Montreal welcomes back first full St. Paddy's Day parade since 2019
The sun came out from behind the clouds and the snow flurries subsided for the 198th United Irish Societies of Montreal (UISM) St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Thousands lined the streets clad in green for the first time since 2019.
There was a smaller walking parade in 2022.
"I think I can speak for most of Montreal to say we're really excited to be here," said vice-president of public relations for the UISM Lauren Tracey. "We're going to have a nice long parade."
Members of the crowd enjoy the St. Patrick's Day parade in Montreal, Sunday, March 19, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
More than 80 floats travelled up Ste. Catherine Street in the downtown core to the sound of around 20 bands from Quebec and Ontario.
Tracey said that the parade is always a year in the making and that it takes dozens of volunteers to make it go smoothly.
"I think the misconception is that March is a busy month and then otherwise, you're just kind of sitting pretty and waiting for it to happen," she said. "It's not."
Some four-legged friends also headed downtown Montreal on Sunday for the St. Patrick's Day parade.
For the downtown establishments that have been hard hit by the pandemic restrictions and migration of workers to remote work, the return of the event couldn't come soon enough.
"Finally back to normal!" said managing partner at Brutopia Bru Pub on Crescent Street Jeff Picard.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING | Bank of Canada ends pause on hikes, raises policy rate by 25 basis points
The Bank of Canada raised its overnight rate by 25 basis points to 4.75 per cent on Wednesday, its first increase since pausing hikes in January.

Wildfire smoke blankets Ontario, Quebec, air quality plummets, affects activities
Poor air quality is forecast to persist into the weekend across parts of Ontario, as plumes of wildfire smoke blanket the province and prompt school boards to limit outdoor activities.
Canadians want revenge on Bernardo, but that's not how prison works: ex-official
One of the architects of the law that governs Canada's prison system says it's understandable people want revenge on killer and serial rapist Paul Bernardo, but that's not what the prison system is designed for.
Sleep, don't scroll: Tips to avoid sleep procrastination
Being a 'sleep procrastinator' might not only make you grumpy the next day, it can put your health at risk. A sleep expert shares tips for making sure bedtime is shut-eye time.
'We've never seen this before': Canada's unprecedented fire season adds pressure to crews
The start to wildfire season is adding pressure to fire crews who for some have been working the last month straight to protect communities in Canada.
Prince Harry back in court for second day of grilling over U.K. tabloid claims
Prince Harry was back in the witness box at the High Court in London on Wednesday for a second day of grilling over his allegations that British tabloids targeted him with phone-hacking and other unlawful behaviour.
Want to know more about the wildfires spreading across Canada? Send us your questions
Wildfires currently burning across parts of Canada are some of the most severe ever witnessed, and experts say the 'unprecedented' fire season will become the new normal. CTVNews.ca wants to hear from Canadians with questions about wildfires, including their health impacts and how to stay safe.
opinion | Are First Home Savings Accounts open yet?
Personal finance contributor Christopher Liew explains how First Home Savings Accounts work, who’s eligible for the program, and outlines the contribution rules.
Canadian forest fire centre responds to unprecedented wildfire season
With 415 active wildfires across the country as of Tuesday afternoon, and 238 were considered out of control, it has meant long hours for people working at the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre trying to figure out where firefighters and equipment are needed most at any given time.