RAPLIQ, a disability advocacy organization, has submitted more than 100 complaints to the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse, alleging widespread discrimination across Montreal.
They are raising concerns that terraces in various boroughs of Montreal fail to meet accessibility standards for individuals who use wheelchairs.
“You can hide behind laws and regulations and this and that, but at the end of the day, we’re talking about the dignity of disabled persons,” said Steven Laperrière, general manager of RAPLIQ.
“We’re just worried that nobody does anything about it. Year in, year out, the inaccessibility rate for terraces in Montreal increases. It’s not decreasing,” said Laperrière.
This comes after the organization’s 2023 outreach, during which they sent over 300 letters with accessibility recommendations. As a result, around 40 establishments decided to take action and comply. For the others, the general director of RAPLIQ hopes this initiative will inspire restaurant owners to make changes that, according to him, require minimal investment but can make a huge difference.
“And in fact, most of them, if there was a little bit of goodwill, could have been made accessible with very little, like plywood or a small wood ramp. So I think all of those could have been made accessible at very low cost. We’re not talking about building a space shuttle here; we’re just talking about terraces, and it’s very possible to do that without the business owner losing any space,” said Laperrière.
The complaints address a range of issues: lack of access ramps, improper outdoor space arrangements, and physical barriers preventing access for wheelchair users or people with reduced mobility. Chez Baptiste sur Masson decided to follow RAPLIQ’s recommendations in 2023, and since then, they’ve noticed more wheelchair users enjoying their terrace during the summer.
“The terrace has been leveled for accessibility. The furniture has also been changed. They now have benches that are easy to move, which can be removed and replaced to allow people to pass. The entrance has been leveled as well to create a slight slope for easier access. Additionally, there is an accessible stall in the restroom for wheelchair users,” said Catherine Moffet-Trudel, employee at Chez Baptiste sur Masson.
RAPLIQ hopes that this mass action will encourage municipal decision-makers to strengthen accessibility regulations, conduct regular inspections, and raise awareness among business owners. CityNews reached out to the City of Montreal but did not receive a response in time for the broadcast.
“We want terraces to be accessible to people who are disabled. That’s the only goal. But to attain that, since the city is not participating as much as we’d want, that’s the only take that we have to initiate, hopefully, that change,” said Laperrière.