On Monday afternoon, the Bureau of the Inspector General of Montreal (BIG) announced a sweeping enforcement action targeting the city’s waste‑collection sector. The operation follows an internal investigation that uncovered extensive hiring of unauthorized subcontractors who employed illegal workers and used false identities to mask the violations.
The inspector general’s team conducted a series of inspections, document reviews and on‑site checks across multiple neighbourhoods. Findings showed that a significant number of subcontractors engaged in the collection of garbage and recyclables had recruited labour without the required work permits, often listing fabricated names in official paperwork. The crackdown resulted in the suspension of several subcontractors’ licences and the seizure of records that detailed the illicit hiring practices.
Illegal labour has been a persistent issue within Montreal’s garbage‑collection industry, with past complaints highlighting under‑the‑table employment and lack of regulatory oversight. In response, the city’s Inspector General launched an inquiry earlier this year to assess compliance with provincial labour standards. The recent findings confirm that the problem is widespread, prompting BIG to act decisively to protect workers’ rights and maintain the integrity of municipal services.
Authorities indicated that affected firms could face substantial fines, revocation of operating permits and possible criminal charges for individuals responsible for the fraudulent hiring. The bureau also emphasized that the action is intended to deter similar practices in other sectors that rely heavily on subcontracting.
Moving forward, BIG said it will maintain heightened monitoring of waste‑collection contracts and cooperate with provincial labour agencies to ensure that all contractors adhere to legal hiring procedures. The agency’s statement underscored a commitment to upholding labour laws and safeguarding public health by guaranteeing that the city’s essential sanitation services are performed by properly documented workers.
The enforcement sweep marks a significant step in addressing a long‑standing problem and signals that illegal employment practices in Montreal’s essential services will no longer be tolerated.