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A guide to cell phone plans in Montreal

by Leigh Miller on

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Purchasing a cell phone plan in Montreal can be a complicated undertaking. Browsing through the many contracts offered by over half a dozen companies (some of which are actually the same company) is enough to make any student swear off phones and opt for email and Skype. Before resorting to drastic measures, use the following tools to start your research.

Cell phone providers in Canada are mostly owned by three big corporations: TELUS, Rogers, and Bell. TELUS owns Koodo; Rogers owns Fido and Chat-r; and Bell owns a stake in Virgin Mobile. These providers operate Canada-wide, which means that they might be better for Canadians from outside Montreal who want to keep their phones year-round.

Carriers with a more limited range can be good choices if you only plan to use your phone in Montreal. These providers include Quebec-based Videotron and Public Mobile. Public Mobile is only available in certain cities.

Most of these providers offer a variety of plans: prepaid, text-heavy, talk and data, along with other plans to fit any usage. Finding the right package is a matter of deciding what you need and pricing those needs for every provider.

This is a daunting task for a student in back-to-school mode. Luckily, there are third-party websites which compare plans side by side.

Two of these websites are www.comparecellular.com and www.cellphones.ca. Both sites compare providers for specific types of plans.

Choose the Montreal region and input attributes like unlimited texting, 200 anytime minutes, or price under $25 per month, and these sites provide a list of plans that meets your criteria.

Select plans to compare, and the site will generate a detailed report that shows you every attribute of the plan, whether it’s an hour longer for unlimited night and weekend talk, or more memory on your voice mail.

These sites also provide reviews of carriers, maps of coverage areas, as well as store locators. Since wireless providers are constantly changing their available plans, both sites update plan information frequently. It’s a good idea to check the provider website to ensure a desired plan is still offered.

Most providers also sell phones. Buying a phone with a contract may seem like a good deal, but the price of the phone is spread over the term of the contract in small monthly payments.

Alternative places to purchase phones include the McGill Classifieds (www.mcgill.ca/classified/phones) and Craigslist (http://montreal.en.craigslist.ca/moa/).

La Citadelle features a spacious dining area next to its communal kitchen. (Simon Poitrimolt / McGill Tribune)
a, News

New hotel residence opens, still under construction

by Bea Britneff on

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This fall, McGill opened its third hotel-style residence, La Citadelle. Located at 410 Sherbrooke Street West, the residence is also home to the new “food” chapter of McGill Residence’s Living-Learning Communities (LLC).

Formerly a Courtyard Marriott Hotel, La Citadelle houses 286 male and female students in both single and double rooms. The need for a new residence arose from overbooking in previous years.

“[We] needed more space to be able to serve all of the first-year students looking for residences and the upper-year students wanting to stay in residence,” Executive Director of Residences and Student Housing Michael Porritt said. “Hotels are the [buildings] that have been available in locations that make sense and they serve the students well.”

La Citadelle, McGill’s most expensive residence to date, features 24-hour security and front desk services, a fitness centre, study rooms on the second floor, and a new wireless system that is four times faster than the one in other residences. Each room contains a private bathroom, a 40-inch, wall-mounted LCD television, and controls for air conditioning and heating.

Perhaps La Citadelle’s most defining feature is its large communal kitchen, situated on the top floor.

“The [kitchen] can hold 40 [people] at a time and there is a separate sitting area to eat,” Porritt said. “That should be plenty of space [but] we’ll evaluate it as the year goes.”

Students living in La Citadelle must also purchase a mandatory reduced meal plan, which ensures they have the option of dining in McGill cafeterias as well. The Citadelle meal plan allows students complete flexibility to eat in any of the dining halls on campus.

“I think I’ll keep a balance [between cooking and eating in the dining halls], but I might use the kitchen more because I like cooking,” Camille Brechignac, U1 political science, said. “The place is just so awesome and friendly that I think I will enjoy going there.”

With the new communal kitchen at its disposal, La Citadelle is also host hall to McGill’s Food LLC. The LLCs are programs “designed to foster a unique sense of community that celebrates the wide range of interests” in McGill residences, according to the McGill housing website.

On top of facilitating a community kitchen, La Citadelle’s Food LLC will host activities and events such as field trips to local farms, cooking challenges, tutorials from local chefs, and groups discussions on food politics, nutrition and sustainability. This will provide students with opportunities to better their understanding of culture and society.

“[The Food LLC] hasn’t started yet, mainly because the kitchen is not ready yet,” Rana Badawi, U1 political science and member of the Food LLC, said. “We just started with some activities … to get to know each other.”

Construction of the communal kitchen is expected to conclude this week. However, the kitchen is not the only room in La Citadelle that remains under construction. The fitness centre is not yet open, with gym equipment scheduled to arrive this week; the study rooms are yet to be finished. Students at La Citadelle pointed to the ongoing construction as an inconvenience.

“The construction is … kind of noisy in the morning,” Mike Kik, U0 management, said.

Despite the disruptions, some residents of La Citadelle praised the welcoming atmosphere of their residence.

“All the [staff] are very friendly,” Brechignac said. “The floor fellows are very cool … and [the directors] are very open to any [suggestions] we might have, as we are the first generation of La Citadelle.”

“We have the features of a hotel but we feel that we are a community, too,” Badawi said. “It’s different than all the other residences … we have the best of both worlds.”

Parti Québécois leader Pauline Marois addresses her supporters in victory rally, minutes before fatal shooting. (Simon Poitrimolt / McGill Tribune)
a, Creative

Vol 32. Issue 1

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Check out some of the photos from the first week’s issue of 2012.

Politics

Protests: When’s it time to go home?

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This is some dummy copy. You’re not really supposed to read this dummy copy, it is just a place holder for people who need some type to visualize what the actual copy might look like if it were real content.

If you want to read, I might suggest a good book, perhaps Hemingway or Melville. That’s why they call it, the dummy copy. This, of course, is not the real copy for this entry. Rest assured, the words will expand the concept. With clarity. Conviction. And a little wit.

In today’s competitive market environment, the body copy of your entry must lead the reader through a series of disarmingly simple thoughts.

All your supporting arguments must be communicated with simplicity and charm. And in such a way that the reader will read on. (After all, that’s a reader’s job: to read, isn’t it?) And by the time your readers have reached this point in the finished copy, you will have convinced them that you not only respect their intelligence, but you also understand their needs as consumers. (more…)

Land Rover

Range Rover Sport evokes a little bit more lust for 2014

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This is some dummy copy. You’re not really supposed to read this dummy copy, it is just a place holder for people who need some type to visualize what the actual copy might look like if it were real content.

If you want to read, I might suggest a good book, perhaps Hemingway or Melville. That’s why they call it, the dummy copy. This, of course, is not the real copy for this entry. Rest assured, the words will expand the concept. With clarity. Conviction. And a little wit.

In today’s competitive market environment, the body copy of your entry must lead the reader through a series of disarmingly simple thoughts.

All your supporting arguments must be communicated with simplicity and charm. And in such a way that the reader will read on. (After all, that’s a reader’s job: to read, isn’t it?) And by the time your readers have reached this point in the finished copy, you will have convinced them that you not only respect their intelligence, but you also understand their needs as consumers.

Land Rover

Range Rover Evoque for Victoria Beckham

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This is some dummy copy. You’re not really supposed to read this dummy copy, it is just a place holder for people who need some type to visualize what the actual copy might look like if it were real content.

If you want to read, I might suggest a good book, perhaps Hemingway or Melville. That’s why they call it, the dummy copy. This, of course, is not the real copy for this entry. Rest assured, the words will expand the concept. With clarity. Conviction. And a little wit.

Porsche

Porsche 911 GT3 wows the crowds in Geneva

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This is some dummy copy. You’re not really supposed to read this dummy copy, it is just a place holder for people who need some type to visualize what the actual copy might look like if it were real content.

If you want to read, I might suggest a good book, perhaps Hemingway or Melville. That’s why they call it, the dummy copy. This, of course, is not the real copy for this entry. Rest assured, the words will expand the concept. With clarity. Conviction. And a little wit.

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In today’s competitive market environment, the body copy of your entry must lead the reader through a series of disarmingly simple thoughts.

All your supporting arguments must be communicated with simplicity and charm. And in such a way that the reader will read on. (After all, that’s a reader’s job: to read, isn’t it?) And by the time your readers have reached this point in the finished copy, you will have convinced them that you not only respect their intelligence, but you also understand their needs as consumers.

Automotive

World Premiere: BMW 4 Series Coupe

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This is some dummy copy. You’re not really supposed to read this dummy copy, it is just a place holder for people who need some type to visualize what the actual copy might look like if it were real content.

If you want to read, I might suggest a good book, perhaps Hemingway or Melville. That’s why they call it, the dummy copy. This, of course, is not the real copy for this entry. Rest assured, the words will expand the concept. With clarity. Conviction. And a little wit.

In today’s competitive market environment, the body copy of your entry must lead the reader through a series of disarmingly simple thoughts.

a, News

SSMU Report Cards

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Maggie Knight (President): A

Maggie Knight was dealt a very difficult hand this year as SSMU president. While this may have distracted her from some of her goals, the Tribune has no hesitation in saying she has done an exceptional job as president. The Strategic Summits, while allowing a safe space for discussion, were sparsely attended, demonstrating that something more than just consultation is needed. That said, throughout many trying events, including two occupations, the MUNACA strike, and her dealings with the administration, Knight always presented herself as calm and diplomatic. She made a sensible decision on the Memorandum of Agreement concerning the Shatner Building’s lease and the use of the McGill name and maintained a cohesive executive. The Tribune applauds Knight for consistently delivering results.

Emily Yee Clare (VP University Affairs): A- 

Emily Clare worked closely with Maggie Knight this year to draft policies such as the Equity Policy. She proved herself to be a respected voice in senate and stepped into a position of leadership when Knight expressed a conflict of interest in the Newburgh v. Tacoma Judicial Board hearing. She played a principal and pragmatic role in the renegotiation of SSMU’s Memorandum of Agreement with the administration, which ultimately led to the controversial restriction of the use of the McGill name by SSMU clubs and services. As a member of senate, we understand her role to include fostering a good relationship between SSMU, its constituents, and the administration. This was certainly a challenging year to fulfill such a mandate, but nevertheless, there was a tense relationship between the admin and SSMU throughout the year.

Todd Plummer (VP Internal): B

Many students on the verge of nervous breakdowns last December can thank Todd Plummer for bringing in therapy dogs to
quell their fears. Unfortunately, that’s just about the only out-of-the-box thing Plummer did all year. The predictable events, such
as frosh, 4Floors, and Faculty Olympics were well attended, but lacked the spark of previous years. Plummer attempted to reform the
listserv earlier in the year, but the much needed reforms quickly dissipated. Finally, SSMU’s response to the AUS GA, co-authored by
Plummer, was an overreaction to a problem that should have been dealt with internally.

Shyam Patel (VP Finance and Operations): A-

Shyam Patel came into the year with many high expectations for his portfolio. The Tribune feels that Patel succeeded in fulfilling
many of his goals, from working to bring back a student-run café to creating a five-year ethical investment plan for SSMU. Titled the
“best dressed executive,” we also commend Patel on his efforts to hold office hours, something not many VP Finance and Operations
have done in the past. His only blemish on an otherwise strong year was that his much-lauded launch of SSMU Marketplace never gained the momentum he anticipated.

Carol Fraser (VP Clubs and Services): A-

Carol Fraser tackled one of the most extensive portfolios this year. As VP Clubs and Services, Fraser was responsible for overseeing all of SSMU’s clubs and services, as well as acting as building manager of Shatner. Early in the year, when the admin restricted the use of the McGill name by clubs and services, Fraser acted as a effective liaison for confused club executives. She also brought club and services information into the 21st century, with more extensive information and helpful categorization of clubs and services
on the SSMU website. Her decision to include an alternative format for Winter Activities Night was creative, but ultimately flopped. At the same time, she’s paved a smooth transition for her successor, Allison Cooper.

Joël Pedneault (VP External): B

There is no doubt that Joël Pedneault has shown great dedication to his position as VP External from the very beginning of the year. However, while the position of VP External is often hard to define and is known for being one of the most political executive positions, the Tribune feels that Pedneault may be been too passionate, and as a result has alienated a portion of the student body while showing dedicated support for another. It is the job of the VP External to help represent the entire McGill student community, and in order to do so, it is required for those in the position take a step back from their personal politics.

 

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