Dan Laxer

Court of Appeals: Random stops = racial profiling

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Dan Laxer
The Suburban

The law permitting police to make random traffic stops does indeed lead to racial profiling. The highest court in the province has said so, affirming two earlier rulings.

In 2022 the Superior Court made the judgment. Last week the Quebec Court of Appeal upheld the landmark ruling. In 2022, Justice Michel Yergeau had ruled in the case of Joseph-Christopher Luamba, a Black resident of Montreal who had been pulled over several times by police – nearly a dozen, the court heard. Luamba, along with the Canadian Civil Liberties Association as interveneor, argued that the section of the Quebec Highway Safety Code that allows for random stops goes against the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Evidence presented at the time showed that random stops disproportionately affected young Black drivers.

“Racial profiling does exist,” Justice Yergeau ruled in 2022. “It is a reality that weighs heavily on Black communities. It manifests itself in particular with Black drivers of motor vehicles.” Last Wednesday the Quebec Court of Appeal agreed, unanimously upholding the ruling.

The ruling came as Premier François Legault continues to insist that systemic racism does not exist in Quebec.

Public Security Minister François Bonnardel took to his X account to air his dissatisfaction with the ruling, saying “this was obviously not the desired result,” adding the ruling could adversely affect the work of the police in keeping the public safe. “We will take the time to analyze the judgment,” he posted.

If the government decides to appeal the ruling it could go to the Supreme Court of Canada. If they choose to accept the ruling, it would mean changes to that section of the Highway Code will go into effect in six months.

The Court of Appeal ruling happened to coincide with the case of another Montreal man, Nigel Berkley who, with the backing of Centre for Research-Action on Race Relations (CRARR), is accusing Montreal police of racial profiling. Berkley says he’d been pulled over at least four times in the past eight months.

The Red Coalition reacted swiftly to the ruling, calling on elected officials to publicly condemn racial profiling, and to oppose any government appeal. n

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City changes to dangerous NDG intersection raise controversy

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Dan Laxer
The Suburban

In yet another project that will pit motorists against cyclists and pedestrians, the City of Montreal has announced that it will finally be doing something about one of the busiest, most danger-prone intersections: De Maisonneuve at Décarie, near the MUHC Glen site and the Vendome train and metro hub. The busy corner is in the heart of the Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough. But whether the plan will solve or cause more problems has yet to be seen.

One thing is sure: pedestrians and cyclists love the plan, but motorists do not.

Even the borough considers it one of the most dangerous areas in the city, one of the most complicated, and confusing. In the past decade there have been two pedestrian deaths, and countless accidents.

The current configuration was supposed to have been a temporary measure, done just ahead of the Glen hospital launch. But temporary turned into nine years.

The city held an online information session last Thanksgiving Monday to introduce the new plan, which involves completely cutting off access to motorists on the stretch of De Maisonneuve between Décarie and Prud’homme. The intersection is, for all intents and purposes, a five-way intersection. It will be turned into what Jason Savard of the Association of Pedestrians and Cyclists of NDG calls “a traditional four-way intersection.” As it stands, there is a westbound ramp leading from Décarie north, and an eastbound block leading to Décarie south. Furthermore, right now cars coming off of the southbound Décarie expressway are allowed to turn left – eastbound – off of Addington to access the hospital via Décarie. That will no longer be allowed as De Maisonneuve will be designated one-way westbound. So anyone coming off of the expressway will be diverted west and have to drive north to make their way east on Sherbrooke to head downtown, or to turn south onto Décarie, again, to access the hospital.

Cyclists, however, will be allowed two-way access between Prud’homme and Décarie.

To add to that – or rather to subtract from it – vehicular traffic between De Maisonneuve and Claremont will be reduced to two lanes with a special drop-off zone for buses at Vendome station, widened bicycle paths, and the addition of a new bike path on Upper Lachine Road.

Jason Savard of the Association of Pedestrians and Cyclists of NDG says they’ve been pushing for this for a while. To allay motorists’ worries, Savard points out that they’re not really losing very much in either direction. “I think it’s safer for all road users, not just pedestrians and cyclists, but for motorists also.” It will cut down, he said, on the risky manoeuvres everyone had been using to get through the intersection, to get to and from the hospital. n

City changes to dangerous NDG intersection raise controversy Read More »

Benefit of new NDG housing project questioned

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Dan Laxer
The Suburban

The Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough will be the beneficiary of a $71 million loan from the federal government for housing, but affordable housing activists say it’s not for the kind of housing the borough needs, right now.

Ottawa’s Apartment Construction Loan Program will be investing in Exal NDG, an apartment complex to be built at 7300 Saint Jacques at West Broadway (across from the new RONA+).

Steven Mackinnon, Minister of Labour and Seniors, made the announcement on the site of the future project, along with Notre-Dame-de-Grâce – Westmount MP Anna Gainey, on behalf of Housing Minister Sean Fraser.

Mackinnon said “our government is ensuring that Quebec families have access to a safe, affordable home. Today’s announcement marks another step in our work to end Canada’s housing crisis once and for all.”

“This new housing,” Gainey added, “will benefit middle-class individuals and families while stimulating the local economy.”

Housing advocacy group FRAPRU – Le Front d’action populaire en réaménagement urbain – took issue with that announcement, stating that “the Trudeau government is still relying too heavily on the private market to solve the housing crisis and, in so doing, is contributing to unaffordability.” FRAPRU says that the government is using public funds “to finance housing that is totally unaffordable for the average tenant.”

The apartment complex is supposed to be ready by next summer, with prices ranging from $1,080 for a studio to $2,390 for a three bedroom. According to the loan program’s own requirements, at least 20 per cent of the apartments have be available at a monthly rate of 30 per cent of the average income of area households. The rents quoted are higher than that, based on the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s own date from last year.

Exal NDG is to be a five-storey complex with 207 units “with high-end finishes,” according to the website. Housing groups say the affordability criteria doesn’t take into account the actual average income for renters — the disparity is a bit higher than 50%. n

Benefit of new NDG housing project questioned Read More »

SPCA No-Fee Adoption Day succeeds again

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Dan Laxer
The Suburban

The SPCA Montreal held its second of two No-Fee Adoption days on Thanksgiving Monday. It was the last one of the year. It has been doing this twice a year since 2022 – one usually just after moving season. Issues around moving, like higher costs or housing that comes with a no pet clause, lead to an increase in the number of abandoned pets, says spokesperson Laura Becquet. The no-fee event is held in the hopes of rehousing abandoned animals. On average, adopting a pet could cost up to $550, depending on the animal. The cost covers sterilization (spaying or neutering), first set of vaccines, including rabies vaccine and deworming treatment. “For animals who live better with a friend,” says Becquet, “the SPCA will waive the adoption fee for the second animal.”

Laurence Massé, Executive Director of the Montreal SPCA, referred to pet abandonment as a crisis. “More and more animals are being entrusted to us and the reasons are very often linked to inflation,” Becquet explained in an email to The Suburban. “People can no longer afford to pay veterinary bills, food is increasingly expensive and it’s hard to find a place to live with a companion animal.”

The SPCA takes pet adoption seriously, making sure an animal goes to the right family. That is to say, a family that has the means to care for a pet. According to the Association des médecins vétérinaires du Québec (AMVQ), the average annual cost of caring for a cat is $2,400. It’s more expensive to own a dog, with costs ranging from $2,700 to $3,400. The SPCA recommends families who are thinking of taking on a pet first budget for those costs.

There is also a procedure for an animal adoption with adoption counsellors interviewing families to make sure they meet the requirements of the animal they wish to adopt. They might also suggest a different animal, one better suited to a family’s lifestyle. They also caution families to not make promises to children, as there is no guarantee that they will leave with a pet.

Massé also reassured potential adopting families that they are not stuck with a pet that turns out to be not right for them. “If a family realizes, after adopting an animal and having followed our advice, that the animal is not a good fit for their new home, we welcome him or her back and we talk with the family to try to find a better match for them and for the animal.”

This year, SPCA Montreal took in 6,284 animals. That’s down from 12,921 the previous year. In 2023 nearly 5,000 animals “found new families,” said Becquet, that’s a 14% increase from 2022. n

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The EMSB Election: The Ortona Team

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Dan Laxer
The Suburban

This year’s English school boards elections will take place on November 3. The English Montreal School Boards elections are contested. Incumbent chair Joe Ortona is seeking reelection, but is facing an opponent after being acclaimed in 2021.

Ortona was Vice Chair under former Chair Angela Mancini. Ortona, a lawyer, is also the president of the Quebec English School Boards Association.

Under Ortona, the EMSB has been fighting the province’s language and secularism laws, and fighting against the move to abolish English school boards.

His leadership is being challenged by Katherine Korakakis, president of the English Parents’ Committee Association of Quebec.

Ortona is running for chair with a full slate of candidates for commissioners.

Ward 1 – Ahuntsic-Cartierville–Montréal-Nord

Susan Perera, a political science student at Concordia University

Ward 2 – Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce

Chelsea Craig is Director of Operations for Mount Royal MP Anthony Housefather, and a board member of the Quebec Community Groups Network.

Ward 3 – Côte-Saint-Luc, Montreal West, Hampstead

Paola Samuel is a former broadcast journalist who is active in Montreal’s Sephardic Jewish community.

Ward 4 – Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve–Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie–Plateau-Mont-Royal–Anjou–Montreal-Est

Maria Corsi has been a parent volunteer in EMSB schools, and on the EMSB Parents’ Committee.

Ward 5 – Notre-Dame-de-Grâce

Sharon Nelson is the 1st Vice President of the Jamaica Association of Montreal and Assistant Director for the Executive MBA Program at the John Molson School of Business (Concordia University).

Ward 6 – Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles

Pietro Mercuri is an educator, having taught both English and French before transitioning into the corporate world.

Ward 7 – Saint-Laurent

James Kromida has been a school board commissioner since 1998, and is the current vice-chair of the EMSB.

Ward 8 – Saint-Léonard

Mario Pietrangelo retired from the Montreal police force in 2016 after a 30-year career that earned him the Police Exemplary Medal.

Ward 9 – Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension–Mont-Royal–Outremont

Paula Kilian is a stay-at-home mom who dedicated time to the Family Association and the governing board at Dunrae Gardens, and to the EMSB Parents’ Committee.

Ward 10 – Westmount–Sud-Ouest–Ville-Marie

Julien Feldman is a former journalist who has served on the governing board at Bancroft School, a board member on the Royal West Academy Foundation, and on the EMSB’s Council of Commissioners.

More information on the Team Ortona platform can be found at teamjoeortona.ca n

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Eleven teachers suspended at Bedford elementary school

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Dan Laxer
The Suburban

The eleven teachers from Bedford Elementary School in Cotes des Neiges accused to practices leading to a toxic environment have been suspended. The Centre de services scolaire de Montreal made the announcement on Saturday, receiving a positive response from the education minister, but a lukewarm response from Liberal MNA Marwah Rizqy.

However, the story has since caused waves in the National Assembly, with reaction from both Parti Quebecois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, and from Premier Francois Legault.

Last week, news surfaced that those teachers were the subject of an investigation into reports of abuse, both psychological and physical. The teachers were alleged to have engaged in what some referred to as old school disciplinarian techniques – bullying, yelling, intimidation, and even physical discipline, avoidance of science, and allegedly banning girls from sports activities.

Over the weekend it was reported that, according to the government,that the teachers in question had introduced religious concepts into their courses and comprised what the report referred to as a “dominant clan.” Other teachers had opposed the reported behaviour of the suspended teachers.

Legault posted on X (formerly Twitter) that he was “shocked” to hear that “religious concepts” had been introduced into the public school, and has called on Education Minister Bernard Drainville and Jean-Francois Roberge, the minister responsible for secularism, to intervene. “For our part,” Drainville wrote, “we will continue to use all the tools at our disposal.” The move echoes St. Pierre Plamondon who, in the wake of the scandal, called for stricter secularism rules. Legault’s post specified that it was “disturbing” to hear that these teachers brought “Islamic religious concepts” into the school.

Isabelle Gélinas, the Director-General of the CSSDM, asked the school to take the step of suspending the teachers “to restore a safe and healthy environment for Bedford students and the entire educational community as quickly as possible.” Drainville took to X to acknowledge the announcement, and echoed Gélinas’ words, posting that “staff hard at work on game plan to restore safe, healthy atmosphere at Bedford School.”

The allegations date back to the 2016-17 school year. And the ministry is looking at three other schools within the CSSDM: Bienville, Saint-Pascal-Baylong, and La Voie High School. It is not yet clear whether the teachers will lose their licenses. But the suspensions will remain in effect for the duration of the investigation.

Rizqy, who had previously called for Gélinas to step down over the issue, says the move was made too late. Gélinas claimed she took the decision after she learned the identities of the teachers in question, names which Rizqy says were already known. n

Eleven teachers suspended at Bedford elementary school Read More »

Montreal may get its own OLF

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Dan Laxer
The Suburban

Could Montreal get its own municipal office for the French language?

That is one of the recommendations of a volunteer committee led by former PQ MNA Louise Harel, a one-time mayoral candidate for Montreal, and interim leader of the Parti Québécois. The committee, created in February 2022, was put together as an advisory body for the city’s own French Language Preservation Plan, which seeks to reaffirm “the importance of French as an official and common language. With this plan, the French language is given pride of place while at the same time, honouring the rights of cultural and linguistic communities and Indigenous peoples.”

As part of the committee’s recommendations, the city would work with new Montrealers and acclimatize them to the French culture, giving them free or cheaper access to French cultural events. They also suggested giving Montreal a prominent place in promoting French and, of course, the idea of a creating a Montreal office for the French language. There already is a French language commissioner for the city. Noémie Dansereau-Lavoie has held the position for just over a year.

At a news conference last week announcing the committee’s recommendations, Mayor Plante tried to reassure Montrealers that access to services in English, or non-Francophone cultural festivals would not be affected. Harel echoed Plante’s words, adding that neither would elected officials be bound by the recommendations.

The announcement came on the same day that the federal official languages commissioner, Raymond Theberge, took issue with the Quebec government’s pressure on English-language CEGEPs and universities.

Theberge was specifically speaking of the proposed cap on the number of students who can register for English-language classes, and the rise in tuition for out-of-town students.

While Theberge does agree that Quebec should keep French alive, he urged the provincial government to “always take into account the impact of decisions on the vitality of its minority community.” n

Montreal may get its own OLF Read More »

CDN school sees teachers investigated for bullying

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Dan Laxer
The Suburban

A Montreal school finds itself in the news for all the wrong reasons.

Eleven teachers from Bedford Elementary School are under investigation after reports surfaced of psychological and physical abuse. At a news conference responding to the allegations, Education Minister Bernard Drainville enumerated some of the incidents that his ministry will be looking into.

“Refusing to recognize that autism exists, refusing to teach sexual education or science, having a student lose consciousness and instead of helping, you start praying?”

Other allegations include bullying, physical and psychological abuse, yelling, pushing, intimidation, and other forms of discipline that would seem to be of an older era, and not acceptable today.

The French public school in Côte des Neiges falls under the purview of the Centre de services scolaire de Montréal (CSSDM). Most of the students come from the area’s cultural communities.

Drainville said that the interests and needs of the students must always take precedence. The reports show that Bedford School is not living up to that expectation. The ministry is sending two representatives to the school charged with re-establishing an environment conducive to the students’ needs and safety.

Aside from the 11 teachers at Bedford, the Education Ministry is looking into three other schools within the CSSDM: Bienville, Saint-Pascal-Baylong, and La Voie High School.

Drainville confirmed that these kinds of allegations go back to the 2016-17 school year. He said in an interview that it is incomprehensible that concerns had not been raised before. n

CDN school sees teachers investigated for bullying Read More »

Westmount appeals to Quebec to stop protests

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Dan Laxer
The Suburban

Westmount Mayor Christina Smith and Westmount-Saint Louis MNA Jennifer Maccarone have sent a joint letter to Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante and Quebec Public Security Minister Francois Bonnardel demanding that something be done to quash antisemitic and anti-Israel demonstrations, particularly in the residential area around the Israeli consulate in Westmount Square. This is the first time a local Mayor has directly involved Quebec in an appeal for public security since these demonstrations started after the Oct. 7, 2023 barbarous Hamas attack on Israel.

The demonstrations that have taken place around the consulate over the past year have made life increasingly difficult for residents who live and work in the area, say Smith and Maccarone. Many residents are senior citizens who are blocked from leaving or entering their homes, and businesses have suffered financial losses as customers avoid the area.

“The situation has become more and more volatile,” reads the letter. Last October 7, after a peaceful student vigil in downtown Montreal, near McGill University, masked pro-Hamas protesters marched from Concordia to McGill, where they smashed windows. McGill University confirmed that evening that a security guard had been assaulted.

In the letter, Smith and Maccarone ask that immediate and decisive measures be taken to prevent further disturbances. “Over the course of the past year we have been in regular contact with the SPVM.” Despite that, they say, “little has been done to respond to the rising concerns” of the residents in the area.

It’s time for the city and the province to intervene, the letter says. They are calling for an emergency plan, and the need for further resources, including the help of the Sûreté du Québec, to manage future demonstrations, either to redirect marches or implement a special intervention force to prevent further disturbances and threats of violence.

“This problem cannot wait,” the letter concludes, “and we hope that you act quickly to ensure the security and protection of all.” n

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