Draft Amendment to Dollard-des-Ormeaux–Roxboro Planning Programme – Place of Worship on Avenue Anselme-Lavigne: Consultation Participants Prefer Status Quo to Planning Programme Amendment

Montréal, March 1, 2004 – In a report made public today, the Commission appointed by the Office
de consultation publique de Montréal finds that Dollard-des-Ormeaux/Roxboro officials have not
shown just cause for disallowing the use of 241 Anselme-Lavigne as a religious building.
The Commission held public meetings on the issue on December 15 and 16, 2003, and on
January 21 of this year. Chaired over by Mr. Jean Paré, the meetings attracted the participation of
over 200 citizens.

The draft amendment to the planning programme affected eight sectors, but only one issue raised significant interest: that of reserving a building on Anselme-Lavigne for day care or educational uses. The building is owned by the Centre islamique canadien Al-Jamieh.

During the consultation, it became clear that residents were opposed to the proposed amendment. Some said they wanted to preserve the neighbourhood’s residential character by disallowing the property’s use as an elementary school or a day care centre, while others wanted the building to remain a place of worship. All felt that the status quo was preferable to the proposed amendment.

The Commission believes that the Borough did not show that the building’s use as a place of worship caused an unreasonable nuisance, nor that the proposed uses would improve the tranquility of this residential neighbourhood. Under the circumstances, the Commission recommends that the part of the by-law pertaining to this site not be adopted. However, the status quo should remain only temporarily. The Commission suggests that the City take advantage of the ongoing urban plan revision process to identify, through public consultation, a solution that is agreeable both to residents and to the Muslim community. The mission of the Office de consultation publique is to hold public meetings, in the City of Montréal, on projects designated by City Council or the Executive Committee, at the request of either.

For additional information, please consult the Office Web site at: www.ocpm.qc.ca

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