Police Brutality Protests in Quebec: Longueuil, Montreal & Quebec City

Demonstrations Against Police Brutality Continue in Longueuil Following Teen’s Death

Hundreds of people took to the streets of Longueuil, Quebec, on Sunday, March 15, 2026, to protest police brutality, spurred by the death of 15-year-old Nooran Rezayi. The demonstrations reflect ongoing community distress following Rezayi’s death in September 2025, and calls for accountability and systemic change within the police force. The protests underscore a growing demand for justice and a re-evaluation of police practices in the region.

Recent Demonstrations and Police Presence

The demonstration on Sunday saw several hundred participants gather near the Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes (BEI) and the Longueuil–Université-de-Sherbrooke metro station. Many protesters wore masks or face coverings, despite the cold weather. Slogans such as “Tout le monde déteste la police” (Everyone hates the police), “Justice nulle part, police partout” (No justice anywhere, police everywhere), and “Police, fasciste, c’est vous les terroristes” (Police, fascists, you are the terrorists) were reportedly chanted by demonstrators. Participants also carried signs accusing police of being murderers and labeling their work as a “shame.”

A significant police presence was observed, with approximately fifty riot police officers from the Sûreté du Québec forming a line in front of the BEI building. Dozens of officers from the Service de police de l’agglomération de Longueuil (SPAL) were deployed within the metro station and on the university campus, with additional patrols on the Jacques Cartier Bridge. Le Journal de Montréal reported at least one hundred people participated in the annual demonstration.

The Death of Nooran Rezayi and the BEI Investigation

The protests are directly linked to the death of Nooran Rezayi, who was shot by SPAL police officers on September 21, 2025. The BEI, Quebec’s independent investigation bureau, recently completed its report into the incident and submitted it to the Directeur des poursuites criminelles et pénales (DPCP), Quebec’s public prosecution service. The DPCP will now determine whether to lay charges against the officer involved in the shooting. CBC News details that the shooting occurred after a 911 call reported a group of youths, allegedly armed, in a residential area.

What Each Side Wants

Protesters are demanding justice for Nooran Rezayi and broader systemic changes to address police brutality. They seek accountability for the officers involved in the shooting and a fundamental shift in policing practices. The family of Nooran Rezayi has also filed a lawsuit against the police and the City of Longueuil.

Catherine Fournier, the mayor of Longueuil, has called for Quebec’s public security minister to launch an investigation into the actions of the city’s police force following the shooting. This indicates a desire for a thorough review of the SPAL’s procedures and response to the incident. The SPAL, for its part, has maintained that its officers were responding to a credible threat, but has not released detailed statements regarding the specifics of the shooting.

How the BEI Investigation Process Works

The Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes (BEI) is responsible for investigating any incident involving the police that results in injury or death. When an incident occurs, the BEI gathers evidence, interviews witnesses, and analyzes forensic data. Once the investigation is complete, the BEI submits a report to the DPCP, which then decides whether to pursue criminal charges. The BEI’s role is investigative; it does not have the authority to prosecute cases. The DPCP operates independently of the BEI and makes its decisions based on the evidence presented. La Presse reported on the submission of the BEI report to the DPCP.

Confirmed vs. Unclear Details

Confirmed: Nooran Rezayi, a 15-year-old, was shot and killed by Longueuil police on September 21, 2025. The BEI has completed its investigation and submitted a report to the DPCP. Demonstrations against police brutality took place in Longueuil on March 15, 2026. Mayor Catherine Fournier has requested a further investigation into the SPAL’s actions.

Unclear: The specific details of the 911 call that prompted the police intervention have not been fully released. The contents of the BEI report have not been made public. It remains unclear whether the DPCP will lay charges against the officer involved in the shooting. The full extent of the SPAL’s internal review, if any, has not been disclosed.

What Happens Next

The next step is for the DPCP to review the BEI’s report and determine whether there is sufficient evidence to lay criminal charges against the police officer involved in the shooting. This process could take several weeks or months. If charges are laid, the case will proceed through the criminal justice system. Regardless of the DPCP’s decision, Mayor Fournier’s call for a broader investigation into the SPAL’s actions suggests that a review of police practices in Longueuil is likely to occur. Further demonstrations are possible, depending on the outcome of the DPCP’s review and any subsequent investigations.