The doors to the Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) office are now locked. As of this week, the regional office is no more. 

That’s left a void for those seeking in-person services from the federal department. A new ISC office is now anticipated to open in downtown Montreal, but when it will open still remains a mystery. A spokesperson for ISC said they aren’t ready yet to share its opening date.

“Registration and status card services will remain available to members of the Kahnawake community, as it will not be necessary to visit an Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) office in person to access these services,” spokesperson Carolane Gratton shared in a short written comment to The Eastern Door. “Members of the Kahnawake community will also have the option to submit their applications by mail or visit the Quebec (City) office in person for services.”

The problem is it’s nearly impossible to get served except through visiting the office in person, community member Hawi Hemlock has found. She had to renew her daughter’s band card earlier this month. Despite leaving numerous voicemails to ISC requesting someone call her back, no one ever reached out, she said. 

“I’m busy, I’m in school, I’m working, and to take 10 minutes out of my time to sit on the phone and dial one, go through this number, go through that channel, and then to not even to get a response? It’s extremely frustrating,” she said. “They want to impose these rules on us, yet they make it impossible for us to work with them.”

It was only after she showed up in person to the office last week that she finally succeeded in securing an appointment for her daughter, who’s now waiting for her card in the mail. 

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) has yet to announce how it will be stepping up to respond to that gap in services – as debate continues at the council table over the extent to which it should involve itself in aiding Canada in its maintenance of Indian status in the country. 

Hemlock says she’s especially concerned about elders in the community. They’re the ones that relied the most on in-person services that no longer exist.

“There’s a huge population that’s out there. The population that has to use these services, they don’t always have people that can help them. They might not have a younger grandchild or someone in their family that can help them,” she said.

Victoria Queenie McComber said she’s angry about the move, especially when she thinks about the elders in the community. She said at the very least, employees from ISC should be willing to visit the community from time to time to ensure those who need in-person services can still receive them.

“Better to have a three-days-a-month option here in town, for people who don’t have cars and especially the elders!” she said.

The website ISC has available to request services is also a challenge to navigate, McComber said. More needs to be done to make the process more accessible, she said.

Word that ISC would be exiting Kahnawake was first revealed by The Eastern Door back in February 2024. For months the MCK held off on announcing the coming move to the community.

There were efforts made to retain the service in town, MCK grand chief Cody Diabo assured. 

“ISC is leaving, and there’s nothing that we could have done to prevent that,” he said.

Space was even offered up in the Services Complex building by the post office, but the offer was turned down, he said. 

“They’re downsizing, they’re regionalizing, despite our concerns,” Diabo said. “We’ve been trying to figure out a solution for our community members so they can still get services, but none have been accepted by ISC.”

In each instance, little justification has been provided on ISC’s end, he said. 

“They just said it wouldn’t work for them,” Diabo said. 

The council table has yet to reach a consensus on what to do now that ISC has left the community.

Some ideas that have been floated around include a shuttle-bus service to bring community members over the Mercier Bridge, he said. Another is to employ someone at the MCK to help community members navigate the band card renewable process. 

It’s a touchy topic, Diabo said, considering everyone on the council table is of the opinion that membership shouldn’t be left in Canada’s hands at all. 

“At the end of the day, the goal is for us to be out of registration altogether. We shouldn’t be going to Canada to get our cards. We are more than capable of offering that service,” the MCK grand chief said. 

“It’s a Catch 22. Do we want a foreign entity in the community determining who can be from the community? Issuing cards to people that we don’t even recognize in our own territory, or do we want to be able to do it ourselves?” he added. “But in the meantime, there is a gap in service delivery.”

ISC’s Montreal office is expected to run out of the Guy Favreau complex by Place des Arts metro. Though a precise opening date has yet to be shared, the federal department has assured it will open sometime over the course of this year.

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Two behemoths are duking it out, and as usual neither one is paying any mind to the Indigenous nations whose land they’re on, nor to the fact these nations don’t recognize the legitimacy of an imaginary line imposed on Turtle Island by colonial powers.

But here we are.

American politics, it’s a bore, and so is the trade war, but unfortunately this petty squabbling – entirely concocted, we should say, by the whims of the US president – has real consequences for First Nations working hard to assert their sovereignty, including economic sovereignty.

On the Canadian side, today we meet the new boss, same as the old boss (in the immortal words of The Who), with Mark Carney replacing Justin Trudeau as prime minister. Hopefully he can confront this issue, which is the US’s fault, while honestly engaging and supporting Indigenous communities.

Let’s face it, the “Team Canada” approach has taken for granted the support of First Nations, who have their own interests to protect, even if Trump’s 51st state rabble-rousing is still offensive to many.

On the American side, well, we all know what’s happening there. Trump is doing his best to remind us every day he is a very unstable non-genius, even if he literally says the opposite.

If you didn’t know what a tariff was last year, you probably do in 2025, but in case you need a little refresher before we get too deep, it’s a tax paid on imports, usually applied to certain kinds of products. It’s paid by the importer, whose inflated costs then make goods more expensive for the consumer.

That means not just complete products but the components they’re made of, and even the electricity that powers the plants.

Trump has upended trade by demanding across-the-board tariffs on Canadian products, an unprecedented and economically damaging move, for both countries.

The uncertainty has been hard to take, since that’s about the worst thing possible for business investment, and uncertainty is the name of the game. First tariffs were going into effect on February 1, then Trump backed out at the last minute. Then when Canada fought back with tariffs of its own, Trump retreated.

Then he announced steel and aluminum tariffs, which did come to pass, but they were going to be 50 percent and ended up being 25 percent.

The tariff-on-everything came back around and was put into effect on March 4, but two days later was scaled back. Now the stock market is tanking because nobody knows what to expect from day-to-day.

The story goes on but we won’t bore you.

With the story changing every day, we don’t have many answers, but we do have many questions.

Fortunately, we’re told the new Kahnawà:ke Cultural Arts Center is far enough into construction that it’s mostly immune, but what will happen to the Hertel project, the much-vaunted collaboration between Kahnawake and Hydro Quebec? Kahnawake has a 10 percent stake in that $345 million project, which is expected to generate revenues for the next 40 years.

But will there be any buyer for the electricity it delivers if that electricity suddenly costs 25 percent more than expected? What’s 10 percent of nothing?

Our requests to Hydro Quebec on the issue have yielded only vague, corporate replies that don’t say much. Honestly, we doubt the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) has any more clarity than we do.

We do know MCK grand chief Cody Diabo seems worried about the tariffs, explaining he was busy working on following up on the recent tariff announcements.

He’s not the only First Nations politician who is worried. The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) has issued multiple press release on the subject.

It’s no surprise. After all, Canada boasts of plentiful natural resources that the US depends on. But who are the stewards of this land? Onkwehón:we, of course, who are once again sidelined as the true title holders of Turtle Island.

AFN national chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak has demanded a seat at the table for First Nations, slamming the government for locking Indigenous communities out of discussions pertaining to treaty rights.

After all, she points out, First Nations have a right to self-determination.

Indeed, now more than ever, Canadian institutions everywhere need to look in the mirror and ask how they are working to mitigate the harms to Onkwehón:we their businesses were built on, and that means facilitating Indigenous sovereignty the best way companies can, with their dollar.

That means more than just naming an Indigenous person to the company’s board of directors, it means equity initiatives from top to bottom, which benefits companies, and it means supporting Indigenous-led initiatives and real partnerships.

This brings us back around to Hydro Quebec, which offered up its president and CEO, Michael Sabia, to be a key speaker at this week’s major “economic reconciliation” summit in Tiohtià:ke.

He brought up the tariffs within seconds of opening his speech, expressing worry Indigenous construction, retail, manufacturing, and natural resources could all be impacted, affecting tons of jobs.

He said Hydro Quebec has an obligation to address this.

That’s certain. Hydro Quebec has a dirty history and making that right doesn’t begin and end with Hertel, which must find a way forward despite the trade war, so we hope Sabia will continue, as he pledges, to prioritize Indigenous partnerships.

And this is to the benefit of institutions like Hydro Quebec, as First Nations have much to offer and bring to the table, not to mention the inherent rights that come into play with all manner of projects.

And the “Buy Canadian” crowd? They should be looking to pour into the Kahnawà:ke Cultural Arts Center when those doors open, ready to boost Indigenous tourism and learn about the true history of this country instead of treating First Nations as an afterthought when so much is at stake.

Steve Bonspiel

The Eastern Door

Hydro Quebec CEO Michael Sabia said he’s worried about how First Nation and Inuit businesses will cope in the face of tariffs imposed by Donald Trump’s government. Just this week, the US president announced a 25 percent tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum.

“The Indigenous economy stands to be hit hard by tariffs, particularly for businesses in construction, retail, manufacturing, and natural resources, which account for 30 percent of Indigenous employment,” Sabia warned Wednesday while at an economic reconciliation summit in downtown Montreal.

The Crown corporation has committed this year to upping its investments in First Nation and Inuit-based energy infrastructure projects, something he said he hopes will offset some of the anxiety businesses owners and workers are feeling.

“We are committed to mitigating the impacts of the tariffs, providing employment opportunities and leveraging the energy-based business ecosystem,” he said that morning while speaking to a room gathered at the Montreal Convention Centre.

Hydro Quebec has committed $14 million toward its business investments this year, he said, up from $8 million the prior year.

The CEO also promised to increase the crown corporation’s purchases from Indigenous-owned businesses from $1 billion to $1.5 billion over the course of 2025 to 2029, and to increase their number of Indigenous construction workers from 10 to 15 per cent.

“For wind power alone, that means 800 to more than 1,000 jobs,” Sabia said.

A fund of $50 million has also been set aside to pay toward Hydro Quebec sponsored scholarships, training and other professional supports aimed at Indigenous youth, including those still in high school, he said.

The CEO said Hydro Quebec also wants to do more to support First Nation and Inuit equity stakes in their energy projects, whether that be through loan guarantees or other means.

Sabia shared the commitments in front of a room of over a hundred gathered for the summit, which included business leaders from across the province. 

“First Nations, we have a really young demographic, and I think we have so much potential there,” said Francis Verreault-Paul, the newly elected leader of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL), after hearing the announcements. “I’m very hopeful for the future.”

He said the crown corporation has taken on a new direction since the leadership of former CEO Sophie Brochu. 

“Let’s keep that relationship with Hydro Quebec. It hasn’t always been an easy one,” he said. “Mr. Sabia, and just prior to him, Madame Brochu, made some pretty big commitments to First Nations. So it’s good to see – now just implement them.”

He said the AFNQL will also be following along to see if Hydro Quebec is reaching the goals it set out for itself through its economic reconciliation action plan. The AFNQL collaborated toward its realization, Verreault-Paul added.

“I think that’s going to help us, give us some leverage. Does it go far enough? Well, we’ll see,” the new leader said. 

Over the course of last year, Hydro Quebec signed 11 new agreements with First Nation and Inuit communities, Sabia mentioned Wednesday. 

That includes the one it signed last April with the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) facilitating the co-ownership of the new Hertel-New York Interconnection Transmission Line, with the MCK holding a minority stake in.

MCK grand chief Cody Diabo was invited to attend and speak at the summit, but said he couldn’t make the time to attend. In part because the council table was holding strategy sessions over Trump’s tariffs the same day, he told The Eastern Door.

Alexandre Bacon, president of the Ashukan Institute, was among those behind the summit’s organizing. The same institute was consulted by Hydro Quebec while it was drafting its economic reconciliation plan, a process that involved visiting First Nation and Inuit communities all across the province for their input on the plan, Bacon said.

This year’s summit brought together roughly 300 attendees, which included business leaders from corporations, elected band council chiefs, political leaders like Canadian senator Michèle Audette, and entrepreneurs. 

“The main purpose is to have the participants going back home after the summit with a better idea of the most promising ways to implement reconciliation,” said Bacon, an Innu from the community of Mashteuiatsh.

While the three-day event mainly centered on panel discussions and networking, it also served as a means for attendees to provide input to Ashukan Institute about how it can better track the progress of economic reconciliation, he said. 

Markers of this kind of reconciliation include corporate and government agreements with communities, data on employment, and figures regarding the number of Indigenous-owned businesses across the country.

“What we realized through the last year is that it’s very hard to find reliable data and information about where we are currently at in terms of the economic reconciliation, the data is very hard to gather. So that’s part of the part of the problem,” said Bacon, referencing an ongoing project of theirs. “It’s very much up to corporations and governments to share that information.”

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Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) grand chief Cody Diabo said he’s feeling hopeful since the squashing of a proposed gaming law after the proroguing of Parliament, calling it a “blessing in disguise.”

All bills that had yet to reach royal assent were terminated following Parliament’s proroguing in early January, which came following Justin Trudeau’s announcement he’d be stepping down as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. 

“Our support for the bill was contingent on the wording that we had suggested,” Diabo said of the now former Bill S-268.

“I’m looking on the bright side of things,” he said. “Now a bill can be submitted that includes everything that we and other First Nations had hoped for, so that it doesn’t miss the mark, like previous bills have.”

For well over a year the council table has been in discussions with the senator that sponsored it in the hope of altering the bill in favour of Kahnawake’s online gaming industry.

Alberta senator Scott Tannas tabled it back in 2023 with the intention of strengthening First Nations’ right to establish, conduct, and manage their own gaming businesses, such as casinos.

The MCK initially opposed the bill, given its wording didn’t carve out protections for First Nations involved in the online gaming industry, one the band council has long relied on to generate revenue for the community. That changed however after Tannas agreed to support some of the amendments they’d asked for.

The senator shared he intends to reintroduce the bill once the Parliament session resumes. He’s also still on board with seeing the bill amended. 

“We had a language that said that the sovereign right for this would be taken up by communities that wanted to take it up as it related to gaming on reserve,” Tannas said. “The amendment that was proposed is ‘in and from’ reserve lands, which then picks up obviously on internet gaming – as long as the computer servers are based on sovereign Indigenous land.”

Those amendments will either feature in a reworded bill at its reintroduction or be entered once the bill goes through the committee, the senator said.

“We’ll wait for a day or two after the new Parliament starts to see what the will of others are,” Tannas said, adding he hopes to see the bill fast tracked, so it doesn’t have to go through two readings again.

“Whether we do it right off the bat, or whether we do it in the committee stage, we would incorporate those amendments, because they were quite valuable.”

Diabo got the chance to meet with the senator again this past February while at a gaming summit held in Tsuut’ina territory, just west of Calgary. It was there that Tannas assured him of his intention to reintroduce the bill once the Parliament session resumes, he said.

Paul Rice, the Council chief with the lead on gaming, said that summit also helped solidify Kahnawake’s connections with other First Nations involved in the gaming industry. 

Many in attendance, including Tsuutʼina Nation and Whitecap Dakota Nation in Saskatchewan, have since signed on to a memorandum of understanding (MOU) launched by the MCK in support of an amended version of the bill. 

“We’ve built up support and gotten numerous different nations to get on board for the MOU, so that particular summit was very successful,” Rice said.

That document with their collective demands is expected to be delivered to the Senate once Parliament is back in session. 

The proroguing of Parliament will last until March 24. An election is expected to be announced soon now that Mark Carney, the former governor of the Bank of Canada, has stepped in as leader of the Liberal Party.

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This week, the first stage of the claims process opened for a landmark class action settlement that seeks to compensate children and their families who were harmed by the chronic underfunding of on-reserve child welfare services. 

The claims process will see $23.4 billion of compensation distributed to nine classes of people. On Monday, the claims process opened to the first two classes, which includes individuals who were placed in care funded by Indigenous Services Canada between April 1, 1991, and March 31, 2022, as well as their immediate family members.

In Kahnawake, the claims process will be facilitated by Louise Mayo, who has been contracted by Kahnawake Shakotiia’takehnhas Community Services (KSCS) as the coordinator for the settlement efforts in town. 

Each applicant is expected to receive $40,000 per claim, plus “enhancements” in cases where an individual’s experience meets specific criteria. As of now, there are no further details on what situations would meet that criteria, and a spokesperson for Deloitte, which will be managing the settlement payout, said that information around those enhancements will be shared at a later date.

Mayo was previously the claims coordinator for the Indian Day School Settlement and will be helping community members file claims. She’ll also continue to work on outreach efforts and information sessions as more details become available about the claims process.

The Eastern Door sat down with Louise Mayo to learn more about her role and what affected community members can expect from the process. 

This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

Can you share a little bit about your position as claims coordinator, and where it fits in relation to KSCS?

The first thing I want to start with is that I really want to make it clear that although KSCS has hired me, I am not an employee of KSCS. I’m going to be an independent contractor that will provide services directly to all the clients and families involved. I don’t have an office at KSCS, I don’t have their emails, I don’t have their phone number. I’m working one-to-one directly with community members.

It was made very clear when I took the contract that my role is independent. There’s no recording, files are kept confidential, and I just want to make that clear, so people understand that I’m in a very independent role and very much arms-length from KSCS.

What kind of a role will you have throughout this process?

I’ll be providing direct support to the children that were affected and their families, doing administration support and advocacy, and helping individuals who may need specific things, say if they need to get their ID or get a bank account opened up.

There’s three key things you need: an ID, a mailing address, and a bank account, so I’ll be helping people with that. 

If someone went through the care system during this time period but have since passed away, would there be any avenue to still receive the compensation? What about for immediate family members of children in care, who have also since passed away?

There’s a process there, where an individual would have to be the administrator or the executor to that person’s estate to apply for that compensation.

If you pass away in a First Nations community, our estates are handled by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC). If I had a son, say, and my son passed away, I would have to apply to ISC to be the administrator to my son’s estate, had he not had a will. If he had a will and he appointed me, then I would have been his executor. So in the cases where an adult child is now deceased, or a parent or grandparent who is now deceased, the person would be required to have a copy of their appointment from ISC plus a copy of the death certificate.

If they don’t have the copy of an appointment from ISC, then I can assist community members to make that application. It’s easier when the person had a will because it clearly identifies who the person wanted to be the executor, but in many cases the family has to decide who would be the administrator, but that appointment doesn’t usually take too long. 

How long will people have to apply?

The settlement will be open for the next three years, and as it stands now my mandate will be three years. 

Community members can contact Mayo directly at [email protected] or at 514-793-0662. Forms and information related to the settlement can be found at fnchildclaims.ca.

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For the final month of the existence of the Inflation Fund Benefit, the Kahnawà:ke Social Assistance Program (KSAP) of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) has announced that instead of the Household Essentials Hamper program, which would have given specific household products to families and individuals in need, $200 will be provided.

“We had requested that it be changed from an actual physical basket that we would deliver or provide to clients to a benefit that they could use to best determine what suits their household,” said Alexis Shackleton, director of Client Based Services for the MCK.

After the hamper plan had originally been developed in January 2025, it soon became clear that it would be more complicated than initially thought to develop a hamper that would be suitable for everyone.

“There was difficulty in identifying what products worked well across the board. Some people really only use fragrance-free or scent-free products. It also depends on the household allergies, or different preferences for household essentials in the home,” said Shackleton.

As such, the council table was approached in early March to substitute the basket with the cash benefit, which was accepted and will be distributed through KSAP.

“We think that the clients themselves know what would work best in their household, and they know where to best prioritize the benefit that’s being provided to them,” Shackleton said.

The monetary benefit is the last portion of Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)’s Inflation Benefit Program, which will end on March 31.

“We did advise that it would be coming to an end for quite some time, and because we weren’t sure if it was going to be something that would be continuing each time we received additional funding from ISC, we kept advising our clients to be aware that it could end at any time,” said Shackleton.

“The concern that we have is the change and the end of the program for our community, and what sorts of impacts it would make on individuals who had really come to rely on it.”

To help prepare for the end of that program, Shackleton said that they are advising and helping to match KSAP clients who are able to work with organizations, not-for-profits, and some businesses, personal, and professional development workshops, and the Youth and Adult Employment Strategy program, which aims to train those in the program to develop professional skills like communication, numeracy, customer service, teamwork, and problem-solving.

Shackleton said that KSAP cannot just provide the same kind of funds to them in replacement of ISC, as money from an ISC program does not count towards social assistance funding eligibility, while money given by KSAP, MCK, or another organization would count and reduce what they could receive from governmental social assistance.

She said that ISC has not given KSAP any indication of a forthcoming additional fund that would replace or continue the Inflation Benefit Program.

ISC did not provide comment by The Eastern Door’s publishing deadline.

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A 34-year-old man has died after being found near the corner of Ontario and Saint-Germain streets in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve neighbourhood.

A regional assessment study of the St. Lawrence River has now been authorized, after a request for one was put in by the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) back in 2020. One of the goals of the coming study will be to analyze the extent to which decades of development along its shores has impacted Kahnawa’kehró:non from exercising their rights.

Canada’s environment ministry approved the request in 2021, but it still took a considerable amount of time before the federal assessment agency and MCK got to ironing out the purpose, scope, and deliverables of the project.

Patrick Ragaz from the Kahnawake Environment Protection Office (KEPO) said the decision to request the regional assessment came following discussions at the MCK’s consultation committee. It advises Council whenever it undergoes consultations with Quebec or Canada. 

“We were noticing that there were a lot of project-based environmental assessments that were advancing on the river, including a lot of port-expansion projects,” said Ragaz, who sits on the consultation committee. “We were really concerned with the cumulative effects of all of these different projects.”

Those cumulative effects have yet to be studied in depth, leading to push to get a wider regional assessment carried out. Ragaz said he hopes to see the assessment underway by the summer, a process he said will last at least the next three years.

“We’ve been asking for a cumulative effects evaluation that would look at all of the impacts that have already occurred to the river from development in the past, and how all these different projects relate to one another.”

Three priority areas have been identified, according to a draft of the study’s terms of reference. In addition to assessing how Indigenous Peoples’ ability to exercise their rights on the river has altered over the decades, the study will also consist of analyzing historic environmental impacts to the river, in addition to changes in the “health, social, cultural, and economic conditions” of the populations that surround it.

“The regional assessment will be based on collecting existing information that is already out there. There won’t necessarily be new data gathered directly on the river,” Ragaz explained.

That said, there’s the chance that process might reveal the need for more surveying. 

“Part of that might be identifying data gaps that might actually require more on the ground data collection, and then developing a series of recommendations on how to move forward in a way that’s going to help us achieve better outcomes for the river,” he said.

The regional assessment will be led by a working group made up of federal officials and the MCK’s consultation committee, Ragaz said, meaning KEPO will play a part in leading the project.

Community members interested in learning more about the scope of it can do so by reading a draft version of the regional assessment’s terms of reference. It can be found on Impact Assessment Agency of Canada’s web portal, under the webpage titled “Regional Assessment of the St. Lawrence River Area.”

Those who want to provide their input regarding the direction of the assessment can also do so until March 25. Comments can be shared through the agency’s web portal for the project, or through reaching out directly to KEPO, at [email protected].

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Icebreaking operations will commence next week, an annual project undertaken by the Canadian Coast Guard to ensure marine vessels can move safely through the St. Lawrence Seaway as winter ice melts.

The operation involves a specialized Canadian Coast Guard ship traveling through the St. Lawrence River to break down large planes of ice. During the process, cracks can travel much further than is initially visible, which means that the ice near shorelines and open areas could be unstable even if it looks safe.

The icebreaker ship travels very quickly, and community members may see a helicopter flying above, which often travels ahead of the ship to check that the path is clear. 

Further updates are forthcoming about the exact time of the operations, but community members must stay off the ice, and remember that once the icebreaking process is complete, the remaining ice will begin to melt quickly. 

Ice movement can occur quickly and unexpectedly, and the community should be wary anywhere near the water.

Any community members who have ice huts or equipment on the ice are asked to bring them back to shore before next week to avoid them being lost during the operation. 

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Montreal police are asking the public for help locating a man, 76, with Alzheimer's disease who was last seen in the Plateau-Mont-Royal borough.

As he’s sworn in as prime minister, Mark Carney is enjoying tremendous popularity in Quebec. But connecting with Quebec voters longer term could be a challenge.

A joint project to modernize Route 132 has been stalled because Kahnawake refuses to collaborate with elected officials from surrounding municipalities. The prefect of the Roussillon regional county told The Eastern Door he’s been urging the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) to come to the table for years now, but they won’t budge.

MCK grand chief Cody Diabo said they’ve been holding out over concerns their participation will be perceived as them consenting to the project.

“We have to be very careful,” he said. “We don’t want it to be perceived that we’re being consulted and we’re okay with the project, meaning the provincial government can now sidestep and say, ‘Well, you’ve been consulted, and you didn’t raise any concerns.’

“I’ll say it bluntly, it’s a really racist and paternalistic top-down approach,” the MCK grand chief said of the regional county’s approach. “But the project’s still going through at the end of the day, so it’s a really frustrating situation.”

The project revolves around turning the route into an urban boulevard.

“Route 132 needs to be redone,” prefect Christian Ouellette told The Eastern Door in a recent interview.

“We haven’t been able to move forward, because of the demands surrounding the Seigneury of Sault St. Louis,” said Ouellette, also the mayor of Delson, referencing the long-standing land grievance the band council has filed against Canada.

The project dates back to 2017, when the cities of Delson, Sainte-Catherine, and St. Constant announced a joint commitment to modernize the five-KM stretch of the highway that runs through their municipalities. A committee was created then too, grouping together elected officials from surrounding municipalities, in addition to former Council chief Rhonda Kirby. 

Other priorities identified for the committee back then included the creation of a “shared vision” for the project, finding solutions for traffic-related problems, and the drafting of a master plan intended for stakeholders who’d come to be involved in the project. 

Kirby and then MCK technician David Lahache only participated in a few meetings that year before pulling out. A 2021 report in The Eastern Door said the decision to stop attending meetings came down to concerns over development within Seigneury lands.

In the time since then Ouellette said he’s made repeated attempts to encourage the band council to collaborate on the project.

“We don’t want to construct buildings, we want to replace the road,” Ouellette emphasized, adding much of the work will involve repaving the five-KM stretch of highway.

The prefect brought up the offer to collaborate again while meeting with Diabo in late February, who he said told him it was off the table. 

“The grand chief informed us that he wants to wait on the (federal) government’s next steps before going any further. This has prevented us from moving forward with our projects,” Ouellette said.

Discussions between Kahnawake and Canada over the Seigneury of Sault St. Louis land grievance resumed about two years ago, Diabo said. The hope now is to finalize how formal negotiations over the grievance will be conducted, the MCK grand chief said. 

“All of these developments are happening on Seigneury lands, and our intent is to get our land back, so we’re at an impasse,” Diabo said.

“I understand they want to grow and develop, but they’re growing and developing on land that’s not theirs. Those are those hard conversations that we’re going to have to have, and that’s where Canada needs to come in and do their job, the province needs to get involved and do their job,” he added, mentioning the need for consultation. 

The MCK grand chief also expressed concerns over the nature of the proposed work. 

“They want a Decarie-style industrial boulevard,” he said. 

The hope is to expand parts of the road up to four lanes, Diabo said he was told.

“But then you’re going to get to Kahnawake and it’s going back down to a two lane. So, what really is it going to do, besides bog up traffic at the end of the day on our end?”

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A Quebec Superior Court judge has ruled that two Ahkwesahsró:non allegedly involved in a human smuggling operation that led to the deaths of nine people in the St. Lawrence River may be extradited to the United States. 

Stephanie Square and Rahsontanohstha Delormier, both of Akwesasne, are accused of being involved in an operation where migrants were transported to Cornwall Island before being taken across the river by boat, with drivers eventually transporting them deeper into New York State.

It’s alleged one of those operations went wrong in late March of 2023, when the bodies of eight migrants were found in the river. Those pulled from the water were identified as Florin Iordache, 28, Cristina (Monalisa) Zenaida Iordache, 28, and their children, two-year-old Evelin and one-year-old Elyen. The family was Romanian, and both children were Canadian citizens.

The other family found deceased was the Chaudhari family, who were from India, and were identified as Praveenbhai Chaudhari, 50, Dakshaben Chaudhari, 45, Meet Chaudhari, 20, and Vindhi Chaudhari, 23.

The body of Ahkwesahsró:non Casey Oakes, who was allegedly driving the boat, was found in July of that year.

According to authorities, Square asked Delormier to drive the boat that night, but hired Oakes as an alternative when the original vessel broke down.

The allegations are yet to be heard in court. Others involved in the case have already pled guilty in the States, including Dakota Montour and Kawisiiostha Celecia Sharrow.

The decision from Justice Gregory Moore means that it will be up to federal justice minister Arif Virani whether the two will be extradited.

Joel Girard, Square’s lawyer, said that extradition should be rejected by Virani. She is currently facing eight counts including alien smuggling for profit and alien smuggling causing death.

“The bodies were found in Canada, the boat was found in Canada, the police investigation was mostly done by the Akwesasne Mohawk Police,” Girard said. 

“The autopsy was done in Canada, the death certificates are in Canada, the firemen who picked up Delormier on the island were on Canadian water, the screaming in the middle of the river was still a person on Canadian land. So, I do believe that it’s a Canadian court that should prosecute her.”

Delormier, who is facing five counts, is being represented by Antonio Cabral, who, like Girard, is also planning to appeal Moore’s decision.

Both lawyers are planning to send Gladue reports to the justice minister – these are reports that specifically address systemic factors like racism and trauma experienced by Indigenous people which should be uniquely considered throughout the criminal justice process.

While Justice Moore denied a request that Gladue reports be prepared for the Superior Court portion of the process, they can still be raised with the justice minister.

Girard said that the minister has a legal responsibility to consider the reports.

“We talk about detention, rehabilitation, family, and different programs that are offered in Canada but not in the US,” Girard said. “The minister should, or must, take knowledge of these factors before he renders his decision.”

Square and Delormier have 30 days to file for an interim release and appeal, and Girard added that they plan to request a delay so that there is enough time for the minister to read and consider the reports.

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After pushback from the community on the recently passed Kanesatake Law-Making Process (KLMP), Mohawk Council of Kanesatake (MCK) chiefs Brant Etienne and Serge Otsi Simon hosted a community meeting online and on Reviving Kanehsatà:ke Radio (RKR) 101.7 FM.

The session was notable for two reasons, one being the meeting’s content, with many community members skeptical of the new lawmaking process, and the other being the format itself.

Live on Microsoft Teams and Reviving Kanehsatà:ke Radio (RKR) 101.7 FM, the community had the chance to hear directly from Council chiefs about the legislation and to pose their questions and concerns – albeit filtered through a moderator.

“I’m really grateful for people who took the time to ask those questions,” said Simon in an interview with The Eastern Door. “It really felt good as a governance. I think me and Brant took away that there’s hope that there are members out there that are serious about their governance and their own security.”

Some community members, however, took issue with the meeting, given the schism on Council and the absence of MCK grand chief Victor Bonspille, who was not involved in the KLMP’s passage. Bonspille hosted his own meeting in person on Tuesday, which he billed as an emergency community meeting. 

A message from the office of the grand chief was read out at the end of the RKR broadcast, informing community members of Bonspille’s meeting and its agenda.

That agenda included an update to the Emergency Response Unit investigation, which he has frequently invoked, as well as “Ethic Committee” and the KLMP.

Bonspille has voiced opposition to the KLMP, circulating a notice to local businesses suggesting the legislation could harm their interests.

On Monday, the recently formed Ethics Commission, which is comprised of legal professionals from outside the community, will meet to consider an appeal on whether Bonspille has vacated his position as grand chief.

The Kanesatake Custom Electoral Code dictates that a Council member who has missed three Council or community meetings without a valid reason or “engages in, during their term, any wrongful conduct that affects, interrupts, or interferes with the performance of their duties” has vacated their seat. Bonspille has rarely attended Council meetings this term, but he has argued only meetings he calls are valid.

Bonspille did not return a request for an interview on the public meeting he hosted this week.

Radio meeting

Etienne and Simon began the broadcast by outlining the process behind the KLMP, which included the publication of a draft law nearly nine months ago, followed by online and in-person sessions with the community, before outlining their view that opposition to the KLMP is primarily due to misinformation.

“I think we could dispel some misinterpretations of the KLMP, and not only that, dispel a lot of fear that people have about this,” said Simon on the program.

He mentioned the word zoning as an example of something that made some people reticent and argued that Kanien’kehá:ka have long demarcated areas for different activities, such as ceremonies or hunting.

The early part of the discussion focused on the law’s legal basis, which cites several sources, such as the Indian Act and inherent rights, as well as the Kanesatake Interim Land Governance Act (KILGA), also known as S-24.

“Creating Mohawk laws via the KLMP is not accepting jurisdiction from any outside authority,” said Etienne on air, who emphasized Kanesatake laws have the same standing as federal laws. “We are pushing back the authority of outside governments, whether it’s provincial, municipal, or federal.”

The Council chiefs also spoke about the consultations that would take place for laws pertaining to certain categories.

“Council can’t just unilaterally pull stuff and pass whatever they want,” said Simon.

Several questions were submitted, mostly pertaining to the KLMP. MCK chief Amy Beauvais, who attended the Teams meeting, occasionally chimed in on the air while Etienne and Simon spoke from the radio’s studio.

The first question of the night was how laws will be upheld.

Etienne said security who could uphold more serious infractions is still “a ways off,” but that the Kanesatake Perimeter Security Team or another similar entity could handle something like ticketing vehicles if, for instance, a Kanesatake law modified the speed limit.

Simon emphasized the importance of a security force to provide a buffer.

Another question asked, if only members can vote, whether there is a valid membership code. The MCK chiefs said there is no valid membership code, but that the KLMP means a membership law is now possible.

Other questions asked about the land code, matrimonial law, whether future councils can alter the threshold needed if a law is put to vote, and other issues, including  Tioweró:ton – Kanesatake laws are not in force there.

Expanding on the question of enforcement, one question asked whether a court of competent jurisdiction has been negotiated.

“That’s something that has to be developed,” said Etienne, who said the ultimate goal is to appoint a justice of the peace. In the meantime, he suggested the MCK could negotiate with sister communities to enable Kanesatake cases to be taken to their courts, such as the Court of Kahnawake.

New format

“Overall, it was successful,” said Karahkóhare Syd Gaspé, president of Mohawk MultiMedia Inc., which oversees RKR.

Typically, MCK-led community meetings have been limited only to those community members who are present in person, with many Kanehsata’kehró:non unwilling to participate, with some citing the hostility that can be present.

The local radio station offers a means of informing the community that is more accessible and less prone to such discord; many radio stations, including K1037 Radio in Kahnawake, routinely invite politicians to speak directly to constituents.

“I think we have to be innovative today and use technology to our advantage,” said Gaspé.

“The format provides a safe space to exchange with the elected leaders. It doesn’t replace an in-person meeting, it’s a complementary way to communicate and reach as many people as possible. Each format has its challenges,” he said.

“RKR has provided the medium as a communication tool. We are a neutral, non-partisan, independent organization providing a service, a service that MCK paid for, i.e., RKR is renting the airwaves. We are not favouring one political party. We offer equal opportunity.”

He said the programming was not a consultative process with community members because a lack of a profanity delay system meant the station could not provide a live connection, as it must uphold broadcast rules under its license to operate on the airwaves.

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Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Heaps of refuse from a bathroom renovation found at the lacrosse box Monday morning marks the fifth or sixth similar incident in recent months.

“Right now, it’s like we’re becoming a dumping ground,” said Kane Montour, coordinator of the Kanesatake Perimeter Security Team (KPS). “We’ve got all kinds of toxic chemical waste being dumped here, all these contaminants being dumped here, and now to add to it, bathroom renovations? What else is there to dump?”

Montour and his colleagues spent two hours combing the trash for clues, trying not to prick their fingers or feet with stray nails, a task that was none too pleasant.

“It’s just disgusting, flipping over a toilet bowl and a bathtub,” said Montour.

But the team couldn’t turn up any receipts or mailing addresses. From the boxes they found, it appears the mystery renovator bought materials in high-traffic Laval, meaning KPS can’t exactly stroll into a store and ask if anyone bought a toilet lately.

“It’s very disheartening. It’s sad. At the same time, I’m angry. Myself, I don’t even throw a piece of paper out the window. It’s sad to think that it could be somebody coming not from here dumping it and thinking they can do what they want,” said Montour. “At this same time, which would make it even worse, is if it’s a local community member. This is their territory too.”

After Public Works hauled away the garbage, KPS asked community members to check nearby cameras, but this didn’t turn up any evidence either.

“We pulled the surveillance from a couple of the stores, and we had the surveillance pulled from the (Onen’to:kon Healing Lodge), and we weren’t able to find anything in the time frame,” said Montour.

KPS believes the person who dumped the trash came up through the baseball field, where there are no cameras. He feels more cameras around the community could be one potential tool to stop this kind of dumping.

“I know people here in Kanesatake, they don’t like cameras. They feel they’re being spied on. Someone will probably just break it down anyways, but at the same time I think a lot of people are pissed,” he said.

There are no easy solutions, according to Mohawk Council of Kanesatake (MCK) chief Serge Otsi Simon, who is on the environment and justice portfolios.

“It all comes down again to enforcement,” he said. “We don’t have the resources. I really wish we could be allocated these resources to have environmental officers patrolling our community.”

He said if anyone sees anything suspicious, whether at night or during the day, they should report it to KPS.

“It’s the only resource we have right now,” he said. “People like that, we have to get them out of here. These are non-Natives.”

This advice was echoed by Montour, who would like to see community members help hold those who are disrespecting the environment accountable by speaking up.

“If you’re scared and you don’t want to approach somebody, call me. I’m not scared. I’ll approach somebody. When it comes to the environment and it comes to hurting our community, hurting our children, hurting what we have left, I’ll stand up to anybody. It’s not right,” said Montour.

“This I can say, if we find out who’s doing it, and we catch who’s doing it, they’re going to be dealt with.”

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Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Karonhienhawe Nicholas had never tried her hand at creative writing before last year, but now that her first piece is published she’s got confidence under her wings – particularly since she gets to see her words in print alongside the words of her children.

“I’m really glad that my kids that are in there, because it’s something that’s going to be solidified in history, in literature,” Nicholas said.

Nicholas and her children Sage Harrington, 15, and Nation Harrington, 16, are the writers of three of 37 creative works compiled in a book titled Poetic Echoes From The Land: Poems for Truth and Reconciliation, which was published as part of a two-year art project with McMaster University as part of the Future of Canada Project.

The project seeks to create visual art for each of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action, and the poetry collection was created as a companion book to the project.

Patsea Griffin of the Thunderbird Sisters Collective created, edited, and contributed to the book along with Deanna Nishi. 

“People might hear about truth and reconciliation, but sometimes they don’t truly know it, they don’t get deeper into it,” said Griffin, who found contributors mostly through community referrals and word of mouth. 

“I think this gives people an opportunity to actually see it with their own eyes and read the poems and stories that are in there.”

The Thunderbird Sisters Collective was started in 2017 and brings together First Nation, Metis, and Inuit women for activities like beading circles, skill-sharing workshops, and knowledge sharing sessions with Indigenous youth and allies.

Griffin said that bringing together non-Indigenous and Indigenous authors from across Turtle Island for the book was important, and something the Collective has sought to do in much of its programming in recent years.

“That’s what really brings together community, and brings us together as one in a sense,” Griffin said. “Sometimes that doesn’t happen, and it’s hard to get people to agree on anything, but I find art and poetry can do that, everyone’s welcome.”

Nation wrote a diary-style piece, Spirit Children’s Walk of 2021, about his journey walking to Shingwauk Residential School, which his great-grandfather and great-uncle had attended. The piece described the blisters and leg cramps he got as he embarked on the walk, and charts his thoughts throughout the trip.

Sage wrote a poem called Onkwehonwe, which describes her own process working through her feelings of learning to love her Indigenous features and coming to terms with the realities of racism faced by her community.

Nicholas said she was proud to read what her children had written.

“It was remarkable, actually, when I read it,” Nicholas said. “It was quite insightful, it almost hurt a little bit when I read it, thinking ‘Aw, my baby.’”

Though writing requires vulnerability, Nicholas’ kids were eager to participate in the project.

“There was no pushing, no coercing, they submitted their work and now they have a part in literature on these pages with their thoughts, their experiences, and their lives,” she said.

Nicholas herself wrote a poetic piece about her childhood, where she expressed the trauma of growing up in a home touched by alcoholism and violence. The piece is called The Promise and describes her experiences being raised by someone dealing with addiction, and her promise to herself and her children never to drink.

“For me it was really personal. I was raw, because I relived those experiences,” she said. “This is about a promise I made to myself at six years old, and I stuck to my guns.”

For Griffin, bringing together folks from all different walks of life to share their own personal experiences, like Nicholas and her family did, was the most rewarding part of the project.

“The age range was from 14-76, and it was just amazing to read it all, pull it all together, and get people to participate,” she said. 

The book is not currently for public sale, having been run as a limited print, but those interested in hearing more about the project can reach out to [email protected] to inquire about available copies.

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After a shutout period in goal at Provincials with the Laurentians Junior AA ringette team this month, Tewehshon Patience Nelson has been asked to join the team in Ottawa for Nationals.

It’s an impressive feat for a Benjamin goaltender, but it comes as no surprise. After all, her older sister Kahsennine Nelson played in the Eastern Canadian Championships a decade ago.

Tewehshon is too young to remember it, but she was there to cheer her older sister on from the stands in PEI – and now it’s her turn to ply her skills on one of ringette’s biggest stages.

“All I know is it’s going to be tough and there are a lot of teams going,” said Tewehshon, but she’s still unfazed. After all, she stopped six out of six shots on net at Provincials, even though she was playing with girls two and three years older than her.

“At the start, I was scared, but when I got on, I was fine,” said the goaltender, who has been getting time in with the squad in addition to her Blainville Cavaliers Benjamin A team.

Her game has grown by leaps and bounds since she starting playing with the Junior AA squad, said her father, Jeffrey Nelson.

“They even have a goalie coach on their team, so she’s been getting basically private lessons while practicing with the team,” Jeffrey said.

“It’s just awesome that she’s still only 13, and being moved up to play an age level and a level higher is a huge accomplishment.”

The Junior AA team’s third-place finish at the Ligue Elite de Ringuette du Quebec Provincial Championships from March 6-9 in Quebec City punched their ticket to Nationals. They were 3-2 heading into the semi-final match for a chance to go against the top-seeded Quebec City team, but just barely fell to the South Shore squad in a tight 4-3 loss.

But because of the location of the Nationals, Quebec is eligible to send three teams, so the Laurentians’ bronze was enough to earn a spot at the Canadian Ringette Championships, which will take place from March 30 to April 5.

“To say I’m proud of my sister is an understatement,” said Kahsennine. “She’s really grown out of her shell and has put in the work, day in and day out, to get to that spot, especially when it’s not even her team.”

Kahsennine said she benefitted from taking part in the Eastern Canadian Championships, getting her out of her comfort zone coming from a small community and being the only English speaker on the team. Now her sister gets the chance to compete on an even bigger stage, she said.

“I’m happy I’ve gotten to watch her grow and love the same sport I play and love,” said Kahsennine, joking that it’d be “iconic” if they ever got to play together.

“I’ll always be her biggest fan,” Kahsennine said. “She’s going to do amazing things on and off the ice.”

As if playing in Junior AA Nationals wasn’t enough, Tewehshon has a major Benjamin A tournament the same week, so she’ll be travelling back and forth between Ottawa and St. Eustache to provide her goaltending talents wherever they’re needed.

“I know I’m going to be really tired from the travelling and everything, but I’m just excited for both of them,” said Tewehshon.

It’ll be an equally busy week for her father Jeffrey, who will be taking her to and fro and coaching the Benjamin A squad.

That may not be the end of the road either. If her Benjamin A team takes the St. Eustache tournament, that team will be headed to Nationals too.

And it might just happen.

“Having her as the goalie, we obviously have a chance every game,” Jeffrey said.

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Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

It was past bedtime one night when Justine Deer’s six-year-old son Wallace Zachary turned to his mother with a heart-warming request.

“He said to me that he wanted to help the homeless and give them everything that they need,” she said. “He just kept going on and on about it, so we ended up putting it together, we picked a date, and we did it.”

Deer said that she believes her child learned about the hardships faced by others from his excellent teachers at the Mackay Centre School, who she said have helped him thrive in the classroom.

“He’s opened up a lot, so I really give kudos to the school he’s in,” Deer said.

The young Zachary was passionate about helping the homeless in an interview with The Eastern Door. 

“They don’t get to eat for years,” Zachary said, adding that it makes him sad to know that people are going hungry.

Deer and Zachary were joined by Carla Deer, Corrine Zachary, and Kiona Deer to hand out 40 bags of food to homeless people in Montreal. The team packed bologna sandwiches with cheese and lettuce, as well as apples, oranges, ramen noodles, peanuts, apple juice, and water. 

“It felt nice,” said Wallace, who spent five hours with the group walking around Montreal, stopping whenever they saw someone who looked like they needed help. The team distributed the packages in the streets and in metro stations, and gave away every last bag to people who were struggling.

“A lot of them were very grateful and happy,” Justine said, adding that as a parent, it’s a good feeling to hear your kids wanting to do good for others. 

“It’s really wonderful.”

Justine had initially shared a video on her Facebook account of Wallace talking about his desire to help the homeless back in February, and she was touched when community members reached out to support her in helping Wallace fulfil his mission.

One individual donated money to buy bologna for sandwiches, which Wallace took to Mohawk Market proudly, and donations ended up covering all the expenses for the food, which helped the group increase the number of food packs they were able to distribute.

Wallace and Justine are hoping to head back to the city in the future and continue to help those in need.

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A new interactive, online map of the Montreal metro system was launched this past weekend, which aims to “pay tribute to the women who have played a vital role in the making of Montreal and its social, cultural, and economic prosperity,” according to the project’s website.

The project is inspired by a similar project, first done in New York City in 2016 and also created for cities like London and Barcelona.

The author and scholar Chantal Ringuet was the creator of the project, which is supported by the Université de Montréal, in partnership with the Société de transport de Montréal (STM).

Among the 73 women who are in the project are four Indigenous women: Indigenous women and children’s rights activist Mary Two-Axe Earley from Kahnawake; news anchor, radio host, and activist Myra Cree from Kanesatake; Abenaki artist, activist, and documentary filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin; and Innu poet, director, and documentary filmmaker Joséphine Bacon.

“We wanted to give space to Indigenous communities, and the Mohawk community, as the territorial issue is important,” said Ringuet. 

Ringuet said that each living person considered for the map was contacted by the project team to give their authorization to be included. 

In the case of Two-Axe Earley and Cree, who have both passed, they instead spoke to their family and, for Two-Axe Earley, the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK).

“I think it’s a wonderful thing, to educate people and make people understand that the Indian Act affected our people in many different ways and different aspects of their life,” said Council chief Stephen McComber, who is on the heritage file. 

McComber was the contact for the project on the MCK side.

He discussed the project with Annie Pullen Sansfaçon, the professor at the School of Social Work at the Université de Montréal, who is also Indigenous and said that Two-Axe Earley’s efforts to restore the rights of Indigenous women who marry non-Indigenous men helped her and thousands of women like herself.

“She wanted to honour her that way, with this project,” said McComber. 

Although McComber did not know Two-Axe Earley personally, he was a good friend of her son, Edward Earley, prior to his passing.

“I think he would really appreciate a little bit the part that I played in making this happen,” said McComber.

Ringuet spoke with Cree’s daughter, Myra Cree-Bernier, to get her blessing for the project.

“She was rejoiced to learn that we had retained her mother among the women we were honouring. She liked our process, the project itself, and what it stands for,” said Ringuet.

The stations chosen for each woman were chosen based on where they were born or where they lived, as well as their field and where they worked or studied.

For example, according to Ringuet, Angrignon station was chosen for Two-Axe Earley, as it is the closest to Kahnawake, where she was born and lived. For Cree, Papineau was chosen because of her career at Radio-Canada.

Along with the interactive online map, it will also be displayed in STM stations.

Ringuet said the project has garnered a lot of positive reactions, and she hopes to continue the debate on the question of recognition of women in the city and their presence in urban place names.

The Montreal Metro does not have any station named specifically after women, although three are named for locations that include women’s names – Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Square-Victoria-OACI, and Villa-Maria.

The STM, while a supporter of the project, said that there are no plans to permanently rename any Metro station at this time.

“The overall direction of the STM is to preserve current station names, which are part of Montreal’s toponymic heritage and are integrated into the habits of our customers. Furthermore, any name change would entail significant expenses due to the necessary changes to signage and customer information tools. These expenses would not be wise in the current financial climate.” said Renaud Martel-Théorêt, spokesperson for the STM.

“However, we fully support the objective of the Montreal, City of Women project, which aims to highlight the women who have shaped today’s city.”

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Throughout her decades-long career in the field of Community Economic Development (CED) – the practice of building local economies through community engagement and collaboration with governments and the private sector – Kahnawa’kehró:non Allison Deer has accomplished a lot.

That includes obtaining her master’s at Cape Breton University, consulting for the Women’s Economic Council, and her current senior advisory role at Bimaadzwin, an organization which seeks to promote Indigenous economic development.

But before that, in 2001, Deer, who at the time already had more than 15 years of experience in the field, graduated from Concordia University’s inaugural graduate program on CED.

“I was driven by a deep desire to deepen my understanding of CED methodologies and theories, which led me to enroll,” said Deer. “It was there that I truly found my calling and a community of like-minded individuals passionate about the field.”

That calling and her connections are what allowed her to come back to Concordia for the 2025 winter semester – only this time, it’s as the teacher of the new Participative Management course of the CED program, which she also assembled the curriculum for.

“Flying the plane and building the plane at the same time is really challenging,” said Deer. “But it’s going very well.”

According to Deer, Participative Management is a leadership style that is a “democratic governance model and process,” as it encourages collaboration between all levels of the organization.

“It is how I conduct my business, consulting work, and build partnerships,” said Deer. 

The curriculum includes older research from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, but it also includes case studies based on real projects Deer or others have worked on in Indigenous communities.

She believes that showing these case studies of Indigenous economic development will help her students, none of which are Indigenous in her current cohort.

She explained that making sure they know the situations in Indigenous communities for economic development are not going to necessarily be the same than in a non-Indigenous one.

“For an Indigenous community, there’s an added level of risk and responsibility. You have to be sure that you’re not giving up the way you live or putting the entire community in jeopardy. It’s a big responsibility, a little more than, let’s say, Chateauguay, for example. If it doesn’t work out, I can always go to Lachine. But in an Indigenous community, that’s not going to be the case,” said Deer.

“Sometimes communities are faced with that economic opportunity, and it could be a source of pain as well. There are challenges to that. It brings community consultation, it brings in scarce resources, and that we’re not all the same into focus.”

It’s something she’s found out for herself while working in the field, too.

“I had the opportunity to work from coast to coast to coast with Indigenous communities. I myself being a Native person, I thought, when I first got that job, that it’s going to be easy. I’m Native, they’re Native, how hard could it be?” said Deer.

“It was not easy, but I found out how different people operate, the different protocols, different opportunities, and different sectors of development.”

So far, she said her experience and passion for the subject have shone through to her students and made the classroom enjoyable for everyone during the intensive 27-hour course.

“They like my pedagogy, my approach to learning – which is sharing my own stories, case studies, and just bringing a more personal approach,” said Deer. “They don’t want to hear somebody just lecturing at the front of the room, they want to be part of it. That’s what CED is all about.”

Dr. Anna Sheftel, principal of Concordia’s School of Community and Public Affairs, said that having an alumnus as experienced as Deer come back to develop and teach the new CED class.

“It’s a real get for us to have someone with so much experience working in the community sector and doing really important community development work,” said Sheftel. 

Sheftel said that the program has undergone a program review to help Indigenize and decolonize it.

“Having an Indigenous professor with her level of expertise, it’s just an invaluable contribution to the program,” said Sheftel.

Next year’s class will be given in French, so Deer said she will not be the one to teach it.

“I would be interested again in 2027, having built a program now that will be in my back pocket,” said Deer.

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As more and more Kahnawa’kehró:non hit the runway at prestigious events like Akwesasne Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week, and the International Indigenous Tourism Conference, it’s becoming clearer than ever that there’s space for the taking for local talent in the elusive world of modelling.
While half the battle is taking that first step onto the catwalk or in front of the camera, there are plenty of logistical tasks that come with starting modelling. That’s why local model Kendall Horn wants to make things easier for newcomers on the scene, by organizing composite card sessions with Akwesasne-based photographer Babes Thompson.

“This will improve your chances of being selected for whatever you’re applying for, because it’s professional and it makes you stand out from the rest of the applicants,” Horn said.

Composite cards, also known as comp cards, are photo sets used by models, actors, and others in the entertainment industry. The photos include details about an individual’s body measurements and height, as well as their headshots, full body shots, and contact information. 

For many auditions, comp cards are required, and a good set of comp cards allows places like agencies to get a feel for a model’s look more quickly.

Horn and Thompson are joining forces with their business Show Stopper Studios, and will be holding photoshoots next month, on Saturday, April 5. 

“My favourite part of doing comp card photoshoots is seeing where it takes them,” said Thompson. “For example, seeing them get into fashion shows, or one of our clients just recently signed with an agency.”

Thompson said that it’s normal to be nervous if it’s your first time doing a shoot, but she and Horn will help models with posing and answer any questions that they might have before, during, and after the session. 

“I’ve had a client say they were nervous before their photoshoot but then after they messaged us saying they felt confident and empowered and they had fun, and that’s really what we’re going for,” Thompson said. “If you’re feeling hesitant but been wanting to do it, I’d say just give it a try.”

Models that have taken comp cards with Show Stopper Studios in the past include Vanessa Martin, who recently walked at New York Fashion Week, and Tewasohkwatenies Jacobs recently signed with a modelling agency using photos from her session.

“Our people are so beautiful. We deserve to be shown on international stages. With the rise of Indigenous people in the fashion and entertainment industry, Babes and I wanted to help our community members kick through those doors and enter these spaces,” she said. 

Part of her and Thompson’s decision to offer the shoots is because of their shared passion to make sure that there’s more Onkwehón:we behind the cameras, as well as in front of them.

“When I was a teen, there wasn’t any Indigenous representation in the modelling industry, and there were no fashion shows. I always had to outsource for photoshoots or shows, or wait until I was scouted by someone,” Horn said. “Sometimes, I even had to get together with someone and take photos ourselves. I really had to work hard to be known in this Indigenous modelling industry.”

Horn has had many big breaks, including on the cover of Snotty Nose Rez Kids’ album Red Future, which has been on billboards in Toronto and beyond.

She’s excited to be in a position to now help her peers who want to follow a similar path, and said that she’s hopeful that even those with little to no experience will be confident enough to reach out for a shoot. 

“To me, I feel like having confidence shines brighter than experience,” Horn said. 

Prices vary based on outfit changes and backdrops, and those interested should reach out to @showstopper_studios on Instagram to get a quote and book a session. Locations for the shoots are still being finalized.

[email protected]

Playoff hockey is well underway for the Kahnawake Minor Hockey Association (KMHA), with three games – and two wins – already notched so far.

The U15B Mohawks played the first playoff game of the year Tuesday night against the Lachine Castors. Despite being heavily penalized and facing multiple five-on-three powerplays, the Mohawks came out on top 5-1, punching their ticket to the semifinals this Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Denis Savard arena.

“They played really well. The game was escalating as it went on, but the players stood their ground and played well,” said Lou Ann Stacey, director of the U15 age group.

She praised the play of goaltender Olivia Meloche, who is playing her first year in goal – U15 is considered a late start to become a goalie – and missed part of the year due to injury. 

“She’s actually pretty good already, and with more goalie training, she could be even better,” said Stacey.

She said goalie is a particularly difficult position to play at higher age groups, especially as a newcomer.

“It’s a lot of pressure, parents and players can get on your case, and if the games are bad, you’re the one who takes the fall,” said Stacey.

That being said, Meloche is making the most of her opportunities so far.

Speaking of making the most of opportunities, despite being on the penalty kill for a large portion of the game, the Mohawks did not let that deter their offense – four of their five goals came shorthanded, including two in five-on-three situations.

One of those came from the Mohawks’ defensive zone.

“They just shot it down the ice from the hash mark in the defensive zone, he threw it on net, and it went right through the goalie,” said Stacey. “We always tell players ‘just put it on net,’ and that’s why.”

After turning a slow start to the season into a first-place banner worthy year, the U15B Mohawks are turning their focus to the semifinals.

The U13C Mohawks were also victorious this week, with a come-from-behind win against the MRO Devils on Wednesday night.

“We were able to secure the first goal of the game during the first period. The opposing team then scored back-to-back goals during the second,” said Taiosheratie Mayo, the team’s manager.

Late in the game, still down one, the U13C team tied and then scored the game-winning goal.

“The kids had their victory pile up at the end of the game and the crowd was so happy for their players,” said Mayo.

Their next game will be Saturday at 7 p.m. at Samuel Moskovitch Arena, although their opponent is not yet known at time of writing.

The other team that has played a playoff game, the U13B Mohawks, was unfortunately on the receiving end of a late-game goal, losing 3-1 to the MRO Diablos on Wednesday.

“They played an outstanding game, just some bounces didn’t go our way, and they ended up in the back of our net,” said Kyle Zacharie, assistant coach and manager for the team.

“MRO scored a flukey goal behind the net that went off our goalie’s back and rolled in. It kind of broke their spirits with about five minutes left in the game.”

Still, Zacharie thinks the team, which finished third overall with a 24-6-2 record, has a lot left to give in the playoffs – the double-elimination format they play in means they keep playing until they lose, or win it all.

“They’ve had a very successful season. We played in three tournaments; we won one of them and we made it to the semi-finals in all three. So, they’ve been successful, and they want to continue to have that success,” said Zacharie.

Their next game is Tuesday, March 18, against the St. Laurent Gladiators at 7 p.m. in Outremont.

“It was a heated game last time we played them, so it’s going to be an interesting game coming next Tuesday,” said Zacharie.

Playoff games resume on Saturday. The full playoff game schedule for each age group and division can be found on the Eastern Hockey League’s website, at ehl.club.

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The South West Regional Soccer Association (ARSSO) Senior women’s winter championship had Kahnawake’s Arrowhead FC face off against the only team they had lost to all year, the Valleyfield Rebelles Soccer Club, a duel of the top two teams in this year’s standings.

“We had lost 1-0 to the same team just two weeks ago, so I was nervous the game would be back and forth,” said Paxton Phillips, Arrowhead FC 1 player-coach.

While Phillips was nervous the game would be another close, back-and-forth affair, Arrowhead FC 1 actually maintained control throughout the match.

“We managed to have the ball in our possession for the majority of the game. The score was already 3-0 by halftime, so we had a nice comfortable lead, thanks to our passing, communication, and hustle,” said Phillips.

That score would be the final result, clinching the championship for Arrowhead FC 1.

Kendall Horn scored twice for the champions, and Mya McGregor had the third goal.

The Kahnawake team went 16-1 during the regular season, while the Rebelles finished with a 13-2-2 record.

Arrowhead FC’s strong play throughout the regular season was rewarded with an automatic finals appearance, bypassing the rest of the playoffs.

“We had an incredible season,” said Phillips. “It has definitely given us a nice confidence boost heading into our summer season.”

Phillips said that while the team did not have that many opportunities to train together throughout the winter season, their experience and skill is what brought home the trophy. “We unfortunately haven’t had too many opportunities to train together as a team this season, but we all train and exercise individually and know what we need to do and bring mentally and physically to win a match,” said Phillips.

“All of our past seasons playing together as a team have prepared us and gotten us to the place we are today.”

Two other Arrowhead FC teams participated in the 14-team league, but neither made the playoffs. Arrowhead FC 2 finished with a 5-7-5 record, and Arrowhead FC Junior ended the year with 2-14-1.

“Both teams worked great together this past season and have become stronger as a unit and individually as players,” said Phillips.

As Kahnawake soccer gets ready for summer, Phillips said they could not have gotten where they are now without the backing of the community.

“It means the world,” said Phillips.

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Bocephus Dailleboust and his United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) Elite team, the Islanders, did not exactly have the start of the season they were hoping for.

Dailleboust, who had joined the Premier division Islanders team, was sent down to the Elite division; as for his team, they started the season with three straight losses and were 4-6 after 10 games.

But, both turned things around, and now Dailleboust, who had the third-most points during the regular season on the New England Division’s best team, will be heading to the National Championships in Wayne, New Jersey, at the end of March.

“I really got back on my feet. I did not get that many points in my last year at prep school, and then to come into Junior and just really focus on hockey every single day, that really changed how I was playing. I started to score more, get more points. It was a really successful season for my development,” said the 19-year-old forward, who scored 20 goals and added 24 assists in 42 regular season games this year.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the way this group has come together,” said Islanders head coach Kevin Smith in a statement. 

“The depth of this team is our biggest asset. We have 12 players who scored more than 30 points during the regular season, and we can roll 14 forwards, seven defensemen, and three goalies that all contribute to our success.”

Finishing the season with a 33-8-3 record, the Islanders easily defeated their first-round opponents, the fourth-seed South Shore Kings, 9-1 and 10-1 to win the best-of-three series.

“We smoked them,” said Dailleboust. Then to get to the National Championships, they needed to face last year’s champion, the Northern Cyclones.

They dispatched them too, sweeping the defending national champions, winning the first game 4-1 and eliminating them with a 3-0 shutout on Tuesday.

Six teams – the winners of each division plus the best performing team remaining – will be in Wayne to participate in a three-game round robin, with the four best teams locking into the semifinals.

“I have high expectations for us, I feel like we can go on a good run,” said Dailleboust, who added that the New England division is one of the strongest, if not the strongest, so they feel as though they have faced potentially tougher competition already than they might during the round robin.

While Dailleboust has also put up solid offensive numbers in the playoffs so far – three goals and three assists in four games – his focus has been on making sure the defensive side of the game has been up to the task.

Part of getting more ice time and more responsibilities from his coach has included special teams time, including playing on the penalty kill for the first time. 

“Looking at my hand, it’s purple and swollen because I blocked a shot on the penalty kill, and that’s the first time I’ve ever really been asked to be on the penalty kill. The coach said you need to go kill this one for me, and I did,” said Dailleboust.

“I just want to do everything to win. I feel like everybody else, too, we’re all invested and that’s why we work so well together.”

Round robin games will begin on March 20.

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Kaylani Delormier has been figure skating for years at this point, but still, she can occasionally get the pre-event jitters – as was the case before last weekend’s Invitation Vaudreuil-Dorion.

“I’ve done this many times before, but I was nervous. While we were heading out to the arena, I was thinking, ‘I’m going to the competition, I’m scared.’ But my friends were texting me, ‘Don’t be. It’s okay, you’re going to do amazing. You’ll be fine, and we are cheering you on – good luck,’” said Delormier. 

 “Them saying that really calmed me down.”

But, when she got on the ice, some circumstances made the nerves come back a little: the ice quality was not as good as she was hoping, and the order of the skaters got mixed up – delaying her start.

As soon as she got started, though, the nerves left for good.

“I got over that fear, and I just went to do what I had to do,” said Delormier.

The STAR 2 skater was hoping to do better than the overall bronze medal she received back in early February at the South-West Regionals in Valleyfield – and she did just that, earning an overall silver medal for her performance.

She did not fall on her moves or lose balance, and she found her backspin to be a lot nicer than it was in Valleyfield, for example.

Among her best moves of the day were her loop jump, her flip jump, and her turn sequence, all of which she was proud of.

“Usually when I do my loop, during practices, I mess it up,” said Delormier. 

“But surprisingly, at the competition, it was beautiful.”

On the mental side of things, she found that she did not get in her own way. 

“I didn’t think like that at all, I just do what I have to do because the only pressure when you’re doing the routine, it’s not the arena, not the judges, not the people watching you, it’s only you. You’re putting that pressure on yourself.”

Delormier’s grandparents, Alan Beauvais and Laurie Delormier, usually are right there in the stands to cheer her on, and that did not change in Vaudreuil.

“We were proud of her,” said Laurie. “I videoed the whole show that she did. Looking back at it, she did amazing.”

Two other Kahnawa’kehró:non STAR 2 skaters – and friends of Kaylani – Promise McGregor and Taylah McComber skated later in the day, with the both of them getting overall bronze medals.

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A closer look at CBSA operations in Stanstead

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) provided an in-depth look at its operations at the Highway 55 border crossing in Stanstead on March 13, 2025. Led by CBSA Director Miguel Bégin, the media tour showcased the agency’s efforts in monitoring and securing one of Quebec’s key border crossings.

Bégin, responsible for a district covering 500 kilometres from Sutton to New Brunswick with 16 points of entry, welcomed the media and outlined the day’s agenda. The tour featured stops at the traveller processing area, the secondary inspection garage, the commercial inspection zone, and a demonstration by a detection dog, before concluding with a media scrum.

Traveller processing and secondary inspections

The tour began at the primary inspection booths, where Bégin explained the process travellers undergo when entering Canada. Officers verify identity documents, assess admissibility, and determine whether a secondary inspection is necessary. “Most decisions are made right at primary inspection,” Bégin stated. “However, some travellers are referred for additional checks, whether for their status, duty and tax evaluations, or contraband searches.”

At the secondary inspection garage, officers conduct detailed searches when required. Bégin noted that while random inspections are conducted for compliance, officers primarily rely on experience and training to flag individuals for additional scrutiny. “Instinct, knowledge, and specific indicators guide our agents,” he said. The facility allows for thorough examinations, including dismantling vehicle panels when necessary.

One example he provided involved a past seizure where officers discovered illicit substances hidden inside a spare tire, an area often overlooked by smugglers. “We don’t just look at obvious places. We check inside tires, under seats, within dashboards—anywhere that might conceal contraband.”

Commercial processing and detection tools

At the commercial inspection area, Superintendent Michel Dubois provided an overview of truck processing procedures. Commercial drivers undergo primary screening, with some being referred for further scrutiny. “We handle between 90,000 and 100,000 commercial vehicles per year at this location,” Bégin explained.

Additionally, officers demonstrated X-ray imaging technology used to conduct non-intrusive inspections. “This tool allows us to scan vehicles and cargo without dismantling them, making it an invaluable resource,” Bégin said. The scanner can detect irregularities in density, helping officers pinpoint hidden compartments.

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L’article Inside the border est apparu en premier sur Sherbrooke Record.

The thrill of F1 racing has only grown in popularity in the past decade. Thanks to stars like Lewis Hamilton and the popular Netflix series Drive to Survive, Formula One racing has found an all new audience that transcends class and age. Director Joseph Kosinski — who helped save cinema from the effects of the pandemic with Top Gun: Maverick in 2022 — has been tasked with bringing the thrill and intrigue of the sport to the big screen with the upcoming film F1. A fictionalized account of racer Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt), a champion racer coaxed out of retirement to revive a struggling team, the film’s trailer hints at the action-packed thrills and bromantic hangout vibes that helped make Maverick such a big hit.

During a press conference for the trailer reveal, director Kosinski describes discovering the high-speed reality series Drive to Survive during the early part of the pandemic. “I found that it’s an incredibly unique sport in that your teammate is also, in many ways, your greatest competition. And for me, that makes for a great drama. I also loved how the first season of the show focused on the last place teams, the underdogs,” he explained.

The film was made in close collaboration not just with Formula One racing, to ensure realism, but specifically Lewis Hamilton — a friend of Kosinski’s. In an intro to the event. Hamilton said that the movie will feature “the most authentic racing scenes you will ever experience in a cinema.” Despite the fictionalized story, Hamilton and Kosinski both hint that the movie will feature many stars and familiar faces for Formula One fans.

Due to the physically demanding nature of driving cars that go 180 km/hr, Brad Pitt and his co-star Damson Idris had to go through months of training in order to convincingly operate these monstrous machines. Both actors are actually driving the cars, adding a layer of danger and intimacy almost never seen in these types of films. Kosinski described their fast day on the track, with Hamilton as their trainer: “What Lewis was really interested in was seeing, did Brad know how to drive right? Because if Brad can’t drive, this whole film wasn’t going to work. And what Lewis was very happy to discover was that Brad had a lot of natural ability right from the start, and I don’t know where he got that or if he was born with it. He rides motorcycles, which I think has something to do with it, but he’s just a very talented, naturally gifted driver.”

The F1 trailer hints at this high-speed atmosphere, playing into Kosinski’s great skill as a filmmaker — his ability to blend intense action with a more human element. With a cast rounded off with Javier Bardem and Kerry Condon, F1 promises a high-octane cinematic experience.

F1 will be released in Montreal theatres on June 27, 2025. 

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

The post WATCH: The new trailer for F1, from ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ director Joseph Kosinski appeared first on Cult MTL.

Setula Barthélemy Kalaky, 74, is the owner of Elcodes Développement in Longueuil, Que., and tutored elementary and high school level students, according to police. He was arrested at the end of February and will reappear in court in April.

Montreal's St. Patrick's Day parade first started on Saint-Paul Street in 1824, and a couple centuries years later, this annual tradition is still going strong.

The Montreal agency overseeing the city's public transit network is adopting a policy forcing people within its Metro system to circulate and not linger until the weather gets warmer at the end of April. 

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said Thursday she's focused on working with Canada's peers to address global challenges as she welcomes her counterparts from the U.S., Europe and Japan to Quebec's Charlevoix region.

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

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

Le Filet

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

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

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

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

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

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

Produced and Hosted by Heidi Small

Filmed and Directed by Ezra Soiferman

Edited by Teagan Lance

Graphic Design & Logo by Alex Chocron

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

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

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

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

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

The online casino industry is booming around the world. Canada is one the biggest markets as an endless stream of platforms are vying for attention and players.

It really is a player’s market, so the choice is yours when it comes to where you play. That means casinos need to work harder than ever to attract players and there are many things to consider when it comes to picking an online casino to play at. This is why comparison sites can be worth their weight in gold.

Below are some of the best comparison sites for online casinos in Canada. However, let’s first look at the criteria we need to consider.

Criteria for top 10 comparison sites

Our top 10 list suggests sites based on a range of criteria. The first of these is the detail given in reviews. If comparison sites only scratch the surface, then players can still be left with a lot of unknowns. The devil is in the details, and sites that look at things more in-depth are preferred.

The other criteria being considered for these comparison sites include: security and licensing information, bonuses and promotions, deposit and withdrawal options, community feedback and customer support. These are all vital in helping you find the best Canadian online casino for you.

Casinomeister – Top pick

Score – 9.5/10

Casinomeister comes out on top of our list. This comparison site has been around for decades, building up a wealth of reviews during that time and making it one of the most trusted names in the industry.

The platform offers serious, detailed reviews that cover everything from the selection of games, software providers, customer service, payout speeds and withdrawal methods, among much more. It has a very active community forum that lets players communicate and chat about sites, providing more insight for new players looking for the most guidance.

Casinomeister offers an easy-to-understand star-rating system to cover the key points of sites at a glance, so players know if one is worth delving deeper into. 

But no site is perfect and Casinomeister’s sheer volume of information can be overwhelming for some. It can take some getting used to as you work through the whole host of details. However, sticking with the site is worth it for some of the most detailed reviews online.

AskGamblers – Silver medal

Score – 9/10

Just missing out on the top spot is AskGamblers, a site that also boasts an extensive range of casino reviews in the Canadian market. The site incorporates first-hand player reviews into its own to give more rounded and real-world insight into online casinos. AskGamblers is known for its clear approach when it comes to analyzing available bonuses, something that is hugely sought after by players who need to understand the terms and conditions that come with promotions.

However, the site does have some drawbacks. There are a lot of ads and promotional content, which makes the site hard to navigate. A better interface would let players find the content they want a lot easier, but it’s still a strong option for Canadian players.

Casino.ca – Still on the podium

Score – 8.7/10

Casino.ca is entirely dedicated to the Canadian market and players. This gives a unique perspective to proud Canadians and puts more emphasis on the regulations governing the online casino industry in the country. In-depth reviews are available for a wide variety of games, while banking options are also focused on giving players a better idea of the different ways they can fund their online casino accounts.

The glaring omission on this site is a dedicated forum where players themselves can discuss reviews, sites and games. Peer reviews are a big draw for players who look to others for insights, and that hurts Casino.ca. However, its level of detail and focus on Canada makes it a worthy site to look at.

Canadian Casino Comparer – Solid fourth

Score – 8.2/10

Canadian Casino Comparer is an easy-to-use site providing clear comparisons of a range of online casinos. Focusing on game selection, user experience, and bonuses provides players with insight into some of the most important aspects of an online casino. Welcome bonuses are something of a specialty on the site, making it a good spot for those looking to get the most bang for their buck.

The main drawback of the Canadian Casino Comparer is that compared to other sites, it hosts only a relatively small number of reviewed casinos. This narrow focus means that the select few that are covered are covered well, but it could do with casting a wider net to provide a broader overview of the industry.

iGaming.com Canada – Mid-table

Score – 8/10

iGaming.com Canada provides a very professional approach to online casino reviews. It gives players insight into expected details, such as game variety, user experience, and even software providers. The real beauty of the site, though, comes in its analysis of payment methods. Players are given a comprehensive overview of how they can deposit and withdraw money on different sites, allowing them to make the best choice for themselves.

It is, however, another site that relies solely on expert reviews and does not have any peer reviews. There might be some questions raised over promotional material on the site, which could raise concerns over bias. However, it’s still a sight worth players’ time and consideration.

Casinovator – Solid sixth

Score – 7.7/10

Casinovator focuses its attention on bonuses and promotions. The fairness of wagering requirements of different bonuses and promotions are put under the microscope, making it a great site for those looking to stretch their budget. It also gives credence to user experience, so sites that are easy to navigate and well-designed are ranked highly.

Like anywhere, though, the site does have its flaws. Casinovator only reviews a small number of Canadian casinos, so newer platforms tend to be ignored. Reviews on the site are well-structured, but they’re not always updated frequently, so information may be out of date.

Casino.org Canada – Staying safe in seventh

Score – 7.4/10

Casino.org Canada is well-established in the review sector and focuses on one of the most important issues facing players — staying safe. The site highlights licensed and regulated online casinos, ensuring players stick to secure platforms to keep them and their financial data safe. There’s also plenty of educational content available, ranging from gaming strategies to advice about responsible gambling.

Unfortunately, you can’t get away from some of the promotional bias seen in some reviews, which clearly favor certain casinos over others for no obvious reason. Its focus on safety is very valuable, but more rounded reviews would have seen it place higher on this list.

OnlineCasinoReports Canada – Could do better

Score – 7.1/10

OnlineCasinoReports Canada blends expert reviews with industry news and comparisons of many casino sites. It’s a good place for players looking for news and updates about what is available on the Canadian market, as well as the all-important reviews of online casinos.

The downside to the site is that it feels outdated in places, with updates lacking in certain reviews. While the site covers a broad range of casinos, it’s not the easiest to navigate as the search and filtering functions really need to be improved.

Gambling.com Canada – Ninth is the one for data whizzes

Score – 6.9/10

Gambling.com Canada uses statistical analysis to provide a data-driven approach to comparing online casinos. Fairness, payout speeds and overall player satisfaction are ruthlessly pored over and used to rank sites. If you like your reviews with delicious data to back them up, then this could be the site for you.

However, if statistical analysis leaves you cold, then the site can be a bit overwhelming. The analytical approach leads to a deluge of stats and figures that can confuse even seasoned gamers. There have been some user reports about the site prioritizing promoting affiliated casinos, which suggests its impartiality might be affected. However, for the data nuts out there, it’s definitely worth a look.

Top10Casinos.ca – Sneaking in at 10^th

Score – 6.5/10

Top10Casinos.ca takes a no-nonsense approach to ranking online casinos. Ease of use is the primary consideration for its reviews, which makes it a great place for beginners to find their feet. Comparing bonuses and promotions is easy to do on the site as well.

However, simplicity is its strength and also the site’s weakness. There’s a lack of more in-depth analysis seen elsewhere, and a lack of details about fundamentals, such as payment methods and compliance with regulations. It is fine for a quick and easy comparison, but not for those looking for more details.

Wrapping up

For players looking for the best Canadian online casinos, it’s clear there are many great comparison sites that will help in their quest.

Casinomeister stands out as the best, edging out others thanks to its easy-to-understand star-rating system, detailed reviews, and expert community. The other sites on our list are all worth a visit, though, to ensure you have the best experience playing online at Canadian casinos.

The post Best casino comparison sites for finding Canadian-based online casinos appeared first on Cult MTL.

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

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

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

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

1 STAR

Mon Lapin

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

Toqué

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

Mastard

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

Beba

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

Le Mousso

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

Île Flottante

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

Lawrence

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

Candide

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

Bouillon Bilk

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

Marcus

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

Joe Beef

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

Jun-I

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

Hoogan & Beaufort

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

Okeya Kyujiro

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

Hélicoptère

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

Montréal Plaza

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

Cabaret l’Enfer

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

Maison Boulud

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

BIB GOURMAND

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

Bar St. Denis

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

Pichai

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

Le Vin Papillon

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

Casavant

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

Alma

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

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

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

• Le Violon
• Hiatus  
• Dorsia  
• Panacée

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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