The leader of the Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) made the announcement on Twitter on Wednesday, noting that he had discussed the matter with Public Security Minister Genevieve Guilbeau as well as Montreal Mayor Valerie Plant. “We will spare no means to restore order and protect citizens. We will support our police forces to end this violence,” he wrote. In another tweet posted shortly after, Legault said he would not allow Montreal to become a “shooting ground for gangs.” On Tuesday afternoon, two men, aged 44 and 50, were shot in separate incidents within the same hour. Both men succumbed to their injuries later that day.
Tuesday’s events also reached the office of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who called them “unacceptable” on Twitter. “The shootings that occurred yesterday in Montreal are unacceptable and I spoke with Mayor Valerie Plante today about the steps we are taking to combat gun violence,” he wrote.

Yesterday’s shootings in Montreal are unacceptable and I spoke with Mayor @Val_Plante today about the steps we are taking to combat gun violence. We will continue to work together to make our communities safer – Montrealers and all Canadians deserve nothing less. — Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) August 24, 2022

VIOLENCE IS ON THE RISE, BUT IT’S NOT ALWAYS GUNS

Other than “supporting the police force,” Legault did not specify how he plans to address violence in the city — an issue that has become increasingly prevalent in recent years. Police data (SPVM) from 2021 shows that violence has increased significantly since 2016, with homicides increasing by 39.5%. Attempted murders are up 27.1 percent since 2016, assaults are up 22.6 percent and sexual assaults are up 32.2 percent.
But that violence doesn’t always involve guns. In fact, gun crime rates are actually down compared to pre-pandemic years. Total firearm offenses rose from 251 in 2020 to 376 in 2021, but the previous four years were as follows: 344 in 2019, 436 in 2018, 501 in 2017 and 513 in 2016, according to police data. So far in 2022, gun violence rates in Montreal are on pace to match those of 2021.

PLANTE OUTLINE PLAN

Valerie Plante held a news conference Wednesday to address public safety concerns. He confirmed that he has been in contact with both Legault and Trudeau since Tuesday’s murders. “I reminded everyone of the importance of contributing to the success of our urban security plan. And the governments confirm that they will support the metropolis and the SPVM,” the mayor tweeted shortly after the conference ended.

PUBLIC SAFETY: I went to meet the population affected by the violent events. People told me: This is not Montreal. Agree. We are not going to give in to fear. We are going through difficult times and we will get through them together. #polmtl 🧵⤵️ pic.twitter.com/og3wWyfuzL — Valérie Plante (@Val_Plante) August 24, 2022 Plante reiterated the city’s goal to:

Recruit more people for the Quebec police academy Provide “more tools” to SPVM to “work in better conditions” Increase the number of social workers in the field Hire more than 282 additional police officers Start a project with SPVM targeting Montreal schools Start various prevention projects with the $17 million granted by the provincial government