The Israeli-Palestinian conflict cost the SPVM nearly 9 million

Photo: Valérian Mazataud Archives Le Devoir The war in the Middle East has given rise to more than 430 demonstrations and led to 106 arrests in Montreal, said SPVM director Fady Dagher.

Jeanne Corriveau

Published at 17:34

• Montreal

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has resulted in spending nearly $9 million in overtime for the Montreal Police Department (SPVM), which, over the past year, has had to deal with more than 430 demonstrations in the streets of the city, its director, Fady Dagher, said Friday.

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In 2024, the SPVM is facing an anticipated deficit of $48.1 million. This is partly attributable to the payment of overtime to police officers, which resulted in a cost overrun of $52.2 million. This is what Fady Dagher explained during his appearance Friday before the Finance Committee, which examines the budgets of all City of Montreal departments.

The police chief pointed out that the war in the Middle East has given rise to more than 430 demonstrations and led to 106 arrests in Montreal. Among other things, on October 5, a little less than a year after Hamas' incursion into Israel and the massive military response of the Hebrew state, a demonstration required the deployment of 580 Montreal police officers, Mr. Dagher pointed out.

The SPVM director mentioned an amount of $9 million in overtime for police officers deployed for demonstrations, encampments and visibility plans related to this conflict. “Just with the Victoria Square and McGill encampments, we went through half a million,” he explained. “It’s adding up quickly. It’s not because the SPVM wanted to spend, it’s because SPVM is dependent on impromptu events and, as a result, we have to respond. Yes, it costs overtime, and yes, it’s leading us into a deficit.”

In 2024, the SPVM’s actual expenses reached $874.5 million instead of the $821 million planned. For 2025, the SPVM’s budget was set at $824.3 million. When the City of Montreal’s 2025 budget was tabled 10 days ago, Valérie Plante’s administration indicated that it was counting on hiring 225 new resources, promised in 2022, to reduce the use of overtime. She also said she was counting on the increase in fine revenues to balance the SPVM budget.

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