Allana Henderson says it was difficult to get support from Facebook. She has been watching alleged cybercriminals’ use her account to sell various items, and she says some of her friends have fallen victim.

According to a study by the Angus Reid Institute, 20% of Canadians have a positive opinion of Donald Trump, including just 15% in Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, the provinces where favourability for Trump is lowest.

The provinces where Trump is most popular are Saskatchewan (30%) and Alberta (28%).

Overall, 68% of Canadians have a negative impression of Donald Trump, including 73% in Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

Donald Trump’s net favourability in Canada sits at -48%.

The study also found that favourability of Donald Trump is highest among Conservatives (45%), and lowest among Liberal (3%) and NDP (2%) voters. (For the complete table of results, please see page 2 in the report here.)

The Angus Reid Institute conducted an online survey from Nov. 29 to Dec. 2, 2024 among a representative randomized sample of 3,003 Canadian adults who are members of Angus Reid Forum.

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

The post Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick are the most anti-Trump provinces in Canada appeared first on Cult MTL.

Federal governments both Conservative and Liberal spent at least $14.5 million fighting prominent First Nations child advocate Cindy Blackstock in court over the last 18 years. Blackstock says the figure is "really disappointing," while an NDP MP calls it "appalling."

Some Montrealers are looking for the perfect gift for someone on their list, but it won't be brand new with the tags still on. It will be from the thrift shop. Whether it's economic or environmental concerns or just the thrill of the hunt, we'll hear what's driving interest in thrifting and why one expert cautions that thrifting alone won't solve overconsumption.

The Montreal Roses announced the signing of Canadian forward Tanya Boychuk on Thursday. She joins the Northern Super League team after leading Swedish club Vittsjö GIK with seven goals this year in the Damallsvenskan, the country's top league.

The City of Montreal has announced that a new, refrigerated outdoor skating rink will open in the LGBTQ+ Village in mid-January.

The rink, with a surface over 100 metres long, will be located in Place du Village, at the corner of Atateken and Ste-Catherine E.

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante commented on the news, and on the city’s efforts to revitalize the Ville-Marie borough and address safety concerns in the Village.

“The development and animation of public spaces are concrete ways to stimulate the dynamism of neighbourhoods, while contributing to the quality of life and the feeling of security. With this brand new refrigerated skating rink, we are offering the neighbourhood’s population and all visitors a quality destination in the heart of the Village, which we are determined to support.”

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

The post New outdoor skating rink to open in the Village in Montreal mid-January appeared first on Cult MTL.

If you’ve seen the brand new trailer for the new Superman movie starring David Corenswet and thought, “Oh great, another half-baked British Superman faking an American accent. What’s next, more CGI moustache removal?” — I hear you. But in this case, despite what seems like a Hollywood conspiracy to ruin the cultural icons of our youth, there’s no need to panic. He might have an annoyingly upper-class-twat surname, but David Corenswet is not some jacked up former Burberry model — he’s actually a Juilliard-trained actor (from Philadelphia, with roots in New Orleans) who’s played some impressive roles in a number of pretty good and not-so-good movies and series.

It should also be noted that next summer’s would-be blockbuster Superman (previously titled Superman Legacy) is in good hands. The movie, currently in post-production, is written and directed by James Gunn of Guardians of the Galaxy fame — kicking off a whole new DCU that will hopefully leave the Snyderverse in the shadows where it belongs. (Man of Steel was the only decent thing that came of it, and that was a decade ago. It’s time for the fanboys to move on.)

So for those unacquainted with David Corenswet, here is a ranked list of all of the films and series where he plays significant roles (HBO’s Baltimore police drama We Own This City has been omitted, for example, because Corenswet is barely noticeable as a paint-by-numbers cop in a handful of episodes). There’s a lot of variety and a lot of range here, with the better titles especially suggesting that Corenswet has a long career ahead of him — as Superman and beyond.

All the movies and series starring David Corenswet, the new Superman, ranked

8. Look Both Ways (2022)

This Sliding Doors-style rom-com — wherein a woman’s life develops a parallel timeline as we see the impact of an unexpected pregnancy, as well as her trajectory when her pregnancy test comes back negative — is at the bottom of the pack for several reasons. This is some dues-paying, (presumably) Netflix-contract-fulfilling stuff for Corenswet, who has a supporting role as a basic nice guy who dates the girl (Lili Reinhart) in the baby-less timeline, but then has to split to Nova Scotia indefinitely to work on a film project. The film is pretty dull overall, and (without dropping spoilers) a smidge ideologically dubious, especially since it came out about a month after huge numbers of American women started to lose abortion rights in their states. As for David Corenswet co-starring in a convoluted rom-com, there’s a far better option than Look Both Ways further down this list.

Watch it or don’t watch it? Don’t watch it.

Look Both Ways is streaming in Canada on Netflix.

7. The Politician (2019)

This Ryan Murphy Netflix series stars Corenswet in a very minor but key role as River Barkley (lol), Ben Platt’s secret boyfriend and political rival in college. Some of Corenswet’s scenes in The Politician undoubtedly advanced his career — a political speech that turns into a mental health confession, a near-death experience hallucination wherein Platt actually tells him, “You look like Superman” — showcasing his effortless ability to be sympathetic and tender on screen. As a whole, though, the two-season series is a chore, especially if you’re like me and find Platt irritating. But Ryan Murphy’s signature all-star casting choices (Gwyneth Paltrow has a conversation with David Corenswet in Mandarin, Jessica Lange and Bette Midler are also in the mix) almost make The Politician worthwhile.

Watch it or don’t watch it? Don’t watch it.

The Politician is streaming in Canada on Netflix.

6. Affairs of State (2018)

In the same year that he appeared in the penultimate episode of House of Cards for, like, three minutes (playing Claire Underwood’s old boyfriend in a flashback), David Corenswet landed a lead role in Affairs of State, a sleazy political drama as an amoral asshole trying to climb the political ladder. While his hacker roommate (Thora Birch) contributes to the cause via blackmail schemes with a sociopathic political operative (Adrian Grenier), Corenswet’s angle is mainly railing a series of old ladies (Mimi Rogers among them). In his first theatrical release, Corenswet handles the lead role well despite going against what would become his type — unlikeable anti-hero is not the greatest of fits. While this is overall not a good movie, its sheer trashiness and unintentional laughs — watching Corenswet’s tortured reactions to constant propositions from a wide range of ladies, the absurd attempt at suspense in the film’s final moments, etc — arguably make it worth a watch.

Watch it or don’t watch it? Watch it (if you have an appreciation for sleaze)

Affairs of State is streaming in Canada on Tubi.

5. Twisters (2024)

Though David Corenswet only plays a small role in Twisters, its big-screen blockbuster status and its release towards the end of the Superman shoot attracted a fair amount of attention to his role as the cynical, mean-spirited Scott, who quickly aligns with the bad guys in this film. (According to X chatter, the guy who sells out poor people is the hot one in this movie, which perhaps says more about X than Corenswet.) Glen Powell plays the closet-scientist in yahoo clothing (or, as Scott puts it, “a hillbilly with a YouTube channel”) in this reboot of the 1996 tornado movie Twister, co-starring Daisy Edgar Jones as the expert storm scientist with a sad past. It’s a decent action thriller, despite criticism of its failure to address climate science. A behind-the-scenes video shows the rest of the cast on set reacting to news that Corenswet had been cast as Superman during the Twisters shoot, and according to director Lee Isaac Chung, the Man of Steel of peeked through when Corenswet ripped off his shirt in one take of the scene where Scott is angrily yelling as his van and driver leave him in the dust.

Watch it or don’t watch it? Watch it

Twisters is streaming in Canada on Prime.

4. The Greatest Hits (2024)

This is a way better rom-com than Look Both Ways, and its central conceit is far more original: Lucy Boynton plays a woman who can’t hear any song she listened to with her late boyfriend without time-travelling back to the moment they heard it together. Her obsession with trying to change the past and prevent his fatal car accident leaves her depressed and unable to move on, casting a pall of sadness over much of the film, despite the new love interest she meets in group grief therapy. Corenswet is well cast as Boynton’s tragic boyfriend, which is a repeat of The Politician, strangely, but he gets more screen time here. Given the film’s focus on music, I appreciated the decision to avoid the same old needledrops. In fact, the only cringe moment in The Greatest Hits comes when two characters (not Corenswet) are singing along to one of the soundtrack’s very few well-known songs. Despite that gaffe (I actually had to turn the TV off and regroup before continuing), this is a worthwhile emotional rollercoaster and a playlist of music discoveries.

Watch it or don’t watch it? Watch it

The Greatest Hits is streaming in Canada on Disney+.

3. Lady in the Lake (2024)

While David Corenswet doesn’t have a ton of screen time in this Apple TV+ series, he plays an important role as Allan Durst, the ex-boyfriend of Maddie Schwartz (Natalie Portman), and someone whose impact on her life is revealed to be significant. (The fact that he gets to go to town on Portman must have been nerve-wracking for a self-proclaimed Star Wars nerd.) This is a good showcase for Corenswet, who appears in three different time periods: as a teenager (cinematography turns up the gauze significantly on him and on Portman in these flashbacks, making them both look ultra dewey), a 30-ish man (his actual age) and a 40-something dad. We watch as his character evolves from an idiotic boy to a drunk at a party to an angry, bereaved beardo — none of these are Superman-ish in the least. While the series overall is imperfectly executed, it’s a captivating mystery set between the Jewish and Black communities in 1960’s Baltimore. Outside the central mystery and drama driven by race- and gender-based tension, there are entertaining moments such as a surrealist musical number (wherein Corenswet was unable to show off his staircase choreography skills as he had to be replaced by a stand-in — after wrecking his shoulder falling down a different set of stairs right before the shoot).

Watch it or don’t watch it? Watch it

Lady in the Lake is streaming in Canada on Apple TV+.

2. Pearl (2022)

Ti West’s prequel to X, the 1979-set slasher film about a group of amateur filmmakers shooting a quasi-porno in the country, is set on and around the same property in 1918. Mia Goth plays the titular farm girl whose blood-lust blossoms when a film projectionist in town (Corenswet) encourages her to leave her family behind and pursue her dreams of being in the pictures. The primary purpose for this sweet-talking is to get in her pants; he also shows her a reel from an old-timey porno to pique her carnal curiosity. But the projectionist’s lack of real interest in Pearl — which evolves into creeping dread as her mental illness reveals itself — soon comes back to bite him. This is a no-brainer for horror fans, and (spoilers ahead) if you want to see the future Superman (with a moustache!) die a fairly gruesome genre-worthy death, Pearl is the movie for you.

Watch it or don’t watch it? Watch it

Pearl is streaming in Canada on Prime.

1. Hollywood (2020)

Imagine Hollywood in the 1940’s — but woke. This is the general idea of Ryan Murphy’s Hollywood, a major showcase for Corenswet, who’s set up as the protagonist from the very first shot despite the series having a pretty deep ensemble cast. While championing progressive values by depicting a world where people of colour were cast in lead roles and gay actors (such as Rock Hudson, one of several real Hollywood figures in this series) were allowed to come out of the closet, Hollywood is also pretty funny and highly sleazy — its original script was apparently borderline softcore porn, and they certainly kept some of that in. As an aspiring actor who can’t catch a break, Corenswet’s character Jack Costello winds up working at a gas station that’s a front for a gigolo service — more banging of senior citizens ensues. Despite the side hustle, Corenswet plays Costello as a fairly wholesome all-American type with notable Clark Kent vibes. And if you ever wanted to see Jim Parsons do the inverse of the Big Bang Theory thing (I hate that show), his role as a predatory gay movie exec here is priceless.

Watch it or don’t watch it? Watch it

Hollywood is streaming in Canada on Netflix.

James Gunn’s Superman is scheduled for release on July 11, 2025.

For our latest in film and TV, please visit the Film & TV section.

The post All the movies and series starring David Corenswet, the new Superman, ranked appeared first on Cult MTL.

Quebec provincial police conducted raids that led to 35 arrests in several regions and say the operation sent a "clear message" to organized crime groups.

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

Outside Saint-Famille Church in Sherbrooke on Dec. 18, community members gathered to call for urgent action on the housing crisis. Led by Normand Couture of the Association des locataires de Sherbrooke, the press conference emphasized the need to convert the vacant church into social housing.

The festive atmosphere, marked by Mr. and Mrs. Claus spreading cheer, gave way to serious concerns about affordability and displacement. “At Christmas, many of us look forward to gifts and meals with loved ones, but that’s not everyone’s reality,” Couture said on location. “For some, it’s eviction notices and fear of homelessness.”

The Association highlighted the church’s strategic location near schools, businesses, and essential services, making it ideal for social housing. Plans originally proposed by the Office municipal d’habitation and Le Parallèle in 2021 would have provided homes for 30 families at rates tailored to low-income earners. However, the city rejected the plan in favour of a library project, which was later abandoned.

Couture voiced frustration over rising gentrification in Sherbrooke’s east end, pointing to nearby developments where rents have climbed to $1,300 or $1,400 a month. “We’ve already seen this downtown—modest-income residents pushed out. Now it’s happening here,” he said. Between 2018 and 2022, homelessness in Quebec increased by 44 per cent, an issue the Association links directly to the lack of affordable housing.

With the city now owning the church, Couture urged officials to prioritize community needs over private interests. “We need to take housing out of the profit market. It’s a right, not a commodity,” he stated, drawing applause from the crowd.

The Association has planned a series of actions, including a public meeting in February and a petition to be presented at city council in the spring. “We won’t let this go. This church must serve the people who need it most,” Couture said.

The fight for Saint-Famille Church is part of a broader push to address Sherbrooke’s housing crisis. For now, the building stands empty, but its future remains a rallying point for residents determined to see change.

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L’article Housing fight continues as Saint-Famille church remains vacant est apparu en premier sur Sherbrooke Record.

Eastern Townships public health authorities have launched an investigation into Lou Gehrig's disease cases in the region after a woman from Windsor, Que., alerted them to nearly 20 residents having the disorder.

A woman filmed making antisemitic remarks and performing a Nazi salute at a protest in Montreal last month has been arrested, according to Radio-Canada sources.

As part of the celebration of the 50 years of the Quebec Film Critics Association, the organizations unveiled two lists of the best films of the past half century. The first list showcases the diversity and weight of the Quebec industry, highlighting the very best local films since 1973. The other list opens up the discussion worldwide, featuring 50 films from the same period, representing cinema from 28 different countries. The lists are ordered by release date.

The international list hits on a lot of very familiar names, with most of the films appearing on the recent Sight & Sound list which polled over 1600 critics from around the world. If the list features any surprises, it’s likely from films of the past decade. Justine Triet’s Anatomy of a Fall is the only film from the 2020s, though it was notably released in the last qualifying year for the list (which features films from 1973 to 2023). It will be interesting to see if Triet’s film, as well as Parasite and Portrait of a Lady on Fire, continue to maintain their enormous popularity going forward.

As for the Quebec selections, for cinephiles outside of Quebec, there are a lot of obvious names like Denys Arcand, Jean-Marc Vallée, Denis Villeneuve and Pascal Plante. The most represented filmmaker though is Pierre Falardeau, who is still fairly unknown outside of the province. Four of his films, Elvis Gratton: le king des kings (co-directed by Julien Poulin), Le temps des bouffons, Octobre, and 15 février 1839 appear on the list. Arcand and Stéphane Lafleur have three films each and André Forcier, Jean-Claude Lauzon, Robert Morin and Denis Côté have two. 

The 100 Best Films of the Past 50 Years according to the Quebec Film Critics Association

The 50 Best International Films (1973–2023)

1. Amarcord 
2. La maman et la putain 
3. A Woman Under the Influence 
4. The Godfather Part II 
5. Jeanne Dielman, 23, Quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles 
6. The Mirror
7. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest 
8. Taxi Driver 
9. Alien 
10. Apocalypse Now 
11. Manhattan 
12. Stalker
13. Mon oncle d’Amérique 
14. The Shining 
15. Possession
16. Blade Runner 
17. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial 
18. Fanny et Alexandre 
19. Sans soleil 
20. Paris Texas 
21. The sacrifice 
22. Wings of Desire
23. Do the Right Thing 
24. Close-up 
25. Goodfellas
26. The piano 
27. Pulp Fiction 
28. La haine 
29. Trainspotting 
30. Beau travail 
31. Eyes Wide Shut 
32. Magnolia 
33. Amores perros
34. Dancer in the Dark
35. Les glaneurs et la glaneuse 
36. In the Mood for Love 
37. Yi Yi 
38. Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain 
39. Mulholland Drive 
40. Spirited Away
41. Talk to Her
42. Elephant 
43. 4 months, 3 weeks, 2 days
44. There Will be Blood 
45. Un prophète 
46. Uncle Boonmee, who can recall his past lives
47. The Tree of Life 
48. Parasite
49. Portrait de la jeune fille en feu 
50. Anatomie d’une chute

The 50 Best Quebec Films (1973–2023)

1. Les ordres
2. L’eau chaude, l’eau frette 
3. Parlez-nous d’amour 
4. 24 heures ou plus…
5. J. A. Martin photographe 
6. Mourir à tue-tête 
7. Les bons débarras 
8. La cuisine rouge 
9. Les Plouffe 
10. La bête lumineuse 
11. Au clair de la lune 
12. La guerre des tuques 
13. Sonatine 
14. Elvis Gratton : le king des kings 
15. Le temps des bouffons 
16. Le déclin de l’empire américain
17. L’homme qui plantait des arbres 
18. Un zoo la nuit 
19. Jésus de Montréal 
20. Léolo 
21. Requiem pour un beau sans-cœur 
22. Kanehsatake : 270 ans de résistance 
23. Octobre 
24. Yes Sir! Madame… 
25. Le confessionnal
26. 15 février 1839 
27. Gaz Bar Blues 
28. La grande séduction 
29. Les invasions barbares 
30. C.R.A.Z.Y. 
31. La neuvaine 
32. Continental, un film sans fusil 
33. À l’ouest de Pluton 
34. Curling 
35. Incendies 
36. Monsieur Lazhar
37. Le démantèlement 
38. Vic + Flo ont vu un ours 
39. Mommy 
40. Tu dors Nicole 
41. Les démons 
42. Avant les rues 
43. Les affamés 
44. Chien de garde 
45. Antigone 
46. The Twentieth Century 
47. Cette maison 
48. Geographies of Solitude 
49. Viking 
50. Les chambres rouges

For more on the Quebec Film Critics Association, please visit their website.

For our latest in film and TV, please visit the Film & TV section.

The post The 100 Best Films of the Past 50 Years according to the Quebec Film Critics Association appeared first on Cult MTL.

As voted by our readers in the 2024 Best of MTL readers poll, these are the best nightclubs in Montreal. For more results from the Best of MTL, please click here.

Best Nightclubs in Montreal

1. Stereo

2. Jet

3. La Voûte

4. Datcha

5. Club Unity

These are the best nightclubs in Montreal. Explore the complete Best of MTL issue here.

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

The post Best Nightclubs in Montreal appeared first on Cult MTL.

Residents living in Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve say the borough lacked transparency when deciding on changing its garbage collection cycle from weekly to bi-weekly. The change is aimed at encouraging more recycling and composting.

The Old Port of Montreal welcomes Santa and his elves as part of the Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan this Thursday, Dec. 19. The lit-up Red Coca-Cola truck, which has been making stops in Canadian cities since Nov. 14 and will continue through Dec. 22, will welcome visitors to take photos with Santa, sample sodas, get their faces emblazoned on collectible soda cans and possibly take home some giveaway items.

This year, the Caravan project has introduced the Canada’s Kindest Community contest, in partnership with Community Foundations of Canada. Canadians are invited to nominate kind acts in their community for the chance to win a $50,000 donation to a local non-profit in their area, as well as “a special Holiday Caravan experience” in 2025.

For more on the Canada’s Kindest Community Contest and the Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan tour, please visit the Coke website.

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

The post The Old Port of Montreal welcomes Santa and the Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan on Thursday appeared first on Cult MTL.

Montreal police's arson unit is investigating a fire at a synagogue and Jewish community centre in the West Island.

Horse racing has been inextricably linked with betting since time immemorial, or so it would seem. The sport stretches back centuries and is one of the staples of sports scenes across the world, from the massive industries in the UK and Ireland, to Australia, the USA and of course Canada. 

In April 2022 a new era of online sports betting was ushered in with the launch of iGaming Ontario which set out a regulated, organised environment for players to engage with. Casino games and online sports betting suddenly had a new lease of life in the province, as Ontarians no longer had to settle for unregulated offshore options to play at.

Sports betting has now become a major revenue stream for Ontario, as shown in the numbers from the financial year of April 1st, 2023 to March 31st, 2024. $10 billion was wagered on sports during the financial year, out of a total of approximately $52 billion in revenue from online gambling in Ontario. 

Online horse racing betting isn’t as widespread in Canada as other sports, but that hasn’t tempered the demand for it. 

Why Horse Racing Betting Is Popular

There is a special relationship between betting and horse racing. It’s a simple sport, where the quickest horse wins. But under the hood, it is also a lot more nuanced, with track conditions, race grades, distances, jockey form and a lot of other statistics to put to work to make good selections. The balance of skill and strategy is a huge factor in the appeal of horse racing betting.

Another popular aspect of horse racing betting is that bettors get a quick turnover of results. Waiting for the result of a horse race that may last three minutes, is a lot different from waiting for a Canadian Football League game to run its course. It’s much faster-paced, exciting action that bettors can get involved with.

Horse racing has long had a very social element to it as well, highlighted by gatherings at racetracks, especially for big events like the King’s Plate Stakes in Toronto¹, which has a $1,000,000 prize purse. High-profile races like that have appeal for not only seasoned bettors, but they pull in casual bettors to the occasion as well.

Online Convenience

The popularity of online horse racing is likely to grow even further according to the article Horse Racing to Become a Staple at More Betting Sites, Written by Eamon Doggett, Published by gambleontario.ca² partly thanks to how convenient it is to do on a betting site. 

Access to form and analytics within a race card, coupled with ways to watch replays of previous races to catch up on form, plus dip into live streams of races, really adds weight to the online betting experience.

The simple convenience of it, as well, is another big driving force in the growing popularity of online horse racing betting. There’s none of the hassle of having to get to a track or an off-track location just to strike a bet. Online racing betting just opens the door to placing a wager from wherever the bettor is, whenever it is most convenient for them to do so. 

Ontario does not have brick-and-mortar betting shops on the street, so having access to racing betting markets on a mobile device on a legal, regulated sportsbook within the province, is a game changer. Just having horse racing sat alongside all the other popular sports like soccer, tennis and golf is a natural fit.

The demand for horse racing betting has always been there. Bettors having the opportunity to do it the most convenient possible way just helps to fulfil that demand. But it wasn’t always that easy. At the iGaming Ontario launch, it was the one sport over which hung a grey cloud, because racing betting didn’t make it to the start line. 

Rollback to April 2022

When iGaming Ontario was launched on Monday, April 4th, 2022 there was a clamour of excitement. This was a pioneering move over online gambling in Canada, as the province decided on a more modern approach to regulating independent operators. It created a safe and legal way for players to access sports betting options from within the province, giving players a choice of platforms from the open and competitive marketplace. 

Ontario is the only province in Canada to licence independent bookmakers. With the rapid growth of the industry since April 2022, the new system has helped to provide a boost in jobs and has seen plenty going into the coffers of the provincial government. So, all seems well.

But when this all got going, horse racing wasn’t included in the mix. It was not integrated into the great launch of the iGaming Ontario system, and that caused all sorts of confusion.

The Grey Area of Racing Betting

Because Ontarians had access to offshore betting platforms long before iGaming Ontario came along, betting on horse racing was already being done. It was estimated at the time of the launch, that around $1 billion worth of bets were being placed annually by Ontarians using online gambling platforms and 70% of that was going to offshore, unregulated platforms.

Bettors could also go to any Canadian racetrack, off-track betting facilities and some select racing betting apps that were provided by Woodbine Entertainment Group, all under licence from the CPMA for their horse racing betting fixes.

To many people’s surprise, the sportsbooks that were included in the launch of the newly regulated Ontario market, didn’t have the “Sport of Kings” available. So while bettors suddenly had access to a huge amount of regulated online sportsbook options within the province, bettors looking for horse racing were left disappointed. 

For those newly regulated sportsbook operators, it meant that they were missing out on a crucial product of their sportsbook, as worldwide horse racing pulls in a tremendous amount of betting interest.

Type Of Horse Racing Betting

Horse racing betting in Canada is handled at the federal level by the Canadian Parimutuel Agency (CPMA). That means that provinces don’t have a say over it, and therefore Ontario couldn’t just sweep it into being when the new regulated market came along.

Parimutuel betting, a type of pool betting commonly used for wagering on horse racing, is all that’s available for Canadians. After iGaming Ontario kicked off, the problem was that the market was set up to allow only single-event wagering at online sportsbooks. 

IGaming Ontario was initially going to allow bookmakers in the province to offer traditional fixed odds racing bets, but there was big pushback from the horse racing industry at the time over that idea³. The racing community were concerned that if people were just going to use fixed-odds betting at independent sportsbooks, it would drastically dilute the amount of money being taken at racetracks and off-track betting places, heaping a lot of new financial pressures on the racing industry. 

So amidst all the confusion, horse racing was removed from the iGaming Ontario launch, but there was better news ahead for racing fans in Ontario. 

Woodbine Entertainment Involvement

Woodbine Entertainment, which is the leading racetrack operator in the country, has been pivotal in getting horse racing betting online to the masses. Based out of Toronto, Woodbine Entertainment is the only operator with a parimutuel betting licence for Ontario. 

So they hold a lot of power and run all the betting at racetracks within the province, as well as their integrated network of betting apps. Naturally, they had a sizeable interest in how online horse racing betting was to be implemented in Ontario in a way that benefitted everyone. 

The solution came in 2023 when Woodbine announced that they teamed up with world-famous bookmaker bet365 to provide access to parimutuel horse racing betting through the operator’s platform in Ontario⁴. This came after a year’s worth of negotiation with government agencies and regulators to get the deal across the line. 

This is something that could be rolled out beyond Ontario as well in the future, because the CPMA is federal, which could give Woodbine Entertainment the chance to work with lottery corporations in other provinces to get horse racing betting integrated. 

Popularity of horse racing betting in Canada

For Woodbine to work their way to online pari-mutuel horse racing betting in other provinces, like getting onto the PlayNowplatform in British Columbia, is going to take a lot more negotiations. The path to that is going to be long, but the establishment of online parimutuel racing betting in Ontario gives working proof that it can be done successfully and that there are benefits to it as well. 

The current working solution is mutually beneficial for all partners, with bettors getting what they want, the racing industry not being ravaged by single-event betting and a huge upswing in betting interest for the operator. 

Horse racing is typically projected to be worth as much as 10% of a sportsbook’s annual revenue. With $588 million wagered on sports in the province in the previous financial year according to iGaming Ontario’s FY 2023-24 Full Year Market Performance Report⁵, horse racing alone would bring a huge revenue and all of this is only going to fuel the popularity of online horse racing betting further.

1. Caitlinhergrtness wins 165th King’s Plate at Woodbine, Written by Canadian Press, Published by sportsnet.ca

2. Horse Racing to Become a Staple at More Betting Sites, Written by Eamon Doggett, Published by gambleontario.ca

3. iGaming Ontario Has Launched; When Will Horse Racing Be Included?, Written by CT Staff, Published by canadianthoroughbred.com 

4. Horse Racing Now Available to Ontario Sports Bettors, Written by Grace Martin Published by woodbine.com

5. iGaming Ontario’s FY 2023-24 Full Year Market Performance Report, Written by iGaming Ontario, Published by igamingontario.ca

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Fragrance has evolved into more than just a sensory experience; it has become a powerful tool for self-expression in today’s world. The scents we choose to wear often reflect our personalities, moods, and even our aspirations. Just like fashion or art, fragrance allows individuals to craft a unique identity, making a lasting impression on those around them. In this modern era, where individuality and self-expression are highly valued, fragrance has become an essential medium for personal expression.

The History of Fragrance as Self-Expression

The use of fragrance for self-expression dates back to ancient civilizations such as Egypt and Mesopotamia, where perfumes were used in religious rituals and social events. However, it was during the Renaissance period that perfume became a popular form of self-expression among the nobility. Perfumes were specifically created to reflect one’s status, wealth, and even personality. For instance, Queen Elizabeth I had her signature scent made with rosemary and musk, while King Louis XIV preferred scents with floral notes.

Impact on Modern Living 

Fragrance continues to play a significant role in modern living, influencing not only personal identity but also mood and confidence. The abundance of choices today allows individuals to select scents that resonate deeply with their lifestyle or ambitions. For example, wearing a sophisticated scent, such as Tom Ford fragrances from jomashop.com, can evoke a sense of luxury and refinement, enhancing both personal and professional interactions. Fragrances are now widely accessible and cater to diverse preferences, making them integral to self-expression and daily life in a fast-paced world.

Perfume as a Reflection of Personality

Beyond just creating an impression, fragrance can also be used as a tool for self-discovery and reflection. The scents we are drawn to can reveal underlying desires, emotions, and personality traits. For instance, individuals who prefer fresh and citrusy scents may have an outgoing and energetic disposition, while those who gravitate towards warm and spicy scents may have a more sensual and passionate nature.

Self-Care Through Fragrance 

Fragrance is not just about leaving a lasting impression but is also an essential element of self-care. The right scent has the power to soothe the mind, uplift the spirit, and create a personal oasis amidst the stresses of everyday life. Incorporating perfume into a self-care routine can be a deeply personal and therapeutic experience.

For example, taking time to discover a range of Versace fragrances allows individuals to select scents that align with their emotions and aspirations, creating a sense of comfort and renewal. Whether it’s a bold and invigorating scent to energize the day or a subtle and calming aroma for relaxation, choosing the perfect fragrance is a small but meaningful act of self-love.  

Fragrance and Memory

Fragrances have a powerful connection to our memories, evoking emotions and bringing back vivid recollections of people, places, and experiences. The olfactory system is closely linked to the part of the brain responsible for memory and emotion, making scents a potent trigger for nostalgia.

This is why certain fragrances can transport us back in time, reliving cherished moments or reminding us of loved ones. Fragrances can also be used intentionally as a way to create new memories, such as wearing a signature scent on special occasions or during travels.

The Art and Science of Perfumery

Behind every fragrance lies a complex blend of ingredients and notes that work together to create a unique and harmonious scent. Perfumery is both an art and a science, with perfumers using their expertise in chemistry and creativity to craft new fragrances.

The process of creating a perfume involves carefully selecting individual scents known as ‘notes’ that are divided into three categories: top, middle, and base notes. These notes are then combined to form the overall fragrance profile, with each note playing a specific role in the overall composition.

The Power of Scent in Self-Care

Scent can have a profound impact on our well-being, not just through its ability to evoke memories but also through its therapeutic properties. Essential oils and natural fragrances have been used for centuries in aromatherapy to promote relaxation, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve mood.

In recent years, the use of fragrance in self-care practices has gained popularity, with people incorporating scents into their daily rituals as a way to enhance their overall well-being. From soothing lavender to invigorating citrus, different fragrances can have varying effects on our emotions and state of mind.

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A 69-year-old woman is dead after being hit by a city bus near the corner of Henri-Bourassa Boulevard and Lacordaire Street in Montréal-Nord.

Moisson Mauricie/Centre-du-Québec, the only food bank serving the Mauricie and Centre-du-Québec area, relies on efficient business practices and the ability to turn on a dime, making them experts at maximizing every dollar.

The Quebec government announced on Monday that it would suspend subsidies for the purchase of electric vehicles between Feb.1 and April 1, 2025.

Jeremiah Chechik has attended plenty of screenings of his 1989 comedy directorial debut, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. But the upcoming shows in his hometown of Montreal will be unlike anything he’s seen before.

Note to Conservatives: Feminism is not what you think it is

Chrystia Freeland’s resignation has prompted an outpouring of feminist outrage from those champions of women’s rights…

The Conservative Party of Canada?

Because in politics, one should never let a good scandal go to waste.

The same party that’s railed against “wokeism,” moved to undercut abortion rights and anything less than rigid meritocracy, is suddenly castigating Justin Trudeau for apparently backtracking on his feminist ideals.

Because when it comes to feminism, what’s more feminist than refusing to accept a woman’s letter of resignation, forcing her to do a job she’s no longer interested in and keeping her around strictly because because it looks good?

For more commentary about Montreal politics and culture, please visit Observations from Montreal.

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

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Québec Solidaire has called for an increase in the minimum wage in this province from $15.75 to $20. The CAQ government has yet to announce plans to raise the minimum wage in 2025.

In a statement released on Sunday, the party’s co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal cited a rise in the use of food banks in Quebec as a sign that the province has to come to the aid of the working-poor.

“It’s outrageous that, in 2024, people who work full-time cannot feed themselves properly and must go to food banks. This is proof that the social contract is broken.”

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

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Quebec succeeded in reducing its greenhouse gas emissions in 2022 below the levels seen before the pandemic, moving the province closer to reaching its climate targets.

Four employees have been fired from a Montreal youth rehabilitation centre — where nine female educators were allegedly having sexual relations with minors under their watch.

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An outdoor pray-in will take place in Montreal this afternoon to protest a proposed ban on public prayer in Quebec by the CAQ. Citing alleged instances of Montrealers blocking traffic with group prayer in the streets, Quebec Premier François Legault said, in early December, that the CAQ is looking into banning public prayer — and once again using the notwithstanding clause to block constitutional challenges to the law, as they did with Bill 21 and Bill 96.

The organizers of today’s event, Independent Jewish Voices, invite the public to a family-friendly pray-in demonstration to protest systemic Islamophobia and an encroachment on civil liberties.

“As Jews, we stand in solidarity with Muslim communities who continue to face discrimination under Legault’s policies. We will continue to pray for and with our Muslim cousins, and continue to do all that we can to make sure it is safe for them to pray and to live.”

The pray-in will take place at the corner of Sherbrooke and McGill College at 3:45 p.m.

Last week, federal Finance Minister Marc Miller criticized Legault for “picking on Muslims,” and noted that this ban would contravene Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

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

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Some Liberal MPs said Tuesday Prime Minister Justin Trudeau can't carry on as party leader after the humiliation of Chrystia Freeland's public resignation from cabinet and another bruising byelection loss in B.C.

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