While many spend their holidays outside the country, many others do not regret having stayed in Montreal, while the metropolis takes on a completely different face and the construction holidays have only just begun.
With temperatures hovering around 30°C, there is a holiday feeling in the city more than ever. Families, friends and visitors from all over Quebec have come to enjoy the attractions Montreal has to offer.
It’s a hive of activity this Saturday afternoon at the entrance to La Ronde. Visitors are flocking to enjoy the park’s attractions on this sunny day.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Irika Beaulieu-Harris and Émilie Corriveau
Émilie Corriveau and Irika Beaulieu-Harris came straight from Huntingdon to spend part of their day at the amusement park.
” [L’été, ici]it’s mainly the culture of Quebec. There’s La Ronde, the Biodome and the Casino, says Irika Beaulieu-Harris. We have beautiful beaches and beautiful landscapes in Montreal.”
Although they acknowledge that the increasing cost of living was a factor in planning their vacation, it was their love of Quebec that kept them in la belle province this summer.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Jessica Roy and Antonio Torres
For Antonio Torres and Jessica Roy, vacations in Quebec rhyme with “flexibility.” For this couple from Repentigny, vacations at home are not a “deprivation,” but rather a choice to allow themselves more lightness throughout the summer period.
“It’s the pleasure of doing activities and being able to stay in the comfort of your home at the same time,” explains Jessica Roy. A trip outside [du pays]it’s something that has to be super planned. I prefer something day by day and improvising.”
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Nick Krajewski, Peter Chen and Matthew Woo
Like every year since high school, Nick Krajewski, Peter Chen and Matthew Woo enjoy the summer together by riding all over the island of Montreal. This year, for the first time, all three of them met up at Parc Jean-Drapeau on Île Notre-Dame to ride their bikes on the Gilles-Villeneuve circuit.
“There’s a lot of people walking around and everyone’s in a good mood, so it’s definitely easier to talk to people,” Krajewski says. “Last year we went to Europe for three weeks, and the whole time I was thinking, I wish I was here.”
“There is so much to explore here, even if you were born here, there are always things to discover in Montreal or Quebec,” adds Matthew Woo.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Addi Bailey and Drake Tyler
For Addi Bailey and Drake Tyler, “the beauty of the city comes out” during the summer, particularly thanks to the many festivities that take place across the metropolis.
“There are so many events and festivals that you can easily and completely immerse yourself in the culture and fun of the city,” says Drake Tyler. “It’s such a vibrant city and I feel super lucky to live there.”
A good time to go on strike
Meanwhile, the chorus of the famous anthem of the Resistance Hello beautiful echoes around the Bonaventure Hotel in the heart of downtown, where more than a hundred employees have decided to go on strike for 24 hours. Faced with negotiations that are “not moving forward at all” with the employer, the employees have decided to strike while the hotel is full of vacationers.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Bonaventure Hotel employees picketed outside the building
“We can’t do this when the hotel is empty, but today the hotel is very busy,” explains Bonaventure union vice-president Donald Agostinho. “We did this today to have more visibility with customers and bosses.” The employees hope to see their working conditions improve and obtain the 36% increase over four years that they have demanded in order to cope with the increase in the “cost of living”.