Latest news with #LaCité
CBC
30-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Students, community groups protest program cuts at La Cité
Social Sharing Students, faculty, their unions and community organizations are protesting a move by Ottawa's La Cité, the largest French-language college in Ontario, to cut nine programs this fall. Groups opposed to the cuts held a march and rally Thursday, ending in front of MP Marie-France Lalonde's office on Centrum Boulevard in Orléans. During the event, attendees placed candles near a Franco-Ontarian flag as a way to mourn the cuts. Among the participants was 17-year-old Samuel Pilon, who was accepted into La Cité's television production program in January, but was told in April the program is being suspended. "I had two options: go to Quebec or stay here in English. I chose to study at Algonquin College in English because for me, it's important to stay in my region. It's a good program, but it won't be the same. It won't be in my mother tongue," he told Radio-Canada. "I speak English well, but that would mean giving up on what we fought for and saying that what is happening right now is acceptable," he added in French. Patricia Dostie, executive director of l'Association pour l'intégration sociale d'Ottawa, said the majority of the association's employees graduated from two programs at the college that are designed to support people with disabilities. She said more than 25 agencies in Ottawa and the Outaouais, and their clients, also rely on those graduates. "We represent thousands of people with intellectual disabilities who have no voice today," she told Radio-Canada. "Suddenly, employers were left behind ... forgotten. They weren't consulted." Dostie said she hopes to meet with Lynn Casimiro, the college's president and CEO, to discuss possible solutions. 'Status quo is not an option' The college announced its decision to cut the nine programs in May. As with other colleges that have made similar cuts, Casimiro cited decline in international student enrolment, a key source of revenue. "The status quo is not an option. If the college does not take the measures we are taking now, there will be more cuts later," Casimiro told Radio-Canada. Additionally, 50 positions including 16 teaching jobs and other unfilled positions, will be eliminated. The programs being discontinued include: Automotive maintenance technician. Television production. General arts and sciences program — university track. Dental care (Levels I and II). Occupational therapist assistant and physiotherapist assistant. 911 and emergency service dispatch. Protection, security and investigation — safety. Special education techniques. Intervention with people with disabilities. La Cité's faculty union, which is affiliated with the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), said it plans to file a complaint with the Ontario Labour Relations Board.
CBS News
09-04-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Baltimore residents to rally over failed Poppleton redevelopment project
Residents of Baltimore's Poppelton community are set to rally over a controversial land deal that they say led to the demolition of historic homes, and the displacement of more than 500 Black residents. According to a lawsuit filed in August of last year, the Housing Authority of Baltimore City unlawfully granted 13.8 acres of Poppleton to La Cité Development, a New York-based real estate agency. According to the Baltimore Banner , La Cité has been trying to revitalize the West Baltimore neighborhood for two decades. While the original purpose of the project was to construct new housing and commercial space, the lawsuit alleges it instead resulted in widespread displacement, indefinite land control by a private developer, and the destruction of a historic Black neighborhood without delivering the promised public benefits. "There were maybe 70-80 houses just like mine in were wiped off the face of the earth," plaintiff and third-generation Poppleton homeowner Yvonne Gunn said in court filings. According to the lawsuit, in 2022 and 2023, the City paid La Cité hundreds of thousands of dollars to remove parcels from the development area—land that plaintiffs allege had already been acquired by the City through eminent domain. They argue this raises serious constitutional concerns, including the misuse of public funds. On Feb. 13, a judge ordered La Cité to cease its operations and hand over the next phase of development to Arctaris Impact Investors . The lawsuit further claims that City officials ignored public opposition and their own review panel's findings to push the deal through. In one striking allegation, the plaintiffs cite a reversal of the development bid shortly after then-City Council President Sheila Dixon appeared in a fashion spread sponsored by individuals linked to La Cité.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Baltimore City sues developer for $478K in unpaid water bills at West Baltimore property
The City of Baltimore has filed a lawsuit against New York developer La Cité and Park Square Homes LLC, claiming $478,051.08 in unpaid water bills at a West Baltimore apartment complex that has been at the center of ongoing disputes. According to the complaint filed March 31, La Cité and Park Square Homes have failed to make a water bill payment for the property at 101 North Schroeder Street since Nov. 16, 2022, despite receiving multiple invoices. Court records show that La Cité's most recent payment was made on Nov. 16, 2022, for $28,000. Gwendolyn M. Allen, an attorney listed in court records for La Cité, could not immediately be reached for comment. La Cité was selected by the city in 2006 to redevelop nearly 14 acres in West Baltimore. The developer has completed one 262-unit apartment complex, Center\\West. In February, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Superior Court issued an order stripping La Cité of its management and development of the long-stalled Poppleton project. The court approved Arctaris Impact Investors' contractual right to take over. Arctaris Impact Investors, which targets projects in underserved communities, provided initial funding for a senior housing and retail project through a partnership with La Cité. 'Arctaris was forced to take control of the Poppleton project because of insufficient progress and transparency,' Anita Graham, an Arctaris managing director and mid-Atlantic manager, said at the time. Attorneys with Baltimore City could not be reached for comment. The court order stems from a lawsuit Arctaris filed in Massachusetts state court in August, seeking to recoup its more than $13 million in initial funding. The lawsuit accused the developer of breaching a contract, reached in November 2022, in which La Cité took on responsibility for securing financing and reaching other milestones. In June 2024, city officials announced they were trying to cut ties with La Cité because the firm reportedly defaulted on its land disposition agreement after failing to prove it had financing in place for a senior apartment building long planned for the site. The city's Department of Housing and Community Development declined to extend a missed deadline, putting the developer in default of the city agreement. Sun reporter Lorraine Mirabella contributed to this report. Have a news tip? Contact Todd Karpovich at tkarpovich@ or on X as @ToddKarpovich.
