157 physical distancing fines have been issued since Saturday: SQ
Since the government implemented physical distancing measures, the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) has issued over 155 fines.
On Saturday, April 4, the process of issuing tickets for citizens breaking distancing rules by provincial police forces was made easier.
Police had to report to the Crown prosecutor’s office before laying charges but now, Montreal Police and Sûreté du Québec officers can give tickets ranging from $1,000 to $6,000 on the spot for illegal indoor and outdoor gatherings.
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In numbers shared with the public, as of Monday, the SQ has dished out 157 fines to citizens breaking the government’s physical distancing laws.
Depuis la mise en place des mesures gouvernementales liées à la #COVID19, nos policiers ont rédigé ou signifié un total de 157 constats d’infraction et rapports d’infraction généraux à ce jour.
— Sûreté du Québec (@sureteduquebec) April 6, 2020
Last week, Quebec Premier François Legault said he was notifying police departments around the province to start cracking down on citizens who don’t respect physical distancing rules.
Legault said officers of the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) and local police will begin to be “less tolerant.”
“Police officers will be handing out more fines and I repeat, they vary between $1,000 and $6,000 per person,” said the premier.
Nos policiers peuvent signifier des constats d’infraction pour l’application de la Loi sur la santé publique. Ils pourront être remis sur-le-champ lors de rassemblements intérieurs ou extérieurs interdits et les amendes varient entre 1000$ et 6000$. #COVID19
— Sûreté du Québec (@sureteduquebec) April 5, 2020
As of this writing, the Sûreté du Québec has not responded to Daily Hive’s request for the average price of the 157 infractions.