A Montreal woman who alleges she became paralyzed following an intervention by police in September 2023 is now asking for $112.5 million from the city in damages.
As first reported by La Presse, Hortense Cica is suing the City of Montreal, alleging a police arrest left her with life-changing injuries.
Before the incident, the lawsuit says Cica was independent in her daily life. She is now quadriplegic and completely dependent on others.
“The person probably is handicapped for the rest of their life. She might need people to help her on a daily basis,” said lawyer Kwadwo Yeboah.
“It might seem like a lot, but somebody is alleging that their whole life has been changed.”
That day, Cica was arrested in Ahuntsic-Cartierville near the elementary school of one of her children after going there despite a court order.
After the arrest, Cica was removed from the police cruiser and left on the sidewalk outside her home. According to the lawsuit, she told officers she was experiencing neck pain and tingling in her limbs. Video recorded by neighbours appears to show her lying motionless on the ground.
The lawsuit alleges the police intervention contributed to her injuries, and that paramedics did not take over her care until about an hour later.
CityNews was not able to obtain a copy of the lawsuit after courthouse staff said no corresponding file was available in the public registry.
“Any reasonable person should at least call the paramedics, no matter how the conditions of the person, just to check up,” said Yeboah.
Quebec’s police watchdog, the Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes (BEI), was tasked with investigating. It submitted its report to Quebec’s Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions (DPCP) in December 2024.
“It is on the basis of this report that the DPCP will determine whether to lay charges against the police officers involved, based on its assessment of the facts analyzed in light of applicable law,” the BEI wrote in a media release three weeks later.
“The report submitted to the DPCP by the BEI contains all the components of the investigation. It includes statements from witnesses and individuals involved, as well as the physical evidence collected and the related expert reports.”
Cica is now asking for $112.5 million in damages, which would account for the medical treatment she’s expected to need for the rest of her life. A portion of that – $10 million – is tied specifically to alleged violations of her fundamental rights.
Originally from Benin, Cica is alleging that racial profiling played a role in how she was treated.
“When race is involved into it, they look at the pretext,” said Joel Debellefeuille, the founder of Red Coalition.
“They’re going to let everything that makes up the scenario when they get there before actually moving in.”
The lawsuit comes as the criminal investigation into the officers remains unresolved. Three SPVM officers are still assigned to administrative duties, nearly three years after the incident.
The Montreal Police Brotherhood has publicly criticized the delay.
CityNews reached out to the city, SPVM and Police Brotherhood, but all parties declined to comment.
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