You can’t police your way out of a pandemic
Pandemic measures continue to increase the role of the police, despite its disproportionate impacts on racialized populations and communities experiencing marginalization.
Rym Cheriet holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations from the University of Alberta and is currently completing a Master of Public Policy at McGill University. Rym has experience in advocacy and anti-racism work and is the vice-chair of the Centre for Race and Culture, a non-profit organization in Edmonton advocating for systemic changes to address racism through education, research, and community building. Write us at newsletterthebell@gmail.com
THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC has forced difficult trade-offs in individual rights and freedoms to save lives and, for the most part, Canadians have complied with this new reality by generally following provincial and municipal measures. But as the second year of the pandemic has arrived, it is time to take a closer look at observance of the laws, how they are enforced, and the benefits — if any — they have yielded.
To what extent can the government curtail citizens’ rights in the name of public health and safety? The most recent restriction — the enforced curfew in Quebec — raises important questions about police abuse and the efficacy of such measures. The staggering rise of COVID-19 in Quebec over the past few months, despite the introduction of numerous authoritative measures, shows the limited efficacy of such policies to control the pandemic. Only recently has Quebec seen a drop in daily cases, which according to Quebec’s premier, François Legault, is a result of the latest curfew restriction.
While restrictions are necessary to limit the spread of COVID-19, the humane aspect of those policies must be considered. The growing reliance on politics of fear and increased police presence during the COVID-19 pandemic particularly runs counter to community groups protesting against systemic racism in the police. Despite calls in Montreal to defund the Service de Police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM), which was supported by 60 percent of Montrealers who participated in budget consultations, the city announced an increase of $15-million for the SPVM budget in 2021 which represents 15 percent of the city’s budget.
This climate of fear has slowly gained momentum throughout the pandemic. In Quebec, it started with the increase of police presence in high schools to ensure students follow pandemic restrictions. Then the province granted greater powers to police officers through “telewarrants,” search warrants obtained over the phone that allows police officers to enter homes if they suspect a gathering. This has, among other things, led to higher risk of surveillance of communities that already deal with racial and social profiling on a daily basis.
Consequently, these punitive measures have contributed to greater abuse of power by the police who are exploiting the pandemic to justify discriminatory interventions on Black and racialized people. A report released by the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) tracked policing during the pandemic and discovered that the majority of fines related to COVID-19 had been issued in Quebec, Ontario, and Nova Scotia. According to the CCLA’s report, Black, Indigenous and racialized groups have been disproportionately impacted by the police’s increased powers during the pandemic.
The latest drastic measure to be implemented in Quebec, a strict curfew from 8:00 pm to 5:00 am, is meant to “shock” the population into staying home. Intentions aside, police are now able to fine individuals up to $6,000 who are out of their homes without a legitimate reason. Important concerns remain about how this measure will impact those experiencing homelessness.
While Premier Legault claims that there are places set up for those experiencing homelessness, advocates on the ground disagree, as shelters have had to reduce their number of beds to follow the province’s directives. Just recently, there was the death of an Inuk man in Montreal who froze to death near a shelter due to the restrictions on shelter capacities. In just one week, police had already issued fines to six Montreal individuals experiencing homelessness. The curfew leaves those experiencing homelessness with no alternatives and will ultimately lead to more policing of racialized populations and communities experiencing marginalization.
If such draconian measures are neither effective nor legally justified, what justification can the Quebec government use other than “shocking” its own population? Many experts warn that compliance with public health regulations is most effective through education and prevention rather than policing. Policymakers have the unique opportunity to think of a world where police presence is limited, and community supports are enhanced. Concerted efforts between the provincial government and municipal authorities are needed to adapt strategies and policies from the current inadequate approach.
A bigger emphasis on educating the population about public health impacts as well as prioritizing evidence-based policies is needed to ensure adherence to public health guidelines. Policy makers must use a human rights-based approach at the centre of their COVID-19 response to prevent discriminatory and arbitrary impacts on the most vulnerable populations, as recommended by the World Health Organization.
This pandemic is a challenge and an opportunity to reassess the role of the police in crisis management of the pandemic, but to also successfully implement public health measures with a focus on humanity and care rather than force. (RC)
Related: Policing the Pandemic Mapping Project: Tracking the Policing of COVID-19 Across Canada.
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The Bell is edited by Emily Nickerson, Mariel Aramburu, and Andrew Potter of the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University. If you have any feedback or would like to contribute to this newsletter, please send an email to the editors at newsletterthebell@gmail.com