The Assumption is preparing for “all possible scenarios” in view of the arrival of the “Dehors la CAQ” convoys, which will roll this Saturday towards this municipality of Lanaudière to denounce the management of the pandemic by the Legault government. A first for this city of approximately 24,000 inhabitants.
Posted at 10:15 p.m.
“We feel that the organizers have a certain leadership over the demonstrators, so that inspires confidence in us, but there can always be individuals with other intentions. We also have to be ready for that,” summarizes the mayor of L’Assomption, Sébastien Nadeau, in an interview with The Press.
He says his teams try to “cultivate” a relationship of respect and listening. “It’s a rather heterogeneous group, there are different organizers and different motivations in some cases. When we look at the recent past, we know that it can generate some concerns for our fellow citizens, ”recognizes the elected official.
He thus makes direct reference to the “freedom convoys”, these hundreds of heavy goods vehicles which had paralyzed downtown Ottawa for three weeks, in January and February. The largest shopping center in the federal capital had to close during this period.
We think it’s better to be overprepared than not enough. Of this size, and of this clientele, we have never seen such an event here. We’re not used to all that.
Sébastien Nadeau, Mayor of L’Assomption
As a security measure, no truck or vehicle clearly identified at the demonstration will be able to enter downtown L’Assomption this Saturday. “From Highway 40, the trucks will only be able to enter by Route 341, and not 343. They will then be redirected to a parking lot, where speeches can be held,” explains Mr. Nadeau on this subject. In the city center, he says, “we still want to keep mobility, and room for our emergency services”.
The SQ can intervene if necessary
So far, more than 1,500 people have expressed their interest in participating in the demonstration on social networks. Convoys “Dehors la CAQ” should leave from several cities to converge on L’Assomption, which is the riding of François Legault, all two days before the vote. A walk of about a kilometer must then take place towards the constituency office of the outgoing Prime Minister.
At the Sûreté du Québec (SQ), the spokesperson for the elections, Benoit Richard, confirms that the police force will be very present, supported by the local police of L’Assomption.
We will certainly have the necessary numbers to intervene if necessary. Anyway, there is always a presence that takes place in demonstrations.
Benoit Richard, spokesperson for the SQ
According to our information, the police authorities have evaluated several scenarios over the week, including that of closing the city center temporarily, in order to avoid potential overflows. But the limitation of travel was finally chosen, to let residents go about their business.
“It is certain that if people are all there at the same time in a given place, it is more complicated. Above all, we will adapt our interventions according to the number of people, ”illustrated Mr. Richard on this subject.
Mayor Sébastien Nadeau, for his part, recalls that the demonstrators who will circulate will be supervised “in the head, in the body and at the back of the pack”. “When the whole group has passed, we will reopen traffic gradually in each sector. So we may have mobile closures, but not permanent, ”he illustrates.
Shops closed
Some merchants have already announced their intention to the City to close their doors during the day on Saturday. Others, such as restaurants or cafes, could however remain open. “Our goal is that at 5 p.m., the demonstration is over and that people can return to the normal course of things,” concludes Mr. Nadeau.
On Facebook, the organizers say they want to “denounce the current government of Quebec, mainly represented by the CAQ, for having abused the motive of the pandemic to create social, human, emotional and financial disorders in Quebec society”.
The office of the head of the CAQ had called for calm last week, saying that it was aware “that the pandemic has been difficult for many Quebecers”. “We did everything to save lives. Quebecers were very united. They made a lot of sacrifices to get us out of this pandemic, ”said press officer Ewan Sauves, without commenting further on the expected demonstrations. “Freedom of expression is a fundamental right. On the other hand, it must be exercised with respect, without intimidation,” continued Mr. Sauves.
Among the Conservatives, leader Éric Duhaime indicated on Friday that “the best way to demonstrate against the CAQ is to vote for the Conservative Party of Quebec on Monday in the ballot boxes”, reiterating his call for calm and wishing that there is no overflow. The party had already assured that it was “in no way linked to this demonstration”.
With the collaboration of Mylène Crête, The Press