Association: Vrai changement pour Montréal – Groupe Mélanie Joly http://vraichangementmtl.org/en/melanie-joly-2/
The candidate for Mélanie Joly in Verdun is a man with two masters, the first in architecture and the second in land planning.
“For me, it’s very fundamental that a lack of planning has caused several of the problems in Verdun,” said Mourad Bendjennet, who met with me earlier today. “We are frustrated with what’s happening in terms of corruption with the city. This is costing residents and business too much.”
Born in Abitibi and raised in Tunisia, Mourad Bendjennet moved back to Quebec in 2001. He moved to mainland Verdun three years later and then to Nun’s Island in 2006. Throughout that time, he’s worked as an independent consultant and for two different companies, DFS and the NFOE architecture firm, which focused on designed industrial, commercial and public projects. (For background on the firm, see http://www.nfoe.com)
He stopped working there in July and decided to accept Joly’s invitation to run in September.
Throughout that entire time, he also spent around 20 hours a week volunteering for various non-profit organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, the Nun’s Island Family Association, Alternative 1 co-owners, the Aisha Community Centre and Architects for peace.
He began his presence in the campaign by publicly opposing the Quebec Values Charter. His team also wants to make sure that the sewage problem in houses in LaSalle is solved and they’re interested in greening more of the borough, especially downtown, through planting trees and greening alleys.
“Everything we do is based on a contribution from citizens. We want everyone to understand that the city belongs to them. The borough administration needs to be at the service of citizens.”
Their team also proposes a social housing ecological complex for seniors and families in the Dupuis Hickson sector on the east side of Verdun, near the Atwater Market. He says that much of the land in the area is already owned by the city and the rest could be obtained through expropriation.
“The goal is to build affordable housing for families and elderly people. We want to show that we can reduce the cost of housing when things are done properly.”
*Note: This entire article was changed today after an interview with M. Bendjennet.
Mourad Bendjennet Team in Champlain Nun’s Island
Mathieu Bélanger, city councillor, http://vraichangementmtl.org/equipe/mathieu-belanger-2/
Jacline Leroux, borough councillor, http://vraichangementmtl.org/en/equipe/jacline-leroux-2/
Stéphanie Raymond-Bougie, borough councillor, http://vraichangementmtl.org/en/equipe/stephanie-raymond-bougie-2/
Mourad Bendjennet Team in Desmarchais Crawford
Marie-Josée Parent, city councillor, http://vraichangementmtl.org/en/equipe/marie-josee-parent-2/
Gladys Negret, borough councillor, http://vraichangementmtl.org/en/equipe/gladys-negret-3/
André-Yanne Parent, borough councillor, http://vraichangementmtl.org/en/equipe/andre-yanne-parent-2/
*Note: This entire article was changed today after an interview with M. Bendjennet.
Ms Arial. There is a wrong and missing information in my profile. Please call me back to fix it. Thank you.
It’s corrected now.