Maya Johnson
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Maman d’Alexandre. Anchor, CTV News at 5 @CTVMontreal. Ancienne cheffe de bureau à Québec. Jamaican roots. Love books, good grammar and reggae!
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Articles by Maya Johnson
Former PQ leader comes to defence of anglophones during election campaign
In 2018, five months before Quebec voters would go to the polls in a pivotal election, former PQ leader Jean-François Lisée caught reporters at the National Assembly by surprise when he stood at a podium in the foyer and challenged the other party leaders to an English debate.
‘Granby girl’ lawyer will run for Quebec Liberals in Saint-Laurent riding
A prominent Montreal lawyer known for her work on the notorious “Granby girl” case is running for the Liberals in the closely-watched Saint-Laurent riding, CTV News has confirmed. Liberal leader Charles Milliard will make it official at a Saint-Laurent reception hall on Wednesday afternoon. Valerie Assouline was responsible for filing a lawsuit against Quebec’s department of youth protection three years after a seven-year-old Granby, Que.
‘The Great Nadia Gathering’ celebrates gymnast who made history at Montreal Olympic Games
Nadia Frost recently celebrated a milestone birthday – and it coincided with the 50th anniversary of a moment that made Olympic history at the 1976 Montreal Games. On July 18, 1976, Romanian gymnast Nadia Comăneci landed her uneven bars routine and scored a Perfect 10.0. It was a feat so remarkable that the scoreboard couldn’t accurately reflect her accomplishment. It flashed 1.00 instead.
Edmonton woman falls in love with Montreal during 14-day food tour
An Edmonton woman who recently spent two weeks in Montreal for the “trip of a lifetime” says the experience was deeply emotional, in large part because of the hospitality shown to her by locals. “It was feeling welcome, almost immediately. There was a real sense of community,” Ripplinger said in an interview with CTV News Montreal. “Especially as soon as I mentioned I was there for the food.
Une caméra a filmé l’explosion d’une voiture de Luc Poirier chez un concessionnaire Ferrari
CTV News a obtenu des images de surveillance d’une explosion survenue il y a deux ans chez Ferrari Québec, qui a causé de graves brûlures et des blessures mettant en danger la vie d’un Montréalais. Ce texte est une traduction d’un article de CTV News.
Surveillance footage captures explosion at Ferrari Quebec dealership
CTV News has obtained surveillance footage of an explosion at Ferrari Quebec two years ago that left a Montreal man with severe burns and life-threatening injuries. Richard Papazian, a husband and father of two, was rushed to the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM) burn centre in critical condition, where he was placed in a medically-induced coma for four weeks. Papazian suffered from second- and third-degree burns to more than 56 per cent of his body.
Surveillance footage captures explosion at Ferrari Quebec dealership
CTV News has obtained surveillance footage of an explosion at Ferrari Quebec two years ago that left a Montreal man with severe burns and life-threatening injuries. Richard Papazian, a husband and father of two, was rushed to the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM) burn centre in critical condition, where he was placed in a medically-induced coma for four weeks. Papazian suffered from second- and third-degree burns to more than 56 per cent of his body.
Montreal man sues Ferrari Quebec after life-threatening injuries caused by explosion of Luc Poirier’s car at dealership
A Montreal man who suffered life-threatening injuries as the result of an explosion at a Ferrari dealership is suing the concession and several other parties for $20.8 million, alleging the incident was caused by “gross negligence, recklessness and willful misconduct.” According to court documents obtained by CTV News, the car that exploded at the dealership was a consigned Ferrari 360 that belonged to Luc Poirier, a multimillionaire Quebec entrepreneur with an extensive collection of Italian...
Il poursuit Ferrari Québec après avoir subi des blessures graves causées par une explosion d’une voiture de Luc Poirier
Un Montréalais qui a subi des blessures mettant sa vie en danger à la suite d’une explosion survenue chez un concessionnaire Ferrari poursuit ce dernier ainsi que plusieurs autres parties pour un montant de 20,8 millions de dollars, alléguant que l’incident a été causé par «une négligence grave, une imprudence et une faute intentionnelle».
Montreal man sues Ferrari Quebec after life-threatening injuries caused by explosion of Luc Poirier’s car at dealership
A Montreal man who suffered life-threatening injuries as the result of an explosion at a Ferrari dealership is suing the concession and several other parties for $20.8 million, alleging the incident was caused by “gross negligence, recklessness and willful misconduct.” According to court documents obtained by CTV News, the car that exploded at the dealership was a consigned Ferrari 360 that belonged to Luc Poirier, a multimillionaire Quebec entrepreneur with an extensive collection of Italian...
Montreal man sues Ferrari Quebec after life-threatening injuries caused by explosion of Luc Poirier’s car at dealership
Majority of Canadians believe national economy is on the wrong track: poll Two-thirds of Canadians believe the national economy is on the wrong track and don’t believe it will improve in the short-term, according to a new …
Un Montréalais parmi les invités du dîner des correspondants de la Maison-Blanche
Un Montréalais s’est retrouvé au cœur du chaos lorsque des coups de feu ont retenti samedi soir à Washington, lors du dîner de l’Association des correspondants de la Maison-Blanche. Jack Fattal, un avocat qui partage son temps entre le Canada et les États-Unis, avait reçu une invitation à ce gala prestigieux de la part d’un client. Ce texte est une traduction d’un article de CTV News. «C’était surréaliste, car si vous étiez extraverti, vous aviez vraiment l’occasion de parler à tout le monde.
Montrealer among the guests at White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting
A Montrealer found himself in the middle of the chaos, as shots rang out at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner Saturday night in Washington. Jack Fattal, a lawyer who splits his time between Canada and the U.S., received an invitation to the glitzy gala from a client. “It was surreal because you really had a chance, if you were outgoing, to speak with anybody and everybody. I mean, the who’s who of America was in that room,” said Fattal.
‘We couldn’t hold back our tears’: Former Air Canada Jazz pilot pays respects to Antoine Forest
Former Air Canada Jazz pilot Julian Compton was among the hundreds of pilots and flight staff who braved the cold and waited in the rain, lining up in front of Air Canada’s Montreal headquarters to honour a fallen colleague. Capt. Antoine Forest and First Officer Mackenzie Gunther were both killed in a collision on a runway at New York’s LaGuardia Airport on Sunday.
Beauty on a Budget- Affordable Makeup for College Students
As we all know, college can be very expensive, so who wants to spend a lot of money on makeup? Well, you don’t have to. Here is a list of affordable makeup brands that won’t take all your money, are high quality and will have you looking stunning. 1.
How To Balance Relationships While in College
As we all know, balancing relationships while in college can become hard because of academic pressure, social life maintenance, and more. Regardless, it’s important to keep up your connections with friendships, family and your romantic relationships. In this article I will give some tips on what you can do to maintain your personal relationships while being in college. Gaining time management skills.
New baby, new city: a first-month plan to find your village
Becoming a parent can be disorienting. Doing it in a brand-new city is next-level. New baby, new city? You may not know which pediatric clinics accept your insurance, which restaurants deliver after 9 p.m., or where the stroller-friendly sidewalks are. You might still be healing, learning to feed, and waking up at odd hours. What you do know is that you cannot do this alone. The good news is that you do not have to.
My baby needs heart surgery: a calm, practical parent guide
When the doctors say, “baby heart surgery,” there is a unique kind of stillness that comes. Hearing that your baby needs heart surgery is scary–but you can do this. The calendar keeps moving while your thoughts press pause. You are trying to hold a lot at once, from logistics and medical language to fear and fierce love. You do not have to carry it without a plan. This guide walks you through what to expect and what to do, in clear steps you can follow, adapt, and share with your support system.
How to balance ambition and motherhood without burning out
Motherhood has a way of expanding your heart and your to-do list simultaneously and you may be finding it hard to balance ambition. You might be mapping a promotion while packing daycare lunches, or answering late-night emails with a baby snuggled on your chest. It is a lot. Ambition can feel like a spark you want to protect, yet the mental load can turn that spark into smoke.
How to balance ambition and motherhood without burning out
You already make intelligent choices all day. These quick, low-lift money moves help you feel more in control, lower financial stress and keep family goals on track. Money Lessons, Finances, Health & Wellness, Mental Health, Motherhood Understood, Motherly, Pregnancy, Second Trimester Your baby is learning to smile, roll, walk and talk. You are learning to trust yourself, set boundaries, ask for help and let go. Baby milestone is mothers milestone, too, they happen together.
New moms: Find a mom-and-baby community center near you: a practical guide
New moms and new parent-life are full and tender. But you are seeking motherhood success. Between nap time, feedings, and figuring out your new normal, it can feel hard to track down a real-world connection that is close enough, affordable enough, and welcoming to your family. The good news: there are more options than most parents realize, from neighborhood family resource centers to library playgroups to hospital-based new-mom circles.
Heading home after Hurricane Melissa
CTV News Montreal 5 p.m. Anchor Maya Johnson travelled to Jamaica to see the devastation and document the relief and rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall on Oct. 28, 2025. This article was first published on the CTV News Montreal website. As the Montreal-born daughter of Jamaican immigrants, I grew up navigating and embracing a blend of cultures. Eating patties, jerk chicken, and fried dumplings came just as naturally as buying fresh Montreal bagels.
How to give yourself the grace you offer everyone else
You know how to soothe a friend after a long day, talk a child through a meltdown, or forgive a partner who forgot to switch the laundry. But when your own plans slip or your energy dips, the voice in your head can turn sharp. The truth is, every mother carries a lot. Perfection is a myth. What helps is not doing more but treating yourself with the same grace you already give so freely.
5 activities with friends that actually recharge your mom spirit
Motherhood already asks you to multitask, but friendship should not. When your calendar fills with logistics and kid commitments, it is easy to forget that time with friends can be restorative, not another item on a list. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, social connection is a core human need closely linked with survival and overall health. You do not need elaborate weekends away or wallet-draining dinners to feel like yourself again.
7 simple ways to check in with your partner during the winter season
When the temperature drops, most of us go into survival mode. There are coats to zip, snow days to juggle, holiday budgets to stretch and a lot of indoor time. It is no wonder small miscommunications can snowball. The good news is that connection does not require a weekend away. A few focused minutes, repeated consistently, can steady your home base and make winter feel more like a team sport than a solo slog. Consider this your cold-weather menu of simple ways to check in.
Credit: Canva/Motherly Winter piles on dry air, runny noses and endless layers, which can make even simple routines feel like a whole production. The good news is a few thoughtful staples can prevent the most common cold-weather hiccups before they start. Pediatric pros often emphasize moisture, safe warmth and a clear plan for sniffles. With the right tools on hand, you can spend less time troubleshooting and more time soaking up the cozy.
Le Canada joue un rôle majeur dans la reconstruction de la Jamaïque après l’ouragan Melissa
Des Forces armées canadiennes à la Croix-Rouge canadienne, en passant par les techniciens en électricité de tout le pays, le Canada a joué un rôle essentiel dans les efforts de secours en Jamaïque après le passage de l’ouragan Melissa. Dans un discours prononcé devant le Parlement après le passage de l’ouragan de catégorie 5 en octobre dernier, le premier ministre jamaïcain Andrew Holness l’a qualifié de «l’une des catastrophes naturelles les plus dévastatrices de notre histoire moderne».
Canada plays major role in rebuilding Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa
CTV News Montreal 5 p.m. Anchor Maya Johnson travelled to Jamaica to see the devastation and document the relief and rebuilding efforts. This is the third part of a three-part series. From the Canadian Armed Forces to the Canadian Red Cross and power line technicians from across the country, Canada has been playing an integral role in relief efforts in Jamaica in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.
Jamaica turns to tourism to help rebuild after Hurricane Melissa
CTV News Montreal 5 p.m. Anchor Maya Johnson travelled to Jamaica to see the devastation and document the relief and rebuilding efforts. This is the second part of a three-part series. As Jamaica tackles the tough task of rebuilding after the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, tourism has emerged as one of its top priorities.
Rebuilding Jamaica: Survivors of Hurricane Melissa look to future
CTV News Montreal 5 p.m. Anchor Maya Johnson travelled to Jamaica to see the devastation and document the relief and rebuilding efforts. This is the first part of a three-part series. For the past three months, Black River, Jamaica, resident Liston Bowen has been hard at work rebuilding what he can after Hurricane Melissa barreled through the parish of St. Elizabeth, tearing apart his home, his business, and his entire community.
CTV News Anchor Maya Johnson reflects on travelling to Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa
As the Montreal-born daughter of Jamaican immigrants, I grew up navigating and embracing a blend of cultures. Eating patties, jerk chicken, and fried dumplings came just as naturally as buying fresh Montreal bagels.
Rebuilding Jamaica: Survivors of Hurricane Melissa look to future
For the past three months, Black River, Jam. resident Liston Bowen has been hard at work rebuilding what he can after Hurricane Melissa barreled through the parish of St. Elizabeth, tearing apart his home, his business, and his entire community. “If yuh guh start from scratch ya now, it rough,” said Bowen, standing inside his house and conversing in Jamaican patois. While starting over isn’t easy, Bowen said the physical labour helps him deal with the frustration of having lost so much.
10 things to do when ovulation is not on your schedule
Cycles are not machines. Travel, stress, illness, postpartum changes and conditions like thyroid disorders or PCOS can shift timing, sometimes by weeks. When you are trying to conceive, that unpredictability can feel frustrating. You deserve a plan that works even when your cycle does not follow a textbook. The goal is to reduce guesswork and protect your well-being while giving your body the support it needs. Below are realistic actions many reproductive specialists and dietitians recommend.
Fashion Essentials That Will Keep You Cozy and Cute This Winter
As we brave the coldest season of the year, I wanted to create a fashion checklist of essentials that can help prepare you for the winter. Things like shirts, pants, accessories and more. Read along to see what you need this chilly season! The first essential that all the girls should have for this winter is a long sleeve top.
Managing the 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm time crunch
Credit: Canva/Motherly Those two hours can feel like a relay race with no finish line. You walk in the door to backpacks, snack requests, sibling squabbles, dinner to make, and a bedtime clock that keeps on ticking. You are not imagining it. Energy dips, blood sugar dips, and transitions collide in the early evening. The good news is that small moves make a big difference.
How to start the new year with grace (even if you’re completely exhausted)
Credit: Canva/Motherly It’s the new year, and you are ready to begin again. The last weeks of last year felt like a sprint you did not train for. School concerts run into potlucks, work deadlines stack up, and someone always needs more tape for the wrapping station that lives on your dining table. Maybe you limped to December’s finish line, and that’s okay–you were not alone.
Nesting with purpose: 7 tiny projects that pay dividends all year
Credit: Canva/Motherly Nesting is an interesting process, yet modern motherhood runs on invisible labor. You can love a cozy home and still feel like you are constantly putting out fires. The truth is that your space can hold some of that work for you. Research on routines and environmental cues suggests that when a home is set up to make the right choice the easy choice, families experience less friction and more follow-through.
In the messy middle of potty training: 7 scripts that lower the pressure
Potty Training–it does not have to be perfect to be working. These simple, steady phrases keep the mood light, protect your child’s confidence, and make progress feel doable. Potty learning rarely follows a straight line. You might get a day of dry pants and then, boom, a puddle on the way to dinner. That back-and-forth is typical. According to pediatric groups like the American Academy of Pediatrics, readiness beats age every time, and pressure often backfires by inviting power struggles.
Why ‘fling flang’ and ‘brownies’ defined the end of the year in Quebec politics
Those who have been following Quebec politics over the couple of months, have likely heard or read these words: “fling flang” and “brownies.” “‘Fling flang’ has a long history, it’s more than 100 years old now. I wouldn’t say the same thing for brownie. And people have used ‘brownies’ over the last weeks, but not as often as ‘fling flang’,” said Benoît Melançon, professor emeritus at the University of Montreal’s French language department.
5 ways to make the holiday stress feel peaceful, not pressure-filled
Credit: Canva/Motherly The season is supposed to feel magical, yet so often it feels like a sprint with glitter. If your calendar is bursting and the to-do list never ends, you are not alone. The goal is not to create a picture-perfect holiday; it is to create a humane one that fits your family. According to an APA poll, most U.S. adults report holiday stress tied to money pressures and family problems, which is why stress management is so crucial during this time.
Waiting to conceive doesn’t mean standing still: how to find momentum in the in-between
Credit: Canva/Motherly Waiting to conceive can feel like living in a holding pattern while everyone else seems to be sprinting ahead. The calendar becomes a countdown, your body feels like a mystery, and well-meaning advice lands like noise. If this is you, you are not doing anything wrong. You are in a very human in-between, and it makes sense that you want some momentum without turning your life into a project.
10 fun holiday food ideas to make with kids (that don’t require perfection)
Credit: Canva/Motherly The holiday food ideas are full of magical tastes and smells and kids want a front-row seat in the kitchen. They do not need symmetrical cookies or Pinterest-worthy charcuterie to feel the wonder. What they need is time with you, tiny jobs they can actually do and permission to make a mess.
What teenagers really need from moms (but won’t say)
Credit: Canva/Motherly Teenagers–it can feel like your sweet kid swapped personalities overnight. You hear it in the slammed door, the one-word answers, the rolled eyes. Here is the good news: beneath the pushback and privacy concerns, your teenager still wants you. They need sturdy love, a safe structure, and a home base that does not wobble. What changes is how they can receive it.
Why the second trimester feels like a deep breath
The first trimester can feel like white-knuckling it through a tunnel. Nausea, bone-deep fatigue, and constant uncertainty make even simple days feel long. Then something shifts. For many, the second trimester arrives like a window raised on a breezy day. You can breathe. You may want to eat again. Your energy tiptoes back. This sweet spot does not mean everything is perfect. It means your body and baby have found a new rhythm.
10 habits families use to build financial resilience
Financial resilience handles rising prices, surprise copays, broken appliances and field trip fees that pop up the week after payday. Most families are juggling moving financial targets, which is why resilience matters more than rigid budgets. According to family finance educators and consumer advocates, steady routines that reduce decision fatigue, protect cash flow, and keep everyone aligned are what carry households through uncertain seasons. You do not need to overhaul your life to get there.
10 habits families use to build financial resilience
Financial resilience is not about perfection or six-figure savings. It is built through small, consistent habits that help your family bend without breaking when life shifts. By Maya Johnson Updated Jan. 22, 2026 Financial resilience handles rising prices, surprise copays, broken appliances and field trip fees that pop up the week after payday. Most families are juggling moving financial targets, which is why resilience matters more than rigid budgets.
10 ways second trimester moms can prepare their home with ease
Credit: Canva/Motherly You do not need a picture-perfect nursery to be ready for baby in the second trimester. What you do need are a few small systems that reduce mental load and make everyday tasks smoother. The second trimester is a sweet spot for low-lift prep: your energy may be steadier, big decisions feel less urgent, and you can move at a comfortable pace. Think checklists you can finish in an afternoon, containers you can reuse, and spaces that support rest and recovery.
Why it’s normal to feel ambivalent about pregnancy
To feel ambivalent in pregnancy is totally normal. Maybe you cried happy tears over a positive test, then panicked about money. Perhaps you hoped for a baby for years, then felt oddly numb at the first ultrasound. Maybe you are grieving an earlier loss and guarding your heart now. Many expecting parents describe a mix of joy, worry, curiosity, and doubt that shifts by the day. That swirl has a name: ambivalence. Ambivalence is not a red flag for your readiness or your love.
Tips for nurturing intimacy after birth (7 gentle ones)
Credit: Canva/Motherly The early weeks with a newborn are full of love, fatigue, and brand-new rhythms. Bodies are healing. Schedules are upside down. Emotions run high and sometimes feel contradictory. What to do about postpartum sex may be an issue. Wanting closeness while also craving space is common. Many couples find that intimacy after birth requires new language, new timelines, and a softer touch. None of this means your spark is gone. It means you are both adapting to a significant transition.
The real story behind “mom guilt”
Credit: Canva/Motherly You love your kids and still wonder if you are doing enough. You work late and feel a pinch. You stay home and still feel a pinch. You raise your voice, pass on the bake sale, skip the bedtime story after a hard day, then lie awake replaying it all. That hum in the background has a name many of us know too well: mom guilt. Here is the quiet truth. Mom guilt is not proof that you are doing it wrong. It is a sign you care, and it is also shaped by forces bigger than any one family.
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