Quebec Liberal Member of the National Assembly and public safety critic Jennifer Maccarone is demanding an official parliamentary inquiry into what she describes as organized crime's escalating grip on the province's bars and restaurants. This urgent call follows a recent spate of violent incidents, including shootings and attempted arson, which business owners allege are acts of extortion.
A Culture of Fear and Disbanded Committees
In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, December 4, 2025, MNA Maccarone highlighted a "real culture of fear among business owners" who face threats of violence from criminal groups seeking protection money. She directly criticized the governing Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) for budget cuts to the Sûreté du Québec and, crucially, for abolishing consultation committees that once brought together police, industry representatives, and community stakeholders.
"While the CAQ government is slashing budgets and has abolished the consultation committees, entrepreneurs are experiencing unspeakable distress and entire families are traumatized," Maccarone wrote. She argued that the disappearance of these coordination forums has left businesses more vulnerable to extortion, leading to significant economic fallout including closures, job losses, and insurers withdrawing coverage.
Overnight Violence Spurs Political Action
Maccarone's demand for a commission came just hours after a series of violent overnight incidents targeting hospitality venues. Early Thursday morning, gunfire targeted Bar San Remo on Thierry Street near Newman Boulevard in the Montreal borough of LaSalle. Montreal police discovered spent shell casings and bullet damage on the bar's facade, though no injuries were reported.
This was not an isolated event. Police reported four other similar incidents that same night across the Montreal region. Less than an hour after the LaSalle shooting, shots were fired at bars on Saint-Martin Boulevard and Laurentides Boulevard in Laval. Earlier in the week, Montreal police responded to two attempted arson attacks on a business on Brunswick Boulevard in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, occurring on Sunday and Wednesday.
Police Response and Ongoing Investigations
In response to the growing pattern of intimidation, the Laval police department announced a new proactive initiative named "Vigilance" on Wednesday. The program aims to support licensed establishments, restaurants, and shops facing extortion or violence. Authorities revealed they have opened 61 related cases since October 31, 2025.
One focal point of the Vigilance project is a criminal organization based in Chomedey, Laval. This group is reportedly linked to the recently slain organized crime figure Charalambos "Bobby the Greek" Theologou, who was killed at a Laval Starbucks. The connection underscores the serious and entrenched nature of the criminal networks believed to be behind the extortion campaign.
MNA Jennifer Maccarone, who represents the Westmount–Saint-Louis riding, maintains that only a full parliamentary commission can properly investigate the scope of the problem and coordinate an effective response to protect Quebec's business community and restore a sense of security.
