Montreal's Metro constables want to carry guns, but STM says there's no such plan
The union representing special constables in Montreal’s Metro wants its members to carry guns and stun guns after a rise in violent incidents, but the STM said it isn’t considering it.
The president of the Fraternité des constables et agents de la paix de la STM (FCAP), Kevin Grenier , said that violence in the city and its transit system has "exploded" in recent years.
"Security in the Metro, it’s known, is at the lowest it’s been in years and that’s felt by our members, too," said Grenier.
Retired Sûreté du Québec (SQ) officer Mario Benriqué was hired by FCAP to evaluate the situation in Metros after constables said they felt under pressure.
In his seven-page report, Benriqué recommended the FCAP equip special constables with more weapons. He said it was a "logical extension of the use of force, defense, security, protection and control in this work."
"The work done by special constables is coercive and requires contemporary means, equipment and methods to deal with the risks they encounter," he wrote in the report.
But Laurence Houde-Roy, a spokesperson for the Société de transport de Montréal told CTV News that "there are no plans to arm special constables."
"We are aware that the difficult social context makes the work of special constables more complex. However, we favour a de-escalation approach to more complex interventions involving aggressive individuals," said Houde-Roy.
She pointed out that, as of the beginning of the year, special constables have been able to use pepper spray -- a recourse that was used seven times since, on top of batons. When it comes to dealing with an armed person, constables must call on the STM.
Grenier said de-escalation will always be favoured, but that the situation in Metros is becoming more complicated and constables don’t always feel safe. He said it’s important to take steps to reestablish a sense of safety in the public and the constables themselves.
'Controversial' report
Grenier pointed to a homicide at the Guy-Concordia Metro Station earlier this month, and said that in that same week, three incidents took place involving armed people and some constables were injured. In one case, constables thought an individual had a gun and only realized it was an airgun at the end of their intervention.
Special constables have increasingly been dealing with intoxicated people or people experiencing severe mental illness, said Grenier.
He said it’s been "a long time" that constables have been wanting to be equipped with stun guns and guns. Constables, previously known as inspectors, got their new status -- which allows them to arrest people, among other powers -- in 2021.
Though he said he understands why some members of the public might feel apprehensive at the thought of more guns in the Metro, constables are trained like police but without weapons.
"We understand that Benriqué’s conclusions might be controversial, but we really wanted a full picture of what’s safest for us in how we do interventions and users, and also the people with who we intervene," said Grenier.
"We’re facing a lot of unpredictable, violent and armed behaviour … It would all be done within a very specific framework."
Ted Rutland, an associate professor of geography at Concordia University who studied public security, said it was worrying that the first solution proposed is to have more weapons. He said public funds would be better spent on outreach workers or more training in nonviolent de-escalation tactics.
"It's very contradictory to talk about mental distress and disorganization and then talk about weaponry, because the very fact of having weapons escalates the situation," he said.
"If special constables are feeling insecure … what they need is better de-escalation training … then they'll be doing what security guards, community workers, street outreach workers are doing every day."
Grenier said the union is looking over the recommendations while awaiting the full report before consulting its members and the STM.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Not going to play their games,' Singh won't help Tories, Bloc topple the Liberals
Jagmeet Singh says the NDP will not support the Bloc Québécois and Conservative leaders to help them bring down the Liberal government.
The loonie is trading at lows not seen in years. Here's what it means for Canadians
The Canadian dollar is trading against the U.S. dollar at levels not seen since 2020 as the combined pressures of economic outlooks, elections, and energy prices weigh. Here's what you need to know.
1 person facing charges following fatal boat crash in eastern Ontario on Victoria Day weekend
A South Frontenac Township man is facing charges, including impaired operation causing death, in connection to a boat crash that killed three people on Bobs Lake in eastern Ontario over the Victoria Day long weekend.
A mother intentionally went over Niagara Falls with her two children, police say
A 33-year-old mother climbed over a safety rail and intentionally went over Niagara Falls with her two children, a 9-year-old and 5-month-old, according to New York state police, who said Wednesday that search and rescue efforts were unsuccessful.
New Sikh Federation forms to counter alleged Indian interference in Canada
A new national advocacy group is uniting Sikh voices from across the country to counter India's interference in Canada as more details of an alleged state-sponsored campaign emerge.
Mother of teen victim in mass killing suing Manitoba's child welfare agency
The mother of a 17-year-old victim in a mass slaying in Manitoba is suing a child welfare agency for allegedly failing to protect the girl.
B.C. woman continues to be paid for a federal government job she has never worked
Vanita Lindsay has been paid $8,816.20 for a job she has never worked.
'My voice is not recovering': Sarah McLachlan postpones Canada-wide tour due to illness
Renowned Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan has postponed the Canadian leg of her 'Fumbling Towards Ecstasy' anniversary tour, citing illness.
'Going behind his back': Tory MPs support federal housing program that Poilievre vowed to cancel
Five Conservative MPs have written letters to the Liberal housing minister asking him to grant their communities funding from a program that Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre this week called disastrous and promised to cancel.