It’s in the rain RAPLIQ denounced the inaccessibility of the majority of the terraces on Mont-Royal Avenue in Montreal. While Montrealers are impatiently waiting for the return of good weather to go and enjoy one of the city’s terraces, the RAPLIQ recalled that several terraces on Mont-Royal Avenue were inaccessible to people with disabilities (particularly those using a mobility aid). The inaccessibility of the terraces discriminates against people who can access them because of architectural obstacles. This form of discrimination is clearly prohibited by the Quebec Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Mr. Alex Norris, city councilor in the Plateau Mont-Royal borough and responsible for the terraces file, was present and explained many times that it was impossible to make certain terraces accessible because of too great technical challenges. This is what the Plateau technical services team would have decided in the spring. The RAPLIQ met with Mr. Norris in June 2010 to explain the importance of making the terraces accessible. A video report had been produced following this meeting. You can view the report on YouTube. The RAPLIQ had no idea that not only would the majority of terraces remain inaccessible, but that the number of inaccessible terraces would also increase!
The photo below shows the inaccessible terrace of Pizzédélic on Mont-Royal. This terrace was however accessible in 2010 since it was directly on the sidewalk.
The leader of the Official Opposition and Vision Montreal, Ms. Louise Harel, as well as Ms. Véronique Fournier and Ms. Huguette Roy, councilors in the Sud-Ouest borough, were present and supported the RAPLIQ in its demands. Mrs. Lyn Thériault will submit a motion to the City Council to force the boroughs to adopt a by-law imposing the accessibility of the terraces on their territory. Currently, each borough does its own thing, which has the effect of creating real disparities. (Photo on the left: Terrace inaccessible on Mont-Royal / Photo on the right: Terrace accessible on Masson).
The motion proposes that the City of Montreal be the champion in North America in terms of accessibility for its terraces, especially during the summer period, by asking its boroughs to modify their By-law concerning the occupation of the public domain ( RRVM v. O-0.1), so as to make universally accessible terraces, the norm on the territory of the City of Montreal.
Our summers are short and we all have the right to our place in the sun. Will we have to wait until 2012 before we can dare to wait for the sun to go and enjoy it on a Plateau terrace?
Our mobilization has been mentioned in various media:
- Consult our mobilization article in the Journal 24 heures
- Journal Métro
- TVA Nouvelles
- CTV News Montreal (news from May 15 at 6pm, the report begins around 4 minutes 30 seconds)
- The Gazette