Call For A Regulatory Body Of STM Transit Officers, Pay Equity in Canada, Migrant Rights Network Protests

Hosted by Ahmad Moujtahed

Stories by Ahmad Moujtahed

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LOCAL

A coalition of organizations including the Ligue des Noirs du Québec, the Center for Research-Action on Race Relations (CRARR), and the Côte-des-Neiges Black Community Association is calling for an independent inquiry into a violent incident that happened two weeks ago at Montreal’s Villa Maria metro station.

A video depicted a black man getting beaten with batons by two STM inspectors. It was alleged that the man didn't pay his fare and caused disturbance with his basketball. The unjustified excessive use of force by inspectors sparked outrage on social media.

The main concern raised by the coalition is that STM inspectors and other transit officers elsewhere in Quebec are not subject to any independent civilian oversight body when they are the target of public complaints of abusive, discriminatory and illegal conduct.

The coalition is now calling for Mayor Valérie Plante to join them in supporting the coalition's demands in establishing an external impartial body to handle such incidents.

NATIONAL

A new study by ADP Canada, a company that provides payroll services to businesses of various sizes, reveals substantial compensation gap between men and women in salary and bonuses.

Based on self-reported figures, men earn 25.5% more than the reported average for women. This gap widens as it relates to additional compensation like bonuses and profit sharing.

Despite various efforts carried by the Canadian workforce regarding equal compensation, pay equity is still far from being a corporate priority.

INTERNATIONAL

Following the New Zealand mosque shooting whereby 49 innocent people were killed, the Migrant Rights Network - a new cross-country alliance, is launching on March 21 a series of protests that urgently demand pro-immigrant and anti-racist laws.

The Migrant Rights Network is led by grassroots migrant and refugee groups, civil society organizations and labour unions.

On March 21, the International Day for the Elimination of Racism, protests will be held in Halifax, Montreal, and Vancouver marking the beginning of a national dialogue to create a Platform for Racial and Migrant Justice ahead of the federal election. All social, environmental and labour groups in Canada are invited to participate in this process.