Montreal’s mayor issued an apology on Friday for comments made Monday that appeared to downplay gestures of disrespect toward police officers during a city council meeting. The mayor said she regretted the remarks, describing them as poorly expressed and unacceptable, after they sparked criticism from the police force and members of the public.
The comments were delivered in the course of a Montreal City Council session on September 21, 2026. In that setting, the mayor referenced middle‑finger gestures aimed at police officers, suggesting the gestures were not as serious as they might be perceived. The remarks were quickly noted by council members and police representatives as suggesting tolerance for disrespect toward law‑enforcement personnel.
Following the backlash, the mayor addressed the issue in a statement released on Friday. She acknowledged that the language used was insufficiently clear and expressed remorse for any impression that she was condoning disrespect toward officers. The mayor’s statement emphasized that respect for police is a city priority and that her earlier wording did not reflect that stance.
Montreal police officials responded by noting the importance of maintaining public confidence in law‑enforcement and welcomed the mayor’s clarification. City council members also commented on the need for elected officials to communicate expectations about conduct toward police officers clearly.
The episode has added to ongoing discussions in Montreal about the relationship between civic leaders and law‑enforcement agencies. While the mayor’s apology seeks to address the immediate criticism, observers note that the incident underscores the sensitivity surrounding public expressions of dissent toward police.
No further disciplinary actions were reported, and the council session continued after the mayor’s remarks were addressed. The mayor’s apology concludes the recent controversy surrounding the June‑21 remarks and reaffirms the city’s stance on respecting police officers.