Brickbat: If You Can't Say Something Nice
(Meunierd/Dreamstime)
The Montreal City Council has banned people from insulting, harassing, threatening, or abusing police officers and other municipal employees while they are working. The measure calls for fines of $300 to $1,000 (U.S. $2110 to $703) for a first offense and up to $2,000 ($1,408) for further offenses. Supporters say the bylaw is necessary because municipal workers are facing increasing aggression and abuse, while opponents argue that it gives police too much power to decide what counts as an insult and could violate freedom of expression.