Perceptions of Hochelaga-Maisonneuve Neighborhood in Montreal: a Textual Analysis of Written Medias.

Sylvie Paré,Sandrine Mounier

doi:10.18192/clg-cgl.v7i1-2.4848

Sylvie Paré, Sandrine Mounier

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.18192/clg-cgl.v7i1-2.4848

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Abstract

A number of authors have documented increased diversification and gentrification in a variety of central city neighborhoods. In Montreal, Hochelaga-Maisonneuve is among those with the highest rates of gentrification in the past few decades, creating new social dynamics and often generating socio-territorial conflicts. What is the significance of social changes for the population of Hochelaga-Maisonneuve? What role does recent immigration play in the mitigation or development of social conflict? In this paper we present the results of the analysis of 1 420 articles taken from the six principal daily newspapers published in Montreal. In our target neighborhood, it would appear that the higher socio-economic status of the newcomers is more disruptive than their ethnocultural background because it is associated with a change in the way people live, shop and interact in public space. The data also reveal disruptive effects on the availability of affordable housing, a feature that means increasing displacement of lower income populations.

Highlights

In the age of neo-capitalist globalization (Dufour and Robitaille, 2011), that is, the socio-historical process leading to a more global economy, and the constant increase of international migration to Canada, our research examines an urban phenomenon of the utmost social and cultural importance: the socio-economic and ethnic transformation of central city neighbourhoods
Since the 1950’s, several Montreal neighbourhoods began a process of ethnic diversification, whereby, an unequal distribution of newcomers led to a concentration of several ethnic groups, including Jews, Italians, Greeks, and others in a French-Canadian or English-Canadian context
We are conducting a documentary analysis of textual data provided by the newspaper media (Le Devoir, La Presse, Journal de Montréal, Journal Métro, 24 Heures, The Gazette). Our goal in this part of our program of research is to determine of the critical actors involved in promoting or resisting the changes documented in our descriptive analysis, together with the impact of journalistic reporting on the creation of public image attached to this specific neighbourhood

Summary

Introduction

In the age of neo-capitalist globalization (Dufour and Robitaille, 2011), that is, the socio-historical process leading to a more global economy, and the constant increase of international migration to Canada, our research examines an urban phenomenon of the utmost social and cultural importance: the socio-economic and ethnic transformation of central city neighbourhoods. We are conducting a documentary analysis of textual data provided by the newspaper media (Le Devoir, La Presse, Journal de Montréal, Journal Métro, 24 Heures, The Gazette) Our goal in this part of our program of research is to determine of the critical actors involved in promoting or resisting the changes documented in our descriptive analysis, together with the impact of journalistic reporting on the creation of public image attached to this specific neighbourhood. Some central city neighbourhoods in Montreal have undergone these types of changes, one example of which is Hochelaga-Maisonneuve

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