A Quebec resident was issued a $6250 ticket for violating Canada’s travel and quarantine laws 16 months after the incident.
Jacob Malcer was issued a ticket in August 2023 for allegedly violating Canada’s post-travel quarantine requirements in May 2022.
Malcer, a Canadian immigrant from Poland, visited his home country in May 2022 to attend his mother’s funeral.
In May 2022, the Canadian government was allowing unvaccinated travellers to enter into Canada with the caveat that they must provide a negative Covid-19 test upon entry along with a self-imposed quarantine for 14 days.
In grief over his mother’s recent death, Malcer said, he left his home on the ninth day of his quarantine to drive around the city. However, he was stopped by a police officer who instructed him to return home. He was not issued a ticket at the time.
“I knew I was supposed to self-isolate, however it was very hard for me. And on day nine of my self-isolation I decide to just clear my thoughts and to leave the house in my car for a short drive. And unfortunately I was stopped by a cop,” he told True North.
However, on August 10, 2023, Malcer received a letter from the government of Quebec accusing him of having violated the Quarantine Act. He was given a $5,000 fine in addition to $1,250 in “costs.”
“I was really upset about this because I did not commit any crime,” said Malcer.
“My crime was to drive alone in a car, knowing I’m negative [for Covid-19] when I was suicidal and I did not think I was doing anything wrong.”
Malcer said that he has continued to receive letters reminding him to pay the fine despite him having appeared in court to plead not guilty.
However, Malcer says that he is not confident he’ll be able to win in court, as he does not have any legal representation.
“I feel really powerless against the system,” said Malcer.
“If we got to the point where we punish people for attending someone’s funeral – because that’s actually what happened – then something is terribly, terribly wrong.”
