Montreal City Council approved a new municipal bylaw on September 21, 2026 that makes it an offense to insult police officers and other municipal employees. The measure, passed by a majority of councilors, adds a specific prohibition against verbal harassment directed at public safety and service personnel.
The bylaw is presented as a response to growing concerns about harassment of police and city workers while they perform their duties. It defines an insult as any statement or gesture intended to demean, ridicule, or threaten a police officer, municipal employee, or any other staff member employed by the city. Violations are to be treated as a municipal infraction, with penalties outlined in the regulation.
Council members indicated that the regulation aims to protect the dignity of public servants and to create a safer working environment for those who interact with citizens daily. The bylaw does not address physical violence, focusing solely on verbal or non‑physical harassment. Enforcement is expected to be carried out by municipal inspectors and police officers who will document incidents and issue citations where appropriate.
The adoption of the bylaw follows a broader municipal effort to reinforce respect for public institutions. While the council did not release detailed statistics on the prevalence of insults, officials emphasized that the new rule aligns with existing provincial and federal protections against harassment. The bylaw will be published in the city’s official register and will come into effect after the standard posting period, giving residents and workers time to become familiar with its provisions.