With March comes our month-long celebration of the achievements, strength, and resilience of women around the world. BellaNaija Style Women’s Month is back and our team has put together these simple options you can explore for meaningful celebration.
Let’s make it a point to uplift and support one another in affordable yet impactful ways. By doing this, we play out the highly significant and crucial quality of empathy and the sweetness of our femineity.
1. Host a Women’s Gathering
Invite friends, family, and/or colleagues for a fun time out or in-feasting where insights, stories, experiences, and goals can be shared. Great things happen when women come together purposefully.
This can be done virtually or in person, depending on the circumstances. Encourage open and supportive dialogue and empower each other to push through hard times as we reach for the stars.
Claire Idera Nnani, Sanchan Elegushi, Mimmi Chima, Henriette Itepu, Teminikan Idowu, Adaeze Onah & Mary Edoro at IWD Lunch with BellaNaija Style
2. Support Women-Owned Businesses
Show support for women entrepreneurs by shopping from women-owned businesses. Whether it’s some handmade jewellery, a sumptuous meal order, or a beauty product, every kobo you spend contributes to the success of women in business.
Review the comments section of the Instagram post below for some options, courtesy of our BellaStylistas:
You can also show support for women at work by joining our #BNSShout Challenge on Instagram, hosted every weekend in March.
3. Volunteer for Women’s Cause
Impact the community by volunteering for organizations that support women’s rights, health, and empowerment. It could be helping nursing mothers, catering to trauma victims., mentoring young girls, assisting at a women’s shelter, or participating in a fundraiser for a women’s charity.
4. Stage a Clothing Swap
Sustainability and conscious consumption are in vogue now, so invite your friends and neighbours to a clothing swap where pre-loved clothing that’s no longer needed can be responsibly exchanged or thrifted. This could be a great low-expense wardrobe-refresh opportunity.
Learn more about clothing swaps, thrifting and sustainability here.
5. Host a DIY Spa Date
Treat yourself and/or your friends to a relaxing DIY spa date at home. Create homemade face masks, scrubs, and bath bombs using natural ingredients, and spend the day pampering yourself with massages, facials, and manicures. It’s a wonderful way to unwind and indulge in some self-care.
During Women’s Month this year, we want our women to be intentional about celebrating one another and maximizing the season. Find meaningful ways to uplift, inspire, and empower the women in your circle, you may begin with any of the above-listed suggestions or explore more options here.
Together, we are creating a world where a woman can feel more valued, respected, and appreciated for who she is and all that she contributes. By exploring meaningful ways to honour one another, we contribute to a more inclusive and supportive world for future generations.
Let’s continue to shine brightly, inspire one another, and make every day a celebration. Here’s to a month filled with love, laughter, and limitless possibilities.
The fun doesn’t stop here, visit www.bellanaijastyle.com for more on African fashion and lifestyle now!
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/modern-condo-buildings-with-huge-windows-in-montreal-canada.jpg?id=59896652&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=132%2C0%2C132%2C0"/><br/><br/><p><a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/montreal-rent-neighbourhoods-2025" target="_blank">Montreal tenants</a> may be feeling the pinch a little more than most, even as <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/montreal-rent" target="_blank">rent prices</a> cool across the country.</p><p>According to Zumper's latest <em><a href="https://www.zumperrentals.com/blog/rental-price-data-canada/" target="_blank">Canadian Rent Report</a></em>, released on April 14, median rent prices fell across Canada for the sixth month in a row. One-bedroom units dropped by 0.8% to $1,835, and two-bedroom pads slipped 0.9% to $2,265. Year-over-year, those prices are down by nearly 3%.</p><p>But in Montreal, things aren't quite following the national trend.</p><p>The city ranked as the 12th most expensive rental market in the country last month, and while two-bedroom prices dipped slightly by 0.5% to $2,190, one-bedrooms actually saw a bump — rising 1.8% to a median of $1,720.</p><p>That makes Montreal one of just a few major cities in Canada where prices for smaller units are still trending upward, even as the national average continues to slide. For context, both Vancouver and Toronto saw rent prices drop again in March, with one-bedroom units in both cities now sitting below $2,600.</p><p><span></span>Meanwhile, the most dramatic rent decreases occurred in Quebec City, where averages for one- and two-bedrooms dropped by 5.7% and 5.8%, respectively, month-over-month. </p><p>Zumper's data is based on hundreds of thousands of active listings and gives a broad look at where the market is heading — and for Montrealers, the message seems clear: the squeeze is still on, especially for renters looking to downsize or live solo.</p><p>You can read the full report and national breakdown <a href="https://www.zumperrentals.com/blog/rental-price-data-canada/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><strong>Median one-bedroom rent (April 2025):</strong></p><ul> <li> Vancouver, BC – $2,500</li> <li> Burnaby, BC – $2,300</li> <li> Toronto, ON – $2,300</li> <li> Victoria, BC – $2,070</li> <li> Halifax, NS – $2,010</li> <li> Ottawa, ON – $1,980</li> <li> Barrie, ON – $1,850</li> <li> Kelowna, BC – $1,850</li> <li> Oshawa, ON – $1,820</li> <li> Kitchener, ON – $1,790</li> <li> Kingston, ON – $1,760</li> <li> Montreal, QC – $1,720</li> <li> Hamilton, ON – $1,700</li> <li> London, ON – $1,700</li> <li> Calgary, AB – $1,650</li> </ul><p><strong>Median two-bedroom rent (April 2025):</strong></p><ul> <li> Vancouver, BC – $3,450</li> <li> Burnaby, BC – $2,990</li> <li> Toronto, ON – $2,900</li> <li> Victoria, BC – $2,750</li> <li> Ottawa, ON – $2,480</li> <li> Halifax, NS – $2,450</li> <li> Kelowna, BC – $2,250</li> <li> Montreal, QC – $2,190</li> <li> Oshawa, ON – $2,130</li> <li> London, ON – $2,070</li> <li> Kitchener, ON – $2,100</li> <li> Calgary, AB – $1,990</li> <li> Hamilton, ON – $1,980</li> <li> St. Catharines, ON – $1,920</li> <li> Abbotsford, BC – $1,900</li></ul><p><em>Love this? Check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/notices/" target="_blank">MTL Blog noticeboard</a> for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!</em></p>
<p><em>AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/editorial-standards" target="_blank">Editorial Standards page</a>.</em></p><p><br/></p>
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/justin-trudeau-at-a-press-conference-right-a-montreal-grocery-store-illustrative.jpg?id=54890498&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=96%2C0%2C96%2C0"/><br/><br/><p>If you've been feeling the pinch at the checkout lately, there's some good news coming your way just in time for the holidays.</p><p>The federal government announced on Thursday that it's offering a tax break to all Canadians by waiving the goods and services tax (GST) on a whole bunch of everyday items starting in December. According to the feds, this move would provide an estimated $1.6 billion in tax relief and is aimed at giving Canadians more money in their pockets at a time when they need it most.</p><p>This new tax break is arriving on December 14, just in time for the holiday season, and applies to a variety of essentials, from groceries and snacks to kids' clothing and even Christmas trees. Yes, you read that right — buying that perfect tree for your living room just got a little cheaper. </p><p>"Our government can't set prices," said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a <a href="https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2024/11/21/more-money-your-pocket-tax-break-all-canadians-and-working-canadians-rebate?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1NYboLmJt4xWUrLhvqjsoCnAFfQg8lZeh2NF9b4QJE6cABMBCdPRcEzPs_aem_eu3Ygp6_Ojv6kXu6rMAV-w" target="_blank" rel="noopener">press release</a>, "but we can give Canadians, and especially working Canadians, more money back in their pocket."</p><blockquote class="rm-embed twitter-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1859636915391131819">
<div style="margin:1em 0"></div> — (@) <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau/status/1859636915391131819"></a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><p>The exemption will last for two months, until February 15, 2025, giving families a chance to save on purchases during the busiest shopping months of the year.</p><p>According to the feds, a family spending $2,000 on these items over the two-month period would see GST savings of over $100. Meanwhile, residents of provinces with HST — which Quebec doesn't have — would save even more.</p><p>So, what exactly is free of federal tax now? Here's the full list of items the exemption applies to from the government press release:</p><ul><li>Prepared foods, including vegetable trays, premade meals and salads, and sandwiches</li><li>Restaurant meals, whether dine-in, takeout or delivery</li><li>Snacks, including chips, candy and granola bars</li><li>Beer, wine, cider and premixed alcoholic beverages below 7% ABV</li><li>Children's clothing and footwear, car seats and diapers</li><li>Children's toys, such as board games, dolls and video game consoles</li><li>Books, print newspapers and puzzles for all ages</li><li>Christmas trees</li></ul><p>And there's more: Working Canadians who earned up to $150,000 in 2023 are in for a bonus this spring, when the government will roll out a $250 <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/new-government-payment-working-canadians-rebate-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Working Canadians Rebate</a>. According to the feds, this rebate is designed to help middle-class Canadians, giving nearly 19 million people an extra boost in their bank accounts.</p><p>"The holiday season is when expenses are highest for many Canadians and their families," said Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland. "With new tax relief on groceries and seasonal expenses and a rebate for working Canadians, we are reducing costs when they are highest for Canadians."</p><p>So whether you're hosting a holiday feast, buying gifts for the kids or just grabbing some snacks for a cozy movie night, this GST exemption is a little something to make life more affordable.</p><p>For more details about eligible items and how to make the most of this tax break, check out the <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2024/11/more-money-in-your-pocket-a-tax-break-for-all-canadians.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">official government announcement here</a>.</p><p><em>Love this? Check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/notices/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MTL Blog noticeboard</a> for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!</em></p><p><em>AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/editorial-standards" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Editorial Standards page</a>.</em></p>
