You shouldn’t believe everything you see on the internet, and April Fool’s Day is a good reminder of this when several companies have already joined in the game to announce new products, each more eccentric than the last.
Here are some pranks and tricks that have already set the web ablaze, in Quebec and around the world:
1- Two bridges closed in Mirabel and Saint-Colomban
The mayors of the cities of Mirabel and Saint-Colomban, on the North Shore of Montreal, joined forces to wish a happy April Fool’s Day, announcing on Saturday the closures of two bridges between their cities on Monday “for reasons beyond our control.
If some residents were quick to question the announcement given the date of entry into force, the two mayors revealed that it was indeed a subterfuge in a video showing them in the middle of a fishing trip , on one of the “closed” bridges on Monday.
“No traffic, no vibration, ideal for fish. So glad it took the bait today. We should go and test the other bridge, it will bite more I think,” we can see Xavier-Antoine Lalande, mayor of Saint-Colomban, telling his colleague from Mirabel, Patrick Charbonneau.
2- Taylor Swift in concert in Longueuil?
The City of Longueuil also got involved by announcing that Taylor Swift could sing in Longueuil this summer. “Attention to Swifties: rumor has it! There are talks at the moment so that we can welcome Taylor in residence in Longueuil this summer,” we can read on the City of Longueuil’s Facebook.
In the press release, the City announces: “A major event could make waves in Longueuil,” indicating that the location will be revealed shortly so that citizens can see Taylor Swift in concert.
At the end of the press release, an image of a fish out of water is put forward. Wave and fish… everything points to a good April Fool’s joke to catch the Swifties!
3- Legault and Drainville on tour?
The Prime Minister of Quebec, François Legault, and the Minister of Education, Bernard Drainville, announced a tour together under the name “Legault-Drainville: Quebec tour 2024”.
“I was so touched by Bernard’s performance, I had to take out my guitar🐟”, we can read on the Prime Minister’s publication X. In the image, we can see Bernard Drainville with a microphone in his hand alongside François Legault who is holding a guitar.
4- Mathieu Dufour, now real estate broker!
Mathieu Dufour, now under the name McPuff real estate, made a very special announcement this morning. “I’ll stop fooling you… I’m now a real estate broker. This is not an illusion, it’s very true, I am a certified real estate agent,” we can read on his Instagram post.
Finished working as a comedian, his break from social media for a month allowed him to take a “turbot” course to become a real estate broker…
Through his publication, Math Duff uses species of fish to express his new vocation. “The job of comedian is not very financially secure, I said to myself: CETACEAN… Mathieu, believe in dream tuna. If I don’t do it, cod undermine this for too long… I’m going without a net,” we can read.
Mathieu Dufour even took his joke far by sharing images worthy of a real real estate broker. “Buy a house iz not a place, iz a good feeling“, can we see.
5- A public holiday to celebrate poutine in Montreal
A new public holiday was announced by the mayor of Montreal, Valérie Plante… to celebrate poutine! “July 20 will now be a municipal holiday in Montreal, dedicated to the celebration of poutine as the official dish of the metropolis,” we can read on the mayor’s Instagram post.
Mme Plante also indicates that poutine originated in Montreal. This new public holiday will be a “special opportunity to bring Montrealers together around tasty dishes.”
She also announces a collaboration with Tourisme Montréal and Montreal restaurateurs, in order to develop “a special program of poutine tastings,” she insists.
6- The Loch Ness monster… captured
The day started with a bang on the other side of the ocean as the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Animal Cruelty (SPCA) announced on Facebook that it had found the famous Loch Ness monster in its nets, believed to have been there. entangled in the morning, with supporting photo.
“We will be there to help and protect all animals, and this is no exception. After the team’s incredible efforts, our precious Nessie was freed and is now back in the lake safe and sound!” the organization welcomed, adding that its agents “do not joke” about the task.
Images of the creature, visibly generated by artificial intelligence, were added to the publication to support the wacky comments, while several Internet users joined in to congratulate the employees in the comments.
7- Hot ahead: Babybel announces a new flavor
The French industrial cheese company Babybel launched a new cheese product this morning to spice up its days: Babybel Inferno, infused with hot peppers.
“Spicier than anything you’ve ever tasted, this cheese is designed for those who want to live on the spicier side of their lives. Are you ready to take on the challenge?” the company launched in a post on its social media.
Cheese, supposedly made from ghost peppers – the hottest peppers in the world – would be so hot that the laboratory technicians who developed the product would have had to wear protective equipment, the company reportedly said, according to The Mirror Monday.
8- Krispy Kreme will ice anything
In turn, donut manufacturer Krispy Kreme started April Fool’s Day by inviting its customers to come to one of its restaurants to have whatever they want glazed.
“You can now bring anything to a Krispy Kreme restaurant and we will ice it. Tell us in the comments what you are going to bring,” Krispy Kreme wrote on Facebook, adding a supporting video, in which we can see a customer bringing a cabbage, bananas, a pizza and even a kettle.
But a few hours later, the company reinstated the shot, confirming that it was only a joke on 1er april.
“We could stretch the farce longer, but we don’t want to disappoint anyone! Happy April Fools!” the company said.