Project All is Well, the name of the proposed centre, is already operating out of the basement of St. Raymond Pennafort Church on St. Jacques Street, under the sponsorship of Rino Magi, a Montreal real estate developer, who also acknowledges being a recovering addict.

According to a leaflet distributed at the church prior to last Sunday morning's meeting, Project All is Well would help its clients deal with such problems as drug use and gambling, alcoholism, and marital instabilities, such as separation and divorce.

The program would operate only during the day and would generate $20,000 annually in rental revenue for the church. However, a good number of nearby residents who are opposed have been circulating a petition.

According to NDG city councillor Marcel Tremblay, the centre's operations have been underway for some time now. "They're doing that project since I would say at least three, four, five months," he said. "It's a non-profit organization."

According to Tremblay, the centre is currently operating with an occupancy permit issued by the borough, which allows it to hold gatherings. "As to the question of the activity being there, there's no problem if these people are not staying upstairs," he said regarding the permit's conditions.

Despite Tremblay's reassurances, Peter McQueen, a community activist who lives on Melrose Avenue just around the block, said, "We need to know more … It's not all bad. Rino seemed very authentic, so that's good … He is a reformed alcoholic, drug addict, gambler. He seems to truly be sorry … But that doesn't mean that we don't want to know more."

Noting that several addiction rehab centres already operate in NDG, McQueen questioned the need for another one. "There are at least two different centres already," he said. "Is this a different need? If it's the same need, why would another one have to open? Is this the right neighbourhood for it to open in?"

Rino Magi, 40, is the brother of Tony Magi, 48, also a developer and his business partner in Gescor Construction. Tony was shot several times and critically wounded on the morning of Aug. 11 while at the wheel of his SUV at the corner of Cavendish and Monkland avenues.

According to a report in the Gazette, Rino Magi faces the possibility of being extradited to the United States to answer charges filed in Los Angeles alleging he was part of a large-scale Montreal-based fraudulent telemarketing operation. The report said Rino Magi has also been barred from possessing a firearm for five years.