About 60 activists ransack Montreal real estate offices

About 60 activists entered real estate offices run by LJ Immobilier and Plex DR in Montreal's Pointe-Saint-Charles neighbourhood.

They said they wanted to challenge rising housing costs and called their action an eviction of landlords who profit from price increases.

The protesters said they removed furniture and damaged the offices, while the company president said staff were surrounded and an employee was held back from calling police.

The president also said a glass panel was smashed, causing a minor injury, and that equipment and the building were damaged.

The protest targeted a company managing about 400 homes, which activists accuse of contributing to the housing crisis through its rental practices.

The president said he understood criticism of the housing industry but rejected the claim that his companies use abusive eviction practices.

Police have opened an investigation into the incident.