Coronavirus in Quebec | COVID-19

In-Depth COVID Coverage

Wear face masks indoors, federal health officials urge Canadians

Federal health officials urged Canadians to wear face masks indoors and continue following other public health precautions during a COVID-19 update on Thursday morning.

People walk by a COVID-19 vaccination sign at a vaccination site in Montreal, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022. Federal health officials urged Canadians to wear face masks indoors and continue following other public health precautions during a COVID-19 update on Nov. 10. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Majority of Canadians support return of face masks in indoor public spaces if deemed necessary: survey

A majority of Canadians say they would support the return of mandatory face masks this fall for indoor public spaces if government officials deemed it necessary, according to a new Nanos Research survey.

People wear face masks as they shop at a market in Montreal, Saturday, July 24, 2021, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues in Canada and around the world. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Long COVID is 'not rare' and can develop after mild illness, says Montreal specialist

The Quebec government is setting up 15 clinics across the province to treat people with long COVID and Lyme disease. The first one to open in Montreal is located at the Jewish General Hospital. Infectious disease specialist Dr. Donald Vinh discusses long COVID, the clinics and ongoing research on post-COVID conditions.

A healthcare worker pushes a patient across a connecting bridge at a hospital in Montreal, Thursday, July 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

This DIY air purifier costs far less than a HEPA purifier, and studies say it works

This fall, teachers and parents have been sharing photos on social media of do-it-yourself air purifiers that they’ve made for classrooms to help protect kids from COVID-19 — and according to researchers, these low-cost purifiers actually work.

Did vaccines make a difference? Study looks at rates of severe illness from COVID-19

A study of 1.6 million U.S. patients has found that COVID-19 vaccines and boosters lead to low rates of severe illness and death.

What are BA.2.75 and BQ 1.1? The two emerging COVID-19 subvariants raising concern among infectious disease experts

Two new subvariants of the Omicron strain of COVID-19 identified in recent months could fuel increased cases and hospitalizations in Canada through the fall and winter, infectious disease experts say.

Tourism Montreal says summer traffic shows COVID-19 slump over

The tourism promotion organization Tourism Montreal says the slump in the industry caused by the COVID-19 crisis is over.

'We're not being as proactive': Most Quebecers not up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines

On this Thanksgiving long weekend, many Quebecers are gathering with family after two years of on-and-off pandemic restrictions. But health experts are concerned about low vaccination rates in province.

Is COVID-19 winding down? Scientists say no

Is the coronavirus on its way out? Scientists say no and predict the scourge that's already lasted longer than the 1918 flu pandemic will linger far into the future.

How COVID-19 Affects Me

Canada's COVID Alert app will be discontinued as PCR testing becomes rare

Canada's COVID Alert app will be discontinued in the coming days, a federal government source tells The Canadian Press.

The COVID Alert app is seen on an iPhone in Ottawa, on Friday, July 31, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Vaccines likely to reduce risk of long COVID, experts say, but by how much?

As more details emerge about the long-term effects of COVID-19, experts say vaccination is likely to have protective benefits against long COVID, also known as post-acute sequelae SARS-CoV-2 infection. But an important question that has yet to be answered is exactly how much protection it offers.

Moderna COVID-19 vaccine may pose higher heart inflammation risk: CDC

Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine may pose a higher risk of heart inflammation in some age groups than Pfizer-BioNTech's shot, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Tuesday, citing recent data.

Prenatal COVID exposure affects babies' motor skills, speech, studies find

Infants born to those who tested positive for COVID-19 during pregnancy may have neurodevelopmental issues after birth, according to preliminary findings from two separate studies out of the U.S. and Spain.

Is there any benefit to wearing a mask when nobody else is?

A province-wide mask mandate that was first introduced in October 2020 has now been lifted in virtually all of the so-called “high-risk” settings where it had remained in place, including on public transit.

Your Finances During the Crisis

Here's what another Bank of Canada rate hike means for Canadians

The Bank of Canada hiked its key interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point Wednesday, bringing it to 4.5 per cent. Here's a look at what the rate means, how analysts are interpreting it and what it could mean for consumers.

opinion

opinion | What you need to know about contributing to your TFSA this year

The federal government's latest TFSA contribution limit increase took effect as of January 1, 2023. Personal finance contributor Christopher Liew outlines how the government’s most recent TFSA contribution limit increase affects you and how to make the most of it.

'Beside myself:' Report details challenges of finding affordable housing in northern Canada

Finding an affordable place to live in the territories, where housing has long been a challenge, is getting even harder, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation suggested in a report released in December. In Yellowknife, the report said, the growing senior population, urbanization and strong labour market has pressured the housing supply.

Looking for a job or career change? These skills will be in high demand in 2023, experts say

Canada is suffering from a severe skills shortage in several key sectors, experts say, thanks to factors that include deficiencies in our education system as well as changing demographics. CTVNews.ca looks at some of the skills that will be most in-demand in 2023.

Don't neglect bonds this year despite tough 2022, experts say

Bond portfolios took a beating in 2022 as interest rates climbed, but experts say investors shouldn't neglect bonds this year as the Bank of Canada nears the end of its rate hike cycle.

CTV News Montreal Top Stories

The housing crisis is worsening in Quebec, data confirms

Housing in Quebec is becoming increasingly expensive and increasingly difficult to find. Data from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) shows the housing crisis is worsening, both in terms of rental costs and availability. Although landlord and tenant groups interpret the federal agency's data differently, both agree: it's no longer possible to ignore the situation or rely on the market to correct it.

West Island photographer aims to build back after devastating fire

In 2021, 22-year-old Taylor Halperin moved BEEhind The Lens Photography into a new home: a studio on St-Charles Boulevard in Pierrefonds-Roxboro. Early Wednesday morning, her studio and several businesses next door caught fire.

Taylor Halperin, owner of BEEhind The Lens Photography, is picking up the pieces after her studio burned down on Jan. 25, 2023. (CTV News/Matt Gilmour)

Quebec police arrest dozens of people for alleged child sex offences

Dozens of people were arrested this week for alleged child sex offences across Quebec during a mass mobilization of police officers in several jurisdictions.

A Montreal Police badge is shown during a news conference in Montreal, Monday, Oct. 7, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Son charged in killing of mother in Montreal's 1st homicide of the year

A 28-year-old son has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of his mother Wednesday morning in Montreal's Centre-Sud neighbourhood.

Victor Pelletier, 21, is the CAQ candidate for Saint-Henri-Sainte-Anne

Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ) leader François Legault announced his by-election candidate for Saint-Henri-Sainte-Anne Thursday night: 21-year-old Victor Pelletier.

MISSING

MISSING | Longueuil police search for 16-year-old boy missing since Tuesday

Longueuil police (SPAL) are asking for the public's help locating 16-year-old Loick Charlebois Bruce, who has been missing since Tuesday. He is white, 5'5" tall, and weighs 132 lbs. He has black hair and dark eyes, and was last seen wearing a black jacket and black jogging pants with a white stripe.

Montreal mayor wants review of old bylaw banning residents from parking in their own driveways

Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante wants a review of an old bylaw that has prevented some residents in an east-end neighbourhood from parking their cars in their own driveways.

PQ leader defends comments on immigration and 'rise of extremes'

Paul St-Pierre Plamondon defended his comments on immigration, Roxham Road and the "rise of extremes" Wednesday, calling them "sober." The leader of the Parti Québécois (PQ) didn't appreciate accusations by former Liberal minister and radio host Nathalie Normandeau, who said his comments had "xenophobic connotations."