Follow-up to the Summit on Living Together - A Panel Discussion to Address the Role of Cities in the Fight Against Anti-Semitism

MONTREAL, June 25, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - The Mayor of Montréal, Mr. Denis Coderre, met today with members of the Montréal and Paris Jewish communities to discuss the issue of anti-Semitism. On this occasion he was accompanied by Mr. Lionel Perez, municipal councillor and executive committee member responsible for democracy, and Mr. Jim Beis, borough mayor of Pierrefonds-Roxboro and executive committee member responsible for cultural communities.

In the wake of terrorist attacks against the Charlie Hebdo magazine and the Hyper Cacher kosher market last February in Paris, the Mayor of Montréal travelled to the French capital and from that trip was born the idea of a Montréal Summit on Living Together. The panel held today at City Hall is the first concrete follow-up to this summit and aims to combat anti-Semitism and any other form of discrimination.

"It was my privilege to host in our great city the mayors of 23 cities from the four corners of the world to address the issues of social inclusion, cohabitation, prevention and security. We continue to take a leadership role in the promotion of living together. This value is a priority for me and my administration. Today, around the same table, the close ties between Montréal and Paris are manifest once again. We will continue to act in cooperation to put in place measures that contribute to the development of safe and inclusive cities", said the mayor.

An increased role for local governments
Engaged with the issues of globalization, coexistence and vigilance, municipal governments are increasingly called upon to share their knowledge and experience in this field. Whether it be innovative practices or resources made available to citizens, initiatives put forward by cities to promote integration and respect for diversity are all potential solutions for issues related to living together.

The panel on the role of cities in the fight against anti-Semitism took place in the presence of Mr. Yonathan Arfi, Vice-President of the Representative Council of Jewish institutions of France, Mr. Serge Dahan, president of B'nai Brith France, and several representatives of the Montreal Jewish community. The discussions were preceded by presentations by Dr. Julien Bauer, Professor at UQAM and the Hon. Irwin Cotler, Member of Parliament and Former Justice Minister and Attorney General of Canada. "Anti-Semitism is a too-frequently observed facet of radicalization leading to violence. These discussions allow us to highlight the best practices that a city can put in place to achieve this balance between openness and vigilance", concluded the mayor of Montreal.

SOURCE Ville de Montréal - Cabinet du maire et du comité exécutif

Source: Catherine Maurice, Press Officer, Office of the Mayor and the Executive Committee, 514 346-7598; For Information: Renée Pageau, Division of Public Affairs, City of Montréal, 514 868-4580