Raising money by posing as one of the founders of The Itinerary : this is the technique used by an ill-intentioned individual in downtown Montreal and on public transport. In a Facebook post, the community media denounced the man’s practices and urged citizens to be vigilant.
“He asks for money on the pretext that the sums will be used for the street vendors. It’s wrong ! “, can we read in particular in the publication. The man would be active in the Quartier des spectacles and in metro cars. Originally written in the post, her full name has since been removed.
According to the direction of the media, the actions of this individual cause real collateral damage. “At least two or three times a week, we have people who call us to tell us that they have given to a vendor, but that they have never received a magazine”, explains the general manager and publisher of The ItineraryLuc Desjardins, reached by telephone.
In some cases, the usurper even became aggressive towards people who asked him for a review. “It gives a very bad image of our group,” laments the director. He adds that this bad press then makes it more difficult for real street vendors to work. “Our hawkers are people who have had a hard life, notes Mr. Desjardins, so if we approach them aggressively, it is not good for their self-esteem. » The mission of The Itinerary is to integrate into the labor market people who have experienced addiction, homelessness or mental health problems.
Focus on awareness
Mr. Desjardins explains that it was citizens who informed the community group of the situation. He says the Facebook post serves as a “warning that the money isn’t really going to The Itinerary “, and adds” that we could well file a complaint and prosecute him, but I do not help the person more and that is not part of our mandate “. According to him, the man is a former hawker who has not been employed by the group for at least “ten years”.
Mr. Desjardins affirms that the Police Department of the City of Montreal as well as the Company of transport of Montreal are informed. “When someone sleeps on the benches of a metro station, they are asked to get out, but when someone goes through all the cars pretending to be us to ask for money, it has the we seem to tolerate it,” the director says indignantly.
It’s not the first time that The Itinerary has his identity stolen by an ill-intentioned person. In a publication in August 2020, the media reported the actions of a man who also posed as one of the founders of the magazine.
Same story in October 2020.
Luc Desjardins relies on awareness to dissuade citizens from helping these men who are damaging the reputation of the magazine. “During the bulk of the pandemic, there was one who told everyone that we were closed, when it was false. People called us to ask us questions,” recalls Mr. Desjardins.
Asked about the reasons that may push this man to usurp the identity of The Itinerary, the director has his own idea: “He obviously makes money. Otherwise, it would change its name. »