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
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.