Gasp. Handbook 2013-2014

A Road Well Travelled

The Practical Guide to Grad Psych at McGill

gasp.

Graduate Association of Students of Psychology

Revised Fall 2013 gasp. Handbook 2013-2014

Table of Contents Introduction ...... 4 gasp...... 4 What We Do ...... 4 A Little About The Psychology Department ...... 5 Stewart Biology Building ...... 5 Graduate Program Secretary – Giovanna LoCascio (W8/33A) ...... 5 Graduate Program Director – Bärbel Knäuper (N7/12) ...... 5 Announcements ...... 5 Mail Room/Xerox Room/Fax Machines (W8/1) ...... 6 Phones ...... 6 Computers ...... 6 Keys ...... 6 Obtaining Participants for Research ...... 6 What if I Have Questions About… ...... 6 Email ...... 6 MINERVA ...... 6 Student Card ...... 6 Photocopying & Printing ...... 7 Teaching Assistantships and Materials ...... 7 Paychecks ...... 7 Tuition & Fees ...... 8 Student Loans/Student Aid ...... 8 Transcripts ...... 8 Libraries ...... 8 Health ...... 9 Dentist ...... 9 Traveling ...... 9 General Graduate Program Issues ...... 9 Joining in on Committees ...... 9 Other Important Information ...... 10 Food ...... 10

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Athletics ...... 11 Bookstore ...... 11 PGSS and Thomson House ...... 11 Living in Montreal! ...... 11 Transportation ...... 12 Eating/Drinking – In Montreal you’ll spend most of your time doing at least one of these things... .. 12 Other Entertainment ...... 15

gasp. Handbook 2013-2014

Introduction

You’re about to embark on a five (or so…) year journey in the graduate Psychology Program at McGill University. Welcome! Being new to a university is accompanied by the daunting task of figuring out where everything is. This handbook can help guide you in making the most of your experience in grad school and also, when time allows, on the streets of Montreal.

Disclaimer: This guide is intended as a general information overview. It in no way is a replacement of the Psychology Graduate Student Handbook nor the Graduate Calendar. Both can be obtained from the following links: http://www.psych.mcgill.ca/grad/program/overview.htm http://www.mcgill.ca/students/courses/calendars/ gasp.

All psychology graduate students are automatically members of gasp. gasp. is guided by the Executive committee who are here to help graduate students.

2013-2014 gasp. Committee

Committee Member Position Contact Dana Hayward President-outgoing [email protected] Anna MacKinnon President-elect [email protected] Samara Perez Vice-President [email protected] Michele Morningstar Secretary [email protected] Sara Quinn Treasurer [email protected] Nida Ali Class Rep, Holiday Party Coordinator [email protected] Synthia Guimond Class Representative [email protected] Molly Moroz Class Representative [email protected] Laura Cuttini Class Representative [email protected] Zhen Xu Class Representative [email protected] Anna Zamm PGSS Representative [email protected] Gilla Shapiro PGSS Representative [email protected] Karim Bouayad Gervais PGSS Representative [email protected] Nora Hope PGSS Representative [email protected] Régine Debrosse PGSS Representative [email protected] Andrew Abela AGSEM representatives [email protected]

What We Do • Organize orientation week activities such as the BBQ and the Hebb showcase/wine & cheese! • Organize other fun events throughout the school year (e.g. coffee hours) • Oversee the planning of the Psychology Holiday Party (*new this year!) • Creators of the Practical Guide to Graduate Psych at McGill • Represent psychology graduate students’ particular concerns to the appropriate committees in the Department of Psychology and to the Post-Graduate Students’ Society (PGSS)

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• Function as liaison between graduate students and the department • Pursue funding opportunities for special activities for graduate students

If you have any concerns, complaints, or brilliant ideas that you want to act on, contact any one of the executives. We are here to help, and we need your input. Members have the right to speak at any gasp. meeting.

A Little About The Psychology Department

Stewart Biology Building • 3 wings (North, South, West); 8 floors (Psychology is located on the 6th, 7th, and 8th floors of the North and West wings and also on the 3rd floor of the South block) • Room numbers: e.g. W7/10 = wing & floor/room • Indoor access between South and West wings on 4th floor; tunnel between South and North wings on first floor (basement); also between North/West and South wings on 2nd floor across the courtyard • Indoor tunnel access to McIntyre building in North wing on the 2nd floor OR go to the 4th floor – go down half a flight of stairs – there’s an exit at the rear of the building that leads directly to the McIntyre building • Indoor access to the law building is possible through the shared parking garage accessed by going to the end of the 2nd floor North hallway, going down the stairs, and walking across the parking garage to the law building doors. • Hours: 7:45am-10:45pm, Mon-Fri. (Likely to change! Check periodically!) • For after-hours access to the building, apply for an access code with Ernest (W8/12). Bring your student card. • Lost & Found: porter’s desk, main floor (2nd floor) to the right of elevators • Vending machines are located in the main floor (2nd floor) lobby to the left of elevators. Graduate Program Secretary – Giovanna LoCascio (W8/33A) • Phone #: 514-398-6124 • Email: [email protected] • For all information regarding your graduate program, grant applications, TAships, tuition, administration, sinister-looking forms, etc. Feel free to see her about any problems you may encounter. Graduate Program Director – Bärbel Knäuper (N7/12) • Phone #: 8186 • Email: [email protected] • For all information about program requirements and department graduate student policies. Announcements • Check boards in the West Wing 8th floor regularly for important notices.

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Mail Room/Xerox Room/Fax Machines (W8/1) • Boxes under your surname initial contain your mail. Please check and clean out your mail frequently or others who share your box may get annoyed! • You will need an SS key to get in (see section about keys). Phones • Phones are available in most offices and labs; dial 9 for an outside line; for within McGill calls (i.e., ones that start with 398) dial 4-digit extension. • Payphones: main floor (2nd floor) lobby to the left of elevators Computers • We have access to the undergraduate Biology/Psychology computer labs on 4th floor North Wing: PCs, Laser printer available, Networks and Internet access for email, etc. • We also have access to the computers in the 3rd floor lobby. • There are also many computers available in the libraries (see Libraries section below). Keys • See Nina in W8/26 to obtain keys for the mail room, your office, or your lab. A refundable deposit of $20 is required for each key. If your lab/office is in the South Block, be sure to also get the door code from Ernest. Obtaining Participants for Research • The psychology department runs an extra credit subject pool each semester for those who require undergraduates to participate in their research. Watch for emails before each semester begins!

What if I Have Questions About…

Email • Computer people: Mehrdad (W8/6C), Morris (W8/9), and Ernest (W8/12). Mehrdad is the person to see about your email account. Forward all other IT requests to [email protected] • Using your McGill email account ([email protected]) is the primary way to be informed about what’s going on in the Department. Check email regularly as important announcements are distributed. MINERVA • You must register online for courses through Minerva - even if you are not taking any "courses", you need to register as a graduate student. Note that you may also need to enroll for other "non-class" things such as practica and special comps etc., which also require you to hand in a registration form with your advisor’s signature to Giovanna in W8/33A. If you’re unsure about this, please ask Gio. • To view information regarding your student status, grades, fee information, or to print tax forms, Minerva is once again the place to view this information (www.mcgill.ca/minerva). Student Card • After you have registered on MINERVA, you can get your ID card done at the Service Point (3415 McTavish St., corner Sherbrooke, across from the McGill Bookstore). Regular opening hours: 10am-

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4pm, Mon-Fri. Bring your McGill ID number, one piece of government issued photo ID, and documents proving legal status in Canada. International students will need to pick up a new insurance card every year as well. • Fee for lost card: $25; Enrollment phone #398-7878 • During orientation, there are often special locations and times for getting your ID done. • ISIC cards are free for grad students (and necessary for student travel on VIA). Available at designated times at Thomson House or any time at Voyages Campus (Shatner Building). Photocopying & Printing • You can use the photocopiers and fax machine in W8/1 by scanning your McGill I.D. card. This will charge your Minerva student account, which is billed on a monthly basis (i.e. uPrint). • Ask your advisor about free copying (i.e., billed to a research grant). You will need to set up an uPrint Resource account card with Haris Latif, W8/16 ([email protected]). • To send a print job to the Xerox, you must have the print drivers installed on your computer. For installation instructions, see McGill IT Knowledge Base website or contact the IT Help Desk. http://kb.mcgill.ca/kb/?ArticleId=1348&source=article&c=12&cid=2#tab:homeTab:crumb:7:artI d:2658 • When you release the print job at the Xerox you will be prompted to enter a password. At this point either enter your Student ID number (for personal copies) or the user ID name written on the uPrint Resource Card (copies to be charged to a professor's fund). • A poster printer is located in N7/2A (accessible by SS key); $20 per poster, payable in cash to Morris Eichler (W8/9), or charged to a faculty grant with supervisor permission. It is recommended that you email Morris in advance of upcoming conferences so he can make sure the printer has ink and paper for multiple print jobs. Teaching Assistantships and Materials • Giovanna and Bärbel Knäuper look after TAships; Giovanna will send out an email with information on when to apply for upcoming TAships. MAKE SURE you don’t miss the application deadline! • TA membership forms must be filled out upon receiving them. More TA information is located on the TA board on the wall next to W8/38. • To book rooms for conferences, see Julia Marussi in N7/9. • Most rooms now have hook-ups for computer-based presentations, but do not stock chalk, dry erase markers, or erasers. It is best to check the availability of these items in advance and make sure you know how to connect your laptop to the equipment. • If you need transparencies, you can get them from Judi Young (W8/28) or you can make transparency copies in W8/1. • Know that there is a “course board” in the foyer of the 7th floor where undergrads often check for course information. • For other TA concerns, we also have a grad student who is our TA union (AGSEM) representative, Lance Rappaport ([email protected], or [email protected]). Paychecks • Must arrange direct deposit to your bank account by filling in a form on Minerva (under the Student Accounts Menu) – otherwise, see Giovanna LoCascio (in general, all funding questions should be directed to Giovanna). • If you do not have direct deposit, you will receive a paycheck from Judi Young (W8/28).

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• TA payments are semi-monthly on the 15th and last day of the month (or on the Friday before if it falls on a weekend). • Stipends from the department or your (internal) supervisor are semi-monthly on the 1st and 15th of the month. • Allow 2-3 business days for disbursement. Tuition & Fees • If you are funded by the Psychology Department, your tuition MAY be paid for you (depending on your type of funding). In general, the system of funding changes often, so make sure to double check if you're expecting the department or your supervisor to pay for tuition and/or fees - as this is sometimes paid directly and sometimes paid to the student. If you are unsure about your funding, ask Gio. • You may have to activate your grant: check with your funding agency (via website or email) whether you need to submit a report, fax them documents, etc., to ensure your payments do not get delayed. • Externally funded students pay tuition at Service Point or online (Minerva). • Payment can be deferred (via Minerva) while you wait for your first funding payment – please see Students Accounts website for more information (http://www.mcgill.ca/student- accounts/deferred/). Student Loans/Student Aid • For questions about student loans or to pick up interest-free status forms for existing undergraduate student loans, go to the second floor of the Brown Student Services Building (corner of McTavish and Dr. Penfield). Transcripts • Transcripts can be requested on Minerva, free of charge; this usually takes 3-5 business days (5-7 during peak periods). You can also ask Giovanna in W8/33A for an official photocopy (up to a week). • Be sure to order transcripts in advance for grant applications! Libraries • The main library for clinical or physiological psychology is the Life Sciences Library in the McIntyre Medical Building (right behind Stewart Biology Building). • For all other psychology, use the Humanities and Social Sciences Library in the McLennan-Redpath Library Complex. (However some other journals, especially developmental ones, can be found at the Education library.) • Your student card is your library card, and your library # is the long # printed on the card. • Printing and copying at the library can be done through uPrint with your student card. • It is quite helpful to take part in the library orientation offered during orientation week. • Our Psychology Liaison Librarian is Robin Canuel ([email protected]). • Note you can also contact a librarian via email or chat: http://www.mcgill.ca/library/library- assistance/askus/ • The library offers a workshop on EndNote - a reference management software system available for free from McGill (http://www.mcgill.ca/library/library-using/citationsoftware/endnote).

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Health • Check the full coverage details of your PGSS Health & Dental Plan (which includes vision and travel components) online at www.pgss.mcgill.ca, in your PGSS agenda, or at ihaveaplan.ca. • If you’re already covered by an equivalent plan (e.g., parent or spouse’s employee benefit plan) you can opt out online at ihaveaplan.ca. This can only be done from Aug. 22 - Sept. 27, 2013. • Health Services are in the Brown building (through entrance near corner of Peel and Dr. Penfield); 8am-4pm, Mon-Fri. Phone #514-398-6017. • Appointments can be made as of the 15th of a particular month for the following month. • A walk-in clinic is available each day from 8am-4pm. Get there early to ensure an appointment! • Bring your valid provincial health card with you or be billed per visit. • Another option is to go to a CLSC, with locations all around the Montreal area. For walk-in appointments, go early in the morning. • The McGill Sports Medicine Clinic is located in the Sports Complex (formerly called Currie Gym; 475 Pine Avenue West), 8am-8pm, Mon-Fri, Phone #514-398-7007. Dentist • Health Services also has a dental clinic; however, other dentists in Montreal offer discounts through PGSS and the ASEQ Dental Network. See have ihaveaplan.ca for a full list. • Here are a few dentists recommended by your fellow grad students: o Dr. Collins – Clinique Dentaire La Cite, 514-288-8531 o Dr. Ionescu – 2055 Rue Peel, 514-288-3093 o Dr. El-Onsi – de Maisonneuve MacKay Medical Clinic, 514-937-7555

Traveling • Voyages Campus (formerly located in the Shatner Building) now at 407 de Maisonneuve Blvd Est. • ISIC cards are FREE for grad students! • Note that the PGSS health plan includes travel insurance so you may want to decline other insurance Voyages Campus will offer you. General Graduate Program Issues • The Graduate Studies Office is now located at Service Point (though some of their services are still located in the James Administration Building, 4th floor, check website). See them for problems with courses or marks, official letters of acceptance/registration, fellowships office, etc. (but the best bet is always to ask Gio first!!) Joining in on Committees • Here is a list of committees you may wish to join; it’s a great way to get involved with your department and to get to know other students!

1) gasp.

The main purpose of gasp. is to enhance the graduate student experience and serve as a link between the department and the graduate students. gasp. meetings are held as needed. We organize certain Orientation Week activities for the new graduate students and various other events, including

gasp. Handbook 2013-2014 overseeing the organization of the Psychology Holiday Party. There are always opportunities to get involved; just email or talk to one of the executives if you want more information.

2) GRADUATE PROGRAM COMMITTEE

This committee meets with the graduate program director 2 or 3 times a year to discuss issues pertaining to the program. The issues raised vary from year to year. In previous years, the committee has discussed program guidelines, teaching assistantship guidelines, and the nature of seminars for graduate students. The role of the committee is to voice the opinion of graduate students. Previous members have sent out surveys to find out how students in the department felt about some of the issues discussed. For more information, please contact Giovanna.

3) THE HEBB STUDENT COMMITTEE

Named after Donald O. Hebb, the famous McGill neurophysiologist, the Hebb Student Committee is closely involved with the department's annual Hebb Lecture series. While the lecture and entertainment of the distinguished Hebb Lecture guest speakers are attended to by their respective inviting professors, the Hebb Student Committee is in charge of the departmental social gatherings that accompany the lecture series. The committee organizes and caters wine & cheese get-togethers in the 8th floor lobby. For more information about the Hebb Student Committee, or if you would like to join the committee, please contact Yogita Chudasama ([email protected]).

4) PGSS

If you want to get involved at the university-level, PGSS offers many opportunities, including serving as a representative from our department. More information is available from the gasp. executive or the PGSS website: https://pgss.mcgill.ca/en/get-involved

5) AGSEM

Our department also has a couple of spots available for representation at the TA union. If you're a TA and are interested, please talk to a member of the gasp executive.

Other Important Information

Food • There are cafeterias in most buildings at McGill. • In the Stewart Biology Building, we have a Second Cup (2nd floor North wing). • Aramark in the Law Building has hot meals, sandwiches, salads, muffins, snacks, coffee, etc. • There is a cafeteria with a sunny roof terrace and one daily hot meal in McIntyre, 5th floor. • Main cafeteria in Student Union/Shatner building on main campus (2nd floor). • There is a Lola Rosa in the Brown building, Sinfully Asian in the Bronfman Building, and ice cream in the engineering building (bring your own cup for $1 a scoop).

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• Subway across the street in Couche Tard and other lunch places within a few minutes’ walk down the hill (Clafouti on Drummond, Ba-Le on Mackay, Vasco da Gama on Peel, Boustan on Crescent). There's also a dépanneur (convenience store) in the apartment building west of McIntyre. • Thomson House has a restaurant open daily from 11:30 to 2:30 for lunch that offers excellent healthy meals; sandwiches and soup are also available for take-out. Pub food starts at 3:00. • Fridge, sink, microwave, electric kettles, toaster oven and good company in N8/1 (a.k.a. 8th floor lounge). Please try to keep this room clean! Athletics • Call the Athletics Office at the McGill Sports Complex (475 Pine Avenue West) at 514-398-7000 or check online for a schedule of activities. • Gym membership is included in student services fees, which includes access to the pool and track. Access to the Fitness Center (weights and cardio equipment) costs an extra $37 each semester for grad students. Other activities like fitness classes and equipment rental (rackets, skis, snow shoes, etc.) cost extra, but do not require joining the fitness center. Basket rental is also available by the semester and includes towel service. • Athletics now offers an online service to purchase memberships, fitness classes, and locker rentals as well as signup for intramural sports leagues. • Our very own departmental softball team (which plays during the summer) - watch your email for details. • A good alternative to the McGill gym is the YMCA, located nearby on Stanley Street. Bookstore • 3420 McTavish; get required and supplementary readings here, as well as fun books, McGill souvenirs and an excellent selection of greeting cards. • Beware!! At the beginning of each semester the lines are HUGE!! However, the time of day you go can make a difference - the best times are early in the morning or later in the evening. PGSS and Thomson House • As grad students, we are also members of the Post-Graduate Student Society (PGSS). The PGSS website is at http://www.pgss.mcgill.ca/. PGSS puts out a handbook/agenda each fall that contains lots of important information including all you need to know about the PGSS Health Plan, usually available outside of Gio's office at the beginning of the academic year. Also check out their monthly email for updates and events. • Thomson House is the grad student house. Go here for Trivia Night (check newsletter for dates), an end of the day pitcher of beer, or take part in one of the classes they offer. Thomson House also hosts events throughout the year that are well-attended affairs and a great chance to meet grad students from other departments.

Living in Montreal!

For more detailed information about food and entertainment than what you will find below (e.g., accurate directions) check out the Hour, an entertainment paper that can be found free-of-charge in stands outside of many dépanneurs, cafés, grocery stores and bookstores. The new editions come out every Thursday and will typically run out by the end of the weekend.

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Transportation

STM – Bus and metro system. There's a reduced rate for students 25 and under. Routes, schedules, fare info, etc. can be found at http://www.stm.info/english/metro/a-index.htm. You can buy individual tickets, but if you'd like to buy a packet of tickets or monthly passes, you will need an Opus card. Check the STM website for details. BIXI – Bike sharing system with daily, monthly, or full season memberships. https://montreal.bixi.com/ Communauto – Car sharing system with a number of affordable options (better than owning a car, especially in the winter). Discounts through PGSS: http://pgss.mcgill.ca/services/communauto/

Eating/Drinking – In Montreal you’ll spend most of your time doing at least one of these things...

This is in no way even close to being an exhaustive list, but it will give you a taste for some of what the city has to offer.

Bars/Pubs - Benelux: Artisanal beers. Close to McGill. - Biftek: No matter how hard you try, you’ll end up at this institution known for its clientele of first-year undergrads and rock stars. - Bily Kun: There’s no missing the ostriches on the wall! Great place for casual drinks. - Brutopia: Many beers... near Concordia. - Casa de Popolo: Friendly atmosphere serving up beer, coffee, and great vegetarian food. Good place to catch a concert. http://www.casadelpopolo.com/ - Dieu du Ciel: Always an interesting selection of home brewed beers. http://www.dieuduciel.com/ - Divan Orange: St. Laurent concert venue and alcohol purveyor. - Else’s: Local Plateau neighbourhood haunt. - El Zaz: Fun for a night of dancing to an eclectic mix of music. Shots sold by the foot (6) or meter (?? can’t remember)... - La Sala Rosa: Concert venue and Spanish restaurant. - Plan B: The little brother of Bily Kun. Secluded backyard terrace. Nice place for a fancy drink or pre- dinner martini. - Reservoir: Great microbrew with excellent creative daily food options. Rooftop terrace overlooking Duluth fills up quickly on nice days (Friday & Saturday only, unless it's really busy). Weekend brunch is fantastic. - St. Elizabeth: Beautiful hidden terrace. - St. Sulpice: If you can’t get into St. Eliz... biggest terrace I’ve seen outside of a German beergarden. Lots of University folk, both Français and Franglais. - Ye Olde Orchard: Good place to catch a game while munching on yummy pub fare. Occasionally it boasts live music and the ever popular Wednesday night pub quiz.

Clubs/Dancing - Belmont: Good electro shows, often backed by I Love Neon productions.

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- Blue Dog: Ranges from hip hop to 70s to electro. Usually no/cheap cover. Notorious “grilled cheese Thursdays” offer $10 beer pitchers and triples. Blizzarts next door can also be fun. - Korova: Hipster good times. Verging on slightly younger undergrad crowd. The diviest of dives, perhaps only rivaled by Barfly just up the street. - Salon Daome: Upstairs dance club near St. Laurent on Mont Royal. Hit and miss DJs, but usually fills up after 1am. - Sky Terrace: One stop shop in the [Gay] Village. Pub & cabaret groundfloor, club and hip hop rooms on the second + third. A full terrace w/ pool and hot tub on the roof. Free-$4. - Tokyo: Rooftop terrace, young crowd. - Unity: Best the [Gay] Village has to offer for a night of dancing. Cover is usually around $8, but sometimes cheaper/free before midnight.

Restaurants

Brunch – The quintessential Montreal weekend activity - Bagels Etc.: Delicious bagels and breakfast combos, and an outdoor terrace during the warmer months - Beauty’s: A Plateau breakfast legend. - Griffintown: Between the Old Port and St. Henri, which serves up some great crabcakes. - L’Avenue: Big brunches daily, but get in line on weekends. - La Petite Marche: Two huge locations on the Plateau offer some serious hangover-resistance. - Laika: A cafe-club-restaurant hybrid that grows on you the more you eat there. - Sparrow: Maybe the best in town, and everyone knows it... English breakfasts when you’re in Mile End and not in a hurry.

Casual - Byblos: Persian cuisine served in one of the warmest dining rooms tucked away on Laurier Est. Great place for a unique brunch. - Café Olimpico: Best Mile End café for an afternoon latte, and best place in the city for espresso-based drinks in general. Get a fresh St. Viateur bagel from across the street and sit on their terrace before it gets cold (both the bagel and the weather)! - Chez Jose: Funky café specializing in empanadas, soups, sandwiches, coffee, and desserts. - Coco Rico: Portuguese rotisserie chicken sandwiches served with your choice of slaw and delicious patates. - Kazu: Tiny Japanese place in the Concordia area serving ‘barfood’ worth lining up for. Affordable too! - La Banquise: Infamous for its wide variety of poutines. - Maison du Nord: Good, cheap hand-pulled noodles straight out of Northern China. Killer pork sandwich for $5. - Myriad Cafe: The best coffee within walking distance of McGill, and a decent place to work with the Concordia hordes. New location opened up recently in the Plateau. - Patati Patata: Crowded corner shop reminiscent of a casse-croute. Wonderful mini burgers and fries. Get it to go as the seating is limited and always full. - Romados: Order an hour in advance and prepare to wait for what might be the best Portuguese chicken in the city. - Schwartz’s: The best smoked meat in Montreal.

Vegetarian – The Achilles’ heel of Montreal dining - Aux Vivres: Creative vegan on the Plateau, but getting more expensive by the day… - Bonny’s: St. Henri/Little Burgundy home cooking.

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- Burritoville: Great ambiance and local ingredients. Just south of Sherbrooke on Bishop. Comedians and stand-up shows on Friday nights. - Cagibi: Mile End hipster extravaganza cafe with good veg. food till 3am most nights, also featured on a terrible CBC sitcom. - Casa del Popolo: Sandwiches and salads, served with cheap beer in the Mile End. - Chu Chai/Chuch: Imitation meats served in Thai dishes. - Commensal: A huge variety of pay-by-weight buffet food on McGill College. - Lola Rosa: Quality lunches and dinners - often full of people! - Santropol: Not totally vegetarian, but great sandwiches, great terrace (with outlets!) by Parc Jeanne- Mance.

Worthy of a Celebration – Not all as expensive as you’d think... - Au Pied de Cochon: Infamous worldwide for its unique Quebecois-inspired food. Check out Anthony Bordain’s review on YouTube if you haven’t already experienced PdC for yourself. A focus on the heaviest of ingredients (foie gras, pork, maple syrup, butter), often served together in one dish, with fresh seafood in the early summer. - Kitchenette: A gem that falls somewhere between casual and upscale. It is located on the edge of the Village. A focus on creative seafood and awesome service. View of the summer fireworks from their window seats means a great place to go on Saturday nights in July. - Joe Beef, Liverpool house: Same owner, guaranteed delicious meal! - LaLoux & Pop!: Conjoined French bistro and wine bar, respectively, with great, daily-changing menus. Do yourself a favour and order the chocolat pot-de-crème…it’s pure heaven in a jar. - Le Chien Fumant: One of the smallest restaurants in town, but with plenty of bar seating and a talented barman. Their food is hugely creative, plus it's open until 2am most nights and for brunch on Sundays. A bit expensive, but you’ll feel like you’ve uncovered a secret. - Le P’tit Plateau: Classic French food. Charming location. - Tapeo: Perfectly prepared tapas. - Tuck-Shop: Consistently filled with elite Westmount residents attempting to connect with the “little people” of St. Henri. Don’t hold this against the establishment, however, as it serves a mean collection of market-driven food. - And for more French food and the BYOW option try Bistro L’Entrepot, Monsieur B, O’Thym.

When you aren't picking up the bill... - Au Cinquième Péché: Possibly the best bistro-esque restaurant in town. A great (possibly the only) place to get seal, but they have other very normal French food as well. - Club Chasse et Peche: A former gentleman's hunting club, now serving outrageously good French food in the Old Port. - Gibby’s: Steak house located in the Old Port, delicious food and many courses. Bring your wallet and your appetite! - Toqué: Put Montreal on the culinary map and provided chef Martin Picard of Pied de Cochon with his motivation to escape pretentious dining for good. Creative food, but bring your pocket book... - Le Bremner, Garde Manger, Le Filet, Juni (Sushi), Mikado (Sushi), LeMeac and so much more…

Cooking for yourself... or almost. - Jean Talon Market: The largest outdoor farmers’ market in North America, this place has most things you could ever need at great prices. Good cheese shops, butchers, and bakeries. Goes indoors in late Fall until mid-Spring.

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- Atwater Market: The smaller, more pretentious version of Jean Talon. A beautiful market set next to the canal in St. Henri. Generally expensive and moderate quality produce, but has great fromageries and tons of butchers. - McGill Farmers Market: Every Thursday from 12pm-5pm on McTavish Street in front of the SSMU building from August 30th to October 25th. They also run a CSA (community supported agriculture) during the summer and early fall - sign up in late spring. - Organic Campus: a co-op run by McGill student volunteers; order well-priced, good quality organic foods each week, and pick them up in the Shatner building. Receive a 10% discount with the $10 membership deposit (refundable). For more information, see organiccampus.blogspot.com - Grocery stores: Both Métro (3575 Parc Ave.) and Provigo (3421 Parc Ave.) offer a 10% discount for students on Mondays. Supermarché PA (1420 du Fort) has affordable prices and great produce.

Baked stuff - St. Viateur and Fairmont duke it out for the bagel-champ belt. - Cheskie’s on Bernard makes Kosher treats worth converting for. - Premiere Moisson and Au Pain Dore sell delicious pastries and breads close to wherever it is you live. - Cocoa Locale: From its tiny kitchen bakes up some lovely cupcakes, cakes, and cookies.

On The Cheap Alternatives - The Midnight Kitchen: A non-profit food collective run by McGill students, which provides free/by donation ($1-$2) vegan lunches, Mon-Fri at 12:30pm, in the Shatner Building. - The People’s Potato: Run by Concordia students, offers vegan lunches, Mon-Fri (suggested donation $1-$2). - Rabbit Hole Café: Food collective, offering vegan lunches every Friday at 12pm (suggested donation $2).

Other Entertainment

Movies - Check out movie listings at www.cinemamontreal.com - Cinema du Parc (corner of Parc and Prince Arthur) is the only art house theatre left in town. It plays first run independent and foreign films as well as second runs of some of the better Hollywood films. It also shows many old and new classics and has months dedicated to renowned directors.

Musical/Cultural Events - Jazz Fest: Free and paid shows of all shapes and sizes (not just jazz anymore). In late June-early July, played in the streets of downtown. - Francofolies: French/Quebecois music held on the Jazz Fest stages. Usually mid-June. - Tam Tams: a gathering of drummers, dancers, and vendors that takes place on Sundays, near the monument to Sir George-Étienne Cartier and in Mount Royal Park's surrounding green space. - Piknic Electronik: Weekly electronic music festival held outdoors at Parc Jean Drapeau. Super fun! - Igloofest: The winter version of Piknic held on 3 consecutive weekends in January (somehow always during the coldest days of the year) Bundle up for outdoor dancing, mulled wine, and some of the best DJs in the world against the backdrop of the Old Port. - Pop Montreal: Music festival featuring some of the best up-and-coming and indie bands. Usually the last weekend of Sept. or first of Oct. Free entry if you volunteer!

gasp. Handbook 2013-2014

- Just for Laughs: A comedy festival past its prime, but still books some good comedy shows if you can afford to go. The club shows are often better than the big-name galas. - International Fireworks Competition: Twice a week at around 10pm from late June until mid-August, nations show off their pyrotechnical prowess at La Ronde. Although you can pay to view the show from La Ronde, it can be seen from the village and Old Port. Stand under or on the Cartier bridge (it closes to traffic during the shows) for the best views.