The subject of a complaint filed with the Commission municipale du Québec (CMQ), the mayor of Anjou, Luis Miranda, again apologized on Tuesday evening for his remarks made on October 4 to the place of the young Hocine Ouendi, 15 year. The elected official took advantage of the borough council meeting to denounce the climate of violence and intimidation established in the past year by young delinquents in the parks of his borough.
At the opening of the borough council meeting, Mayor Miranda returned to his discussion with the young Hocine Ouendi who, last month, had challenged him about the closing of soccer fields. “I unfortunately got carried away and I made comments that exceeded my thoughts. Once again, I would like to express my most sincere apologies to Mr. Hocine Ouendi, his mother and my fellow citizens,” declared Luis Miranda. “I want to promote and encourage citizen participation in Angevin democratic life. This of course includes our young people. »
Complaint to the CMQ
The boy’s parents, however, criticize Mayor Miranda for never having contacted the teenager to apologize to him following this event.
Hocine Ouendi’s mother filed a complaint against Luis Miranda with the CMQ on Monday evening. She accuses him of having violated the Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected Officials by making comments deemed “disparaging” about her son.
According to the complaint, drafted with the help of the Center for Research-Action on Race Relations (CRARR), Luis Miranda allegedly violated four articles of the Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected Officials. This stipulates that elected officials must avoid engaging in conduct that undermines the honor and dignity of the office of elected official, that they must act with respect towards citizens, that they must not not behave in a disrespectful manner towards citizens “by the use, in particular, of vexatious words, writings or gestures”, and that they cannot “discriminate based on race […]age, ethnic or national origin”.
CRARR considers that Luis Miranda’s behavior constitutes an act of racial profiling.
Intimidating climate
On Tuesday evening, Mayor Miranda also indicated that he had discussed with CMQ investigators who “were concerned” by his remarks and the message that young people could retain about the relevance of their democratic participation.
During the borough council, Luis Miranda reiterated his concerns about the acts of incivility and intimidation which have multiplied in recent months, particularly at Parc Goncourt. “During the summer, we received multiple complaints from citizens denouncing the climate of violence and intimidation that reigns around this park. This situation is caused by a gang of young delinquents. This group vandalizes the facilities, insults the elderly and sabotages their petanque activities, among other things,” he said. “Dung was even fired in their direction. »
These young people monopolize the soccer fields outside the scheduled hours, which forced the borough to cancel games involving young children, recalled the elected official. The mayor also read an excerpt from a letter received from the father of a soccer player, who, along with his teammates, was repeatedly harassed and intimidated by these “thugs” during the summer.
“The situation is unacceptable,” said the mayor, who promised to take steps to put an end to this situation. Mayor Miranda explained that police surveillance would be increased next year and that the borough would launch a call for tenders for a private security service.