Laval music festival cancelled amid fears of gang violence
A music festival in Laval has been cancelled at the request of the city’s public security department amid what police call growing tensions among gangs in the city.
Laval’s LVL UP Digital and Music Lab festival was scheduled to take place from Sept. 16 to 19.
Laval Police (SPL) Chief Inspector Jean-François Rousselle says artists scheduled to appear at the event had claimed to be affiliated local gangs on social media.
He did not divulge which artists he was talking about, adding police believed “firearm culture” promoted by certain artists would draw gang members to the event.
“There is so much tension [between gang members] that it was really clear for us that the level of risk was really high,” he said.
According to Rousselle, there have been 32 shootings in Laval since the beginning of this year, equivalent to the amount recorded for the whole of 2020.
“Police officers and detectives are telling us there are more and more weapons in circulation,” he said.
“Even younger people around 17 and 18-years-old are using guns.”
Ticket holders will get a full refund. An earlier promise from the festival to make a “large” donation to the Fondation du Center Jeunesse de Laval will be honoured.
“While this decision deeply saddens the LVL UP team, the health and safety of fans, artists, partners and employees are at the heart of the organization's concerns and cannot be put at risk,” read a press release from organizers, who declined CTV’s request for comment.
Like Montreal, Laval has recently upped its efforts to combat gun violence with a $1.2 million dollar investment in the city’s police force, allowing new officers to be hired.
“Laval is a safe city and intends to remain so,” Deputy Mayor Stéphane Boyer said in a news release following the announcement on Aug. 25.
“This is why we are adding police officers to our team who come to enhance the sustained efforts already deployed by the SPL,” added police director Pierre Brochet.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.