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.

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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.

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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.

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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

The post Is horse racing becoming more popular on online betting sites? appeared first on Cult MTL.

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.

The post Fragrance as a Form of Self-Expression in Modern Living appeared first on Cult MTL.

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.

The post Season’s Greetings from the QCT! appeared first on The Quebec Chronicle Telegraph.

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The post COMMENTARY: Holy music! Massive Christian repertoire, shrinking venues appeared first on The Quebec Chronicle Telegraph.

The post TRAM TRACKER: Phase 1 deal to be signed after long delay appeared first on The Quebec Chronicle Telegraph.

The post Québec MP Duclos: Quebec Bridge and tramway big wins in 2024 appeared first on The Quebec Chronicle Telegraph.

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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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The post Canada Post staff must return to work, labour board rules appeared first on The Quebec Chronicle Telegraph.

The post Memorials and Things of Fame – Dec. 18, 2024 appeared first on The Quebec Chronicle Telegraph.

The post Chapelle du Séminaire reopens after years of restoration appeared first on The Quebec Chronicle Telegraph.

The post Quebec, N.L. reach Churchill Falls agreement appeared first on The Quebec Chronicle Telegraph.

The post Fire damages another historic house in Old Quebec appeared first on The Quebec Chronicle Telegraph.

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.

The post City broke promise on community centre renos, councillor says appeared first on The Quebec Chronicle Telegraph.

The post Bonhomme Carnaval opens his Winter Beach starting Dec. 21 appeared first on The Quebec Chronicle Telegraph.

The post Château Frontenac serves dinner for Hôtel de Glace anniversary appeared first on The Quebec Chronicle Telegraph.

The Montreal Roses have signed hometown forward Latifah Abdu to a contract. Abdu, 23, after spending parts of four years in France.

The post Sylvie Longpré donates a portion of her Barbie collection to the MCQ appeared first on The Quebec Chronicle Telegraph.

The post Toboggan Festival to close out 2024 with spectacular celebration appeared first on The Quebec Chronicle Telegraph.

The post Kaléidoscopes Festival a celebration of winter, culture and community appeared first on The Quebec Chronicle Telegraph.

The post Finding lost Christmas spirit in a ‘magical place’ at Frima appeared first on The Quebec Chronicle Telegraph.

The post Veteran potters and newcomers share wares at Poteries d’hiver appeared first on The Quebec Chronicle Telegraph.

The post REVIEW: Kid Koala’s graphic novel comes to life with puppets appeared first on The Quebec Chronicle Telegraph.

The post REVIEWS: It’s beginning to sound a lot like Christmas in Quebec City! appeared first on The Quebec Chronicle Telegraph.

The post OPINION: A message to all who make Christmas merry and bright appeared first on The Quebec Chronicle Telegraph.

The post OPINION: Give any way you can this holiday season appeared first on The Quebec Chronicle Telegraph.

Caroline Mastantuono, who once led Lester B. Pearson School Board's international department, has been granted an absolute discharge after pleading guilty to corruption-related charges earlier this year.