Quebec police issued more than 200 tickets to non-curfew compliers over weekend

Jan 11 2021, 2:45 pm

During Quebec’s first weekend under curfew, over 200 tickets were issued by police across the province to people not complying with the new nightly curfew.

According to SPVM (Service de police de la Ville de Montréal), 84 infractions were issued in Montreal alone, 17 of which were handed out on Saturday night at Mont-Royal Metro during a post-8 pm protest — during the city’s first night under curfew.

Quebec City police say 31 curfew infractions were issued at the province’s capital while officers from the Sûreté du Québec — the patrollers of provincial highways — handed out over 150 curfew non-complier tickets.

From now until February 8, anyone outside of their home from 8 pm to 5 am without a valid reason can be subject to infractions.

Invalid reasons and non-compliers can face fines from $1,000 to $6,000.

Last week, Quebec Deputy Premier and Minister of Public Security, Geneviève Guilbault, said there would be an “increased police presence” throughout the province, and members of the police force will use their “judgement to assess” specific situations of people outside at night.

“It’s the responsibility of the person to show police they have a good reason to be outside their house between 8 pm and 5 am,” said Guilbault.

Exceptions are being made for people who have a note from their employers that prove they are supplying an essential service and for Quebecers buying medication outside of curfew hours (though a receipt is needed as proof).

Pet owners are permitted to walk their pets past 8 pm within a 1-kilometre radius from their home.

Grocery stores and depanneurs are required to close at 7:30 pm nightly to give people enough time to get home.

The government hopes the curfew will help limit the number of private gatherings, which Quebec Premier François Legault says is the leading contributor to the province’s increase in infections.

The number of cases in Quebec has been steadily rising since November. On Saturday, Santé Quebec reported over 3,000 new daily cases for the first time since the pandemic began.

“The message is to stay home from 8 pm and 5 am — no more gatherings, no parties, don’t go see your friends,” said Guilbault on Thursday. “For people who have been following the rules, this shouldn’t change. For those who like to gather with friends, the ballgame became more difficult.”

Quebec police forces say they will be sharing curfew-related ticket data every week until February 8.

Police did not comment on the total amount of fines that were handed out over the weekend.

Ty JadahTy Jadah

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