Quebec remains one of the most punitive provinces in the country when it comes to fines for COVID-related behaviours, certainly in number but also likely in the total cost of
fines as well.
Between April 2020 and August 2020 (first wave), the province reported giving out 3,756 fines, valued at $5.6 million.
Between September 2020 and March 2021 (second wave), the province reported giving out 7,445 fines, totalling $12.3 million in fines. Ticketing over this time period has increased exponentially: the province reported giving out 26 fines in October, 94 fines in November, 141 fines in December, 1,010 fines in January, 2,865 fines in February 2021, and 3,309 fines in March 2021.
The trend towards increasingly punitive measures has continued past the wave-two period we analyzed: in April, 2021, Quebec law enforcement officers gave a total of 5,060 fines, setting a new monthly record.