Montreal City Council approved a new bylaw on Thursday that makes insulting municipal employees a punishable offense. The vote took place on September 22, 2026, in the council chambers of Montreal, Quebec. The measure passed with 35 votes in favour and 25 against after a debate that stretched beyond thirty minutes.
The legislation is intended to shield city workers from verbal attacks while they perform their duties. It explicitly forbids any form of insult directed at municipal staff, a step the council says will foster a more respectful environment for public servants.
Council members were divided on the proposal. The official opposition voted against the bylaw, contributing to the 25 dissenting votes, while the majority of councillors supported the initiative, delivering the 35 affirmative votes required for adoption.
The discussion on the floor lasted over half an hour, during which councillors exchanged arguments about the need for such protection and the potential impact on free expression. No further amendments were introduced after the initial presentation.
The adoption follows a council initiative to create a rule aimed at protecting municipal staff from verbal abuse, a priority highlighted during the session.
With the bylaw now officially adopted, municipal employees in Montreal will be covered by the new protection against verbal abuse. The council indicated that the rule will be incorporated into existing municipal regulations and enforced by appropriate city authorities.
The vote reflects a clear majority in favour of extending legal safeguards to municipal workers, marking a formal commitment by the city to address harassment in the municipal workplace.