Mayor Plante names social worker to head up public security in Montreal
Mayor Valerie Plante appointed a social worker to head up public security in Montreal, as she named her executive committee packed with women Wednesday.
Saying gun violence remains the city's top priority, Plante named Alain Vaillancourt, a three-term councillor from the Southwest borough to the file. His background in social work shows the mayor's commitment to a holistic approach to public safety, she said.
"There has to be police officers in our streets fighting crimes, fighting guns, but there also has to be more work with the community groups," she said.
Vaillancourt will join an executive committee that for the first time will be comprised of more women than men: 13 women will sit at the table and five men.
"I think this is great. This is a great way to show that, yes, it is possible. There are so many competencies and (so much) experience," said Plante.
In 2017, Plante was criticized for naming an all white executive committee, but said that over the past four years, her party has made an effort to get more diverse candidates elected.
"We said there has to be objectives, there has to be a plan, there has to be training, there has to be networking. We knew where we were going. We did put the time and effort, and it paid off," she said.
The new chair of the executive committee, Dominique Ollivier is the first Black woman to hold that position. The former head of the consultation office is now responsible for city finances, human resources, the fight against systemic racism and the French language.
"I'm very happy and I would say very, very happy for once to be able to not only suggest things to the administration but also be the person that will be able to implement many of those recommendations," she said.
Official opposition leader Salem Aref applauded the diversity of the executive committee, saying, "We congratulate Dominique Ollivier, the first Black woman to serve as chair. Our team reiterates its willingness to work together to advance municipal issues."
The new executive committee will meet for the first time on Thursday, when the public is expected to learn who will fill the roles of city council chair, agglomeration council chair and deputy mayor.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
RCMP not investigating possible foreign interference cases related to Chiu, Dong: Duheme
Canada's federal police force is not investigating any possible instances of foreign interference in the cases of former Conservative MP Kenny Chiu and Liberal-turned-Independent MP Han Dong, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme says.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca