Nov. 20 is the day Outremont will decide by referendum on a bylaw that would ban any future places of worship on Bernard Avenue.
The date was set at the Montreal borough’s regular council meeting on the evening of Oct. 3, despite objections from the sole Jewish councillor, Mindy Pollak, and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) that it was disrespectful to hold discussion of an issue so important to Jewish, especially chassidic residents, on Rosh Hashanah.
The borough, nevertheless, went ahead with the meeting according to its normal schedule of the first Monday of every month.
Pollak, who is a member of a chassidic community, said that “rather than seeking to bring communities together, the borough is sowing division.”
READ: MONTREAL TO HOLD VOTE ON PLACES OF WORSHIP BAN
She said on Sept. 30 it shows a “lack of respect for the Jewish community, which is directly concerned by the bylaw on places of worship.”
Of course, she was not present when the four other councillors approved the date. Pollak is the sole councillor who has voted consistently against the bylaw since it first came before the council last December.
On Sept. 8, the minimum 367 signatures forcing a referendum were collected on a public registry opened by Outremont concerning a bylaw that will prohibit any new places of worship from opening on Bernard.
Bernard is one of three major commercial arteries in the borough and is considered a Montreal landmark for its fashionable shops and restaurants, and historic architecture.
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A registry was also opened on Sept. 8 for Laurier Avenue, another street with many businesses, but only four signatures were recorded – well short of the minimum of 176 – and the bylaw immediately came into force.
Bernard runs through the heart of the chassidic neighbourhood, and the community has vigorously protested the proposed bylaw, which received final approval by the council in August. The growing community says its needs more space for worship in the area. There is currently one chassidic synagogue on Bernard and another under construction.
The community rallied to get enough signatures on the registry, as it sees a referendum as its last hope of quashing the bylaw, short of a court challenge.
The referendum question is (in translation): “Do you approve of Bylaw AO-320-B that has the objective of prohibiting ‘worship and religious’ usage in zone C-2, which encompasses Bernard Avenue?”
READ: BOROUGH, CHASSIDIM AT ODDS OVER PROPOSED BAN ON PLACES OF WORSHIP
People living in the zone, as well as owners of a building or business there, are eligible to vote. An advance poll will be held Nov. 13.
The council has said the banning of additional places of worship is intended to revitalize Bernard and Laurier, and that property on those streets should be reserved for commercial activity. A similar prohibition has been in force on Van Horne Avenue since 1999.
Pollak, a member of the opposition Projet Montréal, said she had informed the borough administration last November to avoid scheduling the council meeting on Oct. 3, as it was an important Jewish holiday. About 20 per cent of Outremont’s residents are Jewish.
On Oct. 2, CIJA issued a press release expressing its concern over the scheduling of the meeting on Rosh Hashanah.
“Given that those most directly impacted by the results of the Bernard referendum cannot attend [the Oct. 3] council meeting because of Rosh Hashanah, a Jewish High Holy Day, it is difficult to imagine how any discussion on this issue can be said to be representative or reflective of the population it impacts,” stated CIJA Quebec co-chair Rabbi Reuben Poupko.
“A borough council has the duty to represent the interests of all its citizens,” stated fellow co-chair Patrick Benaroche. “Council meetings are an opportunity for all citizens to express their concerns and engage in the democratic process.”
