Transition Montréal proposed ‘bold’ public safety strategy if elected

Craig Sauvé launched his new municipal political party, Transition Montréal, Thursday morning. He will be running for mayor in the fall election. (Stéphane Giroux/CTV News)

New municipal political party Transition Montréal is pitching what it calls a “bold and progressist” strategy on public safety.

Independent city councillor Craig Sauvé’s party says it wants to “end systematic abuses, recenter resources on what really protects communities and, in turn, curb criminality.”

“Public safety is not limited to more police officers and patrol cars,” said the Montreal mayoral candidate. “It relies on prevention, protection of human rights, and the development of civil services capable of responding to today’s social reality.”

The strategy includes investing $25 million in prevention, creating a civil service responsible for responding to non-criminal emergencies, curbing overtime for Montreal police (SPVM) officers, and ending “arbitrary police stops.”

“Police stops violate fundamental rights, fuel racial as well as social profiling, and do not get anything in terms of public safety. Its abolition is a simple, just and urgent measure,” said Sauvé.

Transition Montréal announced its first group of 30 candidates last week for the upcoming municipal election, slated to take place on Nov. 2.