Montreal police officers and elected officials dived into icy waters this morning for the SPVM’s 18th annual Polar Bear Challenge.
The event took place along the Lachine Canal, where Public Security Minister Ian Lafrenière and Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada took part in the frigid fundraiser.
“The rough time is once you get out of the water because it’s minus-17 C out there and you’re just in your bathing suit,” said Daniel Granger, Chairman of the board and Special Olympics Québec.
Polar Bear Challenge in Lachine Canal Feb. 21, 2026. (Lola Kalder, CityNews)
Proceeds support Olympiques Spéciaux Québec, which offers year-round sports and health programs for athletes with intellectual disabilities and autism.
“The water is at about 2 to 3 degrees so it’s really cold,” said Jean-Pierre Brabant, spokesperson for the Montreal Police (SPVM).
So it’s a quick dive and quick up and people can go inside and get warm and if anything happens we’ll be able to assess them
Organizers say the Montreal challenge has raised more than $300,000 over the past three years and has set a goal of $115,000 for this year’s event.
“We help about 8,000 athletes across the province to basically practice and get in our sports program,” said Granger.