Canada/Rivière-du-Loup to impose fines on citizens disrespectful of council

People who make inappropriate comments or behave in an inappropriate manner during Rivière-du-Loup council meetings may soon be subject to fines.

At the next public meeting, elected officials will be adopting amendments to the by-law concerning good order and peace.

These changes will enable the chairman of the meeting to remove the right to speak and even impose fines if one or more persons attending the meeting behave in an inappropriate manner or make inappropriate comments.

These fines will amount to $150 and can go up to $1,000 in the event of a repeat offence.

Over the past year, question periods have been stormy on numerous occasions, prompting elected officials to take action.

The notice of motion tabled Monday evening states that it will be forbidden to engage in conduct, make comments or use a tone that is uncivil, disrespectful, aggressive, derogatory or arrogant. Rivière-du-Loup mayor Mario Bastille is clear: he wants no more outbursts at council meetings. He reiterates that it is possible to ask questions and express disagreement without resorting to gratuitous attacks.

We've been good players over the past year, but now we've reached the point where we have to get tough.

A quote from Mario Bastille, mayor of Rivière-du-Loup

Rivière-du-Loup's elected officials aren't the only ones to denounce the atmosphere at various public meetings.

Earlier this month, Rimouski mayor Guy Caron also had to call certain residents to order during a question period.

Source: ici.radio-canada.ca/