Quebec police fines for insults draw attention in Montreal

Montreal’s police union is pushing the city to adopt a bylaw that would let officers fine people for insulting police or using foul language. Similar rules already exist in several Quebec municipalities, including Quebec City, Laval, Longueuil and Sherbrooke. Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada says she is open to the idea, but says any bylaw would need to be carefully written so it can withstand a legal challenge. The Canadian Press reviewed internal data from major metropolitan areas to show how often these fines are issued. In Quebec City, police issued 11,092 fines between April 2020 and March 2026, bringing in about $1.66 million. Laval police issued 4,502 fines during a similar period, while Sherbrooke reported 855 fines in 2025 and Longueuil police said they handed out 53 fines in 2025 and 49 so far in 2026.