The cruelty of Valérie Plante has become unbearable

Camp image

Opinion by: Roger-Luc Chayer (Picture: Radio-Canada / Ivanoh Demers)

Yesterday, the mayor of Montreal, Valérie Plante, proceeded with the expulsion of the occupants from a piece of land belonging to Canadian Pacific, which was occupied by a clandestine camp. Under the pretext of a request to clear the land, she also had most of the occupants’ belongings collected, if not thrown away.

Valérie Plante no longer seems to distinguish between right and wrong. She no longer differentiates between camps of Palestinian people, those of people without resources, and those of people struggling with addiction or other criminalized situations.

The camp dismantled yesterday was populated by people who no longer have a roof over their heads for various reasons, such as inflation and evictions. Some of the campers even work during the day and return to their tents in the evening because they cannot find affordable housing. This is the case of a respected veteran who receives only $1,200 per month in social assistance and lost his home due to an eviction.

This man is not a drugged « zombie » wandering our parks without the slightest hope of getting out. He is also not a sick person needing psychiatric care that the state neglects due to a lack of resources. It is clear that Northvolt and the Olympic Stadium, with their billions spent, come before human life. No, this man is one of us, a Montrealer that Valérie Plante has broken once again, another one…

Where is this man now, and the others? Where are their belongings, including their identification documents? Where are they taking refuge now? Nowhere, because the mayor had absolutely no relocation plan, not even a temporary one, to offer to these people living in the direst poverty in Montreal.

There were solutions, though. The City has many vacant premises it could offer for temporary occupation to people expelled from camps: gyms, warehouses, there are plenty. But Valérie Plante doesn’t want these people because they don’t vote. That’s the real reason for her disinterest in the Montrealers of the streets. They don’t count in the elections!

Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms of Quebec

Above all, in any governmental decision and before any application of laws or regulations in Quebec, the Charter of Rights takes precedence. What does this mean? According to Wikipedia: « The Charter is a fundamental text of the Quebec legal system, which takes precedence over provincial laws and regulations. Thus, any Quebec legislative and regulatory text must comply with it, under penalty of a declaration of invalidity. Only the Constitution of Canada (which includes the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms) takes precedence over the Quebec Charter. »

What exactly does the Quebec Charter say about the case of Quebecers living in camps due to lack of resources?

CONSIDERING that every human being possesses intrinsic rights and freedoms, intended to ensure their protection and development;

CONSIDERING that all human beings are equal in value and dignity and are entitled to equal protection of the law;

CONSIDERING that respect for human dignity, equality between women and men, and the recognition of the rights and freedoms they hold constitute the foundation of justice, freedom, and peace;

CONSIDERING that human rights and freedoms are inseparable from the rights and freedoms of others and the general well-being;

CONSIDERING that it is necessary to solemnly affirm in a Charter the fundamental rights and freedoms of the person so that they are guaranteed by the collective will and better protected against any violation;

Every human being has the right to life, as well as to the security, integrity, and freedom of their person. Every human being whose life is in peril has the right to assistance.

Every person must assist someone whose life is in peril, personally or by obtaining assistance, by providing the necessary and immediate physical aid, unless it poses a risk to them or to third parties or another reasonable motive.

Every person has the right to the preservation of their dignity, honor, and reputation.

Every person has the right to respect for their private life.

Every person has the right to the peaceful enjoyment and free disposal of their property, except as provided by law.

The home is inviolable. (Even if it is on the street)

No one may enter someone else’s home or take anything from it without their express or implied consent.

No one may be deprived of their liberty or rights, except for reasons provided by law and following the prescribed procedure.

No one may be subjected to abusive seizures, searches, or inspections.

Every person in need has the right, for themselves and their family, to financial assistance and social measures, provided by law, likely to ensure them a decent standard of living.

SHE VIOLATED ARTICLES OF THE CHARTER, MADAME PLANTE, INCLUDING THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL ONES.

What about the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms?

The federal Charter of Rights and Freedoms also protects those people expelled by the City of Montreal. What does the Charter say?

The Charter ensures that everyone’s privacy is protected as reasonably expected. Thus, no one can search you, remove your personal belongings, or access your personal information without a clear legal reason.

Authorities acting on behalf of the government, such as the police, must perform their duties fairly and reasonably. For example, they cannot enter private property or take personal belongings without a valid reason. Police must obtain a warrant from a judge to search someone’s home.

Where are the legal aid lawyers?

In the face of these absolutely cruel evictions by the mayor of Montreal, while she tolerates camps of drug addicts in certain parks of the Gay Village — a subject we will address in another article — legal aid lawyers, accompanied by social workers, should logically meet with all these people and prepare legal actions for the violation of their rights. Where are they when we need them?

To get help from a legal aid lawyer for free in Montreal or Laval, go to https://www.aidejuridiquedemontreal.ca/. All other regions of Quebec have their legal aid offices, which can be found online.

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