Canada to Extend COVID-19 Relief Benefits: CRB, CRSB and EI are Included
Canada’s COVID-19 numbers may be improving and the vaccine rollout continues, but the pandemic is still very much here with new variants of the virus showing up. That reasoning has prompted the Federal Government to extend recovery benefits. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced several extensions in a press conference early this afternoon. The Canada Recovery […]
FTB Fridays 02/19/2021: News Roundup – Legault’s Culture War, Ted Cruz Leaves Texas Freezing & More
Jason C. McLean and Special Guest Dawn McSweeney go through the week’s big news stories: Quebec Premier François Legault injects himself into the campus “free speech” debate and considers restricting English school enrollment. What Montreal events and festivals will go online in 2021 and which will happen in person? Ted Cruz leaves Texas freezing. Justin […]
Montreal Arts & Music This Week: Art Souterrain & the MAC’s Leonard Cohen Exhibit Goes Online
Since both of this week’s entries relate, either directly or indirectly, to Nuit Blanche, it’s probably a good idea to start by briefly explaining what Nuit Blance is, for those who don’t know. In a nutshell, one night a year, most museums and galleries, some other businesses and the Montreal Metro stay open all night. […]
Quebec Movie Theatres, Arenas and Indoor Pools Can Re-Open February 26th While the Curfew Will Remain in Effect
Quebec’s COVID-19 infection numbers are dropping, but according to Premier François Legault, new variants of the virus and Spring Break coming up mean the province will only be rolling back restrictions slightly. In a late afternoon press conference, the Premier, joined by Christian Dubé, Minister of Health and Social Services and National Public Health Director […]
Bill C-21: Canada Proposes Strict New Gun Control Measures, a Buyback Program and Red Flag Laws
The Government of Canada wants to render the roughly 1500 assault-style guns they had previously banned last May effectively useless as a firearms. This is coupled with a buyback program for the banned weapons that were purchased legally before their sale was outlawed and red flag laws. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau just announced Bill C-21 […]
FTB Fridays 02/12/2021: Gina Carano Out of Star Wars
Jason C. McLean and Samantha Gold discuss Lucasfilm firing, or rather, not re-hiring The Mandalorian star Gina Carano after months of transphobic, anti-mask and finally anti-Semetic tweets. Will the role be re-cast? What about the fans still backing her? Samantha Gold is an artist, disability activist and FTB contributor. Follow her artist page on Facebook […]
Montreal Arts & Music This Week: Massimadi Festival, Aquarius Dreams & Puces POP
This week we’ve got a film and arts festival dedicated to LGBTQ+ works that highlight members of Black communities, a music video premier from a local alternative folk rock group and a Valentine’s market from the people behind POP Montreal. Let’s get started: The Massimadi Afro LGBTQ+ Film and Arts Festival We’re in the middle […]
What Took Us So Long? The Proud Boys Are Only Now Considered a Terrorist Organization in Canada
It’s official: As of last week, the Proud Boys are a terrorist organization according to the Canadian Government. Last Wednesday, Public Safety Minister Bill Blair added the group, along with 12 others including two neo-Nazi groups, to the Federal Government’s list of terrorist organizations on Wednesday. This was due, in part, to pressure from Federal […]
Montreal Company PixMob Lights Up the Super Bowl Halftime Show
Last night’s SuperBowl game may not have been the nail-biter it was supposed to be, but the halftime show was a bright spot. This was, of course, due to The Weekend’s performance, but also quite literally thanks to Montreal company PixMob. They did this by effectively turning the audience and performers into the lighting grid […]
Let’s Gather in Darkness, Apart: Mylène Chicoine Talks Performance, the Pandemic and Festival de la Bête Noire’s 2021 Virtual Theatre Festival
Mylène Chicoine is no stranger to horror. She founded Festival de la Bête Noire as a way to share what helps her to de-stress. While some turn to comedy and laughter, for Chicoine and those like her, it’s horror and horror-themed art that allow them a form of catharsis, freeing themselves from their demons by […]
FTB Fridays 02/05/2021: Evaluating the Pandemic Responses with Special Guest Dawn McSweeney
Jason C. McLean and Dawn McSweeney discuss the federal, provincial and municipal governments’ responses to the COVID pandemic. They cover the curfew, museums re-opening, summer street terrasses, outsourcing benefit service and more. Dawn McSweeney is an author and occasional FTB contributor. Follow her on Twitter @mcmoxy Jason C. McLean is the Editor-in-Chief of forgetthebox.net Follow […]
Montreal Arts & Music This Week: Geordie Theatre Fest & A Devil’s Din Live at the Wheel Club
The snowstorm seems to be done and the weather for the next few days promises to be nicer, but we still can’t go outside at night or hang out in groups during the day. Fortunately there are Montreal shows you can check out this week from the comfort of your home. Let’s get started: Geordie […]