Big stink on St-Urbain

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by MICHAEL CITROME

You may have noticed a fetid, malodorous funk emanating from the Institute de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM) at the south-west corner of St-Urbain and des Pins. Area denizen Robert Galletti, who lives nearby on Guilbault, characterizes the odour as "noxious." He says, "It smells like burning flesh. The stench always lingers, becoming especially pungent once or twice a week and it gets to the point where you can't sit on your porch. I've lived here four years and it's getting worse and happening more often."

Michel Prescott, city councillor for the Jeanne-Mance district and leader of City Hall opposition, knows the nasty aroma. "The last time I encountered this dossier was two years ago. The IRCM was supposed to install new devices for the laboratory ventilation system," says Prescott. The order came after repeated complaints from residents, yet the exact source of the repulsive redolence was never exactly revealed. And according to Andrew Plumbly of the animal rights group Global Action Network, the institute is secretive about their animal experimentation. "I have no idea what sort of research they're involved in. They receive government money and private money. Because of the private money, you can't get access to information," says Plumbly.

The IRCM has repeatedly put off Mirror interview requests. And Prescott still wants to eliminate the distressing fetor: "If it stinks there, it should be corrected. People have the right to live in an area that is not funky." Area residents can complain by phoning Prescott's office at 872-9565.

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