The City of Montreal is facing a free-speech backlash over plans to let police fine people for insulting them.
Elected officials are expected to vote next week on a proposed bylaw prohibiting “intimidation, harassment, threats, insults or abuse” toward police officers and other municipal employees on duty. The move would bar behaviour, like speech, deemed “offensive, humiliating, abusive, violent or aggressive.”
A first offence would carry a fine starting from $350 and up to $1,000. A repeat offender would see those penalties double, putting a potential fine up to $2,000.
Read More: Offend a Montreal police officer? That could cost you $2,000