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
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
developing Bus plunges off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people. An 8-year-old child is only survivor
A bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in South Africa on Thursday, killing at least 45 people, authorities said.
Calgary bridges remain closed due to ongoing police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Kinew, Poilievre meet at Manitoba legislature, discuss each other's priorities
Premier Wab Kinew and federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre met at the Manitoba legislature Thursday afternoon.
Biden OKs US$60M in aid after Baltimore bridge collapse as governor warns of 'very long road ahead'
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore warned Thursday of a 'very long road ahead' to recover from the loss of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge as the Biden administration approved US$60 million in immediate federal aid after the deadly collapse.