This is Montreal

Hydro-Québec says we have enough power, for now

During a cold snap this winter, Hydro-Québec was twice forced to issue a rare alert and to tap into reserve power to meet "exceptional" demand. The utility has chalked it up to bad timing because some installations were undergoing maintenance and says it has enough capacity to keep the lights on for everyone, at least, right now. With demand increasing, and the province courting energy hungry-industries, the power utility is looking to double its network by 2050. We’ll hear what that means for Quebec residents and businesses.

What is Premier François Legault’s legacy?

Quebec Premier and Coalition Avenir Quebec leader François Legault has announced he is stepping down, just nine months before the next provincial election. We’ll talk about the issues that shaped his terms as premier and what his resignation means for voters who are headed to the polls next fall.

Montreal: How many cities are on this island anyway?

One Montrealer finds himself asking: What’s the deal with Westmount? How did this suburban enclave grow to become its own city, surrounded by a bigger city? The answer takes us through early French and British colonial history to the 2000s campaign to merge the whole island of Montreal, to the layers of municipal governance that we all live with today.

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.