On May 1st 2026, thousands of Montrealers gathered at Square Victoria in downtown Montreal for the annual May Day demonstration.
Organized by a coalition of anti-capitalist and labour groups such as Convergence des luttes anti-capitalistes, SITT-IWW Mtl, CCMM-CSN, Désinvestir pour la Palestine, CRUES, and Alliance Ouvrière, the march brought together workers, students, migrants, and community members to denounce austerity, precarity, and attacks on civil rights.
Speakers addressed the housing crisis, inflation, migrant worker exploitation, police violence, and the CAQ government’s anti-constitutional legislation, as well as solidarity with Palestine and opposition to the global rise of the far-right.
The protest was met with heavy police presence. As the march progressed, police used tear gas, batons, and pepper spray to disperse the crowd. 13 people were arrested. Conservative media including Rebel News were also present.
