Dawson shooting and Polytechnique massacre survivors urge federal parties to focus on gun control
Meaghan Hennegan survived the 2006 Dawson College shooting spree, and she says she's terrified that what happened to her will happen again.
“It’s just a matter of time before even more shootings happen, even more injuries happen, and they'll be a lot more serious than what we’ve seen this summer,” she said.
Hennegan was part of the group of survivors from Dawson shooting and the Ecole Polytechnic massacre pleading with Canadians to take a stance on gun control this election.
Gun violence has been in the news in the Montreal region throughout the summer with multiple deadly shootings occurring.
“Think about the public security and the future of the next generations of students, the actual students," said Asmae Danoug of the Student Association of Polytechnique. "We do not want the same thing that’s happening in the United States to come here.”
Polysesouvient, a group of students from Polytechnique promoting gun control, says the answer of who not to vote for is clear.
“If you value your safety, and the safety of your loved ones, and of future generations, the Conservative party is not for you,” said Polysesouvient co-founder Heidi Rathjen.
She said her group is supporting the Bloc Quebecois and Liberal parties' platforms on gun control even though Rathjen has been disappointed with the Liberals in the past.
She said that the Liberal promise to fix Bill C-21 that aims to curb gun violence through stricter regulations gives her group hope.
That bill has not passed.
"The Liberal Party is the only party that can strengthen our gun laws," she said. "Today, we believe they will deliver on banning military-style weapons and accessories."
Quebec's Public Security Minister Genevieve Guilbault said there is a plan to address gun violence in the province.
"I’m working with our 33 police forces in Quebec, [and] we are preparing something big here in the provincial government with the cities, with the municipalities, but we will need the federal government," she said.
With the election just 11 days away, and multiple shootings reported this week alone in the Montreal area, the gun issue will likely continue to be an issue on the campaign trail.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.