The City of Quebec is giving increased powers to the police in view of the demonstrations of truckers planned for Saturday and Sunday. The chief of police will be able to intervene directly on parking lots and traffic, while his officers will be able to impose fines on citizens who consume alcohol and cook in the streets.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, the mayor of Quebec Bruno Marchand declared that “it is not because it was the last time” that his organization necessarily had to “repeat the same things”.
Unlike Ottawa, the Quebec capital had not suffered too much from the arrival on its territory of the convoy opposed to health measures two weeks ago. However, the City says it has learned lessons from this episode in anticipation of the convoy’s return this weekend.
Two regulatory changes therefore come into effect. The first will allow the chief of police to make “any decision” before and during the protest regarding parking, traffic and street closures.
The City is also suspending the bylaw that allowed people to consume alcohol outside since the start of the pandemic. Outdoor cooking will also be prohibited.
Finally, Mayor Marchand reiterated that the noise pollution by-law was still in effect. Nuisances related to the misuse of the horn are punishable by fines of $2,000 to $10,000, he recalled.
Few reactions
Asked about the measurements, the convoy organizers seemed to give them little importance. Bernard Gauthier said he had no comments to make on the regulations while Kevin Grenier said he saw “a bit of silliness”. “The world will walk around with a bottle of Coke; they’ll put a lot in it, what do you want me to tell you? “, he reacted.
On social networks, the demonstration planned for this weekend is described as a “Woodstock of freedom” during which a show would even be presented. Asked about the possibility of setting up a stage, in particular on the site, the mayor of Quebec Bruno Marchand, recalled that it was necessary to obtain a permit to organize festivals and hold concerts in the streets.
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