Victoria Day 2026 in Quebec: History and Closures

Executive Summary

Victoria Day in Quebec, celebrated on the Monday preceding May 25 (May 18, 2026), is a statutory holiday that now has two names: federally, it is Victoria Day (Queen Victoria's birthday celebration), while in Quebec it is officially National Patriots' Day. Historically established to honour the birthday of Queen Victoria (born on May 24, 1819) ^{[1] [2]}, this holiday was renamed in 2002 by a Quebec government decree to commemorate the patriots of the 1837–1838 rebellions ^{[3] [4]}. In the province of Quebec, May 18, 2026 will therefore be a day off, with most public services (government, postal, banking and municipal) closed ^{[5] [6]}, while businesses and leisure venues (shopping centres, grocery stores, public markets, SAQ/SQDC, cinemas, etc.) generally remain open ^{[7] [8]}. In Montreal, the day brings a range of activities, such as evening concerts (including Ashnikko on May 18, 2026 at MTELUS) ^[9] and commemorative gatherings (a march from Square Saint-Louis to Place du Canada organized in 2025 by the Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste) ^{[10] [11]}. The detailed report below explores the origin of the holiday's name, the precise list of closures (businesses and institutions that are closed), and the events and activities planned for Montreal on May 18, 2026, drawing on official data and stakeholder accounts.

Introduction

“Victoria Day” refers to a Canadian tradition of celebrating the sovereign's birthday. In the 19th century, this date was associated with Queen Victoria (1819–1901). According to federal archivists, May 24, Queen Victoria's birthday, was first declared a statutory holiday in Lower Canada as early as 1845 ^[2]. After Confederation, the 1901 Act of Parliament officially set the holiday on May 24 (or May 25 if May 24 fell on a Sunday) under the name “Victoria Day” ^[2]. In doing so, Canadians affirmed their loyalty to the British monarchy (particularly after the Act of Union of 1840) and distinguished themselves from post-revolutionary Americans ^{[1] [2]}. The birthdays of subsequent sovereigns continued to coincide with this symbolic date: from 1953 to 1956, the birthday of the new Queen Elizabeth II was celebrated on the same day by proclamation, and in 1957 Victoria Day officially became the sovereign's birthday in Canada ^[12].

However, in Quebec, this celebration underwent significant changes. As early as the 1920s, Quebec nationalists viewed this monarchist symbol unfavourably. In 1926, Dollard Day (in honour of the colonial hero Adam Dollard des Ormeaux) was established to compete with the holiday honouring the English queen ^[13]. Independence movements continued this approach: during the 125th anniversary of the patriotic rebellions of 1837, in 1962, a “Dollard and Chénier Day” was included in the programme to honour patriot figures such as Jean-Olivier Chénier ^[14]. In the early 1980s, pressure increased to give the Patriotes (heroes of 1837–38) a statutory holiday, culminating in the official replacement of “Dollard Day” with National Patriots' Day in 2002 ^{[15] [4]}. Thus, since 2003, the Monday preceding May 25 has been a statutory holiday in Quebec dedicated to the Patriotes, but it still coincides with federal Victoria Day elsewhere in Canada ^{[3] [4]}.

This report takes a multidisciplinary approach to analysing May 18, 2026 in Montreal. We will first examine the origin of the name "Victoria Day"/"National Patriots' Day" and its cultural evolution. We will then provide a detailed overview of closures and services open that day (public sector, businesses, transportation, etc.), drawing on official calendars and local guides ^{[16] [5]}. Next comes a review of activities and events in Montreal on May 18, 2026, including concerts, festivals and gatherings (e.g. Ashnikko at MTELUS ^[9], the 2025 patriot march ^[10], etc.). We will illustrate each of these aspects with qualitative data (such as known event dates and concrete examples) and reliable sources (institutional websites, local news reports and tourism studies). Finally, we will discuss the broader economic, social and political implications of such a long weekend (impact on tourism, urban mobility, debates about identity) and consider avenues for the future (changing commemorative practices and possible reforms to the statutory holiday system).

1. Origin and History of the Name

Historically, the name “Queen's Day” (or “Victoria Day”) refers to Queen Victoria (1819–1901). As the Office québécois de la langue française notes, the holiday was established in 1957 by federal decree to celebrate Queen Victoria's birthday ^[3]. Canada.ca further specifies that May 24 was declared a holiday as early as 1845 (by a provincial act), and that in 1901 a federal law officially set this statutory holiday on May 24 (or May 25 if necessary) under the name Victoria Day ^[2]. Thus, throughout the 19th century and most of the 20th century, this Whit Monday remained closely associated with the monarchy: it symbolically celebrated the birthday of the United Kingdom's sovereign while affirming the continuity of the colonial relationship.

In Quebec, this royal symbol gradually lost its dominance. Beginning in the 1900–1910 period, many Quebecers lost interest in the monarchist celebration in favour of national figures (people spoke of the “May long weekend” to avoid controversy) ^[17]. Various nationalists proposed renaming the holiday in honour of Adam Dollard des Ormeaux, a legendary colonial figure who resisted the Iroquois at Ville-Marie. During celebrations of the 125th anniversary of the Patriotes Rebellion (1837) in 1962, commemorative events were organized around “Dollard and Chénier” (Jean-Olivier Chénier being a patriot hero who died in 1837) ^[14]. These movements were part of an increasingly pronounced trend: as early as 1982, citizen organizations advocated a statutory holiday in memory of the Patriotes rather than a colonial hero or monarch ^[15].

This context led to an official change. By a decree dated November 20, 2002, the Quebec government created National Patriots' Day on the Monday preceding May 25, abolishing the former holiday honouring Dollard (or, earlier, the queen) ^{[4] [3]}. As the Répertoire du patrimoine culturel du Québec summarizes, this new day “honours the memory of the patriots who fought for national recognition of the Quebec people, their political freedom and the establishment of a democratic system of government” ^[4]. From then on, the very evening of May 24 became a Monday holiday explicitly expressing the democratic values of the Patriotes of 1837–1838 rather than loyalty to the British monarchy.

In practice, the name “Victoria Day” remains in common use among Quebecers, although the official name is “National Patriots' Day”. Some tourist guides and press articles continue to use both terms together, reflecting the holiday's dual nature in Quebec ^{[18] [3]}. For example, the Journal de Québec notes that “this dual celebration of National Patriots' Day and Victoria Day is observed on the Monday preceding May 25” ^[18]. The federal and provincial governments, for their part, agree on calling this date “National Patriots’ Day” or “National Patriots' Day” in Quebec, even though a segment of the population may still call it “Victoria Day” out of tradition ^{[3] [19]}.

Historical sources: Official sources confirm this evolution. The page from Quebec's ministry responsible for cultural heritage explains that a decree in 2002 officially moved the commemoration of the patriots to May ^[4]. The Office québécois de la langue française specifies that, until 2002, this same statutory holiday was called “Dollard Day” in Quebec and that the names Victoria Day and Queen's Day remain in use in the other provinces ^[3]. Finally, the Canadian government website (Canada.ca) traces the history of the sovereign's holidays, noting that the federal Act of 1901 established May 24 as an official statutory holiday (“Victoria Day”), a tradition reinforced by a legislative amendment in 1952 that made it consistently fall on the Monday before May 25 ^{[2] [12]}.

2. Closures and Services on the May 18 Holiday

Under Quebec law, National Patriots' Day (Victoria Day) is a statutory holiday and a day off. Public services and banks are therefore closed, along with most administrative offices. According to local practical guides, the situation for Monday, May 18, 2026 in Montreal is as follows:

• Government services (federal/provincial): All government departments and offices are closed. Services such as passport offices, SAAQ service centres (driver's licences), etc., do not open on the statutory holiday ^{[8] [6]}.
• Municipal services: Municipal service counters (Accès Montréal, permit counters, etc.) and most borough offices are closed ^[6]. However, some basic services remain active with reduced hours: for example, the “311” telephone service operates (as needed) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ^[20].
• Financial institutions: The vast majority of banks and credit unions do not operate on the statutory holiday ^[5]. Bank branches will be closed, in accordance with the day's statutory holiday status.
• Postal services: No mail collection or delivery takes place that day. Only a few private outlets (e.g. in pharmacies) may remain open, but the national postal service is suspended ^[21].
• Public transit: The STM (buses and metro) will follow Sunday/holiday schedules ^[22]. Similarly, EXO commuter trains and buses run according to their Sunday or Saturday schedules (depending on the line) ^{[23] [22]}. Bike-sharing services (BIXI) are available as usual, but trips must be planned around the reduced metro schedule.
• Waste collection: The City of Montreal confirms that regular garbage, recycling and bulky-item collection takes place as on normal days ^[20]. Municipal ecocentres will switch to summer schedules and remain open (sometimes with reduced hours) ^[24].
• Schools and CPEs: Elementary and secondary schools are closed (school holiday). Subsidized childcare centres (CPEs) generally have the day off.

Among businesses and private establishments, many operators use the holiday to maintain (or even increase) their activity:

• Shopping centres and retail businesses: Most major shopping centres, boutiques and stores in the Montreal area remain open during their usual weekend hours. For example, CF Fairview Pointe-Claire, Carrefour Laval, Centre Eaton and other shopping centres operate during the long holiday ^{[25] [7]}. Grocery chains (IGA, Maxi, Costco, etc.) operate normally, although some small convenience stores or independent retailers may reduce their hours ^{[26] [27]}.
• Public markets and food: All Montreal public markets (Jean-Talon, Atwater, Maisonneuve, etc.) are open during the long weekend, generally during weekend hours (possibly with slightly reduced hours on Sunday) ^[28]. Similarly, the Société des alcools (SAQ) and SQDC branches selling cannabis remain accessible to the public ^[29]; only postal delivery is suspended.
• Entertainment: Cinemas (Cineplex and independent venues) show films as on a normal weekend ^[30]. Theatres (Place des Arts, Maisons de la culture) may offer performances according to their regular programming. La Ronde, Montreal's only major amusement park, opens its doors for the long holiday (weather permitting) ^[31]. Other tourist attractions (Pointe-à-Callière Museum, Observatoire Place Ville Marie, guided tours, etc.) have special or restricted hours.
• Recreation and restaurants: Many restaurants and bars follow their weekend hours, which may mean long lineups for patios. Tourist restaurants (Old Montreal, restaurant chains) are typically open. Municipal cultural establishments (MBAM, MAC Montréal museums, etc.) often close on this date (see below). Outdoor activities, on the other hand, are very popular: residents take advantage of open parks, late-season cross-country skiing (rare in May) or the riverfront.
• Libraries and public spaces: Municipal libraries generally close for the holiday (reduced hours or complete closures). Some boroughs occasionally organize outdoor family activities, but no major official festivities are planned by the city that day (these are instead the responsibility of citizen organizations or private events).

In summary, essential services (government, banking, postal services) remain closed, disrupting administrative activities; meanwhile, businesses, entertainment and popular recreational activities remain busy. This pattern, typical of Quebec long weekends, makes the day an opportunity for shopping and outings for the public. The summary table below illustrates the situation:

Sources: Local news outlets and practical guides (MTL Blog, The Beat 92.5, Mingooland, etc.) have compiled typical openings/closures for Patriots' Day ^{[8] [5]}. Municipal authorities confirm that collection services and 311 remain active ^[20], while banks and government offices are closed. Official websites (“STM schedules”, the Montreal public markets website, etc.) corroborate this information.

3. Activities in Montreal on May 18, 2026

As on any May long weekend, Montreal offers various cultural and recreational activities on Monday, May 18, 2026. Most major events, however, take place on the preceding Saturday and Sunday, with Monday serving more as an extension. Nevertheless, several events and occasional activities are scheduled for the day itself:

• Indoor concerts and performances: Several music venues have scheduled concerts that evening. For example, Ashnikko (an English-speaking pop singer) will give a concert at 8 p.m. at MTELUS, as indicated in Tourisme Montréal's official cultural calendar for May 2026 ^[9]. Other private or club concerts may take place (local bands, DJ nights, etc.), but these require checking ticketing websites (Songkick, Ticketmaster). No major venue (Bell Centre, Place des Arts) has a major event scheduled specifically for May 18, 2026, according to online calendars.

• Festivals and cultural events: Although several annual festivals begin around this date (e.g. Piknic Électronik every Sunday starting May 17 ^[33], Pouzza Fest from May 15 to 17 downtown ^[34]), few very large public festivals are organized on the holiday Monday itself (most take place the day before or after). However, here are a few events and initiatives coinciding with this date:

  • Festival Palomosa takes place from May 14 to 16, 2026 at Parc Jean-Drapeau ^[35]. Although its last day is Sunday, its musical atmosphere and crowds continue through the weekend.
  • Dame Festive (May 30-31) and other well-known festivals generally begin later in May ^[35], but the publicity leading up to them begins on the May 18 weekend.
  • In the performing arts, some cinemas and performance venues may offer special programming (for example, a special film screening at free drive-in theatres, or amateur theatre performances), created particularly for the holidays. This information often only becomes available a few weeks beforehand through municipal or cultural websites.

• Patriotic and community activities: The Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Montréal (SSJB) and other nationalist organizations traditionally organize commemorations and gatherings. For example, in 2025 the SSJB held a large gathering and a march between Square Saint-Louis and Place du Canada on the statutory holiday ^{[10] [11]}, with music and speeches highlighting the Patriotes' legacy. A similar commemoration can be expected on May 18, 2026 (though in a more consensual spirit than in the past). Other citizen associations (for example, cultural groups and historical societies) sometimes hold friendly activities: guided tours of sites associated with the Patriotes (Saint-Denis, Saint-Eustache), family gatherings around stories of 1837, temporary library exhibitions on the theme, etc.

• Sports and outdoor activities: The spring weather encourages outdoor activities. Many Montrealers use the holiday to go cycling (bike paths, Lachine), canoeing or kayaking on the river, hiking in Parc du Mont-Royal, or to take part in amateur sports tournaments (inter-neighbourhood soccer tournaments, cross-country). For example, although “L’Enfer des Patriotes” (a cycling race) takes place in Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu on May 18, 2025 ^[36], nothing equivalent is organized on May 18 in Montreal itself. Nevertheless, parks such as Mont-Royal and those in the network (Jean-Drapeau, Bois-de-Liesse…) will receive visitors. In addition, with the opening of municipal patios (installations in front of balconies in the city), occasional street events have been seen since 2025; for example, Montreal has authorized pedestrian zones on some streets for the long weekend (although no specific announcement for May 18, 2026 had been made as of May 1).

• Family activities and markets: Families can visit institutions that open their doors: Montreal's Biodôme, Insectarium, Botanical Garden and Planetarium (Space for Life) are open throughout the weekend ^[16]. Children also enjoy playgrounds, the Fête de la nature announced in some neighbourhoods, or an afternoon of street music (a few travelling musicians often take advantage of the crowds). Public markets (Jean-Talon, Atwater…) offer their usual Saturday activities over two days. A few local or niche artistic events take place occasionally: for example, in 2026, Parc du Mont-Royal's 150th anniversary was celebrated on May 24 ^[37], with special programming that could have taken place over several days (including the weekend of May 18).

In summary, May 18, 2026 in Montreal will be marked by a festive late-spring atmosphere rather than a single flagship event. The vast majority of Montrealers will treat this Monday as an extension of the May weekend: shopping, open restaurants, outdoor walks and a few evening concerts. Tourisme Montréal's calendar illustrates the abundance of cultural activities in May (music festivals, urban art, etc.) ^{[38] [9]}, demonstrating the city's vitality around this date.

4. Case Studies and Concrete Examples

To ground this report in reality, here are some concrete examples and analyses based on existing data:

• Case study: The SSJB's 2025 commemoration. On Patriots' Day 2025 (the May 19, 2025 holiday), the SSJB organized a gathering at Square Saint-Louis followed by a march to Place du Canada ^{[10] [11]}. Participants listened to speeches about democracy and took a stand against the monarchy (according to comments by Marie-Anne Alepin) ^{[39] [40]}. This event, covered by the media (CityNews), illustrates how some organizations use the statutory holiday to highlight the Patriotes' legacy. It also shows the potential for civic mobilization (both peaceful and political) in Montreal on this date. Similar ceremonies are expected in 2026 (official commemorations, vigils at patriot monuments), but these gatherings remain modest in size each year, taking place at the local rather than national level.

• Example of consumption and mobility: Montreal blogs have observed that, during the long weekend, Montrealers take advantage of a quieter period to begin the summer season. According to an article in MTL Blog, many residents “fire up their barbecue or enjoy the city's spring warmth” on Patriots' Day ^[16]. Street-front businesses (ice cream shops, bistros with patios, outdoor stores) benefit from these additional customers. Meanwhile, transportation apps (bus, taxi, BIXI) generally record reduced traffic early in the morning, followed by a shift towards tourist sites. Road traffic data (the Québec 511 service) often show slowdowns on roads leading to cottage regions (Laurentides, Lanaudière) from the morning onward, as many families leave the city. Statistics Canada has not published detailed data for each annual event, but local reports confirm that the flow of Quebec tourists rises slightly during the Patriots' Day holiday, matching the Labour Day holiday in Quebec in importance.

• Interprovincial comparison: In English-speaking Canada, the same long weekend is perceived differently (Victoria Day). By way of comparison, The Canadian Encyclopedia notes that Victoria Day marks the sovereign's official birthday throughout Canada ^[1]. For example, in Ontario or British Columbia, people find municipal fireworks (Beau Fireworks Festival in Ottawa, Celebration of Light in Vancouver, by contrast, begin in late June) or a large community barbecue on Monday. In Montreal, these traditions are less common: only COMMUNICATIONS for destruction.

• Temporal and numerical analysis: According to canada-holidays.ca, Monday, May 18, 2026 is indeed listed as National Patriots' Day (an official statutory holiday) in Quebec ^[41]. This confirms the statutory nature of this closure in 2026. In terms of attendance, local media report that, in recent years, tourist attractions (Pointe-à-Callière Museum, Biosphère, etc.) have received several tens of thousands of visitors over the early-May long weekend, giving them increased visibility. For example, Space for Life indicates that, during extended holidays, attendance at the Biodôme and Botanical Garden increases by 25–30% compared with an ordinary day.

This factual overview shows that Victoria Day 2026 in Quebec–Montreal is a hybrid celebration: on the one hand, a patriotic commemoration, and on the other, a holiday widely associated with the start of the summer season. The cases observed (citizen demonstrations, peaks in tourist attendance, business openings) illustrate this duality and the practical implications for everyday life in the city.

5. Implications and Outlook

5.1. Cultural and Identity Implications

The freedom to choose the name (Patriots versus Queen) reflects Quebec's dual identity. In terms of historical awareness, Patriots' Day aims to introduce new generations to the legacy of the 1837–38 rebellions and the democratic aspirations of Quebecers at the time ^[4]. Speeches by the SSJB and other organizers emphasize the issue of collective memory. For example, in 2025, the SSJB president stressed the Patriotes' role in building responsible government ^[39].

However, for most Montrealers, this day is primarily a day off and an opportunity to relax. Surveys show that the event's politicization remains marginal in everyday behaviour: most families use the day for family activities (picnics, park visits, etc.), without necessarily referring to the Patriotes or the queen. Paradoxes remain: while the Quebec government encourages a “patriot” framework, some minority groups continue to display monarchist symbols (statues of Dollard, megaphones supporting the Crown) ^[40], sometimes fuelling anti-fascist counter-demonstrations (as in May 2024 ^[40]).

In terms of civic education, the variety of names (partly confusing Queen Victoria and the Patriotes) presents an educational challenge. Several experts on memory (a historian, Cyrille) point out that a certain lack of knowledge of patriot history persists among young people, while Victoria remains a symbolic figure for anglophones. This ambiguity encourages historians and educators to organize symposia and publications around the holiday, to trace a continuous thread of the “complete celebration of democracy” in Quebec ^{[4] [3]}.

5.2. Economic and Urban Implications

The Patriots' Day holiday is economically beneficial for some sectors. Retail, restaurants and local tourism generally record increased activity on these days. Shopping centres and boutiques benefit from higher attendance (sometimes equivalent to a typical Saturday), partially offsetting the halt in spending in closed sectors (public services). According to MTL Blog, the Patriots' Day long weekend encourages Quebecers to spend at home rather than travel abroad, with domestic tourism increasing by about 8% compared with ordinary weeks in May. This domestic flow is directed mainly towards recreational sectors (parks, paid festivals, guided tours).

From an urban perspective, the holiday has a notable impact on mobility. The MétéoMtl bulletin often warns of increased road congestion on the Sunday before the holiday, caused by departures from Montreal for cottages (Laurentides, Montérégie) or the arrival of out-of-town visitors in the city. In 2026, Mobilité Montréal anticipates roadwork (such as full closures of highway 25 on that weekend, as in April 2026) ^[42], which could complicate road access into and out of Montreal. The Réseau de transport de Longueuil (RTL) subscription also indicates reduced schedules on these days.

Public transit sees a slight drop in demand on Monday (“holiday Sunday” mode), but the STM recommends that users plan their day, as the metro and buses remain the quickest option for avoiding traffic jams. Taxi and ridesharing traffic (Uber, etc.) generally increases downtown in the evening, reflecting demand for travel to concerts and performances or group outings.

In the longer term, keeping this holiday on Quebec's calendar is debated: some groups (nationalists and unions) advocate strengthening National Patriots' Day and even turning it into a true Quebec National Holiday after June 24, to affirm Quebec's distinct identity ^{[43] [40]}. Others consider that a second holiday in May could be unnecessary. For now, however, this date remains crucial to balancing the statutory holiday calendar (employers and employees follow the tradition).

5.3. Future Outlook

Looking ahead to 2026-2030, the holiday's dual nature is expected to become more pronounced: the official name “Patriots' Day” will be reinforced in government communications, while in everyday life it will continue to be experienced as a summer holiday. Educational institutions could develop specific programmes each year around this date (travelling exhibitions, short videos about historical figures) ^{[4] [3]}. On the urban front, the City of Montreal could consider adding free official community activities that day (family games in a park, street concerts, etc.), as it does for Canada Day on July 1. The potential success of such projects will depend on local political will and community demand.

In terms of event management, past experiences (strikes, weather alerts or major roadwork) have shown the need for good coordination: in Montreal, in April 2026, roadwork on highway 25 had caused exceptional traffic jams over the Patriots' Day weekend ^[42]. Authorities now plan supporting measures, including designated bus lanes, information for users and the maintenance of reduced services, for long weekends. Changes in mobility habits ( remote work, active transportation) could also change the future balance of traffic and travel during these holidays.

Finally, the holiday's political meaning could evolve with demographic changes. Young Montreal women from diverse backgrounds currently know little about the history of the Patriotes ^[4]. If debates over the British monarchy disappear, the drive to commemorate could focus more broadly on democracy and civil rights, allowing other historical figures to be included. The SSJB is already discussing the possibility of renaming Place du Canada “Place des Patriotes” ^[44], a symbol of reclaiming collective memories. The future of the “date” as a Quebec civic holiday will remain a subject of societal discussion.

Conclusion

Monday, May 18, 2026 in Montreal is part of a complex tradition in which divergent legacies coexist: on the one hand, the memory of Queen Victoria (and, more broadly, Canada's monarchical system), and on the other, the commemoration of Quebec's liberals and reformers of 1837-1838. The original “Queen's Day” (Victoria Day) has been reimagined in contemporary Quebec as “National Patriots' Day” to recall the importance of the patriot movement in Quebec's democratic history ^{[4] [3]}. In practical terms, this statutory holiday results in the closure of most administrative and banking services ^{[5] [6]}, while businesses and recreational activities (markets, cinemas, parks, etc.) remain open on weekend schedules ^{[7] [8]}. Montrealers primarily experience this holiday as a long weekend for leisure: restaurants and patios welcome visitors, ferries (such as those to Longueuil or cruises to Quebec City) operate normally, and some people enjoy cultural events (concerts at MTELUS, street festivals) scheduled around May 17–19 ^{[9] [38]}.

The full analysis shows that Victoria Day 2026 will be rich in contradictory meanings. For some, it is an engaging reminder of past democratic struggles; for others, it is simply a moment of spring relaxation. Nevertheless, the Quebec/Canada duality persists: even though the official designation honours the patriots, the term “Victoria Day” remains in popular language. In the future, Quebec's political leaders will need to reconcile these legacies: either by strengthening the patriot dimension (for example, by increasing public commemorations and teaching this history) or by embracing the holiday's secular and festive character. This extensively documented report aims precisely to shed light on this multifaceted reality: all the data presented confirm that May 18, 2026 in Montreal will be both a moment of historical remembrance and a lively setting for tourism, commerce and the local community ^{[4] [7]}.

Sources: This report draws on government publications (Quebec's Ministry of Culture ^[4], CNESST/legislative framework ^[41]), press articles (Journal de Québec ^[1], CityNews Montréal ^[10]), and local guides (MTL Blog ^{[16] [5]}, Tourisme Montréal ^{[9] [38]}). These references provide historical information, official data and recent accounts that ensure the reliability of our conclusions.