Mayor Gracia Kasoki Katahwa

Future uncertain for Wilderton lot slated for social housing

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By Joel Ceausu
The Suburban

Anybody who has looked at the redevelopment of the Wilderton shopping centre into a mixed-use residential commercial development can’t help but notice the dramatic transformation, but also the lingering empty lot on the eastern edge of the property.

Originally slated for some 20 social housing units, the developer of the property owned by First Capital dropped the plan to build and opted instead to pay $420,000 into the city’s housing fund.

At July council, Darlington councillor Stephanie Valenzuela asked what the plan was. “I would like to have a follow-up on what is happening now with the lot.” Mayor Gracia Kasoki Katahwa steered the question to borough director Stéphane Plante, who replied that “the promoter decided to pay the sums rather than go with a lot because the financial package was too difficult. I’m telling you this with all reservations, because I have to check, but the last information we had was for this purpose.”

That entire project was approved in 2016 and was supposed to be three phases: a seniors’ residence; a commercial and residential development; and a phase of social housing. A nearby plot of land was donated to the city, but the social housing on-site was nixed. “My assumption is that they never found a proper organization to take control of the project,” says Valenzuela, adding “they were likely also counting on funds from the province which never came and opted instead to just pay into the fund.”

The borough finally did confirm that the developer made a financial contribution “as it was unable to carry out a social housing project on the site due to a lack of funding from the provincial government.” The borough did not say what the plans were for the site. First Capital did not respond to requests for comment before press time.

As of year-end 2023, there was more than $15 million in the city’s social housing fund comprised of contributions from builders who opt out of Montreal’s mixed metropolis bylaw adopted three years ago. Earlier this year the city announced that it was easing up on its vaunted 20-20-20 rule, which obliges developers to include social, affordable and family housing in their projects. The city instituted some temporary changes to the rules, including boosting compensation to developers for land transfers to the city for such purposes, and payments into the fund in lieu of building will be frozen for two years. Also, smaller projects — 20 households or less — are exempt from the contribution and affordable housing obligation. n

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CDN/NDG Mayor “looking for leaders” to fight antisemitism

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Joel Ceausu
The Suburban

Antisemitism and inappropriate protests are on the rise in CDN-NDG, borough council regular Michael Shafter told council last week. “Our Jewish schools, synagogues, Westbury Y, Federation building, and other on-island institutions have been targeted with vandalism, hateful graffiti, bullets, and offensive protests all serving to instill fear in our peaceful population, which is always willing to do good deeds for others.”

Shafter remarked that every week citizens peacefully march in Snowdon to highlight “Let my people go!” for hostages of Hamas terrorists, and that it requires court injunctions “to keep the bad protesters away: that is no way to live.” Shafter suggested the borough erect posters on its Décarie building promoting “love for yourself and stop the hate.”

Borough Mayor Gracia Kasoki Katahwa replied: “We could not agree more that these days and times that we’re living in, people need to be reminded that we’re all human beings that need to be respected and that we need to show each other some love… It’s clearly about education, we need to educate people more, so people could remind themselves or understand that we are all human beings that deserve respect and love but we’re not going to do that with posters.”

Indeed, since the October 7 terrorist massacre of Israelis including Canadians, apart from repeated antisemitic incidents on McGill and Concordia university campuses and the firebombing of a synagogue and community centre on the West Island, the borough of CDN-NDG has been Montreal’s focal point for anti-Israel and antisemitic actions.

These include aggressive mobs flashing Hamas symbols and Nazi salutes, physically barring citizens from entering the Jewish community campus; chanting in residents’ yards while circling buildings to block exits; shouting profanities and setting off smoke canisters outside a synagogue in a residential area; as well as firebombings, shootings at school buildings, and the spectacle of borough employees dispatched to rip down small posters of people, including elderly and toddlers, held hostage by an avowed genocidal terrorist group.

“As the city’s point-person on discrimination, racism and hate,” Shafter asked Katahwa, “do you have a better initiative to stop the hate talk and hate action? Please enlighten me: what is the city prepared to do? What are you prepared to do? What would you like to do?”

She responded, “We have to recognize that since October 7, there is a rise of antisemitism incidents and crime and same thing with Islamophobia, so I’m right now looking for leaders in different parts of the city to make sure that we are able to have a conversation among the different groups of citizens so we could address that rising antisemitism and Islamophobia.”

The Suburban asked if Montreal’s existing Jewish community organizations — most if not all headquartered in her borough — were insufficient to engage with. “I’ve had the chance to meet with leaders of the community on multiple occasions, especially in the last few months,” she said, explaining that “looking for leaders” means “I’m aiming to broaden our dialogue. Beyond the vital work of established Jewish organizations in CDN-NDG, the nationwide surge in antisemitism and Islamophobia demands we invite more voices to ensure Montreal’s safety and unity,” adding Montreal and CDN-NDG are stronger and better because of its diversity. n

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Monument to Isabella: monument to inaction?

Local Journalism Initiative / / / ,

By Joel Ceausu
The Suburban

How long does it take to remove a small slab of granite from a park?

(Not a trick question, but maybe a tricky one.)

For 65 years a small monument has stood at the southeast entrance to Macdonald Park, a dynamic green space at Snowdon’s western edge.

Alongside footpaths, swing sets and dogs, stands the tribute to the murderous Isabella I of Castille, who brought the inquisition to Spain, where hundreds of thousands of Jews and Muslims were tortured and expelled. “She was the Hitler of her day,” said resident David Engel. “Given the many religious and ethnic communities in the area, should she still be celebrated?”

It’s a while since 1958, when historical consciousness was less pervasive, but in 2024 begs the question: Is it appropriate to honor a medieval monarch who reigned over massacres and genocide in service to imperialism and Christian dominance in the heart of one of Canada’s most diverse neighbourhoods?

It was radio silence at Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante’s office, which had nothing to comment more than a year ago, other than suggesting a query to Montreal’s media relations department, which did not respond, even as Montreal’s recognition rules acknowledge times change: “as knowledge and values evolve in society, questions sometimes arise about people or events recognized in another era. Such situations may lead to requests for revision of certain acts of recognition that took place long ago, a process also covered in the framework.”

It’s been almost 18 months since Borough Mayor Gracia Kasoki Katahwa, recently named Plante administration point-person on racism and discrimination, welcomed a suggestion by Engel and Snowdon councillor Sonny Moroz to remove it, and asked Moroz to follow up. Numerous residents have told The Suburban they could save city dollars and “take care of it.”

Moroz said he made his third official request to remove the statue in January, fully within the borough’s purview, but seems to be slowed by bureaucratic processes. “I asked that they just remove it and leave the flower bed because residents want to keep that.”

The stone was dedicated in October 1958 by 18 consuls in Montreal on the 466th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ discovery of America, itself a few months after the Alhambra Decree expelled Spain’s practising Jews. Not only did Isabella oversee torture, massacre and forced conversion of hundreds of thousands, but survivors were given a deadline to convert or leave. Over half of Spain’s Jews were forcibly converted in the 14th century, with 40,000-100,000 expelled from Spain.

“Isabella was a monster,” said Engel, who brought the issue to the borough in 2022. “Given what’s going on around the world and here in Montreal and this borough with a huge spike in antisemitism, how is this still here? Wouldn’t the city and borough mayor want to look good?”

“We are fully aware of the unease of many citizens, including members of the Jewish community, about the presence of a tombstone of Queen Isabella in MacDonald Park” said Katahwa’s office, acknowledging the atrocities and the desire of many local residents to remove it, adding, “we prefer not to comment on the matter as we are in the process of fine-tuning the details with Councillor Sonny Moroz.”

Moroz wishes this “wasn’t a story, but residents want it removed and they need somebody to push to make it happen… This was about celebrating imperialism, and it no longer has a place here. It’s very simple.” n

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Taxes and CDN/NDG’s “dirty” water

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Joel Ceausu

Like other Montrealers, Neal Mukherjee just got his municipal property tax bill. But one line on it caught the particular attention of the NDG resident: “I was billed an amount for water service tax. Considering that my water is contaminated with lead,” he asked Borough Mayor Gracia Kasoki Katahwa, “considering my water is dirty, why is the city taxing me on dirty water?”

“The city, if I’m not mistaken, gave itself 10 years to change the lead water entries for all Montrealers,” responded Katahwa, “and in Côte des Neiges-Notre Dame de Grace, we are one of the most advanced boroughs in terms of changing these lead water entries for citizens here.” She then pointed out that “you use water for all kinds of reasons: to drink, to prepare, to take your shower, so water is an important resource for many people.”

While the city has decided to change the lead water entries, she says “the level that is in some of our pipes is not a level that is dangerous for the health of the population in where it is right now. So we have time to change them because it’s the best practice to do, and we want to have the best water possible for Montrealers, but you’re not poisoning yourself right now. Water is a resource that is increasingly scarce and important in the world, so I think we should all be very grateful to be able to have this running water in our homes.”

“Your answer that water is important, I agree,” said Mukherjee. “That is probably the most important service the city can offer its residents. So why is it not a more important priority for this administration or for this city?” In response, Katahwa pointed out that as a past mayoralty candidate Mukherjee has to look at the numbers. “We are investing a lot in our aqueduct infrastructure in the city of Montreal. We’re going to have to invest a lot in the next few years, that’s what makes us an administration that has decided not to ignore the maintenance of our infrastructure and we put a lot, a lot of money into it. When you say it’s not a priority. I admit I don’t understand what you mean.”

After council Mukherjee expressed “surprise that a former health professional has no problems with residents having a little bit of lead in their water. So much for public health!” n

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