Premier Legault reiterates that McGill pro-Palestinian camp must be dismantled
Quebec Premier François Legault reiterated that the pro-Palestinian encampment at McGill University must be dismantled while police remain "on the lookout for new developments."
While visiting his L'Assomption riding on Friday morning, Legault once again called for the dismantling of "the illegal encampment" on the university campus, even though on Wednesday, the Quebec Superior Court rejected a request for an injunction to move the camp, which was erected on Saturday.
"There are all kinds of very legal ways to demonstrate," but "to set up an encampment on the grounds of a university that doesn't want that encampment, that's illegal," the premier argued, adding that he "counts on the police to dismantle in the way they think is best, and then at the time they think is best."
The premier made the same request on Thursday, 48 hours after university officials asked for police assistance, believing they had failed to persuade the protesters to end what they described as an illegal action.
At the same time in Montreal, Public Security Minister François Bonnardel said that he had "total confidence in the SPVM for the continuation of things" and for the "operations they will carry out to dismantle this."
A dangerous precedent
Also on Friday morning, the Fédération québécoise des professeures et professeurs d'université (FQPPU) issued a statement saying it was "concerned by the premier's recent comments."
"University campuses have always been places where ideas clash, sometimes vigorously," said FQPPU president professor Madeleine Pastinelli. "In a free and democratic society, it is not up to the political authorities to give orders to the police on operational matters," and "for the premier to attack demonstrators' freedom of expression by calling for police intervention against them sets a dangerous and worrying precedent."
- Listen on CJAD 800: Mulcair: the fine line Legault is walking with the encampments
Police assess the situation
For its part, the Montreal police (SPVM) issued a press release stating that it had taken note of the court's decision to reject the request for a provisional injunction by two McGill students, on the grounds of "the absence of a demonstration of an emergency."
The SPVM has indicated that it will closely follow "the judicial debates surrounding this litigation" and will remain on the lookout for any new developments.
"Let's not forget that the role of police officers in such a situation is to ensure peace, good order and personal safety, while respecting rights and freedoms," the SPVM said.
On Thursday, Canadian Justice Minister Arif Virani rebuked Premier Legault for his position: "Police operational decisions are always their decisions, independently of politicians. This is always the case in a democracy like ours. It separates us from other countries where the rule of law is not respected, so it's extremely important," he had said on his arrival at the Canadian parliament.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on May 3, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
2 died in plane crash near Squamish, B.C., police confirm
Two people died after a plane went down in a remote area near Squamish, B.C. on Friday, authorities have confirmed.
Grayson Murray's parents say the two-time PGA Tour winner died of suicide
Grayson Murray's parents said Sunday their 30-year-old son took his own life, just one day after he withdrew from a PGA Tour event.
At least 15 dead after severe weather carves path of ruin across multiple U.S. states in the South
Powerful storms killed at least 15 people and left a wide trail of destruction Sunday across Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas during the latest deadly weather to strike the central U.S.
Blaine Higgs 'furious' over sexual education presentation
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs has shared his anger on social media over a presentation in at least four high schools.
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.
After more than 100 years, Newfoundland's unknown soldier returns home
An unknown Newfoundland soldier, who fought and died on the battlefields in northeastern France during the First World War, is back home this weekend for the first time in more than a hundred years.
Driver, 18, gets $3,000 ticket, 32 demerit points after speeding on Laval boulevard
A young driver received a hefty fine from Laval police after they say he was driving nearly 100 km/h over the posted speed limit.
Trump confronts repeated boos during raucous Libertarian convention speech
Donald Trump was booed repeatedly while addressing Saturday night’s Libertarian Party National Convention.
Indianapolis 500 starts after 4-hour rain delay with Kyle Larson in the field
The Indianapolis 500 started Sunday after a rain delay of four hours with NASCAR star Kyle Larson still at the track and in the race.