Montreal teens, parents, teachers asked to help explain wave of violence in upcoming forum
Worried about gun violence among Montreal's teens? So are police, the mayor and many others, after a series of fatal shootings -- but they say they need more information about what's led to this.
They're planning to ask the teens themselves, along with youth organizations and parents, in a three-day forum starting this Thursday.
"The idea is really to talk about how it has changed, share knowledge again... whether you're in a school or a non-profit organization at the grassroots level," said Mayor Valerie Plante.
Teens and their parents must sign up in advance for the day that's open to them.
Police have called for such a forum for the past few months, saying the issue was spiralling out of control, and one
"The fact that youth now, regarding violence, are less inclined to take it seriously, is a major issue for us and very complex to address as a police service," said Vincent Richer of Montreal police.
"[Even if] we're going to arrest someone... we don't solve the issue."
Not all youth violence involves guns. Most recently, this month, 16-year-old Lucas Gaudet was stabbed to death outside a high school in Pointe-Claire. In October, 16-year-old Jannai Dopwell-Bailey was killed in very similar circumstances in Cote-des-Neiges, also in broad daylight.
Guns have claimed the lives of at least two other teens in recent months, however: Thomas Trudel, also 16, was fatally shot in St-Michel in late November, and 17-year-old Amir Benayad died after being shot on a corner in the Plateau.
Teenagers were arrested in two of those cases, and there were no arrests in the other two.
Are you a parent or someone who works with teens and want to share your thoughts about youth violence? Write us at MontrealDigitalNews@bellmedia.ca.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
2 military horses that broke free and ran loose across London are in serious condition
Two military horses that bolted and ran miles through the streets of London after being spooked by construction noise and tossing their riders were in a serious condition and required operations, a British government official said Thursday.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.
He replaced Mickey Mantle. Now baseball's oldest living major leaguer is turning 100
The oldest living former major leaguer, Art Schallock turns 100 on Thursday and is being celebrated in the Bay Area and beyond as the milestone approaches.