Little Burgundy Residents Expropriated

How citizens plan to fight back

Residents of the predominantly black neighborhood have been displaced through expropriation as the city plans to modernize neighborhoods, which happen to include Little Burgundy. These events have led to the formation of an association in the summer of 1967 named the Little Burgundy Community Association. The goals of this association include addressing issues that the neighborhood faces such as gentrification, loss of culture and identity, and the challenges that have come their way with these developments of their neighborhood.

To give readers some insight on the history and actions of the association, as mentioned, the Little Burgundy Community Association formed in the summer of 1967. In the fall, the association created a questionnaire based on written answers in regards to the communities views and experiences with expropriation and relocation. December of 1967 is when the association saw aims and objectives set when it came to administration and events. Then in January of 1968, a city official was called on to discuss the housing plans moving forward. In February and March, the association began to recruit more members, and finally during the months of April and May of 1968, a study was conducted with the citizens of the neighborhood on what rent scale should look like with new housing. Results showed that rentals should cost about 18% of the total income of the head of household.

With many associations and movements, it is common to see a spokesperson for said movement. While the association does not focus on a singular spokesperson, it is comprised of the many voices of the Little Burgundy neighborhood, as well as local activists from Montreal. Through many meetings across the past year, members have been able to find what is important to them and what their organization needs to stand for. These members of the association strive for better living conditions, better representation, and the preservation of their cultural identity.

Moving forward, the association plans to preserve their cultural identity, through meetings with city officials, protests and support from the local community. Although stopping the modernization through expropriation may not be possible, preserving important cultural pieces in the neighborhood, and ensuring residents will receive housing back in their neighborhood would give the community and members of the association peace of mind to protect the neighborhood from gentrification, improve living conditions within the area, and protect the cultural identity of where many residents call home.

If any readers wish to support the Little Burgundy Community Association in any way, through hosting events, journalists looking for a story or interview, or those looking to join the association, please contact John Doe at 999-9999 or via mail addressed at 175 Burgundy Ave.