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A petition launched by a former Projet Montréal candidate calling for the city to hold a public consultation on systemic racism and discrimination has received more than 20,000 signatures, well above the 15,000-signature threshold required to compel city hall to do so.

Led by Balarama Holness, Montreal in Action, which describes itself as a citizen-based group comprised of community leaders, filed the petition Friday morning, days ahead of the July 29 deadline. Holness said that the city now has 21 days to validate the signatures but believes that considering the amount they collected above the 15,000 minimum, they will be in the clear.

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“Twenty thousand Montrealers of all ages, from all backgrounds were behind this petition,” Holness emphasized. “This concept that Montrealers and Quebecers, specifically, do not want a public consultation on discrimination and racism or that they don’t recognize the issues related to systemic discrimination is completely false.”