Montreal announces $5 million for community organizations working to prevent violence
Facing a troubling trend of rising gun violence in Montreal, the city announced Wednesday that it's pumping $5 million into violence prevention for youth and urban security.
The Diversity and Social Inclusion Department's budget increase starting in 2022 to give community organizations involved in violence prevention some additional resources and stability.
"Maintaining the safety of the city requires concerted, comprehensive and national action," said Mayor Valérie Plante. "We must combat gun violence on all fronts... 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."
The money comes after an announcement on the weekend to add 42 positions to the Montreal police (SPVM) ECLIPSE unit that specializes in fighting violent crime.
The Greater Montreal area has witnessed a violent summer, with shooting deaths and injuries mounting in an apparent street gang war.
This last week, Montreal police were at the scene of four separate shootings, including one at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC).
The city says it is working to support community organizations throughout its boroughs with the announced funding.
"Community organizations are key to preventing violence and crime," said Sud-Ouest borough Mayor Benoit Dorais, who is also president of the executive committee. "By increasing their budgets, we will give them the financial resources they need to continue their work and set up projects that can change the trajectory of many of our most vulnerable youth."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
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.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'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).
'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.
'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.