The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses Canada at Level 1, indicating travelers should exercise normal precautions.

Overall Crime and Safety Situation

The U.S. Consulate General in Montréal does not assume responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the persons or firms appearing in this report. The American Citizen Services unit (ACS) cannot recommend a particular individual or establishment, and assumes no responsibility for the quality of services provided.

Review OSAC’s Canada-specific page for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC password.

Crime Threats

There is minimal risk from crime in Montréal. Every year, Montréal hosts a large number of U.S. and other foreign tourists. In 2017, the city of Montréal celebrated its 375th anniversary, with more than 11 million visitors. Despite the increase in tourism and the population growth, the Montréal police – Service de Police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) – reported that the overall city crime rate has decreased.

Canada has a lower crime rate than the United States. Downtown Montréal, where the majority of event sites and hotels are located is relatively safe. Last year, about 7,280 incidents of criminal activity occurred in Montréal. The greatest concentration of crimes occurs in Downtown Montréal, along Sainte Catherine Street, and in Rosemont at the Sainte Hubert Plaza shopping strip. The downtown area, including the underground city, is an enjoyable area of restaurants and boutiques during the day and early evening. However, visitors should be aware that criminals regularly target parked cars for opportunistic smash-and-grab thefts; avoid leaving any possessions unattended in a vehicle, even in the trunk. As elsewhere, pickpockets and other petty criminals may target travelers in tourist areas.

In Montréal, one may encounter open use of recreational drugs and alcohol, as well as occasional incidents of violence outside bars as they close. Throughout the Province of Québec, the legal drinking age is 18. Canada legalized the personal consumption of recreational cannabis in 2018. Canadian law prohibits the importation and exportation of cannabis across Canada’s borders. Alcohol and Cannabis-related driving offenses, such as driving while intoxicated (DWI) and driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or cannabis, are criminal offenses in Canada. For more information, please review OSAC’s Report Shaken: The Don’ts of Alcohol Abroad.

Prostitution is mainly in downtown areas, mostly during the later evening hours. Procuring the services of a prostitute as well as impeding traffic for the purposes of prostitution is illegal.

Organized crime exists on a relatively small scale. Local street gangs, outlaw motorcycle gangs, and the syndicate are actively involved in criminal activities such as the distribution of illegal narcotics and prostitution. Gang-on-gang violence, including targeted homicides, continue to pose a concern. Canada’s national homicide rate last year was the highest in a decade, which Statistics Canada attributed to a spike in gang-related violence and shootings. Montréal’s homicide tally climbed 33% to 32 in 2018 from 24 in 2017.

House, business, and vehicle break-ins are a major concern in Montréal. More than 9,100 home and business break-ins occurred last year. Most break-ins take place in the downtown area’s Plateau Mont-Royal and Hochelaga-Maisonneuve boroughs, which are some of the most densely populated areas in the Montréal. In December 2017, Montréal police carried out a series of raids to dismantle and arrest 12 members of a South American gang that had been breaking into luxury homes and businesses in Montréal. Vehicle theft occurs all over the island of Montréal.

Theft events reported from 2015-2018 demonstrate there are three car-theft hot spots in the city: hotel parking lots along Côte de Liesse, Trudeau International Airport, and Fairview Mall in Pointe-Claire. Since 2015, more than 650 cars were stolen from these areas. Vehicle break-ins happen mostly in the downtown area, particularly in Old Montréal. However, there are other hot spots throughout the island, including Fairview Mall in Pointe-Claire, Galeries des Sources in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, and the shopping malls around Highway 40 and Lacordaire Boulevard in St-Léonard. Thieves prefer these sites because of extensive parking lots around stores, where cars park for hours. More than 4,800 vehicle break-ins occurred last year.

Cybersecurity Issues

Cybersecurity or Internet-related crime issues are similar to those identified in the United States. Practice careful internet use and guard all financial transactions, particularly when using an unsecure internet connection.

On October 1, 2018, Canada stood up the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (CCCS, or CyberCentre) to serve as the single unified source of expert advice, guidance, services, and support on cyber security operational matters for government, critical infrastructure owners and operations, the private sector, and the Canadian public.

One of the top priorities of the CCCS is to inform Canadians about cyber security matters. On December 6, 2018, the Cyber Centre released Canada’s first National Cyber Threat Assessment. This first public report from the Cyber Centre examines the cyber threats facing Canadian citizens, Canadian businesses, and Canada’s critical infrastructure. The National Cyber Threat Assessment identifies current trends in the cyber threat environment and the likelihood that these cyber threats will occur, and how they could affect Canadians.

Other Areas of Concern

Homeless individuals loiter mostly in the downtown area. While there are very few incidents of violence, members of the homeless population occasionally approach passersby aggressively for money. Québec has no provincial laws that directly target panhandlers. SPVM will usually apply municipal bylaws such as rules against loitering or drinking in public. 

Transportation-Safety Situation

For more information, review OSAC’s Report, Security in Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights.

Road Safety and Road Conditions

Road conditions in Montréal are similar to those found in larger U.S. cities. Canada posts distances and speeds in kilometers instead of miles; some signs may only be in French. Visitors driving in Montréal in the winter months must prepare for winter driving conditions in a northern climate. The City of Montréal does an excellent job clearing streets after snowstorms, but drivers can expect 12-hour parking restrictions for plowing. Vehicle traffic can be heavy, and bumper-to-bumper driving is not uncommon. Because of construction taking place on Turcot Expressway, Highway 40, the 20, the new Champlain Bridge, the REM light-rail, Pont Mercier, and the Bonaventure tunnel, Montréal traffic is even more congested than usual.

Montréal is a tourist-friendly city. Travelers should not experience any security-related issues driving around Montréal or the Province of Québec. Visitors must bear in mind that right turns on a red light are illegal on the island of Montréal. Motorcycles cannot share a lane, and safety helmets for motorcycle riders and passengers are mandatory.

Sûreté du Québec (SQ) (Québec Provincial Police) routinely set up vehicle checkpoints on main roads/highways to interdict impaired drivers. Use of a portable electronic device while driving is illegal without a hands-free device. For more information on self-driving, review OSAC’s report, Driving Overseas: Best Practices.

Public Transportation Conditions

All public transportation throughout Montréal and Québec is safe and popular with locals and tourists alike. There are multiple forms of public transportation in Montréal: subways, trains, local buses, taxi, and shuttle services. Rideshare apps are also available. Taxi service is always available through the concierge at a hotel or by calling directly, and is a safe way to travel. Taxis from the airport to downtown are set at a fixed rate, but taxis to the airport (and other locations) have meters.

Consider paying for your taxi in cash, as local media outlets have reported taxi credit card scams. In one instance, the taxi driver used the contactless payment feature on the customer’s credit card to apply extra charges surreptitiously before proceeding with the actual fare transaction.

Customers who have been victims of fraud are encouraged to communicate with 911 or the Bureau du Taxi de Montréal at 514-280-6600.

Aviation/Airport Conditions

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of Canada’s Civil Aviation Authority as compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Canada’s air carrier operations.

Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL, formerly “Dorval”) is located on the Island of Montréal, 12.5 miles (20 km) from Montréal's downtown core. A drive between the airport and downtown takes about 40 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. Direct bus service is available from many downtown locations. The airport adheres to international air safety standards, as does management of flight operations. Security measures are on par with U.S. airports. Security personnel are trained and effective in the performance of their duties.

Other Travel Conditions

Use extra caution driving in Montréal during winter weather. Adapt driving to weather and road conditions. Under the Highway Safety Code, drivers must slow down when darkness, fog, rain, or other precipitation reduces visibility, or when the roadway is slippery or not completely clear. Even in good weather, “black ice” can occur. Unexpected severe snowstorms can bring high winds and low visibility. In the province of Québec, winter tires are mandatory from December 15 to March 15 inclusive.

Before departure, make sure you can make your trip safely by consulting Québec 511 Info Transports for information on road network conditions, and/or weather websites for information on weather conditions.

Terrorism Threat

Local, Regional, and International Terrorism Threats/Concerns

There is minimal risk from terrorism in Montréal. There are no known specific terrorist threats directed against official or private U.S. interests in the province of Québec. The main terrorist threat to Canada continues to stem from violent extremists inspired by terrorist groups, such as ISIS and (to a lesser extent) al-Qa’ida. These groups continue to encourage followers abroad to employ simple attacks using knives or vehicles to inflict harm on civilian populations. Right-wing extremism is also a growing concern in Canada.

In 2014, Canada’s Integrated Terrorism Assessment Centre (ITAC) elevated its domestic terrorism threat level from LOW to MEDIUM, indicating “an individual or group within Canada or abroad has the intent and capability to commit an act of terrorism in Canada.” There has been no change to Canada’s national terrorism threat level since then.

Recent terrorism incidents with links to Montréal include:

• On June 21, 2017, Amor Ftouhi, a Canadian citizen and resident of Montréal, attacked and stabbed a police officer at Bishop International Airport in Flint, Michigan. During the attack, Ftouhi referenced killings in Syria and Afghanistan. Officers subdued and arrested him, and he is pending trial in Detroit. An FBI spokesperson stated that “a hatred for the United States” had motivated Ftouhi.
• On January 29, 2017, Alexandre Bissonnette, a Québec resident and University of Laval student, killed six men and injured many others during a shooting at a Québec City mosque. Bissonnette, who is facing up to 150 years in prison on six counts of first-degree murder and six counts of attempted murder using a restricted firearm, pleaded guilty on March 28, 2018. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Québec Premier Philippe Couillard both called the shooting a terrorist attack, but authorities did not charge Bissonnette with committing terrorism offences.
• In 2016, police arrested Ayanle Hassan Ali, a Montréal-born male, after a knife attack in a Canadian Forces recruitment center in Toronto. During the incident, he said, “Allah told me to come here and kill people.”

The Canadian Government continues to monitor and respond to the threat of individuals suspected of traveling abroad to engage in terrorist activity. Currently, over 190 extremists abroad with a nexus to Canada that Canada suspects of engaging in terrorist activity. In addition, the Canadian Government is aware of approximately 60 extremists who have returned to Canada. Since 2017, Canada has charged two individuals for having traveled abroad to engage in terrorist activities.

Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment

The call for self-radicalization, whether disseminated on extremist forums, via the broader approach or via social media, continues to be a global concern. It is difficult to determine which message will inspire a violent extremist in Montréal. Use vigilant personal security practices.

Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence

Civil Unrest

There is minimal risk from political violence in Montréal. Canada has robust protections for an individual’s right to freedom of speech and assembly. As such, there are frequent protests throughout Montréal on various topics of local and international concern. Demonstrations usually involve workers unions, specific ethnic groups, or student associations.

While there is a very small likelihood of violence at a political gathering in Montréal, some demonstrations, such as Anti-Police Brutality Day, May Day, and those organized by Antifa typically violate local law and result in road blockages and confrontations with local police. Authorities require permits for lawful demonstrations; often, the SPVM will provide uniformed officers to facilitate the movement of traffic, and intervene should a crime occur. Within the last five years, there have been no violent demonstrations targeting the U.S. Consulate.

Avoid all protests and demonstrations, maintain a high level of vigilance, and practice good situational awareness when traveling abroad.

Religious/Ethnic Violence

The Canadian constitution and other laws and policies protect religious freedom. When there are reports of societal discrimination based on religious affiliation, belief, or practices prominent societal leaders often take positive steps to promote religious freedom and condemn intolerance.

However, per Statistics Canada, hate crimes in Canada have increased 47%, primarily targeting Muslims, Jews, and black people. The biggest increase was in crimes targeting Muslims. One such incident took place in January 2017, at the Islamic Cultural Centre of Québec City, a mosque in the Sainte-Foy neighborhood, where a lone gunman killed six worshippers and injured 19 others shortly after the end of evening prayers. During the year, SPVM 250 processed hate crimes, including 155 crimes against persons, 66 crimes against property (e.g. graffiti) and 29 crimes of another nature.

Post-specific Concerns

Environmental Hazards

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change produces an hourly Air Quality Index report, with forecasts ranging from good to moderate air quality, similar to moderately sized U.S. cities.

Critical Infrastructure

Public Safety Canada identifies ten sectors of critical infrastructure (i.e. Health, Food, Finance, Water, Information and Communication Technology, Safety, Energy and Utilities, Manufacturing, Government, and Transportation). Canada’s critical infrastructure is massive, geographically dispersed, and owned by many different players, mostly in the private sector. Public Safety works with its partners to manage risks and reduce vulnerabilities across these sectors. Federal, provincial, and territorial governments, together with critical infrastructure owners/operators, share responsibility for critical infrastructure. Individuals also have a responsibility to be prepared for disruption and ready to cope for at least the first 72 hours of an emergency.

Canada and the United States share cross border critical infrastructure that govern the movement of people and goods. With refineries, nuclear facilities, large manufacturing operations, and other infrastructure located in close proximity to the border, as well as energy, critical supply and transportation networks that cross the border, impacts from disruptions can and do cross international jurisdictions. The Canada-United States Action Plan for Critical Infrastructure promotes resilience and an integrated approach to critical infrastructure protection by enhancing coordination of activities and facilitating continuous dialogue among cross-border stakeholders.

Economic Concerns

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and other Canadian law enforcement agencies are responsible for undertaking coordinated action to counter the threats posed by intellectual property crime within Canada. While the RCMP is a partner agency at the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center, there were no known criminal prosecutions for counterfeiting in Canada in 2017. Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) crime – copyright piracy and trademark counterfeiting – is a growing international phenomenon that generates huge losses for legitimate industry, the economy, and the Government of Canada.

According to INTERPOL, this type of crime has confirmed links to organized crime and terrorism. In addition to the tremendous losses to government tax revenues and the legitimate Canadian economy, recent seizures of counterfeit goods (e.g. pharmaceuticals, electrical products, auto parts, contaminated shampoo/food products) show that unscrupulous counterfeiters can jeopardize the health and safety of consumers. Canada remains the only G7 country identified in the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) 2018 Special 301 Report; Canada’s downgrade to the Priority Watch List this year reflects a failure to resolve key longstanding deficiencies in protection and enforcement of Intellectual Property.

Significant concerns include poor border and law enforcement with respect to counterfeit or pirated goods, weak patent and pricing environment for innovative pharmaceuticals, deficient copyright protection, and inadequate transparency and due process regarding geographical indicators.

Privacy Concerns

There is relatively low risk to privacy concerns in Canada. Canada has two federal privacy laws:

The Privacy Act governs the personal information handling practices on some 250 federal institutions. It limits the collection, use, sharing, and disclosure of individuals’ personal information. It also gives individuals the right to access and request correction of personal information about themselves held by the federal government.

The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) applies to the collection, use, or disclosure of personal information (e.g. age, name, ID numbers, and ethnic origin) in the course of commercial activity. Organizations and businesses must obtain an individual’s consent before collection, and individuals have the right to access and challenge the accuracy of their personal information held by an organization. PIPEDA is exempt in provinces that have privacy legislations similar to it; Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta have adopted private-sector legislation deemed substantially similar to the federal law.

Oversight of both federal Acts rests with the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, who receives and investigates complaints.

Personal Identity Concerns

There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in Canada.

Although Canada has effectively implemented laws mandating access to buildings for persons with disabilities, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what you find in the United States.

Kidnapping Threat

Kidnapping for ransom is rare. However, dozens of international parental child abductions occur each year between the United States and Canada, with courts in both countries applying the Hague Abduction Convention. All provinces have their own central authority, which have strong relationships with the United States. They generally coordinate directly with the Department of State’s Office of Children’s Issues on international child abduction cases, so the Consulate rarely becomes involved.

The National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains is an RCMP unit that maintains a national database for finding missing people and identifying human remains that links investigators nationwide when their cases match. The database provides support to police, coroners, and medical examiners and lets them compare their findings.

Police Response

The SPVM is very proactive and responsive when dealing with all types of criminal activity in Montréal. SPVM is the primary first responder in the case of any emergency. As in the U.S., dial 911 for emergencies and life threatening situations.

The RCMP have responsibility for protecting diplomatic facilities. The capabilities of city and federal law enforcement agencies are on par with their U.S. counterparts. Victims can rely on police to respond to the scene of crimes in a timely manner. The SPVM and RCMP meet routine and emergency requests for police assistance from the Regional Security Office in Montréal efficiently and expertly.

Crime Victim Assistance

Direct any reports of police detention of U.S. citizens to American Citizens Services during regular business hours (514-398-9695). The after-hours number is 514-941-1547 to speak with the U.S. Consulate General duty officer.

Police/Security Agencies

• Federal Police: The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is the national police service and an agency of the Ministry of Public Safety Canada. RCMP is unique in that it is a national, federal, provincial, and municipal policing body. RCMP provides a federal policing service to all Canadians and policing services under contract to the three territories, eight provinces (all except Ontario and Québec), more than 190 municipalities, 184 Aboriginal communities, and three international airports.

• Québec Provincial Police: SQ is the provincial police force for Québec. SQ employs roughly 5,200 officers. The primary function of SQ is to enforce provincial laws, some municipal bylaws, the Criminal Code, and many other laws throughout Québec, and to assist municipal police forces when needed. SQ is also responsible for providing municipal police services to municipalities in the province that do not otherwise have municipal or regional police services. The force also patrols provincial highways. In addition, SQ can investigate any incident that involves wrongdoing by a municipal police force or a case where a police intervention caused death.
• Montréal Local Police: SPVM serves the entire Island of Montréal. SPVM has several specialized units that include police officers and civilians who perform duties requiring specific expertise in certain areas. SPVM officers are first-line responders with the community. SPVM police stations (Postes de Quartier, PDQ) are the first responders for public safety, providing basic services to the local populations they serve. SPVM responds to emergency 911 calls.

Medical Emergencies

Emergency medical care in Montréal is reliable and on par with any major U.S. hospital. Individuals can walk into emergency rooms or, if needed, dial 911 for ambulance service.

Contact Information for Available Medical Services

For medical assistance, refer to the Consulate’s Medical Assistance webpage.

Available Air Ambulance Service: Air Medic: 1-877-999-3322 or 450-766-0770

Insurance Guidance

Hospitals generally require up-front payment by cash or credit card, up to the total of all anticipated charges, from foreigners prior to services or treatment. Hospitals may waive up-front payment of other than a modest deposit if they have existing cashless agreements with at least some major international insurance providers. All hospitals provide some services free to Canadian citizens. All hospitals are required to provide emergency stabilization without regard to ability to pay. Provincial health insurance is available, at a cost, for all local residents if they do not have their own insurance. If visiting the area, it is best to pre-arrange insurance coverage prior to visiting.

Country-specific Vaccination and Health Guidance

The CDC offers additional information on vaccines and health guidance for Canada.

OSAC Country Council Information

There is no Country Council in Montréal. Interested private-sector security managers should contact OSAC’s Western Hemisphere team with any questions.

U.S. Consulate Location and Contact Information

Consulate Address and House of Operation

1155 St. Alexandre, Montréal, Québec H3B 3Z1

0815 - 1700, Monday – Friday, closed on weekends and holidays

Consulate Contact Numbers

Regional Security Officer: 514-908-3666

Switchboard: 514-398-9695

Duty Officer: 514-941-1547

Website: https://ca.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/montreal/

Nearby Posts: Embassy Ottawa, Consulate Calgary, Consulate Halifax, Consulate Quebec, Consulate Toronto, Consulate Vancouver, Consulate Winnipeg

Consulate Guidance

U.S. citizens traveling to Canada should register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to ensure they receive pertinent security updates and notices.

Additional Resource: Canada Information Sheet