## Hitman Attempts to Hire Assassins for Montreal Reporter

**The assassination plot raised alarms among political figures and media professionals alike, urging stronger action against organized crime in Quebec.**

A chilling revelation has emerged from Montreal where a convicted killer reportedly attempted to place a C$100,000 ($71,400; £56,000) contract on the life of crime reporter Daniel Renaud, associated with local newspaper La Presse. Frédérick Silva, who is serving a life sentence for multiple murders, disclosed the assassination offer in a confession to La Presse while engaged in trial proceedings in 2021.

Silva, now a police informant, expressed that he approached two reputed figures in organized crime for assistance in executing the contract against Renaud. However, both individuals hesitated, cautioning against targeting a journalist. Despite being active for a span of around two months, the assassination plan was ultimately shelved when Silva decided he had "more important issues to deal with."

Quebec Premier François Legault condemned the assassination plot, asserting that a journalist should never become a target for simply doing their job. He emphasized, "It makes no sense that in Quebec – we are not in a movie – there is a contract placed on the head of a journalist because he does his job... This is not the Quebec we want."

In light of these events, former colleague and current provincial politician Vincent Marissal applauded Renaud's diligent reporting, stating, "He's very rigorous... he can cause a lot of bother. That means he's doing his job, but that's certainly no reason to see a price put on his head."

In a personal response to the news, Renaud expressed feeling "shaken" by the revelation. He emphasized his approach to journalism, stating he avoids revealing intricate details of criminal lives to minimize risks. The situation now urges a collective discourse on the safety of journalists amidst the persistent threats from organized crime in Quebec.