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
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Conservatives, NDP should be 'celebrating' EV deals: industry minister
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne says federal opposition parties should be 'celebrating' the recently announced electric vehicle deals, despite their criticisms the Liberals refuse to make public the terms and conditions laid out in the contracts.
Banking mogul suing government after intelligence leaks leave him shut out of Canadian economy
Chinese Canadian banking mogul Shenglin Xian has launched a $300 million lawsuit against the federal government. It’s a means to find the source of intelligence leaks which Xian says has cost him his livelihood.
His SUV was stolen on Montreal's South Shore. Then he got a $156 parking ticket
A couple is frustrated after their SUV was stolen from Montreal's South Shore in March and they received a parking ticket for the same vehicle last week.
Jesus is their saviour, Trump is their candidate. Ex-president's backers say he shares faith, values
As Donald Trump increasingly infuses his campaign with Christian trappings while coasting to a third Republican presidential nomination, his support is as strong as ever among evangelicals and other conservative Christians.
Box tree moths have infested Ontario and experts say more are coming. Here's what to do to protect your garden
An invasive moth species is on the rise in Canada and, if you've planted a certain shrub, it could stand to ruin your garden.
VIA Rail service delayed for hours due to suspicious package investigation in Kingston, Ont.
VIA Rail service resumed in the Kingston, Ont. area late Saturday afternoon, after a suspicious package investigation halted train service for more than four hours over the Victoria Day long weekend.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
To plant or not to plant? Gardening tips for May long weekend
May long weekend is finally here, and with the extra time off you may be getting the itch to head out to your garden and plant. However, the old debate whether you should plant now, or wait, is still ever-present.