The Bureau de l’inspecteur général de Montréal (BIG) announced Monday that a large‑scale investigation has exposed extensive use of unauthorized subcontractors in the city’s garbage‑collection network. The probe revealed that many firms hired undocumented workers through straw‑person arrangements, bypassing legal employment standards.
BIG officials said the findings show a pattern of illicit hiring practices that have left a significant portion of waste‑collection personnel without legal protections or proper safety equipment. The illegal subcontractors operate without the necessary authorization to work in Montreal’s waste‑management system, creating a shadow labor market in which workers lack rights to benefits, workplace safety measures, and avenues for grievance.
The investigation, concluded on September 21, 2026, focused on the city’s waste‑collection sector, where subcontracting is common. Inspectors traced contracts and payroll records that pointed to the use of fictitious companies and individuals acting as front men for the actual employers. These front men facilitated the employment of workers who do not possess valid work permits, thereby violating provincial labor laws.
According to BIG, the crackdown aims to halt the illegal employment practices and to safeguard the health and safety of waste‑collection workers. The agency plans to enforce compliance by requiring all subcontractors to obtain proper authorization and to demonstrate that their employees are legally employed and equipped with appropriate safety gear.
City officials have been urged to review the oversight mechanisms governing subcontractor selection for waste‑collection services. The broader context indicates that the municipal waste‑collection system has relied on subcontractors that operate outside the legal framework, leaving many garbage collectors exposed to hazardous conditions without the protections afforded to regular employees.
BIG’s findings are expected to prompt stricter enforcement actions and may lead to penalties for firms found in violation. The agency emphasized that ensuring legal and safe working conditions for waste‑collection staff is a priority for protecting both workers and the public health interests of Montreal.