This week's news.
September 9, 2026Montreal in September: the Big List of Things to DoSeptember 1, 2026Montreal's 10 Must-See Spots: a Detour-Free Route, No MissesSeptember 1, 2026Where to Play Sports in Montreal: Pools, Rinks and FieldsAugust 31, 2026Workplace health and safety: new protections in every workplace as of October 1, 2026
Top stories
01
The Fleurdelisé: What Quebec's Flag Tells You
September 9, 202602
'Je me souviens': where the motto on the license plates comes from
September 9, 202603
Federal tax cut: the first bracket drops to 14%, up to $420 less per person
September 9, 202604
FHSA: save tax-free for a first home (newcomers too)
September 9, 202605
Work Premium: the refundable credit for low-income workers in Quebec
September 9, 2026Local favourites
Our favourite places and activities — tried, tested and recommended.
Montreal
PicksEating Like a Montrealer: Poutine, Smoked Meat, Bagels and More
Five iconic dishes and the official address for each: the flavours that define Montreal, from 24-hour poutine to wood-fired bagels.
PicksWhere to Meet People in Montreal: Libraries, Cafés and 5 à 7s
The places where you make friends in Montreal, from the neighbourhood café to the 5 à 7, via the free libraries.
PicksMontreal's Parks: Where to Go Depending on Your Mood
Picnic, swimming, biking, tam-tams or reading in the sun: eight parks and the kind of outing each one is made for.
PicksMontreal in September: the Big List of Things to Do
World-class cycling, neighbourhood festivals, free culture and street food: the month when the city empties of tourists… and fills up with parties.
PicksMontreal's 10 Must-See Spots: a Detour-Free Route, No Misses
From the mountain to the river, from the market to the museum: ten places that tell Montreal's story, with address, price and how much time to allow.
PicksWhere to Play Sports in Montreal: Pools, Rinks and Fields
From free pools to soccer fields to the athletics track: the best addresses for staying active on a budget.
Latest — News for living in Quebec
The practical news for living in Quebec.
Policy changes, deadlines, prices and events — explained in plain English, updated continuously by the VIEAUQC team.
QPP: contribution rates drop in 2026
August 25, 2026 · Vieauqc Team
What is a cégep? The school level that exists only in Quebec
September 9, 2026 · Vieauqc Team
The '5 à 7': Quebec's after-work social institution
September 9, 2026 · Vieauqc Team
Milk in bags: yes, in Quebec milk is sold in little pouches
August 25, 2026 · Vieauqc Team
3½, 4½: decoding apartment sizes in Quebec
September 9, 2026 · Vieauqc Team
Winter electricity bill: free help and equalized payments
September 9, 2026 · Vieauqc Team
Unpaid Hydro Bill: Your Options, No Winter Cut-Off
September 9, 2026 · Vieauqc Team
International students: 24 hours a week, the work limit not to exceed
September 9, 2026 · Vieauqc TeamLatest — the briefing
What changed, what it costs, what's on.
Fresh takes on this week’s stories — policy, money, transport, food and events, in plain English.
Fake calls from 'the tax agency' or 'immigration': how to spot the scam and not pay
September 9, 2026
October 5, 2026 provincial election: who can vote, and how to make sure you can
September 9, 2026
Study permit for French-speaking students: a federal pilot that does not cover Quebec
September 9, 2026
CINEMANIA: Montreal's big French-language film festival, November 4 to 15
September 9, 2026Starting a non-profit in Quebec: where to find the grants
September 9, 2026Policy & AdminCAQ for Studies: 100% Online via Arrima, $135 Fee
September 9, 2026Policy & AdminCanadian citizenship test: 20 questions, 45 minutes, 15 correct answers to pass
August 15, 2026Policy & AdminCanadian passports: fees went up on March 31, 2026, and will be adjusted every year
September 9, 2026
Policy & Admin
Early childhood: Ottawa invests up to $5.4M for early childhood educators
August 15, 2026 · Vieauqc Team
Temporary measures for Palestinians: extended through 2027
MTLàTABLE: the 14th edition, October 29 to November 15
Montreal Burger Week: How It Works
The Riopelle Space at the MNBAQ: four days of celebrations, October 22 to 25
Cost of Living
The money news that affects your budget — prices, pay and benefits, updated every week.
Cost of Living
QPP 2026: Earnings Ceiling Rises to $74,600
The Quebec Pension Plan earnings ceiling rises to $74,600 in 2026, with a maximum contribution of $4,479.30. A breakdown for new workers.
Cost of Living
Family Allowance 2026: up to $3,068 per child
Quebec's Family Allowance rises 2.05% in 2026. Here's what families with children get — and why you usually don't have to apply.
Cost of Living
Red Seal bonus: it will now be taxable in Quebec
On August 12, Quebec harmonized its tax system with federal measures: the Red Seal Success Bonus will be included in income and subject to source withholding.
Cost of Living
Vehicle Registration: $50 Less from September 1, 2026
The Quebec government cuts vehicle registration fees by $50 for 12 months, starting September 1, 2026.
Cost of Living
Canada Child Benefit 2026-2027: up to $8,157 per child
The federal payment to families rises with the July 20, 2026 deposit. Here are the new maximums — and the one thing you must not forget to keep receiving it.
Cost of Living
RAMQ Drug Plan: Maximum Premium Now $789 for 2026-2027
As of July 1, 2026, the public drug plan's rates have changed. What someone covered by RAMQ pays, explained simply.
Cost of Living
Quebec income tax 2026: the 2.05% indexation that lightens your paycheque
Tax brackets and the basic personal amount rise 2.05% in 2026 — $863M of relief for taxpayers. Here's what it changes in practice.
Cost of Living
Groceries 2026: Nearly $1,000 More per Family
Food prices are set to rise 4–6% in 2026, with Quebec above the national average. What that means when you build your first grocery budget.
Latest — the feed
More news for living in Quebec
The rest of the week’s practical news — deadlines, prices and changes that affect your life here.
Employment Insurance 2026: What Comes Off Your Pay
September 9, 2026 · Vieauqc Team
QPIP 2026: Your Premium Drops, Here's Why
September 9, 2026
The GST credit has a new name — and a new amount: +25% with the groceries benefit
September 9, 2026
Back-to-School: $127 per Child, No Application Needed
September 9, 2026
No More QST on Toilet Paper and Muffins
September 9, 2026
August 15, 2026TFSA and RRSP: the 2026 limits for saving tax-free
July 16, 2026Quebec's minimum wage in 2026: $16.60 an hour
September 9, 2026Hydro-Québec 2026: +3% on Your Electricity Bill
September 9, 2026Halloween at La Ronde: Fright Fest, October 3 to 25
St-Tite Western Festival: Rodeo, September 11 to 20
The biggest western attraction in eastern Canada draws over 700,000 visitors over ten days in Saint-Tite, Mauricie.
A festival like no other. From September 11 to 20, 2026, Saint-Tite, in Mauricie, becomes North America's rodeo capital. The festival is known for the quality of its rodeos and won the title of best outdoor rodeo in North America for 20 years. Impressive numbers. It is the biggest western attraction in eastern Canada: more than 700,000 visitors over ten days, according to the event's official page on Bonjour Québec. Rodeos are at the heart of the program, with competitions, races and equestrian demonstrations. Something for everyone. Parades, shows and concerts, fireworks, amusement rides, a mini farm, children's entertainment: the festival also offers carriage rides, horseback riding and a food fair. A shuttle service is available to make the site easier to reach. How to get there. Saint-Tite is about a two-hour drive from Montreal, north of Trois-Rivières. Tickets for rodeos and shows are sold on the festival's official website. Accommodation is in high demand during the…
September 9, 2026
Culture Days: 30th edition, September 25, 26 and 27
Hundreds of free cultural activities across Quebec: workshops, guided tours, shows and circuits, from September 25 to 27, 2026.
An annual event. Culture Days returns for its 30th edition on September 25, 26 and 27, 2026, across Quebec. The event invites the public to dive into cultural and artistic practices, from toddlers to seniors. Free activities. Hands-on workshops, guided tours, shows, guided circuits and hikes, talks, demonstrations: the types of activities are varied and almost all are free. They take place in neighbourhoods, municipalities and regions, often close to home. How to participate. The full program is announced in September on the official Culture Days website, where you can search for an activity by date, region, city or type. Organizations and artists can also register their own activities until the end of the summer. A gateway for newcomers. It is one of the best opportunities to discover Quebec's cultural life for free: museums, libraries, historic sites and artists' studios open their doors, often for the first time. Activities take place in French, which also makes it a gentle…
August 13, 2026
Montreal Book Fair: the 49th edition, November 25 to 29
Things to Do
Online passport scam: charges laid against fake passport services
Everyday Life
Online passport renewal: now open to all eligible adults
Everyday Life
QPP: the retirement pension supplement calculation is delayed
Everyday Life
Welcome tax 2027: the bracket thresholds are going up
Everyday Life
Cancelled or delayed flight: the FICAV fund can reimburse you
Work Permits in Canada: Types, Fees, and How to Apply
Propose Subsidized Housing to PSLQ-Eligible Tenants in Quebec and Secure Up to 5-Year Agreements
Free Cultural Feast in Brossard (2026 edition)
Canada Disability Benefit: up to $204.20 a month, plus a supplement starting September
Dental Care: the Federal Plan Is Open to All Ages, and 2026-2027 Applications Are Open
Policy & Admin
2026 Federal Immigration and Citizenship Fees: What Went Up
July 27, 2026 · Vieauqc Team