Latest news with #Montreal-area
Hamilton Spectator
19 hours ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Montreal home sales, prices rise in May despite steady rates and economic uncertainty
MONTREAL - Home sales in the Montreal-area rose again in May compared with the same month a year ago, as the city's real estate board says both activity and price growth show no signs of tapering off. The Quebec Professional Association of Real Estate Brokers says 4,992 homes in the region changed hands last month, up 10.2 per cent from 4,532 sales in May 2024. Charles Brant, the board's market analysis director, says it marks the third straight month of similar year-over-year sales growth despite mortgage rates remaining in a holding pattern and 'ongoing economic uncertainty.' Brant says there are also 'no signs of a lull in price growth' as around one in seven homes sold above the asking price last month. The median price for all housing types in the Montreal area was up year-over-year, led by an 8.7 per cent increase in price of a single-family home to $625,000. The median price of a plex rose 5.1 per cent to $825,000 and the median price of a condominium increased 4.3 per cent to $427,500. There were 7,596 new listings in the Montreal area last month, up 11.2 per cent from a year earlier, as active listings rose 2.4 per cent to 18,920. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 9, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
19 hours ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Montreal home sales, prices rise in May despite steady rates and economic uncertainty
MONTREAL – Home sales in the Montreal-area rose again in May compared with the same month a year ago, as the city's real estate board says both activity and price growth show no signs of tapering off. The Quebec Professional Association of Real Estate Brokers says 4,992 homes in the region changed hands last month, up 10.2 per cent from 4,532 sales in May 2024. Charles Brant, the board's market analysis director, says it marks the third straight month of similar year-over-year sales growth despite mortgage rates remaining in a holding pattern and 'ongoing economic uncertainty.' Brant says there are also 'no signs of a lull in price growth' as around one in seven homes sold above the asking price last month. The median price for all housing types in the Montreal area was up year-over-year, led by an 8.7 per cent increase in price of a single-family home to $625,000. The median price of a plex rose 5.1 per cent to $825,000 and the median price of a condominium increased 4.3 per cent to $427,500. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. There were 7,596 new listings in the Montreal area last month, up 11.2 per cent from a year earlier, as active listings rose 2.4 per cent to 18,920. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 9, 2025.
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Montreal home sales, prices rise in May despite steady rates and economic uncertainty
MONTREAL — Home sales in the Montreal-area rose again in May compared with the same month a year ago, as the city's real estate board says both activity and price growth show no signs of tapering off. The Quebec Professional Association of Real Estate Brokers says 4,992 homes in the region changed hands last month, up 10.2 per cent from 4,532 sales in May 2024. Charles Brant, the board's market analysis director, says it marks the third straight month of similar year-over-year sales growth despite mortgage rates remaining in a holding pattern and "ongoing economic uncertainty." Brant says there are also "no signs of a lull in price growth" as around one in seven homes sold above the asking price last month. The median price for all housing types in the Montreal area was up year-over-year, led by an 8.7 per cent increase in price of a single-family home to $625,000. The median price of a plex rose 5.1 per cent to $825,000 and the median price of a condominium increased 4.3 per cent to $427,500. There were 7,596 new listings in the Montreal area last month, up 11.2 per cent from a year earlier, as active listings rose 2.4 per cent to 18,920. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 9, 2025. The Canadian Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Montreal Gazette
2 days ago
- Health
- Montreal Gazette
Fitness: Sun safety tips for outdoor exercisers
Every year at this time, we're reminded to be mindful of the sun. Too much exposure ages the skin and increases the risk of skin cancer. Hence, the advice to avoid the peak sun hours of 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., wear sunscreen and, if possible, cover up with a hat and protective clothing. But not everyone has the option to stay out of the midday sun or wear clothing that covers sun-exposed skin. Athletes, including anyone training for a coming competition, water sport enthusiasts, golfers, runners, cyclists and participants in summer leagues (soccer, baseball, football, softball, etc.) can't always pick and choose when they work out and what they wear. Practice, game, facility and work schedules often dictate the timing of summer workouts. And let's face it, exercising in the summer heat wearing long sleeves and pants isn't practical. But it's just this type of high-risk exposure to the sun's harmful rays that makes it even more important for outdoor exercisers to take precautions with their skin. And if you think putting on sunscreen is protection enough, according to Montreal-area dermatologist Michael Singer, there's more to sun safety than choosing the right SPF. 'The biggest problem is people don't put enough sun block on their skin,' said Singer who is certified by the Quebec College of Medicine, Royal College of Canada and American Board of Dermatology. It takes about 30 grams (one ounce) of sunscreen to cover the face, arms, legs and torso. That translates to about a shot glass of sunscreen, or a palm-full per body part. Other common errors are missing areas of the body like the ears, neck, hands and lips and applying sunscreen just as you're running out the door. It takes 30 minutes for sunscreen to reach full effectiveness, so time your application appropriately. Reapply every two hours, no matter what level of SPF (sun protection factor) you're using. When it comes to SPF, a minimum of 30 is recommended. And don't buy into the common theory a higher SPF means you don't need to reapply as often. The number beside the SPF refers to how much more protection against burning is offered, compared to not wearing any sunscreen (SPF 50 means 50 times longer to burn than without sunscreen). The role of sunscreen is to absorb or reflect harmful ultraviolet rays away from the skin. Sold in gels, creams, lotions and sticks, make sure your sunscreen is labelled 'broad spectrum,' which safeguards the skin from UVA (associated with skin aging) and UVB (increases the risk of skin cancer) rays. 'Sports' and waterproof versions are good choices for outdoor exercisers as they adhere better to sweaty skin. But when sweat and sunscreen run into your eyes, it can be uncomfortable. Singers suggests using a mineral sunscreen (containing titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide), which is gentler on the skin and eyes. It also gentler on natural bodies of water. Chemical sunscreens are hard on the organisms in our lakes and oceans, something surfers and open water swimmers should keep in mind. Abdulaziz Galadari, a fifth-year dermatology resident at McGill University, advises caution when using sprays, as the coverage isn't as precise as when applying by hand. He suggests spraying the sunscreen in your palm and applying it to the skin directly, which makes it easier to follow the 'palm-full of sunscreen' rule. Last year's sunscreen is good for another season, so there's no need to throw out any unused product. Singer says sunscreen is certified to do its job for two years when kept at room temperature. If your sunscreen has been exposed to high heat or extreme cold, like being left in a hot or cold car, it breaks down quicker and should be replaced more often. As for price point, there's no corelation between protection and price, so find a sunscreen that suits your needs and your budget. 'You don't have to spend a lot of money to get good protective sunblock,' Singer said. Water enthusiasts have the additional risk of the sun's rays reflecting off the water, which means surfers and paddlers need to be even more diligent when it comes to skin protection. Water lovers are also cautioned to reapply sunscreen after towelling off, even if it's been less than two hours since your last application. And don't reapply to wet skin as it reduces the effectiveness of sunscreen. Skiers also need to be extra careful. Snow reflection and thinner mountain air can increase ultraviolet rays up to 30 per cent at higher elevations, with skiers been known to burn after about only six minutes of exposure. Clothing is another good option to protect the skin, especially if reapplying sunscreen is problematic or there are parts of your body that need extra protection. But not all clothing meets the mark when it comes to sun protection. Lightweight diaphanous materials don't provide much protection. The Canadian Dermatology Association refers to the 'hole effect' when it talks about the effectiveness of clothing against the sun's rays, explaining the tighter the weave of the fabric the more protection it offers. Many of the more reputable athletic/outdoor clothing lines offer specialized sun protective athletic clothing that are lightweight, breathable and come with their own ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) rating. A UPF of 15-24 is considered good, UPF 25-39 is very good and anything UPF 40 or above offers excellent protection. The right combination of caution, sunscreen and clothing will be different for every exerciser, but with so many options to safeguard your skin, there's no excuse for heading out the door without some form of sun protection.
Hamilton Spectator
3 days ago
- Science
- Hamilton Spectator
Marc Garneau left lasting legacy on Earth and in space, former colleagues say
MONTREAL - Canadian scientists working on asteroid missions, exploring the universe through the James Webb Space Telescope or helping to put rovers on Mars say they can in some way thank Marc Garneau, who left an enduring legacy both as an astronaut and head of the country's space agency. While best-known in later years as a federal cabinet minister, Garneau, who died this week at 76, was also a Navy officer, a systems engineer, and an astronaut with a lifelong passion for science, according to his friends and colleagues. In 1984, he made history as the first Canadian in space when he served as a payload specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger. He returned to space twice more, in 1996 and 2000, before serving as the president of the Canadian Space Agency from 2001 to 2005. 'All his life was devoted to public service,' said Gilles Leclerc, an ex-CSA official who worked with him. 'And he was really a role model to all the Canadian astronauts who came after him.' As CSA president, Garneau laid the building blocks for the space exploration program that would bring together other initiatives previously developed separately, Leclerc said. He was also 'ahead of his time' when it came to being conscious of the environment and understanding the importance of applying space technology for practical uses such as satellite communications. 'During his tenure, he really wanted us to focus more on science: astronomy, planetary science, lunar exploration,' Leclerc said in a phone interview. 'So all these things that now we see, all these missions that Canada participated in, like a mission to the asteroids, two missions to Mars, the James Webb Space had a real strong influence in shaping the future of the space program for a long time.' On Friday, CSA President Lisa Campbell paid tribute to Garneau, who she called a 'cherished member of the space agency family.' 'We remain deeply grateful for his extraordinary public service and enduring contributions to Canada and the world, from making history as the first Canadian in space to guiding the Canadian Space Agency as its president,' she said at an event at the agency's Montreal-area headquarters. 'his integrity, his generosity of spirit touches everyone who had the privilege of working with him.' Flags at government buildings in Montreal have been lowered to half-mast in tribute. Garneau would carry his love of science — as well as his significant technical knowledge — into his next role as a politician, according to his former chief of staff and close personal friend. Marc Roy said Garneau decided to run for office out of a desire to give back after his successful space career. Garneau often spoke about how seeing the Earth from above 'changed his perspective on many things,' including conflicts and environmental protections, Roy said. 'So many things that unfortunately divide us as humans that become so irrelevant when you look at our world from abroad,' Roy said in a phone interview. 'And that desire to want to contribute at an even higher level, at a different, at a policy level, at a governance level is what inspired him to run for federal politics.' Garneau was elected as MP in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce–Westmount in 2008 after failing to win another Montreal-area seat in 2006. Roy said Garneau's scientific background shone through most clearly as Transport minister, when he was able to instantly grasp technical briefings on ships, planes and trains. Above all, his history as a naval officer and astronaut gave him a laser focus on safety, Roy said, in a role that would see Garneau introduce measures including the safer skies initiative, and the oceans protection plan to monitor ship traffic, oil spills and wildlife. Roy said Garneau often spoke about the weight of the portfolio, 'wanting to ensure that he did it to the best of his ability, that he truly understood every decision that he was taking and every decision that was possible for him to make in order to ensure the safety of the traveling public and the safety overall of our trade and transportation corridors.' Roy said Garneau brought a scientist's analytic, 'Spock-like' demeanor to his roles. But he said some of the issues Garneau championed most passionately were social causes, including serving as a joint chair of the special joint committee on medical assistance in dying. And, despite his considerable intelligence, Roy said Garneau remained humble. 'He had a very rare quality in a politician, from his very debut until the very last day before he retired as member of Parliament, which was: he listened more than he talked,' Roy said. He said his friend was diagnosed only months ago with two cancers: leukemia and lymphoma, and died after a battle that was 'brave but short.' Roy said his friend's time since retirement was spent enjoying time with his wife, Pam, and his children, and completing work on his autobiography, 'A Most Extraordinary Ride: Space, Politics and the Pursuit of a Canadian Dream.' Roy said the book gave Garneau closure. 'He wanted to tell the story that, 'I'm just like everybody else and I failed and I've screwed up and I pulled up my socks and I learned from my mistakes and I moved on,'' Roy said. 'And that was very important for him to tell that story, and I'm just so fortunate that he had the time to do that.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 7, 2025.
