Montreal Protest Mask Ban Passes as Legislature Gets Ready to Vote on Protest Bill
A bylaw banning protesters from wearing masks during demonstrations in Montreal “without a valid excuse” has been passed at city hall.
Mayor Gerald Tremblay says the measure gives police the tools they have lacked until now to intervene and arrest troublemakers before violence and vandalism occur.
Tremblay made the announcement this afternoon.
The ban goes into effect tomorrow in a city that has seen hundreds of arrests and witnessed violent protests in the last few months.
The bylaw was passed as members of the Quebec legislature continued their debate on a controversial bill aimed at putting an end to student protests.
The legislation provides for fines of between $1,000 and $5,000 for any individual who prevents someone from entering an educational institution.
Penalties climb to between $7,000 and $35,000 for a student leader and to between $25,000 and $125,000 for unions or student federations.