Quebec bill aims to better regulate police stops, combat racial profiling
Quebec Public Security Minister Francois Bonnardel says he wants the province to better regulate police stops to combat racial profiling and give the police ethics commissioner more teeth.
Bonnardel presented a vast bill on Wednesday, which aims mainly at modernizing certain practices of the police forces.
The bill addresses the issue of police stops, including interceptions in relation to section 636 of the Highway Safety Code, which many see as a source of racial profiling by police.
Following the adoption of Bill 14, Bonnardel committed to establishing guidelines to ensure that police stops based on discriminatory grounds are prohibited. If the guidelines are not followed, police officers could face disciplinary action.
Police forces will also be held accountable by providing annual information on the stops they have made.
The Legault government has no plans to abolish section 636 of the Highway Safety Code, which allows police to stop vehicles without cause.
Quebec is challenging the Superior Court's decision to strike down this provision of the code. The judge found that this arbitrary power granted to police officers "has become for some of them a vehicle, even a safe-conduct for racial profiling against the Black community.
Bill 14 also provides for the Police Ethics Committee to become an administrative tribunal that can conduct investigations. It would also have the power to impose additional measures, in addition to sanctions, on a police officer whose conduct is contrary to its code of ethics.
These include undergoing training or refresher courses, undergoing a medical assessment, participating in an assistance or support program or therapy related to their needs, and participating in a community involvement program.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on March 15, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.