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Home » Kugler Kandestin files class action against the City of Gatineau for incarcerating unhoused persons for unpaid fines

Kugler Kandestin files class action against the City of Gatineau for incarcerating unhoused persons for unpaid fines

Kugler Kandestin and JFB Avocats Criminalistes Inc. have filed an application for authorization to institute a class action in the Superior Court of Québec on behalf of unhoused persons who were incarcerated at the request of the City of Gatineau for unpaid fines.

Since June 5, 2020, the Code of Penal Procedure prohibits the incarceration of people with unpaid fines if they have do not have the means to pay those fines. The application for authorization alleges that, despite this prohibition, the City of Gatineau routinely seeks and obtains terms of imprisonment for these individuals. This class action claims compensatory and punitive damages from the City for the illegal imprisonment of class members.

If, at any time since June 5, 2020, you were unhoused and served all or part of a term of imprisonment for unpaid fines, we encourage you to speak with one of the lawyers below:

Your communications with us are free and will be kept strictly confidential.

We will continue to update this page as the case progresses.