Femicides and Police Officers Resigning Become Source of Worry for Official Opposition

In late December 2022, the city of Montreal held a council meeting in which the Official Opposition raised questions on the Plante Administration's ways of dealing with some of the most recent issues highlighted by Montrealers.

Councillor Aref Salem of the Official Opposition questioned the Plante Administration on its way of dealing with Public Safety and Public Services issues. In 2022, 73 police officers resigned from the Societe de Police de la Ville de Montreal, which Salem stated is a record number. In the STM, 14 constables on a total of 150 also resigned, setting up a new record number as well.

Salem stated that the reason for so many police officers, as well as constables to be leaving their positions is due to the rising number of crimes in the city of Montreal, and it not being as safe as it once was. With so many officers and constables leaving, current police officers find themselves working overtime due to the lack of staff. The Official Opposition believes that this makes the Societe de Police de la Ville de Montreal less attractive for many newcomers, leading to many resigning promptly or not even wanting to become police officers for the SPVM. Only 33 police officers were hired in 2022, while 160 police officers retired, adding to the severity of the issue of police officers resigning. 

The Plante Administration answered it is currently dealing with the issue of armed violence. Alain Vaillancourt mentioned that the city of Montreal is doing a lot of prevention work. The municipal government has set up forums for citizens to be able to share their anxieties and new police chief Fady Dagher is officially taking up is position, amongst many other things.

Following on the issue of Public Safety, the Official Opposition also demonstrated worry regarding the problem of femicides. In 2022, 14 femicides took place. They demanded that the Plante Administration do more to improve the available resources for women that are victims of domestic violence. 

The Official Opposition also demonstrated worry for other issues such as safe and affordable housing for elders, as well as potable water.

In contrast, Mayor Valerie Plante insisted on highlighting the city's recent work at the COP15, the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. Plante mentioned that the COP15 ended with a signed Biodiversity Agreement for the city of Montreal. She put emphasis on how the COP15 was a way for the city of Montreal to demonstrate its engagement for climate change and the environment, as well as a way for the city to prove itself as a giant in regards to the protection of biodiversity.