Close X
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
ADVT 
National

Squirrel And Surveillance Case: Montreal-Area Man Fought The Law And The Law Won

The Canadian Press, 25 Sep, 2015 12:13 PM
    MONTREAL — A Montreal-area man who went all the way to the Supreme Court in a battle that originated with his feeding squirrels and birds in public spaces says he was fighting for all Canadians.
     
    Lawrence Klepper, 73, received nine violations between 2006 and 2011 from the City of Westmount, a community located just west of downtown Montreal.
     
    The city took exception, for health reasons, to his animal-friendly practice of feeding wildlife with nuts and birdseed and had him followed by a public security official in an unmarked car.
     
    Westmount filed injunctions against Klepper but withdrew them when he stopped feeding the animals and birds.
     
    But Klepper proceeded to the Supreme Court with a cross demand to seek punitive and moral damages, alleging his right to privacy and dignity had been violated because of the surveillance.
     
    The high court said Thursday it would not hear his case.
     
    Klepper expressed disappointment and sadness with the decision.
     
    ''This was not a file of Klepper versus the City of Westmount,'' he said in an interview Friday. ''This file was really for citizens across Canada.''
     
    Klepper said he loves all animals and donates money to animal charities, hospitals and other organizations.
     
    ''I don't have any particular more love for squirrels or birds than I have for all animals and all humanity,'' he said.
     
    ''I don't have any unusual behaviour. I've never been in court in my life prior to the city taking an injunction against me.''
     
    His lawyer, Dominique Pion, called Thursday a ''sad day for the right of privacy in Canada.''
     
    ''We're both greatly disappointed that the Supreme Court didn't grant the leave in this case,'' Pion said in the same interview.
     
    ''Our main goal in making such an application was that the Supreme Court would set limits to the power of surveillance exercised by public security officers.''
     
    Westmount Mayor Peter Trent expressed satisfaction at seeing the case end and pointed to a Quebec Superior Court ruling from 2013 that said the city had the right to enforce its laws and that Klepper's case was without merit.
     
    Trent said Westmount received a letter in April 2010 from Montreal public health officials that talked about a large colony of rats having established itself near a very popular park because of peanuts being tossed on the ground.
     
    ''It's a matter of public health,'' Trent argued. ''We've had a rat-population problem for some years and feeding animals just exacerbates it, especially when you do it in industrial quantities. It's that simple.''
     
    On the surveillance front, the mayor referred to the following passage in the Superior Court ruling: ''If the enforcement of bylaws means the exercise of adequate surveillance, let there be adequate and reasonable surveillance.''
     
    As for Klepper, he doesn't believe he's still under surveillance.
     
    ''I'm very comfortable right now,'' he said. ''Hopefully, it will stay that way.''

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Embattled Senator Patrick Brazeau Pleads Guilty To Assault, Cocaine Charges

    Embattled Senator Patrick Brazeau Pleads Guilty To Assault, Cocaine Charges
    Sen. Patrick Brazeau pleaded guilty on Tuesday to reduced charges of assault and possession of cocaine after a more serious charge of sexual assault was dropped because the Crown said it did not have sufficient evidence.

    Embattled Senator Patrick Brazeau Pleads Guilty To Assault, Cocaine Charges

    Congress Condemns Decision To Discontinue Indira, Rajiv Stamps

    Congress Condemns Decision To Discontinue Indira, Rajiv Stamps
    The Congress on Tuesday condemned the Centre's decision to discontinue two postal stamps on Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, saying people "will not let the government get away with lowly politics of revenge."

    Congress Condemns Decision To Discontinue Indira, Rajiv Stamps

    Toronto-Area Universities Take Down Fliers Promoting A White Students' Union

    Toronto-Area Universities Take Down Fliers Promoting A White Students' Union
    The University of Toronto, Ryerson University and York University all said the group, called Students for Western Civilization, was not sanctioned at any of the schools and not allowed to put up the posters.

    Toronto-Area Universities Take Down Fliers Promoting A White Students' Union

    Canadian Home Sales Edge Up 0.3% In August, Prices Steady In Most Markets

    Canadian Home Sales Edge Up 0.3% In August, Prices Steady In Most Markets
    In its latest survey released Tuesday, CREA says sales of existing homes were little changed from July in all local markets, with an even split between those posting increases and those showing declines.

    Canadian Home Sales Edge Up 0.3% In August, Prices Steady In Most Markets

    Human Rights Ruling Says Manitoba Woman Was Addicted To Alcohol, Unjustly Fired

    Human Rights Ruling Says Manitoba Woman Was Addicted To Alcohol, Unjustly Fired
    Linda Horrocks is entitled to be reinstated, receive three years back pay and an additional $10,000 for injury to her dignity, independent adjudicator Sherri Walsh said in a report released Tuesday.

    Human Rights Ruling Says Manitoba Woman Was Addicted To Alcohol, Unjustly Fired

    Former Harper Aide Exaggerated Extent Of Pull With Government, Trial Told

    The case is connected with an Ottawa-based company that employed his girlfriend at the time, a former sex trade worker.

    Former Harper Aide Exaggerated Extent Of Pull With Government, Trial Told