Montreal city council is set to vote on a new municipal regulation during the week of September 21-27, 2026. The proposed ordinance would prohibit insults directed at police officers and other municipal employees and would allow fines of up to $2,000 for violations.
The measure, introduced by council members, aims to create a legal deterrent against verbal abuse of city staff. Under the draft regulation, any person who publicly insults a police officer or a municipal worker while they are performing their duties could be subject to the monetary penalty. The fine amount is fixed at $2,000 per incident.
Police representatives have been consulted in drafting the proposal, emphasizing the need for clearer protection for officers who frequently encounter hostile language in the course of their work. Municipal employees, including sanitation workers, park staff, and administrative personnel, are also covered by the ordinance, reflecting a broader concern about the treatment of city workers across different departments.
Councilors will debate the wording and enforcement mechanisms before casting their votes. If adopted, the ordinance would become part of Montreal’s municipal code and would be enforced by the city’s legal department in conjunction with police. The regulation is positioned as a response to growing reports of verbal harassment directed at city personnel, although specific statistics have not been disclosed.
Opponents of the measure have raised questions about freedom of expression, but supporters argue that the fine is a proportionate response to protect employees from intimidation and disrespect. The final decision will be recorded in council minutes after the vote, and the city has indicated that any approved regulation would take effect later in the year.
The outcome of the vote will determine whether Montreal introduces a legal penalty for insulting its police and municipal workforce, marking a potential shift in how the city addresses public conduct toward its employees.