Opposition Worried as the Number of People Leaving the Island of Montreal Increases

The City of Montreal held a municipal council meeting. During the meeting, the Official Opposition raised concerned about the City of Montreal's 'glory' as the metropolis.

In the last year, the City of Montreal has seen an increasing amount of citizens living the island to go install themselves elsewhere. The Official Opposition cited a dozen of school development projects having been put on hold as one of the main reason. This led to the City of Montreal losing about 4,500 students, and another wave of citizens and students currently leaving the island. 

Mayor Valérie Plante mentioned that large lots had been reserved to put into place long-term and safe housing, schools and parks. 

Representatives of the Official Opposition additionally mentioned the issue of lack of staff in the Service de Police de la Ville de Montreal. Out of 40 police officers that were selected in the months of September and October 2022, only nine joined the SPVM. Due to issues with the process of endowment, the risks and danger of armed violence and a lack of affordable housing on the island, potential and past officers have been leaving the SPVM. Some to pursue another career, some for early retirement and others to work off of the island of Montreal.

The Plante Administration mentioned that 250,000,000$ had been put towards employing staff, and that they intended on employing 250 new police officers in total, during this mandate. The administration insisted that since 2021, gun violence and armed violence had decreased of over 30 per cent, respectively.