Violence at Montreal metro station part of larger problem: advocate
Though police say the assaults at the Lionel-Groulx metro station in Montreal's Saint-Henri neighbourhood were likely random, security problems on public transit are not new and some are concerned that it's part of a much larger problem.
Four teenagers were arrested on Friday after a 35-year-old homeless man was stabbed in an apparent random attack.
On the same night, a female rider was punched in the face by someone she did not know.
The City of Montreal condemned the attacks and said that they've recently implemented a new intervention model that includes police and social workers patrolling metro stations with the goal of preventing violence before it happens.
Welcome Hall Mission CEO Sam Watts said the approach only goes so far.
"The reflex we have is to say what are we going to do about this problem," said Watts. "I think the correct reflex is to ask why we have this problem in the first place."
Watts said the housing situation has worsened, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, and people are seeking shelter in the metro.
It's a situation that isn't sustainable, he said.
"As someone working on the frontlines, I think there's a tendancy to point fingers and say it's so and so's responsibility," said Watts. "We're going to need to understand that it's not this person's problem, it's everyone's problem."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
Ippei Mizuhara, ex-interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani, pleads guilty in sports betting case
The former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud Wednesday in a sports betting case where prosecutors allege he stole US$16 million from the Japanese baseball player to pay off debts.
Steve Albini, legendary producer for Nirvana, the Pixies and an alternative rock pioneer, dies at 61
Steve Albini, an alternative rock pioneer and legendary producer who shaped the musical landscape through his work with Nirvana, the Pixies, PJ Harvey and more, has died. He was 61.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.