Backpacks on Buses – Bring Back Briefcases

In the carrying-out of my daily affairs, I don’t have need of public transit very often, opting to walk as often as possible. Although there have been periods in my life when I was a regular strap-hanger. During a recent cold snap, I did avail myself of the warmth of Montreal’s Metro. It was the

Even electric vehicles need parking spots

In Montreal, we are entering the final weeks of municipal election campaigns. The two main candidates vying for mayor of the city are locked in a virtual tie. Promises are coming fast and furious. The incumbent, Valérie Plante, is hoping to hang on to her mayor’s seat, but her opponent, Denis Coderre, whom she defeated

Road Configurations Then And Now

It’s a popular topic on local radio talk shows, especially as this is an election year in Montreal. Of course, I refer to street configurations. Our current mayor, one Valérie Plante, is at best not a fan of cars. At worst she is downright anti-car. Since her election four years ago she has overseen the

Masks And Eyeglasses

I have to imagine that the most used/heard word since March, other than COVID, is mask. I’d like to cast my vote now, suggesting Time Magazine’s Person of the Year be the Mask (although I imagine COVID has as lock on that)

COVID-19: Hank Aaron Knew What To Do With A Curve

It should come as no surprise that some, arguably all, politicians, from time to time, tell a wee lie. Sometimes, of course, they are real porky pies, and not wee at all. Outright lying is one thing, unacceptable under almost any circumstances other than life or death. The current US President is an example of

COVID-19: Isolation vs Economy

In North America, we’ve reached an odd point in our collective COVID-19 experience. Government leaders, in daily statements, are trying to strike a balance of two diametrically opposed positions. On the one hand, they hammer home the importance, for everyone’s benefit, of staying home. While also dropping hints about getting the economy restarted. Unless we

Working From Home: Pros And Cons

One of the serendipitous discoveries of the “stay at home” ordinance now in effect in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19 is just how unnecessary offices are. Many companies, big and small, have told their employees to stay at home; work from there, it is safer. Many of those employees are finding that

Sucking The Life Out Of Downtown Montreal One Parking Spot At A Time

We are now well into the month of December. While many may lament the too early appearance of Christmas decorations in stores in November (October?), all bets are now off. Seasonal shopping is in full swing; decorated windows, street lights, and pretty much anything that does not move are now deemed fair play. But now

Name Griffintown REM Station for George Springate

Recently Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante suggested naming the REM station in the Griffintown area for former Quebec premier Bernard Landry. Work is well underway around Montreal on the Réseau express métropolitain (REM). A 67 km (42 mile) rapid light rail system that will link several suburbs with Downtown Montreal via Central Station. It involves the

Pedestrian Dos and Don’ts

Tourist season has struck Montreal as it does every year following the F1 Grand Prix and the opening of the Montreal International Jazz Festival. Visitors from far and wide have descended upon our metropolis armed with cameras and, one hopes, pockets stuffed with money. The best way to get around the city core is on