Demonstrations: messages from the City of Westmount and the SPVM

Since the attack on Israel on October 7 and the resurgence of conflicts in the Middle East, several demonstrations have taken place in the City. These demonstrations have caused a great deal of inconvenience for many Westmount residents.

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees citizens freedom of peaceful assembly, association, opinion and expression. The City of Westmount would also like to remind everyone that it does not have the authority to prohibit peaceful demonstrations on its territory, and that the supervision of demonstrations on the island of Montreal is the exclusive responsibility of the Service de police de la Ville Montréal (SPVM). The City of Westmount does, however, cooperate with the SPVM to the best of its ability to limit the impact of demonstrations on Westmount residents. In particular, Public Safety officers are present on Westmount territory to ensure compliance with municipal bylaws.

As we approach the 1st anniversary of the October 7 events, the City recommends that residents exercise caution and civic responsibility during demonstrations, and contact the SPVM (911) in the event of an emergency.