The European Commission has finally unveiled its long-awaited tech sovereignty package — a push to make Europe less dependent on foreign technology after years of relying on U.S. cloud services, chips, AI infrastructure and digital tools.
Sarah Wheaton is joined by former MEP Marietje Schaake, author of The Tech Coup and POLITICO’s Laurens Cerulus to ask what happens when the systems running Europe’s schools, ministries, banks, businesses and security are controlled elsewhere. They also discuss whether Brussels can build real alternatives or simply learn to manage its dependence better.
If you have questions or comments — or if you’ve tried switching from U.S. tech to European alternatives — send us a message. Or even better, send us a voice note on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.
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<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>