Bar industry urges Quebec to take action against the wave of extortion

A bar in Montreal, Thursday, July 9, 2020. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press)

The bar industry is calling on Quebec to address the wave of extortion that has been affecting many establishments for several months.

The Corporation des propriétaires de bars, brasseries et tavernes du Québec (CPBBTQ) is asking to postpone the reduction in the commission on video lotteries and to reestablish a consultation committee bringing together police and bar owners.

This is not the first time this year that the organization has asked the Quebec government to take action regarding this “unprecedented” wave of extortion. The situation is getting worse and worse, says CPBBTQ President and CEO Renaud Poulin.

“It started in Montreal and began spreading to the South Shore, Longueuil, Laval, and the North Shore. Now it’s spreading everywhere. It’s very concerning,” Poulin said in an interview. “The crisis isn’t abating.”

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Criminal acts targeting commercial establishments have increased, according to the corporation. They range from gunfire directed at buildings to Molotov cocktails, as well as threats and demands for money in exchange for “protection.”

It is difficult to count the number of establishments that have been victims of extortion in recent months, as many are afraid to report it, Poulin noted.

Nevertheless, the consequences are being felt throughout the industry. Owners must invest additional funds to bolster security around their establishments. Others are forced to close their doors, the association reported.

By deferring the reduction in the video lottery commission paid to bars, establishments could count on several thousand dollars to help cover some of their security investments, according to Poulin.

He is also calling for the reinstatement of a committee where bar owners could speak “in complete confidence” with police officers, as was the case in the early 2000s with the “Nocturne” project. The initiative helped curb the wave of extortion targeting bars at that time, recalls Poulin.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on April 20, 2026.

Frédéric Lacroix-Couture, The Canadian Press