Millions more in security funding pledged by Montreal mayor in re-election bid
Montreal mayoral candidate Valerie Plante made a campaign-defining pledge Saturday to spend $110 million on public security if re-elected.
The announcement came after a 19-year-old died due to gunshot wounds sustained during a particularly violent night in Montreal.
Plante's party, Projet Montreal, wrote in a news release the plan aims to "preserve the safe character" of the city.
The $110 million would be used to "fight against armed violence, criminal groups, and ensure the safety of Montreal neighborhoods," read a release outlining the plan.
The party would also encourage officers to remain working at neighbourhood stations for a minimum of three years to "promote proximity to the communities they serve," and to collaborate with community organizations.
Plante also promised $15 million over four years to deploy mediation and intervention teams accross the city in a continuation of the Équipe mobile de médiation et d’intervention sociale initiative, which was first piloted in August.
The plan also calls for a reserve fund of $15 million to "respond quickly to any urgent need" in public security.
"We know that safety is one of the main concerns of the population," said Plante. "We are the only team to have a precise and credible game plan in the matter."
It didn't take long for other parties to criticize that game plan, with Ensemble Montreal Public Security Spokesperson Abdelhaq Sari vowing his party would "do everything it can to bring safety back to Montreal" if elected.
“Time and time again, the Plante administration has demonstrated its lack of leadership, all the more blatantly in matters of public safety," read a statement from Sari. "Let us remember that even the Police Brotherhood vehemently criticized the mayor."
In August, an internal letter sent to members by brotherhood president Yves Francoeur read the Plante administration had a "poor understanding of public safety and has only supported police officers since it became an election issue."
For those keeping score, Mayor Plante has recently scaled up funding for police officers and community groups amid a spike in gun violence in the city.
Also in August, the city unveiled $5.5 million dollars in funding for the city's police force to hire 42 additional officers and civilian aides.
In September, Montreal carved $5 million more for community groups working to prevent violence.
"We must combat gun violence on all fronts," Plante said at the time. "Our administration deeply believes that the fight against organized crime and crime prevention must go hand in hand; that one cannot go without the other."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.