Montreal's City Council President has filed a formal complaint with Quebec's Municipal Commission against Anjou borough councillor Lynne Shand following her comments about a doctor wearing hijab.
In a statement on her Facebook, Council President Cathy Wong called the remarks xenophobic.
"Since city council opened [Monday], Montrealers have been coming to City Hall to express their indignation. With reason," Wong wrote. "Her remarks are inexcusable."
Wong went on to say the comments were even more shocking considering how they came just over a week following the horrific attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand and one month after paying respects to the victims of the Quebec City mosque shooting at City Hall.
"Today, 10% of the population of Anjou is Muslim," Wong wrote. "The Code of Ethics for Montreal City Council members reminds us that elected officials have an obligation to respect citizens."
Wong continued, saying "in addition to being inconsistent with her duties, [Shand's comments] cast doubt on the equality of services offered by the elected official to her fellow citizens."
"I hope that the Commission will rule in favor of a Montreal where elected officials will be held accountable for their hate speech."
Montreal mayor Valérie Plante said she'll have the city's ethics advisor weigh in on Shand's comments.
Shand has since apologized for her remarks.