Cassandra Kerwin

Irish flag flies over City Hall for St. Patrick’s Day 

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

Irish flag flies over City Hall for St. Patrick’s Day 

Cassandra Kerwin, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

cassandra@qctonline.com

The green, white and orange flag of Ireland was raised at City Hall on March 17, the feast day of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. For the occasion, the mayor, city councillors, consuls of Ireland and Spain, members of the organizing committee of the Défilé de la Saint-Patrick de Québec (DSPQ) and two Irish wolfhounds were present.

“This flag on this mast is a decisive beacon so that people understand that we are wel- come here in Quebec City,” said the grand marshal of the 2025 DSPQ, Bruce Kirkwood. “Happy St. Patrick’s Day!”

“Heritage, history and the Irish community are very im- portant for Quebecers,” said Mayor Bruno Marchand. “It is important to renew and celebrate it annually and to repeat it again and again. We can talk about St. Patrick’s High School, Saint Brigid’s Home, the Celtic Cross, the Irish culture, Irish food, the pubs, the music, the festivities, et cetera. Quebec was and will continue to be influenced by the green, by what made us.”

The Irish community has been an integral part of Quebec City’s social fabric since the early 19th century. Countless St. Patrick’s High School alumni have left their mark on Quebec City, Quebec and Canada. Irish Quebecers celebrate their rich heritage and complex history loudly on the days leading to and following St. Patrick’s Day.

Among the numerous 2025 festivities in Quebec City, from March 15 to 22, is the DSPQ on March 22. The parade leaves St. Patrick’s High School at 2 p.m. Participants will march up Avenue Cartier and along Grande Allée and Rue Saint- Louis up to the Château Frontenac, where they will turn on Rue du Fort and Rue de Buade, ending at Place de l’Hôtel- de-Ville. Before and after the parade, families can search for the leprechauns who play tricks throughout the Old City.

Local historian Steven Cam- eron and his guests will give a talk at McMahon Hall on March 19 at 7:30 p.m. about Irish history in Quebec City. Celtic bands from near and far will perform throughout

the week, including Rosheen on March 20 at the Théâtre du Petit Champlain; the Pipes and Drums of the Chicago Police Department at the Blaxton on Avenue Cartier on March 21; the Toronto Fire Services Pipes and Drums at Le Trèfle on 3e Avenue the same evening; and Irish Moutarde at Grizzly Fuzz on March 22.

For more information, visit ville.quebec.qc.ca/saintpatrick.

Irish flag flies over City Hall for St. Patrick’s Day  Read More »

Pôle Montcalm explores future of QHS building

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Pôle Montcalm looks to the future of QHS building

Cassandra Kerwin, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

cassandra@qctonline.com

As the English-speaking community anxiously awaits the opening of the new consolidated English high school resulting from the merger of Quebec High School (QHS) and St. Patrick’s High School, residents of the surrounding neighbourhoods are exploring plans for the future of these buildings. On March 12, the Montcalm Community Hub (MCH) held its first annual general meeting at QHS to inform the public about its mission and projects, as well as the current situation surrounding this specific property.

After seeing many culturally and historically significant buildings abandoned and demolished in favour of more modern urban projects, residents of Montcalm, Saint- Sacrement, Saint-Sauveur and Sillery who spoke at the event do not want this fate to befall the QHS building. With that in mind, in 2024, five people created the MCH. Their mission, according to their website, “is to protect and enhance an essential community space. It is committed to supporting the transition of the QHS building and its green space into a sustainable community-use area.”

The cofounders “are calling on the community and all three levels of government to preserve this unique space in the face of real estate development projects. This place is not just a plot of land; it represents a gathering space, a hub for recreation and valuable con- nection between generations.”

Before any plans can be discussed, there is much to consider. This plot and its building are currently zoned institutional, meaning that the QHS lot can only be used for schools, hospitals, fire stations, libraries or government buildings. The zoning will have to be modified for any other use.

The MCH is inspired by similar successful projects, like the city’s Plan particulier d’urbanisme (PPU) for the Pôle urbain Belvédère. According to the city website, this plan favours harmonious development, respects the local population and fulfills the city’s overall objectives.

Pôle Montcalm explores future of QHS building Read More »

Musée de la Civilisation explores the teenage brain

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

Cassandra Kerwin, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

cassandra@qctonline.com

Teenagers’ minds are full of wonder. Even though they might appear to be lazing around, their minds are active, creative and inventive, as demonstrated in the latest exhibit at the Musée de la Civilisation (MCQ), Teens: Creative Minds. Within the 170 square metres, 11 Canadian teens and their creations are showcased to educate and inspire future inventors.

The source of this exhibit sprouted from one of Quebec’s most innovative and renowned inventors, Joseph-Armand Bombardier, who, at the age of 15 in 1922, built the prototype of what would become the snowmobile. “We wondered how adolescence is creative. [Looking at Bombardier], we wondered why he is so creative and what drove him to be so,” said Antoine Laprade, manager of exhibits at the Musée de l’ingéniosité J. Armand Bombardier (MIJAB) in Valcourt.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of this invention, the MIJAB created this exhibit in collaboration with the Université de Sherbrooke by researching other ingenious Canadian teens. Visitors will discover 11 young Canadian inventors and their inventions, from the airless baby bottles created by Jean Saint- Germain, then 16, in 1953, to the QualyL, the robotic heart adaptable to patients’ efforts devised by Jonathan Lévesque, then 17, in 2018, to other innovations such as self-heating ski poles. The MCQ even invites visitors to test some of these inventions. The exhibit also takes a closer look at how teenagers’ brains work. At the heart of Teens: Creative Minds stands a giant structure representing the shape of the brain. Stepping into it, visitors will discover the parts of this vital organ and learn how it keeps developing right through adolescence up to around age 25, despite reaching its full size by the time a child turns six.

“By presenting this exhibition, we wanted to reach and engage an audience that is dear to us: teenagers,” said MCQ general director Julie Lemieux. “We wanted to offer a space where their dynamism and ideas take on their full dimension. It also allows us to discover unsuspected inventions, purely from our region, to which we had not previously paid attention.”Until Sept. 1, the MCQ invites the public to discover and even test these inventions.

For more information, visit mcq.org/en/discover/exhibitions/ados-cerveaux-inventifs.

Musée de la Civilisation explores the teenage brain Read More »

Bruce Kirkwood is the Grand Marshal of the 2025 Défilé de la Saint-Patrick de Québec

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , , , ,

Bruce Kirkwood is the Grand Marshal of the 2025 Défilé de la Saint-Patrick de Québec

Cassandra Kerwin, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

cassandra@qctonline.com

Green season is in full swing in Quebec City and around the region. Green, white and orange flags are being raised everywhere. Irish jigs and reels are heard loud and clear. Traditional emblems decorate Quebec City in preparation for the 2025 Défilé de la Saint- Patrick de Québec (DPSQ).

The organizers of the annual parade traditionally choose a grand marshal who has been deeply involved in the local Irish community. This year, the selection committee chose Bruce Kirkwood, a career volunteer.

“[When I was told that I was this year’s Grand Marshal], I didn’t believe it. I thought it was a joke or that someone was pulling my leg,” said Kirkwood. “But when I saw the seriousness in the president of the committee, Félix-Antoine Paradis’s face, I realized that the time was now. It is big. When you are named grand marshal, you are walking in some big shoes, following Dennis Dawson, Pauline Bigaouette McCarthy and the original [grand marshal], Marianna O’Gallagher, to name a few.

“Having been on the committee for a number of years, I have the list, but I did not consult it to see how I’d fit in,” said Kirkwood. “It is interesting to know that being a professional volunteer gets recognized. That is what is appreciated.”

Kirkwood is everywhere and involved in almost everything in the Irish community. He is a handyman, musician, photographer, sound engineer, driver, genealogist and more, known for his intelligence, quick wit and diplomacy. He has lent a hand at Shannon Irish Shows, Irish dancing shows and com- petitions, parades and a multitude of other events over the years. He was on the board of the DSPQ until 2023, when he stepped down as vice-president of operations.

“It is a wonderful recognition of all I have done for the Irish community and the DSPQ,” said Kirkwood. “I re- tired because I felt that I had done my part, and my role had run its course after 10 years. I had been part of the committee during the pandemic, which was a little rough, to say the least. Should I mention that [Terry Kerwin’s] passing cut my legs out from under me?”

Kerwin*, as president of the DSPQ, and Kirkwood, as vice-president of operations, complemented each other. Kirkwood said they had hit their stride to bring the DSPQ to its full potential when Kerwin died in January 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic hit a few weeks later, and the parade didn’t return until 2023.

Kirkwood and Kerwin were behind one of the parade’s most cherished traditions – the visit of five police pipe- and-drum bands from Chicago, New York City, Boston, Philadelphia and Toronto, as well as the civilian Montreal Pipes and Drums, to Quebec City. The Quebec City parade is always held a week after St. Patrick’s Day, to allow all bands to march in their respective hometown parades.

Kirkwood was born and raised in Quebec City and baptized at St. Patrick’s Church. He has been volunteering since the age of 12, starting as an “in-house” DJ at the original Shannon Hall for weekend dances and events. In 1974, his family settled in Shannon, “a move that helped forge a sense of community spirit and belonging,” he wrote. “It takes a village – in this case, two: Shannon and Valcartier – to raise a passionate volunteer.” Having felt at home in Shannon, he built a home in neighbouring Saint-Gabriel- de-Valcartier, where he resides with his family and continues to volunteer.

*Disclosure: The late Terry Kerwin, former president of the Défilé de la Saint-Patrick de Québec committee, is the author’s father.

Bruce Kirkwood is the Grand Marshal of the 2025 Défilé de la Saint-Patrick de Québec Read More »

Handmaids fill the streets for International Women’s Day

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

Handmaids fill the streets for International Women’s Day

Cassandra Kerwin, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

cassandra@qctonline.com

On March 8, hundreds of women in red capes and white bonnets marched through Quebec City for International Women’s Day, at Laurier Québec in Sainte-Foy, in front of the U.S. Consulate in Old Quebec and in a march that ended at the Palais de Justice de Québec on Boul. Jean-Lesage. Similar protests took place at the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa and in 14 cities and towns across Quebec, including Montreal, Sherbrooke and Frelighsburg, on the U.S.-Canada border.

The capes and bonnets are taken from Margaret Atwood’s 1985 novel The Handmaid’s Tale, set in a dystopian world in the near future, where women are stripped of their rights to read, write and control their reproductive choices. Handmaids – lower-class women whose red dresses and capes and white bonnets make them stand out – are forced to give birth to the babies of higher-class families, who wear green. The book was adapted into a popular TV series in 2017.

Inspired by the story, the Regroupement des groupes de femmes de la région de la Cap- itale-Nationale dressed in red capes and white bonnets for their protests on International Women’s Day. One red-clad group of protesters surprised shoppers at Laurier Québec around noon by walking in tight unison into the atrium with signs bearing misogynistic quotes from public figures.

Less than an hour later, the women attracted a rather large crowd when they assembled at the corner of Avenue Sainte- Geneviève and Place Terrasse-Dufferin in front of the U.S. consulate, protesting the rise of anti-feminist sentiment in the United States under President Donald Trump.

At 2 p.m., these women joined the crowd at the Centre résidentiel et communautaire Jacques-Cartier in Lower Town.

The year 2025 is the 30th anniversary of the of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a sweeping inter- national plan to achieve a better world for women and girls. To mark this milestone, feminist groups around the world, including in Quebec City, marched under the theme of “Still Fighting.” The local groups chanted in French, “Still fighting to end violence against women! Still fighting against the poverty experi- enced by women! Still fighting for feminist climate justice!”

“With everything that’s going on right now, it’s really a good

time to come together and feel less alone,” said activist Maria Tremblay. “It is not a question of gaining something over men, but equal to men. Some toxic masculine-misogynistic groups are growing in popular- ity, mainly in the States, and passing laws there that are removing the rights of women. We hear not only men but also women speak about how women must become wives, mothers and even servants to men. That boggles our minds. It is exactly what Margaret Atwood wrote about 40 years ago.”

The march ended in front of the Palais de Justice in Saint- Roch, where the handmaids in red raised their white bonnets and chanted along with the crowd, “Mother, daughter, sister, never again in fear.”

With files from Ruby Pratka, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Handmaids fill the streets for International Women’s Day Read More »

Day camp registration season around the corner

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , , ,

Day camp registration season around the corner

Cassandra Kerwin, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

cassandra@qctonline.com

With spring just weeks away, cities across the province are preparing for summer. Quebec City and Lévis recently announced rates, schedules and registration timelines for their summer day camps. Registration starts in early April with limited spots: 15,000 in Quebec City and 1,130 in Lévis.

With the support of 22 partner organizations, the Ville de Québec has an $11.5-million budget to cover 65 per cent of the weekly costs per child, with families paying the remaining 35 per cent. This budget includes $3.2 million for integration programs for children with disabilities. In Lévis, families pay 34 per cent and the city takes care of the remaining 66 per cent. Other Quebec cities have similar pricing structures for city-run camps.

In Quebec City, the early- bird registration price is set at $68 per week for the first child – a $2 increase from 2024 – with slightly lower rates for the child’s younger siblings, plateauing at four children or more. The city will also accommodate non-resident campers for $155 per child. Registration begins April 14 and prices go up May 6. Summer day camps will run from June 24 to Aug. 15.

Low-income families can receive financial assistance from the 22 partner recreational organizations listed on ville.quebec.qc.ca/citoyens/loisirs_sports/camps-de-jour.

Families pay more in Lévis, with the price set at $113 per child per week from June 30 to Aug. 8. Registration will take place April 7 and 8 in the west sector and April 9 and 10 in the east sector. The camp will run from June 30 to Aug. 8.

“Quebec City is a major city that offers the most accessible, most affordable day camps in the province,” said Coun. Marie-Pierre Boucher, member of the executive committee responsible for summer day camps.

In 2024, 18,449 children participated in the camps offered by Quebec City. Attendance fluctuated over the eight weeks because Quebec City offers families the option to register children for two, three or five days per week, with prices adjusted accordingly. Similar information for Lévis was not available at press time.

Both Quebec City and Lévis are currently hiring camp counsellors. Quebec City offers rates of $17.60 per hour for 35 days, while Lévis pays $16.50 per hour over 30 days. Quebec City has 2,000 positions to fill. The number of vacancies for Lévis was not available at press time. Both municipalities expect to fill the positions quickly.

City-run summer camps are offered in French only.  Voice of English-speaking Québec offers an English-language camp; visit veq.ca/directory/fit-fun-english-summer-day-camp to learn more.

For more information about city-run day camps in Quebec City, visit ville.quebec.qc.ca/ citoyens/loisirs_sports/camp-jour.

Day camp registration season around the corner Read More »

Colisée destined for demolition after 75 years

Local Journalism Initiative / / / ,

Colisée destined for demolition after 75 years

Cassandra Kerwin, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

cassandra@qctonline.com

On March 5, the Ville de Québec opened the doors of the Colisée de Québec to the media for a final photo-op. The group walked the vacant halls, rooms, restaurants and stands vibrating with 75 years of sports and entertainment history.

During this visit, there were no official speeches, only remarks by people who shared memories of watching famous games and shows. Many photographers and reporters recalled their first assignments covering hockey games and concerts, from the stands to the press gallery up in the rafters. The final event was a Metallica concert on Sept. 14, 2015. Two days later, the new Videotron Centre, with a capacity of over 18,000 spectators for games and 19,000 for concerts, opened for the first time.

If the walls of the Colisée could talk, they would have many stories to tell. Construction of the original building started on May 24, 1949. It still stands today, despite being hidden in plain sight after the 1980 renovations, which gave it its glass facade and more entrances. While maintaining its charm, the modernized Colisée grew to accommodate an additional 5,000 spectators, just one of the NHL requirements.

From December 1949 to May 2015, families and fans flocked to the home games of the As, Nordiques, Citadelles and Remparts, as well as the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament every February from 1960 to 2015.

The Colisée was originally nicknamed “the House Béliveau Built,” in honour of Jean Béliveau, whose minor hockey heroics filled the arena in the early days. From those games on, the ambience and atmosphere at the Colisée were electrifying, especially during Nordiques-Canadiens games. Between periods, children played street hockey in the corridors as their parents bought hot dogs, drinks and popcorn. In the meantime, players and coaches planned their moves in the locker rooms. Now vacant and stripped clean, the rooms appear tiny in comparison to those in modern arenas. For hockey fans, it’s a privilege to step onto the ice in an arena that saw the likes of Béliveau, Guy Lafleur, Jacques Cloutier, the Stastny brothers and Patrick Roy. Even Maurice “The Rocket” Richard left his mark there when he coached the Nordiques’ first two games in 1972. It’s hard to imagine the roar of the crowd when the ice has long since melted away and the vast space converted into storage facilities for the Festival d’été de Québec.

Besides hockey games, the Colisée also hosted thousands of concerts. Fans filled the amphitheatre to see and hear Céline Dion, James Blunt, Ozzy Osbourne, Korn, Blink-182, Bryan Adams, Shania Twain, Bob Dylan, David Bowie and KISS, to name a few.

The once lively amphitheatre is now a shadow of its former self. Dust covers everything. Metal bolts on the concrete bleachers are all that is left of the 15,176 seats. The souvenir boutique is bare; the ticket counters are vacant. The lobbies are filled with neatly piled chairs, plywood and tables. A ghost-like “COLISÉE PEPSI” can still be seen on the facade, although the letters were removed in September 2019.

No demolition schedule has yet been set for the Colisée. The estimated cost is $20 million over two years.

Colisée destined for demolition after 75 years Read More »

Ukrainian Quebecers mark three years of war

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

Ukrainian Quebecers mark three years of war

Cassandra Kerwin, Local Journalism Initiative reporter 

Cassandra@qctonline.com

As Quebecers continue with their lives, compete in friendly sporting events and celebrate the beauty of winter, war wages on in Ukraine. Russia dropped more bombs on the eve of the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. 

On Feb. 23, Ukrainian communities around the world, including across Canada and in Quebec City rallied to send a message of support to those still fighting for their lives, peace, justice and liberty in Ukraine. 

The Associations of Ukrainians of Lévis and Quebec City organized a peaceful gathering in front of the National Assembly where hundreds of people shared words of love, solidarity and hope for a better future. 

“The war in Ukraine has been going on for three long years … years of destruction, but also of incredible resilience and exemplary courage,” said Bohdana Porada, president of the Alliance des Ukrainiens de Québec. “We are here to remind people that the Russian aggression continues to breathe with full lungs.” She continued, “The people of Ukraine are showing the world the true meaning of dignity and liberty. Ordinary men and women have become heroes. We have to fight for a place where children won’t be obliged to fight.”

Porada, like her fellow Ukrainians now living in Canada, looks to the government for a solution to end this war. The Canadian government has already given over $19.5 billion in assistance to Ukraine, including $4.5 billion in military aid since February 2022, in addition to training more than 42,000 members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Canada will support Ukraine joining NATO, something that must be done urgently, even at the cost of President Volodymyr Zelensky stepping down. This comes after President Donald Trump called him “a dictator with elections” and claimed Ukraine was the instigator of this warfare. 

“We have to work hard for peace, justice and liberty. We are all revolted by what we have heard from President Donald Trump. We cannot let ourselves be intimidated,” said the Hon. Jean-Yves Duclos who was present at the assembly. “We will always be there to support Ukraine. We will always be there to defend peace, liberty and justice.” His words of support were echoed by MNAs Jean-François Simard and Étienne Grandmont. 

To raise more money for the reconstruction of his homeland, Ukrainian cyclist Dariy Khrystyuk bikes long distances in an initiative he named “Je roule pour l’Ukraine.” During the night of Feb. 22 to 23, he pedalled from Montreal to Quebec City through snow, low visibility and in total solitude, arriving just after 2:30 p.m. to a large welcoming committee. “I find inspiration from the Cossacks, symbolic warriors of Ukraine, to push through the challenging obstacles,” he said. 

This was Khrystyuk’s fourth long-distance fundraising challenge. In 2023, he biked 53,000 kilometres from Vancouver to Quebec City. “I wish to complete the Canadian trail to Newfoundland and Labrador,” he said. “After I finish my studies in 2027, I want to donate all the money after biking from Bordeaux to Kyiv (over 3,000 km).” Hopefully, he will pedal to a country still standing. 

Ukrainian Quebecers mark three years of war Read More »

Quebec Winter Carnival triumphs over the weather

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

Quebec Winter Carnival triumphs over the weather

Cassandra Kerwin, LJI reporter

Quebec Winter Carnival triumphs over the weather  

Cassandra Kerwin

Cassandra@qctonline.com

Not even a blizzard or two could keep people from enjoying the 71st Winter Carnival. Organizers pulled out all the stops to create another memorable and successful edition. 

The 71st Winter Carnival closed on Feb. 16 with the traditional St-Hubert Snow Bath. Men and women wearing nothing but swimsuits, tuques and boots jumped into a pile of snow surrounded by a warmly dressed cheering crowd. “Every year, we come to Quebec City and the carnival as a family trip. This year, I had to call my husband’s bluff,” said Sarah O’Malley from Atlanta, Georgia. “He says he never gets cold. So I signed him up for the Snow Bath.” After watching the first of two waves of people, smiling from ear to ear, he dove right into the snow to make a snow angel.

Local artist and muralist Phelipe Soldevila supervised Graff the Ice Palace. “It is pretty crazy. It is actually something we had done unofficially [in 2018] when I and my artist friends were hired to create live art. It is great to see it officially part of the carnival,” he said. “Everyone is enjoying themselves, which is the main objective. It really shows you that art sometimes is not about the end result and more about the process.” 

Tagging and painting graffiti on the Ice Palace was a popular activity. Even the executive director of the carnival, Marie-Eve Jacob and program director Jérôme Déchêne added their creative touches. Throughout the carnival, they visited the sites and participated in numerous activities and events. 

“This year, we continued to root our vision, which is to offer extraordinary activities that cannot be done outside the carnival and that defy conventions,” said Jacob. “The sold-out rappelling on the Château Frontenac and the Popunderwear Carnival White Night at the Cercle de la Garnison are good examples of this. We aim to balance these extravagances with the traditions that have made the event’s reputation, but that we enhance by constantly evolving them, such as the Palais de Bonhomme and the night parades.”

“We make a conscious effort to reach a variety of clientele,” added Déchêne. “For example, we had activities for families during the day and young adults in the evening, in addition to offering programming that is popular and festive, sometimes contemplative. We tend towards a very interesting balance that allows us to affirm that there is something for everyone at the Quebec Winter Carnival.”

“Quebec City was the number one destination in Canada during the two carnival weekends with an occupancy rate of 85 per cent the first weekend and for now, we’re looking at 90 per cent for the last weekend,” said Déchêne. 

Organizers mentioned that musicians, entertainers and spectators loved the shows under the Dome for the second consecutive year. The night parades attracted large crowds from start to finish. Large crowds watched 54 teams participate in the ice canoe race across the St. Lawrence River for the 130th year and 70th carnival race. The official sites, Zone Loto-Québec, Zone Kraft Jukebox and Scotiabank Sculpture Garden always had a good flow of people. None of this would have been possible without the dedication and loyalty of the 450 volunteers. 

For those who want more, there’s the Télé-Québec (in French) six-episode documentary series La fièvre des festivals which invites you to take a behind-the-scenes look at the Quebec Winter Carnival, the Francos de Montréal, the Festif! de Baie-Saint-Paul and the St-Tite Western Festival.

The Quebec Winter Carnival will be back from Feb. 6 to 15, 2026.

Quebec Winter Carnival triumphs over the weather Read More »

The 71st Winter Carnival is open

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

Cassandra Kerwin

cassandra@qctonline.com

The 71st Quebec Winter Carnival is now open! From Feb. 7 to 16, people will celebrate winter in all its glory. They will skate with Bonhomme, visit his Ice Palace, dance in the Kraft Juke Box, tour the garden of ice sculptures, watch the night parades and enjoy the many partner activities. There is something to please everyone.

“I am very proud to see everyone here assembled to celebrate the opening of the 71st Winter Carnival, to celebrate winter and the cold,” said Bonhomme. “I hope to see you at the Carnival.”

As tradition demanded, May- or Bruno Marchand handed Bonhomme the key to the city at the opening ceremony on Feb. 7. “I want you to take good care of our city because it is the most beautiful winter city in the world, as stated by people from all over the world! You are the master of the city over the next ten days!” With those words, Marchand handed Bonhomme a giant brass key, officially opening the Winter Carnival.

Inspired by the falling snow, MNA for Montmorency Jean- François Simard quoted Gilles Vigneault, “‘Mon pays ce n’est pas un pays, c’est l’hiver,’” he said. “Quebec City and Quebecers love winter. There is no winter in Quebec City without the Winter Carnival! There is no Winter Carnival without Bonhomme.” He continued, “Bonhomme, you have been bringing us joy and sun every winter for 71 years! Every year, we are happy to see you again! On behalf of the Quebec government, I wish you all a wonderful Carnival.”

After the ceremony, the stage was set for the opening show, featuring stand-up comic and singer Mariana Mazza and her guests. Wearing a red fake-fur hat, a Nordiques jacket and moon boots, Mazza had the crowd laughing to her quick wit and vulgar jokes and dancing and singing along with her Bon Jovi covers, “Living on a Prayer” and “It’s My Life.” She asked the crowd not to blow their horns, to which a spectator objected, adding an unexpected comical dialogue to the show. The rest of the show was a mixture of jokes, songs and dance moves performed by Véronique Claveau, Erika Suarez, Rafaëlle Roy, King Melrose and Émily Bégin. Until Feb. 16, anyone with a Carnival effigy can tour the Ice Palace at Zone Loto-Québec (Place de l’Assemblée-Nationale), the ice sculpture garden (Parc de la Francophonie) or the giant Philadelphia Ferris Wheel in the Kraft Jukebox (Place George-V). In Lower Town, visit Bonhomme’s Beach behind Espace 400. There are over 50 partner events and activities throughout the Quebec City region.

For more information, visit carnaval.qc.ca.

The 71st Winter Carnival is open Read More »

Mary Gillespie House purchased for English-speaking community

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

Mary Gillespie House purchased for the English-speaking community

Cassandra Kerwin, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

cassandra@qctonline.com

The historic Mary Gillespie House in Sainte-Foy has been purchased for the use of the local English-speak- ing community. By next year, it will open as a multipurpose venue, thanks in part to the $1.5-million contribution from Canadian Heritage through the Community Spaces Fund program for official-language minority communities. Federal Minister for Public Services and Procurement and MP for Québec Jean-Yves Duclos announced the funding arrangement on Feb. 3.

“This project started with a young individual who saw the potential in this house in July 2023,” said Jean Robert, presi- dent of Jeffery Hale Community Partners. “From there, our staff got involved. The boards of two of our community foundations, architects, lawyers and the staff at Canadian Heritage had the same goal: an inclusive multipurpose space for the community.”

Robert affirmed that Mary Gillespie House will be trans- formed for the English-speaking community by next year, if all goes according to plan. “It will provide an inclusive space for cultural preservation, col- laboration and connection,” said Robert. “It will become a vibrant hub of services and ac- tivities for the English-speaking

community for years to come, promoting a sense of belonging for its members and helping to ensure its long-term vitality.”

“The English-speaking com- munity has been present in Quebec City for over 265 years. This is a lot of years and hard and heavy work with great suc- cess,” said Duclos. “Here, we have an example of a heritage home that will last and be preserved for its beauty and be used for the benefit of our English-speaking community. When we are diverse, we are more proud.”

“The Mary Gillespie House is in my riding, and I’m de- lighted that our government is investing in this community space for the people of Quebec City. I hope that Louis-Hébert

residents will be able to come together and build relation- ships in this magnificent and historic Sainte-Foy building,” said Louis-Hébert MP Joël Lightbound. “This is good for the community. It is not the biggest community, but it is strong, vibrant, and has deep roots. I am very happy that this space will bring the community together.”

According to the Ville de Québec register of historic buildings, the house was built between 1860 and 1867. Its first resident-owner appears to have been Mary Gillespie (1840-1935), widow of mer- chant James Hewitt and sister of James Gillespie, who owned Maple Cottage, formerly located on Chemin des Quatre-Bourgeois. The residence remained in the Hewitt family for almost 30 years.

The house is located at 819 Ave. Moreau in Sainte-Foy. It is a 1.5-storey farmhouse situated on a large lot. The majority of its historical components, including wooden windows, dormers, doors and floors, a metal roof, a covered gallery on three sides and chimneys at each end, have been maintained. Since the front lot was sold for a commercial building on Chemin Sainte-Foy, the original main entrance faces the back of that building rather than Avenue Moreau. 

Mary Gillespie House purchased for English-speaking community Read More »

Ateliers du Carnaval pull back curtain on night parades

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

Ateliers du Carnaval pull back curtain on night parades

Cassandra Kerwin, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Ateliers du Carnaval pull back the curtain on night parades

Cassandra Kerwin, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

cassandra@qctonline.com

Over the past weeks, the staff at Les Ateliers du Carnaval has been working hard to create and restore the iconic floats in preparation for the legendary night parades.

On Feb. 3, reporters were invited to tour the various workshops as staff put the finishing touches on the floats and dancers practised their moves for the parades.

The Ateliers du Carnaval is where the magic of the Winter Carnival is brought to life year after year. It is where 500 people, including 350 artists and artisans, spend 3,000 hours creating temporary art in the dead of winter. With a few coats of paint, some sculpted wood and lots of plywood, the wheeled platforms are transformed into different worlds: Bonhomme’s icemobile, Flip Fabrique’s acrobatic zone, Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows float and much more.

On the evening of Feb. 15, residents who missed the Feb. 8 Lower Town Night Parade (see article in this edition) can see the floats come to life at the Upper Town parade, with lights, music and performers, and the nine sequences directed by 11 artistic directors. There will be something for everyone: circus performances, dancers, lights, music and even pyrotechnics. To enjoy the full experience, spectators are reminded to dress warmly and bring their Carnival trumpets and other noisemakers.

The massive 16-foot-high Ubisoft float will capture everyone’s attention. Inspired by the soon-to-be-released action-adventure video game Assassin’s Creed Shadows, this float resembles a traditional Japanese house. The Assassin’s Creed logo is added to the hanging lanterns.

In an adjacent workshop, workers were building Bonhomme’s float. On the day of the tour, there was little to see. Reporters, like the rest of the public, will have to wait for the parades to see the complete show.

The Feb. 15 Upper Town parade starts at 7 p.m. on Grande Allée from Avenue des Érables.

For more information about the parades and other Carnival events, visit carnaval.qc.ca/en.

Ateliers du Carnaval pull back curtain on night parades Read More »

Bonhomme’s ice palace days away from being ready

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

Bonhomme’s Ice Palace is days away from being ready

Cassandra Kerwin

Cassandra@qctonline.com

From Feb. 7 to 16, visitors with Quebec Winter Carnival effigies can walk among the eight towers of Bonhomme’s Ice Palace and marvel at their height, with the tallest tower reaching 36 feet (nearly 11 metres). It took more than 17 days for snow and ice sculptor Marc Lepire and his team of 10 builders to complete the “Nordic sanctuary” using 2,800 ice blocks, each weighing 300 pounds and measuring 40 inches by 20 inches by 10.5 inches. Once completed, the Ice Palace will cover 5,800 square feet. Be sure to dress warmly when you visit it, because Bonhomme likes it cold, with ideal temperatures between -10 and -15. 

“There aren’t many people who build ice walls,” said Lepire, who has been building a new Ice Palace for Bonhomme every year for 13 years. “The first year I did it, there were 22 of us, and this year there are 10. I had to adapt and find the right people to do it.

“After last year’s abnormally warm weather forced us to close the site early, we had to rethink the structure and the effects of the sun on the ice, even in February,” said Lepire. “This year, we thought of the palace differently – the corners of the towers, the strongest parts, are oriented toward the sun. We hope it will last throughout the Carnival if temperatures remain below -5 degrees.” 

Quebec’s winter wildlife inspired Lepire and designer Jean-François Couture as they decorated the palace. Visitors will discover ice sculpted into moose, trees, owls, traditional snow boots, ceinture fléchée sashes and more. After sunset, everything is lit by colourful LED lights, bringing life to all the sculptures. 

“It’s truly a representation of Bonhomme’s one and only great love: winter,” said  Carnival director Marie-Ève ​​Jacob. “Lepire and his team finished the exterior of the palace a few days ago and now they are working on the interior. Thanks to their skills in sculpting, visitors will discover eight unique towers. The first one represents the snowflake, because Bonhomme was born from a snowflake. At the end, we have a lookout, to see the site from a bird’s eye view. It will truly be another wonderful Carnival experience.”

Visitors must have a Carnival effigy to visit the Zone Loto-Québec. The effigy, available for $39 plus tax, is valid for entry to all the carnival sites from Feb. 7-16. For more information, visit carnaval.qc.ca.

Bonhomme’s ice palace days away from being ready Read More »

Demonstrators brave the cold to demand rent freeze

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , , , ,

Demonstrators brave the cold to demand rent freeze 

Cassandra Kerwin, Local Journalism Initiative reporter 

Cassandra@qctonline.com

Renters’ rights groups are raising the alarm about the combined impact of inflation, rising food prices and record rent increases on renters, a week after the province’s housing tribunal announced a record high 5.9 per cent rent increase benchmark. They are calling on the provincial government to impose a freeze on rent increases. 

During “rent control week” activities organized by the Regroupement des comités logement et associations de locataires du Québec (RCLALQ), on Jan. 30, some 25 protesters gathered in the cold in Parc de l’Amérique-Française and marched across the street to the offices of Housing Minister France-Élaine Duranceau in Édifice Marie-Guyart in the hope of freezing rents. 

Contrary to popular belief, the RCLALQ states, “There is no rent control in Quebec,” leaving tenants vulnerable to abusive increases. When presented with an increase they believe is abusive, tenants can go before the Tribunal administratif du Logement (TAL) and have a judge set an increase. According to the RCLALQ, many tenants are unaware of their rights, and when they do contest abusive, negligent or illegal practices, they often fail to make their voices heard at the TAL. 

On Jan. 21, the TAL announced a 5.9 percent rent increase benchmark for 2025 (see article in Jan. 29, 2025 edition). While the Coalition de Québec contre les hausses de loyer claims this trend drives rents up across the board, landlords argue these increases are overdue, compensating for nearly 10 years of mismanagement within the Régie du Logement and the TAL and allowing landlords to adjust to the rising costs of maintenance. 

Nicolas Villamarin Bonilla of the Coalition stated, “Owners’ income has risen, allowing them to increase rents further. This wealth drain is making the poor poorer and the richest are getting richer at their expense. The outdated calculation methods are concerning, particularly regarding rent evolution this year.” He continued, “We need action before it’s too late. Many tenants are already struggling to pay rent or find affordable housing. Rent-setting by the TAL is ineffective.” 

As a recourse, the RCLALQ and the Coalition are demanding an immediate rent freeze and provincewide rent control. At the Jan. 30 protest at the housing ministry offices, they threw white confetti to mimic snow and sang a modified version of the theme from Frozen while distributing stickers asserting the right of tenants to refuse rent hikes, until security personnel showed them the exit. 

Along with rising rents, there is a housing crisis in Quebec, renters’ groups assert. “There is housing available, but it is even more expensive. What is currently being built in Saint-Sauveur, we are talking about 4 1/2s [two-bedroom apartments] that start at $1,600, $2,000 [per month]. This is well above the ability of a large part of the neighbourhood’s population to pay,” said Guillaume Béliveau Côté of the Comité des citoyens et des citoyennes du quartier Saint-Sauveur.

As of Feb. 1, there is no indication the government plans to legislate to freeze rents, despite calls for a freeze by the Quebec Liberal Party and Québec Solidaire. Duranceau has said the Coalition Avenir Québec government’s approach to the housing shortage is centred around increasing supply. 

With files from Ruby Pratka, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Demonstrators brave the cold to demand rent freeze Read More »

Tea, pastries and pleas for peace mark anniversary of mosque massacre

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , , ,

Tea, pastries and pleas for peace mark anniversary of mosque massacre

Cassandra Kerwin, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

cassandra@qctonline.com

Eight years have passed since the mass shooting at the Centre culturel islamique de Québec. Some 300 friends, relatives, community members and supporters of survivors and victims gathered over tea and pastries on Jan. 25 at the Manège Militaire to commemorate the event. They celebrated the lives of the six men who were killed and the 19 who were injured on Jan. 29, 2017, and shared messages of peace in uncertain times.

The ceremony opened with a performance by Canadian- Palestinian composer and pianist John Farah, that included a classical piece by Johann Sebastian Bach and “A Lullaby for the Children of Gaza.” No matter one’s position on the situation in Gaza and Palestine, the performance was impeccable and inspirational, reminding attendees of the innocence of children in war zones.

“We feel that every time we talk to people who were there or not, we are revealing our permanent scar. It also reminds us every year that we have to pay tribute to Ibrahima Barry, Mamadou Tanou Barry, Khaled Belkacemi, Abdelkrim Hassane, Azzeddine Soufiane and Aboubaker Thabti, our six fellow Muslim citizens whose lives were taken on the evening of Jan. 29, 2017,” said Mélina Chasles, member of the 29 janvier, je me souviens citizens’ committee and co-host of the event. “We are also sharing messages of peace, solidarity and hope for a future without Islamophobia, racism and hatred in all forms.”

Mayor Bruno Marchand spoke about the importance of hope amid tragedy and uncertainty, particularly in light of the re-election of Donald Trump. After a brief apology to Danielle Monosson, the U.S consul general in Quebec City, who was in the room, he said he believed “a lot of people had seen their flame of hope flicker” since Trump was elected. “We have to talk about hope – because if we don’t, then these six individuals will have died in vain – and to honour the survivors and their families,” said Marchand. “People are show- ing us that there is something worth building here. Hope is strong within this community and city.”

This is a sentiment felt by Muslims across Canada, according to Amira Elghawaby, Canada’s special representative on combatting Islamophobia. “Muslim Canadians live in constant worry of being attacked on their way to prayer, school, work or the park,” she said, referencing the white supremacist terrorist attack on June 6, 2021, in London, Ont. where four members of the same Muslim family were fatally injured. “The federal government has taken great measures to support the Mus- lim Canadian communities and other minority communities in Canada by putting in place strategies and plans against Islamophobia, hatred and racism. We all have a role to play to protect every Canadian’s right to be who they are and to live in dignity and safety.”

Tea, pastries and pleas for peace mark anniversary of mosque massacre Read More »

Bonhomme, Carnival organizers present 50 partner events

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Bonhomme, Carnival organizers present 50 partner events

Cassandra Kerwin, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

cassandra@qctonline.com

One of the best ways to embrace Quebec’s long winter, especially on the coldest days and nights, is to join Bonhomme in the annual Quebec Winter Carnival. For the 71st edition, from Feb. 7 to 16, he and his team have a jam-packed program reaching the four corners of Quebec City. So, as they say … “Enweille Dehors!” (Let’s go outside!)

After presenting the pro- gram of the official sites and unveiling the 71st-edition effigy ($39 plus tax) last November, Bonhomme, programming director Jérôme Déchêne and executive director Marie-Eve Jacob, presented the 50 partner events on Jan. 16 at Le Capitole.

“When people tell me that in Lotbinière, there were Japanese people in a race, I think, ‘That’s great. That’s what’s needed.’ I want to have tourists and locals in the small alleys, in the regions, on Île d’Orléans. It’s part of the DNA of the Carnival,” said Jacob. “We want people to indulge in the forbidden and have extreme fun. We’re not afraid of abuse. Sugar, salt and alcohol, they’re welcome at the Carnival; it’s 10 days, so we make the most of it. We’ll make up for it with sports activities.” She invited Carnival-goers to savour the Calgary Pancake Breakfast (Grande Allée, Feb. 8, 8 a.m. to noon); the Gourmet Route (Old Port, Feb. 8, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.); Gougoune & Doudoune at Espace Quatre-Cents from now until Feb. 16; and much more.

Bonhomme invites the public to ice skate with him on Jan. 18, 19, 25 and 26, and Feb. 11 and 13 on rinks throughout the city, including at Place D’Youville and the Agora du Vieux-Port. Bonhomme also invites his friends and fans to visit his Ice Palace at Place de l’Assemblée-Nationale or to participate in the friendly broomball match on Feb. 7 at Collège François-de-Laval. In Lotbinière, check out the Grizzly Diet Challenge dog sled race on Feb. 10 and 11. It’s nice to enjoy a hot chocolate and admire some ice sculptures after a day of running around in the cold. Before heading home on Feb. 8 and 15, find a spot along the famous Night Parade routes in Lower Town and Upper Town, respectively.

For those who want to continue partying in town, check out the Dome at Place de L’Assemblée-Nationale. There, performing artists, musicians and comedians will entertain the crowds and keep them warm on Feb. 7, 8, 13, 14 and 15.

A few tickets remain for thrill seekers 18 and older who want to rappel down the facade of the Château Frontenac on Feb. 8 and 9.

To mark this 71st edition, the Winter Carnival is encouraging various buildings in Quebec City to light up in red, Bonhomme’s favourite colour. Grande Allée, Rue Saint-Jean, the Campanile, Jean Lesage International Airport, the Château Frontenac, the Convention Centre, Montmorency Falls, the Complexe Jules-Dallaire, the Hôtel Le Concorde and the Grand Théâtre are among the many structures to be illuminated in red at night.

For more information, visit Carnaval.qc.ca/en.

Bonhomme, Carnival organizers present 50 partner events Read More »

Quebec sends two more water bombers to Los Angeles to fight fires

Local Journalism Initiative / / / ,

Quebec sends two more water bombers to Los Angeles to fight fires

Cassandra Kerwin, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

cassandra@qctonline.com

Since Jan. 7, Los Angeles has experienced more than 30 wildfires, with the largest destroying two major neighbourhoods at opposite ends of the city. Within hours, the Palisades and Altadena neighbourhoods were evacuated and large expanses burned. Fire departments from around North America swiftly responded, including two water bombers from Quebec that were already deployed. Nonetheless, this was insufficient to tackle the escalating fires, prompting a request for two additional planes from Quebec.

On Jan. 15, Quebec dis- patched two CL-415 planes along with a crew of six firefighters – Éric Pelletier, Carl Villeneuve, Julien Flouquet, Pierre Boulanger, Karol Bouchard and François Lapierre. Their journey took two days, spanning 6,100 kilometres with stops in Columbus, Ohio (for customs), St. Louis, Missouri (for rest), Boise, Montana (for a mechanical inspection) and finally, Los Angeles.

Southwestern California’s landscape and climate are susceptible to rampant forest fires, due to prolonged dry spells, strong warm winds from the Pacific Ocean, and the Santa Ana winds from the east. The presence of highly flammable non-indigenous eucalyptus trees exacerbates the situation. Local officials report that these wildfires have become increasingly devastating in recent years.

Given these conditions, CL-415 planes have become essential firefighting assets due to their unique ability to scoop water from nearby large water sources. They can collect 6,400 litres in 12 seconds and perform this operation three times an hour, nine to 12 times before needing to refuel. Over the years, the United States has acquired 10 such planes, stationed in Washington D.C., Montana, San Diego and Los Angeles. Additionally, each year from September to December, Los Angeles County contracts two extra planes from Quebec. Recently, one of these planes was grounded by a civilian drone; once the culprit is identified, they risk fines of up to $75,000 US and 12 months in prison, as man- dated by the Federal Aviation Administration.

As of Jan. 19, the Los Angeles Times reported that the Palisades fires had burned 23,713 acres, destroyed 4,996 structures, and resulted in the deaths of 10 people in the northwest. The Eaton Can- yon fires have burned 14,117 acres, affected 9,366 buildings and claimed 17 lives in the northeast. Both fires are now mostly contained, although ongoing strong winds and the persistent lack of rain pose challenges. Consequently, Los Angeles authorities requested two more planes from Quebec, which obliged, as Canada has a fleet of 64 CL-415 aircraft.

“We assessed the situation and determined we could assist California without jeopardizing our primary mission of fighting forest fires in Quebec,” said Luc Dugas, senior director of strategic and air operations at the Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOP- FEU), the Quebec government agency responsible for fighting forest fires. Typically, Quebec takes advantage of the winter months for fleet repairs.

“I’m feeling a bit fatigued, especially mentally,” said Pascal Duclos, chief pilot of the Service Aérien Gouvernemental (SAG; Quebec government air service) has been battling fires in California for days and spoke to Quebec media via videoconference. “We’ve been coming here for 30 years. We anticipate such situations and have relief teams to manage fatigue. However, the workload has been particularly intense in recent weeks.

“What transpired is truly a tragedy,” Duclos remarked. “On my first day, we saw a few homes in flames. By the second day, an entire neighbourhood was reduced to ashes. I had never witnessed anything like it before. Infrastructure and schools were burned. It’s quite devastating.”

Quebec sends two more water bombers to Los Angeles to fight fires Read More »

Ice Hotel returns to its origins for 25th edition

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

Ice Hotel returns to its origins for 25th edition

Cassandra Kerwin

cassandra@qctonline.com

Year after year, dedicated artisans, architects and engineers work together to create a winter paradise from snow and ice. Stepping across the Ice Hotel’s threshold, the expected 80,000 visitors will discover a world of wonder built around the theme of “Back to the Origins.” The hotel is open to tours, visitors and overnight guests until mid-March, weather permitting.

Construction began as soon as temperatures dropped be- low freezing over consecutive days, giving artists, arti- sans and construction crews about a month to complete the 53,000-square-foot Ice Hotel from 45,000 tons of snow and 3,000 ice blocks. Visitors have

been touring the hotel since Dec. 27, with the first overnight guests welcomed on Jan. 4. Over the following weeks, all 30 suites, including 20 themed rooms, will be completed, add- ing to the Grand Hall, the Ice Bar, the Chapel and the 60-seat restaurant, a collaboration with the Château Frontenac. All of this is to accommodate an expected 80,000 visitors and 3,000 overnight guests over the season.

“From what I know, from what I’ve seen, a 100 per cent natural ice hotel, I don’t know of any other ice hotel in the world that has this surface area,” said Hugues Painchaud, site manager of the hotel located at Village Vacances Val- cartier.

The four basic elements, wind, fire, water and earth, are sculpted into the walls of the Chapel to be united at the altar. Their human shapes stand tall in the entrance hall. Behind them, visitors discover powwow dancers and a traditional canoe made of ice, and a snow longhouse. At the Ice Bar, visitors can order cocktails and mocktails served in glasses made of ice.

“We have new ideas every year. The talent for sculpture, since I started the ice hotels 15 years ago, has really increased tenfold,” said artistic director Guy-Olivier Deveau. “We pay tribute to nature and the elements in our lobby, our grand hall and our bar. Then, we also have a section that pays tribute to the First Nations. We are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Hôtel de Glace and we are taking a look back at the history that brought us here.”

After admiring the sculpted snow walls, visitors tour the rooms, each with their respective themes: origami, mosaic, Quebec and outer space, to name a few. People cannot help but stare, smile and wonder.

As day turns to night, visitors leave and guests check into their rooms. Thanks to the soundproofing and insulation provided by snow, people sleep through some of the quietest nights in rooms with temperatures hovering around -5 degrees Celsius, regardless of the noise and temperature outside. The hotel provides its guests with thermal sleeping bags, a pillow and a foam mat- tress on plywood over an ice base. In larger rooms, wood- burning fireplaces offer added warmth and ambience. Some lucky guests even have access to hot tubs and saunas. Wash- rooms are located in a heated building adjacent to the hotel. For an additional fee, guests can also reserve a room in the adjacent hotel.

Besides the Ice Hotel, the Village Vacances Valcartier offers a range of other winter activities including ice skating, snow sliding and the tropical indoor water park, Bora Parc. For those coming from the city without a car, Unitour offers transportation for a fee from the Château Frontenac to Village Vacances Valcartier and back, according to a schedule found on toursvieuxquebec.com. For more information, visit valcartier.com/en.

Ice Hotel returns to its origins for 25th edition Read More »

Crowds are invited to learn about crowds at the Musée de la Civilisation

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Crowds are invited to learn about crowds at the Musée de la Civilisation

Cassandra Kerwin

cassandra@qctonline.com

Standing in the middle of a crowd, have you ever taken the time to observe it? Are crowds good or bad, safe or dangerous? The latest exhibit at the Musée de la Civilisation (MCQ), Crowds: A Human Laboratory, explores these questions and observations.

Until Aug. 30, 2026, visitors are invited to learn about the fascinating nature of crowds. Discover how they can be manipulated and influenced by individuals both inside and outside. Crowds: A Human Laboratory is designed to challenge the public’s perception of crowds and promote a better understanding of their behaviours.

From the research laboratories of the Max Planck Institute for Human Develop- ment in Germany, scientific curator and researcher Mehdi Moussaïd shared his passion for studying the behaviours of crowds on his YouTube channel, Fouloscopie. Over time, his work led to the creation of the exhibit Crowds: A Human Laboratory, first displayed at the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie in Paris from October 2022 to May 2024. From there, it crossed the At- lantic to the MCQ, where Mous- saïd tweaked it with a touch of Quebec flair and a nod to the Festival d’Été de Québec.

“It touches me personally to have this exhibit in Quebec because it is at [Université du Québec à Montréal] where it all began for me in 2004,” Moussaïd said in a YouTube video shown at the exhibit’s press conference on Dec. 18. “Crowds are first of all huge gatherings of thousands of people. In some cases, they can be so close together that it can become dangerous. In these situations, we study many things, including fluid mechanics, the spreading of rumours, crowd manipulation and collective emotions, errors and intelligence.” He continued, “I hope you will have as much pleasure in discovering [the exhibit] as we had in designing it.”

The new director general of the MCQ, Julie Lemieux, is of a similar opinion. “Crowds: A Human Laboratory is tailor-made for the MCQ, which loves to cross perspectives, gather, make people think and explore new subjects. It is a true hu- man and living laboratory that offers us a dual experience – experiencing the crowd and extracting ourselves from it to better analyze it and, perhaps, better understand ourselves.”

In this exhibit, visitors can cram into a square metre, step through one of three doors, sing karaoke in public and discover the science behind crowd evacuations, mosh pits, stampedes and much more.

For more information, visit mcq.org.

Crowds are invited to learn about crowds at the Musée de la Civilisation Read More »

Chapelle du Séminaire opens after years of restoration

Local Journalism Initiative / / / ,

Chapelle du Séminaire reopens after years of restoration

Cassandra Kerwin, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

cassandra@qctonline.com

As churches close and are torn down throughout the city and province, one has been saved, restored and reopened after being deconsecrated in 1992. After three years of restoration costing $5.2 million, the Centre de Conservation du Québec (CCQ) and the Musée de la Civilisation de Québec (MCQ) reopened the Chapelle du Séminaire de Québec on Dec. 10.

“What a joy it is to be able to return the Chapelle du Séminaire de Québec to the community, which will be able to appreciate all of its artistic beauty and historical significance through a rich pro- gramme of cultural mediation activities,” said Julie Lemieux, the newly appointed director general of the MCQ. “I would like to salute the remark- able professionalism of the conservation and restoration specialists who have pooled their knowledge to ensure that this jewel of religious heritage remains sustainable for cur- rent and future generations.”

The conservation team had quite a task ahead of them when they started in the autumn of 2021. Besides the customary work done on a historic building, they also had to remove the traces of 90 years of daily use of incense, candles and tapers during religious celebrations. This was the CCQ’s largest project since its foundation in 1979. After three years of meticulous and innovative work and $5.2 million, the chapel has regained its original character, colours and shine. The final detail came from Quebec actor Roland Lepage, a major backer of the project, who restored its original name: Chapelle du Séminaire de Québec.

According to the MCQ, the current chapel was opened to worship in 1900, on the ruins of a much older chapel – built in 1753 – that had been destroyed by fire in 1888. Architect Joseph-Ferdinand Peachy (1830- 1903) redesigned it with certain improvements designed to make it more fire-resistant. For example, the trompe-l’oeil motifs of the ceilings, walls and columns were painted on sheet metal rather than wood. Upon closer inspection of the interior, visitors will discover that not everything is an illusion. The high and secondary altars are sculpted from white marble. The limited amount of wood is red cherry. The parquet consists of tiles from England. These details come together nicely to create an eclectic, busy and very colourful Second Empire-inspired decor.

The chapel is steeped in Quebec City’s rich architectural history: stained glass win- dows by Wallace J. Fisher from the Bernard Leonard workshop, gilded busts, a 1930 Casavant Organ and a replica of the 1753 Richard organ from Paris, originally made for the Cathedral-Basilica Notre Dame de Québec (which burnt in 1759 during the Conquest), and an alcove dedicated to Mgr. François de Laval, the founding father of Catholicism in New France, who had a chapel built on or near this site. When the chapel was deconsecrated, his remains were transferred to the adjacent basilica.

Now that the chapel is refurbished and restored, it also has a new vocation. The MCQ and the CCQ have a concert program lined up. On Dec. 21, the Solstice des insoumis will merge Scandinavian and Quebec music celebrating the winter solstice and Christmas under the direction of Gabrielle Bouthillier. Details can be found at mcq.org/decouvrir/activites/le-solstice-des-insoumis.

Chapelle du Séminaire opens after years of restoration Read More »

‘Enweille dehors!’ ‘Go outside!’ for the 71st Winter Carnival

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

‘Enweille dehors!’ ‘Go outside!’ for the 71st Winter Carnival

Cassandra Kerwin, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

cassandra@qctonline.com

‘Enweille dehors!’ ‘Go outside!’ for the 71st Winter Carnival

Cassandra Kerwin

cassandra@qctonline.com

Go outside! That was Bonhomme Carnaval’s order for the 71st Winter Carnival from Feb. 7 to 16. Now that snow has started to cover Quebec City, Bonhomme and his team are putting the pedal to the metal in preparing for the beloved winter festival.

Carnival energy was buzzing at the newly refurbished Maurice Restaurant on Nov. 28. The official program was announced, revealing a bundle of new and traditional activities and events. The exclusive Garrison Club will host an all-night pyjama party (Feb. 15). Experienced climbers will have the opportunity to rappel down the Château Frontenac on Feb. 8 and 9 (spaces are limited). At Place George-V, enjoy the view and music from the Philadelphia Ferris Wheel or dance to music at the Kraft Jukebox. On the last day of the celebrations – Feb. 16 – graffiti artists are invited to leave their mark on the Ice Palace.

The night parades will return on Feb. 8 in Charlesbourg and Feb. 15 on Grande Allée. Place de l’Assemblée-Nationale will be transformed into the Zone Loto-Québec with Bonhomme’s Ice Palace and its eight towers. The snow sculpture garden in Place de la Francophonie, the Calgary Flapjack Breakfast on Grande Allée (Feb. 8) and the Ice Canoe Race (Feb. 9) will also attract a crowd.

The popular music and dance dome near the Ice Palace will welcome a variety of performers, including Mariana Mazza and her guests on opening night, Habstrakt (Feb. 8), a New Country party (Feb. 12), Eman and Souldia (Feb. 13), David Pineau and Sara Dufour (Feb. 14) and Karma Kameleons (Feb. 15). Carnival-goers might also spot Bonhomme skating on weekends at the Place D’Youville ice rink.

After so much partying, Bonhomme will need a bath. Anyone brave enough to take a dip in the snow can join him for the Snow Bath on Feb. 16 at 2 p.m. at the Tourny Fountain “Whether it’s cold, chilly, sunny or stormy, Bonhomme’s invitation is clear: Get outside!” said Marie-Eve Jacob, general manager of the Quebec Winter Carnival. “In addition to the beloved classics, several extravagant new features are being added to experience our winter differently. During the day, our program is family- oriented, while in the evening, we switch to festive mode!”

Carnival-goers 13 and older need to purchase this year’s effigy to have access to the sites. Until Jan. 12, it is on sale for $25 plus tax at participating Couche-Tard stores and online. From Jan. 13, it will be priced at $39 plus tax. This year, for collectors, there are two versions: the more readily available yellow effigy and the harder-to-find blue effigy.

For more information and to see the full program, visit carnaval.qc.ca/en.

‘Enweille dehors!’ ‘Go outside!’ for the 71st Winter Carnival Read More »

Immigrants, French language advocates protest francisation cuts

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Immigrants, French language advocates protest francisation cuts

Cassandra Kerwin, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

cassandra@qctonline.com

As generations of newcomers to the province have found out, living in Quebec means communicating in French. Without subsidized French courses, known as francisa- tion, immigrants struggle to integrate into Quebec society, find work and take care of everyday tasks. Thousands of students will lose access to their courses on Jan. 24, 2025, due to a misunderstanding over funding between the Quebec government and the school boards and service centres which administer most of the courses. This has upset immigrants and advocates for the protection of French. Tens of thousands marched to protest this decision throughout the province on Nov. 30, including in Quebec City from the Musée National des beaux-Arts du Québec to the National Assembly.

Law 14 has strengthened French language regulations, requiring organizations and businesses to communicate officially in French. Since its passing on June 1, 2022, enrolment in francisation programs has surged. Consequently, funding for these courses was depleted sooner than expected; without extra funding, school boards and service centres were forced to make sweeping cuts or close their adult francisation programs entirely.

In protest, thousands marched to the National Assembly. “We hope that if we make enough noise and often enough, Legault will rescind his decision, find the money for the courses and reinstate them,” said Kasandra Kawan, a francisation student from Colorado.

“This issue affects me personally because I have been taking the francisation courses for 18 years,” said Coun. Jackie Smith, originally from Hamilton, Ont. “It’s a demonstration of how tired we are of always hearing that we have to cut back on human sectors. … We have to inject our resources into the right places and that’s not what we’re doing right now.”

Quebec City-area Québec Solidaire MNAs Sol Zanetti and Étienne Grandmont expressed outrage at the budget cuts. “They’re cutting into the possibility of sharing a common language, they’re cutting into national unity, they’re cutting into something they promised to invest in,” said Zanetti.

According to Martin Hogue, president of the Syndicat de l’enseignement des Deux- Rives, immigrants must achieve a certain level of French to maintain residency – an unattainable requirement for many. Of the 1,227 students studying French as a second language at Centre Louis-Jolliet, only a few will continue learning, while others will be placed on waiting lists for classes offered by the Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI) or look for other solutions.

An additional protest is planned for Dec. 18 at the MNBAQ.

Immigrants, French language advocates protest francisation cuts Read More »

Marchand, Schuldt, Krampus launch German Christmas Market festivities

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , , ,

Marchand, Schuldt, Krampus launch German Christmas Market festivities

Cassandra Kerwin

cassandra@qctonline.com

The 17th German Christmas Market is now open! Until Dec. 23, locals and tourists can savour German flavours, mulled wine, gingerbread and pretzels, and enjoy puppet shows and parades featuring Saint Nicholas and the Krampus. Even Santa Claus – the real one – will stop in to hear children’s Christmas wishes.

Despite the lack of snow, Old Quebec City has trans- formed into a magical Christ- mas village. The wooden cabins decorated with pine branches and lights create a path from Place D’Youville to the Jardins de l’Hôtel-de-Ville, Place de l’Hôtel-de-Ville, Rue Sainte- Anne and Place d’Armes. The designers of the sites added something different to each one, such as stained glass birdhouse lanterns opposite the Cathedral-Basilica Notre-Dame de Québec, and a light-and-sound show amid a fir-tree backdrop developed by Clemens Schuldt, the musical director of the Orchestre Symphonique de Québec, who officially launched the show.

During the opening ceremony on Nov. 21, Britta Kröger, president of the German Christmas Market, said, “I would like to greet those who have come from far away. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for being so loyal for 17 years. Compared to the 400 years of history of Christmas markets in Germany, we still have a long way to go, but we’re getting there! Come several times, and each time, you’ll discover something new.”

“I hope you share this Christmas magic with many people,” said Mayor Bruno Marchand. “Britta Kröger believed in it 17 years ago, and year after year, she works hard to make it happen, and we thank her and her team for that.”

To hear a memorable Christmas story, find a seat at the Theaterplatz for the popular French-language marionette show Un Krampus au Village. The story suddenly springs to life as Krampuses, Saint Nicholas, an angel, an accordion player and a ringmaster parade through the market. According to European folklore, Saint Nicholas, the Krampus and an angel visit children on Dec. 5, Krampusnacht, to either give gifts to the good children or beat the naughty ones with a stick. In Quebec City, the Krampus is more of a prankster, handing out potatoes and onions and making people smile and laugh.

Weather permitting, giant marionettes of Saint Nicholas and Krampus will depart from Place D’Youville at 7 p.m. on Nov. 30 and Dec. 14, parading up Rue Saint-Jean to the Cathedral-Basilica. This always attracts a large crowd who marvel at the marionettes that seem to come alive in the torchlight.

Over the next three weeks, the German Christmas Market offers a packed schedule – arts and crafts workshops, games and puzzles in the Kinder- chalet Ravensburger; choirs singing carols in Place Royale and on Avenue Cartier; and live music in Place D’Youville. Be- tween activities, taste and sa- vour German-inspired dishes, and drinks like glühwein (hot wine with spices), schnapps and hot cider. The sites are open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Thursday to Sunday (clos- ing at 6 p.m. on Sundays), and exceptionally on Monday, Dec. 23, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The light show takes place once an hour after nightfall in front of the grove of fir trees near the basilica.

For more information, visit mnaq.ca/en/program.

Marchand, Schuldt, Krampus launch German Christmas Market festivities Read More »

The 41st Opération Nez Rouge offers a safe ride home starting Nov. 29

Local Journalism Initiative / / / ,

The 41st Opération Nez Rouge offers a safe ride home starting Nov. 29

Cassandra Kerwin

cassandra@qctonline.com

Looking for a ride home during the holiday season? Call Opération Nez Rouge from Nov. 29 to Dec. 31. For a 41st straight year, thousands of volunteers will safely drive people home for free or for a donation in 70 communities across the country including 50 in Quebec.

Inspired by its mission and history for this year’s theme, Opération Nez Rouge wants to ensure that people have “a night you’ll remember.” Jean- Marie De Koninck, president and founder of Opération Nez Rouge, invited drivers to volun- teer or to call for a ride home.

Last year, 22,600 volunteers gave 24,000 rides, helping take impaired drivers off the road. According to the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ), accidents due to alcohol caused an average of 85 deaths and 200 serious injuries each year from 2017 to 2021.

“There is an awareness among young people compared to my time. In the ‘80s, it was not common and Nez Rouge was just starting, but if I look at my children, it is clear that they already know in advance who will be the designated driver for the weekend,” said the president and CEO of the SAAQ and honorary president of the 41st Operation Nez Rouge, Éric Ducharme.

“As Operation Nez Rouge begins its 41st campaign, the importance of our mission remains clear. Without the volunteers’ unwavering commitment, the true pillars of our organization, it could not have been accomplished,” said De Koninck. “Together, we play a crucial role in improving road safety, year after year, by offering a drive-home service that saves lives and raises aware- ness of the dangers of impaired driving.”

Hoping to reach the younger crowd, Opération Nez Rouge partnered with stand-up comic and podcaster Rosalie Vaillancourt. “Nez Rouge belongs to us and is part of us as Quebecers, so I’m happy to get involved. It shows how much it is part of our values to care for our families,” she said. “Nez Rouge helps take a weight off your shoulders, knowing that there’s a plan if my uncle has had too much crème de menthe, if my sister has smoked too much weed behind the garage or if my cousin hasn’t slept for three days because he just had a baby.”

For whatever reason people need a lift home in December, volunteers are key to this operation. “Recruiting volunteers has always been our hobby horse. The more volunteers we have, the better our service will be. It’s always a challenge, but we’re lucky to have a positive reputation and we have a very festive connotation,” said Marilyn Vigneault, the executive director of Opération Nez Rouge

“For now, we’re doing pretty well after 41 years.”

For more information, visit operationnezrouge.com or call 1-866-DESJARDINS.

The 41st Opération Nez Rouge offers a safe ride home starting Nov. 29 Read More »

Immigrants rally against cuts to francisation courses in Quebec City

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , , ,

Immigrants rally against cuts to francisation courses in Quebec City

Cassandra Kerwin, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

cassandra@qctonline.com

Students across the province rallied on Nov. 12 to call on the Coalition Avenir Québec government to walk back planned cuts to subsidized French courses for adults, known as francisation. More than 250 students assembled at the Centre Louis-Jolliet, the largest francisation course centre in Quebec City.

School boards and service centres across the province have been forced to drastically reduce adult francisation course offerings because of a lack of funding.

“Last year, we sent $104 million to school service centres, and this year, we are sending another $104 million to school service centres. The total budget allocated to francisation, which has been increasing for four years, will reach $251.3 million in 2024-2025. Quebecers’ ability to pay is not elastic,” Jean-François Roberge, minister of immigration, francisation and integration, argued in October. “No one is telling us, ‘Increase our taxes and our duties to francize more people.’”

Demand for the courses has risen significantly in recent years, pushed by rising immigration and changes to the Charter of the French Language which opened the courses, previously reserved for recent immigrants, to longtime Quebec residents and newcomers from other provinces. As teachers’ union representatives previously explained to the QCT, school service centres scheduled courses and hired staff for the current school year based on current demand, but the funding for the courses was calculated based on far lower pandemic-era demand. When it became clear that the government didn’t intend to top up the funding, service centres cancelled classes.

“I understand that they want to do well, but the demand is enormous,” said Roberge. “Every day, 350 people register with Francisation Québec. That is 170,000 people per year. We cannot francize 170,000 people per year.”

“These budgetary restrictions lead to human tragedies. After years of investment, immigrants won’t be able to access the job market, while others will have to give up their plans for permanent residency if they do not master the French language,” said Marianne Bois, a francisation educational advisor and teacher at the Centre Louis- Jolliet who has taught there since 2018. Bois explained that immigrants must complete level seven of 12 to earn a certificate allowing them to apply for permanent residence, a path that has been suddenly cut short.

“I don’t understand Premier François Legault and Minister Jean-François Roberge claiming to be the greatest defenders of the French language and, on the other hand, cutting francisation. It doesn’t take a PhD in quantum physics to understand that this is completely ridiculous, that it’s not going in the right direction,” Québec Solidaire MNA for Taschereau Étienne Grandmont said at the protest.

“We could certainly have let this cohort finish their course. It doesn’t make sense to cut it off in the middle of the process,” said Grandmont. “What are their options? What do they have left?” Government officials suggest applying to programs run by the Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI), despite long waiting lists for places in those programs.

“If these people had the right to vote, I’m pretty sure the CAQ would take better care of them,” said Grandmont. “Today, I’m very happy to see them come out, to demonstrate, to say that they’ve had enough of this government that mistreats them.”

Francisation student Maria Estevez arrived in Quebec five years ago from Miami, Florida. “These courses are extremely useful and helpful for us im- migrants. They teach more than just the French language. We learn about the Quebec culture, society and how things work here.” Her words were echoed by numerous others at the rally. Students of the Centre Saint-Louis, an adult education centre in Loretteville where francisation courses were also cut, distributed an open letter on the matter; separately, members of the Fédération autonome de l’enseignement (FAE) teachers’ union federation protested against the cuts at the office of Education Minister Bernard Drainville in Lévis on Nov. 15.

With files from Ruby Pratka, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Immigrants rally against cuts to francisation courses in Quebec City Read More »

Quebec City to get new multifunctional public curling centre

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , , , ,

Quebec City to get new multifunctional public curling centre

Cassandra Kerwin, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

cassandra@qctonline.com

The decade-long wait for a new curling centre is coming to an end. On Nov. 15, the Ville de Québec revealed images of the new multifunctional curling centre in Lebourgneuf, and broke ground at the new site.

The new curling centre is estimated to cost $39.5 mil- lion and scheduled to open in January 2027, just in time for the Canada Games (Feb. 27 to March 15). After the Games, city officials hope up to 700 people will use the centre weekly for curling and other activities.

“Local curlers have been asking for their centres to be restored or to build a new one for over a decade,” said Marchand. “The Ville de Québec listened and answered with an investment of $39.5 million. We did ask the provincial government for financial support, but they turned us down. We couldn’t make the curlers wait any longer.

Marchand said funding the curling centre was “a political choice in line with our values.”

“We want to become the most active city, with healthy citizens and fewer people in hospitals,” he said. The price tag is $12 million more than previously announced; this new budget includes all projected costs, according to Marchand and Coun. Jean- François Gosselin, member of the executive committee responsible for sports and recreation.

“The international-calibre facility can host large-scale events while allowing residents to benefit from these multipurpose facilities all year round. The centre will meet the highest quality standards for curling and become the only modern centre with eight lanes of ice – two series of four lanes – in Quebec,” said the mayor.

A CO2 refrigeration system will freeze the rinks. A geothermal system will heat the building. It will have a green roof, a training room, a play area, a multi-purpose room with a capacity of 300 people, a kitchen and a bar. Outdoor facilities will include a parking lot for 125 cars, bicycle park- ing, a picnic area, a synthetic mini-curling space and a small public square with a work of art.

Despite the ceremonial groundbreaking on Nov. 15, construction won’t begin in earnest until spring 2025. “We are working closely with the Jacques-Cartier and Victoria curling clubs in planning this fantastic project and I thank them for their commitment,” said Gosselin. The president of the Club de Curling Victoria, Claude Drolet, and the president of the Club de Curling Jacques-Cartier, François Bouffard, attended the groundbreaking and enthusiastically praised the plans for the new centre.

The Ville de Québec plans to purchase and resell the Club de Curling Jacques-Cartier and the Club de Curling Victoria  for an estimated $6 million to offset the cost of building the new centre. The site of the Club de Curling Jacques-Cartier in Montcalm is earmarked for housing and that of the Club de Curling Victoria in Sainte-Foy for industrial use.

Quebec City to get new multifunctional public curling centre Read More »

Santa Claus will be coming to town with the 23rd Parade des Jouets

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

Santa Claus will be coming to town with the 23rd Parade des Jouets

Cassandra Kerwin, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

cassandra@qctonline.com

Christmas is fast approaching, and it’s already almost time for the 23rd annual Parade des Jouets (Toy Parade). In the spirit of Christmas, anyone can bring letters to Santa and new or gently used toys to the parade on Saturday, Nov. 9, starting at 2:30 p.m. The parade will kick off in Charlesbourg and continue to ExpoCité.

With help from Les Ateliers Balthazar, Santa Claus thought of a new theme for this year’s parade. He asked all the inhab- itants of the North Pole – elves, snowmen, animals and mythical creatures – to complete the 12 Labours of Christmas. With their help, Santa Claus will show children that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. Spectators along the parade route will marvel at the 15 decorated floats and the 325 costumed performers.

Children can bring their letters to Santa Claus; Canada Post employees will collect them and deliver them to the North Pole in time for Christmas. Santa Claus will, of course, reply.

Starting at 52e Rue in Charlesbourg and making its way down 1ère Avenue to ExpoCité, the parade will be a magical mobile bubble. Children and families can donate good-quality new or used toys to make the holidays more festive for families in need. (Stuffed toys are not accepted this year.) “We will give some of the toys collected to six organizations helping 1,000 children,” said Marie-Anne Comtois of the Joujouthèque Basse-Ville. “Since last year, we have divided the toys into categories. For example, we group all the puzzles, Lego, board games and dolls. It makes the work of the organizations much easier.” The Joujouthèque toy library, with its 545 subscribers and about 900 monthly rentals, will draw on this collection to renew its toy bank.

To help fund the free annual parade, parents can purchase 50/50 tickets for the Christmas Stocking Draw. Tickets are available online (paradedesjouets.ca) and will be sold during the parade until 5 p.m.

The parade route ends at Place Jean-Béliveau, where temporary bleachers have been installed. For $21.14, people can purchase VIP tickets online (paradedesjouets.ca or lepointdevente.com) giving them access to 90 more minutes of entertainment and gifts from Chocolats Favoris. “With the pandemic, we had to reinvent ourselves. The happening at the end of the parade is extraordinary. It’s full of people, it’s moving, and even if the weather isn’t nice, everyone has fun – and for it to work, we need and are thankful for our financial partners and 425 volunteers,” said Pierre Dolbec, chair of the parade’s board of directors.

Santa Claus will be coming to town with the 23rd Parade des Jouets Read More »

Bonhomme Carnaval opens his Winter Beach starting Dec. 21

QCNA NEWS / / / , , ,

Bonhomme Carnaval opens his Winter Beach starting Dec. 21

Cassandra Kerwin, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

cassandra@qctonline.com

Even though summer is over, it will soon be time to go to the beach! That’s right! Bonhomme Carnaval is inviting everyone to join him at his Gougoune & Doudoune Winter Beach behind Espace Quatre Cents at 100 Quai Saint-André.

Bonhomme will open the frosty festivities here as early as Dec. 21. 

People can once again attempt to conquer the climbable giant iced polar bear, slide down the Blizz Slide, jump into the giant ball pool, try out the snow racer tri-ski trail, or compete in the ice canoe races (weather permitting). There will also be family activities such as mini-golf, beanbag games, snowboard swings and a small obstacle course.

“Even though this event is a production of the Ateliers du Carnaval, it is not part of the 71st Winter Carnival, from Feb. 7 to 16,” said Marie-Ève ​​Jacob, executive director of the Quebec Winter Carnival. This means that the effigie does not give access to the activities. Daily passes cost $15 plus taxes for children (12 and under) and $25 plus taxes for adults; and season passes cost $54 plus taxes for children (12 and under) and $79 plus taxes for adults.

“Our objective is to offer winter activities while waiting for the carnival to start,” said Jacob. “We want to enrich and liven up the city in December and January by offering locals and tourists a new attraction over a long period. It helps that the site is near the popular tourist areas of Place Royale and Quartier Petit Champlain. We are even setting up a shuttle service to get from major tourist areas including the German Christmas Market in Upper Town to our site. The schedule is yet to be finalized.” 

The site will be open throughout the holiday season, including on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, on all weekends from Jan. 11 to Feb. 5, and throughout Winter Carnival (Feb. 7 to 16). 

For more information, visit carnaval.qc.ca.

Bonhomme Carnaval opens his Winter Beach starting Dec. 21 Read More »

CEGEP Champlain-St. Lawrence holds first TEDx Talk

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

CEGEP Champlain-St. Lawrence holds its first TEDx talk

Cassandra Kerwin, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

cassandra@qctonline.com

CEGEP student Tristan Massicotte brought TEDx to CEGEP Champlain–St. Lawrence. Under his guidance, on Oct. 24, nine students and two guest speakers gave presentations on the theme of “What’s Next?” For nearly two and a half hours, they touched on the future of cancer research, genomics, technology, population growth, the Arctic, geopolitics, the psychology of good, rethinking work culture, adaptability, entrepreneurship and dance.

Over the past 40 years, experts in various fields have given over 44,000 conferences and lectures under the banner of TED (Technology, Entertain- ment, Design) or TEDx about recent developments in business, science and global issues, many of which are available on YouTube.

Inspired by his own TEDx Talk when he was 12, Massicotte organized one for his fellow students, along with class- mate Louis Théoret. “We had to move fast because things move fast in CEGEP. I started planning this talk last semester by applying for a TEDx Talk licence and then searching for our guest speakers. At the start of this semester, we held an open call for student speak- ers,” said Massicotte. “After screening the applicants’ vid- eos, we selected nine [people] to speak about ‘What’s Next?’ They had about two weeks to prepare their eight-minute talk.”

Louis-Philippe Gervais used statistics to follow and predict population growth. Jordan Tchouamou Tchiadjeu shone a light on the BRICS alliance (named for the first five countries to join the bloc — Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa). Abraham Eyestone looked at the benefits of opening the Arctic region for better global shipment and naval traffic.

The next speaker, Abigail Esther Mendez Mora, took a more personal approach in her talk on adaptability and its role in this ever-changing world. A key part of adaptability involves having good coping skills – like dancing, as explained by professional Ukrainian dancer and PW Sims Business student Sofia Gagné. Sarah Luger talked about social media as a coping mechanism. Justin Simard speculated on whether these behaviours are good and what it means to be, do and feel good. Dominic Gaumont looked inside people to find how genomic cells become cancer, while Tassnym Echchahed presented her research on artificial intelligence and its potential benefits for humanity.

To close this TEDx Talk, artificial intelligence specialist Dev Aditya, who was unable to attend in person, gave a video presentation on his own work. He spoke about how he and his team created the first digital human artificial intelligent teacher. This was their answer to the teacher shortage, especially in remote and less developed parts of the world.

Guest speaker Thomas Eckschmidt, chair of the board of business consulting firm CBJourney, advised business students, “There are four principles for a highly successful organization: a clear cause, a recognized leader, understanding of interdependence and creating a responsible culture.”

CEGEP Champlain-St. Lawrence holds first TEDx Talk Read More »

Electric cars continue to advance by leaps and bounds

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Electric cars continue to advance by leaps and bounds

Cassandra Kerwin, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

cassandra@qctonline.com

Thousands of Quebecers visited the fifth Salon du véhicule électrique du Québec (SVEQ; Quebec City electric car show) from Oct. 25 to 27. The latest models from Porsche, Mazda, Tesla, Volvo, Mercedes and Audi made visitors dream of owning eco-friendly vehicles.

Meandering through the 20-odd brands of cars, visitors noticed that electric vehicles are still more expensive than gas-powered vehicles, although subsidies can help offset some of the cost for the time being. “With the [Quebec government’s] Roulez vert program subsidies set to be reduced in 2025, the SVEQ is perfect for those who were hesitant to go electric,” said SVEQ general manager Charles Drouin. “The $7,000 subsidy for purchasing a 100 per cent electric vehicle will drop to $4,000 in 2025 and gradually disappear in 2027. The subsidy for purchasing a plug-in hybrid vehicle will suffer the same fate. The fed- eral government’s financial assistance, which can be up to $5,000, is still available. To obtain the full provincial subsidy, electric vehicles must be registered by December 31, 2024.”

“[The SVEQ] is a unique opportunity to compare the majority of electric vehicles available in Quebec while taking advantage of current government credits,” said Drouin. Besides eyeballing the newest models and getting the latest information from sales representatives, visitors could test-drive any of the 75 available vehicles on a five- kilometre circuit.

“I’ve owned gas-powered vehicles all my life. I am a manual transmission guy. You don’t get the same pleasure out of maneuvering an electric car as you do driving a manual transmission car. You don’t feel or hear the engine,” said Jerry Deslauriers. “My 30-year-old son here is trying very hard to convince me of the many benefits of these electric ve- hicles. Since we are here, he had me test-drive the Volvo EX30. Despite my preferences, I greatly enjoyed the drive. Was

it enough to convince me to go to the green side?”

Besides the driving experi- ence, the freedom to roam long distances is another major factor for car shoppers. Tesla continues to be a leading brand in terms of battery life, with models able to cover about 650 km between charges. Although fully charging a vehicle still takes hours compared to minutes to fill a gas tank, more and more service stations are investing in electric chargers. For this reason, hybrid cars remain an interesting option for many drivers, especially in Quebec winters. According to CAA, electric cars lose 25 per cent of their power when the temperature falls below -15, and 45 per cent at -25.

Charging costs, however, often tip the balance in favour of electric vehicles. According to Hydro-Québec, it costs about $0.11892 per kilowatt hour to charge an electric car, compared to $1.50 per litre of gas. In other words, on aver- age, to drive 100 km, it costs drivers of electric cars $2.50 for a 21-kilowatt hour charge and drivers of gas-powered cars $10.65.

Whether to run errands in town or to drive leisurely through the countryside, electric vehicles continue to cover more and more ground.

Electric cars continue to advance by leaps and bounds Read More »

Tens of thousands of Quebecers walk in the 10th Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

Tens of thousands of Quebecers walk in the 10th Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie

Cassandra Kerwin, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

cassandra@qctonline.com

Large crowds of energetic, cheerful people assembled at the Fontaine de Tourny early on Oct. 19. They were there for the 10th annual Grande Marche of the Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie. Starting at 11 a.m., they walked five kilo- metres to and from Gilmour Hill. The sun was out to encourage the thousands of participants who leisurely walked or jogged on the Plains of Abraham and down Grande Allée.

By Friday midday, nearly 100,000 people across the province had registered for this walk. Event founder Pierre Lavoie expected over 120,000 registered participants with countless other unregistered walkers. He said he believed that over the past decade, more than one million people have joined him in the annual walks.

Supported by family doctors, Pierre Lavoie encourages Quebecers to participate in the annual Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie.

On Oct. 19, thousands of people walked five kilometres from the Fontaine de Tourny, across the Plains of Abraham to Gilmour Hill and back under a cloudless blue sky.

It was a beautiful day for a walk. Over the weekend, people across the province participated in the 10th Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie. In Quebec City, the walk is a loop from the Fontaine de Tourny through the Plains of Abraham to Gilmour Hill and back.

“Throughout our lives, no matter our physical health and our age, there are only two sports that we can always do: swimming and walking. All the other sports, we will be forced to stop at one point or another,” Lavoie said on a stage overlooking the crowded Fontaine de Tourny and Place de l’Assemblée-Nationale. “We each have a responsibility to maintain our physical and mental health. Walking can do wonders for both, and it is free and fun! People greatly appreciate what we are doing. They want to live longer, healthier lives.”

Thousands of family doctors joined the movement in their respective cities, showing by example the importance of integrating physical activity into their busy lives.

Respecting a longstanding tradition, the Grande Marche officially started on Friday, Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m. in Lavoie’s hometown of Saguenay, fol- lowed by a second walk in the provincial capital on Oct. 19 and a third one on Oct. 20 in Montreal. Numerous other cities, towns and villages across the province held their own Grande Marche at different times.

For more information about the Grand Défi, visit, onmarche.com.

Tens of thousands of Quebecers walk in the 10th Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie Read More »

MNBAQ presents Early Days: Indigenous Art from the McMichael Canadian Art Collection

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

MNBAQ presents Early Days: Indigenous Art from the McMichael Canadian Art Collection

Cassandra Kerwin, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

cassandra@qctonline.com

Early Days: Indigenous Art from The McMichael Canadian Art Collection at the Musée National des Beaux-arts du Québec (MNBAQ) shines the spotlight on First Nations art. Until April 21, this exhibition displays 110 works of art by 50 artists from 13 nations across Canada.

The moment visitors to the museum enter the main hall, they are drawn to the welcoming mural of words and phrases in various Indigenous languages. Behind the glass doors, they will find creative and intriguing works of art spanning from the 18th century to the present day.

“This exhibition is a wonderful opportunity to strengthen [our] ties with the Huron- Wendat Nation community,” said MNBAQ director general Jean-Luc Murray. “This exhibition reflects the museum’s desire and actions to ensure better representation of First Nations, Inuit and Métis artists in the museum’s exhibitions and collections.”

Early Days allows visitors to take in art by the lesser- known artistic communities of First Nations across Canada. “These are large sections of art history that people have tried to remove from museums,” said Ève-Lyne Beaudry, director of collections and research at the MNBAQ. “We are part of a won- derful and fortunate trend that is rising in popularity in the museum world to rediscover this history. When we put this exhibition together, we chose not to display the works in a linear aspect. Everything is mixed up, with old and new pieces often placed side-by- side,” said Ève-Lyne Beaudry, director of collections and research at the MNBAQ.

To bring history and context to these works of art, Abenaki columnist, actor and exhibition spokesperson Xavier Watso is the voice of the audio guide. Through him, visitors will hear the eloquent tales behind the works and discover the 20 stops of Early Days, the major themes and key works and artists. Among the 50 artists, visitors will find works by Dana Claxton (Wood Moun- tain Lakota), Duane Linklater (Omaskêko Ininiwak), Faye HeavyShield (Káínawa), Caro- line Monnet (Anishinabeg and French) and Annie Pootoogook (Inuit) among others. One section is completely dedicated to women artists.

For more information, visit mnbaq.org.

MNBAQ presents Early Days: Indigenous Art from the McMichael Canadian Art Collection Read More »

Quebec City celebrates street art and artists with Réverbère

Local Journalism Initiative / / / ,

Quebec City celebrates street art and artists with Réverbère

Cassandra Kerwin, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

cassandra@qctonline.com

During Thanksgiving weekend, the heart of Old Quebec City pulsed with performances by street artists at the first edition of Réverbère. Inspired by late 19th- and early 20th- century Parisian artists who performed under street lamps at that magical time when day turns to night, the Ville de Québec funded over 200 acts by 80 local and European artists from Oct. 11 to 14.

As the sun set over the Jardins de l’Hôtel-de-Ville on Oct.11, Mayor Bruno Marchand inaugurated Réverbère. “With an investment of $400,000, this weekend, we are encouraging our street performers. They live among us and we must sup- port them. We are super proud of this event and to encourage these highly talented, skilled and entertaining artists,” he said. “Every event contributes to the vitality of Quebec City. A city without cultural events is a city without a soul. It is a city that does not share its culture.

“Street art has always been free to the public. It is im- portant that it remains that way,” said Marchand. “Quebec City has numerous theatres and performance halls where performers from here and elsewhere come to perform for which we have to pay. It is fun to have free activities like these, especially in these difficult economic times for families.” He continued, “I am so excited to invite the people of Quebec and thousands of tourists to discover and watch our performers in eight locations.”

Even before the mayor began speaking, street performers had already begun entertaining the public. Dressed as oversized vegetables turned Renaissance aristocrats with colourful, illuminated outfits, the group Louve put on the charming and funny improvisation act Les Follies Potagères. While passersby were mesmerized by their act, another couple wandered by – Charlot and Edna (a.k.a. Charlie Chaplin and Edna Purveyance). The Transcontinental Tricycles then pedalled in with blazing horns attached to their rear wheels.  It was a challenge to follow each act.

Across the street at Place de l’Hôtel-de-Ville, Julia Perron Laflamme attracted a large crowd with her act, Plaf! She performed acrobatics with a circus wheel and pyrotechnics, drawing oohs and aahs. In front of the City Hall steps, Imagicario stilt-walkers dressed as human street lamps for their silent act, Parédolïa. There was all this and so much more throughout the weekend from Place D’Youville to the Château Frontenac.

Quebec City celebrates street art and artists with Réverbère Read More »

Scroll to Top