A group dressed as Santa Claus and elves reportedly removed cartloads of groceries from a Metro supermarket in Montreal around 9:40 p.m. on Monday. Activist collective Les Soulèvements du Fleuve claimed the action as a Robin Hood–style redistribution, saying some items were left under a tree and others placed in community fridges. Montreal police are reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses as the investigation continues, while Metro called retail theft "unacceptable" and highlighted broader factors driving food inflation.
Santa- and Elf-Clad Group Steal Cartloads of Groceries in Montreal — Activists Call It 'Robin Hood' Redistribution
A still image from the video posted by activist group “Les Soulèvements du Fleuve” on Instagram. - From soulevementsdufleuve/Instagram
’Twas the week before Christmas in a Montreal Metro supermarket when several people dressed as Santa Claus and elves reportedly walked out with cartloads of food. The incident, which Montreal police say occurred at about 9:40 p.m. on Monday, was later claimed by an activist collective that described the action as a Robin Hood–style redistribution intended to help people facing food insecurity.
What Police Say
Montreal Police spokesperson Johany Charland told CNN investigators believe the group removed "what we assume is food" and that the case remains under review. Officers are combing through surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses as the investigation continues.
Footage And Activist Claims
Edited video shared on Instagram by the activist group Les Soulèvements du Fleuve shows multiple people in Santa suits and elf hats taking items from the shelves of a Metro outlet. In posts accompanying the footage, the group said the groceries were "redistributed" by what they called the "Robins of the Alleys," an explicit nod to the Robin Hood legend of taking from the wealthy to help the poor.
Les Soulèvements du Fleuve added that some goods were left under a Christmas tree in a Montreal neighbourhood and others were placed in community fridges. The group posted a photo of gift bags beneath a tree but did not supply full footage documenting the alleged redistribution.
Retailer Response And Context
"Retail crime is unacceptable," said Geneviève Grégoire, a spokesperson for Metro. "Many factors influence food inflation, including disruptions in the global supply chain, volatility in commodity prices, changes in international trade conditions, and retail crime. The prices on store shelves directly reflect the costs of the supply chain."
Grégoire also noted Metro's charitable efforts, saying the chain has donated millions to support food banks and provided significant quantities of food products, including $1.15 million to food banks and approximately $81.6 million in food donations.
Broader Context
Reporting from CBC, CNN's Canadian broadcast partner, points to government data showing grocery prices in Canada rose nearly 5% year-over-year, even as inflation eased in other categories. Activists framed the supermarket action as a protest against high food costs and perceived corporate control of essential goods.
The investigation remains active and CNN has reached out to Les Soulèvements du Fleuve for comment. Authorities and the retailer have emphasized that retail theft is a criminal matter, while activists argue their action was a form of direct aid and protest.
