Two arrested after council vote approving Villeray condo project

The leaders of Montreal’s two largest political parties say debates at council meetings must be conducted respectfully after two people were arrested at a borough council meeting that turned rowdy Tuesday night.

Police were called to the Villeray—St-Michel—Parc-Extension monthly borough meeting Tuesday where councillors voted on two controversial development projects. After the five-member borough council voted unanimously to uphold a decision to allow the construction of condos at a former taxi headquarters on Lajeunesse St., people in the room began booing and chanting.

The council meeting was suspended and police were called. Const. Andrée-Anne Picard of the Montreal police service said a call came in at 9:50 p.m. about rowdy behaviour by about 30 people at the council meeting. Two people were arrested and will be charged with obstruction, she said.

Later, the meeting resumed and the council approved a second project that would allow the conversion of a commercial building on Hutchison Ave. to condos.

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante said Wednesday she understands people in the borough are concerned about gentrification and the city has set aside $17 million to buy land to create mixed housing.

“It is a reality that gentrification is rapidly occurring in Park Extension and the local population is very, very concerned,” she said.

“We are going to take concrete steps to make sure to preserve the social, economic and cultural diversity of the neighbourhood.”

Lionel Perez, leader of Ensemble Montréal, said he found the incident worrisome.

“Absolutely everyone has the right to come, ask questions … and exercise their democratic right to share their point of view with elected officials before a vote,” he said. “But it’s worrisome how it degenerated.”