Little Burgundy’s Citizen’s Committee Sues The City of Montreal Over Hazardous Rental Housing
Little Burgundy’s Citizen’s Committee is suing the City of Montreal over substandard housing for residents displaced by their latest urban renewal project.
Little Burgundy, Montreal – May 12, 1967
Little Burgundy’s Citizen’s Committee is suing the City of Montreal over unacceptable housing for residents displaced by their latest urban renewal project. The lawsuit filed by attorney George Miller in St. Marches Court, alleges The City of Montreal was aware of the hazardous living conditions and did not take the corrective action to improve those conditions or relocate residents.
The Citizens Committee is frustrated and hungry for change. Residents from the district of Little Burgundy are desperate and have nowhere to go. Little Burgundy Resident and Citizen Representative, Jane Doe says “The right to a decent home according to me, is a basic right for everyone, we hope this will lead to urban renewal that is not only physical but human.”
The Citizen Committee sought help from Montreal’s’ property standards department, which officially issued multiple by-law violations to the city regarding the state of the apartment building. Joe Doe, a professional building inspector noted, “these structural issues need to be dealt with immediately, with the cracked exterior walls and deteriorating foundation, no one should be allowed to live there. These residents need to be moved.”
The City did not take the corrective actions to improve the apartment complex or relocate residents. Little Burgundy’s Citizen’s Committee decided to take the city to court and is seeking a one million dollar pay out. This will reimburse the three hundred displaced residents rent. In addition, the money will cover rental payments for the next ten months until residents can move back into their homes in Little Burgundy.
The multi-year urban renewal project is expected to displace over fourteen thousand residents from the neighbourhood of Little Burgundy. The Citizen’s Committee knows that this is just the beginning. If they do not advocate now for the people of Little Burgundy this will continue throughout the duration of the urban renewal.
Little Burgundy Citizen’s Committee
Little Burgundy’s Citizen’s Committee was organized in 1967, to act in the interest of neighbourhood residents during the massive urban renewal project in their community. The committee is responsible for engaging with municipal and provincial officials to demand that resident’s perspectives are heard in regard to the project planning of Little Burgundy. The committee disputes and recommends alternatives regarding acceptable rent scales, and citizen participation. Their core values are reflected in their accountability and commitment to the liberty and welfare of Little Burgundy residents. Through the power of collaboration, the committee believes they can advocate for their community’s well-being.
For more information, contact Kate Bibeau, Communication Specialist and Little Burgundy Citizen’s Representative, KBibeau@Gmail.com
Little Burgundy’s Citizen’s Committee Blog Advocating Fiercely for Our Community