Laval police are asking for the public's help in finding a 15-year-old girl who has been missing for more than two weeks. 

As Quebec left the pandemic well in its rearview mirror, it faced another 12 months of remarkable and challenging events. From severe weather disruptions to vibrant community movements, 2024 was another year to remember.

Donald Trump’s threat of whopping tariffs on Canadian exports and his trolling of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are key tactics in the president-elect’s negotiating strategy to extract the best trade terms for the U.S., according to people who have worked with or closely observed him over the years.

Maison Charles-Daudelin, a protected heritage site in Kirkland, Que., burnt down on Sunday night, leaving advocates doubtful about the extent of elected officials' efforts to protect heritage buildings.

Guinness has been a popular choice for bar-goers for centuries. Now more young people and women are ordering the creamy and bitter stout, partly because of social media.

Upcoming ceremony to award more

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

Grace Village resident Elsie Sullivan recently received the King Charles III Coronation Medal, an honour recognizing her exceptional contributions to arts and culture in the Eastern Townships. At 102 years old, Sullivan reflected on the recognition with pride and humility in a recent interview, noting, “Well, I feel quite proud. But it’s a little late in the day, except this is the first year it’s been given out.”

The medal, presented to 30,000 Canadians in 2024, celebrates individuals who have made a significant impact on their communities or brought acclaim to the country through their achievements. While Sullivan’s medal was awarded earlier this year, an upcoming by invitation-only ceremony at the Lennoxville Golf Club on Jan. 16, 2025, will honour other local recipients of the same distinction. Among them will be Sharon McCully, publisher of The Record, who will be recognized for her contributions to local journalism and community service.

Sullivan’s medal serves as a capstone to a lifetime of dedication to preserving history and culture. She is perhaps best known for founding Marcil Museum in a historic house built in 1759, which she personally located and championed as an ideal site for showcasing the region’s heritage. “I found the house, did the whole thing, and became the director,” she said, recalling her early days with the project. Under her leadership, the museum earned accreditation from the Quebec government despite its modest size, a testament to its quality and the depth of its exhibits.

Although the museum closed last year after moving out of its historic home, Sullivan believes the original location was integral to its appeal. “To me, the old house was part of the exhibit,” she explained. Despite the closure, her work laid the foundation for continued appreciation of local history.

Beyond her museum work, Sullivan has been deeply involved in other cultural initiatives. She served as vice president of the board for the Colby-Curtis Museum and contributed exhibitions at the Georgeville Studio after retiring. Her passion for history also inspired her to write essays for the Eastern Townships Resource Centre, enriching the region’s documented history with her insights and expertise.

Sullivan’s life journey has been closely intertwined with the evolution of her community. Born in Ontario, she moved to Quebec in the 1950s when her husband joined Pratt & Whitney Aircraft during a period of growth in the aviation industry. She describes her life in the Eastern Townships as deeply fulfilling, particularly enjoying its landscapes and the sense of connection fostered by small-town living.

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L’article King’s medal celebrates local heritage advocate Elsie Sullivan est apparu en premier sur Sherbrooke Record.

Barely a month since sections of a homeless encampment on Montreal’s Notre-Dame Street East in the Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough were dismantled, tents are once again cropping up.

In last year’s year in review for Cult MTL, I wrote that “Quebecers, Canadians and, I suspect, most of the world feel a little worse for wear these days as we collectively navigate rising political tensions, stubborn inflation, creeping culture wars and global existential angst about what’s to come next.”

Well… 2024 came and went, and we’re about to embark on a brand-new year. And, while I hate to be a “Debbie Downer,” it’s not looking great. 

Trump is back, fascism and kakistocracy (a government by the worst, and may I add, most unqualified) seems more of a reality than ever south of the border. Trump hasn’t even returned to the White House yet and he’s already issuing barely concealed threats to everyone — including Canada — which doesn’t bode well for the working relationship between the two neighbours.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has sparked increased regional tensions across the Middle East and contributed to the rise of antisemitism around the world as Netanyahu’s right-wing government continues to pummel Gaza. Tens of thousands have been killed in Gaza, the West Bank, Israel and Lebanon since the war began, and thousands have been displaced, while the situation for those who remain in Gaza grows more dire by the moment. 

Here in Quebec, thousands of students in post-secondary institutions have been protesting for months, demanding their institutions divest from companies with ties to Israel and calling on the federal government to take a stance against the war in Gaza. While students have a democratic right to protest, the constant demonstrations and the occasional introduction of certain bad-faith actors in these gatherings (not to mention some blatantly antisemitic acts and taunts) have caused fear and unease among Montreal’s Jewish community. It feels like everyone I come across — no matter what they support — is on edge.

Both Quebec’s CAQ and Canada’s Liberal governments are suffering from Tired Government Syndrome. Voters are expressing fatigue with both François Legault and Justin Trudeau, who’ve each led long-standing governments nearing the end of their mandates. The opposition leaders gunning to take their places appear more than willing to push all the required buttons to rile up partisan support.

Rising populism and nativism 

I wish I could offer some positive news, but I don’t see that rising tide of collective angst slowing down anytime soon. I don’t think Donald Trump’s re-election south of the border is good news for Americans and women’s reproductive rights, for us as Canadians or for global politics in general. 

I don’t think Pierre Poilievre’s continued popularity in the polls and probable win in the next Canadian election bodes well for Canada. Nor do I think that the Parti Québécois, which stands a good chance of winning Quebec’s next election, and its continuous shift to the right (especially its ease in scapegoating immigration), harbours any good news for those of us hoping for less division and less marginalization of minorities.

I worry that a global rise in nativism and populism, which in turn breeds more intolerance of all “others,” will create the conditions for the most vulnerable among us to be targeted the most. Around the world, politicians willing to exploit people’s fears and insecurities continue to be rewarded with voter support. 

A look back at 2024

Over the past year, I wrote about how the deaths of migrants at the U.S.-Canada border exposes dangerous border policies and the double standards many seeking help face. I wrote about how Elon Musk — someone who’ll soon have a key position in the Trump administration — was lying about undocumented migrants to stir up hate and resentment against them. 

I wrote many articles detailing how the CAQ’s anti-immigration policies have made family reunification for Quebecers a total nightmare, with many of the affected family members forced to wait three and four times longer to reunite with their loved ones than they would in other Canadian provinces. 

I warned about the Trumpification of Canadian politics. “Political strategy that thrives on aggressive opposition and leverages pre-existing discontent,” I wrote back in April, “often fixated on elected officials, could lead to the steady deterioration of our political institutions.” As we embark on a new year, my worries haven’t dissipated. 

If anything, as I watch Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre lean even more into these divisive politics, with constant rage-baiting and Canada-is-broken narratives that only aim to weaponize people’s fears and discontent with the state of the world, I worry that many Canadians will simply vote for a political leader who has shown no signs of maturity or offered any real solutions to what ails Canada, merely out of a desire to “stick it” to the current status quo that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau represents. 

I wrote about how the preservation and protection of the French language has often been used as a weapon by Quebec’s CAQ administration to stir up discontent, all by a government that’s been slow to offer up real investments and support to newcomers wanting to learn the language. Despite the CAQ’s rhetoric that protecting French is a top priority, the government has been slashing francisation classes and letting go of teachers offering classes to newcomers. 

Demanding asylum seekers communicate with the government solely in French within six months, without providing them the tools to do so, is like “newcomers being asked to dig a hole without being given a shovel,” according to those on the ground working to help them integrate. 

And while Quebec’s healthcare and education systems continue to deteriorate, and the housing crisis worsens, a good chunk of Quebec’s political and pundit class appear irrationally obsessed with “wokeism.” 

Uneasy hopefulness for 2025

Right after Trump was re-elected, I saw a social media post describing people’s current state of mind as “nauseously optimistic.” I laughed, but I also shook my head in recognition. It’s a term that I think perfectly captures the current zeitgeist and best describes the trepidation and uneasy hopefulness many of us share. 

As we figure out how to fight for something better, it’s important to remember we’re not at it alone. Even if it all feels rather bleak right now.

I was recently reminded of celebrated author Toni Morrison being asked the question, “How do you survive whole in a world where we’re all victims of something?”

To which she replied, “Sometimes you don’t survive whole, you just survive in part.”

I suspect a lot of us survived the pandemic “in part” and it’s starting to show, as I see too many people around me unravelling. 

Morrison went on: “But the grandeur of life is that attempt. It’s not about that solution. It is about, you know, being as fearless as one can, and behaving as beautifully as one can, under completely impossible circumstances.” 

Many of us — for different and perhaps even opposing reasons — feel that we are currently living under impossible circumstances. What we each hope for may feel like an impossibility right now: Peace, civility, harmony, functioning democracies, justice, a roof over our head, access to a doctor, a salary to cover our basic needs, not constantly worrying about our families in other countries, goodwill towards one another, kindness and empathy for those who have lost and who may stand to lose even more.

But we can’t afford to give up. 

Even if the entire world feels weary and old these days — a universe that sounds more and more like a creaking tree — we need to keep moving forward, insisting that we can collectively create a better tomorrow. As divided, as devastated and as woefully misunderstood as we may all feel today. 

To quote the luminous Toni Morrison once again, “Me and you, we got more yesterday than anybody. We need some kind of tomorrow.” ■

This article was originally published in the Dec. 2024 issue of Cult MTL.

Read more weekly editorial columns by Toula Drimonis.

The post 2024 has been a year of rising tensions, and we can only be nauseously optimistic for 2025 appeared first on Cult MTL.

A study by the Canadian Digital Media Research Network has found that just 1 in 5 Canadians (19%) say they trust Elon Musk’s opinions on Canadian politics. This is similar to the percentage of Canadians who say the same for media personalities Joe Rogan and Jordan Peterson (18%).

The vast majority of Canadians (75%) ascribe “low trust” to the opinions of Elon Musk (the Tesla/SpaceX/X businessman and member of the incoming Trump administration) regarding Canadian politics.

“When it comes to trust in their opinions on Canadian politics, this figure also shows that Barack Obama has the largest proportion of Canadians that give high trust (65%), whereas Musk has the largest share of Canadians that give him low trust (75%). Notably, only 5% of Canadians report that celebrity endorsements influence their own political opinions, but 50% believe that such endorsements sway others.”

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

The post Just 19% of Canadians say they trust Elon Musk’s opinions on Canadian politics appeared first on Cult MTL.

Elijah Wood has come a long way since his days as a child star. After leading one of the most successful franchises of all time, Lord of the Rings, Wood has taken an unconventional route when it comes to his career.

From wholesome to gruesome, in the past decade or so, he’s gravitated towards projects that are anything but kid-friendly. Among those collaborations was a starring role in New Zealand producer-turned-director Ant Timpson’s debut Come to Daddy. In that film, Wood plays a man who receives a letter from his estranged father that takes him on a brutal, violent, funny and bloody journey through grief. 

Five years later, Timpson and Wood have reunited for a different kind of film. In some ways, Bookworm feels like a return to the wholesome vibes of Wood’s early career. Timpson, who spoke with us at the Fantasia Film Festival in July, alongside Elijah Wood, said that both the team and the approach weren’t all that different from those of Come to Daddy.

“Obviously, it’s a family film, it’s PG and everything, but I don’t think that approach was at the forefront. It was more like, this is the situation, these are the characters. We’re making a movie with the same type of humour and it feels like it’s from the same DNA because it’s the same creative team behind it, but it’s mining our younger selves as opposed to Come to Daddy, which was more our older selves.”

Bookworm is about Mildred (Nell Fisher), whose life is turned upside down when her mother ends up in hospital and she’s put under the care of her estranged, magician father from America, Strawn Wise (Elijah Wood). In this odd-couple family film, the bookish preteen and her insecure father must face the brutal New Zealand wilderness in search of a mythological beast. In Timpson’s words, the film is “a tribute to ’70s types of family cinema that I love, which were generally films that didn’t pander to kids. They weren’t preachy, there was never a message that you had to come away with. I didn’t want to learn lessons, I wanted to have fun and escape.”

More than just a coming-of-age story for Mildred, the film also forces Strawn to grow up and take responsibility. Elijah Wood explains how he approached the character, “At the core of the film is this idea that as a parent, when you find that you’re at a moment where your ineptitude is actually putting your child in danger, or you see that you’re afraid, there’s a vulnerability there that could lead to something dangerous.” In many ways, Strawn is someone afraid of being vulnerable, afraid of disappointing those around him. Wood explains that Strawn’s fears are rooted in a desperation to impress his daughter: 

“My journey with Strawn was very much coming into a situation as almost a peacock, to show his daughter that he’s this accomplished, wonderful person. The hidden vulnerability is that he’s not accomplished. A lot of my experiences and what I was going through making the film was just this dichotomy of who he wants to be and who he wants to present as holding onto these ideas in front of someone he’s desperate to impress.”

Timpson builds on this idea, “For Strawn, he has to step up and be a dad but it’s her coming of age as well. As Elijah mentioned, it’s coming from a place of pure fear of not stepping up in a time of crisis as a parent and shitting the bed. As a dad, there’s a lot of pressure. I grew up with very stoic, country folk. My family’s very Southern, so you never show fear, you never show vulnerability. That’s part of our bedrock of the Kiwi male, the rugby fighter type. We wanted to play with the comedic aspects of someone dropped into those elements that we as Kiwis are so used to and floundering, which is sort of what happened to me in a family situation in front of my kids where something fun turned into a moment of pure terror. Analyzing that first moment where your kids see that you aren’t in control is a really pivotal moment in your life.”

The film also draws inspiration from literature. Roald Dahl is discussed but Timpson also points to the Willard Price books, a series about kids going on adventures without parental control. He says, “I experienced that as a kid. It’s hard to think about life without oversight from your parents, but back in the 1970s, we were just free to roam like wild animals. I tried to capture a little bit of that magic in the intention of the film, and also play up the comedy and tension of what can go wrong. You add two people who are complete oddballs who are forced together, they’re like magnets and you need to write them with polarity throughout the film.”

In Come to Daddy, Elijah Wood starred with Canadian actor Stephen McHattie, who embodies a kind of stoic, distant masculinity of a previous era. In this film, he plays with Nell Fisher, who portrays the precocious Mildred. Wood describes working with Fisher: “She’s precocious, super bright and a bookworm. She would regale us every day with a new word of the day, which was something obscure with too many letters to remember.” Timpson adds, “She’s not a wallflower!”

The production posed its challenges, with a lot of outdoor scenes and varying conditions. They had rehearsal time and were also able to work a lot on location. Wood explains that she has a lot of resilience: “She was game for everything. It was never always that easy.” 

Timpson also explains how she was a perfectionist. “On set, Nell was even giving me script notes, it was incredible. They were always on the money, too,” he says, “whether it was grammatical or otherwise, she would just pick up on it. She was so into making sure everything was right, perfect. She was a perfectionist across the board. The confidence in someone that young to be able to question things — not in an annoying way, to be clear — was so welcomed. She wanted to know everything.”

Bookworm stands out as a rare family film that strikes a perfect balance between the personal and universal. It’s fun and human, without ever feeling condescending. The movie is colourful and features whip-smart dialogue. Mostly, though, the film is a pleasure to watch for the performances. Nell Fisher’s Mildred is easy to love, but so is Strawn Wise’s fragile pageantry. As Ant Timpson jokes, Wood nailed the role because he was in “the Strawn vibe.” ■

Bookworm is now available on VOD.

This article was originally published in the Nov. 2024 issue of Cult MTL.

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

The post An interview with Elijah Wood and Bookworm director Ant Timpson appeared first on Cult MTL.

Laval police is looking for a 13-year-old girl who went missing on Sunday.

Municipal leaders across Quebec are looking for ways to get young people, especially women, to run for local office in next year's elections, but that is a tall order given the well-documented incidents of harassment and intimidation faced by elected officials in the province.

Lewis Mallard has been taking his performance art into different parts of the city — and it’s catching people’s attention.

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

Roughly 20 people gathered at the Manoir Hovey Taproom on Dec. 28 for the third annual Mae Sot Education Project (MSEP) Holiday Raffle draw. Manon Howie was announced as the winner, taking home a luxurious getaway for two at the prestigious Manoir Hovey. The raffle, which sold all 300 tickets at $25 each, raised $6,000 to support educational programs for migrant children in Mae Sot, Thailand.

The prize, donated by owners Steve and Kathryn Stafford and valued at $1,010, includes a one-night stay in a deluxe lakeview room, a four-course fine dining experience, a full country breakfast, and a thermal spa experience at Le Spa Manoir Hovey.

“This draw represents a significant contribution to our ongoing efforts in Mae Sot,” said Project Coordinator Mary Purkey during her opening remarks. She emphasized that all proceeds from the raffle go directly toward supporting schools in the Thai border town, where MSEP has been active for more than 20 years.

Supporting education in Mae Sot

Purkey detailed how the funds are utilized, referencing updates from MSEP’s partners. Schools supported by the project serve predominantly migrant children, many of whom live in precarious conditions without legal status or citizenship documents. Raffle proceeds help provide salaries for teachers, purchase educational materials, and maintain infrastructure.

One partner school employs 32 teachers and serves nearly 600 students, offering basic education and vocational training. Purkey highlighted the importance of these programs, saying, “Education gives these children a chance to build a better future, despite the enormous obstacles they face.”

The rising cost of land and resources in Mae Sot has added pressure on schools. Purkey noted that renting land for schools in the area can now exceed the cost of similar properties near Bangkok. Families also face difficulties paying school fees, making community support vital.

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L’article Raffle fundraiser fuels education in Mae Sot est apparu en premier sur Sherbrooke Record.

A small quake north of Maniwaki, Que., on Sunday morning rattled people hundreds of kilometres away but caused no damage, according to Earthquakes Canada.

Two vehicles collided on Saturday afternoon on Route 235 near de la Grande-Ligne Road.

For the first time in 140 years, the Quebec City ice slide will get revamped to keep the slide chilled as the city grapples with warmer winters and the effects of climate change.

A deadly fungal disease has wiped out dozens of frog species worldwide. But new research on disease-resistant frogs in Yosemite National Park could help bring other species back from the brink.

Separate crashes on northern Ontario's busy highway 11 claim two lives.

A childhood friend of the Quebec man killed in a Florida boat explosion Monday said one of the victim's sisters was among the other six passengers injured in the blast.

Thirteen community organizations in Montreal's Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough had until 5 p.m. Friday to vacate their long-time home, but they refuse to pack up.

According to a report by Berkshire Hathaway, Montreal has been named among the top 5 cities in the world for transportation safety. The report also named Montreal among the safest cities in the world for travel.

The results of the report were determined using a compilation of survey results, in addition to data on risk, crime, climate resilience and other criteria.

“Montreal gets high marks for transportation safety — which, if you’ve ever ridden mass transit in Montreal, is absolutely accurate. (Driving can be a little more problematic, however.)”

Topping the list is Reykjavik, followed by Dubai, Copenhagen and Venice.

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

The post Montreal named among top cities in the world for transportation safety appeared first on Cult MTL.

The Meta news ban, the downfall of Twitter and the rise of the Conservative Party of Canada

In June 2023, Canada’s most respected polling firm, Léger, released a study measuring support for the Liberals at 33%, two points ahead of the Conservatives, and even with their support in the 2021 federal election.

Two months later, following the passing of the Online News Act, Meta made the decision to block all news content in Canada on Facebook and Instagram.

By May 2024, the Liberals were polling at 23%, 10 points lower than they were one year earlier. The Conservatives increased support by 11 points during the same time period, from 31% to 42%.

A lot can happen in a year

After the Meta news ban went into effect in August 2023, Twitter, now known as X, became the #1 news app in Canada. Since Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter in 2022, the platform has become a far-right social network, where misinformation and hate speech are allowed to live and spread unchecked — something human rights groups like Amnesty International warned would happen. This evolution played a critical role in the re-election of Donald Trump.

While we already know that Canada’s mainstream media has a Conservative bias, their anti-Trudeau content grew exponentially as they sought to increase engagement on Twitter in an attempt to recoup the ad revenue they lost due to the Meta news ban. Tailoring content to a conservative audience in order to benefit from a right-wing algorithm encouraged the propagation of a false narrative that “Canada is broken,” and that the only person able to fix it is CPC leader Pierre Poilievre — a politician who a majority of Canadians dislike and whose net favourability sits at -18%. This narrative was further reinforced by a Russian disinformation operation that had been producing content with the purpose of “boosting support for Pierre Poilievre and undermining support for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.”

Canada isn’t broken

The constant disinformation and manufactured outrage about Canada and against Justin Trudeau helps to explain how the Conservatives are now projected to win a majority in the next election, despite Poilievre’s favourability being consistently poor. Canadians aren’t so much infatuated with the idea of Conservative leadership in the House of Commons — just 35% say they’re hopeful about a Poilievre government — as they are driven by rage-bait to vote against Trudeau.

Is Canada perfect? Of course not. No country is. Canada has faced a number of challenges over the past few years, including a housing and affordability crisis caused by increased inflation following the pandemic, as was the case in most economies around the world.

Inflation has been within the Bank of Canada’s target range throughout 2024, and interest rates have been cut for a fifth consecutive time. This year, Canada was also named the country with the most optimistic economic outlook and among the countries with the most freedom, not to mention one of the best countries in the world. And yet, like clockwork, positive news about Canada on Twitter is met with criticism, while negative news is celebrated.

Engagement on Twitter thrives on negativity

In order for the false narrative to succeed, any news that proves Canada isn’t “broken” needs to be discredited. Aside from outright lies, Pierre Poilievre and the CPC’s chief strategy is distortion: framing isolated incidents as evidence of a surging crime rate and a general deterioration of society — despite the fact that Canada’s been named among the safest countries in the world, as well as the second safest country in the world from violent crime.

None of this should come as a surprise to anyone who’s been following Canadian politics on Twitter, but it does show the lengths to which Elon Musk and the powers that be will use their influence to push false narratives to destabilize our society, stir up rage and fake Poilievre’s popularity ahead of the next election. Additionally, the number of bots and fake accounts on the platform is increasingly alarming.

Country before party

Canadian pride shouldn’t be contingent on who the prime minister is. 81% of Canadians say they’re proud to be Canadian, significantly higher than the narrative on Twitter would have you believe. Interestingly, 82% of Canadians also oppose Canada becoming the 51st U.S. state — contrary to another false narrative being pushed on Twitter.

X is an overtly far-right platform that not only encourages divisive rage-bait with monetization, but forces the right-wing views of the company’s owner (including endorsements of Poilievre) onto everyone’s feed and allows bots and fake accounts of dubious origin and intent to proliferate — at whose service, we don’t know, and may never find out. Canadians should consider the platform as a potential source of foreign interference in our political realm, alongside (and potentially in concert with) the governments of Russia, China and India.

Just as fighting words from Donald Trump should unite Canadians against him, interference from X ought to inspire us to prioritize the integrity of our democracy over loyalty to any particular political party.

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

The post The Meta news ban, the downfall of Twitter and the rise of the Conservative Party of Canada appeared first on Cult MTL.

The Insectarium is utilizing artificial intelligence to research insects and better understand the effects of climate change. Among its tools, it’s using automated monitoring of insects (AMI) to document nocturnal species.

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement forecasting freezing rain and rain along the St. Lawrence Valley, stretching from the southern Laurentians to the Quebec City area, from Saturday evening until Sunday.

The workers' union says it reached an agreement in principle with management Thursday. Employees were prepared to launch a three-day strike starting today.

In this episode of Beyond the Plate, I had the opportunity to sit down with award-winning chef François-Emmanuel Nicol at the award-winning restaurant Tanière³ in Quebec City, to learn about how his unique cooking philosophies, focus on Quebec ingredients and avant-guard approach to fine dining (supported by his talented team) come together to create a mind-blowing gastronomical experience.

Produced and Hosted by Heidi Small

Filmed by Emeric Hommey and Pascal Hourriez (On est dans le jus podcast)

Edited by Teagan Lance

Graphic Design & Logo by Alex Chocron

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

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

The post Tanière³ x Beyond the Plate: Inside the most renowned and dramatic restaurant in Quebec City appeared first on Cult MTL.

Online gambling is a fun and convenient way for consumers to pass their time and potentially win money. Dedicated websites and apps have been created for desktop and smartphone users to allow easy access, but it can still be a daunting task trying to find the best options.

The online casino industry is an extremely competitive industry, meaning that consumers have lots of choices. While choice is a great thing, it can make finding the best casinos a more challenging task.

Consumers should consider a number of factors before settling on an online casino and we have listed the most important below.

Reliability and Security

Online security is a priority for consumers who can carry out the majority of essential transactions including banking, grocery shopping, and paying bills. Finding a safe and secure online casino is a must, and there are lots of great options available in Canada. 

Online gambling expert Andreea Stanescu explains that Canadian consumers face different provincial regulations, and exploring licensed offshore casinos can help players avoid restrictions.

The best offshore online casinos will be licensed in other countries, with the most popular being Curacao and Malta. These operators adhere to the regulations set out in these jurisdictions, providing their customers with a safe betting platform.

Another great way to check the reliability of an online casino operator is by searching for unbiased reviews. There are many reputable review sites as well as those that allow consumers to rate their experience.

It is worth remembering that gambling can elicit a lot of emotions and some people might give poor ratings based on their results. Taking the time to read through and determine which reviews are worthwhile will help you make a decision.

Crypto casinos can be a great option that allows users to maintain a higher level of privacy. Peer-to-peer crypto transactions can minimize the amount of sensitive data you need to provide to the operator, this includes bank details.

Blockchain technology also provides greater transparency and makes it easy for consumers and external auditors to see the transactions the casino makes. This helps people find out whether the operator has fair gaming.

Game Selection

Game selection is another important factor when choosing a new online casino. Finding an online casino that offers a good variety of games as well as the latest titles shows a willingness for sites to provide the best service available.

By embracing the latest technologies and game titles that make the most of them, operators are able to provide an immersive gaming experience. This is in the best interest of operators as consumers are less likely to find alternatives.

Payment Methods

The top casinos offer their customers a variety of payment methods with many consumers put off by limited options. The majority will offer traditional payment methods including bank transfers and card payments, with a lot also accepting third-party payment systems like PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. 

These options also offer an additional layer of security for customers who don’t need to provide the operator with their bank or card details.

Cryptocurrency use is also on the rise and dedicated crypto casinos have grown in popularity because of the security and transparency we mentioned before. 

Approximately 10% of Canadians currently hold cryptocurrencies, but more businesses and brands are starting to accept digital currencies, which could lead to this figure rising. 

Customer Service

The customer service provided by operators will determine how well you are treated and how quickly issues can be resolved if they come up. The majority of online gamblers won’t face any problems, but knowing that you can easily contact someone for help will give you peace of mind.

Customer service teams can usually offer phone, email, or live chat facilities, with some offering a mixture. Live chat customer service teams are some of the best and can help to resolve problems immediately and it is worthwhile checking whether the site has a 24-hour service.

Bonuses

The best thing about the competitive nature of the online gambling industry is how operators offer incentives to new customers. Some online casinos also offer incentives to existing customers to improve retention levels.

There are lots of different types of bonuses that customers can enjoy, including the following.

No Deposit Bonus

No-deposit bonuses are an excellent way for consumers to test sites without depositing or spending their own money. These types of deals typically have terms and conditions that require winnings to be paid through a predetermined amount of times.

Cashback Bonus

Cashback bonuses can return a percentage of a player’s losses, allowing them to play for longer and giving them more chance of winning.

Free Spins

Free spins are a great way to test slot games and are often used with new title releases. Like no-deposit bonuses, players will usually have to play through their winnings a set amount of times.

High Roller Bonus

High roller bonuses are determined by the amount players stake. High-spenders are rewarded with special deals and VIP perks.

Deposit Match Bonus

Deposit match bonuses are some of the most common deals and players see their deposits matched up to a certain amount by the casino. This encourages consumers to spend more and also requires them to play through the funds in the account before they can be withdrawn.

Referral Bonus

Referral bonuses can benefit customers who get their friends or family to sign up. Many of these deals offer a bonus to the original player and new player when the new signup deposits money and plays.

Reload Bonus

Reload bonuses are offered to existing customers who deposit more money into their accounts. This is usually in the form of percentage deposit matching.

Conclusion

The great choice of online casinos means that customers can be picky and find the ones that suit their needs. Taking the time to check all the considerations above, and ensuring you have read the terms and conditions of bonuses should help you find an online casino that provides the best user experience available.

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Farine & Cacao on Ontario Street was recently recognized with La Liste’s Pastry Discovery Gem Award. It honours little-known or hard-to-find bakeries that are worth going off the beaten path.

For four-year-old Max Labelle, the Trexo Robotics exoskeleton was a game changer. It supports his torso and helps him lift his legs as he practices taking steps during physiotherapy sessions.

Children with asthma as well as people with respiratory ailments or heart disease are being encouraged to avoid intense physical activity outdoors until the warning is lifted.

Ukrainian refugees who have settled in Quebec but only registered for health coverage after a May 2024 deadline have learned that some family members can’t have government health coverage, while others will see their coverage expire soon.

According to police, the driver, a 69-year-old man, was leaving his spot in a parking lot in the Lachine borough when he hit the woman.

Police say a suspicious vehicle was travelling westbound on Maurice-Duplessis Boulevard when it collided with the second vehicle driving along the north access lane of Highway 25.

Multiple U.S. news outlets are reporting a Quebec man has died after a powerful boat explosion at a Florida marina that injured several others.

Psychotherapist and social worker Shirlette Wint has some advice for how to manage your holiday stress.

2025 is upon us and the world is literally and metaphorically on fire, so why not burn one down as everything burns around us?

This month’s column will focus on a hybrid and a full-on sativa from the Saint-Eustache-based C3 Innovative Solutions, with each one respectively coming from their Fleurons and Be Humble brands. Though both strains let me ride plenty of nice little waves, and the bud moisture between the two is about the same, there’s a noticeable difference in both smell and flavour. Both are in the higher THC percentage range, more specifically the upper 20s (in fairness, most of the strains I’ve tried for this column are), and therefore not for the faint of heart.

Fleurons Menu Dessert (Sativa)

This one makes my mind race a bit, but it’s a fun one. But it also knocks me right on my ass at its peak. It’s a head high that keeps you alert, but in a comfortable kind of way. It also makes me hungry enough to order sushi and eat a whole bunch of bananas. Make of that what you will.

Speaking of bananas, the fruity aroma of the buds while smelling the bag is difficult to ignore, but the sugary smell it’s also advertised as having isn’t quite so obvious to me. But maybe that’s because the illustrations in this product’s marketing feature a slice of cake, hence my hoping in vain. 

It’s quite strong, but you enjoy a nice high (albeit an intense one), the buds smell nice, the terpenes have a lemony feel to them, and the high itself is a very long-lasting one. 8.5/10

Be Humble Découverte (Hybrid)

As you can see, this brand is called Be Humble, and that means Kendrick Lamar will be stuck in my head — and now, yours — for hours to come. In stark contrast to Dessert, this stuff boasts a strong scent of both pepper and liquor; almost like I’m inhaling a shot of whiskey. 

That alone immediately tells me I’m not in for the same experience with this stuff. When I vape it, the peppery taste is apparent, just as it is when I smell the buds. As you can imagine, it doesn’t go down quite as smoothly on my throat, and also leaves me more dehydrated and in need of fresh water from my Brita filter every so often.

My eyes are the epicentre of where my head high is with this one, and it makes me feel a bit more tired when I smoke it. On the other hand, it’s a calmer strain than the Dessert one, and doesn’t make my mind go in circles like a sativa sometimes can. It also made me very attached to my bed, and specifically my weighted blanket. In other words, it’s a rather fitting strain for my planned winter hibernation. 7.5/10

For more, please visit the SQDC pages for Fleurons Menu Dessert and Be Humble Découverte.

To read previous editions of Best Buds, please click here.

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Charles-Le Moyne Hospital in Longueuil, Que., has introduced advanced robotic technology to assist in knee replacement surgeries, which it says improves precision and recovery times.