The City of Montreal Wants to Crack Down on Gun Violence amidst the Anniversary of the Polytechnique Shooting

The City of Montreal hosted their first municipal council meeting since the re-election of Projet Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante on November 7. Plante said its time to come together for the good of Montrealers. She highlighted the anniversary of the Polytechnique shooting, which took place on December 6, 1989, where 14 women were killed. Plante also paid homage to the 17 women who have been victims of femicides in Quebec this year alone.

Plante addressed that access to arms is very accessible and that this should be assessed and reevaluated. She also called on politicians at the federal level to take action by banning handguns and creating greater regulations at the borders. 

She wants to make Montreal safer, as this was apart of her platform in her candidacy for reelection.

Josefina Blanco, responsible for diversity and social inclusion, furthered Plante's address on gun violence, as she said she has been focused on the rise of violent incidents across Montreal.

She proposed a social and community development to prevent gun violence further, as she says many community organizations have experience in preventing violent incidents and are able to support young Montrealers and the most vulnerable populations.

She also announced the doubling of the budget for the prevention of violence and urban safety/safety in an urban environment. As of 2022, the budget will be $5 million per year, which has been doubled to ensure best quality of work, according to her. This money is set to improve safety and services across Montreal.

Plante and Blanco hope these efforts will lead to a safer Montreal.