Corner of Durocher and Beaubien in the industrial sector of Outremont, next to the old Outremont Railyards.

The Gazette reported this weekend that the Hasidic community in Outremont and Mile End is suffering from a housing shortage. In 2002, there were about 4,200 Hasidim in the neighbourhood; today there are more than 6,000. Rising property values mean that many new Hasidic families are finding themselves priced out of their own Montreal heartland. Apparently, the hunt is on to find a new neighbourhood with suitable and affordable housing. If the Hasidic community does move on, it certainly wouldn't be the first time a Jewish community has come and gone. The entire swath ...

La Presse and The Gazette each reported this week that the city plans to begin the creation of a new park on the northern summit of the mountain in the borough of Outremont.  The third, and smallest summit is currently owned by the Université de Montréal and the Notre Dame des Neiges cemetery who have agreed to give the 23 hectares to the city on a fifty year lease. The 2009 budget had already allocated money for the construction of the new park which has been in discussion for over 20 years.  Construction ...

« Un petit chez soi vaut mieux qu'un grand chez les autres. » - Proverbe français Let’s face it. This summer was garbage. It rained; then there was Jazz Fest. It rained again; then there was Just for Laughs. Il pleuvait; then there was Francofolies. It rained some more. Even the tourists kept away. Maybe I’m just a pessimist. Perhaps I just need a boost of Vitamin D. Accordingly, I’m going to go escape to the south of France for a month and become reacquainted with my friend ...

The Mcgill University administration has of late come under criticism for their cycling restrictions in their downtown campus. Scenes of security guards enforcing the rules are now common.  However, despite the on campus restrictions, Mcgill students are fortunate to have several cycling links from the city to their campus.  The Mcgill Ghetto is crisscrossed with  designated bands. The southern and eastern flanks of the campus are served by the Maisonneuve and Park ave bike paths respectively.  Over on the other side of Mont Royal, the University of Montreal’s students are not so lucky. Although there are no restrictive measures in ...