Montreal's bylaw against insulting city employees stays in force

Quebec Superior Court Justice Eleni Yiannakis refused on Thursday to suspend the bylaw. Two groups of lawyers had argued that it is unconstitutional and infringes freedom of expression.

"At this precise stage, judicial intervention to suspend the exercise of legislative power remains extremely rare."

— Justice Eleni Yiannakis

What the bylaw bans

• Insults
• Harassment
• Threats
• Mistreatment
• Intimidation

In force since Oct 1, the bylaw bans insults, harassment, threats and intimidation aimed at city employees, including police officers. Fines run from $300 to $1,000, and up to $2,000 for a repeat offence.

Background

City council adopted the bylaw on Sep 21, after an online video showed a Montreal police officer being repeatedly insulted by a driver she had stopped.