Montreal North mayoral race has residents hoping for change

Normally, the words "municipalbyelection" fail toelicit much excitement.

But the mayoral race in Montreal North has generated an unusual amount of interest, withresidents in one of Montreal's poorest and most crime-strickenboroughs hoping for change.

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• Mayoral candidates need to address 'anti-black racism,' activists say

The April 24 vote, called whenformer mayor GillesDeguirestepped down after being charged withsexual assault against a minor, comes amid heightened tensions with police and demandsfor more diversity in public office.

"We need somebody who's not into corruption, not being a celebrity," saidSahra Bourahla, a young mother originally from Algeria.

Like many residents,Bourahla said thenext mayor's focusneeds to be oneconomic development and shedding theborough'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 inthe Bronx here, to use another stereotype."

Below thepoverty line

The borough, locatedon theRiviredes Prairies in the northeastern section of the island,hasone of the highest reported crime rates on the island, according to statistics provided by Montreal police.

Nearly 30per centof its 83,000 residents livebelow the poverty line, according to a recent report by Centraide.

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-oldblack man, was shot by police witha rubber or plastic bullet duringa drug raid.

A march organized in his memoryand tohonourFredyVillanueva, 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 eventsshowlittle 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,theRegroupementpour lerenouveaudeMontral-Nord,has arguedthenext mayor should bemore representative of the borough'sresidents.

The groupcriticizedDenisCoderre's decision to selectChristineBlack as his party's candidate without consultation.

"[We wanted] somebody who actually knew the different problems we're facing in Montreal North,"the group's spokesman,Don HarleyFils-Aim,said lastmonth.

"And then, after that,if the person came from the black community or another community it would have been good."

Black,the head of theCentre desjeunesl'Escale, a local community group, rejects any suggestionshe doesn't understand the community.

"I come with the experience of helping people and that's what I'm interested in doing," she said.

KerlandeMibelofProjetMontral, meanwhile, has attracted attention because of her Haitianbackground.

Mibel said the mayoral race shouldn't be about theraceof 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 helpthe local economy to grow.

"The fight against poverty is a major issue for me," said Black, the head of theCentre des jeunes l'Escale, a local community organization. "But it starts with economic development."

For her part,Mibelsaid job creation iskey 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.