Montréal Chapter of Rights and Responsiblities Well Received But Still Needs Enhancement According to Office de consultation publique de Montréal Commission Findings

Montréal, June 15, 2004 – The Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM) made public today the report of the Commission responsible for consultations on the draft Charter of Rights and Responsibilities. The Commission was chaired by Mr. Claude Corbo, a professor at the Université du Québec à Montréal, who was supported by two commissioners, Dr. Myrna E. Lashley of the Psychology Department of John Abbott College, and Me Claude Fabien of the Law Faculty of the Université de Montréal.

The proposal for a charter of citizens' rights and responsibilities was announced by Montréal Mayor Gérald Tremblay on December 10 last. At that time, the Executive Committee mandated the Office de consultation publique to hold public consultations on the proposal.

The Commission held ten meetings, and received more than 60 briefs. Overall, the draft Charter for Montrealers was positively received by the large majority of participants. It is perceived as innovative, and many of the opinions expressed by citizens and groups who spoke at the meetings leaned towards its being strengthened and the clarification of its mandate and scope. The Commission joins participants in their support of the Charter, while sharing the widely expressed opinion that it is an unfinished project that should be clarified and enhanced. This can be achieved by building on the citizens' meticulous, exhaustive and generous work.

The Commission notes that certain questions were raised repeatedly and require clarification. Citizens wondered about the scope of the Charter and would like it to be entrenched in the City's Charter to give it precedence over City Council by-laws. It was also pointed out that the boroughs should be subject to the Charter. The Commission agrees with that opinion. The question of the Charter's implementation also raises other questions, and the Commission believes that the City will have to re-evaluate the status and means accorded to the ombudsman, to whom all citizens' requests regarding the Charter will be addressed.

The Commission also examines a series of other considerations in its voluminous report, and submits 11 recommendations to municipal authorities on which it would like the Administration to act before proceeding with the Charter project. These recommendations pertain to:

• The continuation of work on the Charter
• The entrenchment of the Charter to ensure its precedence
• The applicability to the boroughs
• The protection of existing rights
• The strengthening of the institution of ombudsman
• The legal remedies and enforcement of rights recognized in the Charter
• The resources required to implement the draft Charter
• The issue of Montréal's linguistic and cultural identity
• The promotion of harmonious cohabitation among the diverse groups
• The re-drafting of Part II pertaining to rights, responsibilities and commitments
• The revision of the French and English versions

The Commission's report aims to reflect the opinions and concerns of consultation participants. Copies of the report are available at the OCPM offices and on its Web site at www.ocpm.qc.ca The mission of the Office de consultation publique de Montréal is to hold public consultations on Montréal territory, on all projects designated by City Council or the Executive Committee and at the request of one or the other. The Office has adopted credible, transparent and effective consultation procedures, upon completion of which it presents, in a report, the opinions expressed by citizens who attended the public meetings.

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Jean-François Viau
President of the Office de consultation publique de Montréal
Tel.: (514) 872-3568
Cell.: (514) 886-1515