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Montreal police remove camo protest pants for funeral of Habs legend Jean Béliveau

Montreal police officers wear red caps and dress down in protest over pension plan changes. Global News

MONTREAL — The Montreal Police Brotherhood said Friday that its officers will not wear their camouflage protest pants for the funeral of Habs hockey legend Jean Béliveau.

Béliveau died Tuesday at the age of 83. He played for the Montreal Canadiens for 20 seasons between 1950 and 1971.

READ MOREMontreal Canadiens legend Jean Béliveau dies at 83

Montreal police officers will wear their official uniforms on Sunday and Monday while Béliveau’s body lies in wake at the Bell Centre, as well as at his funeral on Wednesday.

READ MORE: Jean Béliveau to ‘lay in wake’ at Bell Centre prior to his funeral

The move came after Montreal mayor Denis Coderre tweeted, “On the occasion of Mr. Jean Béliveau’s funeral (and with the adoption of the Bill 3), I expect our police officers wear the full uniform.”

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Municipal police officers across the province of Quebec started wearing camo pants as part of a protest against pension reforms for city workers.

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“This decision is based on the tribute we owe to this man, his family and his fans in the context of a national funeral,” a statement noted.

IN PHOTOS: Quebec pension protests get creative

The union also extended its deepest condolences to Béliveau’s family and to those who loved and admired the hockey great.

Béliveau will be honoured with a national funeral, which will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 10 at the Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral.

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The public is invited to pay tribute to him as he lays in rest at the Bell Centre between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. this Sunday and Monday.

The Quebec government passed Bill 3, its controversial plan for pension reform, by a vote of 85 to 28 on Thursday morning.

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