CJLO-AM (Montreal, QC)

International Overdose Awareness Day is August 31st, but in Montreal, a gathering to raise awareness was held on August 28th at Place Émilie-Gamelin, and it was organized by the Quebec Association for Drug User Health Promotion (AQPSUD) The event saw organizations gather to discuss the work they do with the drug-using population, many of whom were also offering free tools, resources and kits to help those who plan to consume drugs.

Projet Montreal announced their president of the executive committee will be NDG’s borough mayor, Gracia Kasoki Katawha. Kasoki Katawha says she will use the role to focus on housing and the homeless crisis in the city.

Shant Karabajak is a high school teacher by day, teaching seventh and eighth-graders geography and history. Outside of school hours, he is going door to door in Montreal’s Sud-Ouest, campaigning for borough mayor with Transition Montréal. He moved to the Sud-Ouest at the end of 2017 after a run for a city councillor position in his previous borough of Ahuntsic-Cartierville with the now-defunct Coalition Montréal.

Montreal has elected Soraya Martinez Ferrada as mayor. Martinez Ferrada defeated Luc Rabouin and the incumbent party, Projet Montréal. “Tonight, it is you who has won. Tonight, Montreal has chosen courage and ambition,” said Martinez Ferrada in her victory speech. She promised change after eight years of the last administration. She added voters told her they wanted to be heard. “We heard you about Camillien-Houde, homelessness, housing, cleanliness, mobility and security,” Martinez Ferrada said.

Refugee and migrant support groups are calling on the federal government to withdraw its proposed border security and immigration law. The law will make changes for those seeking asylum in Canada. The latest action to draw attention to the bill featured a film screening and panel discussion from Action Réfugiés Montréal.

Something happened in Montreal this week. The long-awaited Something Fest occurred with its day passes completely sold out and the promise of 9 acts spread over 3 venues and 10 hours. The planning of the thing was something I was lucky enough to witness from the sidelines, and it cannot be understated what a triumph of community organizing Something Fest turned out to be.

The Fantasia Film Festival, the premiere international genre film festival that takes over Montreal’s Concordia Hall and surrounding area every summer, is back this year for the 29th edition, happening from July 17th to August 7th 2025. There is sure to be a film for everyone that will allow audiences to beat the heat and grab a seat. Before we get to the selection picks from the At The Movies team, here are the important films and events that will be happening.

North America's premiere genre film festival has returned to the downtown campus of Concordia University! From July 16 to August 3, the Fantasia International Film festival brings the most face-melting, eye-popping and awe-inspiring films to one of the most raucous filmgoing experiences around.

Pavements (Currently in repertoire cinemas check you local listings, streaming on Mubi July 11th 2025) Dir Alex Ross Perry (Her Smell, Listen Up Philip) Staring: Joe Keery, Jason Schwartzman, Tim Heidecker, Kathryn Gallagher, Michael Esper, and Zoe Lister-Jones, and as themselves: Stephen Malkmus, Scott 'Spiral Stairs' Kannberg, Mark Ibold, Steve West, and Bob Nastanovich I was a big fan of Alex Ross Perry’s Her Smellfrom 2019, with it making my list of one of the best films of the year.

June 24 2025 // Donald Roberge // Magazine // Interviews EP: Mike Trask, how are you? MT: I'm very good. How about you? EP: Good, thanks. Where are you coming from today? MT: I'm in a place called Jeddore, Nova Scotia. EP: Is that where you live? MT: I kind of split my time half between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick these days. EP: I see. Where are you from originally? MT: I'm from here, a place called Musquodoboit Harbour, which is kind of near where I'm at right now.