'Deeply disturbing' that Legault asked police to dismantle McGill encampment: opposition parties
Quebec Premier François Legault is facing criticism from opposition parties for asking police to dismantle the pro-Palestinian encampment on the McGill University campus.
Despite the premier's remarks and a recent closed-door meeting between the protesters and the school's administration, the group says it has no plans to leave their encampment.
Protesters are starting to call it a "tiny city." Tents are still pitched, there's a library and wooden sidewalks. Going into its second week, it seems Premier François Legault's calls have been ignored.
Last Thursday, the premier asked Montreal police (SPVM) to shut down the camp and on Tuesday, he stood by his words.
"I've said what I want to say. Now, it's up to McGill management and SPVM to choose the appropriate means and times to ensure that the law is respected," he told reporters in Quebec City.
But opposition parties say Legault shouldn't have said anything at all.
"Separation of power is important. It's not a decoration. The right to protest is important in a democratic society and it's deeply disturbing to see Mr. Legault intervening in that situation," said Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, Québec solidaire's co-spokesperson.
'Legault needs to respect the rule of law'
Others say that the fact that there was no police intervention shows the province's institutions are working correctly, especially after a judge rejected an injunction to remove the encampment.
"François Legault was irrelevant trying to give orders to the SPVM. François Legault needs to respect the rule of law," said Quebec Liberal Party interim leader Marc Tanguay.
"It's not to the premier to just tell the police what to do while there's a judgment," said Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon. "And you can agree or disagree with the judgment, but it's a judgment."
Protesters say there was no progress after a private meeting with the university on Monday but Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante says it's important to keep having those discussions.
"The SPVM will continue to monitor, of course, because we want to make sure it's peaceful," the mayor said Tuesday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING NEWS 'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
Diddy admits beating ex-girlfriend Cassie, says he's sorry, calls his actions 'inexcusable'
Sean "Diddy" Combs admitted Sunday that he beat his ex-girlfriend in a hotel hallway in 2016 after CNN released video of the attack, saying in a video apology he was "truly sorry" and his actions were "inexcusable."
Ottawa driver who appeared to be racing another vehicle on Highway 416 facing charges
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says an Ottawa driver is facing charges after being caught going 187 km/h on Highway 416.
Signs of Alzheimer’s were everywhere. Then his brain improved
Blood biomarkers of telltale signs of early Alzheimer’s disease in the brain of his patient, 55-year-old entrepreneur Simon Nicholls, had all but disappeared in a mere 14 months.
Residents evacuated after threats made to residence in Fall River, N.S.
Nova Scotia RCMP are warning the public to avoid the area around Canterbury Lane in Fall River after a threat was made at a residence.
The secret Italian lakes that most tourists don't know about
Italy has dozens of secret smaller lakes that boast superb scenery, unknown to mass tourism, where locals get together on day trips and enjoy picnics.
Canadian immigration asks medical worker fleeing Gaza if he treated Hamas fighters
Lawyers are questioning Canada’s approach to screening visa applications for people in Gaza with extended family in Canada after one applicant, a medical worker, was asked whether he had treated members of Hamas.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
Helicopter carrying Iran's president suffers a 'hard landing,' state TV says, and rescue is underway
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi suffered a "hard landing" on Sunday, Iranian state media reported, without elaborating. Some began urging the public to pray for Raisi and the others on board as rescue crews sped through a misty, rural forest where his helicopter was believed to be.