By Canadian Press

Montreal mayor calls on Ottawa, Quebec to help fight gun violence after teen’s death

Feb 10, 2021 | 10:11 AM

Montreal’s mayor is calling on Ottawa to take stronger action on gun control after a 15-year-old girl died in a drive-by shooting in the city over the weekend.

Valerie Plante told her executive committee today that cities cannot bear the responsibility alone of fighting rising gun violence and illegal weapons trafficking.

She is asking Ottawa to take action to limit handguns in the same way it did for assault weapons and to help better control the movement of firearms.

The death of 15-year-old Meriem Boundaoui in a drive-by shooting over the weekend is highlighting the issue of gun violence in Montreal, which Plante says has been on the rise over the last year. 

She says the city and its police force are taking action with increased patrols, a new unit dedicated to stopping arms trafficking, and more funding for community organizations that work with at-risk youth.

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Plante is also asking the Quebec government for more money for mixed patrols, which partner police officers with social workers to respond to calls. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 10, 2021.

The Canadian Press