Amid election threats, Crown prosecutors remind Quebecers of real consequences -- including prison time
Since Quebec's electoral campaign started last month, candidates from all the major parties have deplored threats made against them, both in person and online.
According to the Sûreté du Québec (SQ), at least 20 people have been arrested so far for threats against politicians or damage to election-related property.
The force states it has become aware of a significant rise in threats against elected officials since the COVID-19 pandemic began two years ago.
Now, the Crown prosecutors office (DPCP) has taken to social media to remind Quebecers of the very real consequences they may face for uttering threats against a candidate.
"Since the beginning of the election campaign, there have been reports of unfortunate incidents involving election candidates, some of which have been investigated by the police or reported to the courts," the DPCP wrote on Twitter. "Threats, harassment or intimidation offences carry a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a criminal record."
The department, which reiterated it is "independent of political influence," gave a few examples of different crimes that could lead to varying negative outcomes for the perpetrators.
"On a Facebook post about a high-ranking civil servant, a man comments, 'it's over for you, you're dead, my [censured]. We've figured out the truth': Criminal record and six months of detention," the DPCP notes.
In another example: "A young woman with no criminal record writes on Facebook that she'll 'break the legs' of an elected official: Criminal record and 18 months probation with several conditions, including not mentioning the elected official on social media and not posting violent or hateful comments or videos online."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Police cordon off Iran consulate in Paris where man threatens to blow himself up: French media
French police cordoned off the Iranian consulate in Paris on Friday, where a man was threatening to blow himself up, Europe 1 radio and BFM TV.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.