Chabad Community Center Welcome

Speech delivered by Councillor Brownstein at City Council Public Meeting on June 28, 1999

It has always been my firm belief that it is the obligation of a City Council to support all communities and to welcome hospitals, schools, synagogues and churches into it's community, as these institutions are the very fabric upon which a city is built. In my 9 years on Council I have seen in my own district the development of the Hebrew Academy School, servicing an orthodox modern community, the expansion of the Orhayim Synagogue, servicing a sephardic community. The same concerns existed at those times as face us today. However the existence of these institutions in our city as improved the overall quality of life of the city at large.

I have participated in the many functions at these institutions and at other existing institutions, such as the St Richard's Church in my district. It is at these very Community centers, that our residents join together to practice their beliefs and contribute to one and other in a spirit of unity.

It is institutions such as these that bring people to our City as one of the best places in the world to live. Your city council can provide you with a library, a pool, arena, seniors social club, parks etc.., but we cannot build and run the schools, religious institutions, and hospitals that our community also requires.

What we can do however is welcome these institutions and work with these communities to build the best possible facility for that particular community while insuring the peaceful enjoyment of the neighborhood to the best of our ability.

The real issues involving the building of any institution such as this, are traffic, parking and potential noise and garbage. That is why building this Center in the middle of a parking lot and not at the corner of Kildare is just so perfect. Buildings today have soundproof walls and we will require proper facilities for garbage. We have dealt successfully and to the benefit of all of Cote Saint Luc on such issues in the past and will do so again.

We cannot say no to an entire community and must welcome Lubavitch as we welcome all communities. Not only do I welcome Chabad, but I also look forward to many more members of the Lubavitch community buying homes and renting apartments in our city in order to be close to their new community center.

This is how a city prospers and as members of that city I ask you all to welcome our friends, work together with them to insure that your rights are protected while theirs are respected.

Thank you. Councillor Mitchell Brownstein 514-939-9559 ext. 202

Chabad Welcome: September 7th Council Meeting Speech.

In the most recent petition by those opposing the establishment of the Chabad Center in the Parking lot of the Cavendish Mall, there is mention of my statement in the Suburban that " the argument that it's not right to rezone is an unfair argument because that means we would be putting a ban on all educational, religious and health organizations from entering into our community. That would be a terrible thing… and detrimental to our future growth."

Those opposed and in favor of the project must all accept the reality of this statement, since the city owns no other land that is zoned institutional. Therefore if we do not allow for spot rezoning then we cannot allow any other institutions into our city. I have always been of the opinion that it is these institutions that help make our city great and what attracts new individuals to choose to live here.

I will always support the establishment of your schools, religious institutions and medical facilities in our community and will look for the best possible areas to spot rezone in an effort to benefit the greater good of our community.

My opinions on this matter are clear and always have been throughout my 9 years on Council. I have not found any good arguments to change this vision. I believe that the city not only benefits culturally and through increased services being offered to various sectors of our community, but further have seen that our tax revenue increases through the establishment of new condominiums and homes near these new facilities that become occupied by residents wishing to live close to these institutions.

If you oppose rezoning then you are opposing all such projects. Although I disagree with a vision of Cote Saint Luc that does not allow for such projects, I respect others opinions when they are sincere and from the heart. If you oppose this project, be honest with yourself and realize what such opposition means. Those of you who have a vision of the future growth of our city that does not include any more religious institutions, schools or hospitals, have the right to that vision. It is not mine.