Prime Minister François Legault made changes on Sunday to his Facebook message the day before about the young people murdered in Montreal, after raising the ire of Liberal MP Marwah Rizqy.
• Read also: So where do these weapons that are found in Montreal come from?
“Mr. PM Legault, what annoys me is the willful omission of the death of young Jannai Dopwell-Bailey from your letter. Know that “Every child is important, regardless of the color of their skin, the language they speak or the neighborhood in which they live.” Respectfully, ”the Liberal MP for Saint-Laurent wrote on Twitter on Sunday morning, reacting to the Prime Minister’s message.
Mr. Legault subsequently clarified in his publication, saying that the murder of the 16-year-old young man “shook him as much as those of Thomas and Meriem”.
“I dare not imagine all the suffering of his loved ones to whom I offer my condolences. The text refers to murders by guns, ”he clarified, adding that this is the reason why only the deaths of the other two teenagers had been mentioned.
Ms. Rizqy then welcomed the change made by the Prime Minister, adding that it was “really all to [son] honor”.
François Legault also indicated that he will meet with the mayoress of Montreal, Valérie Plante, on Monday to address this issue.
Recall that the Prime Minister of Quebec had declared in his initial message, published Saturday morning, that he was “sad and angry” after the death of young Thomas Trudel, almost a week ago.
“As a Montrealer, I admit that I no longer recognize Montreal. Shootings break out all over the city regularly. And those who shoot are younger and younger. Often minors, ”he wrote.
“It’s already shocking to see street gangs shooting each other. But when they kill teenagers who have nothing to do with gangs, like Thomas Trudel and Meriem Boundaoui, it’s downright revolting, ”he continued.
Mr. Legault had taken the opportunity to recall Operation Centaur set up to counter gun violence in the metropolis, but also that the government is working in collaboration with community groups.
“We must set ourselves the goal of eradicating street gangs in Montreal. For that, repression will not be enough. Yes, we have to stop the bandits and put them in jail. But we must also work on the roots of the problem, the conditions that allow the emergence of street gangs, ”he argued.