Authorities in some provinces ramped up often arbitrary law enforcement to help curtail the COVID-19 pandemic rather than rely on a purely public health approach, according to a report released Wednesday. The main problem, the report finds, is that marginalized or other vulnerable groups tended to bear the brunt of police and bylaw action. "Somehow a public health crisis has been twisted into a public order crisis." Quebec accounted for 77 per cent of the reported fines, while Ontario saw 18 per cent and Nova Scotia three per cent. "Police will be handing out more fines and, I repeat, the fines can vary from $1,000 to $6,000 per person," Quebec Premier François Legault said in April.

Source: CBC News June 24, 2020 13:30 UTC