Quebec wants to ban criminal groups from displaying their logo

Quebec Public Security Minister Ian Lafrenière tabled a bill on Wednesday that aims, among other things, to prohibit criminal groups from displaying their colours.

Bill 13, “aimed at promoting a sense of security among the population,” would also create a registry of sex offenders, in addition to cracking down on vandals during demonstrations. 

In his opening National Assembly speech in September, Premier François Legault promised that his government would present a series of measures to combat crime.

With his Bill 13, Lafrenière aims first to prohibit “exposing to public view any object identifying an entity listed on the list of criminal entities established by the Minister of Public Security.”

For example, the Hells Angels would no longer be able to wear their jackets in public, or even plant a flag on private land, under penalty of fines of up to $15,000.

“We know very well what the purpose (of the badges) is, it is to intimidate. (…) Today, the message we are sending is that it’s over,” said Lafrenière at a press conference at the National Assembly.

He explained that he wants to avoid the “glorification of criminal groups,” which, with complete “impunity,” are now displaying themselves “everywhere.” “Driving around with a truckload of garbage to glorify their criminal group would become illegal,” he summarized. 

The symbols targeted by the law would be listed on a public list, compiled by the Quebec Criminal Intelligence Service.

Items banned from demonstrations

The bill would also prohibit demonstrations within 50 meters of the land on which the residence of a member of the National Assembly or a municipal councillor is located. 

It would prohibit the possession or throwing of certain objects that could be used to injure, threaten or intimidate a person, or that could cause damage during a demonstration.

For example, it would be forbidden to show up with “a tool, a billiard ball, a piece of paving stone or a weapon, such as an air gun, a bow, a crossbow, a knife or a chemical agent,” the law text reads.

Police officers would have the right to search a person and “their immediate surroundings” if they have reasonable grounds to believe that they are in possession of such an object.

The idea is to “better equip the police,” according to Lafrenière. “I don’t know many people who would demonstrate with billiard balls because they have a passion for juggling,” he quipped.

Regarding searches, the former police officer acknowledges that the issue is “sensitive.” He says he expects to receive “a lot of comments” when the legislation is examined by a parliamentary committee. 

Public registry of sex offenders

Finally, Bill 13 would create a public registry of sex offenders released from prison but at high risk of reoffending, as is already done in other Canadian provinces.

Lafrenière proposes to publish for a maximum of three years — and according to certain criteria — their names, years of birth, photos and places of residence (without precise address).

Quebecers could then “take the necessary precautionary measures” “to ensure their safety.” However, the bill specifies that it is essential to avoid “encouraging vigilante justice towards sex offenders.”

In reality, no more than “a hundred” cases could end up in the register after evaluation by a committee composed of five experts, the minister calculates.

“Their sentence is over. There is no other (safety) net possible. We are adding another net,” he explained, estimating the annual cost of such a registry at $1.3 million.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews