Controversy has raged in the Journal de Montreal following journalist Laure Varydel's bold call for the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal to be cancelled.
His stance, which sparked fiery reactions from netizens, reflects undeniable courage, but it is also an element of madness, as the emotional reactions showed.
In his article, Wardell does not hesitate to describe the Grand Prix as a symbol of “human stupidity” and “contempt for life,” pointing the finger at both women and nature.
She developed her public outing with three arguments: environmental, economic and social, to justify her call to cancel the event.
It highlights the absurdity of organizing such an event at a time when the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly felt.
According to her, forest fires and climate disasters affecting agriculture and municipal infrastructure, as well as impacts on the health and safety of residents, are clear evidence of the need to move away from fossil fuels.
Wardell also criticizes F1's 2030 zero-emissions plan as greenwashing, saying carbon offsets will never be enough to offset emissions from racing.
Waridel explains that the impression of an economical home race as a result of a Grand Prix is a mistake. Despite the obvious economic repercussions in hotels and restaurants, she recalls that Formula 1 received $400 million in public funds between 2009 and 2031.
It denounces that this money mainly goes to Liberty Media, which was established in tax havens, and that the construction and maintenance of the departments is done at the expense of the host countries. In Montreal, the renovation of Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve cost taxpayers at least $76.2 million.
Finally, Varydel addresses the issue of exploitation of women and girls during Grand Prix racing. He reveals that these events are linked to an increase in the number of young victims who will never recover, with survivors telling horror stories.
Waridel's position caused a real storm on social networks. Many Internet users say they feel angry and outraged, viewing his comments as an attack on a symbolic event in Montreal.
They criticize the journalist for contributing to Montreal's bad reputation against the Grand Prix leaders, which could cause Quebec to lose this historic event.
Laure Wardell certainly raised pertinent and troubling points regarding the Montreal Grand Prix.
However, his radical proposal to cancel the event was not unanimous and revealed deep tensions within the Montreal and Quebec communities.
The controversy continues to generate a lot of ink, illustrating how difficult it is to please everyone.
The outrage sparked by Laure Varedel's article was so intense that comments on Quebecor's social networks went too far.
The harsh criticism and personal attacks multiplied to the point that managing the situation became beyond the control of the supervisors.
The social networks of Quebecor, the parent company of the Journal de Montreal, have turned into veritable digital battlefields where heated discussions have taken a toxic turn.
Faced with the torrent of negative feedback, Quebecor has not yet made the decision to deactivate comments to protect its employees and try to calm the situation. This radical situation shows the extent of the controversy and impact of Varedel's article.
Quebecor leaders emphasized that it is essential to ensure a respectful and safe environment for their teams and readers.
They also stressed the importance of freedom of expression, recalling at the same time the need to exercise it in a responsible and respectful manner.
The debate continues to rage in other forums and on other platforms. Varydell's defenders praise his courage and argue that his article raises crucial and often overlooked questions about the environmental and social impact of Grand Prix racing.
For their part, opponents remain deeply attached to the event, which they see as a tradition and an important source of income for Montreal.
The controversy also took on a political dimension, with some local and regional elected officials taking a stance for or against Varedel's statements.
Discussions were launched about the importance of public support for such events and the need for a broader public debate on the economic and environmental priorities of the city and county.
The controversy surrounding Laure Varedel's article has highlighted an increasingly divided society in Quebec. These deep and complex questions about the place of motorsport in a society increasingly aware of environmental and social issues are tearing residents apart.
If for many the Montreal Grand Prix represents an unmissable celebration and economic engine, it is clear that its future could be called into question by more and more influential voices demanding radical change.
The day we lose the jackpot, we should expect riots in the streets of Montreal…
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