The mayor of Montreal is facing an official investigation following allegations that she ordered police to carry out random identity checks that disproportionately targeted racial minorities, according to the city's integrity commissioner.
Investigation Launched by Integrity Commissioner
The probe, announced on Tuesday by the Commission d'enquête sur le processus d'attribution et de gestion des contrats publics (CECM), will examine whether Mayor Valérie Plante's administration directed the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) to conduct random stops. The checks, critics say, have led to racial profiling and eroded trust in law enforcement.
The CECM, which oversees ethical conduct in public contracts, stated it would investigate "the existence and nature of any directives given by the mayor's office to the SPVM regarding random identity checks." The investigation was triggered by a complaint filed by a community group alleging systemic racism.
Allegations of Systemic Racism
Community activists have long argued that random police checks in Montreal disproportionately affect Black, Indigenous, and other visible minority communities. Data from the SPVM shows that in 2025, Black individuals were stopped at a rate 4.2 times higher than white individuals, despite representing only 10% of the city's population.
"This investigation is a crucial step toward accountability," said Marie-Louise Tardif, a spokesperson for the Coalition for Racial Justice. "We have evidence that the mayor's office explicitly encouraged these checks as a crime-fighting tool, without considering the discriminatory impact."
Mayor's Office Responds
In a statement, Mayor Plante denied any wrongdoing, asserting that her administration has worked to reform policing and reduce racial profiling. "I have never issued any directive to target specific communities," Plante said. "Our government has implemented training programs and data collection to ensure equitable policing."
The mayor's office confirmed it would cooperate fully with the investigation. However, the opposition party at city hall called for Plante to step aside during the probe. "The trust of Montrealers is at stake," said opposition leader Lionel Perez. "We need transparency, not deflection."
Broader Context of Policing in Quebec
The investigation comes amid a broader reckoning over policing practices in Quebec. In 2024, the provincial government mandated all police forces to collect race-based data on stops, following a class-action lawsuit that alleged systemic discrimination. A report from the Quebec Human Rights Commission in 2025 found that racial profiling remained "persistent and widespread" across the province.
Montreal's police chief, Fady Dagher, has publicly acknowledged the issue, announcing in March 2026 that the SPVM would phase out random checks by the end of the year. However, activists argue that progress has been slow. "The mayor's alleged involvement shows that the problem goes beyond individual officers," Tardif said.
Next Steps in the Investigation
The CECM has up to six months to complete its investigation and may hold public hearings. If misconduct is found, the commission can recommend sanctions, including fines or removal from office. The city council could also vote on a motion of no confidence.
Political analyst Geneviève Tellier of Université de Montréal noted that the outcome could have implications beyond Montreal. "This case will be watched closely across Canada as a test of how municipalities handle allegations of systemic racism in policing," she said.
