We are all aware of the lockdowns and restrictions implemented on the people of Canada throughout Ontario and across the west, but were you aware of how draconian life became in Quebec?

Despite our differences, Quebec is as much a part of Canada as every other province, subject to the same laws, with residents having the same Charter freedoms as all Canadians enjoy.

The premier of Quebec however, felt it acceptable to ignore those rights and freedoms, in spectacular fashion. In addition to all the same mandates applied across other provinces, a 9:30pm curfew was implemented. Anyone anticipating being outside later, for work or other legitimate reasons, was forced to get a permit while still suffering continuous harassment, abuse, and criticism by police.

This included journalists. A Rebel News team was covering these draconian measures, measures that amounted to house arrest for an entire population; at virtually every turn, despite legitimate exemption papers, they were harassed, criticized, prevented from doing their jobs and fined over and over.

After two years their case was heard, and the judge showed a far better understanding of the law than virtually every officer they encountered.

One officer tried to argue that they were not a legitimate news agency, and that no media events were occurring to make their curfew exemption valid. The judge countered by pointing out that the determination of what poses legitimate journalistic pursuits was not within the purview of the courts, while at the same time showing that Rebel News had covered many official political events, leaving no question to their legitimacy. All charges were dismissed.

This is yet another example of officers that took the law into their own hands, ignoring their oath and the Charter that forms the basis of what it means to be Canadian. They felt empowered to apply their own interpretation of what was acceptable.

This is not and has never been the roll of police in Canada. We hope, now that the correct judgement has been levied, that these officers are held to account for their overreach and aggressive actions. They are a disgrace to the service.

To read the article written by Sydney Fizzard of Rebel News, click here