Public Security Minister François Bonnardel denounced the City of Montreal’s inaction in the face of the proliferation of encampments on its territory. “We are beginning to see the consequences of this passive approach,” he lamented, reacting to an act of vandalism targeting the headquarters of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec.
What there is to know
- The headquarters of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) was the target of an act of vandalism.
- Quebec Minister of Public Security François Bonnardel denounced the inaction of the City of Montreal in the face of the encampments.
- In a scathing response, the city recalled that it deals with “social crises every day.”
“We expect all political leaders to denounce the excesses and the actions of occupation of public territory,” declared François Bonnardel on social networks.
The Minister of Higher Education, Pascale Déry, supported his exit. “The wait-and-see attitude of [la Ville de Montréal] “This has gone on long enough, the camps must be dismantled,” she added, also calling out McGill University, where a pro-Palestinian camp has been set up for more than two months.
In a scathing response, a Montreal city official recalled that it deals with “social crises every day.”
The spat was sparked by an act of vandalism targeting the headquarters of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ). The front of the building had been sprayed with red paint, prompting an investigation by the Montreal Police Department.
PHOTO OLIVIER JEAN, THE PRESS
A spokeswoman for the pro-Palestinian camp in Victoria Square said she did not know who carried out the vandalism, adding that “one should not be surprised to see this kind of thing.”
On social media, Minister François Bonnardel made the connection with the pro-Palestinian camp located nearby.
In late June, pro-Palestinian protesters pitched tents in Victoria Square, demanding that the institution withdraw its investments in companies “complicit in the Israeli occupation.”
At the same time, a new camp appeared in Parc des Faubourgs, in the Centre-Sud district of Montreal, this time to oppose the dismantling of camps for homeless people.
“I am surprised not to hear more from the City of Montreal on the issue of the camps. For our part, we have made our position clear from the beginning,” continued Mr. Bonnardel, who has more than once called for their dismantling.
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Quebec Minister of Public Security, François Bonnardel
Stung, the person responsible for homelessness on the executive committee of the City of Montreal, Robert Beaudry, reacted to the criticism on social networks.
“If we want to talk about passivity, let’s talk about your actions on the opioid crisis, the housing crisis, the vulnerability crisis and the transit funding crisis,” he retorted.
Honestly! The City of Montreal deals with social crises every day. Fewer tweets and more support would be appreciated. The SPVM is doing a colossal job of maintaining Montreal’s security in a difficult international context.
Robert Beaudry, municipal councilor, on X
“We should not be surprised”
A demonstration of about 20 people converged on Victoria Square on Wednesday. A spokeswoman for the pro-Palestinian camp said she did not know who carried out the vandalism, adding that “one should not be surprised to see this kind of thing.”
“We understand that there is a form of indignation towards this institution which has a share of complicity in the genocide,” explained Safa Chebbi.
At a press conference, the organizers of the pro-Palestinian camp requested an “emergency” meeting with the president and CEO of the CDPQ, Charles Emond.
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Charles Emond, President and CEO of the CDPQ
There has been no dialogue with the institution since the beginning of the occupation, Safa Chebbi lamented. “We would like them to take the camp seriously,” she argued.
The protesters also denounced the arrest of the camp’s main spokesperson, Benoit Allard. He was arrested last Monday while he was walking near the camp, according to Mme Chebbi.
“We believe that this was done in a targeted manner. It is a form of profiling and political repression,” she denounced.
With Isabelle Ducas, The Press