Parents and residents in Montreal West gathered at the corner of Westminster and Ainslie streets on Tuesday, to call for stronger safety measures after two students from Royal West Academy were hit by a car last week.
Police say a vehicle travelling south on Westminster Street stopped at a stop sign before accelerating and hitting the two teens.
People hold up signs at safety rally at Westminster and Ainslie street in Montreal West on Feb. 24, 2026 after multiple students were struck by cars. (Zachary Cheung, CityNews)
The students were taken to hospital with injuries described as minor.
A parent of one of the injured children is expected to be on site Tuesday morning.
Families say the incident is the latest in a series of close calls at the busy intersection, which becomes congested during rush hour as drivers head toward Highway 20. In 2024, 14-year-old Charlie Shein was also struck while on his way to class.
After the previous incident in October 2024, the school’s parent participation organization submitted a 10-point safety petition to the Town and the Montreal police (SPVM). A request for a crossing guard was denied because the school is a high school, and provincial guidelines treat secondary students as adult pedestrians.
Person holds up sign at safety rally at Westminster and Ainslie street in Montreal West on Feb. 24, 2026 after multiple students were struck by cars. (Zachary Cheung, CityNews)
Parents later counted 491 pedestrians crossing at Ainslie and Westminster during peak school hours, highlighting how busy the area is.
With support from local MNA Désirée McGraw, a petition to Quebec’s National Assembly calling for crossing guards at high schools gathered 3,535 signatures and will be tabled Feb. 24, the same day as the rally.
People hold up signs at safety rally at Westminster and Ainslie street in Montreal West on Feb. 24, 2026 after multiple students were struck by cars. (Zachary Cheung, CityNews)
Although flashing stop signs, improved lighting and additional signage have been added in recent months, parents say more comprehensive measures are needed before another student is hurt.