Montreal North mayoral race has residents hoping for change
April 24 vote comes amid tensions with police, calls for more diversity in public office
Normally, the words "municipal byelection" fail to elicit much excitement.
But the mayoral race in Montreal North has generated an unusual amount of interest, with residents in one of Montreal's poorest and most crime-stricken boroughs hoping for change.
- Montreal North byelection: A closer look at the mayoral candidates
- Mayoral candidates need to address 'anti-black racism,' activists say
The April 24 vote, called when former mayor Gilles Deguire stepped down after being charged with sexual assault against a minor, comes amid heightened tensions with police and demands for more diversity in public office.
Like many residents, Bourahla said the next mayor's focus needs to be on economic development — and shedding the borough's reputation as one of the most dangerous parts of the city.
"I personally feel secure most of the time," she said.
"We don't get shot dead down every time we step out of the house. It's not like we're in New York in the Bronx here, to use another stereotype."
Below the poverty line
The borough, located on the Rivière des Prairies in the northeastern section of the island, has one of the highest reported crime rates on the island, according to statistics provided by Montreal police.
It's also one of the city's most diverse areas, and activists believe visible minorities have been unfairly targeted by police.
Last month, Bony Jean-Pierre, a 46-year-old black man, was shot by police with a rubber or plastic bullet during a drug raid.
A march organized in his memory and to honour Fredy Villanueva, an 18-year-old shot by police in Montreal North in 2008, ended in violence.
- Montreal North vigil to remember Bony Jean-Pierre, Fredy Villanueva
- Police forces fail when not reflective of diverse population, activists say
Will Prosper, a former RCMP officer and member of the activist group Montreal Noir, said the events show little has been done to address tension with police and the underlying issues of poverty and crime.
"If they don't do anything to address these issues, it will happen all over again," Prosper said.
"They've failed the community tremendously."
Calls for diversity
Another community organization, the Regroupement pour le renouveau de Montréal-Nord, has argued the next mayor should be more representative of the borough's residents.
The group criticized Denis Coderre's decision to select Christine Black as his party's candidate without consultation.
"And then, after that, if the person came from the black community or another community it would have been good."
Black, the head of the Centre des jeunes l'Escale, a local community group, rejects any suggestion she doesn't understand the community.
"I come with the experience of helping people and that's what I'm interested in doing," she said.
Kerlande Mibel of Projet Montréal, meanwhile, has attracted attention because of her Haitian background.
Mibel said the mayoral race shouldn't be about the race of the candidates, but added "we need to have every voice, as much as possible, so we can address the situation."
"Of course, there's not a lot of black women running for office," she said.
"If people are excited about it, it means they are ready to embrace change."
Jobs, jobs, jobs
Black and Mibel, the two major contenders in the race, are both campaigning on a promise to help the local economy to grow.
"The fight against poverty is a major issue for me," said Black, the head of the Centre des jeunes l'Escale, a local community organization. "But it starts with economic development."
For her part, Mibel said job creation is key — but the relationship between Montreal police and visible minorities also needs to change.
"The SPVM has to know that they need to take care of the residents," she said.
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with files from Morgan Dunlop