MONTREAL – Thousands of Formula One fans bring millions in tourism dollars to Montreal, but many are concerned that this cash comes at a cost.
An activist group called the Anti-Capitalist Convergence (CLAC) is planning what it calls a “critical mass” bicycle rally on Friday evening as Formula One weekend festivities kick off. They are protesting the environmental, financial and social effects of the race.
“The Grand Prix is the perfect symbol of the capitalist system and of modern, western decadence,” said Amy Laliberté, another CLAC spokesperson in a statement. “The cult of speed, image, and celebrity, the unbridled commercialization of the female body and of female sexuality in order to sell anything and everything.”
“Pimps are preparing girls to meet demand.”
As with many large sporting events, sexual tourism in the city increases during the F1 event and local charitable organizations are concerned about vulnerable girls who are lured into prostitution. A recent report in La Presse revealed that every year, the Grand Prix poses a risk to vulnerable teens in the city.
Lynn Dion from Montreal’s Batshaw Youth and Family Centre said: “It starts with the Grand Prix, but it continues throughout the summer . . . pimps are preparing girls to meet demand.”
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There’s no doubt that the Formula One race is a financial windfall for Montreal’s tourism industry, with an economic impact of about $90 million a year.
But to cover track upgrades and other costs, taxpayers have contributed upwards of $15 million a year to keep the race in the city.
In the last round of negotiations this year, Formula One head Bernie Ecclestone – known for driving hard bargains – reportedly asked for an annual five per cent incremental increase, leaving some officials wondering if the price tag was worth it.
Read more: Is Canada’s Grand Prix in jeopardy?
“We will work with the promoter and the other levels of government to see if it is possible to keep this event here, while respecting the taxpayers’ ability to pay,” a federal spokesperson wrote in a prepared statement.
This is the second year that the CLAC has organized a protest. Last year, hundreds of protesters tried to disrupt Formula One events on Crescent Street, shouting “1,2,3,4, this is f-ing class war.”
In pictures: Montreal Grand Prix protests in 2012
“We need the Grand Prix in Montreal like we need a hole in the ozone layer!” Nicolas Lanoue-Larue, a spokesperson for the CLAC, noted in a statement.
“Politicians and businesspeople go on about how the GP weekend is the biggest weekend for tourism revenues, that it “stimulates” the local economy, and that the economic impact is huge. But the interests of the chamber of commerce should never be confused with the collective interest of the majority. People who live in this city, regular people, don’t get anything out of the Grand-Prix weekend besides environmental and noise pollution and the streets of downtown being overrun with arrogant tourists.”
The demonstration starts at 5:30 p.m. Protesters on wheels – roller blades, bikes and skateboards – will be leaving from two starting points: one in Laurier Park in the Plateau and the other at Place Valois in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve.
The protest organizers have not provided a demonstration route to police.
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