To fight against racism and discrimination in all its spheres of activity, the City of Montreal is making 12 commitments for 2022, which affect the police as well as cultural activities and land use planning.
Posted at 3:16 p.m.
But for the opposition to city hall, the Plante administration is not doing enough in this regard, because it is slow to implement several of the 38 recommendations issued by the Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM). in June 2020.
“The City of Montreal does not tolerate any form of racism or discrimination,” assured Tuesday the president of the executive committee, Dominique Ollivier, also responsible for the fight against racism and systemic discrimination. “Today, we are taking new concrete steps to ensure that the municipal system is inclusive and safe for everyone, and we are continuing to build on solid foundations. »
The administration unveiled its 12 commitments during an online presentation by the Office of the Commissioner for the Fight against Racism and Systemic Discrimination on the progress of the City’s achievements in this regard.
“Equality also involves concrete actions in terms of urban safety and access to housing, transport and green spaces. We are firmly determined to continue to take strong action for a fairer, greener and more inclusive city,” said Mayor Valérie Plante in a press release.
Three of the commitments made by the City relate to “public security without profiling”. There is talk of strengthening the fight against racial and social profiling, of an awareness tour in the fight against hate crimes, of consolidating ties with indigenous organizations and citizens and of training for police officers on “de-escalation”, in particular.
Other commitments focus on diversifying the municipal workforce, seeking greater diversity during festivals and cultural events, prioritizing certain urban sectors during municipal investments (to reduce, for example, housing heat) and increased citizen participation.
According to the opposition at City Hall, however, the administration of Projet Montréal is late in taking action. “Most of the OCPM’s recommendations have not yet been implemented,” laments Abdelhaq Sari, municipal councilor for the Ensemble Montréal party and vice-president of the Commission de la sécurité publique.
Mr. Sari cites, for example, the recommendation to appoint two independent members representing civil society on the Public Security Commission, who will have expertise in racial and social profiling and human rights.
The Commission de la sécurité publique will have a mandate, in the coming weeks, to recommend a candidate for the position of chief of police.
This change in the composition of the commission requires the agreement of the provincial government. However, the request has not yet been sent to Quebec, denounces Mr. Sari.