A hitman reportedly offered C$100,000 (approximately $71,400) for the assassination of Daniel Renaud, a crime reporter for the Montreal newspaper La Presse. This action came to light when convicted killer Frédérick Silva confessed his intentions during a police confession related to his own criminal history. Silva had been convicted of three murders and an attempted murder in 2021 and became an informant for the authorities.
Silva, now serving a life sentence, admitted to contacting organized crime figures about Renaud while awaiting trial. However, these figures expressed hesitancy, advising against targeting a journalist. The "contract" lasted for two months but was never executed, as Silva claimed he had "more important issues to deal with."
Quebec Premier François Legault condemned the incident, stating that it is unacceptable for a contract to be placed on a journalist's head for simply doing their job. Renaud expressed feeling shaken by the revelation, emphasizing his commitment to responsible reporting. Vincent Marissal, a former colleague now in politics, praised Renaud’s dedication, stating that he’s the type of journalist who may not seek attention but certainly makes an impact. This episode sheds light on the alarming threats faced by journalists in Canada’s organized crime landscape.
