'We condemn the violence that took her life'
A 45-year-old Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) employee killed in Montreal on Tuesday was working when she was assaulted, Prime Minister Mark Carney told the House of Commons.
The Union of Taxation Employees (UTE) identified her as Leïla Ben Salem. Police sources told Global News she was on a work-related Zoom call when she was attacked in her Ville-Marie apartment.
Police found her Tuesday afternoon during a welfare check at a building on René-Lévesque Boulevard near Saint-Christophe Street, CBC reported.
Tributes in the House of Commons
Carney offered condolences to Ben Salem's family and pledged support for police so that "the perpetrator of this shameful crime pays the full price," per CBC.
"Ms. Ben Salem was a valued member of the Canada Revenue Agency, dedicated to serving Canadians, which she was doing at the time of her assault," he said.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre described her as a "treasured member of the public service who tragically lost her life,” according to the same.
Union and advocates respond
In a statement, UTE national president Adam Jackson identified Ben Salem as a member of Montreal Local 10008. "We condemn the violence that took her life," he wrote.
Jackson said the union would work with the local to support her colleagues, and directed CRA employees and eligible family members to the Employee Assistance Program, available around the clock.
Mylène Bigaouette, director of the Fédération des maisons d'hébergement pour femmes, called the killing Quebec's latest femicide. "This is the tip of the iceberg," she said, urging the province to provide more stable funding for women's shelters, according to Global News.
Police investigation continues
Police have spoken with a person of interest, but no arrests had been made as of Thursday. CTV News reported the individual was released; police would not say if he had a relationship with her.
SPVM spokesperson Raphaël Bergeron told Noovo Info a blunt object was believed to have been used, Canadian HR Reporter reported. It is Montreal's 19th homicide of 2026.
Police have not released a motive. Published reports did not include a CRA statement.
CRA employees are covered by Part II of the Canada Labour Code, which defines a work place as any place where an employee works for their employer (s. 122(1)).
The Work Place Harassment and Violence Prevention Regulations (SOR/2020-130) require federally regulated employers to conduct workplace assessments, adopt prevention policies and respond to reported occurrences.
