A. The Bureau des réclamations of Ville de Montréal is responsible for receiving and handling damages claims from citizens.
Remember that for the City to be found liable for damages, the victim must demonstrate: 1) that the City is at fault; 2) that there were damages (and the value of those damages); and 3) that these damages were directly caused by this fault.
Physical damages
If you have suffered physical damages, for example as a result of a fall on a sidewalk in Ville de Montréal, you may ask for compensation. The City, however, is not always responsible. In cases of physical damages, the law does not require that a formal Notice of claim be sent to the Bureau des réclamations: it is nonetheless desirable.
Your maximum time limit to file a legal action against Ville de Montréal, for physical damages, is three years from the occurrence of the event. After that date, you will have no more legal recourse.
Property damages
If you have suffered property damages as a result of negligence by Ville de Montréal, you may seek compensation. The concept of “property damages” includes damage to movable property (e.g., an automobile) and immovable property (e.g., a house).
A Notice of claim must be sent to Ville de Montréal within 15 days of the event. If you fail to do so, you will no longer have a legal right to sue the City.
Afterwards, the maximum time limit to file a legal action for property damages against Ville de Montréal is six months from the occurrence of the event. After that date, you will have no more legal recourse.
Notice of claim
The law does not impose the use of a specific format for your Notice of claim.
An optional form is, however, available to citizens. The Notice can be mailed or faxed to the Bureau des réclamations of Ville de Montréal:
Bureau des réclamations7275, Sherbrooke East Suite 2201B Montréal (Québec) H1N 1E9
Telephone: 514 872-2977 Fax: 514 872-6082
