Roger-Luc Chayer (Image: AI – Gay Globe)
In 2009, while I was regularly contributing as the responsible columnist for the « Mourrial » segment on the show Le Midi avec André Arthur on TQS, I often covered issues damaging Montreal’s image. Discussing with André, I addressed both economic and social issues and filmed my own footage. My segment was aired regularly until TQS was sold to new investors.
On January 29, 2009, I covered a very serious topic for Montreal and Quebecers. I discovered that Gérald Tremblay, then Mayor of Montreal, had participated in a congress featuring cities from the third world. Yes, you read that right. See my TV segment on French here.
Naturally, as a Montrealer, I was deeply outraged by Montreal’s participation in this congress, which severely tarnished our city’s reputation. However, reflecting on my regular segments on TQS and my observations shared on other shows, including the news on GGTV, I realized that Montreal was indeed slowly sliding towards third-worldism, and it was imperative to discuss it. See the archives of my TQS segments in French here.
Today, in 2024, it is clearer than ever that Montreal is broken and dysfunctional on several levels. The news only covers this: housing, homelessness, drugs, inflation, the lack of shelters, overwhelmed hospitals, empty food banks, tent villages occupying public spaces, violence, filth, etc. Montreal is now but a shadow of its former self, far from the much more glorious past under Jean Drapeau. By the way, have you noticed that the 90s slogan, « La Fierté a une Ville, Montréal! » is no longer mentioned anywhere? Today, Montreal is far from being proud…
Definition and Criteria of Third-Worldization
According to Wikipedia, Vikidia, and Alternativeséconomiques.fr, « These countries are generally characterized by low economic development, often with very low per capita income and an economy largely based on agriculture or the exploitation of natural resources, with little industrialization. Poverty is widespread, with significant wealth inequality. Infrastructure, such as roads, transportation systems, access to clean water, and telecommunications, is often underdeveloped. Access to basic services such as education, health, and sanitation is limited. Social and political instability is common, with fragile or authoritarian political systems and widespread corruption in institutions. Human rights are sometimes poorly respected, and internal conflicts can be frequent. Finally, the labor market is often informal, with a large portion of the population working without social protections or labor rights. »
Of course, as Montreal is the metropolis of Quebec and not a sovereign state, many of these criteria do not apply. However, some may well correspond to the current situation in the metropolis.
Could Montreal Currently Be Considered a Third-World City?
Montreal, as a city in a developed country like Canada, benefits from many infrastructures and services not typically found in cities of developing countries. However, certain aspects of Montreal’s current situation, such as the housing crisis, homelessness, rising violence, and social problems, may give the impression that the city is facing difficulties similar to those sometimes associated with third-world cities. And that’s the tragedy: Montreal has become this way, even though it has not always been in this state. The reasons for this decline must be sought in political causes, and it is within the policies that solutions are to be found.
We currently have the impression that Montreal has lost control over several aspects of its management and responsibilities. Everything needs to be redone. There must be a starting point, and the current decision-makers do not seem to be the right people to restore the French pearl of the Americas to the beautiful lady status it deserves.