Canadian mayor opposed to pro-Palestinian protests allowed to appoint 'special constables'

Pro-Israel mayor Jeremy Levi in Canada’s Quebec Province recently received permission to build a municipal security force following a call by Liberal Party of Canada MP Marco Mendicino to establish "protective zones" around members of parliaments' offices.

Levi is mayor of Hampstead, one of Quebec’s wealthiest municipalities, and a vocal supporter of Israel’s war on Gaza. He has repeatedly called for the arrest and deportation of pro-Palestinian protestors.

Levi was recently granted the power to appoint special constables “in emergencies for a period not exceeding seven days”. The special constables will have the authority to “prevent and repress offences under the municipal by-laws in all or part of the municipality's territory” under Quebec law.

What differentiates police officers from special constables is that the latter are sworn peace officers who have been granted police powers to enforce specific legislation in a specific context or area.

Read more: Canadian mayor opposed to pro-Palestinian protests allowed to appoint 'special constables'