Far-right group La Meute's offer to help troubled youth rebuffed by foundation

A Montreal foundation that raises money for programs forat-risk children and youthis refusing to work with the Quebec far-right group La Meute to collect Christmas gifts for children in protection.

La Meute or the Wolf Pack is known for its hardline stance against immigration and multiculturalism, arguing those policieshave a negative impact on Quebec society. Its members frequently post Islamophobic comments, and the group has organized protests against what it calls "illegal immigration."

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On Wednesday, on its Facebook page, La Meute announceda new partnership with the Fondation duCentre Jeunesse de Montral, which raises money to support youth and family services in Montreal's French-language sector.

"I have the pleasure of announcing that an agreement has been reached between La Meute and the FondationduCentreJeunessedeMontral to organize a Christmas gift collection for adolescents going through difficult times," the post states.

"LaMeutehopes that every young Quebecer receives the support and tools necessary to become an involved and responsible citizen."

But a flurry of criticism and outcry on social media prompted the foundation to back down on its agreement to work with the controversial group.

About-face

The foundation abruptly closed the door on that possibility Thursday morning, with a post on its own Facebook page.

"In response to information circulating on social media, the Fondationde CentreJeunessedeMontralstipulatesthat it will not be going ahead with an agreement with La Meute," the post reads.

La Meute's chief spokesperson,Sylvain Brouillette, was surprised to hear thatnews when contacted by CBCNews this morning.

Brouillete told CBC that his group had a written contract with the foundation to collect the donations.

Foundation didn't anticipate repercussions

Later in the day, CBC was able to reach aspokesperson for the foundation, who explained its decision.

Executive directorIsabelle Levesque said the foundation was aware of La Meute and its beliefs in a general sense, but thought they could put their differences aside.

"We said to ourselves, OK, members of La Meuteare also people with children, they are also people who want to do something good," Levesque said.

"For me, the factor that guided thechoice [to work with them] was that they are people who want to give presentsto children who otherwisewouldn't have gifts for Christmas."

She acknowledged that they should've probably taken more time to vet the groupand think about the possible consequences.

"On the spot, I didn't see all the repercussions that it could have on a political level."

Once she saw the public outcry on social media, Levesque said a decision was made to terminate the contract.

She said she didn't want the public outcry to harm the youth that her foundation works to help.

Plus, she added,La Meute also breached some of the clauses of their agreement, which included a requirement tohave the foundation approve anypromotional material used to promote the Christmas drive.

Brouilletteis disappointed, but said La Meute agreed to terminate the contract since it was clear the foundation was no longer interested.

"I find it sad for the children," he said.

"I think that we should've put the interests of the children before our political issues."

Brouilletesaid the group plans to continue with a Christmas driveand find a new partner willing to accept their donations.