The people in Montreal jaywalk (is that how you write it?) a lot. Well, they do seem to go to the corner to cross at the light, but they don't wait for the light to turn green or for the "WALK" sign (well, it doesn't say WALK, it's just the person) to welcome them. Regardless of the traffic signal, if there is a break in traffic the people cross the street. This is very different from So-Cal where such actions can get you a fine. I also noticed that there weren't any of those buttons for the pedestrians to indicate their presence and thus change the light to their favor. So I guess they really don't have a choice. I mean, during times it must be damn cold up there so you wouldn't want to just stand and wait for the light to change. AND there is no way as a pedestrian that you can speed up the light-changing process. I can see where crossing regardless of the light is a survival technique.

I also heard a few Montreal folk commenting on their taxes and health care. One was in a liquor store. I was buying some Quebecois liquors to bring home (one is Sortilege -- a whiskey with maple syrup and the other is iced cider). I commented on how liquor is really expensive there and the guy in the store said, "Yes, our liquor is expensive but that is because we have health care. Sure, in the US you get cheap booze but what percentage of your elderly cannot afford their medication?" Wow. I couldn't really disagree with him. He continued, "We pay high taxes but we think it's worth it for what we get." I said, partly because I wanted him to know which side I was on, "Yeah and we get Bush. Lucky us. And our taxes go fund a war in Iraq. I, too, would be willing to pay more if it went for universal health care instead." He tried to console me by saying, "But at least you are almost done with Bush. He can't have more than 8 years." It was an interesting exchange. I wonder if this Canadian pride for their health care system is a universal in Canada. Or, is it that the Quebecois tend to be more nationalistic in general and this is just how it manifested. Perhaps my Toronto friends can tell me what it's like there?