Al Sciola
Verified
As seen in:
MTL Blog,
Narcity Media,
MSN Canada,
MSN Money Canada,
Flipboard,
National Post,
Montreal Gazette,
blogTO,
Daily Hive,
Daily Hive Calgary,
Daily Hive Edmonton,
Daily Hive Montreal
and
Covers:
Hockey, Travel, Food, Film, Music
Articles by Al Sciola
Will Montreal have a white Christmas this year? Here's what this new forecast says
There's something about waking up on Christmas morning to a fresh layer of snow outside that just makes the holidays feel complete. In Montreal, it isn't always a guarantee. Some years, the city gets a snowy postcard scene, and other years, Christmas Day is grey, slushy or even rainy. So what about this year? The Old Farmer's Almanac has released its 2026 white Christmas forecast, and there's good news for anyone hoping for a snowy holiday.
A holiday train covered in twinkling lights is bringing a free concert to Montreal this month
The holidays are officially on the horizon, and one of Canada's most festive traditions is about to roll back into town. The CPKC Holiday Train will make its first stop of the 2026 tour right here in Montreal on Thursday, November 19. Decked out in thousands of twinkling lights, the train pulls into each stop, opens up a boxcar stage and hosts a free holiday concert for whoever shows up.
A $333K Loto-Québec prize is still unclaimed and the ticket expires this month
Somewhere in Quebec, there's a lottery ticket worth $333,333 sitting in a wallet, a junk drawer or maybe the bottom of a coat pocket. And whoever has it is running out of time to cash in. The ticket matched all seven numbers in the Québec Max draw on November 21, 2025. That jackpot was split between three winning tickets, worth $333,333 each. Two of the winners have come forward, but one still hasn't. According to Loto-Québec, the unclaimed ticket was sold in Montérégie, just south of Montreal.
November who? It's about to feel like summer in Montreal with temperatures up to 20°C
November usually arrives in Montreal with grey skies, bare trees and maybe even a few snowflakes. This year, it's bringing us something closer to a September afternoon. Thanks to a ridge of high pressure settling over southern Quebec, weather temperatures are expected to climb well above normal for most of the week. According to a MétéoMédia report, highs across the south of the province could reach between 16°C and 20°C, while the normal high for this time of year sits around 9°C.
The safest cities for travellers were ranked and Montreal landed in a surprising spot
Montreal is no stranger to being featured on global city rankings. Over the past few years, the city has been recognized for its food scene, its universities and even its friendly locals. Now, it’s been included on a list that might matter even more to anyone planning a trip. A new ranking of the world's safest cities for travellers was released this week, and Montreal didn't just make the cut. It came in first place, beating out the likes of Zurich, Amsterdam, and even Tokyo.
Bought Driscoll's berries in Quebec? A new class action lawsuit could get you some money back
When you think of berries from the grocery store, one brand probably comes to mind first. Driscoll's is the biggest berry seller in the world, and its clamshells of strawberries and blueberries are a fixture in produce aisles across Canada. Now, the company is facing a proposed class action here in Quebec. Montreal law firm Trudel Johnston & Lespérance filed an application for authorization in Quebec Superior Court on September 28.
Quebec may finally ditch the fall time change after this weekend — Here's what happens next
This weekend's time change might be Quebec's last. Hours before Quebecers turn their clocks back to standard time on Sunday, Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon said the province is likely done with the practice. "Saturday will very likely be the last time we turn the clocks back in Quebec," he wrote on X on Monday.
Two Quebec spas were just named the best in Canada and one is a short drive from Montreal
Quebec has never been short on great spas, and this year, two of them were named the best in the country. The World Spa Awards revealed its 2026 winners, and Quebec took home two of Canada's four main titles. One is a riverside retreat in Quebec City. The other is a little closer to home, about an hour from Montreal by car. Now in their 12th year, the awards recognize standout spas and wellness experiences around the world.
Montreal's Halloween weather forecast is out and rain might spoil the party
If you've spent the past few weeks perfecting your Halloween costume, the last thing you want is to cover it up with a winter coat and an umbrella. Luckily, it looks like Montreal could get a pretty decent night for trick-or-treating this year. Halloween falls on Saturday, October 31, and according to Environment Canada, the weather forecast is looking mostly mild for the big night. But before then, the city is in for a bit of a temperature roller coaster.
Quebec's best companies to work for were revealed and one got a 95% score from staff
Finding a job is tough. Finding one you like is even tougher. But if seeking new employment in Quebec is one of your goals heading into 2027, a new list might be a good place to start. Great Place to Work has unveiled its 2026 Best Workplaces in Quebec, naming 75 companies across the province where employees say the culture is something worth bragging about. The list was revealed this week at a celebration at the Hotel Bonaventure in Montreal. Like last year's edition, it isn't a ranking.
Canada Post is ending door-to-door delivery in Montreal — Here's when it'll impact you
If you're one of the Montrealers who still gets the mail slipped through a slot in your front door, you should enjoy it while it lasts. Canada Post is moving ahead with its plan to end door-to-door delivery across the country, and it's now made it easier to find out exactly when the change is coming to your neighbourhood.
Airbnb rules are changing and hosts won't be able to make you clean before checkout anymore
When it comes to choosing between a hotel and an Airbnb, cost is often the deciding factor. An Airbnb can be a cheaper option for a group trip or a long weekend away, and it usually comes with a full kitchen and a lot more space. Hotels, however, have always had one other advantage: nobody expects you to clean up after yourself. Most Airbnb users have probably come across a checkout list asking them to wash the dishes, strip the beds, start a load of laundry and take out the garbage.
Your boss in Quebec can't legally ask you to do these things and most workers don't know it
Most of us have had a boss ask for something that felt a little off. Maybe it was a last-minute request to stay three extra hours, a demand for a doctor's note after one sick day, or a question in a job interview that seemed way too personal. The good news? If you work in Quebec, the law is probably on your side more often than you think.
Canada's top universities for 2027 were ranked and McGill beat U of T (for once)
Montreal and Toronto have never needed much of an excuse to compete. There's the decades-old Habs-Leafs rivalry, of course, and the never-ending debate over which city has the better nightlife (we all know the answer). But one of the more surprising battlegrounds between the two cities is academic, with McGill University and the University of Toronto going head to head in just about every university ranking that comes out. And lately, U of T has been winning most of those matchups.
Canada issued new travel advisories for 7 popular vacation spots, including Japan and Mexico
As nights get longer and temperatures plummet, plenty of Canadians are already starting to dream about travelling somewhere warm, or at least somewhere else. And if you’ve already got a trip booked for the coming months, now’s a good time to check what Ottawa has to say about your destination. Global Affairs Canada updates its travel advice constantly, and the past couple of weeks have been especially busy.
Why there are so many ladybugs in Montreal right now and the simple trick to get them out
If you've spotted a few too many little orange insects crawling around your windowsills lately, you're definitely not alone. Over the past few days, the people of Montreal have been taking to Reddit to ask the same question: why are there suddenly so many ladybugs everywhere? Some say they've found them clustered on windows and walls, while others say they keep turning up inside their apartments. As it turns out, there's a pretty simple explanation.
8 Montreal restaurants with portions that are actually worth the price, according to locals
There's nothing worse than paying $30 (or more) for a plate of food at a Montreal restaurant and still leaving hungry. With grocery prices climbing and menus creeping up every year, eating out can feel like a gamble. Some spots charge more and serve less, and you end up stopping for a slice on the way home. So we asked our readers on Facebook to tell us which Montreal restaurants still serve portions that are actually worth the money. Hundreds of you chimed in with recommendations.
Montreal's November forecast is here and snow could show up sooner than you think
It might still feel like fall outside, but winter is going to start dropping hints pretty soon. The Canadian edition of the Old Farmer's Almanac has released its long-range forecast for November, and it's calling for snow in southern Quebec as early as the first week of the month. That includes Montreal, Quebec City and the Ottawa area. Unlike the short-term forecasts you'd get from Environment Canada or MétéoMédia, the Almanac's predictions are made months in advance.
A stunning meteor shower will be visible from Montreal this week — Here's how to see it
If you've been looking for an excuse to bundle up and stay outside past your bedtime, the sky just gave you one. The Orionid meteor shower, one of the most popular celestial events of the year, is set to peak overnight from Wednesday, October 21 to Thursday, October 22. And according to MétéoMédia, the forecast is looking pretty good for stargazers in Montreal. At its peak, you could see up to 20 meteors an hour under dark, clear skies. That works out to about one every three minutes.
How much cheaper is it to live in Montreal vs Toronto & Vancouver? We did the math
Montrealers love to complain about the cost of living, and with good reason. Rents continue to climb, grocery bills keep growing, and paycheques have struggled to keep pace. For many, even a small outing can feel like a major expense. But how does life in Montreal actually stack up against Canada's two priciest cities? We've compared Montreal to Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa and Quebec City before. This time, we're putting it up against both Toronto and Vancouver.
Canada's secret service is hiring in Montreal and jobs pay $120K if you speak these languages
If you've ever pictured yourself working in intelligence, the reality probably involves fewer high-speed car chases than the movies would suggest. But it does come with a pretty solid paycheque. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) is hiring communications analysts in Montreal and several other cities across Canada. The catch? You'll need to speak one of six specific languages. The permanent position pays between $99,392 and $120,917 a year.
Quebec's winter tire deadline is weeks away, but not every driver has to follow the rule
If Montreal's weather already has you digging your tuque out of the closet, your car might be due for its own wardrobe change. With overnight temperatures expected to hover near freezing this weekend, winter is officially creeping up on Quebec. And so is the province's winter tire deadline. Here's everything you need to know before you book that garage appointment, including the handful of drivers who are exempt. When do you need winter tires in Quebec?
Montreal's iconic Mount Royal cross is gone from the skyline — Here's what happened to it
For more than a century, it's been one of the first things you spot in the Montreal skyline after dark. Whether you're driving in over a bridge, landing at the airport or just looking up from your balcony, the glowing cross on top of Mount Royal has always been there. Until now. Over the past few days, posts have been popping up on social media from Montrealers noticing that something looks a little off about the mountain. And they're not imagining it.
A Quebec prisoner got McDonald's & booze delivered by drone to Canada's highest-security unit
Most of us have had a late-night craving that only a McDonald's run could fix. Most of us, however, aren't behind bars. An inmate at a federal prison in Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, on Montreal's North Shore, was caught this week after having McDonald's and alcohol delivered straight to his cell, by drone.
Montreal recorded over 500 break-ins in September — Here's which side of town got hit hardest
Fall may be here, but break-ins in Montreal haven't exactly gone into hibernation. The latest crime report from the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) covers all of September, and it offers a pretty clear look at which parts of the island are seeing the most activity. In total, 575 break-ins were recorded last month. That’s fewer than in July (623) or August (597), and it brings the running total for 2026 to 4,926 as of September 30.
A festive train covered in lights is stopping in Montreal next month (with a free show)
It might still be October, but it's never too early to start planning your holiday outings. And one of the most festive traditions in the country is already on its way back. The CPKC Holiday Train is returning this fall, covered in thousands of twinkling lights and bringing free concerts to communities across Canada and the U.S. Two trains will be making their way across North America from November 19 to December 20, and Montreal gets to kick things off.
Quebec's fall time change is happening soon — but these places have ditched it for good
There are two kinds of people in Quebec this time of year: those who look forward to the extra hour of sleep, and those who dread pitch-black evenings by 4:30 p.m. Either way, the fall time change is almost here. Quebecers will turn their clocks back one hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 1, as daylight saving time comes to an end for another year. But a growing number of places across the country won't be joining us. And this week, another one was added to the list.
Montreal is spending millions to make the metro safer — Here's what's changing
With winter just around the corner, Montreal's metro is about to get a lot busier, and not just with commuters looking to escape the cold on their way to work. To get ahead of it, the City of Montreal, the STM and the SPVM have announced a new set of measures meant to make the network feel safer for riders and staff.
Quebecers who bought recalled Silk & Great Value milk have just days left to claim money
It's been more than two years since a long list of Silk and Great Value plant-based drinks were pulled from grocery store shelves across Canada. If you had one of those cartons in your fridge back then, you might have some money coming your way. But you don't have much time left to get it. Canadians who bought or drank one of the recalled products have until this Friday, October 16, to file a claim as part of a $7.5 million class action settlement.
Canada's friendliest cities were ranked and Montreal finished in a surprising spot
Ask anybody to name a handful of Canadian stereotypes, and "the people are friendly" is almost guaranteed to come up. Whether or not that's true depends on who you ask. Canada is a big country after all, with different cultures and language groups spanning coast to coast. But according to one new study, travellers visiting Montreal feel especially welcome in our neck of the woods.
Montreal is under a heavy rain warning and the rest of the week doesn't look much better
If you woke up to the sound of rain hammering your window this morning, you weren't dreaming. And unfortunately, it's not going anywhere anytime soon. Environment Canada has issued a yellow rainfall warning for the Montreal area on Tuesday, with heavy rain expected from this morning until this evening. The weather warning also covers Vaudreuil and the Montérégie. According to the federal weather agency, some areas could see between 40 and 60 millimetres of rain by the time it's all said and done.
montreal hot topics
Latest news, stories and updates about Montreal Hot Topics on MTL Blog.
fall in montreal
Latest news, stories and updates about Fall In Montreal on MTL Blog.
Crumbl just opened its first Quebec store near Montreal and people lined up before 8 a.m.
If your TikTok feed has ever served you a video of someone ranking giant cookies out of a pink box, you already know about Crumbl. And if you've been waiting for a chance to try them yourself without crossing the border into Ontario, your wait is over. The viral cookie chain opened its first-ever Quebec location on Friday, and it's just a quick drive from Montreal in Brossard. Judging by the crowd, plenty of people had been waiting for this one.
Montreal YUL is the 2nd-worst rated airport in Canada and you can probably guess the first
There's a certain feeling of dread that comes with heading to the airport on a long weekend. Between the traffic, the security lines and the $18 sandwich you swore you wouldn't buy, it can test just about anyone's patience. And if you're flying out of Montreal this Thanksgiving, you might already be feeling it. As it turns out, plenty of travellers can relate. According to a new ranking based on Google reviews, Montréal-Trudeau International Airport is the second-worst rated airport in the country.
Montreal's Olympic Stadium is getting its new roof soon — Here's when it could finally reopen
If you were expecting to catch a soccer match or a stadium-sized concert at Montreal's Olympic Stadium in 2028, don't get your hopes up. The Big O (also known as the "Big Owe" due to massive cost overruns) has been closed for some time now while crews replace its roof and technical ring. And while there's real progress happening on the site of one of the biggest construction projects the city has seen in years, the day Montrealers can fill the stands again looks a little further off than expected.
montreal eats - MTL Blog
Latest news, stories and updates about Montreal Eats on MTL Blog.
Forbes ranked the world's best employers and these 8 Quebec companies made the cut
Most of us have, at some point, wondered whether the grass is greener at another company. And if you've ever caught yourself scrolling LinkedIn for jobs on a slow Tuesday afternoon, you're probably not alone. Now, Forbes has put together a list that might help narrow things down. The magazine recently released its World's Best Employers 2026 ranking, and a handful of Quebec companies earned a spot among the top workplaces on the planet.
October's Canada Child Benefit payment is coming & some parents can get up to $679 per child
With Thanksgiving nearly out of the way and Halloween costumes to think about, October can get expensive for parents pretty quickly. Thankfully, the next Canada Child Benefit payment isn't too far off. The tax-free monthly payment from the Canada Revenue Agency helps millions of families across the country with the cost of raising kids, from groceries and clothes to school supplies and everything in between.
Elon Musk just dropped a hot take on Quebec sovereignty and dragged other provinces in too
Quebec politics are a lot like pineapple on pizza—everyone has an opinion. And on Wednesday, one of the richest people on the planet decided to share his. Just two days after the Parti Québécois won Monday's provincial election, Elon Musk took to X (a social media platform he owns) with a series of posts cheering on Quebec independence.
A marathon is shutting down Montreal streets this weekend — Here's where to avoid driving
The Thanksgiving long weekend usually brings a few extra hours of sleep, a big family dinner and maybe a scenic drive to see the autumn leaves. This year, though, anyone hoping to get around Montreal by car might want to rethink the plan, at least for part of the weekend. The 34th edition of the Marathon Beneva de Montréal runs from Friday, October 9 to Sunday, October 11, and thousands of runners are about to take over a big chunk of the city.
The best cities to travel to in 2026 were ranked and Montreal beat Paris
Montreal has long been nicknamed "Paris of the North." And while being compared to the City of Love is certainly flattering, ranking ahead of it is something else entirely. Every fall, Condé Nast Traveler asks its readers to weigh in on the cities that left the biggest impression on them. And every fall, Montreal seems to find its way into the conversation. This year was no exception.
Paul St-Pierre Plamondon: 7 things you probably didn't know about Quebec's new premier
Quebec has a new premier. Paul St-Pierre Plamondon led the Parti Québécois to victory in Monday's provincial election, and will now lead the province with a minority government (not bad for a party that won just three seats in 2022). The 49-year-old lawyer from Trois-Rivières has been PQ leader since 2020, and has represented the Montreal riding of Camille-Laurin since 2022. Along the way, he's become best known for one thing: his push for Quebec sovereignty.
The most expensive NHL ticket prices were revealed and it's bad news for Canadiens fans
October is here. And while this time of year brings plenty of nice things, like falling leaves, pumpkin spice everything, and sweater weather, in Montreal, it marks the return of something even bigger: hockey season. The Canadiens officially kicked off their 2026-27 campaign last week, and for the first time in a long time, the Habs look like real contenders. But as the team emerges from a years-long rebuild, watching them play in person doesn't come cheap.
Snow is already falling in parts of Quebec and these areas could get up to 10 cm this week
It's only the first week of October, but if you've stepped outside lately, you've probably noticed that the air has a certain bite to it. Temperatures across Quebec are sitting slightly below seasonal norms right now. And while some parts of the province have yet to hit peak fall foliage, the first snowflakes of the season are already on the way for others. According to a new weather forecast from MétéoMédia, a few areas could see up to 10 cm of snow between Monday evening and Tuesday morning.
How much cheaper is a regular grocery run at Super C compared to IGA? We did the math
I'm lucky enough to live within walking distance of two grocery stores: a Super C and an IGA. Depending on what's on my list that week, I often find myself bouncing between the two. Super C is usually where I go for the big, practical runs, when the pantry is looking a little bleak, and I need to restock the basics. IGA tends to get my business when I want fresh organic produce, a good cut of meat or simply a break from Super C's blinding fluorescent lights (does it have to be so bright in there?).
The building under Montreal's iconic pink house is in 'imminent danger' — Here's what we know
If you've ever jogged along Montreal's Lachine Canal or driven down Rue Saint-Ambroise, you've probably looked up and spotted it: a tiny pink house perched at the very top of the abandoned Canada Malting plant, like something out of a Wes Anderson fever dream. Now, the building it sits on is officially a safety hazard.
McGill slipped in a new ranking of the world's best universities (but it's not all bad news)
It's that time of year again, when Times Higher Education drops its World University Rankings and Montreal waits to see where McGill University landed. The 2027 edition came out on September 30, and it's the biggest one yet, with a record 2,297 schools from 118 countries and territories. Which, as it turns out, wasn't great news for our top academic institution. McGill placed 43rd in the world in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027, down from joint 41st last year.
Americans' interest in Canada travel has surged — Here's where Canadians are going instead
With trade tensions between Canada and the US still simmering, you might expect travel between the two countries to be cooling off on both sides. But it's not exactly the case. According to FlightHub's newly released Unveiled 2026 report, which tracks booking and search data from October 2025 through August 2026, Canadian search interest in US trips grew just 2% year-over-year. American search interest in Canada, meanwhile, jumped 16%, eight times the rate.
Canadians are permanently leaving the country in record numbers but Quebecers are staying put
More than 111,000 people left Canada for good in 2025, and if the first half of this year is any indication, 2026 isn't slowing down either. According to the latest quarterly data from Statistics Canada, 111,572 people emigrated from the country last year, edging past 2024's total of 109,535. Through the first six months of 2026 alone, another 51,040 people have already packed up and left, putting this year on pace to land somewhere in the same range, or higher.
Show More
loading
Actions
Get in touch with Al
Contact Al, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack