Organized retail crime in Quebec prompts police and retailer collaboration series

The Retail Council of Canada announced Friday a series of coordinated raids and collaboration with police forces across five Quebec regions to address what retailers describe as a surge in organized retail crime targeting stores and threatening employee and customer safety.

Raids are planned over the coming weeks in Gatineau, Terrebonne, Quebec City, Laval, and the Longueuil agglomeration. The collaboration brings together retailers, police forces, and industry experts to exchange prevention and security strategies. Michel Rochette, president of the Chambre de commerce et d'industrie Québec Métropolitain, said: "Behind every theft, there are employees who have to manage unforeseen situations, customers who may fear for their safety, and business owners who suffer the consequences."

Recent robberies at jewelry stores in Greater Montreal—particularly in Laval and Brossard—have highlighted growing concerns among businesses about unpredictable violence. According to a Léger poll conducted for the Retail Council in June 2026, 80 per cent of Quebecers familiar with organized retail crime believe it poses a risk to employee and customer safety, while 59 per cent feel political and police authorities are not doing enough to address the issue.

The Canadian Retail Council and Loss Prevention Research Council estimated annual losses in the Canadian retail sector at $9.2 billion in their 2025 report. Rochette acknowledged that police resources are limited, stating: "Too often, our members report that police officers cannot respond, even to concerning situations. They must be given the resources to intervene commensurate with the seriousness of the problem." A collaboration event is scheduled for October 16 in Montreal at Contact Sécurité, organized by the Retail Council.