Quebec Premier François Legault reiterated the necessity of dismantling the pro-Palestinian camp at McGill University while police "look for new developments."

During his visit to an electoral district in Quebec on Friday morning, Legault once again called for the dismantling of the "illegal camp" on campus, even though the Quebec Supreme Court rejected a request on Wednesday to issue an injunction to move the camp, which allowed it to extend to Saturday.

The premier stated, "There are all kinds of legal ways to protest," but that "setting up a camp on university land that doesn't want this camp is illegal," adding that it "depends on the police" to take a stand in the way they believe is best, and at the time they think is best.

The premier made the same request on Thursday, 48 hours after university officials asked for police assistance, believing they had failed to convince the demonstrators to end what they described as illegal activity.

Meanwhile, in Montreal, Public Security Minister François Bonnardel said he had "full confidence in the SPVM to carry on with things" and "the operations they will carry out to dismantle this matter."

Alarming Precedent

On Friday morning as well, the Quebec Union of University Professors (FQPPU) issued a statement expressing its "concern about the recent comments from the premier."

Madelin Pastinelli, president of the FQPPU, stated, "The campus has always been a place where ideas clash, sometimes forcefully." "In a free and democratic society, it is not the role of political authorities to issue orders to the police regarding executive matters," and "the premier attacking the freedom of expression of the protesters by calling for police intervention against them is a serious and painful matter, and an alarming precedent."

Police Assessing the Situation

For its part, the Montreal Police Service (SPVM) issued a press release noting that it took note of the court's decision to reject a request for a temporary injunction by two McGill University students, based on "the absence of an emergency protest."

SPVM indicated that it would closely monitor "the legal discussions surrounding this case" and would stay informed of any new developments.

SPVM stated, "Let us not forget that the role of police officers in such a situation is to ensure peace and good order and personal safety, while respecting rights and freedoms."

Canadian Justice Minister Arif Virani criticized Premier Legault on Thursday for his stance, saying, "Police operational decisions are always theirs, independent of politicians, and this is always the case in a democratic country like ours. It separates us from other countries where we respect the rule of law."