Rioting youth in Montreal North set fires in garbage cans, and damaged storefronts, cars and bus shelters late Tuesday night. (CBC)

Quebec's Public Security Minister Jacques Dupuis blames rioting in Montreal North on a 'handful of agitators' who were out to disrupt life in the area.

His comments Wednesday were made in response to rioting that took place Tuesday night, ending with nine people being charged with mischief, assault and disturbing the peace. Those arrested are between the ages of 18 and 28.

Dupuis assured Quebecers the government is doing everything in its power to ease tensions in Montreal North, adding police are also working to get to the bottom of exactly what happened Tuesday night.

He also said he doesn't think there is any link between the riot and the stalled coroner's inquest into the shooting death of Fredy Villanueva by a police officer last summer in Montreal North, which triggered widespread rioting.

Rioting youth damaged property in Montreal North overnight, including this smashed car parked on Villeneuve Street. (Shawn Apel/CBC)

Dupuis said that for now there is nothing more the government can do, or needs to do, to ensure the safety and security of people who live in Montreal North.

Fight started in park

An altercation with police broke out just after 10 p.m. ET on Tuesday when police tried to get a group of young people to leave a neighbourhood park.

Const. Daniel Lacoursière said police got a call about a fight in Carignan Park, near the intersection of Rolland Boulevard and Renoir Street.

“When police got there, the fight was over. Some kids left the park and there was about 50 to 75 kids remaining in the park. So police preventively stayed in the park so the fight wouldn't start over again,” said Lacoursière.

Some of the young people then began throwing objects at police cruisers. The officers ordered the crowd to leave but were ignored.

For a couple of hours, dozens of police officers played a game of cat-and-mouse with youths in the streets around the park.

The youths threw bottles and set fires in garbage cans, damaging storefronts, cars and bus shelters in the area.

One officer received minor injuries to his face and arm. Police said there may be more arrests.

Police Commander Roger Belair said Wednesday there are still tensions in the neighbourhood following last summer's shooting death, but he doesn't think the latest outburst is related.

Local resident Louise Brouillard, who lives near where Tuesday night's trouble took place, told the CBC she isn't so sure, "I think it's because of Fredy Villanueva. It's still not completely resolved and, until it is, there will be these things happening."

Those charged were slated to appear in court Wednesday.