My inspiration for this project comes from a trio deeply rooted in who we are as a people: a banjo, maple syrup, and the Montreal Canadiens. Three symbols that, together, tell the whole story of Québec.

The banjo represents our folklore — the music echoing through sugar shacks and family gatherings, bringing us back to what’s simple, real, and timeless.

Maple syrup is our land. It’s the family tradition of “making the sugar,” the steam rising from the boiling pot, the taffy on snow, and that sweet taste woven into our childhood memories.

And then there are the Montreal Canadiens. That iconic bleu-blanc-rouge that sparks hope across Québec, the team that makes crowds rise to their feet, and above all, a symbol of pride and belonging.

To complete this picture, there’s one last essential piece: hockey on a frozen lake. Pick-up games with too-long sticks, mittens marking the goals, kids skating like they’re already at the Bell Centre. Every scrape of a blade on the ice tells a story, and every goal becomes a legend retold over maple treats at the sugar shack.

A banjo, maple syrup, the Montreal Canadiens, and a frozen lake in the heart of winter… That’s all it takes to strengthen our Québec roots. It’s who we are: simple, proud, warm, and always connected to the traditions that define us.