How beef colonized the Americas

This is the sixth in a series of stories on how factory farming has shaped the US. Find the rest of the series and future installments here, and visit Vox’s Future Perfect section for more coverage of Big Ag. The stories in this series are supported by Animal Charity Evaluators, which received a grant from Builders Initiative.

8 FREE activities you can do around Montreal this March to ring the spring in

It’s time to snap out of hibernation, Montreal. March arrives this weekend, which means spring is practically at the doorstep.

As the city shakes off winter’s chill, Montreal is packed with fun waiting to be had, especially during March break. The best part? There’s plenty to do without touching your wallet.

From outdoor adventures to unique cultural happenings, here are eight free activities to jump into over the next month.

Skate under the stars at L’Esplanade Tranquille

Price: Free if you own skates

When: Open every day in March

Address: 442, rue Clark, Montreal, QC

Why You Need To Go: Pop over to Esplanade Tranquille in the Quartier des Spectacles and skate under a sky full of twinkling city lights. This outdoor rink is pure magic at night, with cool projections and a refrigerated ice surface.

Don’t have skates? No biggie. They’ve got rentals ready to go right on-site.

Esplanade Tranquille website

Urban sliding at Glissades Gamelin

Price: Free

When: Every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until March 9 (Extended hours for spring break)

Address: 1500 Rue Berri, Montreal, QC

Why You Need To Go: Speaking of activities at Quartier des Spectacles… Not far from the skating rink, you can find a winter slide park open to everyone. All six refrigerated hills at Glissades Gamelin are free to use.

Open until March 9, it has three slopes for all levels, allowing experts, beginners, and kids to join the fun. Sleds, snow scooters, and other pieces of equipment are available to borrow for free (helmets are included, but supplies are limited).

Glissades Gamelin website

Downtown’s enchanting lights trail

Price: Free

When: Until March 10

Address: Multiple locations across the downtown area

Why You Need To Go: Take a night to wander “Welcome to Wonder,” a free downtown Montreal trail glowing with 800,000 lights and nine quirky installations. From moose in Dorchester Square to Victoria Square’s light tunnel, these pretty fixtures will remain up through March 10.

Montreal Centre-Ville website

Montréal en Lumière

Price: Free entry

When: Until March 9

Address: 400 Blvd. De Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal, QC

Why You Need To Go: Speaking of Montreal lights, Montréal en Lumière is one of the world’s biggest winter festivals, brightening up the Quartier des Spectacles with art, music, and interactive exhibits.

Nuit Blanche, the festival’s main event, takes place on March 1, offering a full 24 hours of free activities. Plus, the metro runs all night, so you can keep exploring until sunrise.

Montréal en Lumière Website

Snowshoeing in the city

Price: Free

When: All winter long

Address: 3400 Boul. Trinitaires, Montreal, QC

Why You Need To Go: With free snowshoe loans, you can go for a walk in nature at Angrignon Park in LaSalle. While the large green space is steps away from Angrignon metro, you might forget you’re in the middle of the city thanks to the scenery.

There are even guided walks available, provided you book your activity.

Angrignon Park website

Hit up a museum

Price: Free

When: All month long

Why You Need To Go: While many galleries across the city have free entry on Sundays, the following seven Montreal museums are offering free visitation periods throughout the entire month:

  • McCord Stewart Museum
  • Montreal Museum of Contemporary Art
  • PHI Foundation
  • Canadian Centre for Architecture
  • Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
  • UQAM Design Center
  • Bank of Montreal Museum
For more info, check out Narcity Quebec’s article that explains how to get in without paying.

Montreal museums website

Festival Art Souterrain

Price: Free

When: March 15 to April 6

Address: 200 boul. René-Lévesque O, Montreal, QC

Why You Need To Go: Festival Art Souterrain is an annual event that transforms Montreal’s underground city into a contemporary art gallery. From March 15 to April 6, you can explore a variety of art installations and exhibits spread across six venues, all for free.

Festival Art Souterrain Website

Casino dance parties

Price: Free entry, drinks for sale on site

When: Wednesdays from 7 p.m., Thursdays from 8 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays from 5 p.m.

Address: Casino de Montréal – 1, av. du Casino, Montréal, QC

Why You Need To Go: From Wednesday to Saturday, the Velvet bar at the Casino de Montréal hosts free live music. The lineup includes live bands, DJs, and VJs playing Latin, 1980s and 1990s music, as well as party mixes.

It’s a great spot for anyone looking to let loose and bust a move.

Loto-Québec website

The Cost of Homesteading: Backyard Chickens, Canning Vegetables, and More

Homesteading has become a popular lifestyle choice for people seeking greater self-sufficiency, sustainability, and a deeper connection to nature. Whether it’s raising backyard chickens for fresh eggs, growing your own vegetables, or preserving food through canning, the allure of a simpler, more independent way of life is undeniable. However, while homesteading can be rewarding, it’s […]

The post The Cost of Homesteading: Backyard Chickens, Canning Vegetables, and More appeared first on Zoocasa Blog.

New travel advice has been issued for Canadians flying during March break

If you’re heading out for March break, listen up! With airports about to be packed with vacationers escaping the cold, officials have issued new travel advice to help Canadians avoid unnecessary stress. Whether you’re heading to a sunny beach or a bustling city, a little preparation can make all the difference!

On Friday, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) issued a fresh travel notice to help Canadians get through security smoothly, and you’ll want to take note if you’ve got a flight booked.

First things first: airport security. If you’ve ever been stuck in a slow-moving line while someone digs through their bag for a laptop or tosses out a water bottle, you know how frustrating it can be. CATSA wants to keep things moving smoothly, and that starts with packing smart.

Before leaving home, check out CATSA’s “What Can I Bring?” tool. It’s an easy way to see if your items should go in your carry-on, checked luggage, or stay at home entirely.

If you’re bringing anything that might need extra screening — like electronics or liquids — keep them in an easy-to-reach spot in your bag. That way, you won’t be the person holding up the line while frantically searching for your laptop.

For liquids, aerosols, and gels — basically anything you can pour, spread, or spray — each container must be 100 ml or less and fit into a single 1L clear, resealable plastic bag. If it’s bigger than 100 ml, it has to go in your checked luggage.

If you’re travelling with kids, keep in mind that certain baby items like formula or breast milk are allowed in larger quantities, but they’ll need extra screening. The same goes for medications — just make sure they’re in their original packaging.

One common mistake that slows down security lines? Overpacking. If your carry-on is stuffed to the brim, it’ll take longer to search if you get pulled aside for extra screening. Keep things simple, and if you’re unsure about an item, double-check before you leave.

March break is one of the busiest travel periods of the year, so be ready for crowds. Even if screening lines are fully staffed, delays can happen, especially during peak hours. The best thing you can do is be prepared, stay patient, and give yourself extra time!

On that note, timing is everything when it comes to airport travel. CATSA recommends arriving at least two hours early for domestic flights and three hours for international or U.S. departures. Sure, it might seem excessive, but time can disappear quickly between traffic, parking, check-in, and security. Giving yourself a buffer means you can actually relax before your flight instead of sprinting through the terminal Home Alone-style.

If you’re picking up any duty-free goodies, make sure you follow the rules, especially if you have a connecting flight in Canada. Your duty-free purchases must be sealed in an official security bag and include an itemized receipt. To avoid any issues, check that your bag has these required security features: a checkmark, a circular arrow, and a red border.

If your items aren’t packed properly, they could be confiscated at security, and that’s not the kind of souvenir you want from your trip.

In February, the Government of Canada also urged March break travellers to triple-check all travel documents. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your return date (some countries won’t let you in otherwise), and check if you need a visa for your destination. The last thing you want is to have your trip ruined because of an expired passport or missing paperwork.

It’s also smart to sign up for flight alerts from your airline so you’re notified of any delays or last-minute changes.

If you’re travelling internationally, check the latest Government of Canada travel advisories for your destination, too, as these can give you a heads-up on potential safety concerns, health risks, and entry requirements.

Lastly, keep digital and paper copies of your travel documents, including your passport, travel insurance, and itinerary. You never know when having a backup might come in handy. Safe travels!

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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 Editorial Standards page.