Quebec Harmony or Separation?

I walk into a painting class organized by the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts as part of their Activities after forking over nearly $300 at the front desk. I greet all other art enthusiasts with a warm smile and exchange pleasantries. After a while the teacher, a dishevelled lady sporting a shabby attire walks in and welcomes everyone in French, and I, being in this great city long enough to know a few words, say a hearty “bonjour”, taking delight in managing to sound authentic…

The Passion of the Pussy Riot

Pussy Riot knew full well what the consequences of their Cathedral protest might be given Putin’s reputation, but they did it anyway. This band of activists has a passion for the wellbeing of their country, a deep desire to make it better. What they did took guts, something sorely missing in western democracies.

Peter Sergakis: His war on homelessness

Peter Sergakis, owner of dozens of bars and restaurants in Montreal, has been accused of “waging war on the homeless” since expressing his desire to get pan-handlers and thieves away from his downtown businesses. FTB’s Emily Campbell sits down with Sergakis and Dans la rue’s Aki Tchitacov for this video interview…

Looking out for number one

This past Saturday, presumptive Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney selected Congressman Paul Ryan as his choice for vice-president. Two weeks before the Republican national convention, Romney hopes that his selection will reset his campaign and refocus attention on the economy rather than the tax returns he refuses to make public.