The Criminal Code is “very strong”, defended the federal Minister of Justice, David Lametti on Friday, by promising to act to “strengthen the laws and border resources” on the control of firearms, while Quebec and Montreal increase the pressure on Ottawa in the wake of the murder of Thomas Trudel.
“This is a false impression. We have done more than any government in Canadian history for firearms, ”suggested Mr. Lametti on the sidelines of a press briefing in Laval on Friday, thereby rejecting attacks from other levels of government. , who denounce the lack of action of the federal authorities at the borders.
On the contrary, he says that the Trudeau government is very proactive in this regard. “We have already made an announcement to ban assault weapons and we are studying the issue of handguns,” he said.
Since the murder of young Thomas Trudel in the Saint-Michel district on Sunday, Quebec and Montreal have both urged Ottawa to do more to control the circulation of firearms.
PHOTO SARAH MONGEAU-BIRKETT, THE PRESS
Thomas Trudel, 16, was returning home Sunday evening after an outing to the park when he was shot dead a stone’s throw from his house in Saint-Michel.
On Wednesday, the Minister of Public Security, Geneviève Guilbault, called on the federal government to better protect the borders and to revise the Criminal Code so that the penalties related to illegal weapons are “consistent and dissuasive”.
“The Criminal Code is very strong, but obviously we have to look at how to manage firearms,” Minister Lametti reacted to this on Friday, arguing that it is a “complex” problem. “There are several aspects. In particular, we must work to eliminate street gangs. And there are other issues at the borders. We are working on it, ”he insisted, without giving more details.
Mr. Lametti affirms that “as a Montrealer and as a Quebecer”, tragedies like the murder of Thomas Trudel make him “a lot of sorrow”. “We don’t want to see what’s going on right now. […] We are working hard on this issue and we will work with the other levels of government to find a solution, ”he again promised to the media.
Plante: “I don’t have the power”
During her swearing-in on Thursday evening, Valérie Plante also did not mince words with regard to the federal government in this matter. “As mayor, I don’t have the power to go to the border and prevent guns from entering. I am not discouraged, but I am a little frustrated with the situation, because I do not have all the tools to legislate against handguns, ”she said, before adding:“ Each level government must assume its responsibilities, and currently, I do not believe that the federal government is assuming its responsibilities ”.
On site, the Minister responsible for the Metropolis, Chantal Rouleau, notably revealed that the provincial government is preparing to make an announcement about security in Montreal. “We must work on the issue of prevention, and it is a commitment that we make, by working with the mayoress of Montreal,” she said in an interview.
“The federal government must call the shot. We are of the opinion that we must go further in the ban and not delegate responsibilities “, for her part, supported Minister Guilbault, also suggesting that the Trudeau government’s position on handguns is” badly tied ”currently.
A meeting must also take place during the next week between Mr.me Guilbault and Mme Plante, on the question of firearms. Such announcements could follow in the days to come, sources confirmed to Press Friday.
Thomas Trudel, 16, was returning home Sunday evening after an outing to the park when he was shot dead a stone’s throw from his house in Saint-Michel. The reasons remain unknown and no arrests have yet been reported, several days after the tragedy. It was the 31e murder to occur in Montreal this year.