable opinion of Tesla CEO and Trump’s “special government employee” Elon Musk, including just 10% of people in Quebec, where positive sentiments towards Musk are lowest.

The vast majority of Canadians (79%), including 84% of Quebecers, say they have a negative opinion of Elon Musk. Musk’s net favourability in Canada currently sits at -62%.

The province where Musk is most favoured is Saskatchewan (31%).

Musk’s favourability in Canada of 17% is currently the same as Donald Trump’s.

“Donald Trump will likely face a cold welcome if he attends the G7 Summit in Kananaskis later this year. 4 in 5 Canadians view him unfavourably. An identical number say the same of one of his most prominent allies, Elon Musk, who recently posted on social media that ‘Canada is not a real country.’ This was in response to a petition to the House of Commons asking the government to strip Musk of his Canadian citizenship, which received more than 359,000 signatures. The petition alleges Musk has attempted to influence Canadian elections using his social media company ‘X’ and that he is part of a government threatening Canadian sovereignty.”

A previous study by the Canadian Digital Media Research Network found that 19% of Canadians say they trust Elon Musk’s opinions on Canadian politics.

The Angus Reid Institute conducted an online survey from Feb. 27 to March 3, 2025, among a representative randomized sample of 2,005 Canadian adults who are members of Angus Reid Forum.

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

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Rachèle Béliveau has led the women’s volleyball team at McGill University in Montreal since 1991. After coaching her last game, she sat down with CBC Montreal weekend anchor Douglas Gelevan to discuss her career and how the sport has changed.

Quebec Transport Minister Geneviève Guilbault is announcing a new tramway project that would replace the contentious REM de l'Est during a news conference at the Repentigny, Que., city hall.

Montreal sports/LGBTQ+ bar Champs is being forced to close for five consecutive nights as what the bar calls “punishment” by the Régie des Alcools for allowing dancing prior to being hit with noise complaints last fall.

The St-Laurent Boulevard establishment suspended their many dance parties in early December after a neighbour called the cops on them. Despite doing the work necessary to abide by the Régie’s rules and SPVM’s demands, they are required to close from March 6 to 10 and are waiting indefinitely for the green light to return to business as usual.

“We do not have any update from the SPVM or the Régie des Alcools regarding the status of receiving our dancing permit . We have completed all paperwork, paid all fees and done all the soundproofing work but unfortunately the SPVM and RACJ aren’t restricted to any sort of timeline so we are required to wait indefinitely for this answer. We will keep you updated , and don’t forget to come out tonight before our brief closure!”

For more on Champs, please visit their Instagram.

For our latest in music, please visit the Music section.

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According to a new study by the Angus Reid Institute, Liberal leadership candidate Mark Carney is considered to be the best option for prime minister to negotiate with the Trump administration, ahead of Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre by 9 points.

Nationally, Carney sits at 43%, followed by Poilievre at 34%.

According to the Angus Reid Institute, Mark Carney (+9%) also leads Pierre Poilievre (-19%) in net favourability by 28 points. Unfavourability of Poilievre is now at an all-time high, with 56% of Canadians saying they have a negative opinion of the CPC leader.

Carney leads Poilievre in net favourability by 44 points among women and 43 points among Canadians aged 18 to 34 years old.

“Poilievre has struggled to endear himself to Canadians. A majority of Canadians have consistently said they have a negative opinion of the CPC leader.”

Carney is currently the favourite to take over from Justin Trudeau as Liberal party leader.

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

The post Mark Carney leads Pierre Poilievre by 9 points as the best candidate to negotiate with Trump appeared first on Cult MTL.

Agency is a powerful mixed media exhibition at the MAI by tīná gúyáńí, the parent-child duo of Glenna Cardinal and seth cardinal dodginghorse, reflecting on the loss of their ancestral home in Tsuut’ina Nation due to a land transfer for the Southwest Calgary Ring Road. Through film, music and visual arts, they critique colonial institutions that continue to displace Indigenous families while exploring themes of land, healing and reclamation. More than a chronicle of forced removal, Agency envisions self-determined, non-colonial and non-patriarchal ways of reconnecting with home, kinship and the land.

Agency is on at MAI (3680 Jeanne-Mance) from March 6 to 29

For more on Montreal arts, please visit the Arts & Life section.

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Quebecers can expect higher food prices and fewer American products as the U.S.-Canada trade war escalates. Businesses are bracing for impact, with some stocking up ahead of new tariffs.

Measles is a respiratory disease caused by a highly contagious virus that's more infectious than influenza, chickenpox or COVID-19.

Vivek Astvansh, an associate professor at McGill’s Desautels Faculty of Management, warns Ottawa’s use of counter-tariffs to fight Donald Trump’s economic attack on Canada is just for ‘optics'.

The federal government has officially filed a notice to intervene in the Supreme Court of Canada's hearing on Quebec's secularism law.

In December 2023, Ali Ngarukiye was convicted of attempted murder, aggravated assault, disarming a police officer, discharging a firearm and carjacking. His sentence was handed down Tuesday in a Montreal courtroom.

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

Ayer’s Cliff council met for its regular monthly meeting on March 3 in the basement of St-Barthélemy Catholic Church, with Mayor Simon Roy presiding and roughly 10 residents in attendance. While the meeting covered financial reports, infrastructure projects, and upcoming community events, the highlight came during the question period, when residents raised concerns about accessibility at the municipal library.

The discussion revolved around a planned installation of an external platform lift for people with reduced mobility, intended to replace the deteriorating ramp. Council members confirmed that federal funding of up to $115,000 had been secured to support the project, but some residents questioned whether this measure alone would be sufficient.

“The platform lift will make it easier to access the library,” one resident pointed out, “but once inside, how will people get to the second floor?” Mayor Roy acknowledged the limitation, noting that while the lift would resolve access issues at the entrance, there was currently no plan to install an internal elevator.

A resident with experience in mobility aids suggested exploring stairlift options similar to those used in private homes. “There are chair lifts that can transport people up one floor,” she said, proposing that council look into whether such a system could be adapted for the library. Mayor Roy responded that the town would be open to reviewing alternative solutions. “If you have details or an estimate from a company, send it to the town, and we’ll see if it’s feasible.”

Budget and financial matters

Earlier in the meeting, the council approved the town’s payable accounts for the month, totaling $275,000, with an additional $92,000 in expenses due to an extra payroll period. Council also confirmed that Ayer’s Cliff had received significant external funding this month, including $115,000 from the federal government for the library lift, $16,000 in waste management royalties, and $114,000 from the MRC for improvements at Tyler Park.

The town also discussed audit costs, noting that financial oversight remains a necessary expense. “Yes, accountants are expensive, but it ensures that taxpayer money is accounted for and protected,” said the mayor, emphasizing the importance of financial transparency.

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L’article Ayer’s Cliff council tackles accessibility concerns at monthly meeting est apparu en premier sur Sherbrooke Record.

Trade war with the U.S. threatens Quebec economy

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

A new trade dispute between Canada and the United States is already sending shockwaves through Quebec’s economy, with experts warning of severe consequences for key industries. As of March 4, the U.S. government has imposed a 25 per cent tariff on various Canadian imports, prompting Canada to respond with its own retaliatory measures. The federal government has introduced tariffs on $30 billion worth of U.S. goods, with an additional $125 billion in potential countermeasures currently under consultation.

Professor Mathieu Arès, an Applied Politics expert at the University of Sherbrooke, believes these tariffs could push Canada into a recession. “We’re looking at an estimated economic contraction of 1.5 to 2.6 per cent,” he said. “This isn’t just a minor disruption—it’s a serious economic blow.”

Impact on Quebec’s industries

The tariffs are expected to hit Quebec’s construction and forestry sectors particularly hard. The Association de la construction du Québec (ACQ) has strongly denounced the tariffs in a press release, warning that the higher cost of American building materials will drive up prices and slow down projects. Many essential materials used in Quebec’s construction industry come from the U.S., and finding alternative sources will take time. The ACQ is urging the federal government to ensure its countermeasures do not worsen the situation for local businesses.

Meanwhile, the province’s forestry sector, which exports 85 per cent of its products to the U.S., is also in jeopardy. The retaliatory tariffs may affect American imports of essential Canadian resources, including aluminum, copper, potash, and oil. In response, Quebec’s Minister of Natural Resources and Forests, Maïté Blanchette Vézina, has announced in a release the creation of a special task force aimed at diversifying export markets. “We must protect Quebec’s economy by reducing our dependence on the American market,” she said, emphasizing the need to develop trade relationships with Europe and Asia.

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L’article “A serious economic blow” est apparu en premier sur Sherbrooke Record.

Car-sharing service Communauto has increased its prices in Quebec for the third time in less than a year. But customers say the biggest problem is the lack of customer service and issues with the cars.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a statement today about Canada’s response to the implementation of 25% tariffs on Canadian goods by the U.S. As already announced after the trade war began at midnight last night, Canada will impose retaliatory 25% tariffs on $155-billion in U.S. goods entering Canada — on $30-billion in goods immediately, and on the additional $125-billion in 21 days.

Trudeau spoke directly to Canadians, to Americans and to U.S. President Donald Trump specifically, opening the remarks by contrasting the launching of a “dumb,” unjustified and “illegal” trade war with an ally while cozying up to Russian President Vladimir Putin — this on the same day that the Trump administration officially announced the end of U.S. military aid to Ukraine.

“Today, the U.S. launched a trade war against Canada — their closest partner and ally, their closest friend. At the same time, they’re talking about working positively with Russia, appeasing Vladimir Putin — a lying, murderous dictator. Make that make sense.”

One explanation for this radical policy shift from the U.S. is that the Trump administration is taking a cue from Russia and trying to annex its neighbour — using “economic force,” as Trump has said, rather than the military. During his remarks today, Trudeau speculated that, given the falsehood of the fentanyl narrative the U.S. is using to justify the tariffs, Trump should be taken at his word when it comes to the real reason for this trade war: trying to make Canada the 51st state.

“What he wants is to see a total collapse of the Canadian economy because that will make it easier to annex us. That is never going to happen — we will never be the 51st state — but let us not fool ourselves about what he seems to want.”

Trudeau promised painful repercussions for the U.S. in response to tariffs on Canadian goods, telling Americans that “your government did this to you.” He said that conversations are ongoing with provinces and territories to enact further non-tariff counter-measures against the U.S. should the tariffs not be lifted — “…measures which will demonstrate that there are no winners in a trade war.”

“Canadians are reasonable, we are polite, but we will not back down from a fight not when our country and well-being of everyone in it is at stake.”

Trudeau also said that financial aid to affected Canadian workers and businesses is forthcoming.

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

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The 25 per cent tariffs on virtually all Canadian goods will have varying impacts on Quebec's steel, aluminum, manufacturing, forestry and fishing sectors.

According to a study by the Angus Reid Institute, favourability of the United States in Canada has fallen to a historic low of 24% since the re-election of Donald Trump.

While the vast majority of Americans (79%) continue to see Canada as a friendly country or ally, just 23% of Canadians say the same about the United States.

“During Trump’s first presidential term, favourable views of the United States in Canada dropped well below where they were under Barack Obama. Nothing that happened during that period, however, elicited negative views comparable to where we are today. Currently, three-quarters of Canadians (73%) say they view the U.S. unfavourably, while one-quarter (24%) say the opposite.”

The study also found that a large majority of Canadians support retaliatory tariffs and embargos against the United States. Today, the Trump administration imposed 25% tariffs on all Canadian goods entering the U.S.

The Angus Reid Institute conducted an online survey from Feb. 27 to March 3, 2025, among a representative randomized sample of 2,005 Canadian adults who are members of Angus Reid Forum.

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

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