The boil-water advisory that followed the water main break has been lifted after causing difficulty to restaurants in the area.
Updates from August, 2024 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts
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Kate
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Kate
After banning the sale of many pesticides here, the city wants to go further and ban their use on golf courses.
Someone on X alerted me to the work of Dr June Irwin in fighting against pesticide use.
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Kate
Another hotel, this one the Hilton in Complexe Desjardins, saw its workers strike Saturday.
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Kate
The Quebec Court of Appeal has reversed a lower court decision that forced McGill to continue to excavate around the grounds of the old Royal Vic, in a search for unmarked graves.
It’s not clear whether this means that McGill can resume the work to turn the site into an adjunct to its campus – or even if it can afford to do that since Quebec cut its funding.
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Kate
This school year, Quebec is short “only” 5,700 teachers as the rentrée looms. Bernard Drainville says it’s better than last year, when there was a worse shortage, but he only revealed the number this week. Commentary by Le Devoir’s Godin.
Ian
As the saying goes, “Si vous permettez aux politiciens de violer vos droits en temps de crise, ils créeront des crises pour violer vos droits”.
If education is in “crisis” it allows politicians like Drainville the leeway to enact even more draconian legislation to “preserve” culture.Why is there a shortage of teachers in the first place, Bernard?
Uatu
As usual it’s the fault of immigrants. I don’t know why Bernie’s so upset because those immigrant kids are great farm workers/s
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Kate
Time Out reports that Royalmount has added 14 more luxury brands and will be opening next month.
It’s so nice to know that the homeless will be able to buy Tiffany and Versace soon.
Virtual Me
Should the homeless be able to buy luxury brands like Tiffany and Versace at Royalmount?
Although this seemingly sarcastic remark highlights the disparity between the luxury offerings of the mall and the needs of the homeless population, the question of why a luxury shopping destination should cater to the homeless raises several points worth considering:
1) Purpose of Luxury Malls: Luxury shopping centers like Royalmount are primarily designed to cater to affluent consumers who are interested in high-end brands and exclusive shopping experiences. Their business model is not typically aligned with addressing the needs of the homeless, which often require social services and affordable housing solutions.
2) Social Responsibility: While luxury malls are not obliged to cater to the homeless, there is an argument to be made for corporate social responsibility. This could involve initiatives such as partnerships with local charities, providing spaces for social services, or contributing to community programs that support vulnerable populations.
3) Community Impact: Large developments like Royalmount can have significant impacts on local communities, including issues related to gentrification and displacement. It might be beneficial for such projects to consider how they can positively contribute to the broader community, including marginalized groups.
4) Public Perception: Ignoring the needs of the less fortunate in the vicinity of such opulent projects can lead to negative public perception. Engaging in community support initiatives can help balance the luxury image with a commitment to social equity.
5) Potential for Inclusive Spaces: While the primary focus of Royalmount is on luxury, there is potential for creating inclusive spaces within the development. This could include public areas, art installations, or events that are accessible to all members of the community, regardless of economic status.
While luxury shopping destinations are not typically designed to cater to the homeless, there is room for them to engage with social issues and contribute positively to their communities. This approach can enhance their brand image and foster a more inclusive environment.
Kate
Hello AI.
MarcG
Indeed! But to what end? Does the bot behind this follow up on the conversation in order to feed on more data related to the subject, or is it just practicing? It’s not like the old days when there would be a spam link in the username.
walkerp
Good question, MarcG. Is it possible that Royalmount paid some PR firm to promote good news about it online and they engaged an AI service?
Virtual Me
Not really, I just wanted a mini-thesis to what extent a luxury mall should consider the homeless’ purchasing habits. No need to be so suspicious, I was genuinely curious and thought I would share.
Now, if you want to know what my AI assistant thinks:
While luxury malls primarily cater to affluent consumers, a comprehensive market analysis might consider the potential long-term impact of addressing socioeconomic disparities and fostering community goodwill by exploring limited, strategic initiatives that acknowledge the presence and needs of homeless individuals without compromising the mall’s core upscale positioning.
Ephraim
Yada Yada Yada… Luxury brands should donate to the homeless… yada yada yada.
We done?
Meezly
Although Royalmount is not claiming to help the homeless, they’re claiming to be “Canada’s first 100% carbon-neutral mixed-use development”. What does that entail? Does having a bunch of EV charging stations, bike parking and green space make one 100% carbon neutral? I hope that they’ll be making continuous carbon offsets, at the very least, cuz consumerism.
Kate
All those luxury goods are imported and they don’t get here by sailing ship.
Virtual Me, any of us could generate AI filler. Let’s not do it on the blog.
Robert H
I don’t have any objections to luxury brands opening stores in Montreal. It’s an additional amenity in the city and if you can afford it, I don’t see any shame in patronizing such retailers. I certainly would. I notice that opulence and poverty coexist in cities around the world without justifying the disparities. I do object to Royalmount as a project in that location: the city doesn’t lack shopping malls and this new venue will just contribute to the car culture (even with the metro station) that already plagues this city. I remember when these sorts of retailers could be found along Sherbrooke, Crescent, and de la Montagne downtown. It would be better for the city if they still were, at least they would contribute to the economy and aesthetic of Centre-ville. Instead, they have been lured into Carbonleo’s complex of warehouse like boxes with skylights at the corner of A40 and A15.
I’m sure Andrew Lufty knows what he’s doing. We’ve seen a steady drip of advertorials as the opening approaches, though I wonder if he hasn’t studied the last glittery bauble meant to suck up the dollars of the affluent. In the late ’80s, Les Cours Mont-Royal, opened in the renovated old Mount Royal Hotel, was promoted in a series of bizarre ads as the sine qua non of platinum card consumerism. A few decades later, except for Harry Rosen, it’s pretty much moribund. Oh well, if Royalmount doesn’t kill Rockland just up the road, we’ll know there’s more wealth in Ville Marie than we had suspected.
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Kate
This weekend the news of the lingering effects of last week’s downpour have been eclipsed by newer problems created by the water main break Friday. The mayor posted a map of the area under a boil‑water advisory since the break. I haven’t yet seen that the advisory is cancelled.
TVA emphasizes that residents must be patient. La Presse says it has been a rough summer for the water system. CTV reports on the cleanup.
Commentary by André‑Philippe Côté in Le Soleil.
The pipe that collapsed was installed in 1985 and should have lasted 90 years. The pipe was 84 inches across and carried 100 pounds of pressure, impressive but strikingly non‑metric numbers.
Editing to add: CTV has a notice about how Friday’s deluge is affecting their local news broadcasts.
su
CTV was hit hard. It has been off air since yesterday
Kate
The break was pretty close to the media cluster. At least CTV are keeping up their website!
Kevin
The boil water notice is because the pipe went down to 20 psi, and because it takes 48 to grow bacteria on plates, will be in place until at least Sunday.
CTV managed to get short newcasts on the air yesterday for six and 11:30.
walkerp
For those of you comparing Montreal’s infrastructure to other Canadian cities, we picnicked with friends who were in Alberta and reminded us that much of Calgary was under a boil water advisory for 8 weeks earlier this summer after a water main break there.
Bert
Time to move back to 405 Ogilvy Avenue.
Kate
Bert, amazing how familiar that address still is. Of course, now it’s my borough hall address, so for me it’s still relevant.
Ian
@walkerp Alberta doesn’t have sales tax, their infrastructure issues are for an entirely different reason than Ottawa, Toronto, or Montreal.
Bert
@Ian, I would posit that the reasons are far more similar than you may think. These days, public works projects are long running, far longer than election intervals. What politician would want to put their name and effort behind a project that will only come to fruition in 5-10 years and cost money (and votes) now?
IMO, politicians now see their jobs profile as “do whatever it takes to get re-elected, oh and get those donations.” Me, me, me. Now, now, now.
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Kate
I know, I know. T’cha Dunlevy in the Gazette on the pleasures of Mile End. But maybe there are surprises in there for somebody.
Ian
There’s certainly no mis-steps!
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