The developers of a housing project in Pierrefonds are suing the city of Montreal, mayor Valérie Plante and the borough for over $178M for allegedly blocking the project and plowing ahead with plans to build an urban park on the land.
Développements Pierrefonds Inc. Les Immeubles l'Équerre and Quartier de l'Ouest de l'Île allege that the defendants - including Plante's party, Projet Montréal who is also named in the lawsuit - are responsible for the "disguised expropriation" of the developers.
The three companies had sent a legal letter last month threatening to sue if the city and the mayor didn't back down on their plans.
The lawsuit filed September 20 alleges the developers have seen themselves blocked by the actions of the city, the mayor and the borough which "contradict and disregard the negotiations of the past 14 years" and that the defendants acted in a way that was "illicit, arbitrary, impulsive, abusive and prejudicial."
The lawsuit alleges many times that the developers collaborated with the city and the borough in good faith and accused the defendants of acting in bad faith, outlining many examples: how Mayor Plante allegedly had not responded to repeated requests for meetings to discuss the project or how she allegedly tried to diminish the value of the land.
Another example cited is how Mayor Plante commented that the land where the housing project was planned is at risk of flooding, which the lawsuit says is false.
Most of the damages claimed - $160M - is for expropriation compensation.
Shuyee Lee/CJAD 800