Joan Hamel, a Trois-Rivières resident who opposes the project to expand the 40-55 industrial park, received a warning from the city’s bailiff for her comments on social media.
The situation raises questions related to freedom of expression. “I told myself I have to do something, they want to gag me,” explained the main prospect.
The environmentalist was responding to a report of work in wetlands at Industrial Park 40-55. In her Facebook comment, she questioned the qualifications of a community officer. “A message showing the incompetence of a person defending this development project. Should we really trust him?
Ms. Hamel cannot cope with the amount of funds used by the city. “In this file there is a bailiff, a lawyer; All this for a comment that I consider irrelevant in a Facebook group.
In the warning to the citizen, the city believes her comment “has the effect of disparaging the integrity and professionalism of an official.” […] through reducing remarks. According to the letter, “These comments meet the definitions of violence and disrespectful behavior provided in the Prevention of Violence in Interactions with Employees Policy.”
The Trifluvienne insists: “There is no hateful or violent character. I don’t disparage anyone. I do not identify anyone. I did not understand the scope of this letter.
This document adds fuel to the fire with the opponents of the 40-55 industrial park expansion project. “The city of Trois-Rivières is doing everything it can to mitigate opposition to the project,” added environmentalist Marc Benoit.
For Terre Precious spokesman Philippe Duhamel, we must not hesitate to denounce this practice in the city. “If the city wants to treat its citizens like this, I am willing to receive a formal notice. I dare say this warning is an act of incompetence.
The mayor’s office states that it is impossible to comment on a file processed by the legal services. The city could not provide us with any information on the number of warnings sent out annually. One thing is certain, should Joan Hamel repeat the offense, criminal charges could be sent to her.