Recommendations

One of these is for Canadian residents and the other is for Montreal residents.

When applying for a new passport: I cannot emphasize enough how much it will benefit you to fill out the application online. You may feel a bit daunted when you arrive at the passport office to find a line just to get in the elevator and a sign saying something like "1:30 hour wait upstairs" but if you did everything else right (like your guarantor's part, and any additional forms you need to fill based on your situation), your online application will get you in an extremely accelarated "line" (numbers, really). It's gult-free line-cutting and you will love it.

When buying jeans: go to Jeans, Jeans, Jeans, on St. Viateur and de Gaspé in Mile End. They have men's and women's. I cannot emphasize enough how good the service is there. You may have no idea what you want and be shopping-averse, but they will get you into a pair of hot jeans that you'll love. The staff won't be pushy and they won't be judgemental. They'll do your hem in 3 minutes, for free. Best of all, the jeans are cheap! I tried on pairs from all kinds of brands, including Guess and Seven and none of them were over $70. [note to men and women who don't shop for jeans: a woman's pair of low-end design jeans can easily cost $200]. But best, best, best of all: the button on mine was a little loose and came off after a week. I took them back and got a new pair, hemmed, no hassle, and an apology. I love them! You'll love them!