City of Montreal Will Not Defund the Police

Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante has no intention of defunding the police.

In an executive council meeting, a community member identified how Plante mentioned she was open to studying the idea of defunding the police in 2020, however, the police budget has been increased every year since – with the second highest increase in the city’s history occurring at the beginning of this year.

In January 2022, the Montreal police force received a $45 million increase to their budget. Plante said with this increase, a forum to fight armed violence was created and that community organizations are working with the police.

The City of Montreal has been intending to address armed violence in Montreal – which was a talking point during their campaigning period for reelection in fall 2021.So what will the administration do in regards to the issues of armed violence? Alain Vaillancourt, the city council member responsible for public security, said the city is going to employ 250 new officers this year, create a mixed team in the field, confiscate 1,000 firearms confiscated and more.

The council also addressed housing for seniors, armed violence, and homelessness, with one concerned citizen inquiring about families who may find themselves on the streets – especially with the largest moving day in Montreal coming up this July 1.

The city predicts an increase of 10-25% of families that they will have to lodge and accommodate – this is an overall estimation of 150 familles. The numbers are not stabilizing. Will the city lodge families every year, as the numbers increase, to the point where the families will become tenants in perpetuity? 

Benoit Dorais, vice-president of Montreal's executive committee says the reason why the Plante administration lodges families in hotels or apartments is so that they do not find themselves in the streets. Dorais says Projet Montreal ensures that people find the right housing situation to meet their needs.

Stay tuned to watch the council.