This is Montreal

The kid who wouldn’t give up his kirpan

Gurbaj Singh Multani is just playing basketball when the ceremonial dagger that symbolizes his Sikh faith falls onto the playground of his Montreal school. The next thing the 11-year-old knows, his principal is giving him an ultimatum: hand over his kirpan, a symbol of his Sikh faith, or leave school. This week, This is Montreal shares this episode of the CBC podcast See You in Court. Host Falen Johnson and journalist Sonali Karnick take us through the case of Multani v Commission scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys. It sparks a heated public debate over multiculturalism in post 9/11 Quebec, with grown-ups hurling slurs at the tween, and ends with a landmark ruling for religious freedoms in Canada. Check out more episodes of See You in Court

Pablo Rodriguez resigns as Quebec Liberal leader, capping off a wild season in provincial politics

After weeks of turmoil, Quebec Liberal Party leader Pablo Rodriguez told his caucus he was resigning. It’s the latest twist in a tumultuous session at the National Assembly. So where does this leave the Liberals? Did other parties end the year (mostly) unscathed? Which issues made the biggest impact? CBC National Assembly reporter Cathy Senay dives into a big year in Quebec politics.

Is ‘rat running’ by drivers putting Montreal pedestrians at risk?

If you're stuck in traffic as a driver, you might start looking for another route. Maybe you already know a short cut down a side street, or maybe your GPS even suggests one. Most drivers wouldn’t think twice about cutting through a residential area to avoid traffic. But among transportation researchers, this is sometimes known as rat running. And a recent coroner’s report into the death of a 7-year-old girl is recommending that Quebec do more to discourage drivers from doing it.

How can Montrealers be kinder to each other?

Make the Season Kind is CBC’s yearly campaign focused on food insecurity. It’s also a celebration of community spirit, generosity, and kindness. But what does it mean to be truly kind? CBC’s Rebecca Ugolini explores this question with dedicated volunteers, a writer, and a psychologist to find out how we can be kinder to others and to ourselves.

Why is it so tough to get a family doctor in Quebec?

The Quebec government is locked in a heated dispute with doctors over its new law that changes how doctors are paid and how they take on patients. The province says the goal is to improve access to care, but doctors say it will do the opposite. So how do we make sure people can see a doctor when they need one?