Parents rally for crossing guard at controversial Montreal West intersection

Parents of students at Royal West Academy in Montreal West hold a rally to demand a crossing guard at an intersection with a history of collisions, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (Chris Bury/CTV News)

Parents of students attending Royal West Academy in Montreal West are holding a rally on Tuesday morning to demand that a crossing guard be positioned at an intersection with a history of collisions.

The group is demanding a concrete plan and substantial change to increase safety in the area.

• READ MORE: Westminster Avenue crossing: Montreal West unveils pilot project to make intersection safer

This comes after two students, aged 12 and 13, were struck by a vehicle last week while crossing at Westminster Avenue South and Ainslie Road.

History of collisions

The intersection is a busy one, with about 400 students from Royal West Academy crossing every day, according to Principal David Lee.

“It is an extremely busy intersection during rush hour, and the danger is compounded by the fact that it is less than 200 metres away from a level train crossing,” he wrote in a recent letter to parents.

• READ MORE: Montreal family wants safer roads after teen hit by car on his way to school

Last week’s collision is not the first incident to occur in the area.

In November 2024, 14-year-old student Charlie Shein was on his way to school when he was struck by a car.

On April 4, 2024, a 71-year-old man died after being struck by a commuter train.

Last summer, the Town of Montreal West held an information session to share a pilot project aimed at improving safety at the Westminster level crossing, which included adding speed bumps, concrete barriers and temporary signage.

• READ MORE: Man, 71, struck by commuter train in Montreal West

However, the group retorted that, “While these interventions are a step in the right direction, parents and residents continue to be frustrated that there have not been more structural improvements and/or other interventions (e.g. a crossing guard) at this intersection.”

They have called for more transparency from officials regarding plans to improve safety.

Crossing guard petition

Following the incidents, the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) called on parents to sign a petition at Quebec’s National Assembly to install crossing guards at high schools.

“We, the undersigned, ask the Quebec government to take immediate action to make high schools eligible for a crossing guard, should they meet all other current criteria, to ensure the safety of all high school student-pedestrians,” the petition reads.

• READ MORE: ‘The pedestrian needs to be visible’: students, residents call for safer roads in Montreal West

As of the Feb. 20, 2026 deadline, 3,490 people had signed the petition.

It is expected to be deposited at the National Assembly on Tuesday at the same time as the rally.