Montreal doctors are joining their counterparts from across Canada in speaking out against gun violence and for tougher gun control laws.
The grassroots group Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns (CDPG) - made up of trauma surgeons and other front-line ER workers, psychiatrists and paramedics - organized a National Day of Action today.
Doctors at the Montreal General Hospital holding a day of action against gun violence. They want tougher gun control laws & more programs for tackling gang violence and suicide prevention. These kiosques are showing peeps how they deal with gun wound-related trauma. #CJAD800 pic.twitter.com/HwAoL3XllH
— Shuyee Lee (@sleeCJAD) April 3, 2019
Doctors and nurses at the Montreal General Hospital took part in a public information session demonstrating how they deal with wounds resulting from gun related violence.
About 30 of them along with gun control advocates then marched from the hospital to the McGill University Medical School on Pine Avenue. Some carried placards reading "We can do better" and "Yes to C-71," referring to Bill C-71 which would revamp background checks for owning a firearm, introduce new rules for stores on keeping records and add restrictions on transporting a firearm.
The group CDPG was created after last year's mass shooting in Toronto.
Montreal General Hospital doctors, nurses and gun control advocates march to McGill University Medical School. Part of National Day Of Action organized by Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns. #CJAD800 pic.twitter.com/7vYarsOVGF
— Shuyee Lee (@sleeCJAD) April 3, 2019
Dr. Dan Deckelbaum, trauma surgeon at the Montreal General Hospital for nine of his 12 years in the field, says as front line healthcare workers, they have something to say against gun violence and for stricter gun control laws. #CJAD800 pic.twitter.com/UTtCjAKmmE
— Shuyee Lee (@sleeCJAD) April 3, 2019
The group says the issue of gun related injuries and deaths should be treated like "other public health issues such as smoking and road safety." They're also calling for a ban on handguns and assault-style weapons.
Rallies were held in over a dozen cities across Canada.
MUHC chief of trauma services Dr. Tarek Razek says it’s important for them, as doctors, to speak out against gun violence and for tougher gun laws. #CJAD800 pic.twitter.com/5tiIu4iKI5
— Shuyee Lee (@sleeCJAD) April 3, 2019