The Bureau de l’inspecteur général de Montréal (BIG) launched a sweeping enforcement operation in September 2026 after uncovering extensive hiring of illegal workers and false‑name subcontractors within the city’s waste‑collection sector. The crackdown focused on unauthorized subcontractors and the garbage collectors who employ them, aiming to halt practices that left workers without legal protections and exposed them to heightened injury risk.
Investigators from BIG reported that the waste‑collection industry in Montreal has long depended on a network of subcontractors that often operate without proper registration. This reliance created conditions where workers were hired off the books, denied standard labor safeguards, and placed in environments lacking safety oversight. The inspector general’s team identified a pattern of false‑name subcontracting, a tactic used to conceal the true identity of firms and avoid regulatory scrutiny.
During the enforcement sweep, BIG officials inspected a range of sites linked to waste‑collection activities, reviewing contracts, payroll records and employment documentation. The agency’s findings confirmed that numerous subcontractors had employed individuals who were not declared to labor authorities, contravening provincial labor regulations. The illegal labor arrangements also meant that workers were not covered by workers’ compensation or other statutory benefits, raising the likelihood of severe workplace injuries.
The municipal authority emphasized that the use of undeclared workers not only violates labor law but also compromises public safety. By removing illegal labor practices, BIG aims to ensure that waste‑collection services are performed by properly vetted and protected employees, reducing the chance of accidents that could affect both workers and residents.
The operation marks a significant step for the city’s oversight of a sector that has historically relied on subcontracting arrangements. BIG’s actions signal a continued commitment to enforce labor standards and to address the systemic issues that have allowed illegal hiring to persist within Montreal’s waste‑collection industry.