Montreal Police Push for Fines Against Insults Aimed at Officers

Montreal's police brotherhood is advocating for a new bylaw that would empower officers to issue fines to individuals who hurl insults and foul language at them. The union is actively lobbying the city to adopt measures similar to those already in place in Quebec City, Laval, Longueuil, and Sherbrooke.

Data from Quebec's major metropolitan areas reveals the extent of such fines. Between April 2020 and March 2026, Quebec City police issued 11,092 fines for insults directed at officers or municipal employees, averaging five fines per day. The total collected in fines over this period amounted to over $1.6 million. Laval recorded 4,502 fines under a comparable bylaw between January 2021 and April 2026, with minimum fines of $286.

Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada has expressed openness to implementing such a bylaw. However, she emphasized that any new regulation must be meticulously drafted to withstand potential legal challenges. The proposed fines aim to curb disrespectful behavior towards law enforcement and public officials, reflecting a broader trend in Quebec municipalities seeking to address this issue.

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She is open to implementing a bylaw, but adds it would have to be drafted carefully to ensure it won’t be contested in court.