Claims

The Bureau des réclamations handles all requests for monetary compensation in cases of property damage or bodily injury resulting from events for which the City of Montréal is determined to be liable. 

Many situations can lead to a claim against the City, such as a fence damaged during snow removal, a flooded basement due to a public sewer backup, damage to a vehicle caused by a falling branch from a City-owned tree, or injuries sustained by a fall on a sidewalk.

We generally do not rule on whether the City of Montréal is liable, or on the amount of compensation. Our founding by-law provides that we can refuse to intervene if a legal action is likely to remedy the harmful situation. In our view, the courts of general jurisdiction are more appropriate forums for deciding these matters. 

We can, however, verify whether the procedure followed by the City of Montréal’s Bureau des réclamations in evaluating a case was fair and reasonable. For example, we intervened with the Bureau des réclamations to request clarification of the information regarding the procedure for claims related to work performed by a private contractor.

For more information or to file a claim with the City of Montréal, please visit this page of the City’s website: learn more. 

Please note that a claim against the City of Montréal must be filed within specific time limits following the incident in question in order to be reviewed: 

• Property damage: 15 days maximum;
• Personal injury: three years maximum.