Activists in Montreal North want the new borough mayor to take action against racial profiling.

Members of Montreal Noir and Montreal Nord Republik said on Wednesday that they would endorse whichever of the four candidates that supported their five-point plan to deal with racial profiling.

Will Prosper of Montreal Nord Republik, himself a former police officer, has long lobbied for a more understanding from Montreal police.

He said the five recommendations being made now are similar to what he's been asking for since 2011.

"We think that there was a lack of leadership, that there is a clear lack of leadership, and the actions that were taken by the different politics and the different organizations in Montreal North, they failed the community tremendously," said Prosper.

He said his group would endorse whichever candidate promised to work on racial issues.

"That's why we're making these demands, to make sure that it's not going to happen again."

The recommendations include studying racial profiling in Montreal North, determining how many youth in the region are stopped or fined by police, and taking steps to reduce poverty. 

Christine Black of Team Denis Coderre, Kerlande Mibel of Projet Montreal, and two other candidates are running in the by-election taking place Monday April 24.

Black said she questioned the groups' timing when many of their members have said on social media they support Mibel.

Prosper said he won't endorse a candidate, but says the next mayor should come from one of the community's ethnic communities, which make up 60 per cent of the population.

"For me, being elected it will be important not only because I'm of Haitian descent, but because we're sending a clear message that we're open to listen to every voice," Mibel said.

The activist groups say the recent death of Jean-Pierre Bony at the hands of police was just the latest sign of abuse by the Montreal police force against the black community.

Bony was shot by a rubber bullet during a drug raid and died of his injuries a few days later.

A demonstration to mark his death, and to remember the death of Fredy Villanueva, who was shot and killed by police officers in the same neighbourhood, turned into a riot.

Protesters burned several cars and smashed windows at many location, including the local police station.