Man sentenced for antisemitic incidents in Côte-St-Luc

In December, another man agreed to a peace bond that included a similar condition that he also keep a distance from the Jewish community.

Paul Cherry  •  Montreal Gazette

Published Apr 19, 2023

A second man has been ordered to keep his distance from members of Montreal’s Jewish community as part of a sentence he received Wednesday in a case where the Montreal police investigated how antisemitic insults were shouted at people in Côte-St-Luc two years ago.

The court order was part of a sentence delivered at the Montreal courthouse by Quebec Court Judge Pierre Dupras. Jawad Jawad, 22, of Montreal, received a sentence that includes a conditional discharge as long as he respects a series of conditions while he is on probation for a year.

On Feb. 20, Jawad pleaded guilty to uttering threats while he and Aymane Boushaba, 21, of Montreal, drove through Côte-St-Luc on May 17, 2021. The incident prompted Côte-St-Luc Mayor Mitchell Brownstein to make a robocall the following day informing residents of what happened. The insults were made during the 2021 11-day war in Israel.

As part of the same sentence, Jawad was ordered to carry out 80 hours of community service and keep the peace, and he is not allowed to communicate with the person who filed the complaint against him.

He is also not allowed to refer to any member of the Jewish community on the internet or on social networks.

On Dec. 2, Boushaba was ordered to follow a similar set of conditions after he agreed to sign a peace bond.

When Jawad pleaded guilty to uttering threats in February, a stay of proceeding was placed on charges alleging he incited hatred and was in possession of a weapon or a fake weapon.

“Though we were disappointed by the reduced charges, the probation terms agreed upon (on Wednesday) reflect the severity of the individual’s actions and include stringent protections for our community,” Eta Yudin, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) Quebec vice-president, wrote in a statement.

“Today, Judge Dupras made clear that the court recognized the severity of the defendant’s actions and that those who seek to foment or act on hate and antisemitism must face serious consequences. Though a plea deal led to the hate charge being dropped, the hateful intent behind the defendant’s actions certainly was not forgotten,” Yudin wrote.

“Perpetrators of hate must know that promoting antisemitism or any form of hatred will never be OK,” Yair Szlak, Federation CJA president and CEO, wrote in the same statement. “Today, the justice system sent a clear message that there are real consequences to hate. Both of the accused have now been held accountable for their despicable actions.”

According to the statement released by CIJA and Federation CJA, the two men “filmed themselves driving through Jewish neighbourhoods loudly shouting antisemitic slurs and threats to passersby. In one of their videos, posted on social media, they explained they were going to Côte-St-Luc because “that’s where all the Jews are.”

pcherry@postmedia.com

A senseless, tragic loss

It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the loss of fallen police officer, Sgt. Maureen Breau. This officer dedicated her life to serving and protecting the community, with 20 years of service in the Quebec Police Force, but tragically, her life was cut short in the line of duty.

We all grapple with the reality of such a senseless loss. The bravery and sacrifice of police officers often goes unnoticed, but in times like these, we are reminded of the immense risk that they face each and every day to keep us safe.

As we come to terms with this devastating loss, we must also take a moment to honour the life and legacy of Sgt. Maureen Breau. She made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the community, and her dedication will never be forgotten.

To Sgt. Breau’s family, friends, and colleagues, I extend deepest condolences. All Quebecers should pledge to honour the memory of this brave officer by continuing to support and appreciate the hardworking men and women of law enforcement who put their lives on the line to protect us all.

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C’est avec le plus grand tristesse que nous déplorons la perte de la sergente Maureen Breau, une policière qui a consacré sa vie au service et à la protection de la communauté, avec 20 ans de service au sein de la Sûreté du Québec. Sa vie a été tragiquement interrompue dans l’exercice de ses fonctions.

Nous sommes tous confrontés à la réalité d’une perte aussi insensée. La bravoure et le sacrifice des policiers passent souvent inaperçus, mais des moments comme celui-ci nous rappellent les risques immenses qu’ils courent chaque jour pour assurer notre sécurité.

Alors que nous nous remettons de cette perte dévastatrice, nous devons également prendre un moment pour honorer la vie et l’héritage du sergente Maureen Breau. Elle a fait le sacrifice ultime au service de la communauté, et son dévouement ne sera jamais oublié.

À la famille, aux amis et aux collègues de la sergente Breau, j’offre mes plus sincères condoléances. Tous les Québécois devraient s’engager à honorer la mémoire de cette brave policière en continuant de soutenir et d’apprécier les hommes et les femmes des forces de l’ordre qui mettent leur vie en danger pour nous protéger tous.

Two arrested in CSL in alleged real estate scam | City News | thesuburban.com

The SPVM’s Economic Crimes Section has arrested two suspects “in connection with a real estate fraud whose victims are owners seeking to sell their homes quickly in exchange for a cash amount,” police announced.

Read the article below…

https://www.thesuburban.com/news/city_news/two-arrested-in-csl-in-alleged-real-estate-scam/article_06d7f724-8cc1-52e4-a532-bbc7d8aa9ab8.html?utm_source=The%20Suburban%20Newspaper&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=Breaking%20News

Men to be sentenced this summer for reckless shooting in Côte-St-Luc

At least 11 shots were fired along Kingsley Road in Côte-St-Luc. One bullet struck a man, while others hit a taxi and an apartment building.

Montreal Gazette | May 09, 2022 

https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/men-to-be-sentenced-this-summer-for-reckless-shooting-in-cote-st-luc

Overnight apartment fire caused by space heater

Five police officers were sent to hospital for smoke inhalation after arriving at a Cote Saint-Luc apartment building and began evacuation before firefighters arrived on scene. The apartment is across the street from Police Station 9 on Westminster.

The fire apparently started from a space heater.

Do you take precautions when using these appliances?

Be sure to keep heaters away from curtains and bedding. Don’t use regular gauge extension cords with space heaters and do not overload electrical outlets. Most importantly, don’t leave space heaters unattended or operating while you’re asleep.

Did you know these safety tips?

Here’s hoping all the officers involved will be well. What a heroic group of police officers to rush in and help as quickly as they did.

Montreal Gazette: Editorial: Bill 21 undermines Quebec’s efforts to be inclusive

So long as this repugnant law remains on the books, it will undermine whatever laudable steps are taken to build a truly inclusive Quebec.

Read more:

https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-bill-21-undermines-quebecs-efforts-to-be-inclusive

Canada can and must do better on gun control

Today we mark the sad and tragic anniversary of the shooting at the Ecole Polytechnique some 32 years ago. This was a horrendous, violent act and gun violence is still too frequent across Canada.

Most gun violence in Canada is caused by illegal handguns. The federal government has promised to bring in measures to control gun violence but the slow pace of these efforts has truly been disappointing. While legislation has been introduced in Quebec to allow municipalities to ban handguns, this strategy is counter-intuitive. Gun violence is not limited or contained within a given city’s boundaries.

My friend Lawrence, a Toronto police officer, has said to me that banning all guns will not end gone violence. Don’t punish legal gun owners, he says. While I often wonder out loud why we need to have legal guns owners in Canada let’s focus on the bigger problem. What can we do to stem the flow of illegal guns and their use? Investing in community services for youth is paramount but that’s another discussion for another day.

What we need right now are strict penalties for the illegal importation of any firearm into Canada as well as for illegal possession. This is federal jurisdiction and downloading responsibilities to provinces and cities won’t stop the flow of illegal firearms from our American neighbours.

Mandatory sentencing for importing and possessing illegal firearms would be a very strong disincentive.

The Globe and Mail did and excellent job at covering this issue on today’s podcast, The Decibel.

We can and should do much more than merely honouring the memory of innocent victims of shooting tragedies. We must make it a very high priority to stop the high number of guns entering our country and prosecute offenders with mandatory sentencing. Possession of illegal firearms must also have severe consequences.

We can and must do a better job.

Trudeau expresses concern over anti-Semitic incidents in Montreal, elsewhere in Canada

The prime minister’s Tweet comes a day after Liberal MP Anthony Housefather described recent events in the city as “appalling.”

Montreal Gazette – May 19, 2021  

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday took to social media to express his concern over recent incidents of anti-Semitism in Montreal “and across the country.”

The prime minister’s statement comes a day after local Liberal MP and former Côte-St-Luc mayor Anthony Housefather posted a video on his Facebook page describing the incidents — which included violent clashes in Montreal between protesters last weekend at demonstrations sparked by the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the arrests on Monday of two men who are alleged to have uttered anti-Semitic slurs to passersby in Côte-St-Luc — as “appalling.”

The two men — Aymane Boushaba, 19, of Montreal, and Jawad Jawad, 19, of Montreal North — have been charged at the Montreal courthouse with uttering threats and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. Jawad faces an additional charge, the wilful promotion of hatred.

Both men appeared before a Quebec Court judge at the Montreal courthouse on Tuesday. They were released after agreeing to follow a series of conditions, including that they post bonds of $2,000.

“I am doing something today that I thought I would never have to do as a member of Parliament, which is to address the security concerns that the Jewish community right now has in Montreal,” Housefather said in his video. “The idea that people are afraid for their community centres, for their synagogues, for their schools, for their homes, is appalling.”

Housefather said representatives of all levels of government had contacted Montreal police to ensure the security of the Jewish community, and that police “are patrolling these neighbourhoods with great care.”

Housefather said that while he personally believed the actual threat of physical violence “is much less than what people perceive it to be … the level of hate that has been created because of events in the Middle East is something that we cannot tolerate in Canada.”

Housefather called upon “everyone from each faith, from every background, to reach out to your Jewish friends and neighbours and to let them know they are not alone.”

Federation CJA and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) issued a press release listing examples of anti-Semitic incidents in Montreal, including hateful and anti-Semitic language on signs at an anti-Israel rally, vandalism on the building housing the Israeli consulate, rocks thrown at a peaceful gathering in support of Israel and anti-Israel activists driving through Jewish neighbourhoods and yelling anti-Semitic slurs. The organizations also said they’ve taken note of online posts that threaten members of the Jewish community.

The city of Côte-St-Luc on Tuesday informed residents via its Facebook page that in the wake of Monday’s arrests, “(Montreal police) and the Côte-St-Luc Public Security have increased their resources and are making their presence felt around all community locations. The city is working with all its partners to ensure the safety of residents. If you see something suspicious call 911. If you spot anything suspicious online, notify Police Station 9 at pdq9@spvm.qc.ca.”

The town of Hampstead posted a similar message to its residents, noting that “Due to the events in Israel and the increase in anti-Semitic incidents worldwide, Hampstead increased its public security patrols starting last week. While there has only been one very minor incident in Hampstead, residents should call Public Security 514-369-8250 if they see anything suspicious. In case of an emergency, please call 911.”

There is no justification whatsoever for hatred, intimidation and violence in Canada. Thank you MP Anthony Housefather and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for your unwavering support. Elected officials, community leaders and people of good faith must speak out to ensure Canada remains: “The true north, strong and free!”

GJN

Nova Scotia tragedy screams out for gun control

The senseless, horrific massacre that has befallen Nova Scotia, perhaps Canada’s worst, is a national tragedy on many levels.

First, this cowardly act was amplified as it was carried out during the global pandemic. People everywhere are already on edge, overridden with anxiety at five plus weeks of isolation and distancing. The aftermath of the killings is depriving Nova Scotians and mourners across the country from the basic need of togetherness, of family and communal support and comforting.

Two, the killer, tarnished the iconic national treasure that is the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It was tragic that he took the life of RCMP constable Heidi Stevenson and injured another officer, let alone the horrendous loss of 21 other victims. But in disguising himself in the revered uniform and duping the public in the fake police car he has robbed all Canadians of the blanket of comfort which is the essence, the brand of the RCMP.

Third, the Nova Scotia horror underscores the urgent and long overdue need for the federal government to legislate stricter gun control including the ban on assault weapons. And as I have advocated for decades and posted on this blog I call upon our legislators to outlaw handguns. There is no need for the average Canadian to posses such weapons.

When I express my opinion, I usually get a slew of hate mail from gun advocates, mostly Americans, that try to bully anyone who calls for firearm restrictions. So be it. They’re entitled to their ill-conceived opinions but they have no lessons to teach us here, in Canada. The U.S. model is so out of control, so utterly broken, with mass shootings so routine. Many of their leaders have become immune to their own pain and suffering, incapable of any effective change.

I will also hear from my old friend in Toronto, a police officer who routinely reminds me that we should not penalize lawful owners of guns. He has a point and I agree that there are very few cases that could be allowed with strict controls and regulations. He also says that what is needed is tougher penalties for gun crime in Canada and I couldn’t agree more.

So this is our opportunity, once again, in the aftermath of a horrific mass shooting to call upon every Member of Parliament to support very strict limits on who may posses a firearm of any sort in this country, to crack down on illegal smuggling of these weapons into our country and to substantially increase the penalty for illegal possession of guns and other lethal weapons and the sentencing for such offences.

Let’s honour the memory of the victims by taking these necessary steps to prevent such horrors from ever happening again in Canada.

CSL council votes 5-2 to call for one-year moratorium on police station mergers

2009 launch of PDQ 9 on Cavendish at Kildare: CSL Public Security Chief Michel Martel, Montreal Police Assistant Commander West Division Pierre Brochet, Councillor Glenn J. Nashen, Neighbourhood Police Station 9 Commander Sylvain Bissonnette

The Suburban Newspaper this week reported that Cote Saint-Luc City Council could not come to a unanimous decision to call for a one year moratorium on local police station mergers.

As I blogged here on March 23, “the ill-advised and poorly communicated merger of police stations should be shelved for this year. Our populations and its leaders are poised in another direction and this is not the time for structural reorganization.”

Having fought against previous proposals for police station mergers and relocation while I was the CSL City Councillor responsible for Public Safety, alongside my fellow councillors Mitchell Brownstein and the late Ruth Kovac, we are all too aware of what is at stake and the potential loss of service to our community.

Although one dissenting councillor suggested CSL does not currently have 24 hour coverage, to be clear, Neighbourhood Station 9 offices (PDQ 9 as it is known in French), are closed overnight but officers from our station continue to patrol at all hours in our city.

Here is the full story by Suburban reporter Joel Goldenberg:

Côte St. Luc council voted 5-2 at their March 16 videoconferenced council meeting to call for a one-year moratorium, public sessions and a “proper study” on the planned merger of police stations 9 (CSL, Hampstead, Montreal West) and 11 (NDG).

Those voting against the resolution, presented by Councillor Dida Berku, were councillors David Tordjman and Oren Sebag. Those voting in favour were councillors Berku, Mike Cohen, Mitch Kujavsky, Steven Erdelyi and Sidney Benizri.

As first reported in The Suburban in late January, plans call for the new merged station to be located at the current Station 9 site in CSL. Station 11 on Somerled in NDG, unless minds change, will close its doors this fall.

Tordjman said that while the SPVM erred in the way the information about the merger was disseminated, “I think, as many others do, that this is a positive move for CSL and the adjoining communities. It will improve efficiencies and we’ll end up having more officers available for all of our communities.

“We need to have further discussion, but I don’t think a one-year moratorium is the way to go. We should be working with the SPVM, rather than fighting them.”

Mayor Mitchell Brownstein was disappointed, saying he was hoping for a unanimous vote.

“As a person who was very involved with the demerger of cities and understands that smaller is better, it seems quite clear to me we know what we have right now is unique and beautiful,” the Mayor added. “As soon as we merge with Station 11 in NDG, where most of the crime is happening, no matter how many extra officers we’re going to have, they will all go to where the action is — there’s a stabbing, a murder, a rape. It’s happening outside of CSL.”

Sebag said Station 9 does not currently operate 24 hours a day.

“I think there’s an advantage of having a larger station that works around the clock in CSL, and I agree we should make sure the station stays in CSL,” he added. “I personally think our city is denser, it has a lot more activity that could be viewed as an evolution in crime, and we need proper coverage… 24 hours a day.”

Councillor Mike Cohen said that with the current COVID-19 pandemic in progress, “now is not the time to push through such a merger.”

SPVM Stations 9, 11 to merge

• By Joel Goldenberg
• The Suburban
• Jan 29, 2020

The Suburban has been informed by a well-placed source that the process is underway for SPVM Station 9 in Côte St. Luc and Station 11 in NDG to merge.

From what we have heard so far, the new merged station will be located at Station 9’s current location, at the corner of Westminster and Côte St. Luc Road. Station 9 serves Côte St. Luc, Hampstead and Montreal West.

But we have heard concerns expressed that there will not be a police station situated in NDG for the first time and that there will be less police presence in Côte St. Luc, notwithstanding the station’s planned location.

The Suburban has placed calls to Côte des Neiges-NDG Mayor Sue Montgomery, and the SPVM’s media representatives, and we await their response.

We did speak with Côte St. Luc Mayor Mitchell Brownstein, who told us Monday afternoon that he has not heard of the alleged merger plans.

Brownstein added that it while it would be difficult to make a statement without finding out further details, he did say it would be good news if the alleged merger results in the station remaining in Côte St. Luc, and that he hoped the police presence would not be lessened there.

joel@thesuburban.com

Carbon monoxide from car in garage killed Côte-St-Luc couple: coroner

This is a heartbreaking, tragic reminder to be vigilant and prudent when parking your car in the garage and of the critical need to have CO detectors in your home.

GJN

House where couple was found dead of carbon monoxide poisoning on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019 in Côte-St-Luc. PIERRE OBENDRAUF / MONTREAL GAZETTE

Woman probably forgot to turn her car’s ignition off after parking it in the garage

FRÉDÉRIC TOMESCO  Montreal Gazette: December 9, 2019

A Côte-St-Luc couple died of carbon monoxide poisoning last winter when the wife probably forgot to turn her car’s ignition off after parking it in the garage, a coroner has concluded.

Roger Banon and Simone Elkeslassy were found dead by one of their sons Feb. 6 after uncharacteristically failing to answer phone calls during the day. Firefighters called to the scene noted the presence of carbon monoxide inside the garage and the house.

The couple lived in a single-family residence, with their bedroom located directly above the garage. A carbon monoxide detector was installed in the basement and was in service, the report said.

Banon, 88, had Parkinson’s disease. He had the constant help and support of his 84-year-old wife and other family members, according to the coroner’s report, which was released Monday. Husband and wife — both wearing pyjamas — were found lying on the floor of the guest room.

“It appears that Mr. Banon’s spouse probably had a moment of distraction when returning from the grocery store on Feb. 5 and forgot to shut down the engine of her car,” coroner Julie-Kim Godin concluded in her report dated Sept. 25, ruling out suicide.

Having just returned from a trip, Elkeslassy “had to resume her activities and her routine,” Godin wrote. “She had several tasks to perform and needed to take care of her partner. She probably had a lot of concerns on her mind, which contributed to this moment of distraction.”

Montreal police investigators found Elkeslassy’s car parked in the garage. While the garage door leading onto the driveway was closed, investigators were unable to establish whether the inside door leading to the house was open or closed.

The car key was in the ignition and it was switched on, the coroner’s report said. The fuel gauge indicated that the tank was empty and the hood was lukewarm.

“This allows us to conclude that the engine continued to run, probably for several hours, producing significant carbon monoxide emissions in the house,” Godin wrote.

Elkeslassy was an “active, autonomous woman who was very involved in the community,” Godin also wrote. She was seeing a doctor regularly, and a recent appointment had not resulted in any problems being identified. Elkeslassy “loved life and was very resilient,” the report cited her doctor as saying. She had never expressed suicidal ideas, the report said.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a recurring problem in Quebec.

On Friday, a Laval woman was found dead in a house after being poisoned by the toxic gas, police said. Two other people were taken to a hospital for the same reason. Results of the investigation may be announced Tuesday, a Laval police spokesperson said Monday.

Carbon monoxide is a clear, odourless and tasteless gas that can make humans sick and can lead to death. The gas is created when fuels such as oil, coal, wood, gasoline, propane and natural gas are burned.

Carbon monoxide doesn’t irritate the eyes or respiratory tract. But when a person inhales it, the gas enters their blood and interferes with oxygen intake, damaging tissue, according to Quebec’s health department. The effects can vary depending on the quantity of the gas in the air and the length of exposure. Severe carbon monoxide poisoning can lead to a coma and death within minutes.

ftomesco@postmedia.com

Toronto cop weighs in on “armed police for hire” debate

• By Joel Goldenberg, The Suburban
• Jun 5, 2019

Toronto police sergeant Lawrence Sager, Facebook

Toronto police sergeant Lawrence Sager weighed in regarding a Suburban report that Hampstead is pressing for local Montreal Torah Centre congregants to be able to hire armed off-duty SPVM police officers to provide security.

“Police Paid Duties have always been an extremely effective way to provide security to an event,” Sgt. Sager wrote on Facebook this past weekend. “Few would try and cause trouble with highly visible uniformed police officers present. The only pitfall is the cost.”

As we reported, Hampstead councillor Harvey Shaffer was told by the SPVM that the MTC congregants would not be allowed to hire officers. The SPVM declined to comment to The Suburban, when asked the reason for the refusal. Mayor William Steinberg is working on the matter as well, in light of recent shootings in synagogues in the U.S. and religious institutions around the world.

Sgt. Sager posted as part of a Facebook discussion on our article initiated by former Côte St. Luc councillor Glenn Nashen.

“Toronto Police have done paid duties at synagogues for many decades, as well as funerals and many other large private events,” the sergeant, who attended Wagar High School in Côte St. Luc, explained. “The paid duty office determines the number of officers required, depending on the venue and can also provide cruisers for funeral escorts.

“The drawback is that paid duty officers are quite expensive,” he added. “You get what you pay for. A police officer is armed, well trained, has other use of force options and is equipped with a police radio, in touch with the police dispatcher, capable of calling for immediate police backup without delay. We actually have difficulty filling all the paid duty requests due to manpower shortages.”

Nashen responded to Sager by saying that paid armed off-duty officers “would be a viable option in Montreal for those that can afford it. Unfortunately, the cost couldn’t be sustained by community organizations already struggling.”

Sgt. Sager further wrote that he does not know why Montreal police have not provided the service, “but I suspect it has to do with the Quebec Police Act.

“In Ontario, it’s called the Ontario Police Service Act and every province has its own laws governing what their police can do,” he wrote. “Toronto Police do paid duties in order to bolster our numbers rather than using on-duty officers and it’s allowed in Ontario.

Sgt. Sager also pointed out that the Toronto police’s 32 Division “has the largest Jewish community in Toronto with many synagogues.

“During the High Holidays, there were so many paid duties that they filled its own binder. Once no more could be given out because we ran out of officers to do them, they were offered to the rest of the service outside our division. …. Despite the high cost, there’s no shortage of requests and in many cases insurance companies require that paid duty officers be hired.

joel@thesuburban.com

Hampstead pressing to enable armed off-duty police at synagogue

• By Joel Goldenberg The Suburban
• May 29, 2019

The Montreal Torah Centre in Hampstead. themtc.com

Hampstead is pressing to enable the congregants of the Montreal Torah Centre to be able to pay for armed off-duty police officers to provide security.

This, in light of recent synagogue shootings in the United States. As well, other religious institutions have been attacked around the world, including at a mosque in Quebec.

But Hampstead councillor Harvey Shaffer says the SPVM will not allow such officers to be hired.

“Many Hampstead residents, especially those who attend synagogue on a regular basis, were very concerned and somewhat alarmed about the problem of security at synagogues,” he explained. “In Hampstead, there are four synagogues. The one which receives the largest attendance is the Montreal Torah Centre.”

Shaffer added that in Ontario, synagogues can retain the services of off-duty, armed police officers, along with a police car, for as many hours as is required, “usually four hours.

“Due to the fact many congregants at MTC were concerned and sought that type of protection, I communicated with a ranking officer at police headquarters on St. Urbain and asked if it would be possible that the MTC be authorized to hire [two] armed, off-duty police officers and a police car for a little under four hours,” the councillor said. “I was told how much the rate would be if approved. Unfortunately, later that day, I was told the request was refused.”

Shaffer said he was told the request could only possibly be granted by the town going through Montreal city hall or having the issue publicized in the media.

“There seems to be no justification why we shouldn’t have it,” he added. “I wasn’t give a reason. It was simply refused.

Mayor William Steinberg agrees synagogues should be allowed to hire armed off-duty officers.

“I’m in favour of it — every synagogue hires unarmed guards, and it’s much better to have armed policemen. It’s obvious. I will investigate to see what the rules are and what I can do so that this can happen. When I sat on the [agglomeration’s] Public Security commission, I was aware that off-duty policemen were being hired in all kinds of situations. I’m not aware if they had guns or not, but they were being hired. Once I get more information, I will be advocating on behalf of this.

“We live in dangerous times and you want effective protection.”

We contacted the SPVM, which declined comment. Steinberg told us he is still working on the matter. Montreal Torah Centre officials have not responded by press time.

joel@thesuburban.com

Montreal to debate allowing police to wear religious symbols

Good proposal by Montreal Councillor Marvin Rotrand. Montreal should not be bullied down the road to Bill 21 without speaking up. The members of our police department should reflect the population it serves and while they have made some efforts in the last years there’s plenty more to do. We can learn from other major Canadian police forces. Good luck Marvin, in helping to develop an inclusive police service.

 

http://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/montreal-to-debate-allowing-police-to-wear-religious-symbols